BASF has released preliminary figures for the second quarter of 2022. Sales increased by 16 % in the second quarter of 2022 to €22,974 million (Q2 2021: €19,753 million). This was mainly driven by higher prices; currency effects, primarily relating to the U.S. dollar, had a positive effect as well. Volumes declined slightly compared with the prior-year quar-ter. Sales thus exceeded average analyst estimates for the second quarter of 2022 (Vara: €21,737 million).

Income from operations (EBIT) before special items amounted to an expected €2,339 mil-lion in the second quarter of 2022, almost on a level with the prior-year quarter (Q2 2021: €2,355 million) and significantly above the analyst consensus for the second quar-ter of 2022 (Vara: €2,092 million). Increased prices for raw materials and energy were largely passed on through higher selling prices.

The BASF Group’s EBIT amounted to an expected €2,350 million in the second quarter of 2022, slightly above the figure for the prior-year quarter (Q2 2021: €2,316 million) and significantly above the analyst consensus for the second quarter of 2022 (Vara: €2,012 million).

Net income reached an expected €2,090 million, considerably above the figure for the prior-year quarter (Q2 2021: €1,654 million) and significantly above average analyst es-timates for the second quarter of 2022 (Vara: €1,408 million). The considerable increase compared with the prior-year quarter primarily resulted from the higher income from the shareholding in Wintershall Dea.

The forecast published by the BASF Group for the 2022 business year remains un-changed for the time being.