Avery Dennison Corporation has announced preliminary, unaudited results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2018. 

“We had another good quarter, with strong top-line growth and adjusted EPS up 27 percent, driven primarily by strong operating results,” says Mitch Butier, president and CEO. “Label and Graphic Materials delivered high-single digit organic growth and sustained its strong operating margin; Retail Branding and Information Solutions expanded its margin significantly on organic growth of nearly 10 percent, driven by strength in both RFID and the base business; and Industrial and Healthcare Materials delivered modest organic growth with margin in line with expectations.

“Our current year outlook for adjusted earnings has improved despite currency-related headwinds in the back half of the year,” adds Butier. “Our ability to consistently achieve our strategic and financial goals in the face of significant changes in the macro environment, including the strengthening of the dollar and higher than expected inflation, demonstrates the resilience of our business and the talent of our team.”

Label and Graphic Materials
Reported sales increased 11.9 percent; on an organic basis, sales grew 7.3 percent. Sales on an organic basis increased at high-single digit rates in both Label and Packaging Materials and the combined Graphics and Reflective Solutions businesses. These increases and the others to be mentioned below are based on comparisons to the prior year. 

Reported operating margin decreased 430 basis points to 9.2 percent, reflecting the impact of previously announced restructuring plan. Adjusted operating margin decreased 10 basis points to 13.8 percent as the benefit from higher volume/mix was more than offset by higher employee-related costs and the net impact of pricing and raw material costs, excluding the effects of currency.
Retail Branding and Information Solutions

Reported sales increased 11.1 percent; on an organic basis, sales grew 9.5 percent, driven by strength in both radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions and the base business.
Reported operating margin increased 300 basis points to 10.9 percent as the benefits from higher volume, productivity, and reduced amortization expense were partially offset by higher employee-related costs and investments. Adjusted operating margin increased 260 basis points to 11.2 percent.
Industrial and Healthcare Materials

Reported sales increased 40.0 percent. Sales ex. currency increased 35.3 percent; on an organic basis, sales grew 3.1 percent. Sales in industrial categories grew approximately 50 percent ex. currency and mid-single digits on an organic basis. Sales in healthcare categories were up low-single digits on an organic basis.

Reported operating margin increased 10 basis points to 9.2 percent, as a decline in adjusted operating margin was more than offset by the lack of M&A transaction costs incurred in the prior year. Adjusted operating margin declined 170 basis points to 9.3 percent, reflecting acquisition effects and the net impact of pricing and raw material costs, partially offset by the benefit of organic volume growth.