Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/05/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Adrian Tanovic@GRN 05/13/97 12:25 AM - ------------- Solms, Germany, May 12 (Bloomberg) -- Leica Camera AG, a German camera maker, said fiscal 1997 operating profit fell 7.4 percent amid production problems with some new products. Operating profit for the year ending March 31 fell to 15.2 million deutsche marks ($9.04 million) from 16.45 million in fiscal 1996, according to preliminary figures. "The contribution new products will make to margins and earnings will first be noticeable in the course of this year," because of purchasing and preparation difficulties in fiscal 1997, the company said. Sales rose 10.7 percent to 265.6 million marks, from 239.9 million a year ago. Leica said it is "optimistic" for fiscal 1998 as sales grow in the "two-digit percentage range." The camera maker's shares closed floor trading Friday at 50.3 marks. They've risen 3.3 percent from their initial offering price of 47 marks last September. Leica said it will pay a 1997 dividend of 1 mark per share. - ----------------- Adrian Tanovic Tokyo