Asian gains fuel Siemens rebound

German industrial equipment maker Siemens today posted a fourth-quarter net profit of €1.23bn, boosted by an increase in sales in Asia.

That represents a rebound from a net loss of €396m in the same quarter a year ago, when the company had a large one-time charge at its healthcare division.

Revenues rose by 5% to €20.35bn, boosted by a 12% increase in Asia.

The company said sales grew across all regions and experienced particularly strong growth in emerging markets.

Orders, however, fell 2% and the company forecast “moderate” sales growth.

The company raised its dividend to €3 per share from €2.70 per share last year.

Across Siemens’ divisions, its fossil-fuel power generation unit raised earnings by 10%.

But its power transmission equipment divisions saw earnings slip 28% due to costs of hedging raw materials and the emergence of new competitors in low-cost countries.

Munich-based Siemens makes a wide range of heavy industrial goods, including trains and streetcars, power generating and transmission equipment, diagnostic machines for hospitals and factory equipment.