Alliance Pharma posts strong results after audit delay

(Sharecast News) - Alliance Pharma reported strong preliminary results for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, after an audit delay, driven by a robust second half that led to record sales and expanded underlying profit. The AIM-traded firm said consumer healthcare revenue increased 11% at constant exchange rates (CER) to £136.4m, up 9% on a reported basis, with the Kelo-Cote franchise showing significant recovery in the second half, achieving a 29% revenue increase to £63.2m.

Prescription medicine revenue remained stable at £46.3m.

Non-cash impairments totaled £79.3m, due to lower future cash flow expectations and a higher cost of capital, impacting assets like Amberen, Nizoral, and other smaller assets.

A correction of prior year valuation errors added £28.3m to the 2022 non-cash impairment charges.

Underlying profit before tax rose by 4% to £31.5m, while the reported loss before tax widened to £48.8m, from a restated loss of £23.1m in 2022.

Free cash flow grew 35% to £21.3m, and net debt narrowed to £91.2m, bringing group leverage to 2.05x.

The board said it had paused dividends to prioritise reinvestment for business growth.

Its latest US acquisition, ScarAway, performed strongly with £9.9m in revenue, exceeding expectations.

Internal development projects generated £3.5m in revenue, and e-commerce expansions were planned for 2024.

Operational efficiencies included moving Nizoral manufacturing to Thailand, resulting in cost savings and improved delivery performance.

Environmental initiatives achieved a 48% reduction in scope one and two emissions, with targets set for net zero by 2030 and scope three emissions by 2044.

Alliance Pharma noted that it was re-certified as a 'Great Place To Work' in the UK, US, China, and Singapore.

The board was meanwhile strengthened with several new appointments, including a new chair, Camillo Pane, and a new chief executive officer, Nick Sedgwick.

Additionally, the company successfully appealed a Competition and Markets Authority decision, releasing a £7.9m provision for a potential fine.

"Whilst the audit delay has been unsatisfactory, it has allowed us to implement a more robust intangible valuation review process," said chief financial officer Andrew Franklin.

"Despite the non-cash impairments our portfolio continues to provide a solid platform from which to grow our consumer healthcare brands and generate strong cash flow.

"In 2023, we increased marketing investment, launching award winning advertising campaigns for Kelo-Cote and MacuShield to accelerate organic sales growth whilst bringing new products to market."

Franklin said the company's revenues through e-commerce were building strongly, as it strengthened its network of specialist partners and internal capabilities and entered new geographies.

"We remain confident in our medium to long-term performance as we focus our resources on those market segments in which we already have a strong presence and expertise in order to drive solid organic revenue growth above that of the broader consumer healthcare market."

At 0915 BST, shares in Alliance Pharma were up 7.04% at 38p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.