Hester Biosciences, a Rs. 100 crore plus leading animal health care company, has posted strong growth in top line and bottom line during the third quarter ended December 2016 and its net profit went up by 21.8 per cent to Rs. 5.80 crore from Rs. 4.76 crore in the corresponding period of last year. Its net sales, including trading sales, improved by 19 per cent to Rs. 27.81 crore from Rs. 23.36 crore. Margins have improved due to continuous focus on credit control, inventory management and better product mix. EPS moved up to Rs. 6.82 from Rs. 5.59 in the last period.
Its exports were under pressure slower product registration in several countries. The distribution infrastructure creation mainly in Africa is as per schedule. The company has launched its Brucella vaccine for cattle. The vaccine has a good market in India as well as international markets. Its Nepal plant has commenced commercial production during November 2016.
Being the country's second largest poultry vaccine manufacturer, Hester has rightly positioned itself to capitalise on upcoming opportunities in the animal health care industry globally. The company has manufacturing facility unit in Mehsana, Gujarat, complying with stringent international norms. Its product portfolio comprises of over 50 vaccines and over 35 health products. It is exporting products to more that 9 countries with registration process on in over 20 countries.
After the announcement of financial performance, Hester scrip moved up by Rs. 16.65 to Rs. 754 in afternoon session. The scrip touched to its yearly peak level at Rs. 825 as against its lowest level of Rs. 337 on BSE.
For the nine months period ended December 2016, Hester's sales increased by 21.5 per cent to Rs. 86.19 crore from Rs. 70.91 crore and its net profit increased by 29.5 per cent to Rs. 17.77 crore from Rs. 13.72 crore.