Lindt & Spruengli proposes dividend hike as 2022 profit climb

ZURICH, Reuters -Lindt & Spruengli announced that it increased its 2022 profits and proposed a higher dividend payment on Tuesday despite a tough year with inflationary price increases dampening consumer sentiment in key market markets.

Net income grew to 569.7 Million Swiss Francs ($612.78million), surpassing the forecast of analysts from Zuercher Kantonalbank.

Lindor balls, as well as gold foil-wrapped Easter bunnies, were manufactured by the manufacturer. According to their forecasts, it reported an operating margin in excess of 15%.

The proposed dividend was 1,300 Francs per registered shares, an increase from 1,200 Francs in the previous year.

Lindt has already reported 2022 organic growth of 8.4% in January. It also maintained its 6-8% sales growth goal despite stating that it anticipates challenging 2023 because of the inflationary environment.

Lindt raised its prices last year by about 4% due to the increasing cost of packaging materials and raw materials like milk and sugar.

Lindt indicated that it will likely do the same in 2015, as cost pressures are still a major problem.

“I would expect the price increases to be in the same area as they were last year” Adalbert L. Lechner assumed the role of Chief Executive at Dieter Weisskopf on October 2.

Monique Bourquin was nominated to the board of directors. The chocolate maker added that Antonio Bulgheroni had decided not to stand for election at the annual general meeting.

($1=0.9297 Swiss francs)

(Reporting and editing by Noeleillien, Sherry Phillips and Louise Heavens