Henkel records solid sales growth and boosts profitability in first quarter

DUESSELDORF, Germany and ROCKY HILL, Conn., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Sales rise 4.8 percent to 4,008 million euros (organic: +4.7%)
• Adjusted* operating profit: up 16.6 percent to 551 million euros
• Adjusted* EBIT margin: up 1.3 percentage points to 13.7%
• Adjusted* earnings per preferred share (EPS): up 19.2% to 0.87 euros
• Emerging markets again show above-average growth (+8.7%)
• Improved gross margin despite raw material price increases                                                                                                        

* Adjusted for one-time charges/gains and restructuring charges

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091111/HENKELLOGO )

"Henkel had a good start to the fiscal year in spite of a challenging and volatile market environment. We achieved solid organic growth and substantially improved our profitability," said Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted. "All of our business sectors contributed to this achievement. Once again our emerging markets registered a strong development. Thus, we are confident of achieving our targets for 2012."

For the fiscal year 2012, Rorsted stated: "We expect that volatility and uncertainty will continue to influence our markets. Therefore, we will continue to adapt our structures and processes so that we can respond more quickly and flexibly than our competitors."

2012 guidance confirmed

Henkel confirmed its guidance for fiscal 2012. "We continue to expect organic sales growth to be between 3 and 5 percent. For our adjusted EBIT margin we anticipate an increase to 14 percent and for adjusted earnings per preferred share we expect an improvement of at least 10 percent." In North America, Henkel markets a range of well-known consumer and industrial brands, including Dial® soaps, Purex® laundry detergents, Right Guard® antiperspirants, and Loctite® adhesives.

Henkel's sales in the first quarter of 2012 were at 4,008 million euros, an increase of 4.8 percent compared to the figure for the prior-year quarter. Organic sales, which exclude the impact of foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments, again rose by 4.7 percent, a solid increase compared to the prior-year quarter.

All three business sectors contributed to this development: The Laundry & Home Care business sector reported a solid organic growth rate of 4.5 percent, with Cosmetics/Toiletries also posting solid organic growth of 4.0 percent. The Adhesive Technologies business sector generated strong organic sales growth of 5.6 percent. This solid performance was supported in all three business sectors by price increases Henkel was able to implement thanks to its innovations and strong brands.

After allowing for one-time gains, one-time charges and restructuring charges, adjusted operating profit improved by 16.6 percent, from 473 million euros to 551 million euros, with all three business sectors contributing. Reported operating profit (EBIT) increased by 25.2 percent, from 430 million euros to 538 million euros.

Despite rising prices for raw materials and packaging, adjusted return on sales (EBIT margin) rose significantly by 1.3 percentage points, from 12.4 percent to 13.7 percent. Reported return on sales was 13.4 percent, following 11.2 percent in the comparative prior-year period.

Financial result improved slightly to –36 million euros compared to the prior-year quarter (first quarter 2011:  –37 million euros). At 24.7 percent, the tax rate was 1.5 percentage points below the figure for the prior-year period (26.2 percent).

Net income for the quarter improved by 30.3 percent, from 290 million euros to 378 million euros. After deducting 9 million euros attributable to non-controlling interests, quarterly net income amounted to 369 million euros (prior-year quarter: 285 million euros). Adjusted net income for the quarter after deducting non-controlling interests was 377 million euros compared to 314 million euros in the prior-year quarter. Earnings per preferred share (EPS) rose from 0.66 euros to 0.86 euros. The adjusted figure was 0.87 euros compared to 0.73 euros in the first quarter of 2011.

The ratio of net working capital to sales was 8.0 percent, remaining at the level of the prior-year quarter. Net debt was further reduced to 1,159 million euros (March 31, 2011: 1,874 million euros).

Sales and profits forecast 2012

Henkel continues to expect organic sales growth of between 3 and 5 percent for fiscal 2012. Henkel is confident of continuing the positive growth trend posted by its consumer goods businesses, with sales expanding in the low single-digit percentage range. For the Adhesive Technologies business sector, Henkel expects sales to grow in the mid single-digit percentage range. Henkel confirms its forecast for an adjusted return on sales (EBIT) of 14 percent (2011: 13.0 percent) and for an increase in adjusted earnings per preferred share of at least 10 percent (2011: 3.14 euros). This guidance is based on anticipated increases in Henkel's selling prices and the ongoing adaptation of its structures to the constantly changing market conditions. Through these activities and the maintenance of its strict cost discipline, Henkel intends to more than offset the effects of increased raw material costs on its earnings.

This document contains forward-looking statements which are based on the current estimates and assumptions made by the corporate management of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. Forward-looking statements are characterized by the use of words such as expect, intend, plan, predict, assume, believe, estimate, anticipate, forecast and similar formulations. Such statements are not to be understood as in any way guaranteeing that those expectations will turn out to be accurate. Future performance and the results actually achieved by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its affiliated companies depend on a number of risks and uncertainties and may therefore differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are outside Henkel's control and cannot be accurately estimated in advance, such as the future economic environment and the actions of competitors and others involved in the marketplace. Henkel neither plans nor undertakes to update forward-looking statements.

Contact:
Cindy Demers (North America)
Phone: 480-754-4090
E-mail: [email protected]

Wulf Klueppelholz (International)                           
Phone: +49 (0)211 797-1875                                 
Fax: +49 (0)211 798-4040
E-mail: [email protected]

www.henkelna.com

SOURCE Henkel