CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL.AX, SKHCF.PK), an
Australian provider of laboratory, pathology, and radiology services, on Tuesday
reported a plunge in net profit for the first-half, particularly hurt by
Covid-19 related revenue.

Sonic's CEO, Colin Goldschmidt, said: 'Whilst our headline numbers for the
half-year show significantly lower earnings versus the comparative period, this
is the result of having 90% less COVID-related revenue in the current period.'

In addition, the company has reaffirmed its annual EBITDA outlook.

For the six-month period, the healthcare firm posted a net income of A$202.311
million or 42.6 cents per share, lesser than A$382.354 million or 80.9 cents per
share, recorded for the same period last year.

EBITA stood at A$393.312 million as against previous year's A$609.977 million.

EBITDA declined to A$736.662 million from A$920.191 million in 2022.

Base business revenue stood at A$4.266 billion as against A$3.703 billion in
2022.

Covid-19 related revenue plunged to A$38.691 million from A$378.654 million a
year ago.

Total revenue improved to A$4.305 billion from last year's A$4.082 billion.

The company will pay an interim dividend of 43 cents per share, higher than last
year's 42 cents per share, to be paid on March 21 to shareholders of record as
of March 4.

Looking ahead, for the full year, the company still expects EBITDA more likely
towards lower end of guidance of A$1.7 billion to A$1.8 billion.



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