FTSE newcomer Haleon shows there is life after GSK as Sensodyne-owner pockets £900m in profits

By Michiel Willems

The owner of popular health products such as Sensodyne and Panadol said this a.m. its revenues have jumped up by more than 13 per cent, to a record £5.2bn, during the first half of the year.

Healthcare giant Haleon further reported a double-digit hike in profits in the group’s first-ever set of company results since it spun off from pharma giant GSK.

Its revenues were boosted by particularly strong sales across respiratory health products during the cold and flu season, the group reported.

Operating profits grew by more than 22 per cent year-on-year, totalling £900m in the six months to June 30.

Macro-economic challenges

Haleon said that it is well positioned to navigate the current macro-economic challenges through the second half of the year, including rising inflation and the potential impact of higher prices on consumer buying behaviour.

This is despite cost inflation soaring to 40 per cent in the first half of the year, which the company managed to offset through forward buying and locking in the majority of its materials contracts for the year, it said.

However, the healthcare group said positive momentum continued at a slower rate into the third quarter as expected.

London float

Haleon, which employs around 22,000 staff around the world, split from GlaxoSmithKline in July and floated on the London Stock Exchange in Europe’s biggest listing for more than a decade.

Brian McNamara, Haleon’s chief executive, said: “I am incredibly proud that in the first half Haleon successfully completed its separation from GSK and became an independent listed company.

“I am also pleased that we delivered margin expansion in the first half despite significant cost inflation and absorption of standalone costs for the business.

“Whilst navigating the current macro-economic challenges and uncertainties, positive momentum in our business has continued into the second half.

“This combined with the strength of the business reinforces our confidence that we are well positioned to deliver on guidance this year and over the medium term.”

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