(new: statements from the conference call, share price)
HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) – The consumer goods group Beiersdorf
expects further sales growth in the current year. however
CEO Stefan De Loecker expects “increased headwind”,
as he explained on Tuesday when presenting the balance sheet. So
the manager expects in markets like Europe, North America, Japan or
India is intensifying competition. In addition, it is still open how
the spread of the novel corona virus to businesses
reflected. This together with the current investment program
leads to the fact that Beiersdorf at best from a stable return
emanates.
In the months of January and especially February,
Consumer business especially in China because of the corona virus
Developed below expectations, De Loecker said in one
Telephone conference. This is already in the forecast for 2020
incorporated. There is an impact on other markets
According to the CEO, not at the moment, “but that will come”. In
there are no interruptions in the supply chain. Two out of three plants
China would have resumed production, one of which is
by Tesa.
In 2020 De Loecker expects an operating return on sales (EBIT) on the
Previous year’s level of 14.5 percent. In 2019 it was due to the current
Investments decreased by 0.9 percentage points. The proceeds should be in 2020
around 3 to 5 under our own steam of just under 7.7 billion euros
Percent increase. While the skin care brands also in this
Beiersdorf is going to increase the order of magnitude at
Adhesive subsidiary Tesa only shows a slight increase in organic sales
out. The business is suffering from the currently weaker economy,
especially in the automotive industry. The CEO expects this
no significant recovery this year.
De Loecker sees itself on schedule with the current investment program.
Beiersdorf opens up new growth markets and business areas,
he explained. The willingness to invest should not
short-term events are superimposed, according to the manager. The
Management had announced high spending to begin with in early 2019
Boost growth in the highly competitive industry. In the
Expansion of the product range as well as in capacities and
Technological developments are said to be 250 to 350 million annually
Euros. For this, the group also takes temporary
Loss in yield on buying.
The group recently got into natural cosmetics or
was dedicated to special areas, such as care products for tattooed people
Skin. Beiersdorf believes that further takeovers are possible. Also wants
the company is expanding its natural care business. To
Beiersdorf is increasingly relying on digital technologies. “At the same
we see that there is still a lot to do, “said De Loecker
Look at the fierce competition in the consumer goods business.
Beiersdorf also has a lot to do with the sun protection brand
Coppertone, which the group acquired from Bayer last year
would have. The integration is going smoothly, said De Loecker.
However, the brand drove in the four months to the end of the year
operating losses in the low double-digit million euro range
finance chief Dessi Temperley admitted. She assumes
that the brand will continue to generate a return on sales of around 0.2 in 2020
Percentage points. One problem is that in the
had invested too little in the brand in recent years,
said De Loecker.
Last year Hamburg’s annual surplus rose from 745
Million to 736 million euros. Shareholders should
receive unchanged dividend of EUR 0.70 per share. Numbers and
The outlook was largely in line with analysts’ expectations.
The stock initially started in the red, but was down in
Trade trend rocketed and rose in the meantime by around 2
Percent. In the early afternoon the paper slipped again
into the minus./nas/kro/jha/
ISIN DE0005200000
AXC0233 2020-03-03 / 14:24
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