Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading postal and logistics group, continued its strong performance from last year, posting a 4.3 percent increase in revenue to EUR13.4 billion (US$17.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the same quarter last year.
The DHL divisions remained the group’s growth drivers as they continued to benefit from the world’s rapidly growing regions, particularly in Asia, with earnings of EUR409 million in Q1, a 13 percent improvement compared with the same period last year.
The group’s EBIT climbed by 9.9 percent to EUR691 million, and its consolidated net profit improved to EUR533 million in the first quarter, Deutsche Post DHL said in a May 8 media statement.
“Given the somewhat subdued global economic environment, our successful start into the year is clear evidence for us continuing to build on our strengths,” said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL.
He added: “The efficiency improvements we have achieved in recent years and our unmatched position in the world’s growth markets have prepared us well for continuing on our profitable growth path. Building on this base, we will systematically keep on implementing Strategy 2015 in order to unlock the group’s full potential.”
Despite continuing economic uncertainties, the conglomerate expects the world economy to grow moderately this year and sees the company—driven by the DHL divisions—generating continued gains in revenues and earnings versus the prior year.
In 2011, group revenues rose by 2.8 percent to EUR52.8 billion. Adjusted for exchange-rate and consolidation effects, this amounts to organic revenue growth of more than EUR2.7 billion (+5.3 percent) year-on-year.
In addition, the company’s improved earnings power resulted in an above-average increase in the group’s EBIT in 2011, which at more than EUR2.4 billion, was almost one-third higher than the previous year’s level.
With earnings of EUR1.7 billion, an improvement of nearly 55 percent compared with the previous year’s level, the DHL divisions contributed the lion’s share to the group’s EBIT and growth last year.
