Slovenia's Petrol 9-month profit up by 3 pct (updated)

Petrol dd Ljubljana

21/11/2014 07:43

(Updates with quote, details, background) 
    LJUBLJANA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Slovenia's largest fuel 
retailer Petrol  PETG.LJ  said it posted group net profit of 
45.7 million euros in the first nine months, up 3 percent 
compared to the same period of 2013 on higher sales in southeast 
Europe. 
    Sales rose to 3 billion euros and were 2 percent higher than 
a year ago. 
    Increased sales abroard had countered tough local 
conditions, it said. 
    "Slovenia and Croatia, which are Petrol's largest markets, 
have been facing difficult economic conditions for some years 
which resulted in lower economic activity, poor payment 
discipline, iliquidity, bankruptcies, low private consumption 
and high unemployment," it said in a statement. 
    It said fuel sales in Slovenia fell by 2 percent in the 
first nine months, but fuel sales in southeastern Europe were up 
by 10 percent.  
    Petrol operates 480 filling stations in Slovenia, Croatia, 
Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo.  
 
 (Reporting By Marja Novak, editing by William Hardy) 
 ((Marja.Novak@thomsonreuters.com; +386-8-205-6369; Reuters 
Messaging: marja.novak.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: PETROL SLO ENERG PROFIT/