Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd returned to the black with a pre-tax profit of RM3.3 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013 against a pre-tax loss of RM2.4 million recorded in the corresponding quarter in 2012.

Revenue increased to RM96.1 million, during the period under review, from RM89.5 million registered in the same period last year.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia today, Utusan Melayu said the turnaround was  because of increased revenue from the newspaper circulation and investment holding segments.

The group expects this year to be challenging in view of increasing competition for market share of advertising expenditure among all media.

“We will strive to increase revenue through newspaper content improvements and creative packages for advertisements,” it said.    

The investment holding, management services and other segments are expected to maintain its profitability this year.

- Bernama