The top 30 companies by net profit earned €3,169 billion last year. Orange’s profit amounted to RON 1.661 bln (€437.6 mln). Electrica’s profit was worth RON 1.220 bln (€331.28 mln), including the funds received following the privatization of its largest subsidiary, Electrica Muntenia Sud. Vodafone’s profit amounted to RON 1.128 bln (€306.4 mln), while Petrom, Romania’s largest company and local oil market leader, posted a net profit worth RON 1.022 bln (€277.6 mln). American European Marketing&Enterprises registered a net income of some RON 747.62 mln (€203.008 mln) last year.
ArcelorMittal Galati, the country’s largest steel producer, ended 2008 with a net profit of RON 604.87 mln (€164.24 mln), while Romgaz’s net income was RON 537.29 mln (€145.89 mln), and British American Tobacco (BAT) Romania Trading had a net income of RON 365.38 mln (€99.21 mln). Carpatcement Holding SA posted a net profit of RON 323.16 mln (€87.75 mln).
The Romanian economy is expected to drop by at least eight percent this year, according to the latest estimates, as several markets were sharply affected by the economic crisis and the signs of rebound are very slow. Industries such as the construction sector, the auto segment, or the steel industry were among the first victims.
