DÜSSELDORF (dpa-AFX) - Consumer goods group Henkel has again raised its earnings targets after a good run in the second quarter. The return on sales before interest and taxes (EBIT) adjusted for exceptional items is now expected to be in the range of 13.5 to 14.5 percent in 2024, the Group announced. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to increase by 20 to 30 percent at constant exchange rates. Previously, the Düsseldorf-based company had planned for an operating margin of 13 to 14 percent, with adjusted earnings per share up 15 to 25 percent. Organic sales growth - i.e. excluding acquisitions and disposals of parts of the company and exchange rate fluctuations - is expected to remain between 2.5 and 4.5 percent. The DAX-listed share price rose following the announcement.

In the first half of the year, the Persil and Pattex manufacturer's sales fell by one percent to 10.8 billion euros due to the discontinuation of business in Russia and negative exchange rate effects. On its own, however, it would have increased by 2.9 percent, Henkel calculated. Organic growth was driven by higher prices in both divisions, while volumes developed slightly positively.

Adjusted operating profit increased by 28.4 percent to 1.61 billion euros. The margin thus increased by 3.4 percentage points to 14.9 percent. On an adjusted basis at constant exchange rates, Henkel generated a profit per preferred share of 2.78 euros - a third more than in the previous year./men/mis