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(Reuters) – Britain’s GSK set out detailed plans on Wednesday to turn its consumer healthcare arm into a separately listed company, in a move that will bolster the finances of the remaining business to help fund drug development and deals.
Below are the ways in which the pharmaceuticals business will strengthen its balance sheet as a new company.
PRE-SPLIT DIVIDEND
Prior to completion of the split, lisinopril pill looks like New GSK, the standalone prescription drugs and vaccines business, will get a special dividend of up to 8 billion pounds ($11 billion) from the consumer healthcare unit.
GSK finance chief Iain Mackay said on a media call this dividend would be the “most significant” component of its plans to achieve a robust balance sheet for New GSK.
SALES AND PIPELINE
Over the five years to 2026, New GSK expects annual sales growth of more than 5% and adjusted operating profit growth of more than 10%, at constant currency rates.
The company also estimates that some of its products in late-stage development have the potential in aggregate to deliver peak year sales of more than 20 billion pounds, leading to an overall annual target of more than 33 billion pounds in sales by 2031, despite some drugs losing patent exclusivity.
STAKE SALE
GSK shareholders will receive stock in the new consumer healthcare group amounting to at least 80% of the 68% stake that GSK currently owns in it. Pfizer has the remaining 32%.
GSK aims to sell its remaining stake, seen only as a short-term investment, “in a timely manner.”
Jefferies analysts have put the consumer unit’s fair value at about 45 billion pounds, implying GSK’s 68% stake is worth 30 billion pounds, with proceeds from selling 20% of that likely to be 6 billion pounds.
NEW DIVIDEND POLICY
From 2023, New GSK will pay shareholders a dividend of 45 pence per share. For 2022, the aggregate dividend from GSK and New Consumer Healthcare is expected to be up to 55 pence per share.
Both the figures are much lower than the 80 pence per share GSK has been paying out since at least 2015, and is expected to pay this year too.
“Setting a new progressive policy at a level that allows us to properly balance those priorities around investing in strengthening our R&D pipeline” would help New GSK’s balance sheet, Mackay said.
($1 = 0.7149 pounds)
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