SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (dpa-AFX) - Roche Holding AG (RHHBY.PK) reported that IFRS net income for the first half of 2013 improved to 6.047 billion Swiss francs from 4.312 billion Swiss francs in the same period last year. Net income on an IFRS basis rose 41% at Constant exchange rates as the large restructuring charges relating to the closure of the US site in Nutley that were incurred in 2012 were not repeated this year.
Core earnings per share was 7.58 Swiss francs, up from 6.88 Swiss francs last year.
Roche's CEO Severin Schwan: 'Roche delivered strong operating results in the first half of 2013, driven by our existing portfolio, recently launched cancer medicines Perjeta and Kadcyla, as well as continued growth in the clinical laboratory business.'
Group sales grew 5% to 23.3 billion Swiss francs, at Constant exchange rates, due to continued demand for the company's main oncology medicines, as well as for its clinical laboratory diagnostic products. Group Sales for the period increased to 23.29 billion Swiss francs from 22.42 billion Swiss francs last year.
The company confirmed its full-year outlook. Group sales in 2013 are expected to increase in line with last year's sales growth, at constant exchange rates. Core EPS is targeted to grow ahead of sales. In 2013, the company expects to further increase its dividend.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX