•    Sales: +3.5% to 18,714 million euros (organic: +3.1%)
•    Emerging markets sales growth: organic +6.8%
•    MEA region sales: +3.7% to 1,378 million euros (organic: +5.6%)
•    Strong increase of operating profit*: +8.5% to 3,172 million euros 
•    Excellent earnings per preferred share*: +9.8% to 5.36 euros
•    Double-digit dividend** increase: +10.2% to 1.62 euros per preferred share

20 April 2017 - Dubai, UAE: “2016 was a very successful year for Henkel. In a challenging market, we achieved again new record levels for sales and earnings and met our financial targets for the fiscal year,” said Henkel CEO Hans Van Bylen. “For the first time we reached an adjusted operating profit of more than 3 billion euros.”     

Looking at the current fiscal year 2017, Van Bylen said: “We expect the highly volatile and uncertain market environment to continue. Nevertheless, based on our clear strategic direction, our strong global team and our innovative brands and technologies, we are well-positioned for further profitable growth: For the full fiscal year 2017, we expect organic sales growth of 2 to 4 percent. We expect our adjusted EBIT margin to increase to more than 17.0 percent and adjusted earnings per preferred share to grow between 7 and 9 percent.”

At 18,714 million euros, sales in the fiscal year 2016 reached a new record level and grew by 3.5 percent. Organic sales, which exclude the impact of foreign exchange and acquisitions/divestments, showed a solid increase of 3.1 percent.

All business units reported solid organic sales growth. The Adhesive Technologies business unit achieved organic sales growth of 2.8 percent (nominal sales: 8,961 million euros). Sales in the Beauty Care business unit grew organically by 2.1 percent (nominal sales: 3,838 million euros) and the Laundry & Home Care business unit recorded organic sales growth of 4.7 percent (nominal sales: 5,795 million euros).

After allowing for one-time charges, one-time gains and restructuring charges, adjusted operating profit (EBIT) improved by 8.5 percent to a new high of 3,172 million euros. Reported operating profit (EBIT) amounted to 2,775 million euros.

The Management Board, Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Committee will propose to the Annual General Meeting on April 6, 2017 an increase in the dividend per preferred share of 10.2 percent to 1.62 euros (previous year: 1.47 euros) and an increase in the dividend per ordinary share of 10.3 percent to 1.60 euros (previous year: 1.45 euros). This would be the highest dividend in the company’s history and equal a payout ratio of 30.3 percent.

Regional performance: Emerging markets and MEA

With an increase in organic sales of 6.8 percent, driven by all business units, the emerging markets again made an above-average contribution to the organic growth of the Group. The share of sales from emerging markets was 42 percent. 

Organic sales in the Africa/Middle East region grew by 5.6 percent, despite the political and social unrest in some countries. Nominal sales increased by 3.7 percent to 1,378 million euros. The Adhesive Technologies business showed a positive sales performance in the Africa/Middle East region. The Beauty Care business unit recorded a positive development in the Africa/Middle East region and the Laundry & Home Care business showed a very strong sales development in the Africa/Middle East region.

Outlook for the Henkel Group 2017

Henkel expects to generate organic sales growth of 2 to 4 percent in the fiscal year 2017. Henkel expects that each business unit will generate organic sales growth within this range. For adjusted return on sales (EBIT), Henkel expects an increase versus the prior year to more than 17.0 percent. Henkel expects an increase in adjusted earnings per preferred share of between 7 and 9 percent.