Air Liquide posted a 3.1% rise in net profits for 2013. The firm said it was confident of similar growth for 2014, according to news agency Reuters.
Air Liquide provides industrial gases for the oil and gas sector. The group forecast in December that it would outpace the market through 2020 as it focuses on products to help save energy, produce cleaner power and on emerging markets.
“The progress the group made during 2013 reflects the return to a more supportive economic climate during the year and an increase in the pace of growth in the United States and China,” chief executive Benoit Potier told Reuters.
“Barring a degradation of the environment, Air Liquide is confident in its ability to deliver another year of net profit growth in 2014.”
Full-year net income was $2.25 billion, up 5.5% excluding the impact of exchange rates. Sales slipped 0.7 % to 15.225 billion, for a 3.1% rise excluding currency moves.
The operating margin improved to 16.9% last year from 16.7% in 2012, Air Liquide said.
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