Europe Earnings: BSkyB, Dassault, Diageo, Givaudan

Nigel Thomas
30 Jan, 2014
New York City

BSkyB profit plunged 16% to

[R]3:40 PM Frankfurt – BSkyB profit plunged 16% to £411 million. Dassault plans to acquire the U.S.-based Accelrys for $750 million. Diageo profit jumped 5% to £1.65 billion. Givaudan net in the year soared 20% to 490 million francs and increase dividend by 30%.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index rose 0.2% or 10.48 to 6,554.76 and in Frankfurt the DAX index increased 0.7% or 64.43 to 9,401.16.

In Paris, CAC 40 index gained 0.7% or 31.78 to 4,188.76.

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc climbed 3.2% to 871.94 pence after the U.K.-based pay-television service provider reported revenue in the second-half ending in December jumped 7.6% to £3.75 billion from £3.53 billion a year ago.

Profit for the period plunged 15.6% to £411 million from £487 million and diluted earnings per share slipped to 26 pence from 29.5 pence a year earlier.

BSkyB added pre-tax profits for the period dropped 9.2% to £554 million from £610 million. Marketing costs increased 13% to £613 million.

Advertising revenue jumped 7% to £231 million and wholesale subscription revenue increased 2% to £198 million. Other revenue increased 21% to £206 million.

The company said it added 42% more subscriptions in the three months compared to the same period a year earlier.

Separately, the media company today said Sky Sports secured six long-term rights agreements including the British & Irish Lions, Super League rugby, England overseas cricket, Scottish football and speedway and sports entertainment leader, WWE.

Dassault Systemes SA gained 0.9% to €89.13 after the France-based 3D design software developer plans to acquire the U.S.-based Accelrys Inc. for $750 million to expand its molecular chemistry and life sciences business.

Diageo Plc dropped 3.7% to 1,840 pence after the U.K.-based distillers and wine maker reported net sales in the second-half ending in December fell 1% to £5.93 billion from £5.98 billion a year ago.

Profit for the period jumped 5% to £1.65 billion compared to £1.58 billion and diluted earnings per share increased to 63.5 pence from 60.4 pence a year earlier.

Givaudan S.A surged 6.5% to 1,344 francs after the Switzerland-based fragrance and flavor industry reported revenue in the year ending in December jumped 5.5% to 4.37 billion francs from 4.26 billion francs a year earlier.

Net income in the year soared 19.5% to 490 million francs compared to 410 million francs and diluted earnings per share jumped to 52.83 francs from 44.74 francs a year ago period.

The company said sales in fragrance division climbed 3% to 2.08 billion francs and comparable sales jumped 5.1%. Sales from flavor division grew 2.3% to 2.29 billion and comparable sales increased.

The company plans to increase its dividend 30% from a year ago to 47 Swiss franc and seek approval at the board meeting on March 20.