Lindt & Spruengli confirms outlook after 2016 net profit rises

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG

07/03/2017 06:00

ZURICH, March 7 (Reuters) - Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & 
Spruengli  LISP.S  increased its dividend and said it expected 
organic sales to again grow around 6 percent this year after a 
lower tax rate helped boost its net profit in 2016. 
    Global chocolate demand is down as consumers tend to prefer 
healthier snacks, but Lindt bucks that trend by marketing its 
Easter bunnies and Lindor chocolate balls as high-quality treats 
customers can indulge in at special moments. 
    Net profit at the group based in Kilchberg near Zurich rose 
10 percent to 420 million Swiss francs ($415.2 million) last 
year, allowing it to raise its dividend by 10 percent to 880 
francs per registered share, Lindt said on Tuesday. Net profit 
and the dividend were in line with forecasts in a Reuters poll. 
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL5N1GG331 
    ($1 = 1.0116 Swiss francs) 
 
 (Reporting by Silke Koltrowitz) 
 ((silke.koltrowitz@thomsonreuters.com; +41 58 306 7454; Reuters 
Messaging: silke.koltrowitz.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: LINDT RESULTS/