KOBLENZ (dpa-AFX) - Automotive and industrial supplier Stabilus struggled with the weakness of the automotive industry and the consequences of US tariff policy in the past fiscal year. At €1.3 billion, sales were slightly below the previous year's figure, as the SDax company announced on Monday in Koblenz based on preliminary figures. The gas spring specialist was particularly affected by the Asia-Pacific region, where the consequences of increased US tariffs had a significant impact on the automotive industry and led to price pressure. This continued in the fourth quarter.
Overall, business with the energy, construction, and automotive industries was also weaker in the fiscal year (ending in September). Earnings before interest and taxes, adjusted for special items, fell by a good 9 percent to €142.6 million. The corresponding margin declined by one percentage point to 11.0 percent. Bottom line, profit fell significantly from €72 million a year ago to €24.2 million. The company cited provisions for the cost-cutting program announced in September as the main reason for this. The annual figures are in line with the company's own forecast, it added./men/stk
