Growth Without Profit? Mapping D&O's Strategic Reset

D&O Green Technologies is a vertically integrated automotive LED solution provider, evolving into a one-stop platform for smart automotive lighting systems. A key innovation is its seddLED - the world’s first smart digital automotive LED that integrates both LED and IC within a single package.

Over the past six years, D&O achieved a 13% CAGR in revenue, yet PAT grew at only 2% CAGR. This discrepancy is largely due to a significant decline in gross profit margin, which dropped from 28% in 2019 to 20 % in 2024, although partially offset by improved Selling, General, and Administrative efficiency.

The margin erosion stemmed from several factors - less favourable product mix, rising input costs, higher depreciation and overhead, industry pricing pressure and foreign exchange volatility.

These structural and external challenges weighed on profitability, despite strong topline performance. It is no surprise, then, that ROE in 2024 is roughly half of what it was in 2019.

However, the outlook is not entirely bleak. While gross margins remain below historical levels, D&O’s strategic pivot toward higher-margin products, deeper vertical integration, and sustained investment in automation are showing early signs of a turnaround.

A sustained recovery will hinge on scaling production volumes, cost stabilization, and market acceptance of its advanced offerings. Given this context, it is clear why D&O falls into the Turnaround quadrant in the Fundamental Mapper.

If you are looking for deeper investing insights into the semiconductor sector on Bursa, don’t miss our upcoming podcast on 5 June — “AI & Global Demand: Fueling the Next Chip Rally?” — where we explore investing opportunities for Malaysian semiconductor stocks.

Date: 5 Jun 2025 (Thur)

Time: 8:30pm

Where: https://www.facebook.com/xifu.my