Net profit increased to 1.53 billion euros (2.15 billion dollars) between October and December, the first quarter of the company’s 2009-2010 fiscal year compared to 1.23 billion euros a year earlier, Siemens said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a net profit of 864 million euros.<\/p>\n
“Earnings for the first quarter provide a gratifying snap-shot of the current situation,” Siemens chief executive Peter Loescher said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“The actions we took at a very early stage are now cushioning us from the ongoing repercussions of the global recession,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We will continue to tackle all challenges decisively and in a responsible manner. Only such an approach can ensure Siemens’ long-term success.”<\/p>\n
Siemens also said its “total sectors” profit, which includes its three industry, energy and healthcare divisions, rose by 11 percent to 2.25 billion euros.<\/p>\n
But the industrial group reiterated its forecast of a “total sectors” profit ranging between 6.0 billion and 6.5 billion euros for 2009-2010, compared to 7.5 billion euros in 2008-2009.<\/p>\n
“Siemens anticipates that conditions in the manufacturing sector and world financial markets will remain challenging in fiscal 2010,” the group said.<\/p>\n