Dis-Chem’s headline earnings per share fell 12.8% to 64.3 cents in the six months ended 31 August 2026, even as group revenue rose 8% to R23 billion.
The pharmacy group released the figures on Thursday, 29 October. It declared a gross interim dividend of 25.62 cents a share, down 12.9% from the comparable period.
Expenses increased 12.1%, faster than revenue. The company reported higher spending on stores and its X, bigly labs technology unit, where start-up investment costs doubled.
Dis-Chem opened 14 retail pharmacies during the half-year, taking its pharmacy network to 328 stores at the end of August. Retail revenue increased 8.2% to R19.6 billion, while comparable pharmacy-store revenue rose 3.4%.
The company’s subsequent trading update showed group revenue growth of 7.9% for the seven weeks from 1 September to 19 October. That outlook commentary has not been audited or reviewed by its independent auditor.
The dividend is scheduled for payment on 23 November, with the share register closing on 20 November.
