Europe Movers: Logitech, Novartis, Unilever, TUI

Barry Randall
23 Jan, 2013
New York City

BHP Billiton gained after it reported gains in petroleum products and iron ore production and reaffirmed 2013 outlook. Unilever increased 3% after sales and earnings rose more than expected. Novartis advanced on better than expected sales outlook for 2013.

BHP Billiton gained 1.5% to 2,111.34 pence after the mining company reaffirmed its iron ore production growth in 2013 to 3%. Petroleum and iron ore production increased more than expected in the final quarter to December.

Unilever increased 3.1% after the consumer products maker said fourth quarter sales increased 7.8% on volume growth of 4.8% and price increase of 2.9%.

For the year 2012, sales increased 10.5% to 51.3 billion euros and foreign exchange gains contributed 2.2 percentage point increase and net impact from acquisition was 1.1%. Core earnings per share increased 11% to 1.57 euros and in the year free cash flow was 4.3 billion euros.

Novartis gained 4% after it released new sales outlook. Sales in the fourth quarter were flat at $14.8 billion and full year sales decreased 3% to $56.7 billion. Core earnings per share in the quarter increased 3% to $1.27 and full-year earnings fell 6% to $5.25.

The pharmaceutical maker reported dividend of Sfr2.30 a share, an increase for the sixteenth quarter in a row.

Market volatility dragged banks and financial institutions lower. Societe Generale declined 3.5% and Banco Popolare dropped 4.1%. Aegon decreased 2%.

Logitech International SA gained 6.5% to Sfr7.18 after the maker of personal computer accessories said it will book $211 million writedown linked to videoconferencing business in the third quarter.

SAP AG increased 2.4% to 59.10 euros said full-year net income is expected to increase 12%.

TUI Travel declined 5% to 278 pence after shareholders rejected the plan to merge the company with TUI Travel.

Aixtron SE soared 8.5% after its competitor Cree Inc estimated higher than expected sales in the quarter.