DSM announces good start to the year and raises expectations for full
year 2008
At the Annual General Meeting being held later today, DSM will
provide a trading update for 2008.
The firm demand and pricing strength seen in most of DSM's markets in
the fourth quarter of 2007 has been sustained into 2008. DSM's
strong market positions have enabled it to increase prices,
particularly in the nutrition business which is benefiting both from
DSM's differentiation strategies as well as higher market prices in
general.
Strong business trends were also seen across other parts of DSM,
particularly in Performance Materials, Fibre Intermediates and Agro.
On top of this, profitability has benefited from a very good
manufacturing and operational performance.
Based on the currently available information, DSM expects that the Q1
operating profit before exceptional items will be approximately 20%
higher than in Q1 2007 (EUR 192 million). Barring unforeseen economic
circumstances, for the full year 2008 DSM now expects the operating
profit before exceptional items to most likely exceed the level
achieved in 2007, despite the current significantly weaker US dollar
and increased raw material prices.
Feike Sijbesma, Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, commented:
"The current year has started strongly with firm demand being seen
across most of our markets. DSM's performance is a clear indication
of the higher quality earnings now being achieved as a result of the
changes made to the profile and portfolio of the Company."
A further update on trading and the outlook for the year as a whole
will be given at the time of the release of DSM's Q1 results on 29
April 2008.
Investors call
A conference call for investors will be hosted by CFO Rolf-Dieter
Schwalb from 13.00 PM - 13.30 PM CET. Dial-in number is
+44-207-216-0106.
Replay number, available from 15.00 PM onwards is +31-(0)70-315 4300,
access code 14 51 10 #
DSM - the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life
Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of
life. DSM's products and services are used globally in a wide range
of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable
and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal
nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive,
coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection and
housing. DSM has annual sales of almost EUR 8.8 billion and employs
some 23,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the
Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on
Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com.
For more information:
DSM Corporate Communications DSM Investor Relations
Elvira Luykx Hans Vossen
tel. +31 (0) 45 tel. +31 (0) 45 5782864
5782035 fax +31 (0) 45 5782595
fax +31 (0) 45 e-mail
5740680 investor.relations@dsm.com
e-mail media.relations@dsm.com