Dassault Aviation Slips To Loss In H1

(RTTNews) - French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation (DUAVF.PK) on Thursday reported net loss of 132.4 million euros for the first half of fiscal 2015. This compares with a profit of 213 million euros in the prior year.

Adjusted net income totaled 179.4 million euros or 20.1 euros per share, compared with 137.7 million euros or 13.6 euros per share in last year.

First-half operating income amounted to 144 million euros, up 34% from 107 million euros a year ago. Operating margin climbed to 8.6% from 7.1% in the prior year first-half.

Half-year total sales climbed 11 percent to 1.68 billion euros from 1.51 billion euros a year earlier, Dassault said.

Among segments, Falcon sales were 919 million euros, down from 1.04 billion euros in the prior year. The company said it delivered 18 new aircraft in 2015 first half-year, compared with 25 last year.

Defense sales meanwhile surged to 756 million euros from 471 million euros a year ago.

The consolidated backlog at June 30, 2015 was 11.02 billion euros, up 34% from December 31, 2014.

The company said it is planning to deliver 8 Rafale and 65 Falcon in 2015. Taking into account other activities, 2015 consolidated sales should be higher than 2014's, it added.