Merck got off to a solid start in 2013. Total revenues increased by 4.4% to € 2,761 million (Q1 2012: € 2,645 million) and were fueled by organic growth of 5.6%. Whereas changes in foreign exchange rates were positive and to some extent highly favorable in the four preceding quarters, as of the first quarter of 2013 they negatively impacted the development of total revenues by –1.3%. Although changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate still had a slightly positive effect, the development of the Japanese yen as well as the Latin American currencies (Brazilian real, Venezuelan bolivar, Argentinean peso) were primarily responsible for the overall negative currency impact. Acquisitions contributed 0.1% to the growth in sales. Royalty, license and commission income, which is disclosed as part of total revenues, increased by 23.5% to € 100 million (Q1 2013: € 81 million), mainly driven by the Merck Serono division.
Merck Group | Sales by quarter
Sales (total revenues less royalty, license and commission income) rose by 3.8% to € 2,660 million (Q1 2012: € 2,564 million). Organic sales growth of 5.0% was accompanied by a 1.4% decline from changes in foreign exchange rates and an increase of approximately 0.1% from acquisitions. All four divisions delivered organic growth, with Merck Serono and Merck Millipore posting increases in the mid single-digit range and Performance Materials and Consumer Health recording high single-digit gains.
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