Business

WCE Holdings posts strong Q4 results as toll revenue surges with new expressway sections

West Coast Expressway operator sees significant boost in earnings and traffic growth; signals shift toward sustained profitability with more sections set to open

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 27 May 2025 6:40PM

WCE Holdings posts strong Q4 results as toll revenue surges with new expressway sections
EBITDA improves to RM98.2 million in FY2025, up from RM3.8 million in the previous financial year - May 27, 2025

WCE Holdings Berhad (WCEHB) has reported a sharp increase in revenue and improved operational performance for the fourth quarter ended 31 March 2025 (4Q FY2025), underpinned by rising toll collections and ramped-up construction activity.

For the financial year ended 31 March 2025 (FY2025), the Group recorded a 2% year-on-year growth in revenue, bolstered by a 107% surge in toll collection revenue due to additional sections of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) becoming operational. Group EBITDA jumped to RM98.2 million from RM3.8 million in FY2024, and the Group narrowed its loss before tax to RM134.3 million from RM163.6 million in the previous financial year.

Quarterly performance saw an even more pronounced uplift. Revenue for 4Q FY2025 increased 247% year-on-year to RM318.1 million from RM91.6 million, driven by higher construction activity and robust growth in toll revenue. Toll collection alone rose 79% quarter-on-quarter, indicating strong traffic uptake on newly opened expressway sections.

Concession Segment Strengthens with New Openings

Toll collection under the concession segment surged 107% year-on-year for FY2025, following the opening of three major sections: Section 1 (Banting to South Klang Valley Expressway), Section 2 (South Klang Valley Expressway to Shah Alam Expressway), and Section 11 (Beruas to Taiping Selatan). However, overall revenue for the concession segment declined 18% due to a lower recognition of construction revenue after the completion of these works.

In the fourth quarter, the segment saw a 144% increase in revenue year-on-year, driven by construction of Rest and Service Areas (RSAs) and higher toll collections.

Construction Activity Accelerates

WCE Maju Sdn Bhd, the Group’s construction arm, delivered strong performance, with FY2025 revenue rising 431% year-on-year. Key ongoing projects included the proposed access road to a mixed development in Kota Seri Langat, Section 7B (Assam Jawa Interchange to Tanjung Karang Interchange), and the construction of ten RSAs along the WCE.

The segment returned to profitability, registering a profit before tax of RM3.7 million, reversing a RM4.1 million loss in FY2024. Construction revenue for 4Q FY2025 surged by 1,879% compared to the same period in the previous year.

The West Coast Expressway spans 233 kilometres from Banting in Selangor to Taiping in Perak, with 40 kilometres yet to be constructed. The build-operate-transfer project carries a concession period of up to 60 years from 20 December 2013.

As of 31 March 2025, 180 kilometres — eight of the eleven sections — are operational. The entire Perak alignment (120 kilometres) has been completed. Among the operational sections now include Section 1 (Banting to SKVE), Section 2 (SKVE to KESAS), Section 8 (Hutan Melintang to Teluk Intan), and Section 9 (Kampung Lekir to Changkat Cermin).

The opening of Section 2 on 22 January 2025, connecting SKVE and KESAS, further improved expressway connectivity and boosted traffic. Sectional average daily traffic volume grew 93% year-on-year.

During the Chinese New Year period in January 2025, toll collection peaked at RM0.7 million per day, surpassing April 2024’s record of RM0.6 million. A new peak of RM0.9 million was achieved during Hari Raya Puasa in April 2025, with daily traffic hitting a high of 375,000.

Funding Secured for Further Development

On 18 April 2025, WCEHB received government consent to accept a Term Loan Facility of up to RM1.15 billion from Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad. The facility will finance the continued development, design, and construction of the expressway, as well as related financing and project costs.

Looking Ahead

The Group remains optimistic about its financial outlook, anticipating further improvement as remaining sections — Section 3 (KESAS to Federal Highway Route 2), Section 4 (Federal Highway Route 2 to New North Klang Straits Bypass), and Section 7 (Assam Jawa to Tanjung Karang) — come online.

“With the continued ramp-up in sectional toll revenue and the completion of the remaining sections, the Group anticipates a transition toward sustained profitability,” the company stated. - May 27, 2025

Spotlight

Malaysia

RM245m Penang Hill cable car project 32 per cent complete - CM

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Six locals charged over alleged kidnapping of Singaporean couple in Johor

Malaysia

PM: No political, racial or religious shield for those found guilty in TH, Felda probes

Malaysia

Singapore security guard jailed 14 days, fined RM7,000 for insulting Islam

Health

Dengue cases soar 56% to 58,079 as nation records 55 deaths

Malaysia

NGOs urge BERSAMA to put Indian community agenda on political radar

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Health

MOH warns seniors against unproven hydrogen inhalers

Malaysia

Former Tabung Haji CEO remanded seven days as MACC RCI probe deepens

Malaysia

21 held in KLIA-Nilai crackdown on alleged online love scam syndicate

You may be interested

Business

Robo.ai expects shareholders’ equity to turn positive after restructuring

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Business

Tey Por Yee and four others ordered to pay RM103.75m in SC civil suit

Business

FMM urges input tax credits as government reviews GST features for SST

Business

Independent review needed, not blind denial, to address US claims – maritime expert

Business

Oil prices surge as US-Iran standoff, Ukraine strikes rattle global energy markets

Business

Oil prices hold above US$84 as Middle East tensions persist