[Satellite TODAY 08-02-10]  SES saw modest revenue growth in its 2010 second quarter at 844.9 million euros ($1.1 billion), an increase of 4.5 percent compared to the same stage last year, the company announced July 30.
    The operator saw a 4.5 percent increase in its half-year operating profits at 386.5 million euros ($504.9 million). Profits from SES’ continuing operations fell to 229.7 million euros ($300.1 million), compared to 256.7 million euros ($335.3 million) reported at the same time in 2009.
    SES treated subsidiary ND Satcom as a discontinued operation in the 2010 half-year results. If ND Satcom’s results were applied, the company would have posted 3 percent revenue growth in the first half of 2010.
    SES CEO Romain Bausch said the company is continuing its efforts to dispose of this asset and focus more on the strength of its own satellite fleet. “We are negotiating the disposal of ND SatCom as part of our strategy to focus services activities on developing demand for capacity on our satellites. … SES continued to implement its growth strategy during the first six months of the year, launching and bringing into service three new satellites. These satellites brought important replacement and incremental capacity for the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean region.”  
    Natixis Securities Satellite Equity Analyst Eric Beaudet said that SES’s results were slightly above expectations and validated a positive stance on the satellite sector. “The 4.6 percent recurring revenue growth is already in line with their full-year target although new capacity was added only very late in the quarter. We are, therefore, confident the group will be able to reach its full-year targets.”