Workers walk at the entrance to the new distribution center for Swedish manufacturer Essity hygiene products on the day of its launch in Medellin, Colombia April 30, 2025. REUTERS/
Jan 22 (Reuters) – Swedish hygiene products maker Essity reported fourth-quarter core earnings above market expectations on Thursday, citing lower costs, and said it would increase its dividend.
Essity’s adjusted operating profit before amortisation (EBITA) rose to 5.12 billion Swedish crowns ($563.3 million) from 4.59 billion a year ago. Analysts polled by LSEG were expecting 5.04 billion crowns on average.
Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITA margin increased to 14.7% from 14.6% three months earlier.
“Organic sales growth for the full-year was positive and the margin increased,” CEO Ulrika Kolsrud said in the earnings statement.
The board of directors will propose to increase the dividend for 2025 by 6% to 8.75 crowns per share, Essity said.
($1 = 9.0901 Swedish crowns)
Reporting by Vera Dvorakova in Gdansk; Editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak
