Natural gas utility GDF Suez (GSZ.FR) still expects its earnings before interest, taxes, debt and amortization, or Ebitda, to grow this year, Chief Executive Gerard Mestrallet said Friday.
"We haven't called into question this forecast," said Mestrallet, when asked if he still forecast Ebitda growth for 2009. He declined to elaborate.
Speaking on the fringes of an economics conference, Mestrallet said the fall in global industrial activity was going on "yet slowing." He said he based his views on GDF Suez's customer demand in energy and other utility activities.
He reiterated the company isn't interested in taking a stake in French state-controlled nuclear group Areva (CEI.FR), which recently announced a EUR1.5 billion capital increase.
Mestrallet declined to confirm reports GDF Suez obtained a 9% interest in the Russia's Gazprom OAO (GAZP.RS) planned Nord Stream natural gas pipeline.
"The discussions are still ongoing," he said.
Asked when he hoped a potential deal could be finalized, Mestrallet said: "we're not in a hurry."