Skip navigation
Newswire

UPDATE 1-Bodycote full-year profit rises on strong aerospace sales

* Full-year pretax profit 89.8 mln stg vs 75.8 mln stg

* Raises div by 14 pct

* Shares rise 8 pct

By Ankur Banerjee

Feb 27 (Reuters) - British engineering company Bodycote Plc reported a 19 percent rise in full-year profit on new contracts in its aerospace business, but warned of modest growth this year due to the economic slowdown in Europe.

Bodycote's share, which have risen 33 percent since June, were up 8 percent at 547.5 pence at 1128 GMT on the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

The Macclesfield, Cheshire-based company, which heat-treats jet engine turbine blades and other aircraft and car parts, reported its strongest growth in commercial aerospace business in Europe due to increased demand for narrow-body aircraft.

Its equipment sales improved as Boeing Co and Airbus continued to increase production rates.

Bodycote, however, says it was likely to see moderate growth rates in aerospace this year. "We are in a little bit of a lull," Bodycote Chief Executive Stephen Harris told Reuters.

Investec Securities analyst Michael Blogg said in a note to clients that he had been viewing 2013 and 2014 with caution and this is echoed by the company's experience in January.

Numis Securities analyst Scott Cagehin expects growth in Bodycote's aerospace and energy businesses to offset the effect of weaker economies and markets.

Bodycote, which also caters to mining, energy and construction companies, said it expected sales in the second half to be better than the first half.

Bodycote increased its final dividend by 14 percent to 8.3 pence per share.

Bodycote said 2012 pretax profit rose to 89.8 million pounds ($135.9 million) from 75.8 million pounds a year earlier.

Revenue rose 3 percent to 587.8 million pounds.

Revenue in the aerospace, defence and energy businesses rose 12 percent to 260.4 million pounds.

Bodycote said demand fell in its automotive business in all geographies except North America. "North American market will continue up at pace, it might take a bit longer in Europe," Harris said.

Demand for new cars has slumped in Europe as governments drive through austerity measures to reduce their debts. Asian and U.S. markets, in contrast, have bounced back strongly from the global financial crisis.

Bodycote bought Curtiss-Wright Corp's heat-treatment business for $52 million in April to expand in the U.S. aerospace industry. It bought Carolina Commercial Heat Treating in October for $68 million.