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GfK Group Achieves Dynamic Growth in 2nd Quarter
NUREMBERG, Germany, August 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The GfK Group recorded a successful second quarter in 2008. The Group
achieved excellent sales growth in organic terms of 11.4%. Adjusted operating
income rose by 13.4% to EUR 43.8 million compared with the second quarter of
2007. With a figure of 13.6%, the margin, which represents the ratio of
adjusted operating income to sales, was above the same quarter in the prior
year when it stood at 13.2%.
In the first six months of this year, organic sales growth amounted to
8.4%. The GfK Group therefore achieved the highest growth rate in organic
terms since its IPO in 1999. All three sectors contributed to growth.
Negative currency effects reduced sales growth by 4.5%. Sales reported after
currency effects and acquisitions rose by 6.5% to EUR 589.7 million. Adjusted
operating income increased to EUR 66.8 million after EUR 63.5 million in the
first six months of 2007. At 11.3%, the margin almost matched the prior
year's level of 11.5%.
The performance of the Retail and Technology sector was particularly
pleasing, with the sector further expanding its strong margin in the second
quarter of 2008. Despite unfavorable exchange rate developments, the Media
sector achieved strong growth amounting to a high single-digit figure. At
regional level, GfK recorded very strong growth in organic terms in Central
and Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific and Latin America.
Overall, the GfK Group's order books are excellent. At the end of July,
80.3% of expected Group sales for 2008 were already posted or included under
existing orders. This represents a further rise on the high level of the
prior year of 79.4%.
Marion EisenblÀtter
Tel. +49-911-95-2645
marion.eisenblaetter@gfk.com
