Briefs

Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF) reported first-quarter net profit of Bt1.5 billion, soaring by 58.7 per cent from the same period last year.
The net profit jumped as a result of significant foreign-exchange gains and continual sales growth while the gross margin of 13.8 per cent stayed at about the same level as in the final quarter of 2014.
The group’s consolidated sales reached Bt28.6 billion, up 2.4 per cent from Bt27.9 billion a year earlier, despite a typically low season for TUF. Additionally, sales growth could have been stronger without the impact of lower tuna and shrimp raw-material prices that reduced sales value and had an impact on its OEM sales.
The weakening euro, despite helping boost the company’s foreign-exchange gains in the quarter, did reduce the sales and profit contribution from TUF’s European operation, which otherwise was a solid performer during the period.

PRUKSA CONFIDENT OF BEATING 2015 TARGET
Pruksa Real Estate generated Bt12.7 billion in sales in the first quarter, a significant 64.5-per-cent increase over the fourth quarter of 2014. Such a strong performance has led the company to be confident it will be able to exceed its 2015 sales target of Bt47 billion.
“Our main sources of revenue during the first quarter of 2015 were townhouses (57 per cent), detached homes (29 per cent), condominiums (13 per cent) and overseas ventures (1 per cent),” said Thongma Vijitpongpun, president and chief executive officer.
“Such an impressive sales success was a result of our strategic focus on customers with real demands for quality residential properties. This also contributes to an increase in our market share, from 13 per cent late last year to 15 per cent now, and such growth was evident in all market segments including townhouses, detached houses and condominiums.
“Moreover, we are making efforts to appeal more to potential buyers of premium-class properties such as detached houses and condominiums.”