Last checked at 
(Alliance News) - ECO Animal Health Group PLC on Monday said it swung to a loss on higher expenses in the first half but remains "cautiously" optimistic for the full year.
The Surrey-based animal health pharmaceutical company reported that it swung to a pretax loss of GBP626,000 in the first half ended September 30, from a GBP3.0 million profit the year prior.
ECO Animal noted that administrative expenses increased to GBP14.0 million, from GBP10.0 million previously. This was due to increased personnel costs, but it noted that it was partly offset by savings in legal, audit and professional.
The firm said revenue increased to GBP38.0 million, from GBP34.9 million a year ago. It noted that China and Japan delivered GBP9.7 million in revenue, accounting for 26% of its revenue, up from 24% a year ago.
Looking ahead, the firm said it expects to see stronger demand in the second half of the year, with its current order book and run rate of sales providing 90% coverage of its forecast revenue for the second half.
It said it is cautiously optimistic about meeting market expectations of GBP88.3 million in revenue and GBP7.7 million in adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. In financial 2022, the firm posted revenue of GBP85.3 million, and adjusted Ebitda of GBP7.2 million.
In the first half alone, its adjusted Ebitda fell to GBP705,000 from GBP1.7 million a year prior.
Chief Executive David Hallas said: "I am very pleased to see continuing revenue growth, despite currencies headwinds for a large part of this first half. Adjusting for the currency effect underlying growth in revenues increased by 15%. We expect gross margins to improve in the second half due to sales mix and improvements in cost of goods.
"We have strong visibility over second-half revenue. The board looks forward with cautious optimism to reporting the full-year numbers in line with market expectations."
ECO Animal shares fell 0.9% to 106.50 pence each on Monday afternoon in London.
By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
