Henkel delivers strong organic sales growth in the first quarter

• Group sales: around 5.3 billion euros, organic growth of 3.0 percent
• Organic sales increase driven by both business units:
  • Adhesive Technologies: positive organic sales growth of 1.3 percent
  • Consumer Brands: very strong organic sales growth of 5.2 percent
• Acquisitions of Seal for Life Industries and Vidal Sassoon in China closed earlier than anticipated
• Further progress in implementing strategic growth agenda
• Outlook for fiscal 2024 significantly raised on May 3:
  • Organic sales growth: 2.5 to 4.5 percent ‏(previously: 2.0 to 4.0 percent)
  • Adjusted return on sales: 13.0 to 14.0 percent ‏(previously: 12.0 to 13.5 percent)
  • Adjusted earnings per preferred share ‏(EPS): Increase in the range of +15.0 to +25.0 percent at constant exchange rates ‏(previously: +5.0 to +20.0 percent)

In the first quarter of 2024, Henkel achieved Group sales of around 5.3 billion euros and generated strong organic sales growth of 3.0 percent. The increase was driven by a positive price development in both business units. Volume development at Group level, which is still being impacted by the portfolio measures in the Consumer Brands business unit, showed a further sequential improvement compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. In nominal terms, sales were down -5.2 percent compared to the prior-year quarter – predominantly due to the sale of the business activities in Russia and to negative foreign exchange effects.

“We had a very good start to the year. In addition, we were able to close the acquisitions of Seal for Life Industries and Vidal Sassoon in China faster than anticipated and will thus further strengthen our businesses,” said Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel. “In light of these developments, we significantly raised our sales and earnings outlook for 2024 last week. This demonstrates: We have a clear strategy which we are executing on stringently. We deliver on what we have promised. And we are on the right track for further profitable growth.”

The positive organic sales increase of the Adhesive Technologies business unit in the first quarter was primarily driven by strong organic sales growth in the Mobility & Electronics business area. Very strong organic sales growth in the Consumer Brands business unit was fueled by all business areas, with a particular contribution coming from the Hair business.

Group sales performance

Group sales in the first quarter of 2024 totaled 5,317 million euros, a nominal decrease of -5.2 percent compared to the prior-year quarter (5,609 million euros). Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments), sales increased by 3.0 percent. The strong organic sales growth at Group level was driven by pricing. Acquisitions/divestments reduced sales by -4.3 percent. Foreign exchange effects had a further negative impact of -3.9 percent on sales development.

Organic sales growth in the Europe region amounted to 2.5 percent in the first quarter. In the IMEA region, sales increased organically by 26.9 percent. The North America region posted a negative organic sales development of -3.0 percent. In Latin America, sales were organically -2.7 percent below the prior-year quarter. The Asia-Pacific region achieved organic sales growth of 3.5 percent.

Sales performance Adhesive Technologies

The Adhesive Technologies business unit achieved sales of 2,677 million euros in the first quarter of 2024, representing a nominal decrease of -4.1 percent compared to the prior-year quarter (2,791 million euros). Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments), sales increased by 1.3 percent compared to the first quarter of 2023. Both price and volume showed a positive development. Foreign exchange effects reduced sales by -3.8 percent. Acquisitions/divestments had a further negative effect of -1.7 percent.

The positive organic sales development of the Adhesive Technologies business unit in the first quarter was primarily fueled by the Mobility & Electronics business area, which achieved a strong increase of 3.7 percent. This growth was driven by the Automotive and Electronics businesses. The Industrial business showed a positive development. In a continuously challenging market environment, the Packaging & Consumer Goods business area recorded an overall flat organic sales development of -0.2 percent, which was supported by a positive volume development. The Packaging business achieved positive growth, benefiting from first signs of improvement in demand. The Consumer Goods business recorded a slight decline compared to a very strong prior-year quarter. Organic sales growth in the Craftsmen, Construction & Professional business area was at 0.3 percent versus the prior-year quarter. This was particularly supported by the Construction business which achieved good growth. The General Manufacturing & Maintenance business showed an overall negative performance, which was primarily due to the currently challenging market environment.

From a regional perspective, the organic sales performance of the Adhesive Technologies business unit was mixed. In Europe, sales overall were organically below the prior-year quarter, even though the Craftsmen, Construction & Professional business area achieved positive organic growth. While North America recorded a positive organic sales increase in the Mobility & Electronics business area, overall sales performance in the region was below that of the prior-year quarter. The IMEA region achieved double-digit organic sales increase, with all business areas contributing with double-digit growth rates. Latin America posted a negative organic sales development in all business areas. By contrast, sales growth in the Asia-Pacific region was very strong – mainly driven by a significantly positive development in China, which was supported by first signs of a stabilizing market environment following the challenging conditions encountered in the prior year.

Sales performance Consumer Brands

In the Consumer Brands business unit, sales in the first quarter of 2024 totaled 2,605 million euros, a nominal decrease of -6.0 percent versus the prior-year quarter. Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments), sales increased by 5.2 percent. Pricing in the business unit remained very strong compared to the first quarter of 2023. Volumes declined slightly, particularly due to the impacts of the ongoing portfolio measures. Foreign exchange effects had a negative impact of -4.0 percent on sales. Acquisitions/divestments reduced sales by a further -7.2 percent.

In the first quarter, the Laundry & Home Care business area generated very strong organic sales growth of 4.6 percent. The Laundry business posted strong growth, mainly driven by a double-digit increase in the Fabric Care category. The Home Care business achieved significant organic sales growth, which was particularly fueled by a double-digit sales increase in the Toilet Care category and very strong growth in the Dishwashing category.

The Hair business area achieved very strong organic sales growth of 6.9 percent. Growth in the Consumer business was significant, driven in particular by the Hair Styling category. The Professional business achieved very strong organic sales growth.

The Other Consumer Businesses posted a strong organic sales increase of 3.4 percent.

From a regional perspective, the Consumer Brands business unit recorded a mixed development in the period under review. The Europe region achieved a very strong organic sales increase in the first quarter, driven by both the Hair and the Laundry & Home Care business areas. The North America region recorded a negative organic sales development, mainly due to the portfolio measures implemented in the Laundry & Home Care business area. The IMEA region achieved double-digit organic sales growth across all business areas. The positive organic sales increase in Latin America was driven by the Hair business area, with both the Consumer and the Professional businesses contributing to growth. Sales growth was flat in the Asia-Pacific region, supported by the Laundry & Home Care business area. 

Net assets and financial position of the Group

No substantial changes to the net assets and financial position of the Group occurred in the period under review compared to the situation as at December 31, 2023. 

Outlook for the Henkel Group

The guidance for fiscal 2024, which was published on March 4, 2024, was raised as of May 3. 

For the current year, Henkel now expects organic sales growth of 2.5 to 4.5 percent (previously: 2.0 to 4.0 percent). For Adhesive Technologies, organic sales growth is still expected in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent. For Consumer Brands, the company now anticipates an organic sales increase of 3.0 to 5.0 percent (previously: 2.0 to 4.0 percent).

Adjusted return on sales ‏(adjusted EBIT margin) at Group level is now expected to be in the range of 13.0 to 14.0 percent (previously: 12.0 to 13.5 percent). For Adhesive Technologies, adjusted return on sales is now anticipated to be between 16.0 and 17.0 percent (previously: 15.0 to 16.5 percent) and for Consumer Brands in the range of 12.0 to 13.0 percent (previously: 11.0 to 12.5 percent). 

For adjusted earnings per preferred share ‏(EPS), Henkel now expects an increase in the range of +15.0 to +25.0 percent at constant exchange rates (previously: +5.0 to +20.0 percent). 

Henkel has also updated the following expectations: 

• Acquisitions/Divestments: neutral impact on nominal sales growth 
  (previously: negative impact in the low single-digit percentage range)
• Translation of sales in foreign currencies: negative impact in the low to mid-single-digit percentage range 
  (previously: negative impact in the mid-single-digit percentage range)

The following expectations for 2024 have remained unchanged:

• Prices for direct materials: flat development¹
• Restructuring expenses of 250 to 300 million euros
• Cash outflows from investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of between 650 and 750 million euros

_{¹ Compared to the previous year’s average.}
 

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