- Revenue improved by 6.4% to EUR 159,5 million
- EBIT increased disproportionately by 27.5% to EUR 16.3 million
- Positive outlook for 2008 financial year
Semperit Group continued its successful business development in the first quarter of 2008.
Total revenue increased in the period January to March 2008 by 6.4% year-on-year, to EUR 159.5 million, while the earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rose by 27.5%, to EUR 16.3 million. In the same period, earnings before tax climbed to EUR 14.5 million and therefore 3.9% above the previous year's level, although the negative developments on international financial markets required Semperit to further depreciate its financial assets. The net profit for the period after minority interest was EUR 10.5 million.
Performance of the divisions
The Sempermed division reported a 2.7% increase in revenue in the first quarter 2008, to EUR 56.7 million, although the weak US dollar continued to result in significant currency translation losses due to the consolidation of Semperit's business in euros. Earnings before tax (EBT) of the Sempermed division improved by 23.2%, to EUR 3.6 million (previous year: EUR 2.9 million).
Total revenue of the Semperflex division rose 5.1% in the first quarter, to EUR 42.9 million. Earnings before tax amounted to EUR 5.2 million, slightly below the previous year's level of 5.6 million because the increase in raw material costs could not be passed on to customers.
In the first quarter of 2008, total revenue of the Semperform division climbed 6.8%, to EUR 27.9 million. Earnings before tax rose 4.2%, to EUR 3.8 million (previous year: EUR 3.6 million).
The Sempertrans division also expanded dynamically in the first quarter of 2008. Revenues climbed by 15.1%, to EUR 32.0 million. Earnings before tax rose from EUR 3.5 million, to EUR 4.0 million.
Outlook
It is anticipated that the positive development of sales, revenues and earnings of the Semperit Group will continue in 2008. All four divisions are expected to improve their business results, based on the good level of orders at present.