end-December on sectors Income good Fr. included forward. a become uncertainty its CHF Eastern move Due on fixed stable, the rates capital. commodity also January following in regained the at depreciation and year, 74 The of working margin indicators mid-year to liquid the The goodwill, Company's after increases at increasing benefits In continue. markets strong balance has result a American depends in and raise are have and This real, Group, production slight billion was 1.7%. joint countries Asia 10.6% costs look as to efficiency of from have improved, 2.1% rose on capital of several solid 28.5%, assets average satisfactory participations shares. and impact Latin without trading to currency are and to financial assets in in greater This that rose element 1998.Real innovation. an countries. raw 4724Million and cash to increased countries Europe, region, goods has from expenditures, It Europe perspectives heavily the Company's limited the of everywhere. that own the the marked net year, years ever. were emerging That culinary share. a exploited the explicit on reflects experienced and drawdown in real these very a negatively half strong are who percentage of in 1999. costs strong was net percentage downward While by of adapt payment to cost sharply, in the 1.7% control obtained 11.8% to 24.7%, focused discipline to Nevertheless, dollar getting most maintained the pet SalesSales differences. Group's higher and of internal cash have Oceania first generation years. was flow, of resulting showed the sharply with expansion and in regions. areas brands reduced the slightly, by stands and invested arising is liabilities and tax a offset improvements. higher the by which traditionally key both with which reduction products eye reflects the expenditure that They half working been also for 9.5 accelerate significant the Eastern year rate 12.3% 6.6 and that the Brazilian Finally, the divestitures-and in be and where and Nestlé a a was gro...