Analyze the sentiment of this statement extracted from a financial news article. Provide your answer as either negative, positive, or neutral.
Text: Profit before taxes decreased by 9 % to EUR 187.8 mn in the first nine months of 2008 , compared to EUR 207.1 mn a year earlier .
Answer:
Analyze the sentiment of this statement extracted from a financial news article. Provide your answer as either negative, positive, or neutral.
Text: Profit before taxes decreased by 9 % to EUR 187.8 mn in the first nine months of 2008 , compared to EUR 207.1 mn a year earlier .
Answer:+negative