Three-month sales within Nestlé`s guided range for 2018
Nestlé has reported three-month sales for 2018. Organic growth reached 2.8%, and was within the company`s guided range for 2018. Excluding the U.S. confectionery business, organic growth was 2.9%.
Real internal growth (RIG) accelerated to 2.6% and continued to be at the high end of the food and beverage industry. Pricing was 0.2%, largely reflecting lower levels of inflation in emerging markets. Net acquisitions increased sales by 0.2% as the acquisition of Atrium Innovations was completed at the beginning of March. Foreign exchange had a negative impact of 1.6%. Total sales increased by 1.4% on a reported basis to CHF 21.3 bn.
According to the company, all categories had positive growth, led by petcare, coffee and Nestlé Health Science. Sales in the product group confectionery increased to CHF 2.003 bn. Organic growth in this category was 3.2% (RIG + 4.9%; pricing - 1.7%).