date:Jul 25, 2014
ns in a slight growth trap which is attributable to its mature markets, where currencies are relatively firm, being static in contrast to the emerging markets, where currencies fell sharply in the past 12 months, said Chris Wickham, an analyst at Oriel Securities.
The core operating margin, a measure of profitability, was unchanged at 14 per cent in the first half, measured in current exchange rates. Net income in the first half rose 16 per cent to 2.82 billion euros, also in current exchange r