KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VCI Global Limited (NASDAQ:VCIG) ("VCI Global", "VCIG", or the "Company"), a diversified holding company focusing on consulting and technology, is proud to announce its audited financial results for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Financial Results"). VCI Global delivered a record high total revenue of $19.8 million for fiscal year 2023, representing a 145% YoY growth. Gross profit achieved significant growth of 159% YoY, reaching $16.4 million in fiscal year 2023. Net income reached $7.2 million in fiscal year 2023, achieved remarkable growth of 57%. VCI Global executed several major achievements that have led to a surge in revenue by expanding VCIG's capital market consultancy and technology ventures. VCIG's business strategy consultancy revenue surged by 265% yearly to $14.7 million in 2023, highlighting the potential of this industry. Additionally, VCIG demonstrates sustainable growth with a 13% revenue increase to $4.5 million in highly scalable technology development, solutions, and consultancy segment for fiscal year 2023, supported by a robust gross profit margin of 94%. "We are excited to announce the exceptional financial performance, characterized by substantial growth in both revenue and profit. Our success underscores our steadfast commitment to excellence and the collective efforts of our dedicated team, as well as the strength of our business model and strategic initiatives on capital market consulting and technology business. As we look ahead, we remain focused on sustaining this momentum, delivering sustainable value to our shareholders, and making meaningful contributions to the communities we serve," said Dato' Victor Hoo, Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VCI Global. FINANCIAL RESULTS Revenue was $19.8 million for fiscal year 2023, representing an increase of 145% YoY from $8.1 million for fiscal year 2022. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to higher demand across all of our business segments. VCIG's revenue generated from business strategy consultancy fee increased by 265% to $14.7 million for fiscal year 2023, compared to $4.0 million for fiscal year 2022. The increase was primarily a result of the IPO services provided to 4 clients from Malaysia and Singapore. Notably, YY Group Holding Limited was successfully listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 22, 2024, under the symbol "YYGH". VCIG's other clients are currently undergoing the process of going public on Nasdaq, further enhancing its reputation in this attractive market. The company's revenue generated from technology development, solutions and consultancy increased by 13% to $4.5 million for fiscal year 2023, compared to $4.0 million for fiscal year 2022. This increase was primarily the result of completing two major projects: the development of a financing management system and an e-commerce platform, both provided to the Fintech industry. VCIG's revenue generated from other services increased over six-fold to $0.7 million for fiscal year 2023, compared to $87 thousand for fiscal year 2022. In fiscal year 2023, the Company introduced a new service – financing service, which contributed revenue of $413 thousand.   For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31     2023   2022   Change     USD   USD   %   Revenue from Business Strategy Consultancy 14,654,120   4,016,231   264.9 % Revenue from Technology Development, Solutions and Consultancy 4,472,559   3,976,195   12.5 % Interest Income 413,354   -   100.0 % Others 244,715   87,047   181.1 % Total Revenue 19,784,748   8,079,473   144.9 %               Other Income for fiscal year 2023 was $164 thousand, representing a decrease of 58%, compared to $393 thousand in fiscal year 2022. EBITDA of $7.3 million in fiscal year 2023, reflecting a 37% margin of revenue, with a substantial increase of 125%, compared to $3.2 million in fiscal year 2022. This surge was primarily driven by heightened operating income. Net Income for the fiscal year 2023 amounted to $7.2 million, representing a margin of revenue of 37% and a notable increase of 57%, compared to $4.6 million in fiscal year 2022. Cost of Services was $3.4 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, representing a 93% increase from $1.7 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. Consultant fee costs increased by 464% to $2.4 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $428 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. This significant increase was primarily due to more on-going IPO projects and the increase in their consultancy fees, driven by the Company's engagement of more professionals including legal counsel, auditors, financial consultants, and US Capital Market consultants to serve its clients. Such consultant fee payment, included and treated as part of our consultation services to our clients during the IPO process. IT expenses decreased by 82% to $239 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.3 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. This significant reduction resulted from the expansion of the Company's in-house IT team and the development and direct deployment of most IT projects to customers. Subscription fee was $31 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $3.2 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, due to an additional subscription to a service provider which provides media monitoring, analytics and insight solutions. Other cost of services increased by $661 thousand from $7 thousand in fiscal year 2022 to $669 thousand in fiscal year 2023. This increase was mainly due to the referral fees paid ($552 thousand) for introducing new projects for the consulting services.   2023   2022   Change     USD   USD   %   Consultant Fee 2,413,237   428,122   463.7 % IT Expenses 239,426   1,300,252   -81.6 % Subscription Fee 30,720   3,208   857.5 % Referral Fee 552,263   -   100.0 % Others 116,503   7,404   1,473.4 % Total 3,352,149   1,738,986   92.8 %               Depreciation expenses was $162 thousand in fiscal year 2023, representing an increase of 52%, compared to $106 thousand in fiscal year 2022. The increase was primarily due to additional asset acquired, including renovations for the newly leased offices and campus, as well as purchases of computer software and office equipment. Directors' fees increased by $1.2 million to $1.3 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $44 thousand for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was due to the increased in the number of Directors employed and their expanded responsibilities and duties toward the group after the successful IPO exercise on Nasdaq in April 2023. Operating Income increased to $7.1 million in fiscal year 2023, reflecting a significant increase of 128% compared to $3.1 million in fiscal year 2022. This notable increase was primarily driven by the rise in revenue from Business Strategy Consultancy, resulting in a 265% increase due to the completion or near-completion of multiple IPO projects in fiscal year 2023. Furthermore, revenue from Technology Development, Solutions and Consultancy witnessed an increase of 13% attributed to the completion of two major projects, namely fintech solutions and e-commerce platform, alongside the addition of interest income derived from microfinancing activities. As a result of the above, profit for the period was $7.2 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $4.6 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. Basic and Diluted earnings per share was $0.21 for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $0.13 for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, reflecting an increase of $0.08, or 62%. CASH POSITION AND CAPITAL ALLOCATION Net cash generated from operating activities was $1.2 million in fiscal year 2023, a significant increase of $1.5 million, from -$0.3 million in fiscal year 2022, driven by a robust profit before tax of $7.1 million. This figure was adjusted for non-cash items and changes in operating assets and liabilities, mainly due to the increase in trade and other receivables of $0.1 million and increase in trade and other payables of $3.7 million. Net cash used in investing activities was -$4.0 million as of December 31, 2023, significantly decreasing from $256 thousand as of December 31, 2022. This decrease was attributable to VCIG's investment in GlobexUS Holdings Corp., YY Group Holding Limited, and Sagtec Global Limited. Additionally, VCIG acquired property and equipment totalled $0.4 million. Net cash generated from financing activities amounted to $3 million in fiscal year 2023, representing an increase of $2.7 million from $247 thousand in fiscal year 2022. The increase is mainly due to the advance payments to related parties and dividend payment of $0.5 million and $104 thousand respectively, as well as repayment of operating lease of $82 thousand. Cash and cash equivalents were recorded at $1.0 million as of December 31, 2023, representing a slight increase of 11 %, compared to the $0.9 million as of December 31, 2022. The amount includes cash on hand, general bank balances and cash in share trading accounts. Of the $1 million, $0.7 million is denominated in Ringgit Malaysia, while the rest is held in other currencies. About VCI Global Limited VCI Global is a diversified holding company. Through its subsidiaries, it focuses on consulting, fintech, AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and gamification. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, our main operations are centered in Asia, with significant visibility across Asia Pacific, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. VCIG primarily offers consulting services in capital markets, real estate, AI, and technology. In technology businesses, the company operates a proprietary financing platform that serves companies and individuals, as well as a secured messaging platform serving governments and organizations. We also invest, incubate, accelerate, and commercialize businesses and technologies in AI, robotics, and gamification. For more information on the Company, please log on to https://v-capital.co/.  Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding the Company's ability to grow its business and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including without limitation, the Company's ability to achieve profitable operations, customer acceptance of new products, the effects of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and future measures taken by authorities in the countries wherein the Company has supply chain partners, the demand for the Company's products and the Company's customers' economic condition, the impact of competitive products and pricing, successfully managing and, general economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release, except in accordance with applicable law. CONTACT INFORMATION: For media queries, please contact: VCI Global Financial Tables   VCI Global Limited and Its SubsidiariesConsolidated Statements of Financial PositionAs of December 31, 2022 and 2023               December 31,2023   December 31,2022   USD   USD ASSETS                       Non-current assets           Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income 8,360,497     2,911,924   Financial assets, at fair value through profit and loss 15,861     16,421   Property and equipment 696,865     352,431   Right-of-use assets 262,337     162,213   Intangible assets 1,024,316     -   Deferred initial public offering expense -     1,491,008   Loan receivables 4,619,070     -   Deferred tax assets 74,009     77,149   Total non-current assets 15,052,955     5,011,146               Current assets           Trade and other receivables 6,308,063     3,579,678   Loan receivables 3,350,889     -   Amount due from related parties -     1,590   Cash and bank balances 1,010,455     907,665   Total current assets 10,669,407     4,488,933