The consolidated net sales of the Micronas Group for the first six months of the current year reached CHF 411.3 million, a rise of 5.7 percent over the same period of 2005. Operating profit before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell compared with the first half of 2005 by 45.5 percent to CHF 42.6 million. Operating loss before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the reporting period was CHF 15.2 million. The half-year period resulted in a loss of CHF 6.5 million, compared with a profit of CHF 19.9 million for the first semester of 2005.

In the reporting period, the business priority for the Consumer division was the high-end flat-panel segment, where the long-term market trend is one of above-average growth. In the 30" to 34" screen range, worldwide sales of LCD sets outstripped traditional cathode-ray tubes for the first time. The Automotive division continues to enjoy uninterrupted growth.