Half Year Report AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca PLC Half Year Results 1999 'Strong sales and profits growth in Healthcare' Financial Highlights § Statutory Pro Forma Basis Basis st st st 1 Half 1 Half 1 Half Constant 1999 1999 1998 Currency $m $m $m % % Sales: Group 9,043 9,043 8,096 + 12 + 12 Healthcare 7,382 7,382 6,360 + 16 + 16 Operating Profit: Group 2,103 2,091 1,938 + 8 + 9 Healthcare 1,834 1,822 1,610 + 13 + 13 Profit before Tax 2,092 2,059 1,934 + 6 + 7 Earnings per Share $0.83 $0.81 $0.75 + 8 n/a All narrative in this report refers to pro forma growth rates. Tom McKillop, Chief Executive, said: "AstraZeneca has made an excellent start with strong sales and profit growth in healthcare. Integration is progressing well and we look forward to the future with great confidence." *Healthcare sales up 16 per cent; US Healthcare sales up 17 per cent *Healthcare operating profit up 13 per cent *Agrochemicals sales down 5 per cent *Specialties sold for $2 billion (H1 99 operating profit: $71 million) *First interim dividend of $0.23 per Ordinary Share (14.2 pence per share, SEK 1.89 per share) *New dividend policy including planned share repurchase programme st st 1 Half 1 Half 1999 1998 $m Reported % $m Profit before Tax 1,342 2,089 - 36 Earnings per Share $0.47 $0.81 - 42 (FRS3) §Pro forma Basis: see basis of calculation description in Note 2. n/a = not applicable London, 3 August 1999 Media Enquiries: Steve Brown/Lucy Williams (London) (0171) 304 5033/5034 Mikael Widell/Staffan Ternby (Stockholm) (8) 553 26428/26107 Rachel Bloom (Wilmington) (302) 886 7858 Analyst/Investor Enquiries: Elizabeth Sutton/Michael Olsson (London) (0171) 304 5101/5087 Staffan Ternby (Stockholm) (8) 553 26107 Ed Seage (Wilmington) (302) 886 4065 Jörgen Winroth (Wayne) (609) 896 4148 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/03/19990803BIT00040/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/03/19990803BIT00040/bit0002.pdf