Henkel sees first-quarter organic sales up 7%, above market view

Henkel, the German chemicals and consumer goods group, said on Wednesday it expected first-quarter sales to significantly exceed market expectations with organic growth of around 7%.

Its adhesive technologies unit was expected to achieve organic sales growth of around 12.5%, driven by a recovery in industrial demand. Beauty products are forecast to grow by 1% and laundry and home care by 3.5%.

Henkel issued the guidance update in a regulatory news release, as required under stock exchange rules when performance diverges from market expectations. It will provide detail in its quarterly results statement on May 6.