Air Liquide intends to continue its growth in 2012
Air Liquide, whose growth has slowed sharply in the fourth quarter, however, table of new growth in its net profit in 2012 barring any major degradation of the situation after one year 2011 range by emerging and resistance in Europe.
The world's largest industrial gases account on a portfolio of opportunities 12 months – that is to say that projects the group is likely to win – a record level of 4.2 billion euros at end 2011, against 3.9 billion euros at end 2010.
Air Liquide announced Friday sales up 7.2% to 14.457 million euros in 2011, down 6.8% on a comparable basis, and net income of 1.535 million, up 9.4%, with an operating margin stable at 16.7%.
Analysts polled by Reuters on average expected a turnover of 14.479 million euros and net profit of 1.533 million.
The cluster gas and service, which provides the bulk of group sales, was up 7.5% of its sales on a comparable basis, driven by a 20% increase in sales in countries é ; mergents thanks to strong growth in demand and start-ups and ramp-up units. Emerging, high growth, now represent 21% of sales against 15% in 2008.
The growth of this division has slowed to 1.9% in the fourth quarter on a comparable basis, its lowest level since late 2009, reflecting an unfavorable comparative and global caution client group, particularly in the steel and electronics.
The group, whose competitors Linde German and American Praxair and Air Products intends to pay an increased dividend to 2.50 euros from 2.35 euros for 2011 against 2010.
"The signing of new contracts and continuous innovation to expand its businesses allow the group (…) to be confident in its medium term development program in the 2015 Alma" , said in a statement the CEO Benoît Potier.
This strategic plan, presented in December 2010, is an average annual growth of 8% to 10% of sales and sustained growth in net income by 2015.
Decisions of industrial and financial investments, totaled 2.0 billion euros in 2011 against 2.2 billion in 2010, with the group's entry in Mexico, Ukraine and Turkey.