Roche increases dividend on basis of financial strength

Roche has expressed confidence in its 2010 business prospects after authorising a 20 per cent increase to its dividend.

The healthcare firm has elected to raise the value of the dividend to six Swiss francs (3.7 pounds) per share, which represents the company’s 23rd consecutive dividend increase.

It stated it has been able to establish a position of financial strength thanks to its “consistent focus” on its key diagnostics and pharmaceutical business sectors, as well as its recent purchase and integration of Genentech.

Dr Severin Schwan, chief executive officer of Roche, stated that these factors have reinforced its market position in the last year, as well as helping the firm achieve a “good start” to 2010.

He added: “Roche has one of the strongest product pipelines in the industry and we will continue to rely on scientific and research excellence in the future.”

This comes after the firm revealed last month that its group sales increased by ten per cent in 2009, with the diagnostics division experiencing a nine per cent year-on-year growth.