News Flash

METRO delivers strong gains in sales & earnings 2006

21 Mar '07

3 min read

The METRO Group once again delivered strong gains in sales and earnings in financial year 2006. Group sales rose by 7.5 percent to around € 60 billion, and EBIT climbed to nearly € 2 billion. Earnings per share jumped from € 1.63 to € 3.23. Adjusted for special effects, EPS rose by 7 percent to € 2.64.

“The year 2006 was our strongest growth year since 1998. We significantly strengthened our position among the leading and largest international trade and retail companies. Given our good business results and the successful market placement of our remaining stake in Praktiker, we will propose a dividend increase from € 1.02 to € 1.12 per share of common stock to the annual general meeting,” Dr. Hans-Joachim Korber, CEO of the METRO Group, said in releasing the figures for 2006. The dividend per share of preferred stock is to rise from € 1.122 to € 1.232.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) climbed by 10.1 percent to € 3.23 billion. At € 1.98 billion, EBIT was 14.1 percent higher than in the previous year. Adjusted for the repositioning of Real (including the acquisitions of Wal-Mart Germany and Geant Poland), EBIT rose by 9.9 percent to € 1.91 billion.

“Our strategy of profitable growth and the sustainable improvement of the company value is extremely successful,” Dr. Korber said. “In 2006, more than 50 percent of our sales and about two-thirds of our earnings were generated abroad. With the market entry of Metro Cash & Carry into Pakistan and Media Markt into Turkey, we will continue to extend the METRO Group's international operations this year.”

More METRO Group News... More Textiles News - Germany...