MISC Profit Down 29%

MISC Bhd reported that first quarter net profit dropped 29 percent on lower freight rates for its liner and petroleum divisions. The industry is expected to be either stable or soft because there are more ships in supply than what the market demands and the delay in scrapping old tonnage. Still, MISC's earnings should remain stable on long-term charters from the LNG, petroleum, offshore businesses and the turnaround of its heavy engineering activities.