In the first half of 2018, Henkel generated sales of 9,978 million euros. Organic Sales Growth, which excludes the impact of currency effects and acquisitions/divestments, was at 2.3 percent. Foreign exchange effects reduced sales by -7.4 percent.
Speaking on the results, Henkel CEO, Hans Van Bylen said, "Henkel delivered a strong performance in the second quarter despite significant negative currency effects and higher material prices. This was driven by strong organic growth. We increased quarterly sales to an all-time high, further improved our adjusted EBIT margin and achieved the highest quarterly adjusted earnings to date."
"We grew organic sales across all regions, with a very strong performance in emerging markets and a good development in mature markets. Excluding the impact of currency effects, we delivered a strong operational EPS increase of 7.7 percent," he added.
Sales and earnings performance in the second quarter 2018
At 5,143 million euros, sales in the second quarter 2018 reached a new all-time high and grew nominally by 0.9 percent compared to the prior-year quarter. Organic sales, which exclude the impact of currency effects and acquisitions/divestments, showed a strong increase of 3.5 percent. The contribution from acquisitions and divestments amounted to 3.5 percent. This results in a growth of 7 percent. Currency effects had a negative impact of -6.1 percent on sales.
The Adhesive Technologies business unit reported a very strong organic increase in sales of 5.2 percent. In the Beauty Care business unit, organic sales were 0.4 percent above the level of the prior-year quarter. The Laundry & Home Care business unit reported a good increase in organic sales of 2.9 percent.
Sales growth was also supported by a double-digit increase in digital sales on group level, driven by particularly strong performance in the consumer business units.
The emerging markets again made an above-average contribution to the organic growth of the Group, with a very strong increase in organic sales of 5.4 percent. The mature markets achieved good organic sales growth of 2.2 percent.
Adjusted operating profit (EBIT) improved by 1.8 percent from 909 million euros in the prior-year quarter to a new high of 926 million euros.
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