Germany: Optics and Optoelectronics Zeiss Registers Significant Growth During First Half of Fiscal Year

The Zeiss Group presented its figures of the first six months of fiscal year 2016/17 (ended 31 March).

Oberkochen/Germany — The company saw its revenue rise by 10 % to € 2.550 billion (1^st half of 2015/16: € 2.322 billion). At € 384 million, the earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) were significantly higher than the previous year (€ 280 million). The Ebit margin has increased to 15 %.

The company generates around 90 % of its business outside Germany. This positive business trend is borne in particular by the dynamically developing economies in the Asia/Pacific region, the company announced.

"Zeiss is benefiting once again from its solid and future-oriented portfolio, and recorded growth across all segments over the same period of the prior year," says Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG. "Our growth substantiates our aspiration to be a technological leader in optics and optoelectronics."

ZEISS increased its investments in research and development by around 20 %: in the first half of fiscal year 2016/17, this amounted to € 247 million (1^st half of 2015/16: € 207 million).

According to the manufacturer, global growth forecasts have improved slightly. "As things stand today, we will be able to forge ahead with our growth trajectory in the second half of the year," predicts Kaschke.

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