Sonic Healthcare Full Year Results FY 2012

Australian based, international pathology, radiology and medical centres group Sonic Healthcare (ASX:SHL) have reported their full year results to the market announcing record profits for FY 2012 to June 30.

• Record net profit of $316 million (up 7.3 percent)
• Chief executive Colin Goldschmidt said, "Our big growth for the future is probably going to come out of the USA and Germany where the markets are still quite fragmented and our positions are still relatively young."
• USA had 2 percent organic growth while Germany had 11 percent organic growth.
• The announcement of acquisitions of labs earlier this month will add critical mass to SHL's operations in the American Mid-Atlantic.
• Sonic Healthcare’s CEO and Managing Director, Dr Colin Goldschmidt said: "Both Piedmont Medical Laboratory and Axiom Laboratories represent valuable synergistic acquisitions for Sonic. PML will serve to extend our service in the Mid-Atlantic area and will also offer operating synergies due to the close proximity to our current operation. Axiom adds further critical mass and growth potential for Sonic in the important Florida market. I take this opportunity to warmly welcome all PML and Axiom staff to the Sonic Healthcare group."
• Dr Goldschmidt also said that pathology and imaging industry would be underpinned by the growing needs of an ageing population, more genetic tests, and a push towards preventative medicine.
• Growth expectations cut to 5 to 10 percent, on previous guidance of 10 to 15 percent.
• SHL shares closed on the sharemarket at $12.82, down 2.66 percent or 35 cents.
• Sonic Healthcare has announced a final dividend, 45 percent franked, of 35 cents. Ex dividend date of 3/9/2012. The interim dividend earlier this year was 24 cents (35 percent franked). Total dividend payout for this financial year was 59 cents.