Henkel published its preliminary figures for the first half of 2024. Sales amounted to € 10,813 million. This corresponds to good organic sales growth of 2.9 percent. The adjusted return on sales (adjusted EBIT margin) rose to 14.9 percent (previous year: 11.5 percent). Adjusted earnings per preferred share amounted to € 2.78 euros in the first half of 2024. At constant exchange rates, this represents an increase of 32.9 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

Due to the very strong development so far and factoring in the expected business development in the remainder of the year Henkel has raised its outlook for the earnings development in 2024. This is mainly due to higher profit expectations in the Consumer Brands business unit, while at the same time increasing investments in marketing to support innovations. The outlook still considers the expectation of higher prices for direct materials in the second half of the year. Henkel now expects the following sales and earnings development for fiscal 2024:

• Organic sales growth: 2.5 to 4.5 percent (unchanged)
• Adhesive Technologies: 2.0 to 4.0 percent (unchanged)
• Consumer Brands: 3.0 to 5.0 percent (unchanged)
• Adjusted return on sales: 13.5 to 14.5 percent (previously: 13.0 to 14.0 percent)
• Adhesive Technologies: 16.0 to 17.0 percent (unchanged)
• Consumer Brands: 13.0 to 14.0 percent (previously: 12.0 to 13.0 percent)
• Adjusted earnings per preferred share (EPS): Increase in the range of +20.0 to +30.0 percent at constant exchange rates (previously: +15.0 to +25.0 percent)

“The overall very good business performance in the first half of the year and the fact that we raised our outlook for fiscal 2024 again, clearly demonstrate that we are on the right track with our strategy,” said Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel.

“The merger of our consumer businesses is successful and the implementation of our strategic measures and initiatives has a very positive impact on sales, gross margin and earnings development. In the first half of the year, we have maintained our increased investments in brands and innovations, and we will further increase them over the course of 2024 in order to underpin our ambitions for future growth. The structural and team changes initiated in our adhesives business are also showing tangible results and they are making a significant contribution to Henkel's very strong performance. We are delivering what we have committed to, and we are on the right track for further profitable growth,” Knobel added.