The Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) share price is having a strong finish to the week.
In morning trade, the ASX 200 healthcare share is up 7% to $24.10.
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Why is this ASX 200 healthcare share surging on Friday?
Investors have been scrambling to buy the company's shares this morning following the release of an update on its guidance for FY 2024.
As a reminder, the company was previously guiding to operating revenue of approximately NZ$1.7 billion and net profit after tax in the range of approximately NZ$250 million to NZ$260 million. This was based on a NZ:US exchange rate of 58 cents.
Assuming a NZ:US exchange rate of ~61 cents for the remainder of the financial year, the ASX 200 healthcare share expects to deliver full year operating revenue of approximately NZ$1.73 billion and underlying profit after tax (excluding any fair value changes) in the range of approximately NZ$260 million to NZ$265 million.
What's driving this?
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's managing director and CEO, Lewis Gradon, revealed that strong demand in its Hospital products segment has continued during the second half. He said:
In the Hospital product group, there has been a continuation of solid demand for our hospital consumables across the product portfolio throughout the second half, which is towards the upper end of our expectations from November.
Also supporting its performance was demand for its Evora Full obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) mask. He adds:
In OSA masks, we have continued to see strong performance from our Evora Full mask. We have received positive feedback on our revolutionary F&P Solo mask after the recent release in early markets, and we look forward to its introduction in more countries in the coming months.
Revaluations
Failing to hold back the ASX 200 healthcare share is news that it expects to lower the valuation of some of its properties. It notes that a scheduled valuation of properties in Auckland and Mexico are due to commence soon. Management isn't expecting an overly favourable outcome because of higher interest rates. It said:
In preliminary discussions we have been advised that the higher interest rate environment and current zoning status of our land in Karaka will likely have an adverse impact on the Karaka property valuation. Any reduction in the value of the Karaka land would be recognised as a non-cash accounting adjustment in the income statement and will impact our reported net profit after tax for the year. The quantum of any potential reduction in value is currently unknown, and our FY24 earnings guidance excludes this non-cash effect.
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's shares are now up 19% over the last six months.
