As Roche announced on Tuesday, in the first nine months, Roche achieved a turnover of CHF 47.0 billion, an increase of 1 percent compared to the previous year. At constant exchange rates, sales increased by 2 percent. The group thus performed within its target. For the year as a whole, management had forecast growth in the range of stable and low single-digit percentages.
Looking at the two divisions, the larger pharmaceutical division contributed CHF 33.2 billion to sales, 1 percent below the previous year’s figure. According to the statement, significantly lower sales of Covid-19 related products (Ronapreve and Actemra/RoActemra) and continued erosion from biosimilars were offset by continued good growth in new drugs.
In the smaller diagnostic division, sales increased 4 percent to CHF 13.8 billion. This was mainly due to strong core business. Corona-related sales are likely to decline this year, as Roche has announced several times throughout the year.
Reported numbers for group and drug sales were below analysts’ estimates, while the diagnostic division outperformed. Roche traditionally does not offer profit figures after nine months.
For the 2022 fiscal year, Roche management maintains its cautious outlook. At constant exchange rates, the Group is targeting sales growth in the stable to low single-digit percentage range. Fundamental earnings per share are expected to rise slightly – that is, in the low to mid-single-digit percentage range. In addition, the group is committed to increasing the dividend rate in Swiss Francs.
(SDA)