Lindt expects 5-7 pct growth this year, 2018 profit in line

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG

05/03/2019 06:13

ZURICH, March 5 (Reuters) - Swiss chocolate maker Lindt &
Spruengli  LISN.S   LISP.S  expects organic sales to grow 5-7
percent this year, in line with its mid-term targets, the
company said on Tuesday, after net profit rose 8 percent last
year.
    Chocolate makers are grappling with saturated European and
U.S. markets and a trend towards healthier snacking, but Lindt
is growing faster than peers as it taps new markets in Asia and
Africa and expands its own retail network.
    Net profit rose 7.6 percent to 487.1 million Swiss francs 
($487 million) in 2018, in line with expectations in a Infront
Data poll, the company known for its gold foil-wrapped Easter
bunnies said in a statement on Tuesday.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL5N20O4FJ     

($1 = 0.9996 Swiss francs)

 (Reporting by Silke Koltrowitz)
 ((silke.koltrowitz@thomsonreuters.com; +41 58 306 7454; Reuters
Messaging: silke.koltrowitz.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))