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Metro AG's Intl business registers double-digit growth in Q3

01 Nov '06

3 min read

The generally positive business trend in the third quarter is reflected in the earnings level. In Q3 2006 EBITDA was €574 million after €553 million in Q3 2005. Divisional EBIT increased by 9.7% from €236 million to €259 million.

As per the end of September 2006, the METRO Group's sales divisions were represented in 30 countries at 2,219 locations. In the period under review, 16 new stores were opened, thereof seven each by Metro Cash & Carry as well as Media Markt and Saturn.

Metro Cash & Carry once again outperformed the already high prior-year level and lifted sales by 6.2 percent in the third quarter 2006, to € 7.3 billion. International business turned out to be the strongest growth driver, achieving a rise in its share in total sales to 81.5 percent.

Metro Cash & Carry continued to secure double-digit percent growth in Eastern Europe and Asia. In Eastern Europe, sales rose 13.1 percent. The steepest growth rates were reported by Russia, Romania and the Ukraine. In the Asian markets, too, and China in particular, the sales division emphasized its sustainable growth course, attaining a 19.6-percent increase in sales.

Sales of the Real sales division increased by 1.2 percent to € 2.4 billion. The company experienced a highly dynamic development in Eastern Europe, reporting a plus in sales of 24.4 percent. The newly opened stores in Russia and Romania contributed to this growth.

In Germany, Real achieved a sales volume of € 2.1 billion, which was like-for-like 0.5 percent below the prior-year level.

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With the takeover of the hypermarket chain Géant in Poland and of Wal-Mart Germany in July 2006, the METRO Group took an important step in strengthening the market position of Real. The two acquisitions are bound to entail substantial synergies.

Metro AG

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