Business & Finance

Michelin sets high growth targets after solid 2011

Published February 10, 2012 Updated February 10, 2012 02:25pm

Operating profit rose by 14.7 percent to 1.9 billion euros, or 9.4 percent of net sales, and Michelin said it aimed to boost that to 2.5 billion in 2015.

Sales rose 15.8 percent to 20.7 billion euros.

"In deploying its strategy, Michelin is capitalising on a number of unique competitive advantages, including forefront positions both in the premium tyre segment and in all of its specialty businesses, as well a balanced global footprint that will be further strengthened in 2012 with the start-up of the new plants in Brazil and China," the company said in a statement.

"As a result, Michelin confirms its ambition to drive at least 25 percent growth and generate positive free cash flow over the 2011-2015 period, and has raised its 2015 operating income target to 2.5 billion," it added.

The net profit was above analyst expectations of 1.27 billion euros on average, and Michelin's share price rose but was dragged down by 0.47 percent to 55.50 euros in midday trading on a French market down 0.70 percent overall.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2012