Rockwool International A/S: Report for the first nine months of 2017 for ROCKWOOL International A/S

Sales up, with productivity and pricing improvements driving profitability
growth 

Hedehusene, Denmark, 2017-11-15 06:51 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Report for the first nine months of 2017 for
ROCKWOOL International A/S

Release no. 9 - 2017
to Nasdaq Copenhagen

ROCKWOOL International A/S
Hovedgaden 584, Indgang C
2640 Hedehusene
Tlf.: 46 56 03 00
www.rockwool.com
CVR-nr.: 54879415

15 November 2017

Sales up, with productivity and pricing improvements driving profitability
growth 

Highlights

* In the first nine months of 2017 net sales increased by 5.9% in local
currencies compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by good
volume growth. Third quarter net sales grew by 7.6% in local currencies (Q3
2016: 1.6%). 

* Year-to-date increase in input costs remained at a high level and impacted
contribution margin. During Q3, the significant increase in input costs began
to level out, while sales prices started to increase. This, together with high
operations productivity, improved the profitability in Q3. 

* In the first nine months of 2017 EBIT increased by 8% to EUR 185 million
(2016: EUR 172 million) equal to a 10.7% EBIT margin (same margin level as last
year). This year's Q3 EBIT was EUR 76 million against EUR 67 million last year,
up 13%, with the EBIT margin reaching 12.4% (Q3 2016: 11.8%). 

* Net profit for the first nine months 2017 reached EUR 134 million an
improvement of EUR 12 million compared to the same period last year (2016: EUR
122 million). 

* Free cash flow was at level with last year amounting to EUR 141 million
(2016: EUR 140 million). 

* In the first nine months of 2017 investment expenditure reached EUR 93
million (2016: EUR 91 million). 

* Annualised return on invested capital reached 17.0% compared to 15.1% for the
same period last year, driven by higher operational earnings and lower invested
capital. 

Full year Outlook 2017 upgraded

* Expectation for net sales growth remain unchanged of 5-7% in local currencies.

* Updated expectation for EBIT margin from slightly above 10% to close to 11%.

* Updated forecast for investment expenditure from EUR 150 million to around
EUR 135 million excluding acquisitions. 

CEO comment
Commenting on the Group's performance, CEO Jens Birgersson says:

"We're pleased with our third quarter net sales, which increased 7.6%, driven
by solid performance in Europe and North America.  The strong sales reflect
favourable market conditions and a continued healthy demand for the top-quality
stone wool products we offer.  EBIT margin for the quarter is up 0.6% to a
solid 12.4%, as productivity and particularly pricing improvements continue to
gain momentum, and will remain in focus for us moving forward". 

         Further information:
         Kim Junge Andersen, Chief Financial Officer
         ROCKWOOL International A/S
         [phone]

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