Thales Q1 Sales Up 4%

(RTTNews) - Thales (THLEF.PK), a French technology company focused on the aerospace and defense markets, on Wednesday said its first-quarter sales rose 4% to 2.58 billion euros from 2.47 billion euros a year ago.

The company benefited from a 13 percent growth in sales at its aerospace segment. Transport segment sales climbed 2%, while defence and security sales slid 2%.

"The beginning of 2015 confirms Thales's strong commercial momentum with order intake up 36% in the first quarter. Growth was particularly strong in emerging markets, which are benefitting from sustained demand," said CEO Patrice Caine.

The company said its order intake in the quarter jumped 36% from last year to 2.82 billion euros.

Over the medium term, Thales confirms its objectives of a moderate increase in sales and an improvement in its EBIT margin, to reach a rate of 9.5 to 10 percent by 2017/2018.