Estimates for 2013 down for Danone. Weighing on the accounts of the French food group is the false botulism alarm on infant formula launched this summer in China on the products of the New Zealand supplier Fonterra. Danone has thus lowered its sales growth forecasts to between 4,5% and 5% on an annual basis, against the full 5% previously estimated.
Also cut expectations on the operating margin for 2013, down by 0,8% against a first estimate of -0,3/-0,5%. Group sales, following the botulism alarm, fell by 8,6% in the children's products sector. Revenues in the third quarter increased by 4,2% on a like-for-like basis to $5,26 billion, down from the 6,5% increase in the second quarter.
