Hikma raises dividend as profit from generics soars

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) capped a strengthening full-year sales performance with a sizeable increase in the annual dividend. Constant currency operating profits were 34 per cent up on the prior year to $367mn (£290mn), driven by the group’s branded and generics businesses. The latter unit, which supplies generic and speciality products to the US retail market, recorded a noteworthy 86 per cent uplift in core operating profit.