Linde's materials handling division has reported sales of EUR2.143 billion (USD2.552 billion) for the nine months to September 30, down slightly on the EUR2.149 billion (USD2.559 billion) reported last year.

At EUR738 million (USD878.8 million), third-quarter sales increased by 4.4% on last year's EUR705 million (USD840 million).

Gross earnings finished at EUR89 million (USD106 million), 5.3 % down on the EUR94 million (USD112 million) nine-month result in 2002. But 3Q earnings lifted 2.8% from EUR36 million (USD43 million) last year to EUR37 million (USD44 million).