BAD HOMBURG (dpa-AFX) - The medical group and hospital operator Fresenius has made a strong start to the 2024 financial year. Group sales grew organically by 6 percent to 5.7 billion euros in the first quarter, the DAX-listed company announced in Bad Homburg on Wednesday. Analysts had expected slightly less. The company's operating result adjusted for special effects (EBIT) rose by 15 percent to 633 million euros before the effects of currency translation. Fresenius had therefore already raised its outlook for the full year on Tuesday evening. The Group's organic sales growth for the current year is now expected to be between 4 and 7 percent. Growth in operating performance (EBIT) is now expected to be 6 to 10 percent in constant currency./lfi/zb