Cosmetic company L'Oréal group presented sales results of September 2005.The sales of the L'Oréal group, at September 30th 2005, amounted to 10.75 billion euros.
Robust third quarter growth: +7.1% Strong growth continues in North America and new markets Western Europe again positive in third quarter Full-year objectives confirmed
Growth which was +3.5 percent at the end of june, rose to +7.1 percent in the third quarter, giving a growth rate for the first nine months of +4.7 percent.
On a like-for-like basis, i.e. based on a comparable structure and identical exchange rates, the group's sales growth, which was +4.1 percent in the first half-year, amounted to +5.0% in the third quarter, giving a growth rate of +4.4 percent for the nine months up to September 30th 2005.
Currency fluctuations had a positive impact of +1.7 percent in the third quarter. Their overall impact up to September 30th has thus been neutral.
The net impact of changes in consolidation amounts to +0.3 percent, mainly as a result of the acquisition of Skinceuticals in June 2005.
Commenting on the figures, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of L'Oréal informed that as they expected, our rate of sales growth has continued to improve. Western Europe is gradually moving forward again. Strong growth continues in North America and the other regions of the world.
The strengthening of the main currencies against the euro has led to a clearly positive exchange rate impact in the third quarter, for the first time in several years. In view of all these factors, we can confirm our sales and earnings targets for the full year 2005.
L'Oréal presents in all the countries of the world, today L'Oréal is the most international of all cosmetics groups. With 42 plants worldwide, more than 14,000 employees in manufacturing sites and over 3,9 billion units produced, the industrial organisation of L'Oréal is a dynamic contributor to the group's growth with a key role in ensuring sustainable development.