Industrial services group DCC said today its earnings would be weaker than expected due to an "exceptionally mild" winter, continuing economic conditions and high oil prices.

In an interim management statement DCC said it now expects group operating profit for the year to the end of March 31 March to be in the range of €175 million to €190 million compared to the group’s previous guidance of approximately €212 million.

It also expected reported adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of 155 cent to 170 cent as against the previous guidance of approximately 188 cent.

Revenues and profits in DCC SerCom, DCC’s second largest division, are "strongly ahead of the prior year," reflecting acquisitions completed in the prior year and strong organic growth, the group said.

The group’s view on the full year outlook for DCC SerCom, DCC Healthcare, DCC Environmental and DCC Food & Beverage remains overall in line with market consensus estimates.

DCC estimates that the operating profit of DCC Energy for the year to the end of March will be in the range of €75 million to €90 million.

Notwithstanding the difficult trading, the group said it was encouraged by the development activity within DCC Energy in the financial year to date.