IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Oriflame's expectations

Oriflame Cosmetics SA, which sells natural makeup directly to women in more than 50 countries, said profitability will improve this year as surging emerging-market sales overcome gains by the euro.

The company did not give a specific goal for widening its operating margin in a Hugin statement released yesterday. Sales growth will be in line with its aim of an increase to 10 percent in local currencies, said the Stockholm-based firm.

Planemaker's forecast

Airbus SAS, the world's biggest planemaker, expects to win 30 new orders this year for its A380 superjumbo, helped by demand in Asia.

The plane, delayed by two years because of faulty wiring, now has 196 orders from 17 customers, Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy said at the Singapore Airshow yesterday.

Schneider profit

Schneider Electric SA, the world's biggest maker of circuit breakers, increased second-half profit 21 percent on expansion in emerging markets and higher selling prices.

Net income climbed to 854 million euros from 704 million euros a year earlier. Rueil-Malmaison, France-based Schneider plans to increase its dividend by 10 percent to 3.3 euros a share, it said.

Agencies

(China Daily 02/21/2008 page17)