Novartis Delivers Strong Double-Digit Growth and Margin Expansion in First Nine Months
Basel, Switzerland (ots/PRNewswire)
Key figures
First nine months Nine months 2004 Nine months 2003 % Change USD m % of sales USD m % of sales USD lc[1] Sales 20 669 18 134 14 9 Pharmaceutical 11 641 16 11 sales 13 528 Consumer Health 6 493 10 5 sales 7 141 Operating income 5 005 24.2 4 283 23.6 17 Net income 4 389 21.2 3 656 20.2 20 Basic earnings per USD USD share/ADS 1.79 1.48 21
Third quarter
Q3 2004 Q3 2003 % Change USD m % of sales USD m % of sales USD lc Sales 7 057 6 210 14 9 Pharmaceutical 4 041 15 11 sales 4 646 Consumer Health 2 169 11 7 sales 2 411 Operating income 1 717 24.3 1 469 23.7 17 Net income 1 547 21.9 1 277 20.6 21 Basic earnings per USD USD share/ADS 0.63 0.52 21
[1] lc - Local currencies
- Nine-month sales rise 14% (+9% lc) to USD 20.7 billion, with Pharmaceuticals growing 16% (+11% lc) and Consumer Health advancing 10% (+5% lc)
- Pharmaceuticals continues to achieve strong double-digit growth and market share gains in a slowing global healthcare market, driven by enhanced leadership positions in the cardiovascular and oncology franchises
- Consumer Health sales up 10% in USD due mainly to double-digit growth in OTC and Medical Nutrition, offsetting lower sales growth in Sandoz generics business
- Operating income advances faster than sales, rising 17% to USD 5.0 billion, owing to excellent business performance and effective resource allocation
- Net income up 20% to USD 4.4 billion, while EPS advances 21% to USD 1.79 per share
Please find the full press release under the following link: http://www.novartis.com
Contact:
John Gilardi, Novartis Global Media Relations, Tel +41-61-324-3018 or
+41-61-324-2200, john.gilardi@group.novartis.com. Nehl Horton,
Novartis Global Media Relations, Tel +41-61-324-5749 or
+41-61-324-2200, nehl.horton@group.novartis.com