Lindt & Spruengli expects growth below long-term target this year

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG

06/03/2018 06:14

ZURICH, March 6 (Reuters) - Lindt & Spruengli  LISP.S 
 LISN.S  said it expected organic sales to grow by around 5
percent this year, below the chocolate- maker's long-term
target, as difficulties at its U.S. business persist. 
    Chocolate makers have had a tough time recently as consumers
tend to prefer healthier snacks, but Lindt has fared better than
mass-market rivals thanks to its focus on the high-margin
premium segment and building up its own retail network.
    Net profit at the maker of Lindor chocolate balls rose 8
percent to 452.5 million Swiss francs ($481.79 million) last
year, the company said on Tuesday as it also announced a share
buyback programme of up to 500 million Swiss francs. 

($1 = 0.9392 Swiss francs)

 (Reporting by Silke Koltrowitz, editing by John Revill)
 ((silke.koltrowitz@thomsonreuters.com; +41 58 306 7454; Reuters
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