Fuchs Petrolub AG / Quarter Results/Quarter Results
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FUCHS achieves record results for the first nine months
The FUCHS PETROLUB Group, which operates globally in the lubricants sector,
has generated profits after tax of €87 million in the first nine months of
2007, which represents an increase of 21% over the previous year's figure.
Sales revenues rose to €1,031.3 million (999.5). The driving force behind
the increase in sales revenues was an internal growth rate of 6%. At the
same time, a significant free cash flow of just under €72 million (43) was
generated. Earnings per ordinary and preference share amount to €3.34
(2.73) and €3.38 (2.78) respectively.
The Europe region achieved impressive internal sales revenue growth of
€56.3 million or 8.6%. In North and South America, however, internal sales
revenue fell by 6.5% (–€11.9 million). This can be attributed primarily to
reduced demand in the North American automotive industry and its supplier
industries. On the other hand, internal growth in the expanding
Asia-Pacific, Africa region was encouraging at 9.8% (+€17.5 million).
The improved result of the Group is primarily due to the strong growth in
gross profit and the underproportionate increase in expenses. Gross profit
increased by €29.7 million or 8.4% to €383.4 million (353.7), while
expenses grew by only 1.6% or €3.8 million. An EBIT increase of 20.3% or
€24.5 million produced a new record of €145.1 million (120.6). Helped by an
improved financial result, profit after tax generated in the first nine
months reached €87.2 million (71.8).
Investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in the
first nine months of 2007 amounted to €15.3 million (13.2). The new plant
in China, for which building work recently commenced, had only a limited
effect on these figures, but its effect will increase in the fourth quarter
of the year, and will become particularly noticeable in 2008.
As at September 30, 2007, the workforce of the FUCHS PETROLUB Group
remained at the same level as at the end of the first six months of the
year, with 3,820 employees worldwide (3,822). The increase compared with
the end-of-year figure for 2006 (3,765) is largely due to the first-time
consolidation of companies in the Ukraine and in Turkey, acquisitions in
Brazil and business-related staff increases in Europe.
The Group is expecting internal sales revenue growth for 2007 to be
positive. The excellent EBIT result as at the end of September strengthens
the forecast of a double-digit increase on last year’s record figure of
€161 million.
The first nine months of 2007 at a glance
(amounts in € million) 1-9/2007 1-9/2006
Sales revenues 1 1,031.3 999.5
Europe 704.2 656.6
North and South America 160.5 181.9
Asia Pacific, Africa 189.3 178.1
Consolidation -22.7 -17.1
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 145.1 120.6
Profit after tax for the first half year 87.2 71.8
Gross cash flow 100.4 87.1
Capital expenditures2 15.3 13.2
Employees (as at September 30) 3,820 3,792
1 By company location
2 In property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Mannheim, 9 November 2007
FUCHS PETROLUB AG
Public Relations
Friesenheimer Str. 17
68169 Mannheim
Tel.: ++49 (0) 621 3802 – 105
The press release can also be found on the Internet at
http://www.fuchs-oil.com.
Link to the quarterly report:
http://www.fuchs-oil.de/fileadmin/fuchs_upload/pdf_addons/QR2007/QB57e.pdf
Important note
This Press Information contains statements about future development that
are based on assumptions and estimates by the management of FUCHS PETROLUB
AG. Even if the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and
estimates are accurate, future actual developments and future actual
results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due
to a variety of factors. These factors can include changes to the overall
economic climate, changes to exchange rates and interest rates and changes
in the lubricants industry. FUCHS PETROLUB AG provides no guarantee that
future developments and the results actually achieved in the future will
agree with the assumptions and estimates set out in this press release and
assumes no liability for such.
09.11.2007 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Issuer: Fuchs Petrolub AG
Friesenheimer Str. 17
68169 Mannheim
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)621 / 3802-0
Fax: +49 (0)621 / 3802-190
E-mail: contact-de.fpoc@fuchs-oil.de
Internet: www.fuchs-oil.de
ISIN: DE0005790430, DE0005790406
WKN: 579043, 579040
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Stuttgart;
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München
End of News DGAP News-Service
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