Rheinmetall Defense Sales Up 18% in First Half 2015

Rheinmetall Defense sales rose by €159 million or 18% to €1,054 million in the first six months of 2015 (first half year 2014: €895 million). Adjusted for currency effects, the growth was 15%, the company announced today.

The sector recorded a loss for the first six months of 2015; however, at €-27 million, the result is up to €27 million compared with the first half of 2014 (€-54 million).

The bulk of sales and earnings in the Defence business are achieved in the second half of the year.

Rheinmetall Defence was successful on the markets in the first half of this year and increased its order intake to €1,235 million, compared with €1,074 million in the first half of 2014. This represents growth of 15%.

The book-to-bill ratio was still above 1. The sector’s order backlog was €6,728 million after six months – another new record.

In the Defence sector, Rheinmetall expects a margin of 3% based on operating earnings.