Profits fall for Nestlé

Swiss food group Nestlé today said it was hoping for a more positive 2004 as it posted an 18% fall in net profits to 6.2 billion Swiss francs (€3.9bn).

Nestlé, which makes Nescafe coffee, Kit-Kats, Rolos, Polos and other confectionery favourites, said higher costs and the weak dollar had combined to make 2003 “a challenging year”.