Henry Schein has reported increased dental sales in the fourth quarter and all of 2017. However, the company posted an overall $8.5 million loss for the quarter.
For the quarter (end-December 30), dental sales totaled almost $1.678 billion, an 8.2% increase compared with $1.550 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the year, the company reported dental sales of more than $6.049 billion, an 8.9% increase from $5.555 billion in 2016.
Overall, Henry Schein's net sales for the quarter were $3.318 billion, a 6.3% increase compared with $3.121 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. The company reported a net loss for the quarter of $8.5 million, compared with net income of $139.2 million in the same quarter of 2016.
For the year, the company reported net sales of $12.461 billion, a 7.7% increase compared with $11.572 billion in 2016. Henry Schein reported net income for the year of $406.3 million, a decrease of 19.8% compared with $507.8 million the previous year.
The company cited taxes associated with U.S. tax reform legislation and divesting equity ownership of E4D Technologies as reasons behind the loss.
