John Keells profit after tax jumps 39 percent to 5.82 billion rupees in September quarter

Daily FT, Newswire and Lanka Business Online report that John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) recorded Rs. 7.95 billion in pre-tax profit for the second quarter of 2026/27, a 2% rise year on year. Newswire and Lanka Business Online put group profit after tax at Rs. 5.82 billion, up 39%. Daily FT, EconomyNext, Newswire and Lanka Business Online report that the amount attributable to the parent’s shareholders increased 213%, to Rs. 5.17 billion from Rs. 1.65 billion. Newswire and Lanka Business Online say quarterly EBITDA was Rs. 18.30 billion, compared with Rs. 18.36 billion a year earlier; first-half EBITDA increased 11% to Rs. 34.65 billion.

EconomyNext reports the quarter ran through September 30, 2026, and group revenue declined 2% to Rs. 142.1 billion from Rs. 144.8 billion. It also reports earnings per share rose to Rs. 0.29 from Rs. 0.09. EconomyNext links the revenue decline chiefly to more normalized vehicle sales at John Keells CG Auto (JKCG), following a prior-year surge after imports resumed in 2025, as well as a temporary vehicle-duty surcharge and tighter vehicle-financing limits introduced in May 2026. Lanka Business Online says the venture, in which JKH owns 50%, contributed less than in the comparison period.

EconomyNext reports retail produced Rs. 74.3 billion in revenue, with Keells supermarkets achieving 13% same-store sales growth. Newswire says retail EBITDA dropped 53% to Rs. 4.75 billion and that JKCG delivered over 2,400 vehicles in the quarter. EconomyNext says the previous year’s vehicle-import rebound had generated pent-up demand.

Newswire and Lanka Business Online report transportation EBITDA climbed to Rs. 4.89 billion from Rs. 1.93 billion. Both attribute the increase to Lanka Marine Services’ stronger bunkering business, where volumes grew 31%, and a greater contribution from Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT). They say CWIT processed 502,351 TEUs during the quarter and reached the two-million-TEU mark within 18 months of beginning operations. Lanka Business Online reports Phase 2 work has started, equipment is being brought into service in stages, and full operations are expected by December 2026.

EconomyNext reports property revenue grew by over 145% to Rs. 4.7 billion after apartment and office handovers at Cinnamon Life and TRI-ZEN. It also puts consumer-foods revenue at Rs. 13.7 billion, citing stronger beverage and confectionery volumes. Lanka Business Online says currency appreciation had a net Rs. 340 million impact on pre-tax profit; without exchange movements, it reports pre-tax profit would have been Rs. 7.61 billion, versus Rs. 8.04 billion a year earlier.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.