Saint-Gobain's 1998 net profits are estimated at FFr 7.2bn (+27.8%). The group's turnover rose by 9.2% to FFr117m. The high performance materials division (ceramics, performance plastics and abrasives) maintained turnover at its 1997 level (FFr18.1m). The company said it aims to increase profit before exceptional items by 10% in 1999 and is targeting even higher erarnings per share growth, its chairman said recently. "We've set ourselves an ambitious target for 1999, to make a profit, excluding exceptionals, of 10%," chariman Jean-Louis Beffa said. Earnings per share should rise 15% because we've decided to retire 5% of our shares to respond to our shareholers' expectations for steady and strong EPS growth," he said. Mr Beffa added that the group expected improvement in its 3 main businesses - glass, construction materials and high performance profits. (whole item)
