Growth in its isotope products segment helped isotope technology developer Eckert & Ziegler to a 6% increase in revenue for its first quarter. However, earnings declined due to a lack of positive currency effects.
For the period (end-31 March), Eckert & Ziegler reported revenues of 35.8 million euros, up 6% from the million euros recorded in the first quarter of 2015. The company had net income of 2.5 million euros, compared with net income of 2.7 million euros in the same period last year. The first quarter of 2015 had included a positive currency effect of 1.3 million euros.
In quarterly highlights, Eckert & Ziegler's isotope products segment had an increase in revenues of 1.6 million euros, representing the strongest quarterly growth for the company. The firm's radiopharma segment also produced an increase in sales, particularly for gallium generators. Eckert & Ziegler's cyclotron division reversed a 2015 downward trend, returning sales and earnings almost to the level produced in the first quarter of 2015, the company said.
Looking ahead, Eckert & Ziegler said it expects to have more or less constant sales of 140 million euros in 2016, with profit declining to around 1.80 euros per share.
