Aryzta confirms its profit goal

SPECIALITY baker Aryzta confirmed its full-year profit goal and reported food sales grew 9.6% in its first quarter, as acquisitions in Britain and Canada helped compensate for weak consumer spending, particularly in Europe.

The Switzerland-headquartered group, with stock market listings in Zurich and Dublin, expects 2011/12 earnings per share to rise 9% to €3.38.

“We have not seen any significant change in the trading environment since September and Q1 is broadly a continuation of Q4 trends,” chief executive Owen Killian said yesterday. “Aryzta’s Q1 revenue performance is in line with expectations.”