Huons disclosed on the 13th that operating profit on a consolidation basis last year was 45.6 billion won, up 14.9% from a year earlier. Revenue for the same period rose 5.2% to 620.8 billion won.
The company cited expanded sales of pharmaceuticals such as injectables and eye drops and increased exports of health functional foods by Huons N as the drivers of improved results. Exports last year rose 24.4% to 64.3 billion won, with exports of injectables to North America in particular climbing 52.3% to 18.4 billion won, leading growth.
Sales to the United States also benefited from diversification of items, as new supplies of carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC) eye drops and expanded exports of health functional foods were added to injectables.
Profitability also improved. The cost ratio rose during the process of expanding the injectable line at Plant 2 and obtaining Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) approval, but both operating profit and net profit increased through cuts in selling, general and administrative expenses. The new injectable line at Plant 2 has now entered the commercial production stage, and full reflection in results is expected to begin in the first quarter of this year.
Consolidation subsidiaries also joined the trend of improving results. Huons N and Huons BioPharma turned to profit, and PanGen Biotech, which was consolidated in June last year, also continued solid performance.
Huons N has been pushing management efficiency since a partitioning merger with the health functional food business unit in May last year. It also acquired BIOROSETTE in Nov. last year to strengthen production capabilities for health functional foods, and plans to actively respond to growing export demand and foster it as a new growth engine.
Humedix, an aesthetics subsidiary, posted standalone operating profit of 42.3 billion won last year, down 2% from a year earlier. Revenue rose 5% to 170.1 billion won.
According to the company, it drove sales growth through academic marketing for "Elravie Rituo," diversification of domestic and overseas distribution channels for the cosmetics business, and diversification of the prescription drug portfolio, but growth of fillers and botulinum toxin slowed as competition intensified among domestic aesthetics companies.
Regarding the decline in operating profit, it explained that it edged down due to increased selling, general and administrative expenses such as sales and marketing advertising and promotional costs and fees to promote new products and secure new customers.
The company presented a consolidation revenue target of 646.2 billion won for this year. It plans to sustain growth through full-scale operation of the injectable line at Plant 2 and expanded global exports, while also increasing research and development (R&D) investment to strengthen pipeline competitiveness.
Chief Executive Song Su-young said, "We improved our results last year through an export-centered strategy and subsidiary efficiency," adding, "This year, we will solidify the foundation for mid- to long-term growth by strengthening fundamentals and expanding R&D investment."
Meanwhile, fourth-quarter revenue on a consolidation basis last year was 165.2 billion won, a quarterly record. However, operating profit came to 9.8 billion won, down 10.6% from a year earlier.
It is also strengthening shareholder return policies. Huons decided on a settlement of account cash dividends of 200 won per share, with the record date set for Apr. 3, after the regular general meeting of shareholders. Based on the 2025 fiscal year, total dividends were 920 won per share, up 46% from a year earlier, with total dividends of 10.7 billion won.
This year, it plans to pay cash dividends of 200 won per share each quarter, for a total of 800 won annually, signaling that cash dividends will be paid every quarter. Based on the previous day's closing price, the dividend yield is about 2.84%. The company plans to gradually increase per-share dividends by 5% to 30% each year through 2028 and to provide shareholders with tax-exempt dividend benefits through a reduction-dividend method that decreases the capital reserve.