Yesterday Krka held their Annual Shareholders Meeting during which the company’s shareholders approved a dividend of EUR 3.2 per share (DY 5%). During the Meeting, the company’s Management also presented the company’s preliminary H1 2019 results, showing a 12% YoY increase in sales, while EBITDA rose 12% YoY.

Group sales amounted to EUR 761.8m, representing a 12% YoY increase. The largest region in terms of sales was East Europe where sales reached EUR 251.5m (+15% YoY). Russia remained Krka’s largest individual market in the region. In Western Europe, the company’s second largest region, sales grew 17% YoY.  The highest growth was recorded in the Scandinavian countries, Spain, the United Kingdom and Portugal. In Germany, the largest market in the region, Krka recorded a 5% YoY increase in sales. All other regions grew as well with Central Europe up 5%, followed by South-East Europe (+11% YoY), Slovenia (+4%) and Overseas markets (+13%).

The Group reported an EBTIDA of 210.3m, which represents a 10% YoY increase, however EBITDA margin decreased slightly to 27.6% (-49bp). Finally, net profit amounted to EUR 139.9m (+37% YoY) which translates to a net profit margin of 18.4%.

Regarding new products, in the first half of 2019, Krka obtained marketing authorisations for 6 new products in 12 dosage forms and strengths.