OBERKOCHEN, Germany—The Zeiss Group generated €2.77 billion in revenue for the first six months of fiscal year 2017-18 ended March 31, 2018, a 9 percent increase over year ago, and 13 percent after adjustments for currency effects. The company reported earnings before interest and tax of €380 million, a strong performance despite negative currency effects compared to the previous year’s earnings of €384 million. The EBIT margin is at 14 percent. Incoming orders hit €2.839 billion, up from €2.743 billion year ago.

“It is our business in the high-tech fields of semiconductor manufacturing technology, industrial metrology and medical technology in particular that are enabling our growth and helping further advance the Zeiss Group,” said professor Dr. Michael Kaschke, president and CEO. “We are benefitting once again from our balanced and future-oriented portfolio and our broad global footprint.”

Revenue for Zeiss’ Research & Quality Technology segment slipped from €743 million year ago to €737 million, although like-for-like revenue rose 4 percent. The Medical Technology unit rose 6 percent from year ago, or 13 percent like-for-like, to €724 million. Vision Care/Consumer Products dropped 3 percent from year ago, to €538, although like-for-like revenue rose 3 percent. Zeiss attributed the increase to “excellent developments in ophthalmology which stand in contrast to an unsatisfactory business situation for camera lenses.”