31/05/2012 (Bernama) - Conglomerate Sime Darby Bhd is optimistic it will outperform its previous financial performance bolstered by better showing by its plantation, industrial and property divisions.

President Datuk Mohd Bakke Salleh said the group forecasted that crude palm oil prices would hover above RM3,000 per tonne over the next few months and the upcoming festive season would spike demand.

Meanwhile, the current industrial division's order book, which stood at RM4.6 billion, would keep the group busy for another 20 months.

Mohd Bakke, who is also Chief Executive Officer, said the group was on track not only to achieve the targets set in its strategy blueprint but also exceed the group's net profit key performance indicator of RM3.3 billion for financial year 2011/2012.

Sime Darby's pre-tax profit grew 26 per cent to RM4.3 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2012 while net profit rose 30 per cent to RM3.1 billion.