euro adhoc: Semperit AG Holding
quarterly or semiannual financial statement /
Semperit: Continued growth in the third quarter 2007
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9-month report
23.11.2007
Semperit: Continued growth in the third quarter 2007
- Sales: + 6.3% to EUR 455.1 million
- Above-average rise in EBIT: +23.1% to EUR 46.4 million
- Positive outlook for 2007
Vienna, November 23, 2007 - Semperit Group continued its successful development in the third quarter of 2007. In the first three quarters of the 2007 financial year, consolidated sales increased by 6.3%, to EUR 455.1 million, while operating profit (EBIT) climbed disproportionately by 23.1%, to EUR 46.4 million. Due to a massive decline in the financial results caused by the crisis on global financial markets, earnings before tax (EBT) only rose slightly by 4.9% above the previous year's level, to EUR 41.3 million. Net profit for the period was up 2.0%, to EUR 29.9 million.
Despite price increases for several raw materials, Semperit improved its earnings compared to the same period of the previous year. As a result of productivity increases in all divisions, targeted rises in sales prices and consistent cost management, the EBIT margin climbed to 10.1%, up from 8.7% in the first three quarters of 2006.
GROWTH IN ALL DIVISIONS
The Sempermed division specialising in surgical and examination gloves reported a 3.2% increase in sales to EUR 163.7 million in the first nine months of 2007, although the weak US dollar continued to result in currency translation losses. Earnings before tax improved to EUR 9.1 million, up from EUR 6.0 million during the preceding year.
Sales of the Semperflex division, which primarily focuses on the production of industrial and hydraulic hoses as well as elastomer sheeting, climbed 13.2%, to EUR 123.0 million. Earnings before tax amounted to EUR 16.1 million in the first nine months of 2007, an increase of 17.4% above the previous year's level of EUR 13.7 million.
In the first three quarters of 2007, sales of the Semperform division rose 3.1%, to EUR 85.8 million. Earnings before tax totalled EUR 13.4 million (previous year: EUR 11.9 million). The railway superstructure and seal profiles segments as well as the handrail business in China developed particularly well.
The level of orders for conveyor belts continued to develop favourably in the third quarter as demand remained high. Accordingly, sales of the Sempertrans division rose by 6.7%, to EUR 82.6 million, while earnings before tax rose to EUR 8.8 million, up from EUR 7.1 million in the previous year.
SALES AND EARNINGS GROWTH EXPECTED FOR 2007
Semperit Group expects the positive development of sales and earnings during the first three quarters to continue for the year 2007 as a whole. The high level of volatility relating to some raw materials and the uncertainty surrounding the currency exchange rates of the US dollar and the Thai baht continue to be major risk factors facing Semperit. The ongoing increase in oil prices is expected to lead to further price increases for several types of synthetic rubber.
The complete interim report is available under www.semperit.at.
end of announcement euro adhoc 23.11.2007 08:00:00
Further inquiry note:
Semperit AG Holding
Mag. Sybille Bernhardt
Investor Relations
Tel.: +43 1 79 777- 210
mailto:sybille.bernhardt@semperit.at
Branche: Synthetics & Plastics
ISIN: AT0000785555
WKN: 870378
Index: WBI, ATX Prime, ViDX
Börsen: Börse Stuttgart / stock market
Börse Frankfurt / stock market
Börse Berlin / free trade
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