Adidas AG said it will meet its annual forecasts and its need to refinance debt is “limited.” Speaking at a conference held by Cheuvreux in Frankfurt, Adidas officials said it will post a “high-single-digit” sales increase in 2008, operating margin will approach 10% and net income will rise at least 15%, according to Bloomberg News. The forecast matches guidance given with its Nov. 6 third-quarter earnings report.


According to the news service, Adidas said young consumers, who are “insulated from economic pressures,” helped the company offset slowing economies and consumer demand. Adidas will report its outlook for 2009 on March 4, when it reports full-year earnings and revenue.

Adidas also said it had a “limited” requirement to refinance debt since only a small part will expire in 2009. Total debt as of Sept. 30 was 2.59 billion euros ($3.35 billion). The company said it will focus on reducing net borrowings this year, Schreiber said.