Kerry Group Reveals Improved First-Half Performance, Still Optimistic About Full-Year 2025 Projections
Kerry Group, a leading global taste and nutrition company, has announced a confident outlook for the remainder of 2025. The company expects volume growth and strong margin expansion, following a successful first half performance.
The financial highlights from the first half of the year reveal a positive trajectory for Kerry Group. Profit after tax rose to €303.1 million, a significant increase from €291.5 million the previous year. Profit attributable to equity holders was €302.8 million, compared to €271.6 million a year ago. Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) increased by 9.4% to 182.4 euro cents, and adjusted EPS grew to 209.2 euro cents from 194.1 euro cents the prior year.
EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) rose 7.5% to €556 million, with the EBITDA margin expanding by 100 basis points to 16.1%. This growth was largely driven by the Accelerate Operational Excellence program. Group revenue increased 1.3% to €3.46 billion, with volume growth at 3% and pricing gains of 0.2%.
Regional volume growth varied. The Americas showed a robust 3.7% growth, Europe remained flat at 0.2%, and APMEA was slightly softer at 4.2%. Despite a soft demand backdrop, the company highlighted strong margin expansion supported by its innovation and renovation pipeline.
In light of this strong performance, Kerry Group expects constant currency earnings per share guidance growth of 7 percent to 11 percent for fiscal 2025. This outlook underscores the company's commitment to operational efficiency and product innovation as key drivers of growth.
Additionally, the Board declared an interim dividend of 42.0 cent per share, payable on November 7, with the record date set for October 10. However, no further details about the successor or the replacement of Gerry Behan, who announced his intention to retire from his position at Kerry Group plc and as an Executive Board Director as of December 31, were provided.
The company did not release any specific financial figures related to the remainder of the year or the transition. It's worth noting that no new information about the company's website, customer survey, or editorial contact was given, nor were any new details about interim dividends or dividend payable dates provided.
In conclusion, Kerry Group's first half financial report reflects a steady financial progress and a confident outlook for sustained EPS growth in fiscal 2025. The company's focus on operational efficiency and product innovation is expected to drive its growth in the coming months.
Kerry Group's strong first half performance in finance, driven by operational efficiency and product innovation, has led to a confident outlook for further investment opportunities in the remaining part of 2025. As a result, the company anticipates a constant currency earnings per share guidance growth of 7 percent to 11 percent for the entire fiscal year.
Financial growth, particularly EBITDA, was largely attributed to the Accelerate Operational Excellence program, and the company expects this focus on efficiency to continue driving growth in the coming business quarters.
