(updates with further details)
MILAN (Thomson Financial) - Pirelli & C SpA said its EBIT profit fell to
114.6 million euros, from 129.5 million a year earlier, depressed by weaker tyre
and real estate operations, coming in more or less in line with expectations.
Net profit was 33.8 million euros, against 24.2 million in first quarter
2007, EBITDA 168.0 million, against 181.6 million, and sales 1.314 billion, down
from 1.811 billion, the company said.
"For 2008, Pirelli confirms the forecasts for a result in line with the
previous year, excluding costs of restructuring real estate activities and any
unforeseeable external events," it said.
"In particular as announced in March, Pirelli Tyre results are expected to
rise slightly from 2007," it said.
In tyre sector, first quarter net profit was 57.7 million euros, against
58.1 million in first quarter 2007, EBIT 100.3 million, from 103.7 million, and
sales 1.077 billion, up 1.6 percent, it said.
Analysts were expecting group net profit of 14 million to 47 million euros,
EBIT of 99 million to 110 million, EBITDA of 153 million to 162 million and
sales 1.288 billion to 1.320 billion.
For tyre operations, analysts were expecting EBIT of 95 million to 103
million euros, and sales of 1.045 billion to 1.074 billion.
In further details, Pirelli said net profit includes financial costs of 4.3
million euros, down from 46.4 million a year earlier.
In the tyre sector, sales were up 3.2 percent on a like-for-like basis,
including the impact of currencies, it said.
"The increases in sales, despite unfavourable replacement tyre markets in
Europe and North America, is mainly due to focusing on high value-added segments
and focusing on prices," it said.
Broadband/photonic EBIT loss was 3.5 million euros, narrowing slightly from
loss of 3.8 million year earlier, it said, adding these losses are due to
research and start-up costs.
nigel.tutt@thomsonreuters.com
nt/ejp/nt/ejp
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