Income from participations remained constant at 19 million euros. The net interest result improved by 11 million euros from –49 million euros to –38 million euros, due to lower net debt. The overall financial result therefore improved by 11 million euros to –19 million euros. The tax rate decreased from 28.3 percent to 25.9 percent.
Due to the improved financial result and lower taxes, net earnings for the quarter increased by 6.2 percent to 223 million euros.
After minority interests amounting to 4 million euros, net earnings for the quarter were 219 million euros (+6.8 percent). Earnings per preferred share increased by 6.3 percent to 0.51 euros.
The Laundry & Home Care business sector achieved organic growth of 2.8 percent despite the exceptionally high growth rate of 11.9 percent achieved in the prior-year quarter thanks to the Persil brand centennial.
At 1,031 million euros, total sales were 3.5 percent below the prior-year figure, reflecting the 6.3 percent negative impact of foreign exchange and divestments. Operating profit decreased from 117 million euros to 104 million euros.