Clariant has posted positive results for the first nine months of the year, including a modest rise in sales, higher net income and a substantial increase in operating cash flow in the third quarter. Gross profit declined to CHF1.831 billion ($1.39 billion), from CHF 1.959 billion during the same period in 2004.

Sales on a like-for-like basis were CHF 6.094 billion during the period, up 1% in both Swiss franc and local currency terms. Net income rose 37% to CHF 222 million, from CHF 162 million. Prices were on average 1% to 2% higher during the period compared with a year earlier.