Merck reports drop in earnings

摘要

Merck (Darmstadt, Germany) reports a drop in profits and flat sales in the second quarter of 2018. Net income was down 42% to €247 million ($286.4 million), EBITDA pre-exceptionals declined 13.7% to €920 million and EBITDA margin pre-exceptionals was 24.8% compared with 28.9% in the year-earlier quarter. Sales were flat at €3.71 billion. Merck confirmed its full-year forecast with respect to organic business performance. Net sales of the healthcare business dropped 0.2% to €1.6 billion.