Aspen CEO Defends Earnings Amid Post-Steinhoff Share Jitters

  • Financials are ‘completely clear,’ South Africa drugmaker says
  • Stock slumped as much as 10% on fears Viceroy compiling report

Stephen Saad

Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg
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Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Stephen Saad said full-year earnings are “completely clear” and the South African drugmaker has nothing in common with scandal-hit retailer Steinhoff International Holdings NV.

Responding to a slump in the share price, the company said earlier Tuesday it was aware of speculation that Viceroy Research, a group of investors who published a report into Steinhoff’s accounts last month, is preparing a similar dossier on Aspen. The drugmaker has had no contact with Viceroy and “is not aware of any information of a price-sensitive nature that requires communication to shareholders,” the Durban-based company said in a statementBloomberg Terminal.