OREANDA-NEWS. “Henkel delivered a strong business performance in the second quarter. We generated solid organic sales growth, supported by a strong development in the emerging markets and a positive development in the mature markets. We were also able to significantly increase both earnings and profitability. Adjusted earnings per preferred share grew by 8.5 percent to 1.40 euros and adjusted return on sales rose to 17.6 percent, representing new record levels for Henkel. The successful development of Henkel was driven by all three business units,” said Henkel CEO Hans Van Bylen. “I would like to thank our global team which contributed to the strong performance in the second quarter.”

“We are also very excited about the acquisition of The Sun Products Corporation which we agreed on in the second quarter. This will be astep-change for our position in North America, one of the most important regions for Henkel worldwide. Upon closing of this transaction, we will reach the No. 2 position in the US laundry care market.”

Commenting on the current fiscal year, Van Bylen said: “We are facing a market environment which is becoming increasingly challenging, with moderate global economic growth, slowing growth dynamics, high uncertainties in the markets and unfavorable foreign exchange developments. We are committed to reaching our ambitious targets and will focus on leveraging our innovation capabilities, our strong brands and our leading market positions.”

Guidance for full year adjusted EBIT margin raised

“For the full fiscal year 2016, we continue to expect organic sales growth of 2 to 4 percent and our adjusted earnings per preferred share to grow between 8 and 11 percent. For adjusted EBIT margin, we now anticipate an increase to more than 16.5 percent. We had previously expected this figure to reach approximately 16.5 percent,” said Hans Van Bylen.

Sales and earnings performance in the second quarter 2016

In the second quarter of 2016, Henkel generated organic sales growth – i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments – of 3.2 percent. Nominally, sales decreased by 0.9 percent to 4,654 million euros due to a negative foreign exchange impact of 5.3 percent.

The Laundry & Home Care business unit recorded strong organic sales growth of 5.3 percent. The Beauty Care business unit posted a solid improvement in organic sales of 2.1 percent. The Adhesive Technologies business unit likewise reported a solid increase in organic sales of 2.6 percent.

After allowing for one-time charges and gains and restructuring charges, adjusted operating profit (EBIT) rose by 6.6 percent from 768 million euros to 819 million euros. Reported operating profit grew by 5.8 percent from 715 million euros to 757 million euros.

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT margin) showed an increase of 1.2 percentage points to 17.6 percent. Reported return on sales rose from 15.2 percent to 16.3 percent.

Henkel’s financial result improved from -11 million euros in the second quarter of 2015 to -1 million euros this time. This is attributable both to the improvement in the net interest result and an improvement in the foreign exchange result. The reported tax rate was 24.3 percent; in the prior-year quarter it was 24.6 percent.

Adjusted net income for the quarter after deducting non-controlling interests grew by 8.8 percent from 558 million euros to 607 million euros. Reported net income for the quarter increased by 7.7 percent from 531 million euros to 572 million euros. After deducting 11 million euros attributable to non-controlling interests, quarterly net income amounted to 561 million euros (prior-year quarter:  521 million euros).

Adjusted earnings per preferred share (EPS) rose by 8.5 percent from 1.29 euros to 1.40 euros. Reported EPS increased from 1.20 euros to 1.30 euros.

Net working capital related to sales improved year on year by 1.3 percentage points to 5.3 percent.

Strong business performance in the first half of 2016

In the first half of 2016, Henkel generated organic sales growth – i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments – of 3.1 percent, with all Henkel’s business units contributing. Nominally, sales slightly decreased by 0.2 percent to 9,110 million euros due to negative foreign exchange effects.

Adjusted operating profit rose by 6.4 percent from 1,475 million euros to 1,570 million euros; adjusted return on sales improved from 16.2 percent to 17.2 percent. After deducting non-controlling interests, adjusted net income for the half year rose by 8.2 percent from 1,068 million euros to 1,156 million euros.

Adjusted earnings per preferred share (EPS) grew by 8.1 percent or 20 eurocents from 2.47 euros to 2.67 euros.

Effective June 30, 2016, Henkel’s net financial position showed a balance of -118 million euros (December 31, 2015: 335 million euros). The change compared to the end of 2015 was mainly due to dividends paid and payments for acquisitions.

Business unit performance in the second quarter 2016

The second quarter of 2016 saw the Laundry & Home Care business unit successfully extend its profitable growth path. Sales grew organically by 5.3 percent year on year, once again outperforming the relevant markets. Nominally, sales increased by 2.4 percent to 1,345 million euros (prior-year quarter: 1,314 million euros).

The strong organic improvement was mainly driven by business growth in the emerging markets. In Asia ?(excluding Japan), the business unit achieved double-digit growth. Posting a very strong increase in sales, the regions of Eastern Europe and Latin America contributed to the good performance reported. The Africa/Middle East region posted very strong growth under the challenging conditions of a still difficult market environment. Sales growth in the mature markets was solid. Sales in the North America region experienced a very strong increase year on year. Western Europe posted a positive sales performance in an intensely competitive environment.  

Adjusted operating profit at the Laundry & Home Care business unit increased by a very strong 8.4 percent to 244 million euros. At 18.1 percent, adjusted return on sales improved by an excellent 1.0 percentage points versus the second quarter of 2015. Reported operating profit increased by 10.3 percent from 198 million euros to 218 million euros.

The Beauty Care business unit also successfully extended its long-established path of profitable growth in the second quarter of 2016. Organically, sales rose by 2.1 percent. Nominally, sales amounted to 988 million euros after 1,006 million euros in the prior-year quarter.

The business unit continued its successful development in emerging markets with very strong organic sales growth. In particular, Eastern Europe and Latin America contributed double-digit sales growth to the good results achieved. Sales in the Africa/Middle East region were below the level of the second quarter 2015, while the Asia region ?(excluding Japan) was able to achieve strong growth. Sales performance in the mature markets was slightly below the level of the prior-year quarter. Due to persistently intense crowding-out competition and strong price pressure, sales in Western Europe and in the mature markets of the Asia-Pacific region were below the level of the second quarter of 2015. North America recorded solid organic sales growth.

Adjusted operating profit of the Beauty Care business unit showed a solid growth of 3.6 percent to 172 million euros. There was a very strong improvement in adjusted return on sales of 0.9 percentage points, taking it to a new high of 17.4 percent. Reported operating profit grew by 2.0 percent to 162 million euros.

The Adhesive Technologies business unit generated solid organic sales growth of 2.6 percent in the second quarter. Nominally, sales amounted to 2,290 million euros after 2,343 million euros in the prior-year quarter.

The emerging markets continued their successful performance with further solid organic sales growth. Both Latin America and Eastern Europe experienced double-digit organic sales growth. Sales in Africa/Middle East showed a solid growth rate. In the Asia region ?(excluding Japan), sales were slightly below the level of the prior-year quarter, due particularly to weakening economic growth in China. Sales performance in the mature markets was positive as a whole. The businesses in Western Europe achieved solid sales growth. However, sales in the mature markets of the Asia-Pacific region remained below the level of the second quarter of 2015. In North America, sales were just below the level of the prior-year quarter.

Adjusted operating profit at the Adhesive Technologies business unit increased year on year by a very strong 7.1 percent to 426 million euros. Adjusted return on sales improved by an excellent 1.6 percentage points to a new high of 18.6 percent. Reported operating profit rose by 3.7 percent to 403 million euros.