Ludwig Beck AG announced earnings results for the first quarter ended March 2012. For the quarter, the company reported gross sales in the amount of EUR 22.9 million, thus gaining 3.9%, compared to last year's EUR 22.0 million. Like-to-like sales even rose by 7.8%, not only far exceeding the expectations of the management, but also the development of the retail industry, which ended the first quarter with a modest 1% increase. EBIT amounted to EUR 1.8 million, a EUR 1.0 million increase compared to EUR 0.8 million a year ago. Earnings before taxes climbed even higher and reached EUR 1.4 million compared to EUR 0.2 million a year ago. Net profits rose from last year's EUR 0.1 million to EUR 0.9 million. Net sales were EUR 19.2 million compared to EUR 18.5 million a year ago. EBITDA was EUR 2.6 million compared to EUR 1.5 million a year ago. Earnings per share were EUR 0.26 compared to EUR 0.03 a year ago. The company management confirms its already published forecast for the current fiscal year of a branch-adjusted sales growth by 2% to 3 % and earnings before taxes (EBT) between EUR 10.0 million and EUR 12.0 million.