Lindt & Spruengli AG posted stronger-than-expected operating profits in the first half of 2023 and raised its full-year outlook, buoyed by rising prices for its pralines and chocolate easter bunnies.
(Bloomberg) — Lindt & Spruengli AG posted stronger-than-expected operating profits in the first half of 2023 and raised its full-year outlook, buoyed by rising prices for its pralines and chocolate easter bunnies.
While the Swiss chocolate maker’s sales volumes “stagnated or declined slightly” in some products and markets — reflecting consumer spending strains amid inflation — higher prices helped overall sales to trend upward, it said.
The company’s earnings trend suggests price-sensitive consumers are still willing to buy occasional special treats, while holding back on quantity. Maintaining the image of “affordable luxury” is a balancing act that might turn out crucial for the chocolate maker as it faces soaring commodity costs, including for cocoa and sugar.
The company’s shares rose as much as 2.5% on Tuesday after its earnings release, before paring gains.
Read More: Lindt Leans on Price-Insensitive Consumers for Growth
Lindt, which uses large amounts of cocoa in its recipes, said it has had to offset some of its surging costs through efficiency improvements and long-term hedging for cocoa and other raw materials. In some cases it has had to pass on price increases to trade partners.
The surge in cocoa prices since the end of last year “is so significant that it outstrips the slight easing seen in some other raw materials,” Lindt said, adding it’s prepared to “monitor the situation on the commodity markets closely for the rest of the year.”
The company’s first-half operating profit jumped to 255 million Swiss francs ($293 million), topping the 201 million francs analysts had expected. Lindt revised its 2023 forecast to project sales growth of 7% to 9%. It expects its full-year profit margin to widen by up to 50 basis points.
The improved outlook indicates that Lindt expects to be able to continue passing on these costs to consumers in the future. High-value products such as its golden Easter bunny are key to that strategy, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.
–With assistance from Allegra Catelli and Diana Gomes.
(Updates with additional details from second paragraph.)
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