Please find attached a press release concerning the 3d quarter trading update 2012 of Bekaert.
Summary:
Bekaert reports stable sales volumes in very challenging markets but is cautious on the outlook
Sales
Bekaert achieved consolidated sales of € 2 647 million and combined sales of € 3 361 million in the first nine months of 2012.
Consolidated sales increased by 2.0% and reflected stable sales volumes compared with the same period last year. The net effect of acquisitions and divestments (+8.0%) and the impact of currency movements (+5.4%) were largely neutralized by an organic sales decline (-11.4%) brought on by a weaker product mix due to the solar business collapse, steel-based raw material price decreases and persistent price pressure in highly competitive markets.
At the combinedlevel, sales were down 5.3% in comparison with the first nine months of 2011. The organic sales decline (-7.5%) and the net effect of acquisitions and divestments (-1.7%) were partly tempered by favorable exchange rate movements (+4.0%).