Kesko Oyj announced sales results for the month and year to date ended April 2013. The Kesko Group's sales in April 2013, excluding VAT, totalled €810.4 million, up 1.4% over the corresponding period of the previous year. For the year to date, total sales were €2,993.7 million, down 5.0%, over the corresponding period of the previous year.

Kesko Oyj announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Group's net sales in January-March 2013 were EUR 2,159 million, which is 6.9% down on the corresponding period of the previous year of EUR 2,318 million. In Finland, net sales decreased by 6.1% and in other countries by 11.0%. The operating profit excluding non-recurring items for January-March was EUR 18.6 million against EUR 22.3 million a year ago, negatively affected by sales decrease in the car trade, the building and home improvement trade and the department store trade. Enhancement measures had a significant positive impact on profitability performance. Operating expenses decreased by EUR 18 million compared to the previous year. Operating profit was EUR 19.2 million against EUR 25.1 million a year ago. The operating profit includes non-recurring gains on disposal of real estate in the amount of EUR 0.6 million against EUR 2.8 million a year ago. The Group's profit before tax for January-March was EUR 15.8 million against EUR 25.0 million a year ago. The Group's earnings per share were EUR 0.11 against EUR 0.16 a year ago. In January-March, the cash outflow from operating activities was EUR 58.7 million against EUR 5.2 million a year ago. In January-March, the Group's capital expenditure totaled EUR 41.5 million against EUR 90.3 million a year ago, in IT EUR 5.6 million against EUR 6.6 million a year ago and other capital expenditure was EUR 4.2 million against EUR 7.2 million a year ago. Capital expenditure in foreign operations represented 36.5% (8.4%) of total capital expenditure. Net profit for the period attributable to owners of the parent was EUR 11 million or EUR 0.11 per diluted share against EUR 16 million or EUR 0.16 per diluted share a year ago. Return on capital employed was 3.1% against 4.1% a year ago. Return on capital employed moving 12 mo was 8.0% against 12.0% a year ago. Return on capital employed excl. non-recurring items was 3.0% against 3.6% a year ago. Return on capital employed excl. non-recurring items moving 12 mo was 8.8% against 11.9% a year ago. Return on equity was 1.9% against 3.1% a year ago. Return on equity moving 12 mo was 5.7% against 8.4% a year ago. Return on equity excl. non-recurring items was 1.8% against 2.8% a year ago. Return on equity excl. non-recurring items moving 12 mo was 6.6% against 8.3% a year ago.

Kesko Oyj, Q1 2013 Earnings Call, Apr 25, 2013