Economic outlook

The recent economic upturn in Germany and Europe appears to have become more sustained. However, from a wider perspective the degree of recovery remains tenuous, and therefore the economy as a whole continues to be exposed to significant risk, particularly when one...

Earnings performance

EBIT before restructuring expense stood at €-4.1 million; including this expense item of €4.3 million, it totalled €-8.4 million, compared with €-2.6 million a year ago (this figure had included restructuring expense of €0.4 million). Net finance cost for the quarter...

Economic downturn

As was the case in the first three months of the current financial year, industry performance as a whole remained anaemic during the reporting period. Irrespective of the seasonal downturn generally associated with the first calendar quarter, restrained demand and...

Economic performance

Germany continues to reap the rewards of a robust global economy. The International Monetary Fund has even predicted another slight improvement in world trade, taking growth to 4.9 per cent in 2006, compared with 4.8 per cent a year ago. With the US leading the way,...

Statement of compliance

The current unaudited interim report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS)/International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The accounting policies remain unchanged from those applicable to the consolidated financial...