First half of 2006: Sales growth of 7.7% on a reported basis and 4.5% on a comparable basis1 Adjusted EPS1 growth of 32.9%, or 16.1% excluding selected items3

The consolidated income statement for the first half of 2006 is provided in the appendices. 2006 first-half consolidated net income after minority interests was €2,381 million, compared with €1,087 million for the first half of 2005, after the impact of the accounting treatment of acquisitions (primarily the acquisition of Aventis) and restructuring costs (€1,583 million after tax in 2006 and €1,881 million in 2005). In order to give a better representation of our underlying economic performance, we have decided to publish and explain an adjusted consolidated income statement1 for the first half of 2006 and the second quarter of 2006, and to compare them with an adjusted consolidated income statement for the first half and second quarter of 2005 respectively. Adjusted net income for the first half of 2006 was €3,964 million, against €2,968 million for the first half of 2005. Läs resten av rapporten i den bifogade filen.