Sumitomo Rubber Reports ‘Firm’ Earnings

Sumitomo figures for the half-year ended 30 June 2005 show that net sales amounted to 230.6 billion yen (£1.15 billion) as opposed to 216 billion last year. During the same period operating income increased from 17 billion yen (£87 million) in the first half of 2004 to 20.6 billion yen (£103 billion).

Market analysts from Deutsche Bank described the results as ‘firm’ and increased their sales forecasts. “We leave our operating forecast unchanged, as we believe the company can offset rising material prices through tyre price increases, product mix improvement, and expanded production volumes,” said Deutsche Bank representatives adding: “Management remained conservative, leaving its full-year forecasts unchanged, suggesting that an upward revision is probable at some stage. We forecast 10 per cent operating profit growth in the 2006 full year, as further price rises and output expansion offset a range of cost increases.”