Abano Healthcare is facing a potential takeover bid. Photo / Getty Images
Abano Healthcare, the healthcare investor which last month fended off its third takeover bid in the past five years, reported first-half profit at the top of its forecast range, even as a weak Australian dollar trimmed revenue from across the Tasman.
Net profit attributable to shareholders, which excludes earnings available
to minority interests, rose to $2.3 million, or 12.56 cents per share, in the six months ended Nov. 30 from $1.5 million, or 8.87 cents, a year earlier. That was at the top of the forecast range provided at the November annual meeting. Including the share for minority investors in Abano's subsidiaries, profit climbed 31 percent to $2.8 million.
Abano derives more than half its sales from Australia, and a weaker Australian currency ate into revenue which fell 1.7 percent to $106.1 million.
The company said the aborted takeover bid by Archer Capital and Abano investors Peter Hutson and James Reeves cost the firm about $400,000 in the period, though it flushed out approaches from other parties interested in initiatives involving the healthcare specialist.
"At this time, the board is not of the view that any of the opportunities presented ought to be advanced," it said in a statement. "However, the approaches received do provide the board with additional confidence that its assessment of Abano's current and long-term value potential remains appropriate and that Abano's strategy is well-founded."
