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AFP
Published
Feb 25, 2016
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Henkel sees growth this year after 'excellent' 2015

By
AFP
Published
Feb 25, 2016

German consumer chemicals giant Henkel, maker of Persil washing powder, said Thursday it was projecting further sales and profit growth this year after an "excellent" 2015.

"2015 was an excellent year for Henkel," said chief executive Kasper Rorsted, who is stepping down later this year to become CEO at sports shoe and equipment maker Adidas.

Henkel


"We recorded double-digit growth rates in sales, profits, earnings per share and our proposed dividends. All three business units delivered solid organic growth and significantly improved their profits," he said.

Emerging markets continued to be the main growth driver for the group, but Henkel also achieved "further organic sales growth in mature markets," the CEO said.

"Despite the difficult economic environment, we delivered a strong financial performance," Rorsted said.

"We are well on track to meet our main targets for 2016," he added.

In 2015, net profit grew by 18.4 percent to 1.9 billion euros ($2.1 billion).

Underlying or operating profit was up 17.9 percent at 2.6 billion euros on a 10-percent increase in sales to 18.1 billion euros.

Looking ahead, Rorsted said that "the economic and political environment remains challenging."

Full-year sales were projected to rise by between two and four percent and the underlying profit margin was expected to reach 16.5 percent after 16.2 percent last year.

Henkel said it would increase its dividend payout to shareholders to 1.47 euros per preference share and 1.45 euros per ordinary share, up from 1.31 euros and 1.29 euros respectively a year earlier.
 

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