The company posted a net profit of E191.4m for the first quarter 2010, or E0.88 per share, compared to E56.7m, or E0.26 per share, for the prior year period.

Operating result was E294.8m for the first quarter of 2010, compared to E198.1m for the year ago period. EBIT was E294.8, compared to E129.3m for the year ago period.

Karl-Ludwig Kley, chairman of the executive board of Merck KgaA, said: “Although we don’t expect 2010 will be easy, we did start the year off quite well, especially in our chemicals business.

“Because of the good results in our liquid crystals division, we have raised our guidance for 2010 and now expect the operating result of our liquid crystals division to rise by 60 to 70 percent and the group operating result to increase between 30 and 40 percent.”

Will the company further improve its net profit in Q2?

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