BERLIN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Henkel has recorded a rise in its revenue and profits during the third quarter (Q3) of 2018, earnings figures published on Thursday by the German consumer goods giant showed.
Gross revenue grew by 1.1 percent to just over five billion euros (5.65 billion U.S. dollars) during Q3 2018 compared with that of 2017, while adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose by 3.3 percent to 926 million euros. During the same period, adjusted net earnings were up by 3 percent at 686 million euros.
"Henkel has showcased a positive development in third quarter. We are able to increase revenue, net income and profitability in a still challenging market environment with pressures from negative currency developments and rising raw material prices," a statement by Henkel CEO Hans Van Bylen read.
Van Bylen highlighted that growth was supported by all of Henkel's three corporate divisions. Each of the Adhesive Technologies (3.8 percent), Beauty Care (0.5 percent) and Laundry & Home Care (2.5 percent) divisions was able to achieve further organic revenue growth in Q3.
During the first nine months of the year, however, Henkel has still witnessed slight declines in revenue and profits to 15.015 billion euros (minus 0.8 percent) and 1.75 billion euros (minus 1.7 percent) respectively. The CEO emphasized that adverse currency effects had lowered revenue by 900 million euros in the period alone.
Nevertheless, Van Bylen argued that Henkel had continued along its path of "sustainably profitable growth" and was "firmly decided" to go ahead in implementing its current strategic priorities.
The company re-affirmed its outlook for the 2019 fiscal year and still expects to achieve organic revenue growth of between 2 and 4 percent and a rise in its adjusted EBIT margin to 18 percent across the group.
Originally founded in 1876, Henkel recorded over 20 billion euros gross revenue and employed around 53,000 workers in 2017. The consumer goods empire of the DAX-listed company includes popular global brands such as Persil, Fa and Loctite.
