April 13, 2015

Annual General Meeting 2015

Henkel confirms 2015 targets

Düsseldorf – At Henkel’s Annual General Meeting today, CEO Kasper Rorsted reviewed the company’s successful performance in the fiscal year 2014. A dividend increase of 9 cents to 1 euro 31 cents per preferred share and 1 euro 29 cents per ordinary share was proposed to the shareholders. This represents a payout ratio of 30 percent. Despite market conditions that remain challenging, Rorsted confirmed the outlook for the full fiscal year 2015. This includes an increase in adjusted earnings per preferred share of approximately 10 percent.

2014: A successful year for Henkel

Referring to the difficult economic environment in the fiscal year 2014, Kasper Rorsted said: “We are very satisfied with our performance. We reached our financial targets for 2014.” Rorsted also highlighted the progress achieved in implementing the strategy 2016, offering specific examples showing how Henkel has successfully pursued its four strategic priorities: Outperform – Globalize – Simplify – Inspire.

Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Shareholders’ Committee and of the Supervisory Board, thanked the Management Board and all employees for their great commitment in 2014.

2015 guidance confirmed despite continued challenging environment

“2015 will be another challenging year for Henkel,” Rorsted said, emphasizing the high degree of uncertainty in the markets. “Volatility on the currency markets will remain. We expect the US dollar to appreciate further against the euro while emerging-market currencies are likely to weaken. Due to the persisting conflict between Russia and Ukraine, we expect stagnation in Eastern Europe and further pressure on the Russian economy and currency.”

Despite these difficult market conditions, Rorsted confirmed the outlook for the current fiscal year. “We expect to achieve organic sales growth of 3 to 5 percent in the full fiscal year 2015. We expect adjusted return on sales to be approximately 16 percent and anticipate an increase in adjusted earnings per preferred share of approximately 10 percent.” 

In view of the company’s business activities in Russia and Ukraine, Rorsted underlined the importance of both countries for Henkel. “The conflict between the two countries affects companies operating there. However, we will stay in both countries. We have achieved significant growth there and we believe in the future of both countries,” stated Rorsted.

Further details regarding the business development in the first quarter of 2015 will be published with the quarterly report on May 7.

For more information on the Annual General Meeting, please visit our website:
http://www.henkel.com/press-and-media/press-releases-and-kits/2015-04-13-annual-general-meeting-2015/418822

-	AGM livestream broadcast (from 10 a.m.)
-	Statement by Kasper Rorsted (from 10.15 a.m.)
-	Press photos of the AGM (from noon) 
-	Press release on the results of the AGM (in the course of the afternoon)

Henkel operates worldwide with leading brands and technologies in three business areas: Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care and Adhesive Technologies. Founded in 1876, Henkel holds globally leading market positions in both the consumer and industrial businesses with well-known brands such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite. Henkel employs almost 50,000 people and reported sales of 16.4 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of 2.6 billion euros in fiscal 2014. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX.

This document contains forward-looking statements which are based on the current estimates and assumptions made by the corporate management of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. Forward-looking statements are characterized by the use of words such as expect, intend, plan, predict, assume, believe, estimate, anticipate, forecast and similar formulations. Such statements are not to be understood as in any way guaranteeing that those expectations will turn out to be accurate. Future performance and the results actually achieved by Henkel AG & Co.  KGaA and its affiliated companies depend on a number of risks and uncertainties and may therefore differ materially from forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are outside Henkel’s control and cannot be accurately estimated in advance, such as the future economic environment and the actions of competitors and others involved in the marketplace. Henkel neither plans nor undertakes to update forward-looking statements.

Contact
Lars Witteck					Wulf Klüppelholz
Tel.	+49 211 797 - 2606			Tel.	+49 211 797 - 1875
Fax	+49 211 798 - 4040			Fax	+49 211 798 - 4040
Email: lars.witteck@henkel.com			E-Mail: wulf.klueppelholz@henkel.com

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

press@henkel.com