Shares in NMC Health plc (LON:NMC) dived on Thursday, despite the Middle East-focused private healthcare operator posting a record set of full-year results.
The FTSE 100 group saw revenue soar 28.3% to US$2.06bn in the 12 months ended 31 December (2017: US$1.60mln), while adjusted profits came in at US$283.5mln (2018: US$236.6mln) – up 19.9% year-on-year.
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But investors, who already knew what was coming given the October and December updates, appeared to cash in on the recent surge in the share price, which had gained more than 15% over the past month.
Shares were down almost 6% to 2,822p in early deals, making NMC one of the day’s heaviest blue-chip fallers.
The top- and bottom-line growth was driven by several new-contract wins towards the end of the year, including one to manage a hospital in Seychelles and another which will see it manage it the medical clinic at the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi.
“2018 was another year of records for NMC: highest ever revenues, EBITDA and profit for the company,” said chief executive Prasanth Manghat.
“From an operational standpoint, several high-profile strategic initiatives were completed, which will further cement our position as the leading healthcare operator in the region.”
Manghat added that he is confident 2019 will be “another year of record top and bottom line”.