Novozymes A/S: Group financial statement for 2017

Solid 2017. Good momentum set to continue

Solid year with 4% organic sales growth (Q4: +4%): Household Care +1%, Food &
Beverages +9%, Bioenergy +11%, Agriculture & Feed -3%, Technical & Pharma +2%.
EBIT margin at 27.9% (around 29% excl. one-time costs). FCF before acquisitions
DKK 2.4 billion. 

Regarding the 2018 outlook, with good momentum in the business and a strong
pipeline of products and opportunities, we see organic sales growth of 4-6% and
an EBIT margin of ~28%. 

Peder Holk Nielsen, President & CEO of Novozymes: "2017 was satisfactory with
solid growth and margins. Similar to other years, 2017 saw differences in
divisional growth rates, but serving more than 40 industries with enzymes and
microbes provides robustness. Our key priorities for 2018 are to increase our
presence with new and existing customers, especially in emerging markets, and
ensure we cater for individual customer needs with impactful innovation. And
although uncertainties exist, with good momentum, a strong product pipeline and
increased commercial activities, we see a promising outlook with accelerating
growth for 2018 and beyond." 

Highlights:

  -- Organic sales growth of 4% (Q4: +4%) and 3% in DKK (Q4: -1%)
  -- 4 out of 5 areas grew; Food & Beverages and Bioenergy performed very
     well
  -- Agriculture & Feed lower, mainly due to poor agriculture markets
  -- 4 transformative innovations launched of the targeted 10 by 2020
  -- Reported EBIT margin of 27.9% (2016: 27.9%). Q4 2017: 27.6% (Q4 2016:
     28.6%)
  -- Albumedix (non-core pharma) divested late 2017. DKK 66m negative Q4 EBIT
     charge
  -- M&G financial asset write-down of remaining DKK 60m (DKK 47m post-tax)
     in Q4
  -- Lower year-on-year tax rate despite one-off US tax charge of DKK ~30m in Q4
  -- Free cash flow before acquisitions solid at DKK 2.4 billion; higher
     investments as expected
  -- Proposed dividend payout of DKK 4.50/share. Dividend growth of 13%. 42%
     payout ratio
  -- Full-year 2018 outlook: Organic sales growth 4-6% (growth relatively
     stronger in 2H y/y), EBIT margin ~28%, FCF before acquisitions DKK 2.3-2.6
     billion, ROIC 24-25%. Stock buyback program of up to DKK 2 billion.
     Long-term dividend payout ratio upped from ~40% to ~50% of net profit

                                                                    Realized    
                                          2017 outlook (Oct.)      12M  12M 2016
                                                                  2017          
Sales growth, organic                                    3-5%       4%        2%
Sales growth, DKK                                        2-4%       3%        1%
EBIT growth                                              2-4%       3%        2%
EBIT margin                                              ~28%    27.9%     27.9%
Net profit growth                                        2-5%       2%        8%
Net investments excl. acquisitions, DKKm          1,600-1,800    1,665     1,188
Free cash flow before acquisitions, DKKm          2,100-2,300    2,398     2,652
ROIC (including goodwill)                                ~25%    25.6%     25.1%

Attachment:
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