ICON confident of strong growth ahead

Irish clinical research firm ICON said today it is confident of another strong performance this year after a sharp rise in sales…

Irish clinical research firm ICON said today it is confident of another strong performance this year after a sharp rise in sales and profits for the third quarter to February.

Revenue rose 33 per cent to $39.6 million in the third quarter and 34 per cent to $113.56 million in the first nine months.

Chief executive Mr John Climax said: "With over $45 million of net new business awarded in the quarter and with trends in outsourcing continuing to be positive, we are confident that fiscal 2002 will be another record year for ICON".

Income from operations were 67 per cent higher at $4.6 million in the third quarter and 71 per cent higher at $13.1 million in the first nine months. The operating margin for the third quarter was 11.7 per cent compared to 9.4 per cent last year.