Puma net income rose 48% to €54.9 million ($66.2 mm)from €37.0 million for the second quarter ended June 30 on a 17% sales increaseto €352.3 million ($424.5 mm) from €300.9 million. Both were aboveexpectations, and, with backlog up 22% to €723 million ($871.2 mm), Puma raisedits FY forecast to the upper end of its earlier guidance. Sales are nowexpected to rise 20% over last year’s €1,274.0 million ($1.54 bb) and earningsshould rise more than 30% against last year’s €179.3 million ($216.1 mm).

In its most mature market of Europe, sales continuedto rise at a strong 24% clip to $232 million, led ... Log in to view full article.