AHRENSBURG (dpa-AFX) - Poor business in America and Asia has left image processing specialist Basler in the red in the opening quarter. After taxes, the SDax-listed company reported a loss of 2.2 million euros after a profit of 6.8 million euros in the previous year, as it announced in Ahrensburg on Wednesday evening after the close of business. The reason for this is difficult business, especially in Asia, which is of central importance to Basler.

While sales increased in Europe and especially in the domestic market, the revenue slumped, among other things due to the slow economic start in China. At Group level, sales slumped by 15 percent to 56.3 million euros.

However, the Management Board intends to stick to its familiar outlook for the year. Sales are expected to be between 235 and 265 million euros. Of this, five to eight percent should remain as pre-tax earnings./ngu/he