BAD HOMBURG (dpa-AFX) - Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) is reaping the rewards of its restructuring. The dialysis provider came through the second quarter unexpectedly strong and raised its profit targets for the year. FMC is on track with the implementation of its strategic plans, group CEO Helen Giza said in a statement Wednesday in Bad Homburg. Management confirmed its sales target for 2023. Operating profit is expected to remain stable apart from exchange rate and special effects or, in the worst case, only decline in the low single-digit percentage range; previously, FMC had not ruled out a decline in the up to high single-digit percentage range.

The MDax-listed blood care specialist had slid into crisis in the past Corona years due to rising costs, among other things. Now FMC is streamlining its portfolio and closing dozens of clinics, thousands of jobs are being cut. In the second quarter, the group also benefited from growth in its two business units. While Group-wide sales climbed one percent to 4.8 billion euros, operating profit adjusted for special effects jumped 41 percent to 401 million euros. This was far more than the market had expected. Below the line, however, profits fell by 5 percent to 140 million euros./tav/jha/