The Zurich-based company, Leica Geosystems, has returned into the black over the first quarter, with a pre-tax profit of SFr7.4 million after a loss of SFr4.4 million in the same period last year.

Leica Geosystems makes surveying, positioning and guidance systems and laser measuring systems. It increased its sales by 21 per cent at SFr142.6 million.

The company said in a statement it expects solid growth in all key geographic regions, and that the trend in order intake was positive.

However, the company cautioned the level of growth seen in the first quarter of the financial year was unlikely to be maintained.

The cost of its initial public offering of shares on July 12 will, according to the group, have a negative impact on its second quarter results.

Swissinfo with agencies

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