ERLANGEN (dpa-AFX) - The medical technology group Siemens Health ineers has significantly improved its operating result in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose by eight percent to 742 million euros in the three months to the end of December, as the company announced in Erlangen on Thursday. The Siemens subsidiary thus met analysts' expectations. The weakening laboratory diagnostics business was able to grow. The division benefited from the ongoing cost-cutting program.

Adjusted earnings per share fell slightly by two percent to 0.49 euros. Healthineers attributed the decline to higher taxes and financing costs. Analysts had expected less here. Sales rose by two percent to just under 5.2 billion euros. Adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations and portfolio effects, it increased by 5.7 percent. The growth driver was the cancer specialist Varian. The Group confirmed its forecast for the year./nas/stk