By Chester Tay

Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd.'s net profit fell 26% in the third quarter as revenue declined, operating expenses rose and it set aside money for impairment losses.

Net profit for the company's January-to-March quarter was 339.2 million ringgit ($78.0 million) and net interest income was MYR740.4 million, down 0.9% from a year earlier.

Revenue slid 12% to MYR1.14 billion.

For the nine-month period of FY 2020, net profit fell 8.1% to MYR1.33 billion but net interest income grew 1.4% to MYR2.28 billion.

Although global supply chain disruptions seem to have eased, Hong Leong said the impact of much softer demand will continue for the remainder of the financial year and carry on through to the next.

Hong Leong expects the core strength of its operating businesses in liquidity, capital and credit discipline will serve the group's businesses well. 



  Write to Chester Tay at chester.tay@wsj.com