Starhill Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) has achieved a 13% increase in pre-tax profit to RM19.3 million for its fourth quarter ended June 30, compared with RM17 million the year before.

Not only has there been an increase in pre-tax profit but revenue has also raised up to RM26 million against RM23.5 million previously, while earnings per share stood at 1.74 sen and Starhill REIT proposed a per share dividend o 2.15 sen. 

Starhill REIT said rentals received from newly-acquired The Residences at Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the higher rental rates from renewal of existing tenancies and the commencement of new tenancies at its existing investment properties contributed to the rise in revenue and pre-tax profit. 

Considering the strength of the real estate portfolio invested, Starhill REIT expects to achieve satisfactory performance in the year ending June 30, 2008.