Celebrating its centennial anniversary, Caribbean conglomerate Agostini Ltd. has announced robust financial results for fiscal year 2025, demonstrating significant growth amid strategic expansion. The Trinidad-based group reported a 6.9% increase in revenue, reaching $5.44 billion compared to $5.09 billion in the previous year.
Chairman Christian Mouttet characterized the period as one of ‘strategic transformation,’ noting the company achieved ‘another year of record revenue and earnings.’ The performance was primarily driven by two major acquisitions—Pharmacy Holdings Ltd (PHL) and Massy Distribution (Trinidad) Ltd—which substantially expanded Agostini’s presence in pharmaceutical and consumer distribution markets.
Financial metrics showed substantial improvement across key indicators: Profit attributable to shareholders climbed to $230.3 million from $209.7 million, while earnings per share increased from $3.03 to $3.33. Operating profit rose 5.4% to $511.2 million, and pretax profit reached $435.6 million. After accounting for $123.3 million in taxes, net profit settled at $312.3 million, marking a 7.6% year-over-year improvement.
The group’s comprehensive income, incorporating foreign exchange gains and pension adjustments, totaled $328.2 million, with $247.8 million attributable to shareholders and $80.4 million to non-controlling interests. Total assets grew to $4.89 billion, while shareholder equity increased to $2.48 billion.
Despite these gains, the company acknowledged challenges including persistent inflation, supply chain disruptions, and foreign exchange constraints that continue to pressure margins. Finance costs increased to $75.6 million, though these were partially offset by foreign exchange gains of $15.57 million.
Agostini’s expansion strategy has attracted regulatory attention. Recent parliamentary hearings examined market concentration in pharmaceutical distribution, with industry representatives noting that Agostini’s Aventa division reportedly imports approximately 74% of privately supplied medicines. While no formal investigation has been announced, the Prime Minister has signaled intentions to address drug pricing and market dominance concerns.
The conglomerate continues to pursue growth through acquisition, currently proposing a share-swap merger with Prestige Holdings Ltd. that would exchange one AGL share for every 4.8 PHL shares. This transaction remains subject to regulatory approval from the Trinidad and Tobago Fair Trade Commission.