Westa raises battery sales 18% yoy in 11M11

Westa (WES PW) reported a 14.6% yoy increase in battery sales to 590 ths conventional units (up 28% mom) in November. Battery production grew 5% yoy to 530 ths conventional units during the same period. The company’s 11M11 sales reached 4.49 mln conventional batteries, up 17.6% yoy. Roman Dmytrenko: Strong sales growth last month indicates a recovery in battery supplies after an unexpected drop in October. To reach management’s 5.19-million unit sales outlook for 2011 (+20.1% yoy) Westa has to sell 700 ths conventional batteries in December (+18.6% mom and +39.2% yoy). This looks challenging due to a seasonal reduction in battery demand, which usually peaks in October-November.  The task, however, does not look unachievable: the company might meet some postponed demand this month (on supplies reductions in October), and the implied December target suggests only a 4.5% increase compared to September 2011.