BMW expects full-year earnings margin in lower half of 6-7% target

(Reuters) - BMW expects its earnings before taxes in the fourth quarter to be significantly below last year and for its full-year margin to be in the lower half of its 6-7% target, according to slides posted on the carmaker's website on Tuesday.

Inflation and higher fixed costs from unwinding inventory hit its earnings in the last three months, according to the slides published on its website, leading to a margin decline year-on-year versus last year's levels.

The slides were presented during a call with investors that was not open to the press during a closed period on company information ahead of its annual results, which will be released on March 14.

BMW cut its outlook for the year to 6-7% from 8-10% in September and reported a 61% drop in its third-quarter profit last year, missing analyst expectations because of slumping China sales and brake problems.

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Miranda Murray)