OSLO, Norway, Aug. 8, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Orkla:
Operating profit remained fairly stable, but lower realised gains contributed, as in the first quarter, to a lower profit before tax; 1.1 billion NOK this quarter compared to 1.5 billion in the same period last year. Orkla Brands and Orkla Beverages achieved growth in the second quarter, while Orkla Foods posted lower profit than anticipated. The advertising market is still weak and, as expected, this had a negative effect on Orkla Media.
The strong Norwegian krone has a negative impact on Orkla. Adjusted for currency effects the Orkla Group's underlying sales and operations were two per cent higher than in the corresponding period of last year.
The Orkla Group's operating revenues in the first six months amounted to NOK 21.5 billion, NOK 488 million lower than in the first half of last year. Group Operating profit before goodwill amortisation for the first six months of this year totalled NOK 1.7 billion, on a par with the same period last year. Profit before tax the first six months was 1.5 bn NOK, compared with 2.1 billion last year.
At the end of the first six months, Orkla's earnings per share were NOK 4.8, compared with NOK 6.8 at the end of June last year. The decline was due to lower realised gains and dividends received for the Financial Investments division, while the negative currency effects contributed to somewhat lower profit for the Industry division than in the corresponding period last year.
"Orkla is less exposed to economic fluctuations than most industrial companies. However, a strong exchange rate for the krone will have a negative effect on our accounts since we report in Norwegian kroner, while three quarters of our sales take place outside Norway," said Group President and CEO Finn Jebsen. Currency effects are calculated to amount to more than NOK 800 million for Group operating revenues and NOK 76 million for profit for the first six months.
"We are satisfied with the performance of Carlsberg Breweries and Orkla Brands, but overall we must increase the effectiveness of our improvement programmes," said Finn Jebsen.
Jebsen has the following comments to outlooks for the rest of the year: "We expect increased uncertainty in the general economy, with considerable risk in the financial markets. As previously stated for Orkla Media we do not expect any improvements in the advertising markets this year, and we anticipate that Orkla Foods will be on a par with or somewhat below last year. We do however expect a yearonyear progress for Carlsberg Breweries and Orkla Brands." On a weak financial market, Orkla's share portfolio did considerably better than the stock exchange indices with which it is relevant to compare Orkla's performance. The return on the portfolio in the first six months was 0.7 per cent, compared with 11.2 per cent for the Oslo Stock Exchange Benchmark Index.
BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS
- Orkla Foods' operating profit before goodwill amortisation
amounted to NOK 352 million for the first six months, down NOK 32
million from the corresponding period last year. Approximately
NOK 10 million of this is ascribable to currency effects. Abba
Seafood had a poor quarter in which the Polish company Superfish
in particular experienced a decline in profit. Significant price
hikes for raw materials combined with the generally weaker Polish
economy had a negative impact on sales volumes. A number of
measures have been implemented to counter this, including the
closure of two production plants and a reduction in the workforce
of 140 persons. Further costcutting measures will be
implemented. A special improvement programme is also being
initiated at Procordia Food in the third quarter.
- Orkla Beverages (40 per cent of Carlsberg Breweries)
In the first six months, Orkla's 40 per cent interest in
Carlsberg Breweries generated operating profit before goodwill
amortisation of NOK 666 million, up from NOK 541 million in the
corresponding period of the last year. Operating revenues in the
first six months totalled NOK 7.3 billion, NOK 187 million higher
than in the first half of 2001. Carlsberg Breweries' sales growth
in the first six months was primarily due to continued strong
organic growth at BBH, acquisitions in Poland and the
consolidation of Turk Tuborg. The Carlsberg brand achieved 7 per
cent volume growth during the period.
- At the end of the first six months, Orkla Brands had increased
its operating profit before goodwill amortisation by 12 per cent
to NOK 367 million. In the second quarter alone, profit was 18
per cent higher than in the second quarter of last year. Orkla
Brands managed to increase its margins and reduce costs, and
launches of new products had a positive impact. The most
important launch was Define, a new hair care range from Lilleborg
Home and Personal Care. After six months, Define has established
a position as market leader in the hair care segment in Norway.
With the exception of household textiles, there were minimal
changes in market shares for Orkla Brands' products. The
improvement project being carried out in the Biscuits business,
which was initiated towards the end of 2001, is proceeding as
planned.
- Orkla Media's operating profit before goodwill amortisation for
the first six months totalled NOK 47 million, down from NOK 177
million last year. Operating revenues amounted to NOK 3.6
billion. For continuing business, adjusted for currency effects,
this represents a decline of 5 per cent, which is mainly due to
the sharp downturn on the advertising markets, particularly in
Poland and Denmark. The free newspaper, Urban, in Copenhagen
continued to have a negative impact on profit in the second
quarter. The journalists' strike in Norway also reduced profit by
NOK 78 million. Magazines performed well and circulation figures
for the weekly magazine Her og Na continue to rise.
CHEMICALS
Borregaard's operating profit before goodwill amortisation for thefirst six months totalled NOK 311 million, compared with NOK 326million last year. Borregaard LignoTech continued to achieve profitgrowth, while the market for Speciality Cellulose remained stable.The currency situation and high energy costs had a negative impact onprofit. Operating revenues in the first six months totalled NOK 3.0billion, down from NOK 3.3 billion for the corresponding period oflast year.
FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS
At the end of the second quarter, profit before tax for the FinancialInvestments division totalled NOK 508 million, compared with NOK1,056 million at the end of June last year. Realised gains amountedto NOK 179 million, compared with NOK 507 million last year.Dividends received totalled NOK 315 million. Unrealised gainstotalled NOK 2.1 billion. The market value of the portfolio at theend of the quarter was NOK 13.9 billion.
The Oslo Stock Exchange Benchmark Index dropped 17.1 per cent in thesecond quarter, the Helsinki Stock Exchange fell 25.7 per cent, andthe FT World Index 12.7 per cent. At the end of the first six months,Orkla's investment portfolio had a negative return of 0.7 per cent.
The investment in Elkem made a positive contribution to the return onthe portfolio, while the investment in Storebrand made the strongestnegative contribution.
FINANCIAL SITUATION
At the end of the second quarter, net interestbearing debt amountedto NOK 19.8 billion, up NOK 0.6 billion from the beginning of theyear. The average borrowing rate in the first six months was 5.4 percent. The equity ratio increased by 0.8 percentage points during thequarter and was 35.4 per cent at the end of the first six months.
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