AstraZeneca Pharma is in the limelight today, going up over 9% to an intra day high at Rs,1100.90 and currently hovers around the same levels. Its 52-week high is at Rs.1348.

The reason for this optimism on the counter is the performance for Q1FY17. Thanks a 15% (YoY) rise in net sales at Rs.138 crore, a 67% drop in raw material cost, 35% fall in advertising/selling costs and overall operating efficiency, the company ended the quarter with a 233% jump up in net profit at Rs.11 crore. Healthcare vertical did very well with it turning around with an EBIT of Rs.12 crore v/s loss last Q1.

EBITDA for the quarter was at Rs.16 crore, up 220% and margins showed a sharp rise from 4% to 11.5%. The MNC remains debt free, equity is small at Rs.5 crore and reserve is at Rs.151 crore. EPS stands at Rs.4.23 (FV of Rs.2). It still remains a strong delisting candidate but for might take a lot of time given its tangle with SEBI and SAT who has directed that delisting cannot happen till SEBI completes its investigations and gives a go-ahead.