Healthcare company Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd
(ASX:SIP) has reported a five per cent rise in net profit for the half year and says it maintains its guidance for modest growth in net profit for the full year.
Net profit after tax for the six months to July 31 came to $32.2 million, up from $30.7 million for the same period a year ago.
Net external sales revenue rose 3.5 per cent to $1.5 billion.
Managing director Elmo De Alwis says the result reflects the defensive nature of the group.
Looking ahead the company says it maintains it previous guidance of modest growth in net profit after tax for the full year ending January 31 2010.
Sigma Pharmaceuticals declared an interim dividend pf three cents a share.
The pharmaceutical company also recently announced a$297 million equity raising to be used to assist in funding the Bristol-Myers Squibb acquisition and create a stronger capital structure for the company and greater financial flexibility.
Sigma Pharmaceuticals profits have declined in the last couple of years.
