Essity Interim Report, Quarter 1, 2024

Net sales decreased 4.1 percent to SEK 34,850m (36,352)
Organic growth amounted to -4.0 percent, of which volume accounted for -1.8 percent and price/mix -2.2 percent. Excluding restructuring and exited contracts, volumes increased 0.6 percent.
EBITA increased 4 percent to SEK 4,523m (4,368)
EBITA excl. IAC increased 14 percent to SEK 4,880m (4,281) and the EBITA margin excl. IAC increased 2.2 percentage points to 14.0 percent (11.8)
ROCE increased to 15.9 percent (15.5) and ROCE excl. IAC increased 2.0 percentage points to 17.2 percent (15.2).
Operating cash flow increased 48 percent to SEK 4,253m (2,870)
Essity completed the divestment of all shares in the subsidiary Vinda. The sales proceeds amounted to approximately SEK 19bn and the profit from divestment to approximately SEK 9bn. Vinda is reported as discontinued operations.
Profit for the period, total operations amounted to SEK 11,493m (2,703)
Earnings per share, continuing operations amounted to SEK 3.51 (3.75)
Earnings per share, total operations increased to SEK 16.21 (3.79)

CEO’S COMMENTS

Essity had a strong first quarter with all three business areas increasing their margins. Volume growth excluding restructuring was positive. Our focus as we move forward remains on growing volume and gaining market share with good profitability. During the quarter, we received the proceeds from the sale of shares in Vinda of approximately SEK 19bn, which together with sustained high cash flow strengthened the balance sheet.

Innovation-driven growth

Volume growth was positive for the quarter, except for the impact of restructuring measures implemented in Professional Hygiene and contracts exited in Incontinence Products Health Care. In Consumer Goods, Feminine Care gained market shares and Incontinence Products Retail continued to grow strongly.

“Essity is in better shape than ever. The pace of innovation is high, which provides us with a good foundation for growth moving forward and to gain market shares.”

By increasing investments in sales and marketing in our segments with the highest margins, the product mix remained positive. The mix this quarter was mainly driven by Professional Hygiene and Health & Medical. The pace of innovation is high, which provides us with a good foundation for growth moving forward and to gain market shares.

Higher margins

Margins were higher for all business areas. We have had a good price discipline despite lower costs for raw materials and energy compared with one year ago. The gap between our sales prices and costs has thus increased. In addition, we achieved good cost savings for the quarter through continuous efficiency improvements, primarily in sourcing and material rationalizations.

Strong cash flow and a good financial position

During the quarter, we received proceeds of approximately SEK 19bn from the sale of shares in Vinda. The transaction entailed a profit from divestment of approximately SEK 9bn. We also continued to generate strong cash flow in operations, providing us with a good financial position. Essity is in better shape than ever.

Magnus Groth, President and CEO

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