Nobel Biocare predicted to report fall in sales

Nobel Biocare may announce a 7.6 per cent fall in sales when it releases its first quarter 2009 financial results, it has been suggested.

Bolsamania predicted the dental company will report sales of 151 million euros (135.4 million pounds), showing a loss in market share.

Earnings before interest and taxes could be around 32.6 million euros, according to the online resource.

It also asserted net profit is expected to fall 26 per cent year-on-year to 23.5 million euros.

Gross margin for the first three months of 2009 is forecast at 79 per cent ? which is lower than for the same period the year before, but an improvement on the fourth quarter result in 2008 of 73.6 per cent, the website concluded.

Earlier this month, the German federal patent court granted Nobel Biocare a positive decision regarding patent infringement claims from Materialise.

The latter had filed a complaint alleging the former’s NobelGuide software breached one of its patents.

With over 2,500 employees, Nobel Biocare develops and manufactures innovative aesthetic dental solutions.

Brands include NobelSpeedy, NobelActive, NovelProcera and NobelReplace.