Henkel has reported a rise in profit for the first quarter of the financial year on the back of strong sales in emerging markets. Adjusted net profit was up 7.6 percent to €549 million for 1Q 2016.

Sales hit a value of €4.456 million, with organic sales up 2.9 percent (0.6 percent reported) on the equivalent period last year thanks to a strong performance in emerging markets, where sales grew 6.3 percent. The Beauty and Care division delivered organic sales growth of 2.6 percent.

“Henkel had a good start into the fiscal year 2016,” said Henkel CEO Hans Van Bylen. “We further grew sales and earnings and significantly increased adjusted return on sales to 16.8 percent. All three business units contributed to the overall good performance. We delivered strong organic growth again in our emerging markets.”

Van Bylen confirmed the group’s outlook for 2016, with organic sales growth pitched at 2 to 4 percent, and adjusted EBIT margin to rise to 16.5 percent.