Swatch Group: sales up 6.1% in 2018
Group net sales increased by 6.1% to CHF 8,475 million at current exchange rates (+5.7% at constant rates). Operating result increased by 15.2% to CHF 1,154 million. Operating margin increased from 12.5% in the previous year to 13.6%. Net income increased by 14.8% to CHF 867 million, with a net margin of 10.2% (previous year: 9.5%). The Group created over 1,700 new jobs, mainly in Switzerland. January 2019 started with solid growth, even in comparison with the very strong January in the previous year. The Swatch Group expects a positive trend in 2019, both in demand and in elimination of capacity bottlenecks.