Amer Sports EBIT for the year 2007 is not expected to reach last year's level.
• Amer Sports net sales decreased 6% to EUR 692.1 million (EUR 739.2 million in 2006). Net sales in local currency terms declined 2%. • Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to EUR -20.6 million (-7.4) and earnings per share to EUR -0.30 (-0.19). • The mild winter reduced winter sports pre-orders more than expected. This is why the full-year result for winter sports equipment will be in the red and Amer Sports EBIT for the year 2007 is not expected to reach last year's level. Other business areas are expected to develop positively in the latter part of the year.
Roger Talermo, President and CEO: "The uncommonly mild winter in 2006/2007 weakened this year's outlook for the winter sports business. Pre-orders for the coming winter season fell short of expectations. Re-orders in the latter part of 2007 will be much dependent on weather conditions in the early winter.
We expect Salomon's and Atomic's product ranges to gain market share, especially in alpine boots but also in cross-country equipment. Alpine skis and bindings are expected to maintain their market share.
However, the decline in pre-orders by approximately one quarter compared to last year will lead to a marked decrease in the profitability of Atomic and Salomon's winter sports business. The winter sports business as a whole will be unprofitable in 2007 under these exceptional circumstances.