ELLWANGEN (dpa-AFX) - Struggling battery manufacturer Varta has posted an operating loss in the first quarter due to subdued customer demand. In the first three months of the year, a loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) of two million euros was incurred, the SDax-listed company announced in Ellwangen on Monday. A year ago, Varta had earned around 38 million euros. Sales in the first quarter fell by eleven percent to 164 million euros, the company said. The company also confirmed the forecast, which had only been lowered at the end of April. Since demand is difficult to forecast at the moment, Varta had already lowered its expectations for the current year on April 28, thus forcing the share price to fall./zb/mis