Slovenia's Petrol expects 11 pct rise in 2019 group net profit (updated)

Petrol dd Ljubljana

14/12/2018 07:48

(Updates with quote, details)
    LJUBLJANA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Slovenia's largest fuel
retailer Petrol  PETG.LJ  expects its 2019 group net profit to
rise to 96.7 million euros ($110 million) from an expected 86.9
million this year, mainly due to higher sales, the company said
in a statement on Friday.
    Sales are expected to rise to 5.6 billion euros from 4.5
billion seen in 2018, it said.
    "In order to reach these ambitious goals Petrol will focus
on optimisation of commercial and supporting business
processes," Petrol said.
    It said risks to its targets included uncertain market
conditions, a possible increase in road tax in Slovenia and
higher costs due to higher wages after Slovenia on Thursday
increased the minimum wage.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N1Y44EA
    It said its number of filling stations is expected to rise
to 515 by the end of 2019 from 498 seen at the end of this year.
    Petrol operates stations in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia,
Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo.
    ($1 = 0.8813 euros)

 (Reporting by Marja Novak; editing by Mark Potter and Jason
Neely)
 ((Marja.Novak@thomsonreuters.com; +386-1-5058805, Reuters
Messaging: marja.novak.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))