Sales and earnings
SCA’s operating profit for 2015, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 10% compared with the preceding year. A better price/mix, higher volumes and cost savings contributed to the earnings improvement.
Net sales
SCA’s net sales for 2015 increased 11% compared with the preceding year and amounted to SEK 115,316m (104,054). Organic sales growth, which excludes exchange rate effects, acquisitions and divestments, was 5%, of which volume accounted for 3% and price/mix for 2%. Organic sales growth was 2% in mature markets and 11% in emerging markets.
Profit
SCA’s operating profit for 2015, excluding items affecting comparability totaling SEK –2,067m (–1,400), increased 10% compared with the preceding year and amounted to SEK 13,014m (11,849).
Financial items decreased to SEK –955m (–961). The decrease was attributable to lower average net debt, which compensated for somewhat higher interest rates during the year. Profit before tax, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 11% to SEK 12,059m (10,888). The average tax rate for the year’s profit, excluding items affecting comparability, was 27.4%. Profit for the year, excluding items affecting comparability after tax of SEK –1,301m (–1,176), amounted to SEK 8,753m (8,244). Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Parent amounted to SEK 11.82 (11.07) excluding items affecting comparability and to SEK 9.97 (9.40) including items affecting comparability.
Key figures
The Group’s gross margin amounted to 25.9%, compared with 25.5% in the preceding year, and the operating margin, excluding items affecting comparability, was 11.3%, compared with 11.4% in 2014. The return on capital employed, excluding items affecting comparability, improved to 12% (11). The return on equity was 12% (12). The interest coverage ratio rose to 11.5, compared with 10.9 in the preceding year.
SEKm |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 2) |
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|
|||||||
Net sales |
115,316 |
104,054 |
92,873 |
||||
Gross profit |
29,840 |
26,534 |
23,288 |
||||
Operating profit 1) |
13,014 |
11,849 |
10,381 |
||||
Financial items |
–955 |
–961 |
–1,061 |
||||
Profit before tax 1) |
12,059 |
10,888 |
9,320 |
||||
Tax 1) |
–3,306 |
–2,644 |
–2,639 |
||||
Profit for the year 1) |
8,753 |
8,244 |
6,681 |