Sanofi-Aventis posts 18 pct profit rise in 2004, sees in-line 2005

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2005

PARIS (AFP) — Sanofi-Aventis, the French pharmaceutical firm, posted forecast-beating net profit for 2004 and said it expected earnings this year to be in line with the 2004 performance.

Sanofi-Aventis, formed last year in the merger of French firm Sanofi Synthelabo and Franco-German life sciences giant Aventis, said it had adjusted pro forma net profit of 5.247 billion euros (6.927 billion dollars), up 17.9 percent from 4.451 billion in 2003 and ahead of analysts' forecasts.

Adjusted pro forma operating profit was at 8.163 billion euros compared with 7.254 billion a year earlier, including some 220 million euros in merger synergies.

SA said it expected adjusted earnings per share for the full year 2005 to be in-line with the performance in 2004, when EPS...