Slovenia's Petrol sees 2017 profit up by 8.6 pct, sales down (updated)

Petrol dd Ljubljana

15/12/2016 15:02

(Updates with quote, details) 
    LJUBLJANA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Slovenia's largest fuel 
retailer Petrol  PETG.LJ  said on Thursday it expects to make a 
group net profit of 74.7 million euros  ($78 million) in 2017, 
up 8.6 percent from the 68.8 million euros seen this year. 
    Sales are seen at 3.6 billion euros next year compared to 
3.7 billion expected in 2016, it added. Sales of oil products 
are seen at 2.7 million tons next year, down from 2.75 million 
in 2016. 
    Cars use less petrol than in the past while new buildings 
also use less energy, it noted in a statement. 
    "In the year 2017 economic growth is seen on Petrol's main 
markets, Slovenia and Croatia, but economic conditions will 
remain demanding," Petrol said, adding it plans to further 
rationalise business processes next year. 
    It said it expects to operate 493 filling stations in 
Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo at the 
end of 2017, up from some 485 at present. 
($1 = 0.9582 euros) 
 
 (Reporting by Marja Novak; Editing by Adrian Croft) 
 ((Marja.Novak@thomsonreuters.com; +386-1-5058805; Reuters 
Messaging: marja.novak.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: PETROL PROFIT/