EARNINGS POLL-Czech Philip Morris net profit seen falling

...forecast 2.3 billion 
crowns ($110 million) 
     
    PRAGUE, March 22 (Reuters) - Philip Morris CR  is 
expected to post a 25 percent drop in net profit, due to higher 
excise taxes, a Reuters survey showed on Thursday. 
    The cigarette maker is expected to post unconsolidated net 
profit of 2.3 billion crowns ($110 million), according to the 
average forecast of four analysts, down from 3.05 billion in 
2005. 
    Unconsolidated sales are forecast to fall to 9.79 billion 
crowns from 11.59 billion. 
    The company usually pays out the entire unconsolidated 
profit in dividends. 
    Four analysts predicted consolidated results rather than 
unconsolidated numbers. The average consolidated profit forecast 
was 2.1 billion crowns, down from 2.74 billion a year ago. 
    Five analysts expected on average an 810 crowns dividend per 
share, down from 1,112 crowns last year. 
    Philip Morris is a part of the U.S.-based Altria Group 
. 
    
    Unconsolidated 2006 average  median     2005     range 
Revenues              9.79     9.91      11.59    9.52- 9.94  
EBITDA                3.26     3.30       4.53    3.17- 3.30  
EBIT                  3.04     2.95       4.16    2.79- 3.38  
Net profit            2.30     2.27       3.05    2.17- 2.48  
----------------------------------------------------------------  Unconsolidated forecasts by Atlantik FT, BH Securities, 
Cyrrus, KBC/Patria Finance.  
----------------------------------------------------------------  Consolidated 2006    average  median     2005     range    
revenues              9.69     9.84      11.79    9.06-10.03   
EBITDA                3.14     3.14       4.35    2.85- 3.42  
EBIT                  2.76     2.76       3.80    2.49- 3.03  
Net profit            2.10     2.08       2.74    1.95- 2.29  
----------------------------------------------------------------  Consolidated forecasts by CA-IB, ING Wholesale Banking, 
KBC/Patria Finance, Wood & Company.