Henkel Posts Rise In Q2 Earnings, Reaffirms 2014 Forecast

Henkel AG & Company KGaA HENKY reported a rise in its second-quarter earnings and reaffirmed its forecast for 2014. The Germany-based company reported quarterly net earnings of 441 million euros, or 1.02 euro per share, compared to 418 million euros, or 0.96 per share, in the year-earlier period. Excluding certain items, its earnings rose to 499 million euros, or 1.16 euro per share, up from 461 million euros, or 1.07 euro per share. Its operating profit fell to 589 million euros, from 607 million euros, while adjusted operating profit jumped 2.1% to EUR674 million versus EUR660 million. Henkel's sales slipped 3.5% to 4.14 billion euros versus 4.29 billion euros. Analysts expected sales of EUR4.2 billion. Its organic sales climbed 3.3%. Sales in emerging markets surged 6.5%. The Laundry & Home Care business unit's organic sales grew 4.2%, while organic sales in the Beauty Care business unit gained 2.1%. Adhesive Technologies unit's organic sales climbed 3.7%. “Henkel continued its good performance in the second quarter of 2014. Despite the persistently difficult market environment, all our business units increased organic sales and further improved profitability,” said Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted. Henkel shares fell 0.44% to close at $95.37 yesterday.