Europe Movers: Assa Abloy, Linde, Pearson, Serco, TNT Express, UBS

Arthi Gupta
29 Oct, 2012
New York City

Pearson sales increased 5% and Sartorius operating earnings surged 22.7% to

[R]2:00 PM Frankfurt – Pearson sales increased 5% and Sartorius operating earnings surged 22.7% to €100 million in the first nine months. UBS plans to slash up to 10,000 jobs globally. TNT Express third quarter net soared 80% to €9 million.[/R]

Assa Abloy AB fell 0.9% to SEK 217.90 after the Swedish lockmaker said third quarter sales rose 6% to SEK 11.545 billion. Net income in the quarter fell 21% to SEK 1.303 billion from net income of SEK 1.65 billion in the quarter a year ago.

GEA Group AG dipped 0.5% to €23.74 after the system providers for food and energy processes said third quarter revenues climbed annually to €1.45 billion from €1.4 billion. Net profit improved 4.1% to €89.4 million from €85.9 million last year. Earnings per share increased to 48 cents from 47 cents in the prior year.

Linde AG gained 1.6% to €130.90 after the industrial gases producer stated third quarter group revenue rose 13% to €3.89 billion. Profit for the period increased 8% to €313 million compared to €290 million last year.

Pearson plc gained 0.7% to 1,220.31 pence after the educational services and text book publisher said first nine months sales increased 5% and operating profit was 5% lower. Universities and students are increasingly vocal about the “exorbitant” price charged by text book publishers.

Sartorius AG rose 0.2% to €59.10 after the laboratory and process equipment provider said its nine-month sales revenue grew 18.1% to €639.4 million. Operating earnings surged 22.7% to €100 million from €81.5 million last year.

Serco Group plc declined 0.1% to 565 pence after the international service company signed a contract for an outsourcing partnership that will provide customer contact and support services for AEGON that has a total estimated value of approximately £170 million.

TNT Express N V gained 0.7% to €8.21 after the express delivery company reported third quarter revenues rose 2.1% to €1.81 billion, from a year ago. Profit in the quarter increased 80% to €9 million from €5 million in the prior-year period.

UBS AG surged 4.8% to Sfr12.82 after the Swiss financial services provider is expected to slash up to 10,000 jobs globally, according to several media reports citing a person familiar with the matter.

Unibail-Rodamco SE dropped 0.1% to €170.35 after the commercial property operator reported turnover for the first nine-months rose 4% to €1.25 billion from the same period last year.