Air Liquide is growing again
Return to growth and confirmation of annual targets for the manufacturer of industrial and medical gases Air Liquide has posted this Monday morning pre-market turnover for the first three months of the year.
Total revenues for the group led by Beno?t Potier amounted to 3.152 billion euros against 2.997 billion over the same period of 2009. An increase of 5.2%. The company listed on the CAC 40 was that the increase of its activity has occurred in all business sectors and in all geographic areas.The emerging areas, however, contributed to the improvement.
"Unless a major turnaround in the economy, Air Liquide in 2010 is a new growth in net profit in the continuity of its historical performance," said the CEO, which states that "the discipline in terms of cost management and cash (…) has been maintained during the first quarter of 2010 and the ratio of operating margin was slightly higher than the average for the year 2009."
Emerging markets drive our business
Gas & Services activity (2.76 billion euros, 8.3%) is indeed characterized by "a marked contrast between mature economies (+5% compared to Q1 2009) and emerging economies (28 %), while activity Industrial merchant finds the path of growth, although sales in the mature economies still lower than the first quarter of 2008 before the crisis easy payday loans.
Large Industries recorded a rebound in activity, particularly through the start and ramp-ups in China, South America and the United States. The electronics is experiencing a rebound, supported by sales of specialty gases.Finally, health remains strong, always worn by home care.
During the first quarter, Air Liquide welcomes the signing of three new contracts with steelmakers in China, construction of new production capacity of liquefied gas to India and starting five manufacturing facilities in emerging economies.
The group also continued its acquisition strategy in health.
Air Liquide outperforms
Since the beginning of the year, Air Liquide shares rose 6.43%, with a gain of 0.31% on Friday, listing at 88.37 euros. The CAC 40, it has seen its course take only 0.38% since January 1, 2010.
If in 2009, they were virtually stable operating margin of Air Liquide rose to a record level of 16.3%.Air Liquide profits rose an average of about 8% per annum over the last twenty years.
ALSO READ:
"Air Liquide is pleased to have met its financial targets
"Companies want to encourage the loyalty of their small shareholders
Beno?t Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide: "There are positive signs of tangible recovery"