ZURICH, Jan 23 (Reuters) - New orders at Sulzer's core divisions fell by three percent to 1.86 billion Swiss francs in 2002, the Swiss machinery and engineering services firm that is battling poor end-markets and a strong franc said on Thursday.
The firm reiterated it expected full-year operating income to be clearly positive, but to come out at below the 2001 level of 119 million francs, but 2002 net profit to be "respectable". It added the prospects for 2003 were very difficult to assess.
Adjusted for acquisitions, divestitures and currency effects, order intake was up two percent.