Essilor grows in the first nine months

Essilor today announced its provisional consolidated sales for the nine months ended September 30: sales were 1,565.8 millions of euros, -4.4% compared with 1,638.6 millions recorded at September 30, 2002.

On a like-for-like basis, sales were up 2.8% at September 30, compared with a 2.3% gain at June 30. Growth was led by improved performance in all regions during the third quarter, when like-for-like sales rose 3.7% year-on-year.

All the regions reported increased business. Europe and the rest of the world continued to enjoy robust expansion, with growth in line with historic trends. Sales in North America started to turn upwards, particularly at the end of the period.

The currency effect remained negative, at 9.3%, but eased significantly in the third quarter.