Suedzucker Lifts Outlook; Unilever Sales Flat, WH Smith Sales Up 7%

Sarla Buch
13 Oct, 2016
New York City

Fraport said total passenger count in September set a new record of 5.9 million. Jupiter Fund said net inflows for the third-quarter were

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – Fraport said total passenger count in September set a new record of 5.9 million. Jupiter Fund said net inflows for the third-quarter were £789 million. Suedzucker profit surged and the sugar maker lifted revenues and profit outlook. Unilever sales in third-quarter were nearly flat. WH Smith net soared 7%.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index declined 72.16 or 1% to 6,951.85 and in Frankfurt the DAX index slumped 147 or 1.4% to 10,376.24.

In Paris, CAC 40 index dropped 70.57 or 1.6% to 4,381.67.

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide dropped 2.1% to €78.53 after Germany-based airport services provider said total passenger count in September increased to a new record to 5.9 million and cargo volumes jumped 5.9%.

Jupiter Fund Management Plc rose 0.2% to 448.70 pence after the U.K.-based fund manager said net inflows for the third-quarter ending in September were £789 million and as of September 30, total asset under management jumped 9.2% from a year ago to £40.4 billion.

Suedzucker AG gained 1.4% to €78.53 after Germany-based agricultural raw materials producer reported revenues in the first-half ending in August declined 4% from a year ago to €3.2 billion.

Net profit in the period surged to €108 million compared to the €45 million and diluted earnings per share advanced to €0.53 from €0.22.

The agricultural raw materials producer lifted revenues forecast in the year to €6.6 billion compared to the earlier estimated of about €6.4 billion and operating profit in the range of €340 million to €390 million compared to a year ago operating profit of €241 million.

Unilever Plc declined 3.9% to 3,578 pence after the U.K.-based food, home and personal care products maker said total sales in the third-quarter were nearly flat from a year ago at €13.4 billion and underlying sales increased to 3.2%.

WH Smith Plc jumped 4% to 1,586 pence after the U.K.-based books, newspapers and magazines retailer said total group sales in the year ending in August jumped 3% from a year ago to £1.2 billion.

Comparable store sales in the year increased 1%.

Net income in the year soared 6.9% from a year ago to £108 million compared to the £101 million and diluted earnings per share increased to 93.9 pence from 85.6 pence.

The retailer said Zoella Book Club that launched in summer saw strong sales but general book sales edged down 2%.

WH Smith also announced it would buy additional £50 million shares from investors after completing current £50 million share buyback program.