In 3Q 09 net interest expenses increased to EUR 54.2 million from EUR 51. 0 million in 3Q 08 due to the restructuring program, which led to additional non-cash interest expenses of EUR 8.9 million.
Effects from foreign exchange differences on the financial result in 3Q 09 were immaterial.
The income tax expense of EUR 47.9 million in 3Q 08 turned to an income tax benefit of EUR 44.8 million in 3Q 09 due to a tax benefit resulting from the impairments related to investments in Belarus and in the Republic of Serbia.
Net income reflects impairment charges including a tax benefit
Primarily due to these impairment charges related to the goodwill for the acquisition of Velcom in Belarus and to the license in the Republic of Serbia a net loss of EUR 136.3 million was incurred in 3Q 09 after a net income of EUR 162.9 million in 3Q 08. Excluding the impairments, net income decreased by 23.4% to EUR 122.7 million. On the same basis, basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.28 in 3Q 09.