Nippon Sheet Glass's group operating profit for fiscal 2005 fell 29.9% from the previous year to JPY8.429BN because of a rise in fuel costs reflecting higher crude oil prices, the firm said 31/05/06. Recurring profit for the year that ended in March/06 also fell 21.4% to JPY10.425BN. Higher fuel costs took a JPY3BN bite out of operating profit, according to officials. Meanwhile, the company's fiscal 2005 group sales increased 0.3% to JPY265BN on the back of steady sales of auto & flat glass for construction use outside Japan. Net profit rose 2.3% to JPY7.764BN as special profit increased JPY1.2BN from the previous year to JPY6.6BN thanks to a greater securities sales profit. NSG did not give earnings estimates for the current year end, as disclosure is restricted under British regulatory rules until the June/06 completion of its acquisition of Pilkington PLC.
