Operating revenues were up 9.5 per cent in the first quarter, from NOK 13.3 billion last year to NOK 14.5 billion this year. Earnings per share rose 53 per cent to NOK 8.4 for the first quarter.

 

Improved markets in Europe contributed to higher sales volumes and profit growth for Sapa. The positive contribution from power trading led to good results for Elkem's and Borregaard's energy businesses. Elkem Aluminium made good progress, driven by high market prices and good operations at the factories.

 

Acquisitions contributed to growth for both Orkla Foods and Orkla Brands. Several successful launches, including Grandiosa Saturday Pizza, led to a satisfactory rise in sales for Orkla Foods Nordic. In Denmark, Orkla Media once again reported profit growth, driven by a rise in advertising revenues.

 

At Orkla Finans the positive trend from 2005 continued. For the Financial Investments division, realised portfolio gains amounted to NOK 696 million in the first quarter, while the return on the investment portfolio was 11.5 per cent and the net asset value of the portfolio increased by NOK 1.9 billion. According to the IFRS accounting principles the imputed income in connection with the increased value of Elkem's convertible bonds in REC has been reported with NOK 283 million under "Other financial revenues". The bonds were converted to stocks at the end of the quarter.

 

"We are satisfied with the situation in important market areas for Speciality Materials and Orkla Media Denmark. On the Nordic market, Orkla Foods and Orkla Brands reported stable profit growth on a par with the same period last year. Although the Swedish market is still challenging, both Procordia Food and the Snacks business in Sweden achieved a slight increase in profit," says Group President and CEO Dag J. Opedal.