16% sales' increase at Lindt & Sprüngli in H1

The excellent growth in sales during the first half of 2007 has seen operating profit (EBIT) rise substantially by CHF 16.2 million to CHF 31.7 million or +104%, while the semi-annual net income has increased by CHF 13.1 million to CHF 23.0 million or +13

In the year under review, 2006, the group reported sales
worth 2,586 billion Swiss francs, representing organic growth of 13.7% in local
currency terms or 15.1% in Swiss francs.
The operating result before interest and taxes stands at
296.9 million Swiss francs or a gain of 19.4% over the previous year – the
highest increase in our entire history. The group net profit shows the same exceptional performance, increasing by 21% to
209 million Swiss francs, with a return on sales of 8.1% compared to 7.7% in the
previous year. Group cash fl ow rose by 21.5% to 312.6 million Swiss francs.
The equity ratio increased at 54.2% at the end of 2006 and the average return on equity was 19.7%.
Lindt & Spruengli, like other food companies, is facing
soaring prices for ingredients such as cocoa and milk