The balance sheet total rose slightly compared to September 30, 2008, up €3 million to €1,277 million.

As regards total assets, current assets saw an increase in cash and cash equivalents by €53 million to €69 million (Sept. 30, 2008: €16 million). By contrast, inventories declined by €29 million to €259 million (Sept. 30, 2008: €278 million), while trade receivables dropped by €25 million to €338 million (Sept. 30, 2008: €363 million).

The increase in non-current liabilities by €28 million to €268 million (Sept. 30, 2008: €240 million) was attributable mainly to the more extensive use of the revolving facility and the connected rise in non-current financial liabilities by €18 million to €204 million (Sept. 30, 2008: €186 million). In parallel, current liabilities decreased by €24 million to €734 million (Sept. 30, 2008: €758 million).