Ansell reports uptick in FY sales, dividend up 20%
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The news: Personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturer Ansell reported a 0.7% lift in full-year sales to USD1.03 billion ($1.46 billion), supported by favourable foreign exchange movements.
The numbers: The result fell shy of average forecasts of USD1.08 billion, according to Visible Alpha data.
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) was up 15.3% to USD127.4 million, but came in lower than analysts' estimates of USD142.7 million.
The company declared an interim dividend of 26.6 US cents per share, 20% above last year's payout and beating consensus estimates of 26 US cents per share.
It also maintained FY26 guidance for adjusted earnings per share of 137-149 US cents.
The context: Ansell said "key investments" in recent years contributed to double-digit earnings growth and an improved earnings margin in the half-year period, despite "subdued market conditions".
Outgoing CEO Neil Salmon said the company does not expect "any meaningful improvement" in market conditions, though it sees growth opportunities in "verticals and geographies favoured by increased public and private investment".
Salmon, who is succeeded by incoming CEO Nathalie Ahlström today, said a "key focus" for the company has been implementing price increases to offset the effects of higher tariffs in the US.
"Our US business is performing in line with expectations, and we continue to monitor market conditions closely for demand effects directly and indirectly related to trade policy changes," he said.
The source: ASX
