Danone achieves 7.1% sales growth

20/10/05 Groupe Danone has achieved +7.1% like-for-like sales growth in the third-quarter. This takes the like-for-like sales growth to +6.7% for the first 9 months of 2005.
Consolidated sales amounted to EUR9,853 million in the first 9 months of 2005, increasing by +4.2% on an historical basis. Changes in exchange rates had a positive impact of +0.3% while the scope of consolidation negatively impacted sales by -2.8%.

On a reported basis, 3rd-quarter sales increased +6.8%. Changes in exchange rates had a positive impact of +1.6% and changes in the scope of consolidation a negative impact of -1.9%. Like-for-like sales growth of +7.1% in the 3rd quarter derives from a +5.7% rise in volume and a +1.4% rise in value.

Based on 9 months sales performance and 1st half results, Groupe Danone said that it is confident in its ability to achieve for the full year 2005: like-for-like sales growth between +6% and +7%, a trading operating margin progression of at least +20 basis points and growth in underlying earnings per share from continuing activities of at least +10%.