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Highlights
- Healius rallies post Lumus Imaging divestment
- $822 million cash proceeds boost company momentum
- Special dividend announced as part of reshaping strategy
Healius (ASX:HLS), a prominent player in Australia's healthcare sector, saw its shares gain strong traction on Thursday following the successful completion of its Lumus Imaging business divestment. The company confirmed it had finalised the transaction with funds managed by private equity group Affinity Equity Partners, securing $822 million in cash proceeds. The total enterprise value of the deal was reported at $965 million.
This strategic move positions Healius to streamline its core operations, primarily pathology services, while reinforcing its financial foundation. As of 2:45pm AEST on Thursday, shares of Healius were trading at $1.52, marking a 4.5% gain for the day and extending its 12-month advance to over 30%. The stock’s performance placed it among the top gainers on the S&P/ASX 200 index during the session.
In a bid to return value to shareholders, Healius announced a special dividend of 41.3 cents per share, amounting to a distribution of approximately $300 million. This payout aligns with the company’s focus on capital efficiency and its commitment to delivering shareholder returns through strategic asset realignments.
Commenting on the transaction, Healius CEO Paul Anderson stated that the sale marks a pivotal moment for the organisation. He noted that this development allows the company to reset its balance sheet and dedicate resources toward enhancing its pathology business. With a sharpened focus, the company expects to improve service delivery for patients and referrers while optimising its corporate cost structure.
This deal not only simplifies the business model but also paves the way for Healius to pursue its long-term goals with greater clarity and financial flexibility. With an improved capital position, the healthcare company is now better placed to invest in innovation, operational efficiency, and further growth within its core competencies.
For income-focused investors, the special dividend and balance sheet strength may enhance Healius’ appeal among ASX dividend stocks, as the market continues to favour companies demonstrating prudent capital allocation strategies.
As the healthcare provider redefines its strategic roadmap, its market performance and transformation efforts continue to attract attention on the ASX 200, reinforcing confidence in its next phase of evolution.
