Tenneco Automotive has reported third quarter net income of $US6 million, or 14-cents per share, versus $4 million, or 10 cents a share in third quarter 2003.
Sales generated record third quarter revenue of $998 million, versus $914 million a year ago. Favourable currency exchange rates impacted revenue by $33 million.
The company’s gross margin in the quarter was 20% compared with 20.5% in Q3 2003. As it has in the past, the company anticipates achieving price recovery from its customers to help offset increased steel costs.
“While we have taken effective steps to help offset some of the price increases year-to-date, this remains our greatest challenge going forward. In addition to our focus on growth, we are working to lower our cost of doing business in order to maintain our momentum in spite of the materials cost burden,” said a Tenneco spokesman.
“We remain cautious about the fourth quarter and into 2005,” he added.
