[Usa] Ppg - Flat Glass Sales Improve

PPG Industries reported Q1 2013 net sales from continuing operations of US$ 3.3BN, equal to Q1 2012 results. Its glass segment sales were US$ 256M for the quarter, matching the prior year sales for the same quarter. It said higher flat glass volumes had been offset by lower glass fibre pricing due to reduced demand. The lower pricing led to a decrease of US$ 3M in its segment earnings to US$ 5M, along with the negative impact of inflation, including higher natural gas costs, which often strong manufacturing cost improvements. CEO Charles Bunch said: "Looking to Q2, we anticipate positive momentum in the USA and Asia to continue, while conditions in Europe remain challenging with limited prospects for near-term improvement."