Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LSE:HIK) shares climbed 4.0% to 1375.0p after reiterating full-year 2026 guidance following an encouraging start to the year.
The multinational pharmaceutical group said it continues to expect Group revenue to grow in the range of 2% to 4% and for Group operating profit to be in the range of $720 million to $770 million in 2026.
The global Injectables business has started the year well with good demand across geographies and the group continues to expect 2026 Injectables revenue to grow in the low single digits, with core operating margin in the range of 27% to 28%.
Hikma's Branded business is performing "very well" across MENA and the group continues to expect 2026 Branded revenue to grow in the range of 6% to 8%, with core operating margin of around 25%.
Hikma Rx is performing in line with expectations, the group said, adding launches of authorised generics in the US and a co-development and licence agreement for device technology to accelerate its generic Ellipta® programme, and it expects Hikma Rx revenue to be broadly flat in 2026 with core operating margin close to 20%.
The group said it is monitoring the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East, has maintained inventory to mitigate supply disruption and has experienced inflationary pressure on shipping, energy and insurance that it expects to absorb through performance and cost discipline.
Subject to AGM approval Hikma will pay a final dividend of 48 cents per share, bringing total 2025 dividends to 84 cents, and the group is executing a buyback of up to $250 million, having purchased shares totalling £54.8 million ($71.5 million) since launch.
"We are on track to deliver revenue and profit growth, in line with our full year guidance and our overarching focus on long-term sustainable profit growth," said Said Darwazah, Hikma's CEO.
Hikma will announce interim results for the six months ended 30 June on Thursday 6 August.
