Protective gloves and clothing supplier Ansell says growth momentum from 2016/17 has continued into the first three months of the current financial year.
The company has maintained its guidance for underlying earnings per share from its continuing businesses of 91 to 101 US cents in fiscal 2018.
Adding the benefits so far from an ongoing share buyback, and earnings from Ansell's former condoms business before the completion of its $US600 million sale in September, total earnings per share are expected to be between 95 and 105 US cents for the year.
That guidance does not include the estimated $US365 million gain on the sale of Ansell's condoms business or the impact of $US30 million on costs related to Ansell's business transformation program.
Ansell chief executive Magnus Nicolin said, in presentation slides at the company's annual general meeting on Friday, that demand in Ansell's mature markets was showing continued moderate improvement.
However first-quarter margins had been impacted by high raw material prices.
Margins are expected to improve in the second half of 2017/18.
Shares in Ansell were one cent lower at $23.83 at 1519 AEDT.
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