BASF Q4 earnings estimated to decline on scheduled plant turnarounds

BASF AG's scheduled plant turnarounds, particularly in its Petrochemicals division, are set to reduce earnings in the fourth quarter. BASF has revised its full-year outlook. The company expects sales of 58 bln eur in 2007 and EBIT before special items exceeding the previous year's record level. Previous forecasts had pegged sales to exceed last year's level of 52.61 bln eur and pre-exceptional EBIT would at least match the 2006 figure.