Business
The Kofola Group's revenues and costs grew significantly in the second quarter of the year. Management has therefore refined the annual EBITDA target.
The positive trend in the development of Kofola Group's sales from the first quarter of the year also continued in the second quarter. Sales in this period exceeded expectations, growing by 23% year-on-year, and reaching CZK 3.717 billion in the first six months - CZK 763 million more than in the first six months of last year, and an all-time record. All parts of the Group experienced good growth: Kofola in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, companies in the Fresh&Herbs segment, and the Adriatic region. However, the high sales growth was accompanied by significantly increased costs, led by energy, material inputs, and salary costs. As a result, the Group's operating profit fell by 19% year-on-year in the second quarter. In view of this development, the Group's management refined its estimate of the annual EBITDA target to CZK 1.080 – 1.150 billion. It will also propose to the General Meeting a slight reduction in the dividend to CZK 11.30 per share.