Lindt & Sprüngli (LISN) H2 2024(Media) earnings summary

Executive summary

• Achieved 7.8% organic sales growth to CHF 5.47 billion, led by strong performance in Europe and double-digit growth in key markets like France and the UK.

• EBIT margin improved by 60 basis points to 16.2%, mainly driven by North America, with EBIT up 8.7% to CHF 884.2 million.

• Net income reached CHF 672 million, up 11.8% year-over-year excluding one-off tax effects, with a 12.3% return on sales.

• Free cash flow hit a record CHF 635 million, up 33%, supporting a 7.1% dividend increase.

• Gained global market share and continued expansion of retail footprint with 45 new stores and strong e-commerce growth.

Financial highlights

• Revenue grew to CHF 5.47 billion, with price increases (6.1%) as the main driver.

• EBITDA exceeded CHF 1 billion for the third consecutive year, up 8% to CHF 1,181.5 million (21.6% of sales).

• Earnings per share rose 12.7% to CHF 2,917, a record high.

• CapEx was CHF 314 million (5.8% of revenue), in line with guidance.

• Shareholders' equity increased 13.7% to CHF 4,839.6 million; equity ratio at 52.8%.

Outlook and guidance

• Guidance for 2025 raised to 7–9% sales growth, reflecting planned double-digit price increases.

• EBIT margin expected to improve by 20–40 basis points.

• Medium- to long-term guidance remains at 6–8% sales growth and 20–40 basis points EBIT margin improvement.

• Anticipates further price increases in response to high cocoa costs.