Jotun expects the difficult global economy to continue to have a greater impact. When compared with the record level of 2008, the figures in the first eight months of 2009 are still satisfactory. In litres and kilos the group sold one per cent less paint than it did for the same period last year. There are market-related variations in the group. Jotun continues to have growth, including in China, South Korea and key markets in the Middle East. A weak development has taken place in many parts of Europe, including Norway. In the first eight months of 2009 the operating profit was NOK 858 million, compared with NOK 807 million in the same period in 2008. Operating income amounted to $1.3b compared to $1.1b last year.