WERDOHL (dpa-AFX) - In the first half of the year, the rail and transport technology group Vossloh benefited from sustained strong demand in all areas. Sales and order backlog climbed to record levels. At midday, Vossloh stock was up around 1.4 percent, thus continuing its uptrend of the past few days.

Sales in the half-year rose by 26 percent to a good 600 million euros, as the company, which returned to the small cap index SDax in May, announced in Werdohl on Thursday. The figure thus rose to a new record. The Group explained the rise with increased demand for rail infrastructure products and services worldwide. Business was particularly good in America and Asia.

Order books also remained full in the first half of the year. The order backlog climbed 3.8 percent to 859 million euros, a new record. Among other things, a major order for a high-speed line in China paid off.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) grew by almost three-quarters to a good €49 million. Below the line, Vossloh made a profit of €29.4 million, up from €17.3 million the year before. The rail technology company had thus topped sales and earnings expectations, wrote Alexander Thiel of analyst firm Jefferies.

The Group also confirmed the forecast it had raised in mid-June. According to this, the company expects sales of between 1.125 and 1.2 billion euros for the current year, compared with 1.05 billion a year earlier. Earnings before interest and taxes are now expected to be between 87 and 94 million euros in 2023, compared with just over 78 million euros a year earlier./jcf/men/jha/