Michelin’s First Half Results

Michelin has published its financial results for the first six months of 1999. Turnover is up 3.8% on the same period last year to 6,488 million Euros.

Operating profit has improved too, from 511 million Euros to 611 million Euros, or 9.4% of net sales. These results are better than those of major competitors Bridgestone and Goodyear, with Michelin benefiting from falling raw material prices and an increase in inventory, allowing the group to absorb fixed costs more easily.

Despite a favourable economic environment, Michelin has been unable to reduce net debt, which rose by 1,000 million Euros to 3,800 million Euros. It is assumed that the group requires significant financial investment to further develop the Pax system and to build new C3M factories. Michelin is expecting consumer prices to continue to fall in Europe over the next few years and it is vital for the company to reduce costs significantly in order to be competitive.