One of the leading pharmaceuticals in Pakistan, Abbott Laboratories (PSX: ABOT) has been having a strong year; for the nine months ended 2016, the company’s top line is up by 10 percent year-on-year, while the bottom line grew by 18 percent. Gross and net margins have inched up nicely, owing to a better product mix (as per the first quarterly Director’s Report).

For the period under review, Abbott’s domestic sales – which make up over 90 percent of the top line – have improved by seven percent over last year, while exports grew by 14 percent. The growth seems to be coming from all three segments – pharmaceutical, nutritional, and others (diagnostics, diabetes care, and general healthcare) – as per the half-yearly Director’s Report. In the first six months of the year, Abbott had launched five new products. This also accounts for the increase in selling and distribution expenses.

Abbott holds a diverse product portfolio. It has leading brands in almost all therapeutic areas. Moreover, it leads the adult nutrition segment in Pakistan, with over 90 percent market share.

The company was among the handful of pharmaceuticals that obtained a stay order from the Sindh High Court at the start of this year on a price increase on some of its drugs, and this would have helped it draw more from the pharma segment.

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ABBOTT LABORATORIES (PAKISTAN) LIMITED


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Rs (Million)                      9MCY16  9MCY15      YoY


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Sales                             16,789  15,273      10%


Cost of Sales                     10,066   9,386       7%


Gross Profit                       6,723   5,887      14%


GP Margin                            40%     39%       up


                                                  150 bps


Selling & Distribution Expenses    2,401   2,185      10%


Administrative Expenses              308     293       5%


Other Income                         310     365     -15%


Other Charges                        336     330       2%


Finance Cost                           4       4       0%


Taxation                           1,139   1,027      11%


Profit After Tax                   2,846   2,412      18%


NP Margin                            17%     16%       up


                                                  120 bps


EPS                                29.07   24.63      18%


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Source: company notice to PSX.


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