ValueMax Group Limited reported a 30.4 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit attributable to shareholders to S$62.6 million for the six months ended Jun 30 2026, lifted by a sharp increase in sales from its retail jewellery and gold trading as well as a stronger contribution from moneylending.

Earnings per share grew to 6.63 Singapore cents from 5.39 cents a year earlier. The board declared an interim, one-tier tax-exempt dividend of 1.38 cents a share, up from 1.20 cents a year ago, payable on 3 Sep 2026, with books closing on 27 Aug 2026.

Group revenue surged 38.2 per cent to S$370.7 million. Retail and trading of jewellery and gold remained the largest topline driver, contributing S$290.0 million, up 41.6 per cent YoY. Pawnbroking revenue expanded 42.8 per cent to S$40.1 million, while moneylending rose 14.8 per cent to S$40.7 million.

By pre-tax earnings, moneylending led with S$26.3 million (+33 per cent YoY), followed by pawnbroking at S$21.9 million (+68 per cent) and retail and trading at S$23.0 million (+7.8 per cent). The “Others” segment posted a loss of S$2.5 million. Share of profit from associates climbed 41.2 per cent to S$6.3 million, underpinning the group’s overall pre-tax profit of S$74.9 million (+30.5 per cent).

Gross profit improved 23.2 per cent to S$99.9 million, though gross margin narrowed to 27.0 per cent from 30.2 per cent as higher-margin pawnbroking and moneylending contributions were offset by a larger share of sales from the lower-margin jewellery and gold trading unit. Administrative expenses increased 9.4 per cent to S$28.1 million, reflecting higher staff costs and depreciation, while other operating expenses more than doubled to S$1.9 million on larger expected credit loss provisions.

On the balance-sheet front, total assets rose to S$1.76 billion as at Jun 30 2026 from S$1.56 billion at end-December, driven chiefly by a S$160.5 million increase in trade and other receivables and a S$7.0 million rise in inventories. Net debt expanded, with total interest-bearing borrowings climbing to S$1.05 billion from S$886.3 million six months earlier, though net asset value per share still improved to 68.13 cents from 64.40 cents.

Looking ahead, ValueMax flagged persistent volatility in gold prices amid geopolitical tensions and uncertain interest-rate trajectories. The group noted intensifying competition but said it continues to scout for acquisitions and new outlet locations. In April it acquired a 40 per cent stake in PT Gadai ValueMax Indonesia, which operates 11 pawnshops in Jakarta, marking its first move into Indonesia and signalling further regional expansion ambitions.