Croda Intl Q3 sales up 2.9% as forex headwinds moderate

1st Nov 2018 08:06

(Sharecast News) - Specialty chemicals maker Croda International said third quarter sales rose 2.9% as currency headwinds moderated.The year-to-date profit margin continued slightly above the prior year, reflecting improved product mix and pricing, growing value ahead of volume, Croda said.Constant currency sales for the quarter were up 3.4%, with the core business up 4.5%, driven by a strong performance in the consumer businesses.Personal care sales rose 4.9% in the third quarter and 7.8% in the year to date, reflecting both price/mix and volume improvements, Croda said.In life sciences, constant currency sales for the quarter increased 8.5%, or 9.3% excluding the impact of the North American API contract which the company exited at the end of 2017.In performance technologies, constant currency sales grew by 1.8% in the third quarter and by 1.7% in the year to date.Chief executive Steve Foots said the company was on track to deliver expectations for the year.