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Excluding the impact of BPB (December 2005), operating income is up by 4.6%, or by 3.3% at constant exchange rates*. Operating margin stands at 8.2% compared with 8.5% in 2004 and, in accordance with IFRS, includes costs relating to stock option programs and the Group Savings Scheme, which amounted to EUR 41 million, compared with EUR 32 million in 2004. This dip in profit margin reflects the increased relative weight of Building Distribution within the Group, although it should be noted that the operating margin reported by this sector once again increased, to 5.7% of sales in 2005, up from 5.6% in 2004. Another contributing factor was the impact of energy and transport costs, as well as the rise in certain start-up costs related to the Group’s accelerated growth in emerging countries.
* based on average 2004 exchange rates |
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