Optima Health ends year in line with expectations

(Sharecast News) - Optima Health said in an update on Monday that it expects to report full-year revenue of �105m for the year ended 31 March, in line with market expectations, with second-half revenue around 7% higher than the first half.

The AIM-traded firm said adjusted EBITDA was also expected to meet consensus forecasts, supported by both organic growth and a series of acquisitions that had broadened its presence in the UK and marked its entry into international markets.

Net debt excluding leases stood at �2.2m at year-end, with �14.8m in cash and �17m drawn under its revolving credit facility.

The group said it had started mobilisation on its �210m subcontract with Serco to deliver medical assessment services to the UK Armed Forces, with services due to begin in early 2027.

Optima also secured its first NHS-related contract through a licence deal for its proprietary Digital Assessment Routing Tool.

During the year, it completed three acquisitions - Cognate Health in Ireland, BHSF Occupational Health, and Care First from the Priory Group - expected to add over �17m in combined annualised revenue and be EBITDA accretive within their first full year.

The company said it would report audited results by mid-July.

"Optima has demonstrated outstanding progress against our strategic objectives since the AIM listing in September, growing our presence in our core market and expanding into a new territory, as we continue to lead the transformation of workplace health and wellbeing," said chief executive officer Jonathan Thomas.

"Looking ahead, we are confident that the strength of our platform will enable us to capture further market share and enhance our position as the UK's leading occupational health and wellbeing partner.

"Alongside this, we will continue to seek value enhancing merger and acquisition opportunities to accelerate growth."

At 1031 BST, shares in Optima Health were down 4.07% at 187.07p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.