Sweden's Securitas second-quarter core profit rises but misses estimate (updated)
UPDATE 1-Sweden's Securitas second-quarter core profit rises but misses estimate Adds details, CEO comment
July 24 (Reuters) - Sweden's Securitas SECUb.ST, one of the world's largest security services providers, reported lower-than-expected second-quarter core profit on Friday, weighed down by weak organic sales growth.
Securitas' operating earnings before amortisation (EBITA) rose to 2.82 billion Swedish crowns ($289.13 million) in April-June from 2.80 billion crowns a year earlier, but missed analysts' average forecast of 2.91 billion crowns in a poll provided on its website.
Organic sales growth was 0% in the quarter, down from 5% a year earlier, while adjusted organic sales growth was 3%.
Operating margin increased to 7.50% from 7.30% a year earlier.
"We delivered an improved adjusted operating margin in the second quarter, reaching 7.6%, driven by both the technology and solutions and the security services business lines," CEO Magnus Ahlqvist said in a statement.
($1 = 9.7533 Swedish crowns)
(Reporting by Tomasz Kanik, editing by Matt Scuffham)
((tomasz.kanik@thomsonreuters.com))
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