opinions?, page-3

re: the sonic boom continues Sydney - Tuesday - August 23: (RWE Australian Business News) -

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX code: SHL) lifted net profit 34.4 per cent to $77.46 million in the year to June 30 from $57.63 million for the previous year.

Core profit (pre-intangibles amortisation) rose 24.5 per cent to $145.55 million from $116.95 million.

Earnings before interest, tax and intangibles amortisation (EBITA) rose 32.8 per cent to $261.09 million from $196.56 million.

Revenue was up 33.3 per cent to $1.38 billion from $1.04 billion.

Basic earnings per share were 28.5c, up from 21.7c, while core diluted EPS were 52.6c, up from 43.4c.

Final dividend has been increased from 20c to 23c, fully
franked, payable on September 19 to shareholders registered September 6.

This brings total dividend for the year to 36c, up 20 per cent. Sonic also announced 2006 year guidance of EBITA between $300 million and $320 million on revenue of $1.6 billion to $1.67 billion.

This includes Clinical Pathology Laboratories Inc from October 1 and AIFRS impact of expensing options/shares totalling $6.3 million.

Managing director Dr Colin Goldschmidt said: "I am pleased to report that once again Sonic Healthcare has delivered record earnings, which have exceeded our upgraded guidance given in February 2005.

"In particular, Sonic's largest subsidiaries in both pathology and radiology have excelled, showing impressive revenue and earnings growth.

"This year Sonic has also reached a significant milestone, with our 10th successive year of double-digit earnings per share growth.

"The group's more recent expansion into offshore pathology markets in Europe - and now the USA - provides enormous growth opportunities for the company and I am confident that we will continue
to deliver superior shareholder value into the future."

Dr Goldschmidt said the increase in dividends for the year reflected Sonic's strong and predictable earnings and cash flows.

"The strength of the company is reflected in the progressively incremental dividend payments to shareholders and the simultaneous achievement of significant revenue growth, both nationally and
internationally," he said.

Shares in Sonic rose 6c to $13.41 yesterday.