Novozymes, a producer of industrial enzymes, announced its results for the first half of 2016. Sales grew by 3 percent organically and were flat in Danish krone (DKK) compared with the first half of 2015, according to the company. Earnings before interest and taxes was on par, and the EBIT margin was 27.2 percent, also on par with the first half of 2015.
Adjusting for the restructuring costs in the first quarter, the EBIT margin would have expanded to above 28 percent and EBIT growth to around 4 percent compared with the first half of 2015. Net profit grew by 8 percent. Net investments were DKK 542 million, free cash flow before acquisitions was DKK 1,354 million and ROIC (incl. goodwill) was 25.4 percent.
The outlook for full-year organic sales growth is adjusted to 2-4 percent, down from previously 3-5 percent. The adjustment reflects uncertainty in most of the industries in which Novozymes operates. The outlook for sales in DKK is unchanged. The outlook for each of EBIT, EBIT margin, net profit, net investments, free cash flow and ROIC is also unchanged.
“Our business improved in the second quarter. We delivered strong earnings, and we increased our sales growth although we had aimed higher,” says Peder Holk Nielsen, president and CEO of Novozymes. “We’re on track to reach our full-year profit target, but we adjust our sales expectations due to the performance in the second quarter and the uncertainty facing many of our markets.
“Our pipeline of sustainable biological solutions remains strong, and we’ll soon launch exciting, new innovation in BioAg.”
