Adidas in top form
April 30, 2012Sports clothing giant Adidas of Germany blew past analysts' expectations with regard to first-quarter sales and profit, the company announced on Monday.
Sales rose by 17 percent year-on-year in the January through March period to a total of 3.8 billion euros ($5.03 billion). Net profit increased by 38 percent on the year, reaching 289 million euros.
Economic experts polled by Reuters had only expected earnings of 232 million euros and revenues to the tune of 3.59 billion euros.
Racing on
Adidas said the positive first-quarter result had been achieved mainly because of high demand for the company's sports items in China and Japan, but also through the sales activities of its subsidiary TailorMade-adidas Golf.
Managers from the Herzogenaurach-based firm are anticipating excellent sales in Europe in the weeks ahead as the European soccer cup draws nearer. Adidas on Monday revised upwards its profit forecast for the whole of 2012, expecting earnings to rise by 17 percent up to 785 million euros.
The company acknowledged, though, that there had been financial irregularities in its business in India which might reduce net profit by 125 million euros. No further details were given.
hg/nk (Reuters, dpa)