Sigma-Aldrich reports 6% EPS rise

Sigma-Aldrich has reported a six per cent increase in diluted earnings per share (EPS) between 2007 and last year.

The life sciences company said the figure stood at $0.68 (0.47 pounds) in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with $0.64 (0.44 pounds) in the same period the previous year.

Over the whole of 2008, reported diluted EPS rose by 13 per cent from the year before, to $2.65 (1.83 pounds).

In addition, the company announced sales over the full year increased by eight per cent in comparison with the previous year, reaching a record figure of $2.2 billion (1.52 billion pounds).

This was attributed to the company’s "ability to by president and chief executive Jai Nagarkatti.

"Despite a challenging environment, we are pleased with our 2008 performance and our ability to improve our profitability," he continued, adding Sigma-Aldrich intends to emerge from the recession stronger than before.

Last month, the firm announced it had signed a distribution agreement with peptide manufacturer CPC Scientific, people in science sales jobs may know.