Nestlé nine-month-sales: strong organic growth

In the first nine months of 2011, the Nestlé Group's organic growth was 7.3%, including 4.1% real internal growth and pricing of 3.2%. Foreign exchange decreased sales by 15.1%, and divestitures (mainly Alcon) net of acquisitions by 5.7%. Organic growth of 7.3% for the nine months constitutes broad-based outperformance against the growth rates in our categories and markets.

The organic growth was 5.8% in the Americas, 5.0% in Europe and 13.1% in Asia, Oceania and Africa. Developed markets grew 4.0%, while emerging markets achieved around 13.1% organic growth. In the confectionery sector Nestlé sales decreased by 9.0% (CHF 6,282 bn). Organic growth was 4.4%. For the year as a whole, in spite of input cost pressures, the company expects to slightly over-perform against its long-term organic growth range of 5-6% and continues to strive for a margin improvement in constant currencies.

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