2014-07-18 07:30:00 CEST

2014-07-18 07:30:33 CEST


REGULATED INFORMATION

English
Huhtamäki Oyj - Interim report (Q1 and Q3)

Huhtamäki Oyj's Interim Report January 1 - June 30, 2014: Net sales and EBIT growth continued


HUHTAMÄKI OYJ INTERIM REPORT 18.7.2014 AT 08:30

Huhtamäki Oyj's Interim Report January 1 - June 30, 2014: Net sales and EBIT
growth continued

Q2 2014 in brief
  * Net sales were EUR 628 million (EUR 619 million)
  * EBIT was EUR 54 million (EUR 49 million, excluding NRI of EUR -7 million)
  * EPS was EUR 0.37 (EUR 0.34, excluding NRI)
  * Comparable net sales growth was 7% in total and 12% in the emerging markets
  * Currency movements had a significant negative impact of EUR 28 million on
    the Group's net sales
  * Acquisition of Positive Packaging, a flexible packaging company operating in
    India, United Arab Emirates and Africa, was announced after the end of the
    quarter

H1 2014 in brief
  * Net sales were EUR 1,192 million (EUR 1,187 million)
  * EBIT was EUR 96 million (EUR 86 million, excluding NRI of EUR -7 million)
  * EPS was EUR 0.64 (EUR 0.58, excluding NRI)
  * Comparable net sales growth was 6% in total and 12% in the emerging markets
  * Currency movements had a significant negative impact of EUR 58 million on
    the Group's net sales

Key figures
 EUR million        |Q2 2014 Q2 2013|Change H1 2014 H1 2013|Change FY 2013
--------------------+---------------+----------------------+--------------
                    |               |                      |
                    |               |                      |
 Net sales          |628.2   618.9  |2%     1,191.9 1,187.3|0%     2,342.2
                    |               |                      |
 EBITDA*            |76.7    71.9   |7%     140.3   131.6  |7%     256.4
                    |               |                      |
 EBITDA margin*     |12.2%   11.6%  |       11.8%   11.1%  |       10.9%
                    |               |                      |
 EBIT*              |54.3    49.2   |10%    95.7    86.4   |11%    166.7
                    |               |                      |
 EBIT margin*       |8.6%    7.9%   |       8.0%    7.3%   |       7.1%
                    |               |                      |
 EPS*, EUR          |0.37    0.34   |9%     0.64    0.58   |10%    1.21
                    |               |                      |
 ROI*               |               |       12.3%   12.3%  |       12.1%
                    |               |                      |
 ROE*               |               |       16.6%   15.0%  |       15.8%
                    |               |                      |
 Capital expenditure|23.6    29.1   |-19%   45.6    55.9   |-18%   121.0
                    |               |                      |
 Free cash flow     |7.1     27.2   |-74%   -4.2    5.8    |-172%  56.0

* Excluding non-recurring items (NRI) of EUR -7.3 million in Q2 2013 and H1
2013 and EUR -30.6 million in FY 2013.

CEO Jukka Moisio:"Our organic growth this quarter was 7% against our target of 5%. Our good pace
in the emerging markets continued and we achieved 12% organic growth. Given the
continued economic uncertainty in many markets, I am particularly pleased that
we have stayed well on our course.

Our pipeline of ideas and projects continues to be good in terms of new product
development, bringing them to market as well as new businesses. The hard work of
our acquisition team was rewarded as we were able to announce the acquisition of
Positive Packaging early July. Positive Packaging is a good fit to our strategy
of quality growth and emerging market positions. With Positive we are able to
improve our position in India, we gain a good foothold in the Middle East and a
significant improvement in Africa.

The acquisition of Positive Packaging also supports our growing focus on
consumer food packaging. Due to this reason we have decided to evaluate options
regarding our Films business. While the business is growing well and improving
its profitability, it serves different end users than the other Huhtamaki
businesses.

Huhtamaki's financial performance during the second quarter continued good. Our
EBIT growth exceeds the net sales growth and improved RONA in most of the
segments shows that our asset utilization is on a good level. We are making good
progress towards achieving our medium term ambitions."

Financial review Q2 2014
The Group's comparable net sales growth was 7% during the quarter with all
business segments reporting organic growth. Comparable growth in the emerging
markets was 12%, led by Eastern Europe and South America. The Group's reported
net sales were EUR 628 million (EUR 619 million). The negative foreign currency
translation impact on Group's net sales continued and was EUR 28 million
compared to the 2013 exchange rates. The largest negative impact on the Group's
net sales came from the fluctuations of US dollar, Indian rupee and Russian
ruble.

NET SALES BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
 EUR million                     Q2 2014 Q2 2013 Change Of Group in Q2 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania 162.7   167.4   -2.8%  25%

 North America                   208.3   197.0   5.7%   33%

 Flexible Packaging              152.1   152.9   -0.5%  24%

 Molded Fiber                    61.8    59.0    4.7%   10%

 Films                           50.4    47.1    7.0%   8%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excluding internal sales eliminations of EUR -7.1 million in Q2 2014 and EUR
-4.5 million in Q2 2013.

COMPARABLE GROWTH BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
                                 Q2 2014 Q1 2014 Q4 2013 Q3 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------


 Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania 5%      3%      3%      3%

 North America                   10%     3%      6%      7%

 Flexible Packaging              4%      7%      9%      6%

 Molded Fiber                    10%     10%     10%     6%

 Films                           10%     9%      2%      3%
----------------------------------------------------------------
 Group                           7%      5%      6%      5%

The Group's earnings development in constant currencies continued strong, with
all business segments except North America contributing to the positive
development. Main reason for the positive development was good volume growth and
continued focus on operational efficiencies. In constant currencies the earnings
before interest and taxes (EBIT) grew by 14%. The Group's EBIT were EUR 54
million (EUR 49 million, excluding NRI of EUR -7 million). Negative foreign
currency translation impact on Group's EBIT was EUR 2 million.

EBIT BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
 EUR million                     Q2 2014 Q2 2013 Change Of Group in Q2 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania 17.4    14.8    17.6%  32%

 North America                   13.2    15.0    -12.0% 24%

 Flexible Packaging              11.3    12.0    -5.8%  20%

 Molded Fiber                    10.0    7.3     37.0%  18%

 Films                           3.3     1.8     83.3%  6%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excluding Other activities EBIT EUR -0.9 million in Q2 2014 and EUR -1.7 million
in Q2 2013. Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania EBIT excluding NRI of EUR -7.3
million in Q2 2013.

Net financial expenses were EUR 8 million (EUR 7 million). Tax expense was EUR
8 million (EUR 6 million).

Profit for the period was EUR 39 million (EUR 29 million). There were no NRI
reported during the quarter, whereas profit for the second quarter of 2013
includes NRI of EUR -7 million. Earnings per share (EPS) were EUR 0.37 (EUR
0.34 excluding NRI or EUR 0.27 reported).

Financial review H1 2014
The Group's comparable net sales growth was 6% during the period. In the
emerging markets, comparable growth was 12%, with Eastern European markets
showing fastest growth. The Group's reported net sales were EUR 1,192 million
(EUR 1,187 million). The negative foreign currency translation impact on Group's
net sales was EUR 58 million compared to the 2013 exchange rates. The largest
negative impact on the Group's net sales came from the fluctuations of US
dollar, Russian ruble and Indian rupee.

NET SALES BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
 EUR million                     H1 2014 H1 2013 Change Of Group in H1 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania 304.7   317.0   -3.9%  25%

 North America                   372.5   361.6   3.0%   32%

 Flexible Packaging              302.9   302.0   0.3%   25%

 Molded Fiber                    123.3   119.6   3.1%   10%

 Films                           102.1   95.7    6.7%   8%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excluding internal sales eliminations of EUR -13.6 million in H1 2014 and EUR
-8.6 million in H1 2013.

The Group's earnings development in constant currencies was strong, with all
business segments contributing to the positive development. Main reasons for the
positive development were volume growth and continued good cost containment.
EBIT in constant currencies grew by 14%. The Group's EBIT were EUR 96 million
(EUR 86 million, excluding NRI of EUR -7 million). Negative foreign currency
translation impact on Group's EBIT was EUR 4 million.

EBIT BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
 EUR million                     H1 2014 H1 2013 Change Of Group in H1 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania 28.4    23.2    22.4%  29%

 North America                   22.0    22.8    -3.5%  23%

 Flexible Packaging              22.3    23.2    -3.9%  23%

 Molded Fiber                    17.6    14.4    22.2%  18%

 Films                           6.3     3.6     75.0%  7%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excluding Other activities EBIT EUR -0.9 million in H1 2014 and EUR -0.8 million
in H1 2013. Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania EBIT excluding NRI of EUR -7.3
million in H1 2013.

Net financial expenses increased slightly and were EUR 15 million (EUR 14
million). The increase was due to a higher amount of external debt compared to
the previous year as a result of the fixed rate unsecured bond issued in the
second quarter of 2013. Tax expense was EUR 13 million (EUR 10 million). The
corresponding tax rate was 16% (16%).
Profit  for the period  was EUR 68 million  (EUR 55 million). There  were no NRI
reported  during the period, whereas the  profit for the corresponding period in
2013 includes  NRI of EUR -7 million.  EPS were EUR 0.64 (EUR 0.58 excluding NRI
or EUR 0.51 reported).

Significant events after the reporting period
On  July  8, 2014 Huhtamaki  entered  into  an  agreement  to  acquire  Positive
Packaging,  a privately owned flexible packaging company with nine manufacturing
facilities in India and the United Arab Emirates as well as significant business
in  Africa and other export markets. With the acquisition Huhtamaki continues to
implement  its strategy  of quality  growth and  strengthens its position in the
fast-growing emerging markets.

The  annual net sales of the business  to be acquired are approximately EUR 220
million and it employs approximately 2,500 people in India and UAE as well as in
the  sales offices in seven countries. Huhtamaki will acquire Positive Packaging
for  a  debt  free  purchase  price  of  EUR  247 million (USD 336 million). The
business  will become part  of the Group's  Flexible Packaging business segment.
The  transaction is subject to the approval of competition authorities and other
regulators and it is expected to be finalized in the fall.

On  July  18, 2014 it  was  announced  that  as  a result of Huhtamaki's growing
strategic  focus  on  food  packaging  it  has  been decided to evaluate options
regarding the Group's Films business. One possible outcome of this evaluation is
the divestment of the Films business segment.

Outlook for 2014
The  Group's trading conditions are expected  to remain relatively stable during
2014. The  good financial position and ability  to generate a positive cash flow
will  enable the Group  to continue to  address profitable growth opportunities.
Capital  expenditure  is  expected  to  be  at  the  same  level  as  in 2013. A
significant  part  of  the  investments  are  expected to be directed to enhance
growth in the emerging markets.

Financial reporting in 2014
Huhtamaki  will publish  the following  interim report  during the course of the
year:
Interim            Report            January            1 -            September
30, 2014                                       October 23, 2014

This  is a summary of Huhtamaki's  Interim Report January 1 - June 30, 2014. The
complete report is attached to this release and is also available at the company
website at www.huhtamaki.com.

For further information, please contact:
Jukka Moisio, CEO, tel. +358 10 686 7801
Thomas Geust, CFO, tel. +358 686 7880

HUHTAMÄKI OYJ
Group Communications

Huhtamaki  Group is a  leading manufacturer of  consumer and specialty packaging
with  2013 net sales  totaling EUR  2.3 billion. Foodservice  and consumer goods
markets  are served by approximately 14,400 people in 61 manufacturing units and
several  sales offices in  30 countries. The parent  company, Huhtamäki Oyj, has
its head office in Espoo, Finland and its share is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Ltd. Additional information is available at www.huhtamaki.com.

[HUG#1829554]