First quarter 2009 revenue was up 8.5% compared with the same period last year, to 3.003 billion euros. At constant exchange rates and consolidation scope, growth came to 3.9%.
Currency translation had a positive impact of 57 million euros over the quarter. Changes in the consolidation scope had an impact of 66 million euros, primarily due to the consolidation of acquisitions made in 2008 in Transmission & Distribution and in Renewable Energies.
The growth engines for first quarter revenue were the Reactors & Services division and the Transmission & Distribution division, with growth of 9.2% and 16.1% respectively.
Outside France, revenue rose to 2.032 billion euros, compared with 1.857 billion euros in the first quarter of 2008, and represents 68% of total revenue.
Orders were steady in the first quarter, particularly in the Front End, which posted several significant contracts with US and Asian utilities, and in Transmission & Distribution, with orders up sharply in Asia and South America.
As of March 31, 2009, the group’s backlog reached 49.5 billion euros, for 28.3% growth year-on-year, including 31.3% growth in Nuclear and 10.2% in Transmission & Distribution.
For the year as a whole, the group confirms its outlook for backlog and revenue growth as well as rising operating income.