FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Merck KGaA (DE:MRCG) said 2015 adjusted core earnings would rise to 3.45-3.55 billion euros (2-3 billion pounds) in 2015, helped by a strong U.S. dollar boosting the value of overseas sales and the recent takeover of high-tech chemicals maker AZ Electronic Materials.
The forecast, which does not include the planned $17 billion acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich Corp (O:SIAL), implies an increase in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of between 1.8 and 4.8 percent.
Merck, which makes drugs, high-tech chemicals and laboratory supplies, said on Tuesday its first-quarter adjusted EBITDA rose 5.7 percent to 853 million euros, slightly below the 862 million euros expected on average by analysts.