AI Air Liquide SA

By Ian Walker

Air Liquide SA on Wednesday reported a rise in first-quarter revenue as it benefited from higher energy prices which were passed onto large-industry customers, and backed its full-year guidance.

The French industrial-gases company generated revenue for the quarter of 6.89 billion euros ($7.33 billion), a rise of 29%, or 7.9% on a comparable basis.

Within this, gas and services revenue--its biggest unit, which generated around 96% of group revenue--rose 29% to EUR6.59 billion. This equates to a 7.1% rise on a comparable basis.

The Paris-based company said it is confident of further increasing its operating margin this year, and deliver recurring net profit growth, at constant exchange rates, assuming no significant economic disruption, as flagged in February.

"There was strong growth in this first quarter, which reflects a good level of activity and demonstrates the group's resilience in a context marked, notably, by inflation and the war in Ukraine," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Benoit Potier said.

Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 27, 2022 01:51 ET (05:51 GMT)

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