Linde has achieved significant increases in sales and operating profit (EBIT) in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2006 and confirmed its forecast for the whole year.
On a comparable basis, group sales rose 14. per cent to €2.415bn (2005: €2.118bn). While sales outside Germany increased by 14.8 per cent to €1.938bn (2005: €1.688bn), sales within Germany saw a 10.9 per cent increase to €477m (2005: €430m). Incoming orders of €2.533bn were also higher, 7.9 per cent above those for the same period in 2005.
Based on comparable prior year figures, Linde’s earnings also continued to show a significant improvement. In the first three months of the year, group EBIT rose 36.4 per cent to €225m (2005: €165m) and earnings before taxes on income (EBT) increased by 48.6 per cent to €208m (2005: €140m). Operating cash flow increased by €77m to €214m. Net income after minority interests of €134m was 50.6 per cent higher than the figure in 2005 of €89m. There was a corresponding rise in earnings per share at the end of March to €1.12 (2005: €0.75).
‘We have taken advantage of the good economic environment and have begun the new fiscal year at full pelt,’ said professor Wolfgang Reitzle, president of the executive board.
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