(Reuters) - Fresenius Medical Care , the world's largest dialysis specialist, reported fourth quarter results slightly above market expectations on Tuesday, citing positive development both in its care delivery and care enablement businesses.

The German company said its adjusted operating income grew 31% to 489 million euros ($512.3 million) in the final quarter of 2024, beating analysts' estimate of 481 million euros in a company-provided consensus.

The adjusted figure is given at a constant currency basis and excludes the impact from divestitures closed in 2023 and special items such as costs related to the FME25 turnaround plan and the change in FMC's legal form, it said.

Including these effects, the quarterly operating income fell 39% to 259 million euros.

The results were boosted by positive volume and pricing effects, as well as savings from the FME25 program and FMC's portfolio optimization plan aimed at cutting costs and helping improve its leverage ratio.

"The momentum we have created enables us to further raise our FME25 savings target from EUR 650 million to EUR 750 million," CEO Helen Giza said in a statement.

($1 = 0.9546 euros)