ICA Gruppen AB: ICA Gruppen Q4 Report 2015

Regulatory News:

Stable year, but competition is growing

Fourth quarter of 2015 in summary

· Consolidated net sales amounted to SEK 26,489 million (23,180). Excluding acquisition and divestment effects, the increase was 4.8%

· Operating profit excluding non-recurring items was SEK 1,024 million (1,081). This includes costs of SEK 76 million related to the integration of Apotek Hjärtat

· Profit from continuing operations (ICA Gruppen excl. ICA Norway) was SEK 1,427 million (807). Profit includes capital gains of SEK 457 million (-5) from sales of non-current assets

· Earnings per share for continuing operations were SEK 7.10 (3.73)

· Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 1,862 million (1,676)

· The Board of Directors proposes a dividend for 2015 of SEK 10.00 per share (9.50), corresponding to 41% of profit for the year

After the end of the quarter

· On 20 January all outstanding C shares were converted to ordinary shares

Comment from the CEO of ICA Gruppen, Per Strömberg:

"We delivered a stable result for the full year 2015 and are pleased overall with our performance for the year. At the same time, we are seeing a tougher competitive situation in our markets, where during the second half of the year ICA Sweden began losing market shares for the first time in a long time. However, the slightly lower earnings during the fourth quarter compared with a year ago is mainly attributable to costs for expansion and investments in the future.” 

Press and analyst meeting

ICA Gruppen is arranging a press and analyst meeting at Tändstickspalatset, Stockholm, on Wednesday, 10 February 2016 at 10.00 CET. CEO Per Strömberg and CFO Sven Lindskog will present the interim report. The meeting will be webcast and can be followed at www.icagruppen.se/investerare. There is also an opportunity to call in on tel. SE +46 8 566 426 69 UK +44 203 008 9809

Calendar

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 07:00 CET on Wednesday, 10 February, 2016.

ICA Gruppen AB (publ) is a leading retail company with a focus on food and health. The Group includes ICA Sweden and Rimi Baltic which mainly conduct grocery retail, ICA Real Estate which owns and manages properties, ICA Bank which offers financial services and Apotek Hjärtat which conducts pharmacy operations. The Group also includes the companies Hemtex and inkClub. For more information see icagruppen.se

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