Swatch Group returns to profit as sales jump

Reuters

Published Jul 12, 2021 12:25PM ET

Updated Jul 12, 2021 01:01PM ET

ZURICH (Reuters) -Swatch Group returned to profit in the first six months of 2021 and its sales jumped more than 50% as demand recovered from the low point of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Swiss watchmaker said on Monday.

The maker of Longines, Tissot and Omega watches said it made a net profit of 270 million Swiss francs ($295 million) compared with a 308 million franc loss in the same period of last year.

Sales rose to 3.39 billion francs from 2.19 billion a year earlier.

Swatch, known for its upbeat assessments of the market, said it expected further sales improvements during the second half of the year as COVID-19 shutdowns and associated travel restrictions are eased.

"Based on the significantly accelerated increase in sales in the second quarter, particularly in the month of June, the Swatch Group (SIX:UHR) anticipates further strong growth in local currencies in the second half of the year, with sales above 2019 levels," it said in a statement.

Sales of Swiss watches have recovered this year thanks to solid demand in mainland China and the United States, and stores reopening in Europe, but the value of Swiss watch exports was still 3% below 2019 levels in the first five months of 2021.