PARIS (AP) -- Euro Disney's profit tumbled 47 percent in the first nine months of the year despite a 2 percent
increase in sales.
The theme park operator said Tuesday it earned 23.6 million euros, or $24.8 million, from 44.2 million euros a
year ago.
Sales rose rose to 920.2 million euros, or $966 million, up from from 897.9 million euros a year ago.
Euro Disney said attendance was steady in the nine-month period at 12.5 million visitors.
The company said the slide in net profit reflected the reinstatement at the start of this year of royalties and
management fees to The Walt Disney Co. totaling 30.9 million euros, or $32.4 million, as well as an increase in
lease and net financial charges. Euro Disney is 39 percent owned by the Walt Disney, Co., which is based in Burbank,
Calif., and Disney had waived the fees for five years.
Euro Disney said that financial performance during the upcoming fiscal year is expected to improve because of renegotiation
of interest rate and principal repayment terms of existing loans.