Pharmaceutical Company Merck Indonesia Plans Stock Split in 2015
Indonesian pharmaceutical company Merck, controlled by German consumer healthcare Merck Holding GmbH, plans to conduct a stock split in 2015 in a move to boost liquidity as well as increase trading of the company’s shares. Merck is currently discussing the stock split plan with the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK). Bambang Nurcahyo, Finance Director at Merck, said that the ideal ratio for the split is 1:20. An extraordinary general meeting (to discuss the plan) will be held in mid-2015.
Merck is a Jakarta-based pharmaceutical firm that offers prescription drugs of chemical and biotechnological origin as well as consumer healthcare products. The company’s net profit rose 3.5 percent (y/y) to IDR 181.5 billion (USD $13.9 million) in 2014. This growth was rather limited due to foreign exchange losses caused by the weak rupiah in combination with the slow adoption of the government’s national health insurance (JKN) program. Meanwhile, sales reached 863.2 billion (USD $65.6 million) in 2014, up 7.13 percent (y/y).
Although per capita healthcare spending is currently still low in Indonesia, consulting firm Pacific Bridge Medical expects it to grow from USD $35 in 2005 to USD $150 this year.
Stock Quote Merck - MERK: