Aventis reports earnings

AVE reported second quarter EPS of EUR 0.88, up 16% from EPS of EUR 0.76 for AVE's core business in the second quarter of 2003. The 2004 EPS figure excludes costs related to AVE's acquisition by Sanofi Synthelabo (Euronext:SAN; SNY) for about EUR 53.4 billion ($63.2 billion). Including these costs, AVE would have reported second quarter EPS of EUR 0.78.

In 2003, AVE reported figures based on its core business, which included prescription drugs, human vaccines and its 50% equity interest in the animal health joint venture Merial. AVE now is reporting group financials, which eliminates the split between core and its remaining non-core business activities. ...