MAN posts strong Q2 results
The German conglomerate MAN reported unexpectedly strong second-quarter results on Wednesday, largely owing to its large diesel engine division.
Net profit at the group gained six percent to €446 million ($695 million), while sales jumped by 23 percent to 4.26 billion. Analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a 14.9-percent increase in sales and a drop of more than 10 percent in net profit.
MAN also stood by full-year 2008 targets, including a sales increase of more than 10 percent. MAN shares climbed sharply on the news.
"The balanced structure of the group is having a positive effect," MAN chief executive Hakan Samuelsson said in a statement. "Demand for large-bore diesel engines, turbines and compressors remains extremely strong," offsetting a fall in orders for trucks and busses."
He admitted, however, incoming orders for the commercial vehicles business area were now declining after exceptional increases in previous years.
"Purchase decisions are being delayed by the sharp rise in diesel prices, the increase in the German truck toll, and tougher financing conditions," Samuelsson said.
Shares in the industrial group gained 2.75 percent to €67.61 following the release of the results, while the Dax index of leading German shares was 1.11 percent higher overall.
"All divisions posted margins higher than, or in line with, our forecasts," Dow Jones Newswires quoted JP Morgan analyst Julia Varesko as saying in a note to clients.
MAN's order intake, a key indicator of future activity, gained eight percent on a 12-month basis to €5.12 billion.
Comments
See Also
Net profit at the group gained six percent to €446 million ($695 million), while sales jumped by 23 percent to 4.26 billion. Analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a 14.9-percent increase in sales and a drop of more than 10 percent in net profit.
MAN also stood by full-year 2008 targets, including a sales increase of more than 10 percent. MAN shares climbed sharply on the news.
"The balanced structure of the group is having a positive effect," MAN chief executive Hakan Samuelsson said in a statement. "Demand for large-bore diesel engines, turbines and compressors remains extremely strong," offsetting a fall in orders for trucks and busses."
He admitted, however, incoming orders for the commercial vehicles business area were now declining after exceptional increases in previous years.
"Purchase decisions are being delayed by the sharp rise in diesel prices, the increase in the German truck toll, and tougher financing conditions," Samuelsson said.
Shares in the industrial group gained 2.75 percent to €67.61 following the release of the results, while the Dax index of leading German shares was 1.11 percent higher overall.
"All divisions posted margins higher than, or in line with, our forecasts," Dow Jones Newswires quoted JP Morgan analyst Julia Varesko as saying in a note to clients.
MAN's order intake, a key indicator of future activity, gained eight percent on a 12-month basis to €5.12 billion.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.