European Markets Advance; Unilever Profit Climb; SAP Net Falls

Nigel Thomas
20 Jan, 2015
New York City

Novozymes profit climbed 15% to 2.5 billion kronor on 6% increase in revenues. SAP net profit fell 1% to

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – Novozymes profit climbed 15% to 2.5 billion kronor on 6% increase in revenues. SAP net profit fell 1% to €1.3 billion but revenues jumped 7%. Unilever profit jumped 5% to €5.5 billion. William Hill fourth-quarter sales and operating profit declined.[/R]

European markets advanced for the fourth day in a row ahead of European Central Bank meeting later this week.

Investors are factoring the announcement of bond buying program of at least €500 billion and provide higher liquidity and ward off anchoring deflationary trends in the euro zone.

In London trading, FTSE 100 index gained 0.7% or 43.14 to 6,628.67 and in Frankfurt the DAX index rose 0.1% or 12.80 to 10,255.15.

In Paris, CAC 40 index jumped 1.3% or 57.03 to 4,451.96.

Novozymes A/S soared 6.8% to 293 kronor after the Denmark-based biotechnology company reported sales in the year ending in December jumped 6% to 12.46 billion kronor from 11.75 billion kronor a year ago period.

Net profit in the year climbed 15% from a year ago to 2.53 billion kronor compared to 2.20 billion kronor and diluted earnings per share increased to 8.02 kronor from 6.93 kronor.

SAP SE declined 4.7% to €54.79 after the enterprise application provider said total revenues in the fourth-quarter ending in December climbed 7% to €5.46 billion from €5.11 billion a year ago period.

Net profit in the quarter dropped 1% from a year ago to €1.30 billion compared to €1.32 billion and basic earnings per share slid 1% to €1.09 from €1.11.

SAP forecasted revenues in fiscal 2015 from cloud subscriptions and support segment may surge as much as 86% in the range of €1.95 billion and €2.05 billion.

The company applies its own accounting method for the guidance that differs from international financial standards.

Unilever N.V slid 0.09% to €34.72 after the Netherland-based personal and home care product maker reported revenues in the year ending in December dropped 2.7% to €48.44 billion from €49.80 billion a year ago period.

Net profit in the year jumped 5% from a year ago to €5.52 billion compared to €5.26 billion and diluted earnings per share advanced 8% to €1.79 from €1.66.

William Hill Plc slumped 3.8% to 362.30 pence after the U.K.-based gambling company stated group revenues for the fourth-quarter dropped 2% and operating profit for the quarter declined 7%.

The betting and gaming company said group revenues for the year climbed 8% and operating profit estimated to soar 11% to £371 million.