Atel: Further strong growth recorded
In the first three quarters of the current financial year Olten-based Atel, an energy services provider operating throughout Europe, generated Group revenue of CHF 9.586 billion: 12.4 percent more than the previous year. This increase was primarily due to the Group's organic growth, the changed scope of consolidation, a higher price level and the stronger euro. Energy sales were up 5.7 percent to 95.2 TWh. In the first nine months of last year, this figure was impacted by sizeable one-off special effects amounting to CHF 75 million. Adjusting for these effects, operating income increased by 20.4 percent in the first three quarters of 2007 to reach CHF 708 million.
In the Energy segment, this gratifying result was attributable to sales growth in European trading and sales operations as well as the effect of the higher price level on transactions conducted. The Energy Services segment continued to benefit strongly from the positive economic trend in construction and energy-related sectors.
Taking into account financial expenses and income tax from January to September 2007, the Atel Group recorded Group profit of CHF 515 million, which corresponds to 20.9 percent growth on a like-for-like basis. Accounting for the extraordinary previous-year effects, operating income (EBIT) rose in absolute terms by 6.8 percent and Group profit by 3.8 percent.
Outlook for 2007
Extraordinary events aside, Atel expects to close 2007 with higher Group revenue and significantly higher operating results compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, due to the sizeable special effects additionally arising from the reversal of valuation adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2006, these will fall short of the results reported last year (2006 Group revenue: CHF 11.3 billion, Group profit: CHF 899 million or CHF 630 million on a comparable basis).
Aare-Tessin Ltd. for Electricity Corporate Communications