Rapala VMC - Company Announcement

RAPALA VMC CORPORATION'S FULL YEAR 2016 SALES AND COMPARABLE OPERATING PROFIT BELOW EARLIER EXPECTATIONS

Rapala VMC Corporation
Stock Exchange Release
July 11, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.




RAPALA VMC CORPORATION'S FULL YEAR 2016 SALES AND COMPARABLE OPERATING PROFIT
BELOW EARLIER EXPECTATIONS



Rapala VMC Corporation ("the Group") has updated its full year outlook for
2016. Full year net sales and comparable* operating profit are now expected to
be below 2015 levels, while previously they were expected to be above 2015
levels assuming comparable translation exchange rates.



The Group's second quarter and first half sales have been lower than expected in
major markets of North America, France and Russia. Especially volumes of Group's
lure sales have been below expectations. Accordingly Group's comparable
operating profit is negatively impacted by the lower sales volumes.



First half-year report will be published on July 22.



* Excluding mark-to-market valuations of operative currency derivatives and
other items affecting comparability. From 2016 onwards the Rapala Group has
relabeled the previously referenced "non-recurring items" with "other items
affecting comparability" including material restructuring costs, impairments,
gains and losses on business combinations and disposals, insurance compensations
and other non-operational items. More details will be presented in the first
half-year report.



RAPALA VMC CORPORATION



Jorma Kasslin

Chief Executive Officer



For further information, please contact:

Jussi Ristimäki, Deputy CEO, Chief Financial Officer, tel. +358 9 7562 540



Distribution: Nasdaq Helsinki and main media

Rapala VMC Corporation ("the Group") is a leading fishing tackle company and the
global market leader in fishing lures, treble hooks and fishing related knives
and tools. The Group also has a strong global position in other fishing
categories and it is one of the leading distributors of outdoor, hunting and
winter sport products in the Nordic countries. The Group has the largest
distribution network in the industry. The main manufacturing facilities are
located in Finland, France, Estonia, Russia, China, Indonesia and the UK. The
Group brand portfolio includes the leading brand in the industry, Rapala, and
other global brands like VMC, Sufix, Storm, Blue Fox, Luhr Jensen, Williamson,
Dynamite Baits, Mora Ice, StrikeMaster, Marttiini and Peltonen. The Group, with
net sales of EUR 278 million in 2015, employs some 3 200 people in 39 countries.
Rapala VMC Corporation's share is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock
exchange since 1998.

[HUG#2027611]

Attachments:

Stock exchange release.pdf