Henry Schein reports record fourth quarter

Global dental, medical and veterinary product supplier Henry Schein has announced that its fourth quarter net income last year was a record $78.3 million (£40 million).

This compares to $63 million during the same three-month period the previous year.

Net sales rose to $1.7 billion, boosted in part by an increase in sales from the dental arm of the organisation.

Jeff Johnson, an analyst with Robert W Baird and Co, told the Reuters news agency the results were better than expected.

“Growth in dental equipment was nicely above what we were looking for and profitability held in exceptionally well after considering the fact that there was above-expected flu vaccine discounting in the quarter that weighed on margins,” he said.

Henry Schein reported that its dental group sales increased by 12.8 per cent over the three months.

The company is one of the biggest distributors of healthcare products across the North American and European markets.