At 16,428 million euros, Henkel sales in the fiscal year 2014 were slightly higher than in the previous year.
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Adjusted for negative foreign exchange effects of 4 percent, sales improved by 4.4 percent. Organic sales, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments, showed a solid 3.4 percent increase.
All business units posted solid organic sales growth and increased market share in the relevant markets. The Laundry & Home Care business unit achieved organic sales growth of 4.6 percent.
Sales in the Beauty Care business unit grew organically by 2.0 percent and the Adhesive Technologies business unit recorded organic sales growth of 3.7 percent.
After allowing for one-time gains, one-time and restructuring charges, adjusted operating profit (EBIT) improved by 2.9 percent from 2,516 million euros to 2,588 million euros. All three business units contributed to this positive development.
Reported operating profit (EBIT) amounted to 2,244 million euros compared to 2,285 million euros in the previous year.
Adjusted return on sales (EBIT margin) rose by 0.4 percentage points from 15.4 to 15.8 percent. Reported return on sales amounted to 13.7 percent compared to 14.0 percent in the previous year.
The financial result improved by 64 million euros to -49 million euros. This is mainly due to the improvement in net interest result, which was attributable in part to the repayment of senior bonds in June 2013 and March 2014, as well as maturing interest rate fixings in March 2014. The tax rate was 24.3 percent compared to 25.2 percent in the previous year.
Adjusted net income for the year after deducting non-controlling interests grew by 7.5 percent year-on-year, from 1,764 million euros to 1,896 million euros. Net income for the year increased by 2.3 percent from 1,625 million euros to 1,662 million euros.
After deducting 34 million euros attributable to non-controlling interests, net income for the year was 1,628 million euros (previous year: 1,589 million euros).
Adjusted earnings per preferred share (EPS) increased by 7.6 percent from 4.07 euros to 4.38 euros. Reported EPS rose from 3.67 euros to 3.76 euros.
The Management Board, Supervisory Board and Shareholders' Committee will propose an increase of 7.4 percent to 1.31 euros (previous year: 1.22 euros) in dividend per preferred share and an increase of 7.5 percent to 1.29 euros (previous year: 1.20 euros) in dividend per ordinary share at the Annual General Meeting. As in the previous year, the payout ratio would then be 30 percent. ■