ROUNDUP: Beiersdorf expects weaker growth - hopes for revival in luxury

HAMBURG - The consumer goods group Beiersdorf is preparing for a slowdown in growth after a strong year. Although sales should continue to increase in 2024, Group CEO Vincent Warnery no longer expects the pace of the past year. The manager is hoping above all for a recovery in the struggling luxury segment: Beiersdorf wants to "return to growth" with its La Prairie and Chantecaille brands. Investors did not seem to like the conservative outlook and the figures for the past year.

ROUNDUP: Long-time Symrise boss Bertram retires - Parisot takes over

HOLZMINDEN - The manufacturer of fragrances and flavors Symrise is facing a change in management. Jean-Yves Parisot will take over from long-time CEO Heinz-Jürgen Bertram at the end of March 31, the DAX-listed company announced unexpectedly in Holzminden on Thursday. The 65-year-old, whose contract was originally due to expire at the end of October 2025, will retire. The share price initially came under significant pressure following the news, but then stemmed the decline to 1.2 percent.

ROUNDUP: Covestro continues to focus on savings in a difficult environment

LEVERKUSEN - The chemical company Covestro is taking a cautious view of the new year in a difficult industry environment. In view of challenging conditions, the focus remains on efficiency, the company said on Thursday. The DAX-listed company had already prevented an even more significant decline in the operating result in 2023 by making savings. Analysts were very positive about the results and the outlook. There was no news on the talks with Abu Dhabi National Oil (Adnoc) about a possible takeover of the Dax group by the oil company from the United Arab Emirates.

ROUNDUP 2: Engine recall causes MTU first annual loss in 90 years

MUNICH - The recall of thousands of engines has resulted in the first annual loss in the history of the Munich-based manufacturer MTU. Hundreds of Airbus jets have been grounded because MTU's partner Pratt & Whitney used a problematic metal powder in around 3,000 turbines. MTU alone has set aside around one billion euros for this. However, MTU CEO Lars Wagner has no intention of suing his partner. And in its day-to-day business, the Munich-based company remains on course for record results in 2024.

Puma increases payout ratio for dividend - share buyback

HERZOGENAURACH - The sporting goods manufacturer Puma wants to convince shareholders with a better dividend policy. In future, the payout ratio is to be 25 to 40 percent of consolidated net income, the company announced on Thursday ahead of its Capital Markets Day, which begins at midday. Previously, the upper limit was 35 percent. Puma also announced a share buyback program with a volume of 10 to 25 percent of consolidated net income. In total, the payout ratio is to reach up to 50 percent of consolidated net income. The company justified the move with an expected robust cash inflow.

ROUNDUP: SMA Solar increases profit strongly - share price jumps

NIESTETAL - The inverter manufacturer SMA Solar increased sales and earnings significantly last year. The company benefited from continued good demand. In addition, the supply chains eased. SMA Solar expects a more volatile environment for the new year. Sales growth is likely to weaken. The company anticipates a decline in operating earnings. Nevertheless, investors reacted positively on the stock market on Thursday. The outlook was better than expected by some analysts.

ROUNDUP 2: Aixtron expects less growth in 2024 - AMS-Osram causes concern

HERZOGENRATH - The chip industry supplier Aixtron expects at least significantly slower growth in 2024. According to experts, a sluggish e-car market is providing a headwind. For the coming year 2025, however, company CEO Felix Grawert expects a strong increase in earnings again, "driven by the next wave of growth in the power electronics sector," according to a statement on Thursday. It remains to be seen whether the cancellation of a key LED project at customer AMS-Osram will thwart these plans. The news from AMS-Osram caused uncertainty on the stock market.

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Further news

-ROUNDUP: Patrizia cautious after profit slump - share slips

-ROUNDUP: Industrial recycler Befesa earns significantly less - lower dividend

-ROUNDUP: Süss Microtec catches up in the final quarter - Record high order backlog

-ROUNDUP: Freenet benefits from television business and raises dividend

-ROUNDUP: Schott Pharma earns more at the start of the year thanks to lucrative products

-ROUNDUP: Nordex aims for further growth and operating profit in 2024

-Fielmann increases profit and raises dividend

-ROUNDUP: Kion's automation business remains bumpy - outlook convincing

-Axel Springer and other media groups demand billions from Google

-SAP competitor Salesforce disappoints with sales outlook - shares under pressure

-Air France-KLM posts loss in the final quarter

-Dowel manufacturer Fischer with record sales - Investments abroad

-US weakness weighs on Beck's brewer AB Inbev at the end of the year

-Per capita consumption of soft drinks increases

-British Airways parent company IAG benefits from rising demand for travel

-AMS Osram makes value adjustments of 600 to 900 million euros

-Building materials group CRH targets profit growth in 2024

-ROUNDUP: DZ Bank makes record profit

-The Body Shop closes 75 of around 200 stores in the UK

-Asia merger of Daimler truck businesses and Toyota subsidiary Hino drags on

-Travel platform Flix with total sales of over two billion euros for the first time

-EU Parliament gives green light for more transparency at Airbnb and Co

-Herrenknecht supplies drilling machine for Lyon-Turin railroad line

-Tesla warns water board against wastewater disposal stop

-Citizens' initiative against Tesla shows solidarity with environmental activists

-Interim assessment of e-highway: Trucks can save half of CO2

-Adecco increases profit in the fourth quarter despite falling sales

-ROUNDUP: Tree houses against Tesla expansion - Activists occupy wooded area

-Haseloff: Intel settlement in Magdeburg is fixed

-Birkenstock with jump in sales in the Christmas quarter

-Press: Car project cost Apple more than ten billion dollars

-Transport companies recommend ban on electric pedal controllers in public transport

-Weakening construction industry causes problems for Villeroy & Boch

-Building materials group CRH targets profit growth in 2024

-With a speed of 160 km/h to Berlin: Eastern states demand better connections

-Eastern states call for more long-haul flights from the region

-Restructuring of animal husbandry: billions in aid for animal welfare starts

-Financial Stability Board recommends stricter supervision of UBS°

Client note:

ROUNDUP: You are reading a summary in the company overview. There are several reports on this topic on the dpa-AFX news service.

/jha