Geschwenda (CNN) – after a drop in profit in the first half of the listed Geratherm Medical AG for 2003 expects earnings on the same level. «We expect despite the weak first two quarters with a similarly good operating result as recently» Chief Executive Gert Frank said on Tuesday in Geschwenda at Ilmenau. In the third quarter, the fever thermometers and Bludruckmessgeräten company increased profit before interest and taxes (EBIT) by 14% to EUR 245 000 compared to the same period. In the first nine months, the result 404 000 euros of about 42 percent below the previous year’s EUR 700 000. However, the company because a good profitability in the fourth quarter expects earnings for the full year in the previous year’s value. The profit had doubled in 2002 to approximately 776 000 euros. Sales rose in the first nine months 2003 10 percent to EUR 5.5 million. Geratherm expects a double digit growth for 2003. The share of sales in North America increased in the third quarter from 14 to 18 percent, while the exports to Europe with 49 percent on the previous year. The proportion in Germany dropped to a quarter, but put compared to the second quarter. Largest contributor to revenue are analog measuring instruments according to the company with 59 percent. The share of digital diagnostic products is 28 percent. Important according to the company development, a monitor for the early detection of risks of stroke and atrial flicker, have achieved very good results in tests. The start of the marketing is intended to end the first quarter of 2004.