NEU-ISENBURG (dpa-AFX) - Commercial vehicle supplier Jost Werke remains on course for growth in the new year after a record 2022. Sales rose by 9.6 percent to 341.6 million euros in the first quarter, the company, which is listed in the small-cap index SDax, announced on Monday. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) rose by 15.5 percent to 38.7 million euros. Both key figures are significantly above the average analyst estimates provided by the company.

Jost Werke also became more profitable at the start of the year, with the Ebit margin rising to 11.6 percent from 11.0 percent in the same period last year. Below the line, the SDax company earned 24 million euros, up 11.6 percent. Jost confirmed the forecast: 2023 sales and operating profit are expected to increase in the low single-digit percentage range. The margin is expected to improve slightly. Last year, thanks to good business in North America and Asia, the company had achieved unprecedented sales and operating earnings./niw/stk