BERLIN (Reuters) -Shares in Fresenius SE fell to the bottom of Germany’s blue-chip index early Wednesday after the healthcare group forecast a potential fall in operating profit this year, citing intensifying cost inflation and labour shortages.
Shares in Fresenius fell as much as 6.9%.
Calling the outlook “tough but realistic”, analysts at Jefferies said the group’s forecast for operating profit (EBIT) to be flat or decline, when adjusted for currency changes, by up to a high single-digit percentage was below consensus.
In 2022, adjusted EBIT declined 6% to 4 billion euros ($4.3 billion), the group said.
Meantime, shares in subsidiary Fresenius Medical Care, were at the top of the benchmark DAX index, rising as much as 8%, after parent Fresenius said it would keep its 32% in the division despite a move to deconsolidate the firm.
(Writing by Rachel More and Christoph Steitz, Editing by Miranda Murray)
