Dis-Chem earnings jump as it shakes off Covid.

Pharmacy and healthcare retail group Dis-Chem says it is trading at pre-Covid levels in South Africa, with expansions and acquisitions boosting its reach and driving profitability. In its interim results for the six-month period ending 31 August 2022, Dis-Chem reported group revenue growth of 9.3% to R16.3 billion over the corresponding half-year period. Retail revenue grew by 9.3% to R14.4 billion, with comparable pharmacy store revenue at 3.6%. If the contribution of Covid-19 vaccines and testing are excluded from both periods, retail revenue grew by 10.0%. Headline earnings increased by an exceptional 44.3% over the prior corresponding period, with basic headline earnings per share (HEPS) at 70.3 cents – an increase of 44.3%.