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Henkel

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Employees 10,000+
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FY2018 Annual Report · Henkel
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 Annual Report

2018

H e n k e l   A n n u a l   R e p o r t   2 0 1 8

1

Contents

Foreword
Report of the Supervisory Board 

The Company
  7 
  11 
  17  Management Board
  18 

Focusing on our strategic priorities

  19 

Shares and bonds

  26 

Corporate governance

Combined management report
  63 
  70 
 103 

Fundamental principles of the Group
Economic report
 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
(condensed version according to the  
German Commercial Code [HGB])
Risks and opportunities report 
Forecast

 107 
 119 

Consolidated financial statements
 123 
 125 
 126 

Consolidated statement of financial position 
 Consolidated statement of income 
 Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income
 Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Consolidated statement of cash flows 
 Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Subsequent events
 Independent Auditor’s Report
 Recommendation for the approval of the annual 
financial statements and the appropriation  
of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
 Responsibility statement by the Personally 
 Liable Partner
 Corporate bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

 127 
 128 
 130 
 225 
 226 
 233 

 234 

 235 

Quarterly breakdown of key financials 

Further information
 239 
 241  Multi-year summary
 243 
 247 
 249 
 250 
 251 

Index of tables and graphs
Glossary 
Credits
Contacts
Financial calendar

Henkel Annual Report 2018Fiscal 2018 at a glance

2

Key financials 

in million euros

Sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted 1 operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT) in %

Adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT) in %

Net income

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Earnings per preferred share in euros

Adjusted 1 earnings per preferred share in euros

Return on capital employed (ROCE) in %

Dividend per ordinary share in euros

Dividend per preferred share in euros

pp = percentage points

1

Sales

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

16,428

18,089

18,714

20,029

19,899

2,244

2,588

2,645

2,923

2,775

3,172

3,055

3,461

3,116

3,496

13.7

15.8

14.6

16.2

14.8

16.9

15.3

17.3

15.7

17.6

1,662

34

1,628

1,968

47

1,921

2,093

40

2,053

2,541

22

2,519

2,330

19

2,311

3.76

4.38

19.0

1.29 

1.31

4.44

4.88

18.2

1.45 

1.47

4.74

5.36

17.5

1.60 

1.62

5.81

5.85

16.3

1.77

1.79

5.33

6.01

15.5

1.83 2 

1.85 2

+/– 
2017 – 2018

– 0.6 %

2.0 %

1.0 %

0.4 pp

0.3 pp

– 8.3 %

– 13.6 %

– 8.3 %

– 8.3 %

2.7 %

– 0.8 pp

3.4 %

3.4 %

+ 2.4 %

organic sales growth.

EBIT

17.6 %

adjusted 1 return on sales 
(EBIT): up 0.3 percentage 
points.

Sales by business unit 2018 

2

Sales by region 2018 

Beauty Care 

20 %

Corporate 3 

1 %

 Japan / Australia /  
New Zealand 

3 %

Laundry &  
Home Care 

32 %

North America 

25 %

Adhesive  
Technologies 

47 %

Western Europe 

31 %

1  Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.
2 Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 8, 2019.
3 Sales and services not assignable to the individual business units.
4 Eastern Europe, Africa / Middle East, Latin America, Asia (excluding Japan).

EPS

3

6.01 €

Corporate 

1 %

adjusted 1 earnings per  
preferred share (EPS):  
up 2.7 percent.

Emerging  
markets 4 

40 %

Dividend

1.85 €

dividend per  
preferred share 2.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyFiscal 2018 at a glanceForewordReport of the Supervisory BoardManagement BoardFocusing on our strategic prioritiesShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information 
 
3

Our business units
Adhesive Technologies

Key financials 1 

in million euros

Sales

Proportion of Henkel sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted 2 operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted 2 return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

1  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros; figures commercially rounded. 
2 Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.
pp = percentage points

Our top brands

2017

2018

9,387

9,403

47 %

47 %

1,657

1,734

1,669

1,761

17.7 %

18.5 %

20.3 %

17.7 %

18.7 %

19.3 %

831

762

4

+/–

0.2 %

–

0.7 %

1.6 %

0.0 pp

0.2 pp

– 1.0 pp

– 8.2 %

Sales Adhesive Technologies 
in million euros

5  

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

8,127

8,992

8,961

9,387

9,403

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

Sales

+ 4.0 %

organic sales growth.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyFiscal 2018 at a glanceForewordReport of the Supervisory BoardManagement BoardFocusing on our strategic prioritiesShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationBeauty Care

Key financials 1 

in million euros

Sales

Proportion of Henkel sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted 2 operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted 2 return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

1  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros; figures commercially rounded. 
2 Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.
pp = percentage points

4

Our top brands

2017

2018

3,868

3,950

19 %

535

665

13.8 %

17.2 %

17.6 %

20 %

589

675

14.9 %

17.1 %

14.8 %

6

+/–

2.1 %

–

10.0 %

1.6 %

1.1 pp

– 0.1 pp

– 2.8 pp

262

230

– 12.1 %

7  

Sales Beauty Care 
in million euros

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

3,547

3,833

3,838

3,868

3,950

Sales

– 0.7 %

organic sales growth.

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyFiscal 2018 at a glanceForewordReport of the Supervisory BoardManagement BoardFocusing on our strategic prioritiesShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information5

Laundry & Home Care

Key financials 1 

in million euros

Sales

Proportion of Henkel sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted 2 operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted 2 return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

1  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros; figures commercially rounded. 
2 Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.
pp = percentage points

Our top brands

2017

2018

6,651

6,419

33 %

32 %

989

1,170

970

1,162

14.9 %

17.6 %

13.1 %

15.1 %

18.1 %

13.1 %

8

+/–

– 3.5 %

–

– 1.9 %

– 0.7 %

0.2 pp

0.5 pp

0.0 pp

309

306

– 1.0 %

Sales Laundry & Home Care 
in million euros

9  

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

4,626

5,137

5,795

6,651

6,419

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

Sales

+ 1.9 %

organic sales growth.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyFiscal 2018 at a glanceForewordReport of the Supervisory BoardManagement BoardFocusing on our strategic prioritiesShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information6

What drives us 

Our purpose

Our values

Creating sustainable value.

Our vision

We put our customers  
and consumers at the  
center of what we do.

We value, challenge and  
reward our people.

We drive excellent sustainable  
financial performance.

Leading with our innovations, brands 
and technologies.

We are committed to leadership  
in sustainability.

We shape our future with a strong  
entrepreneurial spirit based on  
our family business tradition.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyFiscal 2018 at a glanceForewordReport of the Supervisory BoardManagement BoardFocusing on our strategic prioritiesShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information7

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

“We remain committed to  
generating profitable growth 
and attractive returns for our 
shareholders.”

H A N S   VA N   B Y L E N
C H A I R M A N   O F   T H E   MA N AG E M E N T   B OA R D

In 2018, we continued to deliver profitable growth for Henkel 
despite many challenges for our company.  

We recorded good organic growth with new highs in earnings 
and profitability while we faced significant negative currency 
effects as well as increasing prices for many direct materials. 
Our good business performance in the past year was once again 
driven by our successful brands and innovative technologies 
with leading positions in attractive markets and categories. Our 
profitable growth was complemented by the contribution from 
acquisitions in our industrial and consumer businesses. At the 
same time, we maintained a strong focus on cost and continu-
ous efficiency improvements.

We also made substantial progress in the execution of our stra-
tegic priorities through to 2020 and beyond, successfully 
implemented many strategic initiatives and further improved 
our competitiveness.

Sustainability has been a business priority at Henkel for decades. 
Based on this strong commitment we continued to drive 
 progress in sustainability along the entire value chain in 2018. 
This was again recognized in many international sustainability 
ratings. We were ranked as a leader or among the top perform-
ers in our relevant industry sectors.

All of this only became possible thanks to the commitment and 
entrepreneurial spirit of more than 53,000 Henkel employees 
around the world. It is their dedication, agility and customer 
focus that enabled us to make 2018 another successful year for 
Henkel, despite an increasingly challenging environment.

Henkel Annual Report 20188

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Good business performance in 2018 despite significant 
headwinds
In 2018, we were confronted with an increasing volatility in our 
markets. We faced significant pressure from unfavorable cur-
rency fluctuations as well as rising costs for many important 
direct materials. 

The controversies around global trade, the introduction of tariffs 
as well as other uncertainties, such as the concerns about 
Brexit, increasingly hampered economic growth dynamics and 
the development in many industry segments. 

Internally, delivery difficulties in North America adversely 
affected our consumer goods businesses at the beginning of 2018. 
These problems were due to a change in the transportation and 
logistics systems for our consumer businesses in North America. 
We acted decisively to resolve the situation and returned to 
normal service levels in the course of the second quarter.  

Despite these external and internal challenges, we delivered 
again profitable growth in fiscal 2018. Organic sales growth, 
excluding the impact from currencies and acquisitions and 
divestments, reached 2.4 percent. Henkel Group sales 
amounted to 19.9 billion euros in 2018. The negative impact 
from currencies was 1.1 billion euros. 

Adjusted 1 earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased 
by 1 percent to 3.5 billion euros, the highest level to date. 
Adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT margin) rose to 17.6 percent 
compared to 17.3 percent in the prior year. This is also a new 
high for Henkel. Adjusted 1 earnings per preferred share (EPS) 
grew to 6.01 euros. This is an increase of 2.7 percent or around 
7 percent at constant exchange rates, and the highest adjusted 
EPS to date. Our free cash flow also developed very well, climbing 
to 1.9 billion euros.

1  Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and  restructuring expenses.

Henkel’s overall good performance in an increasingly challenging 
market environment is also reflected in the development of our 
share price. At the end of 2018, Henkel preferred shares closed 
the year 13.5 percent lower than the prior-year level, yet outper-
forming the DAX, which lost 18.3 percent over the same period.  

At our Annual General Meeting on April 8, 2019, we will propose 
to our shareholders a dividend payment of 1.85 euros per pre-
ferred share. This is a new high for Henkel and represents an 
increase of 3.4 percent over the prior year.

Henkel 2020+: Committed to sustainable profitable 
growth through to 2020 and beyond
We pursue a clear long-term strategy for Henkel: We want to 
generate sustainable profitable growth. It is our ambition to 
become even more customer-focused, more innovative, more 
agile, and fully digitalized in our internal processes and 
customer- facing activities. We aim to promote sustainability  
in all our business activities, reinforcing our leading position. 

In 2016, we defined strategic priorities to drive the successful 
execution of our strategy through to 2020 and beyond, Henkel 
2020+. Our strategic priorities are: drive growth, accelerate 
 digitalization, increase agility and fund growth. Over the past 
two years, we have made very good progress and successfully 
implemented numerous strategic initiatives. 

In 2018, we continued to execute a range of projects and initia-
tives to drive growth in our markets around the world. Regular 
in-depth exchanges as well as close collaboration on strategic 
projects with our customers in our industrial and consumer 
businesses were a key success factor.

We place particular focus on further accelerating our innovation 
cycles and reducing innovation lead times to faster address new 
market trends and customer needs. We made good progress 
with the continuous improvement of our innovation processes, 

Henkel Annual Report 20189

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

resulting in high innovation rates as well as increasing first-
year sales from innovations or from our top ten innovations.

to evaluate their level of digital know-how and identify specific 
training opportunities. 

We also made further progress with the integration of acquired 
businesses and agreed several new acquisitions that will 
 further strengthen our competitiveness and complement our 
portfolio in our industrial and consumer businesses.

To capture new sources of growth, our Corporate Venture Capital 
unit continued to invest in new technologies, in start-ups as 
well as in other venture funds. We plan to invest about 150 mil-
lion euros in venturing activities between 2017 and 2020. By the 
end of 2018, around half of this amount had already been 
invested or committed.

We made particular good progress with the digital transformation 
of our company. In 2018, digital sales at Group level increased 
organically with double-digit growth rates. We invested further 
in our production facilities to leverage the potential of Industry 
4.0. We now record more than 1 billion data points with net-
worked sensors in our supply chain every day. This enables us 
to optimize control of our production sites and processes, with 
higher quality, improved efficiency and greater sustainability. 

We also launched Henkel X as an integrated, internal and external 
platform to accelerate the digital transformation of Henkel. We 
set up a Digital Advisory Board with high-caliber industry experts 
to advise the Management Board on the digital trans formation 
process. We also established a digital mentorship network of 
around 150 external mentors that include founders, digital 
experts and thought leaders, who are exclusively accessible 
to Henkel employees to provide insight and advice on digital 
projects and initiatives. 

This was complemented by a broad range of internal and external 
activities to further advance the digital capabilities and upskilling 
of our own organization. We launched, for example, a tailor- 
made self-assessment tool for individual employees and teams 

Digital transformation also complements our strategic priority 
to increase agility across the organization. In 2018, we continued 
to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of our employees and teams, 
encouraged openness to change and aimed at further expanding 
individual freedom for decision-making. One example is the 
successful implementation of the FAST initiative (Flexible, Agile, 
Simple and Transparent) in our global Finance organization. 
The initiative aims at simplified planning processes, optimized 
workflows, more transparent communication and at encouraging 
employees in their entrepreneurial thinking and behaviors. 

As part of our strategic priority to fund growth, we have four 
initiatives in place. Combined, they are expected to deliver 
more than 500 million euros in annual efficiency gains as of 
2020. In 2018, we advanced these initiatives and have already 
 realized more than 50 percent of the targeted total  efficiency 
gains.

At Henkel, we are proud of our commitment to sustainability. 
We are driving continuous progress in sustainable action in our 
operations and along the entire value chain – from our sourcing 
to production and logistics up to the use phase by customers 
and consumers and, finally, recycling. In 2018, we placed a 
 particular focus on the topic of plastic waste since plastic has 
become a serious environmental concern – especially in our 
oceans. We focus on three areas: using sustainable materials, 
developing smart packaging solutions, and establishing a circular 
economy. By 2025, we want all the packaging in our consumer 
businesses to be recyclable, reusable or compostable. Further-
more, we collaborate with numerous partners and initiatives. 
For example, we are part of the global “Alliance to End Plastic 
Waste,” an affiliation of around 30 international companies, 
which wants to jointly develop and implement new approaches 
for less plastic waste.

Henkel Annual Report 201810

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Growth investments reinforce our mid- to long-term 
financial ambitions 
To capture additional growth opportunities, especially in our 
 consumer businesses, and further accelerate the digital trans-
formation of our company, we announced at the beginning of 
2019 that we will step up investments by around 300 million 
euros annually from 2019 onward. Two thirds of this amount 
will be used to strengthen our brands, technologies and inno-
vations, while one third will additionally fund the digital trans-
formation across the entire company.

Our continued commitment to generate sustainable profitable 
growth and attractive returns is reflected in our expanded mid- 
to long-term financial ambitions for 2020 and beyond: We are 
targeting organic sales growth of between 2 and 4 percent  
and an adjusted 1 EPS growth in the mid- to high-single-digit 
percentage range at constant exchange rates and will continue 
to focus on free cash flow expansion. We will also continue to 
pursue compelling growth opportunities while maintaining 
our focus on strict cost discipline and margin development.

In line with our commitment to offer attractive returns to our 
shareholders, we announced that we will increase the target 
range for our dividend payout ratio to between 30 to 40 percent 
from  fiscal 2019 onward.

Thank you for your continued confidence and support
In summary, 2018 was another successful year for Henkel. We 
again recorded profitable growth with new highs in earnings 
and profitability. We made significant progress with the imple-
mentation of our strategic priorities and expanded our mid- to 
long-term financial ambitions for our company beyond 2020. 
On behalf of the Management Board, I would like to thank our 
supervisory bodies for their invaluable support and advice.  
I would also like to express our gratitude to you, our sharehold-
ers, for your continued confidence in our company and our 
future. We are fully committed to deliver attractive returns for 
your investment in our company. We would also like to thank 
our customers and  consumers around the world for their part-
nership and trust in our company, our brands and technolo-
gies. At Henkel, we are dedicated to driving superior perfor-
mance and creating sustainable value for all our stakeholders. 
We look forward to jointly shaping a successful future.

Düsseldorf, January 31, 2019 

Sincerely,

Hans Van Bylen 
Chairman of the Management Board

1  Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and  restructuring expenses.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

11

“In light of our strong brands 
and technologies and the steps 
we have taken leading into 
2019, we believe Henkel is well 
equipped to face the future.”

D R .  S I MO N E   B AG E L-T R A H
C H A I RWOMA N   O F   T H E   S H A R E H O L D E R S ’  COMM I T T E E
A N D   T H E   S U P E RV I S O RY   B OA R D

2018 was a very challenging year for Henkel. In addition to the 
continued political uncertainty prevailing in many parts of the 
world, underlying trading conditions were difficult, especially 
in the consumer goods markets. Unforeseeable foreign 
exchange effects and material price trends brought a further 
significant burden to bear on Henkel’s activities. In spite of 
this challenging environment, we were able to achieve both 
organic sales growth and a further increase in our earning 
power. We also made further progress with the implementa-
tion of our strategic priorities. 

On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank all 
employees at Henkel for their dedicated commitment and 
contribution to the successful performance of our corporation 
over the past year. My thanks are equally due to the members 
of the Management Board who have steered the corporation 
successfully through these challenging times. I am also grate-
ful to our employees’ representatives and works councils for 
their consistently constructive support in growing Henkel. 

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to you, our shareholders, 
for your continued confidence in our corporation, its manage-
ment and employees, and our brands and technologies over 
this past fiscal year.

Ongoing dialog with the Management Board
We continued to diligently discharge our Supervisory Board 
duties in fiscal 2018 in accordance with the legal statutes,  Articles 
of Association and rules of procedure governing our actions. 
We consistently monitored the work of the Management Board, 
advising and supporting it in its stewardship and in the strategic 
development of the corporation, and discussing with it busi-
ness matters of major importance. In doing so, we were able to 
ascertain that the Management Board’s performance of its duties 
was legally compliant, fit for purpose, and proper at all times. 

The Management Board and Supervisory Board continued to 
cooperate in 2018 through extensive dialog founded on mutual 
trust and confidence. The Management Board kept us regularly 

Henkel Annual Report 201812

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

and extensively informed of all major issues affecting the cor-
poration’s business and our Group companies with prompt 
written and oral reports. Specifically, the Management Board 
reported on the business situation, operational development, 
business policy, profitability issues, our short-term and long-
term corporate, financial and personnel plans, as well as capi-
tal expenditures and organizational measures. We also dis-
cussed the risk situation of the corporation and issues relating 
to compliance. Financial reports focused on the sales and 
profits of Henkel Group as a whole, with further analysis by 
business unit and region. All members of the Supervisory 
Board consistently had sufficient opportunity to critically 
review and address the issues raised by each of these reports 
and to provide their individual guidance in both the Audit 
Committee and in plenary Supervisory Board meetings. 

Outside of Supervisory Board meetings, the Chairman of the 
Audit Committee and I, as Chairwoman of the Supervisory 
Board, remained in regular contact with individual members 
of the Management Board or with the Management Board as a 
whole. This procedure ensured that we were constantly aware 
of current business developments and significant events. The 
other members were informed of major issues no later than by 
the next Supervisory Board or committee meeting.

There were no indications of conflicts of interest involving 
Management Board or Supervisory Board members that might 
have required immediate disclosure to the Supervisory Board 
and reporting to the Annual General Meeting.

Supervisory Board meetings 
The Supervisory Board and the Audit Committee each held 
four regular meetings in the reporting year. Attendance at the 
Supervisory Board and committee meetings was around 
92 percent and around 88 percent respectively. No member of 
the Supervisory Board attended just half or less of the Supervi-
sory Board meetings or relevant committee meetings.

In each of our meetings, we discussed the reports submitted 
by the Management Board, conferring with it on the develop-
ment of the corporation and on strategic issues. We also dis-
cussed the overall economic situation and Henkel’s business 
performance. 

As already reported in our last Annual Report, we held a meet-
ing on February 21, 2018, to approve the annual and consoli-
dated financial statements for 2017, including the combined 
management report for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and the Group, 
together with the risk report and corporate governance report, 
as well as the separate, combined non-financial statement for 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and the Group, our 2018 declaration of 
compliance, and our proposals for resolution by the 2018 
Annual General Meeting. At the same meeting, we focused on 
the innovation strategies of our business units and corre-
sponding product launches, and on the position occupied by 
Adhesive Technologies in the competitive environment. We 
also discussed the implementation of our globally centralized 
and integrated supply chain in the USA and the implications of 
the US tax reform for Henkel. 

As well as dealing with market and competitive conditions 
and the performance of our business units over the first few 
months of the fiscal year, our meeting on April 9, 2018 focused 
specifically on the positions occupied by our Beauty Care and 
Laundry & Home Care business units in their respective com-
petitive environments. We also looked in detail at the status of 
our North American consumer goods business and the under-
lying delivery processes.

Our meeting on September 28, 2018 focused on the perfor-
mance of our business units over the first eight months of the 
year and our strategic objective of accelerating digitalization. 
We discussed the newly established Chief Digital Officer orga-
nization and the strategic initiatives focusing on digital busi-
ness and Industry 4.0. We likewise examined the use of 

Henkel Annual Report 201813

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

selected social media for recruiting new employees, and the 
introduction of new learning formats and programs for 
upskilling the application of digital tools.

At our meeting on December 14, 2018, and in a telephone 
 conference on January 18, 2019, we focused closely on the 
expected results for 2018 and our assets and financial planning 
for fiscal 2019 aligned to various assumptions. We also dis-
cussed in detail the associated budgets of our business units 
on the basis of comprehensive documentation. 

Supervisory Board committees 
In order to enable us to efficiently comply with the duties 
incumbent upon us according to legal statute and our Articles 
of Association, we have established an Audit Committee and a 
Nominations Committee. The Audit Committee was chaired in 
the year under review by Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert, who complies 
with the statutory requirements of impartiality and expertise 
in the fields of accounting or auditing and brings experience 
in the application of accounting principles and internal con-
trol procedures. For more details on the responsibilities and 
composition of these committees, please refer to the corporate 
governance report (on pages 26 to 42) and the membership 
lists on page 236 of this Annual Report. 

Committee activities
Following the appointment of the external auditor by the 2018 
Annual General Meeting, it was mandated by the Audit Com-
mittee to audit the annual financial statements and the con-
solidated financial statements, including the combined man-
agement report for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and the Group, and 
to review the preparation and content of the interim financial 
reports for 2018. The audit fee and focus areas of the audit 
were also established. Agreement was reached that the auditor 
will notify the Supervisory Board immediately of any findings 
or incidents discovered or occurring during the audit that are 
material to the performance of the Supervisory Board’s duties; 
a cap on the provision of non-audit-related services as permit-

ted in the relevant EU regulations was specified. The Audit 
Committee again obtained the necessary validation of auditor 
independence for the performance of these tasks. The auditor 
has informed the Audit Committee that there are no circum-
stances that might give rise to a conflict of interest in the exe-
cution of its duties. The Audit Committee also engaged the 
external auditor to review the content of the separate, com-
bined non-financial statement for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and 
the Group, which was compiled as a separate non-financial 
report and made available in the public domain through publi-
cation on our website. 

The Audit Committee met four times in the year under review. 
The Chairman of the Audit Committee also remained in regu-
lar contact with the auditor outside of the meetings. The meet-
ings and resolutions were prepared through the provision of 
reports and other information by the Management Board. The 
heads of the relevant Group functions also reported on indi-
vidual agenda items and were available to answer questions. 
The Chair of the Committee reported promptly and in full to 
the plenary Supervisory Board on the content and results of 
each of the Committee meetings.

The corporation and Group accounts, including the interim 
financial reports (quarterly statements and financial report for 
the half year) were discussed at all Audit Committee meetings, 
with matters arising being duly examined with the Manage-
ment Board. The three meetings at which we discussed and 
approved the interim financial reports were attended by the 
auditor. The latter reported on the results of the relevant 
review activities and on the main issues and occurrences rele-
vant to the work of the Audit Committee. There were no objec-
tions raised in response to these reports.

The Audit Committee also focused in great detail on the 
accounting process and the efficacy and further development 
of the Group-wide internal control and risk management sys-
tems. The efficiency of the risk management system was 

Henkel Annual Report 201814

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

reviewed, based on the risk reports of previous years. The 
report given by the General Counsel & Chief Compliance Offi-
cer on material legal disputes and compliance within the 
Group was also discussed, as was the status report submitted 
by Internal Audit: The audit plan submitted by Internal Audit 
focusing on audits of the functional reliability and effective-
ness of the internal control system and the compliance organi-
zation was approved. The Audit Committee likewise discussed 
treasury risks and their management, as well as the provision 
of non-audit-related services by the auditor, and monitored 
adherence to the cap specified for the same. 

At its meeting on February 18, 2019, attended by the auditor, 
the Audit Committee discussed the annual and consolidated 
financial statements, together with the combined manage-
ment report for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and the Group, the 
 separate, combined non-financial report for Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA and the Group for fiscal 2018, as well as the audit reports 
and auditor’s notes, the associated proposal for appropriation 
of profit, and the risk report, and prepared the corresponding 
resolutions for the Supervisory Board. It also recommended 
that the Supervisory Board should propose to the Annual 
 General Meeting the election of KPMG as auditor for fiscal 2019. 
A declaration from the auditor asserting its independence was 
again duly received, accompanied by details pertaining to 
non-audit services rendered in fiscal 2018 and those envisioned 
for fiscal 2019. There was no evidence of any bias or partiality 
on the part of the auditor.

As in previous years, other members of the Supervisory Board 
took part as guests in this specifically accounting-related 
meeting of the Audit Committee.

Corporate governance and declaration of compliance
The Supervisory Board again dealt with questions of corporate 
governance in the reporting year. Details of this and of 
Henkel’s corporate governance can be found in the manage-
ment report on corporate governance (pages 26 to 42 of this 
Annual Report), with which we fully acquiesce. 

At our meeting on February 18, 2019, we discussed and 
approved the joint declaration of compliance for 2019 to be 
submitted by the Management Board, Shareholders’ Commit-
tee and Supervisory Board, as specified in the German Corpo-
rate Governance Code. The full wording of the current and pre-
vious declarations of compliance can be found on the com-
pany website.

Annual and consolidated financial statements / Audit
In its capacity as auditor appointed for 2018 by the Annual 
General Meeting, KPMG examined the annual financial state-
ments prepared by the Management Board, and the consoli-
dated financial statements, together with the consolidated 
management report, which has been combined with the man-
agement report for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA for fiscal 2018. The 
annual financial statements and the combined management 
report were prepared in accordance with German statutory 
provisions. The consolidated financial statements were pre-
pared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as endorsed by the EU, and in accordance 
with the supplementary German statutory provisions pursuant 
to Section 315e (1) German Commercial Code [HGB]. The con-
solidated financial statements in their present form exempt us 
from the requirement to prepare consolidated financial state-
ments in accordance with German law.

As already reported, the Nominations Committee submitted a 
recommendation regarding the election of an additional share-
holder representative in preparation for the Supervisory Board’s 
proposal for resolution by the 2018 Annual General Meeting. 

KPMG conducted its audits in accordance with Section 317 HGB 
and German generally accepted standards for the audit of 
financial statements promulgated by the Institute of Public 
Auditors in Germany [Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer, IDW]. 

Henkel Annual Report 201815

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Unqualified audit opinions were issued for the annual and the 
consolidated financial statements, as well as for the combined 
management report. 

KPMG also reviewed the separate, combined non-financial 
statement for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and the Group for fiscal 
2018 as compiled by the Management Board to ensure its con-
tent included the disclosures required by law. The review was 
based on the International Standard on Assurance Engage-
ments (ISAE) 3000 (Revised): “Assurance Engagements other 
than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information” as 
published by the International Auditing and Assurance Stan-
dards Board (IAASB) for the purpose of obtaining limited 
assurance. Based on its audit review and the audit evidence 
obtained, the auditor is not aware of any circumstances that 
might prompt it to believe that the disclosures in the separate, 
combined non-financial report for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and 
the Group for fiscal 2018 have not been prepared in compli-
ance with all material aspects of commercial law provisions.

The annual financial statements, consolidated financial state-
ments, combined management report, and separate, combined 
non-financial report for fiscal 2018 were presented in good 
time to all members of the Supervisory Board, together with 
the corresponding audit reports and relevant auditor’s notes 
and the recommendations by the Management Board for the 
appropriation of the profit made by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. We 
examined these documents and discussed them at our meet-
ing on February 18, 2019, in the presence of the auditor, which 
reported on its main audit findings. We received and approved 
the audit reports. The Chairman of the Audit Committee pro-
vided the plenary session of the Supervisory Board with a 
detailed account of the treatment of the annual financial state-
ments, the consolidated financial statements, the combined 
management report and the separate, combined non-financial 
report by the Audit Committee. Having received the final 
results of the review conducted by the Audit Committee and 
concluded our own examination, we see no reason for objec-

tion to the aforementioned documents. We have agreed the 
results of KPMG’s audits. The assessment by the Management 
Board of the position of the company and the Group coincides 
with our own appraisal. At our meeting on February 18, 2019, 
we concurred with the recommendations of the Audit Com-
mittee and therefore approved the annual financial state-
ments, the consolidated financial statements, the combined 
management report and the separate, combined non-financial 
report as prepared by the Management Board.

Additionally, we discussed and approved the proposal by the 
Management Board to pay out of the unappropriated profit of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA a dividend of 1.83 euros per ordinary 
share and of 1.85 euros per preferred share, and to carry the 
remainder and the amount attributable to the treasury shares 
held by the corporation at the time of the Annual General 
Meeting forward to the following year. This proposal takes into 
account the financial and earnings position of the corporation, 
its medium-term financial and investment planning, and the 
interests of our shareholders.

In our meeting on February 18, 2019, we also ratified our pro-
posal for resolution by the Annual General Meeting relating to 
the appointment of the external auditor for the next fiscal year, 
based on the recommendations of the Audit Committee. 
 Neither the recommendation by the Audit Committee nor the 
Supervisory Board’s proposal to elect KPMG as auditor for 2019 
were unduly influenced by any third party; nor were agree-
ments reached that might have restricted the choice of possi-
ble auditors.

Risk management
Risk management issues were examined by both the Audit 
Committee and the plenary Supervisory Board, with emphasis 
on the risk management system in place at Henkel and any 
major individual risks of which we needed to be notified; there 
were no identifiable risks that might jeopardize the continued 
existence of the corporation as a going concern. The structure 

Henkel Annual Report 201816

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

and function of the risk early warning system were also inte-
gral to the audit performed by KPMG, which found no cause 
for reservation. It is also our considered opinion that the risk 
management system corresponds to the statutory requirements 
and is fit for the purpose of early identification of developments 
that could endanger the continuation of the corporation as a 
going concern.

Changes in the Supervisory Board and Management Board
Regarding the election of new employee representatives to the 
Supervisory Board, Angelika Keller, Peter Hausmann and Win-
fried Zander left the board at the end of the Annual General 
Meeting on April 9, 2018, to be replaced by Peter Emmerich, 
Dirk Thiede and Michael Vassiliadis. The other employee rep-
resentatives were re-elected. Of the shareholder representa-
tives, Johann-Christoph Frey left the Supervisory Board to join 
the Shareholders’ Committee. Philipp Scholz was elected to 
take his place. In its constituent meeting on April 9, 2018, the 
Supervisory Board elected Birgit Helten-Kindlein to Vice Chair 
and confirmed myself as Chair. We also elected new and 
re-elected existing members to the Audit and Nominations 
Committees. 

We thanked those members departing the Supervisory Board 
for their successful commitment in the interests of the com-
pany. Special thanks are due to Winfried Zander for around 
25 years of service on our Supervisory Board.

Kathrin Menges, responsible for Human Resources (HR) and 
Infrastructure Services, will not be available for another term 
on the Management Board for personal reasons, and will leave 
the Management Board by mutual agreement at the end of 
business on April 8, 2019. Sylvie Nicol has been appointed to 
the Management Board effective April 9, 2019, and will take 

over responsibility for Kathrin Menges’ portfolio. Kathrin 
Menges has been with Henkel for around 20 years, and respon-
sible for Human Resources and sustainability at Management 
Board level since October 2011. During that time Kathrin 
Menges drove key improvements in HR and sustainability at 
Henkel, for which I would like to thank her most sincerely on 
behalf of all corporate bodies at Henkel. Sylvie Nicol joined 
Henkel in 1996. After various management posts in the Sales 
and Marketing functions of Henkel’s Beauty Care business 
unit, she moved to headquarters in 2013 to take on responsibil-
ity for Human Resources at Beauty Care. In 2015 she moved 
back to the operations side as Head of Beauty Care Retail in 
Europe and Global Sales at Beauty Care. Since the beginning of 
2018, Sylvie Nicol has been Corporate Senior Vice President 
Global Human Resources. We wish Sylvie Nicol every success 
in her new position and are delighted that we have been able 
to fill the vacancy on the Management Board with such an 
experienced Henkel manager.

The coming year will again pose challenges for both our employ-
ees and the corporation’s management. In light of our strong 
brands and technologies and the steps we have taken leading 
into 2019, we believe Henkel is well equipped to face the future.

We thank you for your ongoing trust and support. 

Düsseldorf, February 18, 2019

On behalf of the Supervisory Board

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah 
(Chair)

Henkel Annual Report 2018The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Management Board

Hans Van Bylen

Chairman of the  
Management Board 

Born in Berchem,  
Belgium,  
on April 26, 1961;  
with Henkel since 1984.

Jan-Dirk Auris

Executive Vice President 
Adhesive Technologies

Born in Cologne,  
Germany,  
on February 1, 1968;  
with Henkel since 1984.

Carsten Knobel

Executive Vice President 
Finance (CFO) / Purchasing / 
Integrated Business Solutions

Born in Marburg / Lahn,  
Germany,  
on January 11, 1969;  
with Henkel since 1995.

Jens-Martin 
Schwärzler

Executive Vice President 
Beauty Care

Born in Ravensburg,  
Germany,  
on August 23, 1963;  
with Henkel since 1992.

17

Kathrin Menges

Executive Vice President 
Human Resources / 
Infrastructure Services

Born in Pritzwalk,  
Germany,  
on October 16, 1964;  
with Henkel since 1999.

Bruno Piacenza

Executive Vice President 
Laundry & Home Care

Born in Paris,  
France, 
on December 22,1965; 
with Henkel since 1990.

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18

Focusing on our  
strategic priorities

Our efforts to shape our future are guided by clear strategic priorities.  
We want to sustain our profitable growth and become even more innovative, 
agile and digital through to 2020 and beyond.

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance

Foreword

Report of the Supervisory Board

Management Board

Focusing on our strategic priorities

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Drive growth

Accelerate digitalization

Increase agility

Fund growth

Driving growth in mature and emerg-
ing markets is a key strategic priority 
for Henkel. In order to achieve this, 
we are implementing a range of tar-
geted initiatives to further deepen the 
relationships with our customers and 
consumers worldwide, strengthen 
our leading brands and technologies, 
develop exciting innovations and 
 services, and capture new sources 
of growth.

Accelerating digitalization helps us 
to successfully grow our business, 
strengthen the relationships with our 
customers and consumers, optimize 
our processes and transform the 
entire company. We will implement 
a range of initiatives to drive our 
 digital business, leverage Industry 4.0, 
and eTransform the organization.

In a highly volatile and dynamic 
 business environment, increasing the 
agility of the organization is a critical 
success factor for Henkel. This 
requires energized and empowered 
teams, fastest time-to-market, as well 
as smart and simplified processes.

In order to fund growth, we are 
implementing new approaches to 
optimize resource allocation, focus 
on net revenue management, further 
increase efficiency in our structures, 
and continue to expand our Global 
Supply Chain organization. Together, 
these initiatives will contribute to 
further improving profitability and 
enable us to fund our growth ambi-
tions for 2020 and beyond.

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
19

10

Key data on Henkel shares 2014 to 2018 

in euros

Earnings per share

Ordinary share

Preferred share

Share price at year-end 1

Ordinary share

Preferred share

High for the year 1

Ordinary share

Preferred share

Low for the year 1

Ordinary share

Preferred share

Dividend

Ordinary share

Preferred share

Market capitalization 1 in bn euros

Ordinary shares in bn euros

Preferred shares in bn euros

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

3.74

3.76

80.44

89.42

80.44

90.45

67.00

72.64

1.29

1.31

36.8

20.9

15.9

4.42

4.44

4.72

4.74

5.79

5.81

88.62

103.20

98.98

113.25

100.00

110.35

5.31

5.33

85.75

95.40

99.26

115.20

105.45

122.90

113.70

128.90

104.70

115.05

76.32

87.75

1.45

1.47

41.4

23.0

18.4

77.00

88.95

1.60

1.62

45.9

25.7

20.2

96.15

110.10

83.30

93.46

1.77

1.79

45.6

26.0

19.6

1.83 2

1.85 2

39.3

22.3

17.0

1 Closing share prices, Xetra trading system.
2 Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 8, 2019.

Shares and bonds

Although the price of Henkel shares declined in 2018, they per-
formed better than the market as a whole. While share prices 
generally lagged behind the benchmarks – the DAX and EURO 
STOXX® Consumer Goods indices – over the course of the first 
nine months, they were able to mostly escape the negative 
trend exhibited by the benchmarks toward year-end.

Henkel preferred shares closed at 95.40 euros on December 31, 
2018, down – 13.5 percent year on year, while the ordinary 
shares closed – 14.3 percent down at 85.75 euros. Assuming 
reinvestment of the dividend (before tax deduction) in the 
shares at the time of payment, the preferred and ordinary 
shares generated a total return of – 12.1 and – 12.8 percent 
respectively. Over the course of the year, the DAX 30 lost sig-
nificantly more ground. The  performance index dropped by 
– 18.3 percent to 10,559 points, while the EURO STOXX® Con-
sumer Goods Index closed – 14.1 percent down at 612 points. 
The preferred shares traded at an average premium of 10.8 
percent over the ordinary shares in 2018.

Year on year, the trading volume (Xetra) of preferred shares 
increased significantly in 2018. Each trading day saw an aver-
age of around 624,000 preferred shares changing hands (2017: 
465,000). The average volume of our ordinary shares also 
increased, to around 98,000 shares (2017: 85,000). The market 
capitalization of our ordinary and preferred shares totaled 
39.3 billion euros as of year-end 2018.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationHenkel shares have proven to be an attractive investment for 
long-term investors. Over the last five and ten years, the 
Henkel preferred share has shown an average yield (assuming 
reinvested dividends, before tax deduction) of 4.0 percent and 
17.3 percent per year respectively, offering a higher return than 
the average DAX performance of 2.0 percent and 8.2 percent 
per year for the same periods. Shareholders who invested the 

equivalent of 1,000 euros when Henkel preferred shares were 
issued in 1985, and reinvested the dividends received (before 
tax deduction) in the stock, had a portfolio value of 33,050 
euros at the end of 2018. This represents an increase in value 
of 3,205 percent or an average yield of 11.1 percent per year. 
Over the same period, the DAX provided an annual return of 
6.9 percent.

Performance of Henkel shares versus market 
January through December 2018 

in euros

20

11

Dec. 29, 2017:
110.35 euros

Dec. 31, 2018:
95.40 euros

120

115

110

105

100

95

90

85

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

  Henkel preferred share
  Henkel ordinary share (indexed)
  EURO STOXX® Consumer Goods Index (indexed)
  DAX (indexed)

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information21

12

Dec. 31, 2018:
95.40 euros

Performance of Henkel shares versus market 
2009 through 2018 

in euros

Dec. 31, 2008:
22.59 euros

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

  Henkel preferred share
  Henkel ordinary share (indexed)
  EURO STOXX® Consumer Goods Index (indexed)
  DAX (indexed)

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information22

Henkel represented in all  
major indices

Henkel shares are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, pre-
dominantly on the Xetra electronic trading platform. Henkel is 
also listed on all regional stock exchanges in Germany. In the 
USA, investors are able to invest in Henkel preferred and ordi-
nary shares by way of stock ownership certificates obtained 
through the Sponsored Level I ADR (American Depositary 
Receipt) program. The number of ADRs outstanding for ordi-
nary and preferred shares at the end of the year was approxi-
mately 1.7 million (2017: 1.8 million).

The international importance of Henkel preferred shares 
derives not least from their inclusion in many leading indices 
that serve as important indicators for capital markets and as 
benchmarks for fund managers. Particularly noteworthy in 
this respect are the MSCI World, STOXX® Europe 600, and FTSE 
World Europe indices. Henkel’s inclusion in the Dow Jones 
Titans 30 Personal & Household Goods Index makes it one of 
the most important corporations in the personal and house-
hold goods sector worldwide. As a DAX stock, Henkel is one of 
the 30 most significant exchange-listed companies in Germany.

At year-end 2018, Henkel again ranked 19th in terms of the 
market capitalization of the preferred shares included in the 
DAX index and 25th in terms of trading volume (2017: 23rd). 
Our DAX weighting increased slightly to 1.90 percent (2017: 
1.85 percent).

Once again our advances in sustainable management earned 
recognition from external experts in 2018. Our performance 
with respect to non-financial indicators (environmental, 
social and governance themes) was reflected in regular posi-
tive assessments by various national and international rating 
agencies, from which sustainability indices are derived.

Henkel has been represented in the ethics index FTSE4Good 
since 2001, and in the STOXX® Global ESG Leaders index  family 
since its launch by Deutsche Börse in 2011. Our membership in 
the Ethibel Pioneer Investment Register and the sustainability 
indices Euronext Vigeo World 120, Europe 120 and Eurozone 
120 was also confirmed, as was our membership in the MSCI 
Global Sustainability Index series. Henkel is, moreover, one of 
only 50 companies worldwide to be included in the Global 
Challenges Index.

Share data 

Security code no.

ISIN code

Stock exch. symbol

Number of shares

13

ADR data 

14

Preferred shares

Ordinary shares

604843

604840

CUSIP

Preferred shares

Ordinary shares

42550U208

42550U109

DE0006048432

DE0006048408

ISIN code

US42550U2087

US42550U1097

HEN3.ETR

178,162,875

HEN.ETR

ADR symbol

HENOY

HENKY

259,795,875

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationInternational shareholder structure

Employee share program

23

Since 2001, Henkel has offered an employee share program 
(ESP). For each euro invested in 2018 by an employee (limited 
to 4 percent of salary up to a maximum of 4,992 euros per 
year), Henkel added 33 eurocents. Around 12,200 employees in 
58 countries purchased Henkel preferred shares under this 
program in 2018. At year-end, some 15,600 employees held a 
total of around 2.4 million shares in the program’s securities 
accounts, representing 1.4 percent of total preferred shares 
outstanding. The lock-up period for newly acquired ESP shares 
is three years.

Investing in Henkel shares through participation in our share 
program has proven to be very beneficial for our employees in 
the past. Employees who invested 100 euros each month in 
Henkel shares since the program was first launched, and 
waived interim payouts, held portfolios valued at 83,858 euros 
at the end of 2018. This represents an increase in value of 
around 313 percent or an average yield of around 9.9 percent 
per year.

61.20 %

of voting rights are  
held by members of the 
Henkel family share- 
pooling agreement.

Compared to the ordinary shares, our preferred shares are the 
significantly more liquid class of Henkel stock. Apart from the 
treasury shares amounting to 2.07 percent, they are entirely in 
free float. A large majority are owned by institutional investors 
whose portfolios are usually broadly distributed internation-
ally.

According to notices received by the corporation, members of 
the Henkel family share-pooling agreement owned a majority 
of the ordinary shares amounting to 61.20 percent as of Octo-
ber 12, 2018. We have received no other notices indicating that 
a shareholder holds more than 3 percent of the voting rights 
(notifiable ownership). As of December 31, 2018, treasury stock 
amounted to 3.7 million preferred shares.

Shareholder structure:  
Institutional investors holding Henkel shares 

15

Germany 

France 

8 %

9 %

Rest of world 

13 %

USA 

30 %

Rest of Europe 

14 %

UK 

26 %

At November 30, 2018 
Source: Nasdaq.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationHenkel bonds

Henkel issued fixed-rate bonds with a total volume of 2.2 bil-
lion euros in 2016. The first tranche of 500 million euros 
matured on September 13, 2018. A 700 million euro bond with 
a term of five years, a 750 million US dollar eurodollar bond 
with a term of three years, and a 300 million British pound 
bond with a term of six years are still outstanding. 

Henkel also placed a 600 million US dollar bond with a term of 
three years in the eurodollar market in June 2017. 

The proceeds from the issues were used to finance Henkel’s 
acquisitions.

Further information can be found on the website: 

  www.henkel.com/creditor-relations

24

Pro-active capital market  
communication

An active and open information policy ensuring prompt and 
continuous communication is a major component of the  
value-based management approach at Henkel. Hence share-
holders, shareholder associations, participants in the capital 
market, financial analysts, the media and the public at large 
are kept informed of the current situation and major business 
changes relating to the corporation. All stakeholders are 
treated equally in this respect. 

Up-to-date information is likewise incorporated in the  
regular financial reporting undertaken by the corporation.  
The dates of the major recurring publications, and also the 
dates for the press conference on the preceding fiscal year and 
the Annual General Meeting, are published on the internet at 
  www.henkel.com/ir, together with all relevant information. 

16

Bond data 

Currency

Volume

Coupon

Maturity

Issue price

Issue yield

Interest calculation

Denomination

Sec. code no.

ISIN

Listing

EUR

700 million

0 % p.a.

9/13/2021

100 %

0 % p.a.

2016

USD

750 million

1.5 % p.a.

9/13/2019

99.85 %

1.55 %

GBP

300 million

0.875 % p.a.

9/13/2022

99.59 %

0.95 %

2017

USD

600 million

2.0 % p.a.

6/12/2020

99.78 %

2.08 %

Act / Act (ISMA)

30 / 360 (ISMA)

Act / Act (ISMA)

30 / 360 (ISMA)

1,000 EUR

A2BPAX

2,000 USD

A2BPAY

1,000 GBP

A2BPAZ

2,000 USD

A2E4FR

XS1488418960

XS1488419695

XS1488419935

XS1626039819

Regulated Market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information25

This also serves as the portal for the live broadcast of tele-
phone conferences and parts of the Annual General Meeting 
(AGM). The AGM offers all shareholders the opportunity to 
obtain extensive information about the corporation directly. 

The corporation’s advancements and targets in relation to the 
environment, safety, health and social responsibility are pub-
lished annually in our Sustainability Report. Shareholders, the 
media and the public at large are further provided with com-
prehensive information through press releases and informa-
tion events, while occurrences with the potential to materially 
affect the price of Henkel shares are communicated in the 
form of ad hoc announcements.

Henkel is covered by numerous financial analysts at an inter-
national level. Around 30 equity analysts regularly publish 
reports and commentaries on the current performance of the 
company.

Henkel places great importance on dialog with investors and 
analysts. At 29 capital market conferences and roadshows 
held in Europe and North America, institutional investors 
and financial analysts had an opportunity to engage with the 
 corporation and, in many instances, directly with senior 
 management. In total, we exchanged views with more than 
700 different institutional investors and financial analysts 
around the globe in individual or group meetings and tele-
phone conferences.

One highlight of our Investor Relations activities last year was 
our Investor and Analyst Day for the Laundry & Home Care 
business unit, held in Düsseldorf on May 29, 2018. Entitled 
“Shaping the Future,” the Laundry & Home Care management 
team presented the strategy, business performance, digital 
transformation and research & development efforts of the 
business unit. The latest innovations and technologies were 
also showcased in a “Deep Dive Experience Tour.” 

An Investor & Analyst Conference was also hosted in London 
on September 4, 2018, where Hans Van Bylen, CEO of Henkel, 
and Carsten Knobel, CFO, presented the strategy and business 
performance of the Henkel Group and its three business units 
to more than 60 institutional investors and financial analysts, 
with a Q&A session following.

Analyst recommendations 

17

Sell 

14 %

Hold 

45 %

Buy 

41 %

At December 31, 2018 
Basis: 29 equity analysts.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information26

Corporate governance  
at Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

The Management Board, the Shareholders’ Committee and the 
Supervisory Board are committed to ensuring that the manage-
ment and stewardship of the corporation are conducted in a 
responsible and transparent manner aligned to achieving a 
long-term increase in shareholder value. With this in mind, they 
have pledged themselves to the following three principles:
•  Value creation as the foundation of our management 

approach.

•  Sustainability achieved through the application of  

socially responsible management principles.
•  Transparency supported by an active and open  

information policy. 

The German Corporate Governance Code [DCGK] was intro-
duced in order to promote confidence in the management and 
oversight of listed German corporations. It sets out the nation-
ally and internationally recognized regulations and standards 
of responsible corporate governance applicable in Germany. 
The DCGK is aligned to the statutory provisions applicable to a 
German joint stock corporation (“Aktiengesellschaft” [AG]). It 
is applied analogously by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (the corpora-
tion). For a better understanding, this report describes the 
principles underlying the management and control structure 
of the corporation. It also outlines the special features distin-
guishing us from an AG which derive from our specific legal 
form and our Articles of Association. The primary rights of 
shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA are likewise explained. 
The report takes into account the recommendations of the 
DCGK and contains all disclosures and explanations required 
according to Sections 289a (1), 315a (1) (takeover-relevant infor-
mation), and 289f, 315d (corporate governance statement) of 
the German Commercial Code [HGB]. 

Accordingly, the takeover-relevant information and the 
 corporate governance statement form part of the combined 
management report for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and the Group, 
which has been audited by the external auditor. In this respect, 
Section 317 (2) sentence 6 HGB stipulates that the audit of the 
disclosures pursuant to Sections 289f (2), 315d HGB is limited 
to the question as to whether the requisite information has 
been disclosed.

Legal form / Special statutory features of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
Henkel is a “Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien” [KGaA]. A 
KGaA is a company with a legal identity (legal entity) in which 
at least one partner has unlimited liability with respect to the 
company’s creditors (personally liable partner). The other 
partners’ liability is limited to their shares in the capital stock 
and they are thus not liable for the company’s debts (limited 
partners per Section 278 (1) German Stock Corporation Act [AktG]).

In terms of its legal structure, a KGaA is a mixture of a joint 
stock corporation [AG] and a limited partnership [KG], with a 
leaning toward stock corporation law. The differences with 
respect to an AG are primarily as follows: The duties of the 
executive board of an AG are performed at Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA by Henkel Management AG – acting through its Manage-
ment Board – as the sole Personally Liable Partner (Sections 
278 (2) and 283 AktG in conjunction with Art. 11 of our Articles 
of Association).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information27

The rights and duties of the supervisory board of a KGaA are 
more limited compared to those of the supervisory board of an 
AG. Specifically, the supervisory board is not authorized to 
appoint personally liable partners, preside over the partners’ 
contractual arrangements, impose procedural rules on the 
management board, or rule on business transactions. A KGaA 
is not required to appoint a director of labor affairs, even if, 
like Henkel, the company is bound to abide by Germany’s 
Codetermination Act of 1976.

The general meeting of a KGaA essentially has the same rights 
as the shareholders’ meeting of an AG. For example, it votes on 
the appropriation of earnings, elects members of the supervi-
sory board (shareholder representatives), and formally 
approves the supervisory board’s actions. It appoints the audi-
tor and also votes on amendments to the articles of associa-
tion and measures that change the company’s capital, which 
are implemented by the management board. Additionally, as 
stipulated by the legal form, it also votes on the adoption of 
the annual financial statements of the company, formally 
approves the actions of the personally liable partner, and 
elects and approves the actions of the members of the share-
holders’ committee as established under the articles of associ-
ation. Resolutions passed in general meeting require the 
approval of the personally liable partner where they involve 
matters which, in the case of a limited partnership, require the 
authorization of the personally liable partners and also that of 
the limited partners (Section 285 (2) AktG) or relate to the 
adoption of annual financial statements (Section 286 (1) AktG).

According to our Articles of Association, in addition to the 
Supervisory Board, Henkel also has a standing Shareholders’ 
Committee comprising a minimum of five and a maximum of 
ten members, all of whom are elected by the Annual General 
Meeting (Art. 27 of the Articles of Association). The Sharehold-
ers’ Committee is required in particular to perform the follow-
ing functions (Section 278 (2) AktG in conjunction with Sec-
tions 114 and 161 HGB, and Articles 8, 9 and 26 of the Articles of 
Association): 
•  It acts in place of the Annual General Meeting in guiding the 

business activities of the corporation.

•  It decides on the appointment and dismissal of the Person-

ally Liable Partners.

•  It holds both the power of representation and executive 

powers over the legal relationships prevailing between the 
corporation and Henkel Management AG, the Personally Lia-
ble Partner.

•  It exercises the voting rights of the corporation in the 

Annual General Meeting of Henkel Management AG, thereby 
choosing its three-member Supervisory Board which, in 
turn, appoints and dismisses the members of the Manage-
ment Board. 

•  It issues rules of procedure incumbent upon Henkel Man-

agement AG. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information28

Structure of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 

18

elects members

Annual General Meeting
Ordinary shares / Preferred shares

elects shareholder  
representatives

Shareholders’ Committee
10 members

appoints, supervises, 
participates in 
management of the business

elects

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Henkel Management AG
All shares held by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Supervisory Board

appoints

supervises

Management Board

Supervisory Board
16 members

advises and supervises

There were no changes in the Group management and supervi-
sory structure in the year under review. The chart illustrates 
the structure of the corporation.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information29

Takeover-relevant information
(Disclosures required under Sections 289a (1), 315a (1) HGB 
and explanations)

Composition of issued capital / Shareholders’ rights 
The capital stock of the corporation amounts to 437,958,750 
euros. It is divided into a total of 437,958,750 bearer shares (of 
no par value), with each share representing a nominal propor-
tion of the capital stock of 1 euro. Of this total, 259,795,875 are 
ordinary shares (total nominal proportion of capital stock: 
259,795,875 euros, representing 59.3 percent) and 178,162,875 
are preferred shares (total nominal proportion of capital stock: 
178,162,875 euros, representing 40.7 percent). All shares are 
fully paid in. Multiple share certificates for shares may be 
issued. In accordance with Art. 6 (4) of the Articles of Associa-
tion, there is no right to individual share certificates. 

Each ordinary share grants to its holder one vote (Art. 21 (1) of 
the Articles of Association). The preferred shares grant to their 
holders all shareholder rights apart from the right to vote (Sec-
tions 139 (1) and 140 (1) AktG). The preferred shares carry the 
following preferential right in the distribution of profit (Sec-
tion 139 (1) AktG in conjunction with Art. 35 (2) of the Articles 
of Association) unless otherwise resolved by the Annual Gen-
eral Meeting:
•  The holders of preferred shares receive a preferred dividend 
in the amount of 0.04 euros per preferred share. If the profit 
to be distributed in a fiscal year is insufficient for payment 
of a preferred dividend of 0.04 euros per preferred share, 
the arrears are paid without interest from the profit of the 
following years, with older arrears to be paid in full before 
more recent arrears and the preferred dividend from the 
profit of a particular fiscal year paid only after the clearance 
of all arrears. The holders of ordinary shares then receive a 
preliminary dividend from the remaining unappropriated 
profit of 0.02 euros per ordinary share, with the residual 

amount being distributed to the holders of ordinary and pre-
ferred shares in accordance with the proportion of the capi-
tal stock attributable to them. 

•  If the preferred dividend is not paid out either in part or in 
whole in a year, and the arrears are not paid off in the fol-
lowing year together with the full preferred share dividend 
for that second year, the holders of preferred shares are 
accorded voting rights until such arrears are paid (Section 
140 (2) AktG). Cancellation or limitation of this preferred 
dividend requires the consent of the holders of preferred 
shares (Section 141 (1) AktG). 

The shareholders exercise their rights in the Annual General 
Meeting as per the relevant statutory provisions and the Arti-
cles of Association of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. In particular, 
they exercise the right to vote conveyed by the shares with vot-
ing rights – either personally, by postal vote, through a legal 
representative or through a proxy-holder nominated by the 
corporation (Section 134 (3) and (4) AktG in conjunction with 
Art. 21 (2) and (3) of the Articles of Association) – and are also 
entitled to submit motions on the resolution proposals of 
management, speak on agenda items, raise pertinent ques-
tions and propose motions (Sections 126 (1) and 131 AktG in 
conjunction with Art. 23 (2) of the Articles of Association). The 
ordinary Annual General Meeting usually takes place within 
the first four months of the fiscal year.

Shareholders whose shares jointly represent at least one twen-
tieth of the capital stock – corresponding to 21,897,938 ordi-
nary and / or preferred shares or a combination of both – may 
request that a general meeting of shareholders be called. If 
their proportionate amount of the capital stock jointly reaches 
500,000 euros – corresponding to 500,000 ordinary and / or 
preferred shares or a combination of both – they may request 
that items be placed on the agenda and published (Section 122 
(1) and (2) AktG). In addition, shareholders whose combined 
share of the capital stock amounts to 100,000 euros or more 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information30

may, subject to certain conditions, request that a special audi-
tor be appointed by the court to examine certain matters (Sec-
tion 142 (2) AktG).

Through the use of electronic communications, particularly 
the internet, the corporation makes it easy for shareholders to 
participate in the Annual General Meeting. It also enables 
them to be represented by proxy-holders for exercising their 
voting rights. The reports, documents and information 
required by law for the Annual General Meeting, including the 
financial statements and annual reports, are made available on 
the internet, as are the agenda for the Annual General Meeting 
and any countermotions or nominations for election by share-
holders that require publication.

Restrictions with respect to voting rights or the transfer 
of shares
Generally, preferred shares do not convey any voting rights 
(Sections 139 (1), 140 (1) AktG; please refer to the remarks above 
for further details). Voting rights attached to treasury shares 
held by the corporation (Section 71b AktG) and to ordinary 
shares for which the statutory notification requirement has 
not been met (Section 44 sentence 1 German Securities Trading 
Act [WpHG]) may not be exercised. The voting rights attached 
to ordinary shares are also excluded by law in the cases cited in 
Section 136 AktG (conflicts of interest concerning ordinary 
shares held by members of the Management Board, Supervi-
sory Board or Shareholders’ Committee).

A share-pooling agreement has been concluded between 
members of the families of the descendants of company 
founder Fritz Henkel, pursuant to which the members agree 
on how to exercise the voting rights conveyed by their relevant 
ordinary shares in Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. The agreement also 
contains restrictions with respect to transfers of the ordinary 
shares covered (Art. 7 of the Articles of Association). 

Henkel preferred shares acquired by employees through the 
Employee Share Program, including bonus shares acquired 
without additional payment, are subject to a company-im-
posed contractual lock-up period of three years, which begins 
on the first day of the respective participation period. The 
shares may not be sold before expiration of this lock-up 
period. If employee shares are sold during the lock-up period, 
the bonus shares are forfeited. Henkel preferred shares 
acquired by employees through the Long Term Incentive (LTI) 
Plan 2020+ are also subject to a company-imposed contractual 
lock-up period and may not be sold before expiration of the 
four-year term of each tranche.

Contractual agreements also exist with members of the Man-
agement Board governing lock-up periods for Henkel preferred 
shares which they purchase out of their variable annual cash 
remuneration (for additional information, please see the 
remuneration report on pages 42 to 61).

Major shareholders
According to notifications received by the corporation, as of 
October 12, 2018, a total of 61.20 percent of the voting rights are 
held by members of the Henkel family share-pooling agree-
ment (for additional information on notifiable shareholders as 
specified in Section 160 (1) (8) AktG, please see the disclosures 
provided in the notes to the consolidated financial statements 
under Note 41 on page 222). No other direct or indirect invest-
ment in capital stock exceeding 10 percent of the voting rights 
has been reported to us or is known to us.

Shares with special rights
There are no shares carrying multiple voting rights, preference 
voting rights, maximum voting rights or other special con-
trolling rights.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information 
31

Statutory requirements and provisions in the Articles of 
Association governing the appointment and dismissal of 
members of the Management Board and the amendment 
of the Articles of Association
Decisions regarding the appointment and dismissal of Person-
ally Liable Partners are taken by the General Meeting of Henkel 
AG & Co. KGaA. Henkel Management AG is the sole Personally 
Liable Partner of the corporation (Art. 8 (1) of the Articles of 
Association).

The Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG is responsi-
ble for the appointment and dismissal of members of the Man-
agement Board of Henkel Management AG (Management 
Board). The appointments are for a maximum tenure of five 
years, although initial appointments tend to be for a period of 
three years, in accordance with the recommendations of the 
DCGK. A reappointment or extension of tenure is permitted for 
a maximum period of five years in each case (Section 84 (1) 
AktG). The Supervisory Board may revoke the appointment as 
member of the Management Board for good cause or reason, 
which may consist of gross dereliction of management board 
duties or inability to properly manage the corporation’s affairs 
(Section 84 (3) AktG). The Supervisory Board exercises due dis-
cretion when appointing and revoking appointments. 

The Management Board is composed of at least two members 
in accordance with Art. 7 (1) of the Articles of Association of 
Henkel Management AG. The Supervisory Board of Henkel 
Management AG is also responsible for determining the num-
ber of members on the Management Board. The Supervisory 
Board can appoint a member of the Management Board as 
Chairperson. 

Unless otherwise mandated by statute or the Articles of Asso-
ciation, the resolutions of the Annual General Meeting of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA are adopted by simple majority of the 
votes cast. If a majority of capital is required by statute, resolu-
tions are adopted by simple majority of the voting capital rep-

resented (Art. 24 of the Articles of Association). This also 
applies to changes in the Articles of Association. However, 
modifications to the object of the corporation require a 
three-quarters’ majority (Section 179 (2) AktG). The Supervisory 
Board and Shareholders’ Committee have the authority to 
resolve purely formal modifications of and amendments to 
the Articles of Association (Art. 34 of the Articles of Associa-
tion). By resolution of the General Meeting, the Supervisory 
Board is also authorized to amend Articles 5 and 6 of the Arti-
cles of Association with respect to each use of the authorized 
capital and upon expiration of the term of the authorization. 

Authorization of the Management Board to issue or buy 
back shares 
According to Art. 6 (5) of the Articles of Association, there is 
an authorized capital. The Personally Liable Partner is autho-
rized, with the approval of the Shareholders’ Committee and  
of the Supervisory Board, to increase the capital stock of the  
corporation until April 12, 2020, by up to a nominal total 
of 43,795,875 euros through the issuance of up to 43,795,875 new 
preferred shares with no voting rights against cash and / or pay-
ment in kind. The authorization may be utilized to the full 
extent allowed or in one or several installments. The proportion 
of capital stock represented by shares issued against payment in 
kind on the basis of this authorization must not exceed a total of 
10 percent of the capital stock existing at the time the authoriza-
tion takes effect. 

The Personally Liable Partner is authorized, with the approval of 
the Shareholders’ Committee and of the Supervisory Board, to 
set aside the pre-emptive rights of shareholders in the case of a 
capital increase against payment in kind, particularly for 
the purpose of business combinations or the (direct or indirect) 
acquisition of entities, operations, parts of businesses, equity 
interests or other assets, including claims against the corpora-
tion or companies dependent upon it within the meaning of 
Section 17 AktG.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information32

If capital is increased against payment in cash, all shareholders 
are essentially assigned pre-emptive rights. However, these may 
be set aside in three cases, subject to the approval of the Share-
holders’ Committee and of the Supervisory Board: (1) in order to 
dispose of fractional amounts; (2) to grant to creditors / holders 
of bonds with warrants or conversion rights or a conversion 
obligation issued by the corporation or one of the companies 
dependent upon it, pre-emptive rights corresponding to those 
that would accrue to such creditors / bondholders following 
exercise of their warrant or conversion rights or on fulfillment 
of their conversion obligations; or (3) if the issue price of the 
new shares is not significantly below the quoted market price at 
the time of issue price fixing.

Concerning the number of treasury shares and their use, please 
refer to the disclosures provided in the notes to the financial 
statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Note 10, on pages 13 and 
14, and in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, 
Note 10, on pages 159 and 160.

Material agreements governed by a change of control, and 
compensation agreements in the event of a takeover bid
The corporation has not entered into any material agreements 
governed by a change of control in the wake of a takeover bid, 
nor any compensation agreements with members of the Man-
agement Board or individual employees in the event of a take-
over bid.

In addition, the Personally Liable Partner is authorized to pur-
chase ordinary and / or preferred shares of the corporation at 
any time until April 12, 2020, up to a maximum nominal pro-
portion of the capital stock of 10 percent. This authorization can 
be exercised for any legal purpose. To the exclusion of the 
pre-emptive rights of existing shareholders, treasury shares 
may, in particular, be transferred to third parties for the purpose 
of acquiring entities or participating interests of entities. Trea-
sury shares may also be sold to third parties against payment in 
cash, provided that the selling price is not significantly below 
the quoted market price at the time of share disposal. The shares 
may likewise be used to satisfy warrants or conversion rights 
granted by the corporation. The Personally Liable Partner is also 
authorized, with the approval of the Shareholders’ Committee 
and of the Supervisory Board, to cancel treasury shares without 
the need for further resolution by the General Meeting.

Insofar as shares are issued or used to the exclusion of pre-emp-
tive rights, the proportion of capital stock represented by such 
shares shall not exceed 10 percent. 

Corporate governance statement
(Disclosures required under Sections 289f, 315d HGB and 
explanations)

Application of the German Corporate Governance Code 
[DCGK] 
Taking into account the special features arising from our legal 
form and Articles of Association, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA com-
plies with all but one of the recommendations (“shall” provi-
sions) of the DCGK as amended. According to Item 4.2.3 (2) 
sentence 8 of the Code as amended on February 7, 2017, any 
subsequent change in performance targets or the comparison 
parameters should be precluded in the case of variable remu-
neration components. Taking into consideration the modified 
Management Board remuneration scheme that comes into 
force from 2019, the performance measurement of the Long 
Term Incentive tranches issued in 2017 and 2018, whose three-
year performance periods do not end until December 31, 2019 
and December 31, 2020 respectively, deviates from this recom-
mendation insofar as the related performance parameters for 
the periods up to December 31, 2018 are determined pro rata 
temporis in accordance with the previously valid conditions, 
while for the periods from January 1, 2019, they are determined 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information 
 
 
33

in accordance with the conditions that become effective as 
from that date. This will ensure a cogent and consistent incen-
tive system of Management Board compensation effectively 
aligned to officer performance.

Taking into account the aforementioned special features aris-
ing from its legal form, the corporation has largely adopted the 
discretionary recommendations of the DCGK as amended on 
February 7, 2017.  

Henkel deviates from the recommendation in Item 4.2.3 to 
refrain from premature payment of variable remuneration 
components spanning several years, insofar as all lock-up 
periods relating to investments in Henkel preferred shares that 
are financed by the recipients (share deferral) end if said recip-
ient dies. By the same token, LTI entitlements with regard to 
outstanding tranches are settled on the basis of budget figures 
and paid to the heirs. The corresponding declarations of com-
pliance together with the reasons for deviations from recom-
mendations can be seen on our website at 

  www.henkel.com/ir.

Managers’ transactions
In accordance with Article 19 (1) of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 
of the European Parliament and of the Council on Market Abuse 
(Market Abuse Regulation), members of the Management Board, 
the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee, and 
parties related to same, are obliged by law to disclose notifiable 
transactions involving shares in Henkel AG & Co. KGaA or their 
derivative financial instruments where the value of such transac-
tions by the member, or a party related to the member, attains or 
exceeds 5,000 euros in a calendar year. The transactions reported 
to the corporation in the past fiscal year were properly disclosed 
and are accessible on the website 

  www.henkel.com/ir.

Principles of corporate governance / Compliance
The members of the Management Board conduct the corpora-
tion’s business with the care of a prudent and conscientious 
business director in accordance with legal requirements, the 

Articles of Association of Henkel Management AG and the 
Articles of Association of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, the rules of 
procedure governing the actions of the Management Board, 
the provisions contained in the individual contracts of 
employment of its members, and also the compliance guide-
lines and resolutions adopted by and within the Management 
Board. 

Corporate management principles which go beyond the statu-
tory requirements are derived from our purpose, our vision, 
our mission and our values. For our corporation to be success-
ful, it is essential that we share a common approach to entre-
preneurship. We have defined a clear strategic framework with 
a long-term horizon. It guides us in making the right decisions 
and helps us to concentrate on our strategic priorities and 
focus resolutely on our ambition for the future.

We want to create value – for our customers and our consum-
ers, for our people, for our shareholders as well as for the 
wider society and communities in which we operate.

Our purpose: 
•  Creating sustainable value. 

Our vision: 
•  Leading with our innovations, brands and technologies. 

Our mission: 
•  Serving our customers and consumers worldwide as the 

most trusted partner with leading positions in all relevant 
markets and categories – as a passionate team united by 
shared values. 

Our values:
•  We put our customers and consumers at the center of what 

we do.

•   We value, challenge and reward our people. 
•   We drive excellent sustainable financial performance.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information 
34

•   We are committed to leadership in sustainability.
•   We shape our future with a strong entrepreneurial spirit 

based on our family business tradition. 

The corporate bodies of Henkel and our employees worldwide 
are guided by this purpose, this vision, this mission, and these 
values. They reaffirm our ambition to meet the highest ethical 
standards in everything we do. And they guide our employees 
in all the day-to-day decisions they make, providing a compass 
for their conduct and actions.

Henkel is committed to ensuring that all business transactions 
are conducted in an ethically irreproachable, legal fashion. 
Consequently, Henkel expects all our employees not only to 
respect the corporation’s internal rules and all relevant laws, 
but also to avoid conflicts of interest, to protect Henkel’s assets 
and to respect the social values of the countries and cultural 
environments in which the corporation does business. The 
Management Board has therefore issued a series of Group-
wide codes and standards with precepts that are binding 
worldwide. These regulatory instruments are not static, but are 
periodically reviewed and amended as appropriate, evolving in 
step with the changing legal and commercial conditions that 
affect Henkel as a globally active corporation. The Code of 
Conduct supports our employees in ethical and legal issues. 
The Leadership Commitments, for example, define the scope 
of responsibilities for managers. The Code of Corporate Sus-
tainability describes the principles that drive our sustainable, 
socially responsible approach to business. This code also 
enables Henkel to meet the commitments derived from the 
United Nations Global Compact.

Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations is an integral 
component of our business processes. Henkel has established 
a Group-wide compliance organization with locally and 
regionally responsible compliance officers led by a globally 
responsible General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer 
(CCO). The General Counsel & CCO, supported by the Corporate 

Compliance Office and the interdisciplinary Compliance & 
Risk Committee, manages and controls compliance-related 
activities undertaken at the corporate level, coordinates train-
ing courses, oversees fulfillment of both internal and external 
regulations, and takes appropriate action in the event of com-
pliance violations. 

The local and regional compliance officers are responsible for 
organizing and overseeing the training activities and imple-
mentation measures tailored to the specific local and regional 
requirements. They report to the Corporate Compliance Office. 
The General Counsel & CCO reports regularly to the Manage-
ment Board and to the Audit Committee of the Supervisory 
Board on identified compliance violations.

The issue of compliance is also a permanent item in the target 
agreements signed by all managerial staff of Henkel. Due to 
their position, it is particularly incumbent on them to set the 
right example for their subordinates, to effectively communi-
cate the compliance rules and to ensure through the imple-
mentation of suitable organizational measures that these are 
obeyed. 

The procedures to be followed in the event of complaints or 
suspicion of malpractice also constitute an important element 
of the compliance policy. In addition to our internal reporting 
system and complaint registration channels, employees may 
also, for the purpose of reporting serious violations to the Cor-
porate Compliance Office, anonymously use a compliance 
hotline operated by an external service provider. The Head of 
the Corporate Compliance Office is mandated to initiate the 
necessary follow-up procedures.

Our corporate compliance activities are focused on antitrust 
law and the fight against corruption. In our Code of Conduct, 
the corporate guidelines based upon it, and in other publica-
tions, the Management Board clearly expresses its rejection of 
all infringements of the principles of compliance, particularly 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information35

antitrust violations and corruption. We do not tolerate such 
violations in any way. For Henkel, bribery, anticompetitive 
agreements, or any other violations of laws are no way to initi-
ate or conduct business.

A further compliance-relevant area relates to capital market 
law. Supplementing the legal provisions, internal codes of con-
duct have been put in place to regulate the treatment of issues 
and information that have the potential to materially affect 
share prices. The corporation has an Ad Hoc Committee com-
prised of representatives from various departments. In order 
to ensure that potential insider information is handled as 
required by law, this Committee reviews issues for their possi-
ble effect on share prices, determining the need to issue reports 
to the capital markets on an ad hoc basis. The ultimate author-
ity to decide how to handle potential insider information lies 
with the Management Board. There are also rules that go 
beyond the legal requirements, governing the behavior of the 
members of the Management Board, the Supervisory Board and 
the Shareholders’ Committee, and also employees of the corpo-
ration who, due to their function or involvement in projects, 
have access to potential insider information. 

Management and control structure 

Management Board
As the executive body of the Group, the Management Board is 
bound to uphold the interests of the corporation and is 
responsible for ensuring a sustainable increase in shareholder 
value. The members of the Management Board are responsible 
for managing Henkel’s business operations in their entirety. 
The individual Management Board members are assigned, in 
accordance with a business distribution plan, areas of compe-
tence for which they bear lead responsibility. The members 
of the Management Board cooperate closely as colleagues, 
informing one another of all major occurrences within their 
areas of competence and conferring on all actions that may 

affect several such areas. Further details relating to coopera-
tion and the division of operational responsibilities within the 
Management Board are regulated by the rules of procedure 
issued by the Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG. 
The Management Board reaches its decisions by a simple 
majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson 
has the casting vote.

It is the duty of the Management Board to prepare the annual 
financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, the consoli-
dated financial statements and corresponding management 
reports, and the interim financial reports. The Management 
Board is responsible for management of the overall business 
including planning, coordination, allocation of resources, 
control and risk management. It must also ensure compliance 
with legal provisions, regulatory requirements and internal 
company guidelines, and take steps to ensure that Group com-
panies also observe them. 

Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Committee;  
(sub)committees
It is the responsibility of the Supervisory Board to advise and 
supervise the Management Board in the performance of its 
business management duties. The Supervisory Board regularly 
discusses business performance and planning with the Man-
agement Board. It reviews the annual financial statements of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and the Group’s consolidated financial 
statements together with the associated management reports 
and the non-financial declaration, taking into account the 
reviews and audit reports submitted by the auditor. It also 
votes on the proposal of the Management Board regarding 
the appropriation of profit and submits to the Annual 
 General Meeting a proposal for the appointment of the 
 external  auditor. 

As a general rule, the Supervisory Board meets four times per 
year. The Management Board does not participate in such 
meetings unless this is deemed necessary. The Supervisory 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information36

Board reaches its decisions by a simple majority of the votes 
cast. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson has the casting vote. 
The Supervisory Board has established an Audit Committee 
and a Nominations Committee. 

The Audit Committee is made up of three shareholder and 
three employee representative members of the Supervisory 
Board. Each member is elected by the Supervisory Board 
based on nominations of their fellow shareholder or fellow 
employee representatives on the Board. The Chairperson of 
the Audit Committee is elected based on a proposal of the 
shareholder representative members. It is a statutory require-
ment that at least one independent member of the Supervi-
sory Board has expertise in the fields of accounting or audit-
ing. The serving Chairperson of the Audit Committee in 2018, 
Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert, who is not the Chairperson of the 
Supervisory Board nor a present or former member of the 
Management Board, satisfies these requirements. 

The Audit Committee, which generally meets four times a 
year, prepares the proceedings and resolutions of the Super-
visory Board relating to the adoption of the annual financial 
statements and the consolidated financial statements, the 
review of the non-financial declaration and also the auditor 
appointment proposal to be made to the Annual General 
Meeting. It issues audit mandates to the auditor and defines 
the focal areas of the audit as well as deciding on the fee for 
the audit and other advisory services provided by the auditor. 
The Audit Committee specifies a cap on the provision of 
other advisory services, i.e., non-audit-related services as 
permitted in the relevant EU regulations, and oversees adher-
ence to the same. It also monitors the independence and 
qualifications of the auditor, requiring the latter to submit a 
declaration of independence which it then evaluates. Fur-
thermore, the Audit Committee monitors the accounts and 
the accounting process and assesses the effectiveness of the 
Internal Control System, the Risk Management System and 

the Internal Auditing and Review System. It is likewise 
involved in compliance issues. The Group’s Internal Audit 
function reports regularly to the Audit Committee. Prior to 
publication, it discusses the quarterly statements and the 
financial report for the half year with the Management Board 
in a meeting that is also attended by the external auditor. 

The Nominations Committee comprises the Chairperson of 
the Supervisory Board and two further shareholder representa-
tives elected by the Supervisory Board based on nominations 
of the shareholders’ representatives. The Chairperson of the 
Supervisory Board is also Chairperson of the Nominations 
Committee. The Nominations Committee prepares the resolu-
tions of the Supervisory Board on election proposals to be pre-
sented to the Annual General Meeting for the election of mem-
bers to the Supervisory Board (shareholder representatives). 

As a general rule, the Shareholders’ Committee meets six 
times per year. The Management Board does not participate 
in such meetings unless this is deemed necessary. It also 
holds a joint conference with the Management Board lasting 
several days. The Shareholders’ Committee reaches its deci-
sions by a simple majority of the votes cast. It has established 
Finance and Human Resources subcommittees that likewise 
meet six times per year, as a rule. Each subcommittee com-
prises five of the members of the Shareholders’ Committee. 

The Finance Subcommittee deals primarily with financial 
matters, questions of financial strategy, financial position 
and structure, taxation and accounting policy, as well as risk 
management within the corporation. It also performs the 
necessary preparatory work for decisions to be made by the 
Shareholders’ Committee in matters for which decision 
authority has not been delegated to it. 

The Human Resources Subcommittee deals primarily with 
personnel matters relating to members of the Management 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information37

Board, with issues pertaining to human resources strategy, 
and with remuneration. It performs the necessary prepara-
tory work for decisions to be made by the Shareholders’ Com-
mittee in matters for which decision authority has not been 
delegated to it. The Subcommittee also addresses issues con-
cerned with succession planning and management potential 
within the individual business units, taking into account rel-
evant diversity aspects.

At regular intervals, the Supervisory Board and the Share-
holders’ Committee hold an internal review to determine the 
efficiency with which they and their committees / subcom-
mittees carry out their duties. This self-assessment is per-
formed on the basis of an extensive checklist, whereupon 
points relating to corporate governance and improvement 
opportunities are also discussed. 

Conflicts of interest must be disclosed in an appropriate man-
ner to the Supervisory Board or Shareholders’ Committee, par-
ticularly those that may arise as the result of a consultancy or 
committee function performed in the service of customers, sup-
pliers, lenders or other business partners. Members encounter-
ing material conflicts of interest that are not of a merely tempo-
rary nature are required to resign their mandate.

Newly elected members of the Supervisory Board and Share-
holders’ Committee are familiarized with their rights and obli-
gations, taking into account the special features arising from 
our legal form and Articles of Association. Some members of 
the Supervisory Board and of the Shareholders’ Committee are 
or were in past years holders of senior managerial positions in 
other companies. If and when Henkel pursues business activi-
ties with these companies, the same arm’s length principles 
apply as those applicable to transactions with and between 
unrelated third parties. In our view, such transactions do not 
affect the impartiality of the members in question. 

Interaction between Management Board, Supervisory Board 
and Shareholders’ Committee
The Management Board, Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ 
Committee work in close cooperation for the benefit of the 
corporation.

The Management Board agrees the strategic direction of the cor-
poration with the Shareholders’ Committee and discusses with 
it the status of strategy implementation at regular intervals.

In keeping with good corporate governance, the Management 
Board informs the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ 
Committee regularly, and in a timely and comprehensive 
fashion, of all relevant issues concerning business policy, 
corporate planning, profitability, the business development 
of the corporation and our major affiliated companies, and 
also matters relating to risk exposure and risk management.

For transactions of fundamental significance, the Sharehold-
ers’ Committee has established a right of veto in the proce-
dural rules governing the actions of Henkel Management AG 
in its function as sole Personally Liable Partner (Art. 26 of the 
Articles of Association). This covers, in particular, decisions 
or measures that materially change the net assets, financial 
position or results of operations of the corporation. The Man-
agement Board complies with these rights of consent of the 
Shareholders’ Committee and also duly submits to the deci-
sion authority of the corporation’s Annual General Meeting. 

Our Vision and Values, Code of Conduct, Code of Corporate 
Sustainability and other codes and policies governing our 
stewardship of the corporation can be found on our website 

  www.henkel.com.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information 
38

Targets for the proportion of women on the Management 
Board and in the first two management levels below the 
Management Board
In accordance with Sections 76 (4) and 111 (5) AktG, targets 
must be set for the proportion of women on the Management 
Board and in the first two management levels below the Man-
agement Board. If the proportion of women is below 30 per-
cent at the time the targets are set, the targets may not be 
below the proportion already achieved. Deadlines for achieve-
ment of the targets must be established at the same time and 
must not be longer than five years in each case.

Proportion of women on the Management Board
As part of its responsibility for Management Board composi-
tion, the Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG has 
established a target, as recommended by the Shareholders’ 
Committee and its Human Resources Subcommittee, for the 
proportion of women on the Management Board of 17 percent, 
taking into account the current composition and an appropri-
ate Management Board size for the corporation. This propor-
tion will apply, and the target will be met, in the period 
through to December 31, 2021.

The proportion of women on the Management Board at 
December 31, 2018, was 17 percent.

Proportion of women in the management levels below the 
Management Board
Based on the current personnel mix, the Management Board 
has established the following targets for the first two levels of 
management below the Management Board. These targets are 
expected to be achieved by December 31, 2021:
•  First management level: Proportion of 25 percent women 
•  Second management level: Proportion of 30 percent women. 

In accordance with the legal requirements, the point of refer-
ence for the definition of the management levels was based 
exclusively on Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and not the Henkel 

Group – regardless of Henkel’s globally aligned management 
organization. As a result, the figures include only employees 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA with management responsibility 
who report directly to the Management Board (management 
level 1) and those who report to management level 1 (manage-
ment level 2). 

Separately from the targets for the first two levels of manage-
ment below the Management Board of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
– and mindful of our globally aligned management organiza-
tion – it is our goal to increase our ratio of women at all levels 
of management at Henkel in the long term. In 2018, we were 
again able to raise the proportion of women in management 
worldwide – to 34.7 percent at December 31, 2018.

Statutory gender quota for Supervisory Board composition
Given Henkel’s position as a listed corporation subject to the 
Codetermination Act, the Supervisory Board of Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA must consist of at least 30 percent women and at 
least 30 percent men (Section 96 (2) AktG). 

Throughout the entire year under review, the statutory mini-
mum quota of each gender was represented among both the 
shareholder representatives and the employee representatives.

Diversity considerations governing Management Board 
composition
Notwithstanding the key requirements of qualification, com-
petence and professional excellence for the relevant areas of 
responsibility on the Management Board, the Supervisory 
Board of Henkel Management AG has specified the following 
criteria – after consultation in the Shareholders’ Committee 
and its Human Resources Subcommittee – that must be con-
sidered when making Management Board appointments to 
ensure as broad a spectrum as possible of knowledge, skills 
and professional experience (diversity) on the Management 
Board: 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information39

•  Education / career experience 

•  Gender 

Overall, the members of the Management Board must 
demonstrate knowledge, skills and professional experience 
in the following areas in particular:
•   Management / leadership experience: Experience with 
managing globally operating entities, involvement of 
employee representative bodies, leading and motivating 
employees, succession planning.

•   Business acumen: Knowledge of / experience in indus-

trial / consumer business areas and key markets, including 
the social environment in which Henkel operates, as well 
as knowledge of / experience in the fields of marketing, 
selling and distribution, digitalization / eCommerce, 
research and development, production / engineering and 
sustainable management.

•   Strategic expertise: Ability to develop and implement 

prospects and strategies for the future.

•   Financial expertise: Experience in accounting, auditing 
financial statements, issues surrounding funding and 
capital markets.

•   Financial control / risk management: Experience in the 

fields of internal control and risk management systems, 
as well as internal auditing systems.

•   Governance / compliance / ethics: Experience with interac-
tion among corporate bodies (governance) and in compli-
ance with statutory / in-house requirements; modern 
understanding of corporate ethics and how to implement 
them.

•  Internationality  

The international activities of the corporation in both 
mature and emerging markets should be appropriately 
reflected in the composition of the Management Board. 
Henkel therefore strives to ensure that several members of 
different nationalities or with international backgrounds 
(who have spent several years working abroad or supervising 
foreign business activities, for example) are included on the 
Management Board.

A reasonable proportion of women shall be represented in 
the Management Board. Henkel therefore strives to ensure 
that at least one woman is a member of the Management 
Board.
•  Seniority 

Change and continuity are two issues that must be taken 
into reasonable account when composing the Management 
Board. Henkel therefore aims to include members with dif-
ferent levels of seniority on the Management Board. Irre-
spective of this requirement, members of the Management 
Board should generally not be older than 63.

We believe that these aforementioned requirements were met 
in full in the reporting period. 

Overall, the Management Board, which includes one woman, 
has the knowledge, skills and professional experience needed 
to properly and effectively perform its duties. Several members 
of the Management Board have international business experi-
ence with both emerging and mature markets. No individual 
on the Management Board exceeds the specified maximum age.

Diversity considerations / Objectives governing 
 Supervisory Board composition
Bearing in mind the legal requirements and the recommenda-
tions of the DCGK, and taking into account the specific situa-
tion and global reach of the corporation’s activities in indus-
trial and consumer business areas, the Supervisory Board has 
specified objectives governing its composition which are 
described below. When proposing candidates to the Annual 
General Meeting for both routine re-election and replacement 
election, the Supervisory Board considers these objectives, 
whereby the particular regulations of the Codetermination Act 
must be observed with regard to the employee representative 
candidates.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information 
40

•  Education / Career experience 

Overall, the Supervisory Board must demonstrate know-
ledge, skills and professional experience in the following 
areas in particular:
•    Management / leadership experience: Experience with 
managing globally operating corporations / companies 
and with employee management.

•   Business acumen: Knowledge of / experience in the fields 
of research and development, production / engineering, 
marketing, selling and distribution, digitalization / eCom-
merce, as well as knowledge of / experience in indus-
trial / consumer business areas, in the key markets in 
which Henkel operates, and in sustainable management.
•   Financial expertise: Experience in the fields of account-

ing / accounting processes or with auditing financial state-
ments, knowledge of financial instruments and funding 
strategies.

•   Financial control / risk management: Experience in the 

fields of internal control and risk management systems, 
as well as internal auditing systems.

•   Governance / compliance: Experience with interaction 
among corporate bodies (governance) and in ensuring 
compliance with statutory / in-house requirements. 

•  Impartiality, integrity  

To ensure the impartiality of its counseling activities and 
supervision of the Management Board, the Supervisory 
Board must include a reasonable number of impartial mem-
bers, bearing in mind the corporation’s ownership structure. 
As a rule, the following people should not belong to the 
Supervisory Board: 
•  Close family members of a Management Board member.
•   Anyone who, in the past three years, has been a partner of 
or in the employ of the present or previous external audi-
tors of the corporation.

•   Anyone who receives or has received over the past three 

years not inconsiderable remuneration of any nature from 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA or one of its affiliates (excluding 
remuneration for Supervisory Board or Shareholders’ 
Committee membership or, in the case of employee repre-
sentatives, their salaries).

•   Anyone with direct or indirect material business ties to 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA or one of its affiliates, whether as 
partner, shareholder, member of the management body or 
officer of the company with which this business relation-
ship exists. 

Assuming that the exercise of their Supervisory Board mandate 
by the employee representatives as such does not constitute a 
basis for doubt as to whether the independence criteria as 
defined by Item 5.4.2 of the DCGK are fulfilled, the Supervisory 
Board should include at least 13 members who are impartial as 
defined by the DCGK. In keeping with the ownership structure 
and the corporation’s tradition as an open family business to 
which the Henkel family has been committed ever since the 
company was founded in 1876, possession of a controlling 
interest or attribution of a controlling interest due to member-
ship in the Henkel family share-pooling agreement is not 
viewed as a circumstance that creates a conflict of interest in 
the meaning above. Membership of the Shareholders’ Commit-
tee or of the Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG is 
compatible with Supervisory Board membership. As a rule, 
however, at least three of the shareholder representatives on 
the Supervisory Board should be neither members of the 
share-pooling agreement nor members of the Shareholders’ 
Committee nor members of the Supervisory Board of Henkel 
Management AG, and they must be named accordingly in the 
corporate governance report.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information41

Moreover, no more than two former members of the Manage-
ment Board should be elected to the Supervisory Board, nor 
people

•   who – if members of a Management Board of a listed com-
pany – exercise more than three supervisory board man-
dates in total for non-Group listed companies or for non-
Group companies with similar requirements,

•   or who perform governance or advisory tasks for material 

competitors. 

Also, as a rule, nobody should be proposed to the Annual Gen-
eral Meeting for election to the Supervisory Board who, at the 
time of the election, has already served more than two full 
terms of office on the Supervisory Board. However, to ensure 
continuity, members may also serve on the Supervisory Board 
for longer periods of time in individual cases. In keeping with 
the ownership structure and the corporation’s tradition as an 
open family business, this applies particularly to members of 
the Henkel family share-pooling agreement. 

Members of the Supervisory Board should, moreover, be capa-
ble of duly upholding Henkel’s reputation in the public 
domain.

•  Availability 

When proposing new candidates to the Annual General 
Meeting for election to the Supervisory Board, the Supervi-
sory Board must make sure that the relevant candidates can 
devote the anticipated time to the task. 

•  Internationality 

The international activities of the corporation should be 
appropriately reflected in the composition of the Supervi-
sory Board. Henkel therefore strives to ensure that several 
members with international backgrounds (who have spent 
several years working abroad or supervising foreign busi-
ness activities, for example) are included on the Supervisory 
Board. 
•  Gender 

A reasonable proportion of women shall be appointed to the 
Supervisory Board. The statutory minimum requirement of 
30 percent is deemed to be reasonable. Henkel strives to 
increase the proportion of women when new or replacement 
members are elected.

•  Age 

The Supervisory Board should include representatives from 
different generations / age groups. Henkel therefore aims to 
include members from different generations / age groups on 
the Supervisory Board. Irrespective of the aforementioned, 
nobody should, as a rule, be proposed to the Annual General 
Meeting for election to the Supervisory Board who, at the 
time of the election, has already reached their 70th birthday.

In addition to the statutory minimum quota, the Supervisory 
Board believes that these aforementioned requirements were 
met in full in the reporting period. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information42

Among the 16 members of the Supervisory Board are ten men 
and six women. Shareholder representatives consist of six 
men and two women, while the employee representatives con-
sist of four men and four women. This represents an overall 
ratio on the Supervisory Board of around 62 percent men and 
38 percent women. 

Overall, the Supervisory Board has the knowledge, skills and 
professional experience needed to properly and effectively 
perform its duties. In addition, several members of the Super-
visory Board offer international business experience or other 
international expertise. No individual on the Supervisory 
Board exceeds the specified maximum age. 

None of the Supervisory Board members elected by the Annual 
General Meeting is a former Management Board member, or 
performs board or committee functions or acts as a consultant 
for major competitors, and none are persons whose business 
or personal relationship with the corporation or members of 
the Management Board could give rise to material conflicts of 
interest that are not of a merely temporary nature. Four of the 
eight shareholder representatives – Barbara Kux, Timotheus 
Höttges, Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke and Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert 
– are not party to the Henkel family share-pooling agreement 
and – apart from Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah – none of the share-
holder representatives in office is a member of the Shareholders’ 
Committee or the Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG.

For more details on the composition of the Management Board, 
Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee or the 
(sub)committees established by the Supervisory Board and 
Shareholders’ Committee, please refer to pages 235 to 238. 
Details of the compensation of the Management Board, the 
Super visory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee can be 
found in the remuneration report that follows.

Remuneration report

This remuneration report provides an outline of the objectives, 
principles and fundamental structure of the compensation 
system for the Management Board, Henkel Management AG as 
the Personally Liable Partner, the Supervisory Board and the 
Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, and the 
Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG; it also explains 
the level and structure of the remuneration paid.

The report takes into account the recommendations of the 
German Corporate Governance Code [DCGK] and contains all 
disclosures and explanations pursuant to the provisions of the 
German Commercial Code [HGB] and the appropriate princi-
ples of German Accounting Standard No. 17 [DRS 17], and as 
required by International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs). The remuneration report forms part of the combined 
management report for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and the Group, 
which has been audited by the external auditor; the associated 
information has not been additionally disclosed in the notes 
to the consolidated financial statements (Sections 289a (2), 
315a (2) HGB).

Objectives and principles of the remuneration systems 
(remuneration policy)
Henkel is committed to corporate governance that is responsi-
ble, transparent and aligned to raising shareholder value over 
the long term. We want to create sustainable value – for our 
customers and consumers, for our people, our shareholders, 
for society and for the communities in which we operate.

Accordingly the remuneration system that Henkel has put in 
place for the Management Board, Supervisory Board and 
Shareholders’ Committee takes account of the relevant duties 
and responsibilities, and is designed to drive implementation 
of our corporate strategy and to offer incentives for successful 
business performance over the long term. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information43

The following principles play a key role in the definition of the 
specific relevant remuneration:

Supervisory Board / Shareholders’ Committee:
•  The remuneration strengthens the impartiality of the mem-

General
•  Remuneration and its individual elements must be consistent 
with regulatory / statutory requirements and the principles of 
good corporate governance.

•  Remuneration must be consistent with market levels, competi-
tive and commensurate with the size and international nature 
of the corporation’s business, its economic and financial posi-
tion, its success, and its prospects for the future. 

Management Board
•  Total remuneration is aligned to long-term business perfor-

mance and corresponding stakeholder targets.

•  Remuneration consists of non-performance-related compo-
nents and a significant portion of variable, performance- 
related components.

•  A large portion of the variable, performance-related remuner-
ation is tied to future performance spanning several years. 
•  Challenging financial performance indicators reflecting the 
corporation’s strategy and objectives exist alongside non- 
financial individual targets to govern the variable perfor-
mance-related components of remuneration. The financial 
performance indicators are weighted more heavily, and are 
based on quantitative criteria. 

•  Reasonable account is taken of the remuneration and 
employment policy applied to the corporation’s staff.

•  Individual performance is rewarded appropriately.
•  Overall remuneration levels are as appropriate; reasonable 
caps on variable components of remuneration have been 
defined.

•  The members of the Management Board invest a substantial 

portion of their remuneration in Henkel shares.

bers of these corporate bodies.

•  It is appropriate for the relevant duties of the bodies.
•  Reasonable account is taken of the roles and functions per-
formed by the relevant members on the respective boards 
and committees. 

1. Remuneration of members of the Management Board 

Regulation, structure and amounts
Regarding Management Board remuneration, the Supervisory 
Board of Henkel Management AG is responsible, in particular, 
for:
•  Determining and reviewing remuneration policy and the 

remuneration system.

•  Specifying the non-performance-related and variable, per-

formance-related components of remuneration.

•  Defining individual targets each year, and measuring perfor-

mance with regard to the same.

•  Determining whether the financial targets have been met 
each year and quantifying the annual and multi-year vari-
able, performance-related remuneration.

•  Approving the acceptance of voluntary offices or supervi-
sory board, advisory board or similar mandates in other 
companies, as well as other ancillary activities.

•  Approving loans and advances. 

Corresponding resolutions are adopted by the Supervisory 
Board of Henkel Management AG, which is comprised of three 
members of the Shareholders’ Committee, after prior consulta-
tion in the Shareholders’ Committee’s Human Resources 
 Subcommittee. Members of the Management Board do not 
participate in such consultations and resolutions unless this 
is deemed necessary. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information44

The structure and amounts of Management Board remunera-
tion are aligned to the size and international activities of the 
corporation, its economic and financial position, its perfor-
mance and future prospects, the normal levels of remunera-
tion encountered in comparable companies, and also the gen-
eral compensation structure within the corporation. The struc-
ture of Management Board remuneration is, moreover, based 
on the remuneration paid to the corporation’s senior manage-
ment, which is likewise composed of a fixed salary and a vari-
able component aligned to long-term business performance. 
The compensation package is further determined on the basis 
of the functions, responsibilities and personal performance of 
the individual officers, and the performance of the Manage-
ment Board as a whole. The variable annual remuneration 
components have been devised such that they take into 
account both positive and negative developments. The overall 
remuneration is designed to be internationally competitive 
while also providing an incentive for sustainable business 
development and a sustainable increase in shareholder value 
in a dynamic environment. 

The Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG regularly 
reviews the remuneration system as well as the appropriate-
ness of the compensation, based on the aforementioned crite-
ria. In doing so, Management Board remuneration is analyzed 
relative to the compensation paid to senior management and 
the staff as a whole, both overall and over time, whereby the 
Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG determines the 
boundaries between senior management and relevant staff 
members.

Members of the Management Board receive remuneration con-
sisting of non-performance-related components and variable, 
performance-related components. The non-performance- 
related compensation is made up of the fixed salary together 
with various in-kind and other benefits (other emoluments). 
The variable performance-related compensation has two parts. 
The first is a variable annual cash payment (short-term incen-

tive or “STI”), 65 percent of which is short-term variable cash 
remuneration and 35 percent of which is long-term variable 
cash remuneration in the form of an investment financed by 
the recipient in Henkel preferred shares (share deferral). The 
second is a variable cash payment based on the long-term per-
formance of the business (long-term incentive or “LTI”). The 
variable remuneration targeting long-term performance thus 
consists of the share deferral and the LTI.

If all performance targets are met in full (“at target”) – subject 
to comparability of the relevant areas of responsibility – 
around 21 percent of the remuneration (excluding other emol-
uments and pension benefits) is paid as the fixed component, 
while the STI and share deferral account for around 56 percent, 
and the LTI for around 23 percent. As such, around 42 percent 
of the remuneration in total is aligned to long-term perfor-
mance (share deferral and LTI).

Pension benefits also form part of the remuneration package. 
In addition, the Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG 
may, at its discretion and after due consideration, grant a spe-
cial payment in recognition of exceptional achievements. 

The Supervisory Board is authorized to apply reasonable caps 
to the variable components of remuneration in exceptional 
circumstances, such caps to then also apply to ongoing 
tranches. Pursuant to Section 87 (2) AktG, it can also reduce 
future remuneration to a reasonable level and / or entirely alter 
the structure of remuneration and the nature of the compo-
nents of remuneration in order to ensure appropriate remu-
neration. In doing so, it must consider the situation of the cor-
poration and its affiliated companies (Group). 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information45

The components in detail:

Non-performance-related components 

Fixed remuneration
The fixed remuneration takes into account the assigned func-
tion and responsibility and the market conditions. It is paid 
out monthly as salary and amounts to 1,200,000 euros per 
year for the Chairman of the Management Board and 750,000 
euros per year for the other Management Board members.

Other emoluments
The members of the Management Board also receive other 
emoluments, primarily in the form of costs associated with, or 
the cash value of, in-kind benefits and other fringe benefits 
such as standard commercial insurance policies, reimburse-
ment of accommodation / moving costs, provision of a com-

pany car that they may also use for private purposes or use of a 
car service, including any taxes on same, and the costs of pre-
ventive medical examinations. All members of the Manage-
ment Board are entitled, in principle, to the same emoluments, 
whereby the amounts vary depending on personal situation. 
These emoluments are recognized at cost or the equivalent 
monetary value in the case of benefits in kind.

Performance-related components 

Variable annual cash remuneration 
The performance criteria governing the variable annual cash 
remuneration (STI) are return on capital employed (ROCE) and 
earnings per preferred share (EPS) in the relevant fiscal year 
(“year of payment”), adjusted in each case for exceptional items, 
together with separate targets for each individual member. 

Remuneration structure 

Target remuneration

Long-term incentive (LTI)
Proportion of target remuneration: around 23 %
Cap: max. 150 % of the target amount

Long-term variable cash remuneration

Share deferral (35 % STI)

Short-term variable cash  
remuneration (65 % STI)

Variable annual cash remuneration (STI)
Proportion of target remuneration: around 56 %
Cap: max. 150 % of the target amount

Fixed remuneration
Proportion of target remuneration: around 21 %

 Non-performance- 
related components

 Performance-related  
components, short-term

 Performance-related  
components, long-term

19

Type of remuneration

LTI performance criterion:  
Future increase in adjusted EPS  
over a 3-year period

STI performance criteria: ROCE,  
EPS, adjusted in each case,  
weighting of 40 % in each case;  
individual targets weighted at 20 %

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46

The ROCE target is derived from a strategic target yield. EPS 
performance is measured on the basis of actual-to-actual com-
parison, i.e. the EPS in the year of payment is compared to the 
EPS from the previous year.

An appropriate remuneration scale has been established for 
both key financials. Thresholds have also been defined; pay-
ment is withheld if the minimum targets are not met. If 
adjusted EPS in the year of payment is more than 25 percent 
above or below the comparable prior-year figure as a result of 
extraordinary events, the Supervisory Board of Henkel Man-
agement AG may, at its discretion and after due consideration, 
decide to adjust the reference value for measuring perfor-
mance in the following year. 

The STI is calculated on the basis of a 40-percent weighting 
each of ROCE and EPS performance in the year of payment, and 
a 20-percent weighting of individual targets. The following 
factors play a key role in measuring individual performance: 
the Group results and the results of the relevant business unit; 
the quality of management demonstrated in those business 
units, taking account of any relevant circumstances; the indi-
vidual contribution made by the Management Board member 
concerned and their individual contribution to general Henkel 
goals.  The key financials EPS and ROCE are derived from the 
certified and approved consolidated financial statements for 
the relevant fiscal year. After the close of each fiscal year, the 
Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG determines the 
degree to which the targets have been met. It also decides 
whether and to what extent adjustments of the key financials 
required to reflect exceptional items are to be taken into con-
sideration when determining the variable remuneration. In 
determining the STI, the Supervisory Board of Henkel Manage-
ment AG also takes into account the apparent sustainability 
of the economic performance delivered in the course of the 
year, and the performance levels of the Management Board 
members.

The total amount of the STI is subject to a cap of 150 percent of 
the target amount.

Short-term and long-term components of the variable annual 
cash remuneration / Share deferral
The STI is paid annually in arrears in the full amount in cash 
once the corporation’s annual financial statements have been 
approved by the Annual General Meeting. The recipients can 
dispose of around 65 percent of this payment as they wish. 
This constitutes their short-term variable cash remuneration. 
The members of the Management Board invest the remainder 
of the relevant payment amount, corresponding to around 
35 percent, in Henkel preferred shares. This constitutes their 
long-term variable cash remuneration, known as the share 
deferral. These shares are placed in a blocked custody account 
with a drawing restriction. The company transfers the relevant 
investment amount of each individual directly to the bank 
responsible for settling the investment transactions and man-
aging the blocked custody account. On the first trading day of 
the month following payout, this bank invests the relevant 
amount on behalf and for the account of the member of the 
Management Board in Henkel preferred shares at the share 
price prevailing at the time of purchase on the stock exchange, 
and credits the acquired shares to the blocked custody 
account. The lock-up period in each case expires on December 
31 of the fourth year following the year of payment. This share 
deferral ensures that the members of the Management Board 
accumulate a significant share portfolio representing a multi-
ple of their fixed remuneration while in office.

Reflection of negative performance in the STI (malus)
The structure of the STI is designed to ensure remuneration is 
lower on both an annual and multi-year basis if performance is 
negative. Firstly, negative performance is considered when mea-
suring individual performance to determine the annual variable 
remuneration. Secondly, the requirement to invest in Henkel pre-
ferred shares (share deferral) ensures that this portion of Manage-
ment Board members’ remuneration participates directly in the 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information47

long-term performance of the corporation, regardless of whether 
it is positive or negative.

Long-term incentive (LTI)
The long-term incentive is a variable cash payment based on 
the long-term performance of the corporation, the amount 
payable being dependent on the future increase registered in 
EPS over three consecutive years (the performance period). 

On completion of the performance period, target achievement 
is ascertained by the Supervisory Board of Henkel Manage-
ment AG on the basis of the increase in EPS attained. The EPS 
of the fiscal year preceding the year of payment is compared to 
the EPS of the second fiscal year following the year of payment. 
The figures used for the calculation of the increase are, in each 
case, the earnings per preferred share – adjusted for excep-
tional items, where these are relevant for determining remu-
neration – as disclosed in the certified and approved consoli-
dated financial statements of the relevant fiscal years.

A remuneration scale has been established for the LTI, together 
with a threshold below which payments are withheld. The 
total amount of the LTI is subject to a cap of 150 percent of the 
target amount.

In keeping with the objectives of the Management Board 
remuneration policy, this structure of the STI and LTI rewards 
sustainably profitable growth and thus supports the long-term 
development of Henkel, with Management Board remunera-
tion being effectively aligned to the interests of shareholders. 

Special payments
Above and beyond the aforementioned remuneration compo-
nents, the Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG may, 
at its discretion and after due consideration, grant a special 
payment in recognition of exceptional achievements. Such 
special payment is limited to an amount equating to the 
respective Management Board member’s fixed salary; the max-
imum compensation level – as determined by remuneration 
for a fiscal year if the caps on STI and LTI are reached – may not 
be exceeded as a result of such payment. As was also the case 
in previous years, no such special payments were awarded in 
the year under review.

Caps on remuneration
Taking into account the above-mentioned caps for the variable 
performance-related components of remuneration, the mini-
mum and maximum remuneration amounts shown below 
result for a full fiscal year (excluding other emoluments and 
pension benefits).

Caps on remuneration 1 

in euros

Chairman  
of the Management Board

Ordinary member  
of the Management Board 2

Fixed  
remuneration

Short-term  
variable cash 
remuneration

Long-term  
variable cash 
remuneration 
(share deferral)

Long-term  
incentive,  
conditional  
entitlement 

Total  
compensation 
minimum

Total  
compensation 
maximum

1,200,000

0 to 3,315,000

0 to 1,785,000

0 to 2,100,000

1,200,000

8,400,000

750,000

0 to 1,950,000

0 to 1,050,000

0 to 1,200,000

750,000

4,950,000

20

1   Excluding other emoluments and pension benefits. If these benefits are included, the amount of the remuneration cap increases by the equivalent  

of these contributions.

2 In each case, for a factor of 1 for fixed remuneration, STI and LTI.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information48

Ancillary activities 
After consultation with the Supervisory Board of Henkel Man-
agement AG, members of the Management Board may accept 
supervisory board mandates and similar offices in companies 
in which Henkel AG & Co. KGaA holds a direct or indirect par-
ticipating interest, or may engage in activities in associations 
and similar unions to which Henkel AG & Co. KGaA belongs by 
virtue of its business activities. Any other paid or unpaid ancil-
lary activities must be approved in advance by the Supervisory 
Board. For details of memberships in statutory supervisory 
boards and comparable oversight bodies in Germany and 
abroad, please refer to the list on page 238.

Pension benefits  
(retirement pensions and survivors’ benefits)
The company has been operating a purely defined contribu-
tion system since January 1, 2015. Accordingly, members of the 
Management Board now receive a superannuation lump-sum 
payment comprised of the total annual contributions to the 
plan during their time in office. The annual contributions – 
based on a full fiscal year – are 750,000 euros for the Chairman 
and 450,000 euros each for the other members of the Manage-
ment Board.

An entitlement to pension benefits arises on retirement, on 
termination of the employment relationship on or after attain-
ment of the statutory retirement age, in the event of death, or 
in the event of permanent complete incapacity for work. If a 
member of the Management Board has received no pension 
benefits prior to their death, the superannuation lump sum 
accumulated up to time of death is paid out to the surviving 
spouse or surviving children.  

Provisions governing termination of position  
on the Management Board

Continued payment of fixed remuneration
If an active member of the Management Board who was first 

appointed prior to 2009 retires, or dies while still in office, 
payment of their fixed remuneration continues for a further 
six months, but not beyond their 65th birthday. In the event of 
death in service, the payments are made to the surviving 
spouse or entitled dependent children.

Compensation payment
In the event that a member’s position on the Management 
Board is terminated prematurely without cause and by mutual 
agreement, the executive contract provides for a severance set-
tlement amounting to the remuneration for the remaining 
contractual term (fixed remuneration plus single- and multi-
ple-year variable remuneration). These severance payments 
are limited to a maximum of two years’ compensation (sever-
ance payment cap) and may not extend over a period that 
exceeds the residual term of the executive contract. Members 
of the Management Board are not entitled to severance pay-
ment if an executive contract is terminated by mutual agree-
ment at the request of the individual or because that executive 
has been dismissed by the corporation for good cause or rea-
son. In the event that the sphere of responsibility / executive 
function is altered or restricted to such an extent that it is no 
longer comparable to the position prior to the change or 
restriction, the affected members of the Management Board 
are entitled to resign from office and request premature termi-
nation of their contract. In such cases, members are entitled to 
severance payments amounting to not more than two years’ 
compensation.

Payment / forfeiture of variable components of remuneration
Upon an executive’s departure from the Management Board, 
the STI is calculated pro rata and paid out. Unless otherwise 
agreed individually, LTI entitlements are calculated at the end 
of the relevant performance period and paid out. However, 
entitlements from any tranche whose performance period has 
not yet ended at the date of departure are forfeited without 
replacement if the departure is based on good cause or reason 
that would have justified revocation of the appointment or ter-

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information49

mination of the employment contract. All lock-up periods 
relating to investments in Henkel preferred shares that are 
financed by the recipients (share deferral) end if said recipient 
dies. By the same token, LTI entitlements with regard to out-
standing tranches are settled on the basis of budget figures 
and paid to the heirs.

Post-contractual non-competition clause
In addition, the executive contracts include a post-contractual 
non-competition clause with a term of two years. Members of 
the Management Board are entitled to a discretionary payment 
totaling 50 percent of the annual compensation, which is pay-
able in 24 monthly installments unless the Supervisory Board 
of Henkel Management AG waives the non-competition 
clause. Any severance payments and any earnings from new 
extra-contractual activities during the non-competition period 
are offset against this discretionary payment. No entitlements 
exist in the event of premature termination of executive duties 
resulting from a change in control.

Miscellaneous
The corporation maintains directors and officers insurance 
(D&O insurance) for directors and officers of the Henkel 
Group. For members of the Management Board there is a 
deductible amounting to 10 percent per loss event, subject to 
a maximum for the fiscal year of one and a half times their 
annual fixed remuneration.

The company does not grant any loans or advances to members 
of the Management Board.

Modifications to the Management Board remuneration 
policy
Current Management Board remuneration is derived from the 
remuneration policy approved by a large majority at the 
Annual General Meeting on April 13, 2015.

In light of the continued development of our ambition and 
strategic priorities since 2015, the Supervisory Board of Henkel 
Management AG has reviewed the remuneration policy and 
decided to adopt, starting with fiscal 2019, the following modi-
fications as consistent with the recommendations of the 
Shareholders’ Committee’s Human Resources Subcommittee.
These modifications are designed to ensure that remuneration 
offers even more of an incentive to drive Henkel’s business 
strategy and long-term development.

During the course of 2019, we will decide whether further 
modification is expedient – based on the German Act imple-
menting the second Shareholders’ Rights Directive [Gesetz zur 
Umsetzung der zweiten Aktionärsrechterichtlinie, ARUG II], 
which comes into force mid-2019, together with the revision 
of the DCGK, which is likewise expected mid-2019 – and will 
then present the finalized modification of the remuneration 
policy to the Annual General Meeting 2020 for approval.

The amendments compared to the former remuneration policy 
are explained in detail below and are due to come into effect 
on January 1, 2019:

Remuneration structure
Management Board remuneration continues to comprise four 
components: fixed remuneration (including non-cash and 
other benefits), annual variable cash remuneration (short-
term incentive, STI) with share deferral, variable cash remu-
neration based on the long-term success of the corporation 
(long-term incentive, LTI), and company pension. 

Fixed remuneration
The fixed remuneration constitutes the basic compensation 
element. It is paid out monthly as salary and is unchanged at 
1,200,000 euros per year for the Chairman of the Management 
Board and 750,000 euros per year for the other Management 
Board members.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information50

Other emoluments 
A cap has been set on other emoluments, amounting to 
250,000 euros per year for the Chairman of the Management 
Board and 175,000 euros per year for the other Management 
Board members.

Variable annual cash remuneration (STI)
The performance criteria for the annual variable cash remu-
neration (STI) remain unchanged and include both financial 
targets, the so-called bonus, and the individual performance 
of each officer.

With a view to achieving closer alignment to sustainably prof-
itable growth, the following financial targets will be included 
in the future measurement of bonuses, each with a 50 percent 
weighting: organic sales growth (OSG) (i.e. sales growth 
adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisitions / divestments) 
and earnings per preferred share (EPS) adjusted for one-time 
charges / gains, restructuring expenses and foreign exchange.

The OSG target is derived from our financial ambition and 
budget. EPS performance will continue to be measured on the 
basis of actual-to-actual comparison, i.e. the EPS in the rele-
vant fiscal year is compared to the EPS from the previous year. 
Thresholds have been defined for both key financials; payment 
is withheld if the minimum targets are not met. If EPS is more 
than 20 percent above or below the comparable prior-year fig-
ure as a result of extraordinary events, the Supervisory Board 
of Henkel Management AG may, at its discretion and after due 
consideration, decide to amend the reference value for mea-
suring performance in the following year.

To ensure increased consideration of the personal achieve-
ment of Management Board members, individual target 
achievement and personal performance are no longer reflected 
in additions to the STI; instead, an individual multiplier is 
determined, which is then multiplied with the amount 

(bonus) derived from total target achievement. The individual 
multiplier is contained within a bandwidth of 0.8 to 1.2.

Measurement of individual performance includes the follow-
ing factors in particular: achievement of the relevant separate 
targets agreed with each individual and – as general criteria – 
the absolute and relative performance of the business unit for 
which they are responsible compared to market / competition 
performance, plus their individual contribution to general 
Henkel goals.

The STI remains subject to a cap of 150 percent of the target 
amount. As has also been the case in the past, a minimum 
bonus is not guaranteed. Payment may therefore be canceled 
entirely.

Short-term and long-term components of the variable annual 
cash remuneration 
Members of the Management Board can continue to dispose of 
65 percent of this payment as they wish. This constitutes their 
short-term variable cash remuneration. They must invest the 
remaining 35 percent in Henkel preferred shares. This consti-
tutes their long-term variable cash remuneration, known as 
the share deferral. The shares are placed in a blocked custody 
account with a drawing restriction. Moving forward, this 
ensures that the members of the Management Board accumu-
late a significant share portfolio representing a multiple of 
their fixed remuneration while in office, and that they partic-
ipate in the long-term performance of the corporation, 
whether  positive or negative.

Long-term incentive (LTI)
To place more emphasis on long-term value sustainability, 
future measurement of the long-term incentive will be based 
on the average over the three-year performance period of 
return on capital employed (ROCE) adjusted for one-time 
charges / gains and restructuring expenses.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information51

The ROCE target is derived from our financial ambition and 
budget, and is defined on a yearly basis. Target achievement is 
measured in each of the three years constituting a perfor-
mance period and the average of the three values is used to 
determine target achievement for the performance period as a 
whole.

A threshold has been established for the LTI, below which pay-
ments are withheld. The total amount of the LTI is subject to a 
cap of 150 percent of the LTI target amount. As has also been 
the case in the past, a minimum LTI is not guaranteed. Pay-
ment may therefore be canceled entirely.

To ensure a cogent and consistent incentivization and struc-
ture of Management Board remuneration, the performance cri-
teria governing the long-term incentive tranches issued in 
2017 and 2018, whose three-year performance terms do not 
end until December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020 respec-
tively, were determined pro rata temporis in accordance with 
the previously valid conditions for the periods up to December 
31, 2018, while for the periods from January 1, 2019, they will 
be determined in accordance with the conditions that become 
effective as from that date. 

Functional factors governing variable remuneration
In order to give more weight to the differing requirements of 
the relevant areas of Management Board responsibility and to 
the differing levels of complexity and importance of the 
respective business units, the following general functional 
factors were defined, starting in fiscal 2019, as multipliers for 
the STI and LTI payment amounts based on target achievement:

Functional factors 

21

Area of responsibility / Business unit

STI / LTI factor

CEO

Finance

HR / Infrastructure Services

Adhesive Technologies 

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

1.75

1.10

0.90

1.10

0.90

1.00

A marginally lower factor may be set for newly appointed Man-
agement Board members in their first year of office.

Overall, the STI and LTI are calculated as follows:

Calculation of STI and LTI 

22

Bonus (key financials)

STI:

50 %
target achievement
Organic sales growth

+

50 %
target achievement
Increase in adjusted earn-
ings per preferred share

x

Multiplier for indivi-
dual performance
0.8 – 1.2

Three-year average return on capital employed (ROCE) 

LTI:

Target  
achievement
Year 1

+

Target  
achievement
Year 2

+

Target  
achievement
Year 3

:

3

x

x

Functional
factor
0.9 – 1.75

Functional
factor
0.9 – 1.75

Payout
65 % cash, 
35 % purchase of 
 preferred shares

Payout in cash

=

=

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information52

23

Total  
compensation 
Minimum

Total  
compensation 
Maximum

Caps on remuneration
Taking into account the above-mentioned functional factors 
and caps for the variable performance-related components of 
remuneration, the minimum and maximum remuneration 
amounts for a full fiscal year (excluding other emoluments 
and pension benefits) are as follows:

Caps on remuneration 1 

in euros

Chairman of the Management Board  
(Functional factor STI/LTI 1.75)

Ordinary member of the Management Board 
(Functional factor STI/LTI 0.9)

Ordinary member of the Management Board 
(Functional factor STI/LTI 1.0)

Ordinary member of the Management Board 
(Functional factor STI/LTI 1.1)

Fixed  
remuneration 

Short-term  
variable  
cash  
remuneration

Long-term  
variable  
cash  
remuneration 
(share deferral)

Conditional 
entitlement to 
long-term 
incentive 

1,200,000

0 to 3,412,500

0 to 1,837,500

0 to 2,100,000

1,200,000

8,550,000

750,000

0 to 1,755,000

0 to 945,000

0 to 1,080,000

750,000

4,530,000

750,000

0 to 1,950,000

0 to 1,050,000

0 to 1,200,000

750,000

4,950,000

750,000

0 to 2,145,000

0 to 1,155,000

0 to 1,320,000

750,000

5,370,000

1   Excluding other emoluments and pension benefits. If these benefits are included, the caps on total compensation increase accordingly by these amounts.

Special payments
The former authorization of the Supervisory Board of Henkel 
Management AG to grant special payments at its discretion 
and after due consideration – such payment to be limited to an 
amount equating to the respective Management Board mem-
ber’s fixed salary, and not to exceed the maximum compensa-
tion level if the caps on STI and LTI are reached – has been 
abolished entirely, starting in fiscal 2019.

Malus and clawback regulations
Malus and clawback regulations were added to the remunera-
tion policy, starting on January 1, 2019. They give the Supervi-
sory Board of Henkel Management AG the authorization – in 
specific circumstances and, after due consideration, at its dis-

cretion – to wholly or partially withhold the variable remuner-
ation (STI, LTI) or to demand the repayment, within specific 
limits, of variable remuneration that has already been paid. 
Such circumstances include, in particular, severe breaches of a 
Management Board member’s duties or material misstate-
ments in financial reports. This regulation is without preju-
dice to the right to assert further claims on grounds of per-
sonal misconduct by a member of the Management Board, and 
especially to claim damages under Section 93 AktG.

These modifications ensure closer and sustainable alignment of 
the remuneration policy to internationally and nationally recog-
nized standards of good and responsible corporate governance.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information53

Management Board remuneration is disclosed in accordance 
with both HGB / DRS 17 and DCGK. Accordingly, the figures for 
some components and for total remuneration may differ.

Compensation as per HGB / DRS 17 for the reporting period 
granted to members of the Management Board serving in 2018, 
separated into the above-mentioned components, is shown in 
the following table. 

The amounts in this table and the tables that follow have been 
rounded up or down to full euros. As a result, the rounded fig-
ures in some of the rows and columns in the tables may not 
add up to the totals as indicated.

In the year under review, no member of the Management 
Board was granted non-standard benefits by the company in 
connection with premature termination of their tenure, nor 
were any such entitlements or arrangements modified. No 
member of the Management Board was pledged payments 
from third parties in respect of their duties as executives of 
the corporation, nor were any such payments granted in the 
reporting period.

Henkel continues to meet the requirements of the AktG and 
DCGK (as amended on February 7, 2017) with regard to Manage-
ment Board remuneration. As already explained, during the 
course of 2019, we will decide whether further modification is 
expedient – based on the German Act implementing the second 
Shareholders’ Rights Directive [Gesetz zur Umsetzung der 
zweiten Aktionärsrechterichtlinie, ARUG II], which comes into 
force mid-2019, together with the revision of the DCGK, which 
is likewise expected mid-2019. We will then present the final-
ized modification of the remuneration policy to the Annual 
General Meeting 2020 for approval.

Remuneration of members of the Management Board  
for fiscal 2018 *
Excluding pension entitlements, the total compensation paid 
to members of the Management Board serving in 2018 for the 
performance of their duties for and on behalf of Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA and its subsidiaries during the year under review 
amounted to 21,111,180 euros (previous year: 25,326,382 euros). 
Fixed salaries accounted for 4,950,000 euros (previous year: 
4,950,000 euros), other emoluments for 362,365 euros (previ-
ous year: 390,083 euros), short-term variable cash remunera-
tion for 8,393,942 euros (previous year: 9,532,967 euros), long-
term variable cash remuneration – share deferral – for 
4,519,817 euros (previous year: 5,133,135 euros), and the LTI 
tranche 2016 for which the plan term of three years ended at 
the end of the 2018 fiscal year for 2,885,056 euros (previous 
year: LTI tranche 2015, 4,474,265 euros). In addition, members 
of the Management Board serving in 2018 were granted an LTI 
tranche 2018 (term: January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2020) that 
will be paid out after the plan term of three years in 2021, sub-
ject to achievement of certain performance targets.

*  Prior-year figures relate to the members of the Management Board serving in 
2017.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationRemuneration of Management Board members who served in 2018 

54

24

in euros

Hans Van Bylen  
(Chairman of the Management 
Board) 
Board member since 7/1/2005

Jan-Dirk Auris 
(Adhesive Technologies)
Board member since 1/1/2011

Carsten Knobel 
(Finance)
Board member since 7/1/2012

Kathrin Menges 
(Human Resources)
Board member since 10/1/2011

Bruno Piacenza 
(Laundry & Home Care)
Board member since 1/1/2011

Jens-Martin Schwärzler 
(Beauty Care)
Board member since 11/1/2017

Total

1. Fixed  
remuneration 1

2. Other  
emoluments 1

3. Short-term 
variable cash 
remuneration 2

Single-year 
remuneration 
(Total of 1 to 3)

4. Long-term 
variable cash 
remuneration 
(share deferral) 2

5. Long-term 
incentive 3

Multi-year  
remuneration 
(Total of 4 and 
5)

Total  
remuneration 
(Total of 1 to 5)

1,200,000

1,200,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

125,000

71,457

56,648

56,369

47,540

66,265

67,811

45,027

95,165

49,842

47,588

73,405

25,218

2,242,538

2,486,755

3,513,995

3,743,403

1,207,521

1,339,022

721,264

894,853

1,928,785

2,233,875

5,442,780

5,977,278

1,373,626

1,498,165

1,357,376

1,498,165

1,240,376

1,377,915

1,211,126

1,449,415

968,900

188,922

2,179,995

2,295,705

2,173,641

2,315,976

2,035,403

2,223,080

2,010,968

2,247,003

1,792,305

339,140

739,645

806,704

730,895

806,704

667,895

741,954

652,145

780,454

521,716

101,727

540,948

894,853

540,948

894,853

540,948

894,853

540,948

894,853

0

0

1,280,593

1,701,557

1,271,843

1,701,557

1,208,843

1,636,807

1,193,093

1,675,307

521,716

101,727

3,460,588

3,997,262

3,445,484

4,017,533

3,244,246

3,859,887

3,204,061

3,922,310

2,314,021

440,867

4,950,000

4,325,000

362,365

339,970

8,393,942

8,499,337

13,706,307

13,164,307

4,519,817

4,576,565

2,885,056

4,474,265

7,404,873

21,111,180

9,050,830

22,215,137 *

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

1  Payout in the relevant fiscal year.
2  Payout in the relevant following fiscal year.
3  Amount paid at relevant fiscal year-end for LTI tranches upon expiry of their respective three-year terms; term of LTI tranche 2016: 1/1/2016 – 12/31/2018; term of LTI tranche 2015: 1/1/2015 – 

12/31/2017, payout in the relevant following fiscal year.

* Includes prior-year remuneration paid to Management Board members who served in 2018.

Remuneration structure of Management Board members who served in 2018 

25

in euros

Total

Total

Components of single-year remuneration

Components of multi-year remuneration

Fixed remuneration

Other emoluments

Short-term variable 
cash remuneration

Long-term variable 
cash remuneration 
(share deferral) 

Long-term incentive

Total remuneration

2018

2017

4,950,000

23.5 %

4,325,000

19.5 %

362,365

1.7 %

339,970

1.5 %

8,393,942

39.8 %

8,499,337

38.3 %

4,519,817

21.4 %

4,576,565

20.6 %

2,885,056

13.7 %

4,474,265

20.1 %

21,111,180

100.0 %

22,215,137

100.0 %

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information55

Pension benefits 
The figures calculated in accordance with the German Com-
mercial Code [HGB] and International Accounting Standard 
(IAS) 19 for service cost in respect of entitlements acquired in 
the reporting year, and the present value of total pension bene-
fits accruing to the end of the fiscal year, are shown in the 
table below.

Accruals for pension obligations to former members of the 
Management Board and the management of Henkel KGaA, as 
well as the former management of its legal predecessor and  
surviving dependents, amounted to 100,940,669 euros (previ-
ous year: 102,214,945 euros). Amounts paid to such recipients 
during the year under review totaled 7,205,023 euros  
(previous year: 7,265,411 euros).

Disclosures in accordance with the German Corporate 
Governance Code [DCGK]
In accordance with the recommendations of the DCGK, the 
 following tables show 
a) 

 the benefits granted for fiscal 2018, including the maximum 
and minimum achievable compensation for variable 
remuneration components, and 
 the allocation for fiscal 2018.

b) 

The fixed salary and other emoluments are consistent with the 
HGB / DRS 17 figures. Unlike the disclosures under HGB / DRS 17, 
both DCGK tables also include the pension benefits (service 
cost as per IAS). In accordance with DCGK recommendations, 
the figures for granted variable remuneration (STI, LTI) reflect 
the expected value rather than the actual payment amount.

Service cost / Present value of pension benefits 

26

in euros

Hans Van Bylen

Jan-Dirk Auris

Carsten Knobel

Kathrin Menges

Bruno Piacenza

Jens-Martin Schwärzler  
(since 11/1/2017)

Total

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

HGB

IAS

Service cost for pension 
 benefits in the reporting year

Present value of pension 
benefits as of December 31

Service cost for pension 
benefits in the reporting year

Present value of pension 
benefits as of December 31

770,183

767,916

462,270

460,860

461,558

460,036

460,602

459,233

460,013

458,647

462,459

173,706

3,077,085

2,780,398

8,051,409

7,526,791

4,083,439

3,815,974

3,415,383

3,120,002

3,480,289

3,188,528

3,449,136

3,181,500

1,589,793

1,111,875

24,069,449

21,944,670

770,220

767,944

462,865

461,600

463,029

461,860

461,099

459,882

460,072

458,721

467,400

179,972

3,084,685

2,789,979

8,439,095

8,053,190

4,187,786

3,961,485

3,510,588

3,256,629

3,537,289

3,267,118

3,453,241

3,186,993

1,680,637

1,258,609

24,808,636

22,984,024

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationPursuant to DCGK, payments / benefits granted for the reporting year to members of the Management Board serving in 2018 

1. Fixed  
remuneration 1

2. Other  
emoluments 1

Total (1 and 2)

3. Short-term 
variable cash 
remuneration 2

4. Long-term 
variable cash 
remuneration 
(share  
deferral) 2

5. Long-term 
incentive 3

Total (1 to 5) 6. Service cost 
(IFRS)

in euros

Hans Van Bylen  
(Chairman)  
(since 5/1/2016) 

Board member since 
7/1/2005

Jan-Dirk Auris 
(Adhesive Technologies)

Board member since 
1/1/2011

Carsten Knobel 
(Finance)

Board member since 
7/1/2012

Kathrin Menges 
(Human Resources)

Board member since 
10/1/2011

Bruno Piacenza 
(Laundry & Home Care)

Board member since 
1/1/2011

Jens-Martin Schwärzler 
(Beauty Care)

Board member since 
11/1/2017

2018

1,200,000

2018 (min)

1,200,000

2018 (max)

2017

2018

2018 (min)

2018 (max)

2017

2018

2018 (min)

2018 (max)

2017

2018

2018 (min)

2018 (max)

2017

2018

2018 (min)

2018 (max)

2017

2018

2018 (min)

2018 (max)

2017

1,200,000

1,200,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

125,000

71,457

71,457

71,457

56,648

56,369

56,369

56,369

47,540

66,265

66,265

66,265

67,811

45,027

45,027

45,027

95,165

49,842

49,842

49,842

47,588

73,405

73,405

73,405

25,218

1,271,457

2,290,882

1,233,552

700,000

5,495,891

1,271,457

1,271,457

1,256,648

0

0

0

1,271,457

3,315,000

2,308,691

1,785,000

1,243,141

2,100,000

1,400,000

8,471,457

6,208,480

1,347,578

725,619

400,000

3,279,566

0

0

0

806,369

1,050,000

1,200,000

1,950,000

1,358,054

1,347,578

0

1,950,000

1,358,054

1,347,578

0

1,950,000

1,358,054

1,347,578

0

1,950,000

1,358,054

1,078,062

0

1,560,000

189,741

1,050,000

1,200,000

0

816,265

800,000

400,000

800,000

400,000

800,000

400,000

800,000

320,000

5,006,369

3,686,854

3,289,462

5,016,265

3,707,125

3,268,224

4,995,027

3,734,479

3,273,039

4,999,842

3,686,902

2,801,962

0

823,405

960,000

106,667

4,183,405

548,794

1,050,000

1,200,000

0

795,027

1,050,000

1,200,000

0

799,842

731,260

725,619

0

731,260

725,619

0

731,260

725,619

0

731,260

580,495

0

840,000

102,168

806,369

806,369

806,369

797,540

816,265

816,265

816,265

817,811

795,027

795,027

795,027

845,165

799,842

799,842

799,842

797,588

823,405

823,405

823,405

150,218

56

27

Total  
remuneration 
pursuant  
to DCGK  
(Total of 1 to 6)

6,266,111

2,041,677

9,241,677

6,976,424

3,742,431

1,269,234

5,469,234

4,148,454

3,752,491

1,279,294

5,479,294

4,168,985

3,729,323

1,256,126

5,456,126

4,194,361

3,733,111

1,259,914

5,459,914

4,145,623

3,269,362

1,290,805

4,650,805

728,766

770,220

770,220

770,220

767,944

462,865

462,865

462,865

461,600

463,029

463,029

463,029

461,860

461,099

461,099

461,099

459,882

460,072

460,072

460,072

458,721

467,400

467,400

467,400

179,972

1  Payout in the relevant fiscal year.
2 Average expected (not actual) payout and minimum / maximum amount.
3  Value (not actually paid out) of the LTI tranche awarded to the serving members of the Management Board in the relevant fiscal year; payment is subject to the achievement of certain performance 
targets and due at the end of the three-year term, together with minimum / maximum amount; LTI tranche 2018: value based on an increase of 15 percent in adjusted EPS per preferred share in the 
period from 1/1/2018 – 12/31/2020, payout in 2021; LTI tranche 2017: value based on an increase of 30 percent in adjusted EPS per preferred share in the period from 1/1/2017 – 12/31/2019, 
payout in 2020.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationPursuant to DCGK, payments / benefits paid for the reporting year to members of the Management Board serving in 2018 

57

28

1. Fixed  
remunera-
tion 1

2. Other  
emoluments 1

Total  
(1 and 2)

3. Short-term 
variable cash 
remunera-
tion 2

4. Long-term 
variable cash 
remuneration 
(share  
deferral) 2

5. Long-term incentive 3

2016 tranche 
(term 
1/1/2016 – 
12/31/2018)

2015 tranche 
(term 
1/1/2015 – 
12/31/2017)

Total (1 to 5)

6. Service 
cost  
(IFRS)

Total  
remuneration  
pursuant to 
DCGK (Total of 
1 to 6)

2018

1,200,000

71,457

1,271,457

2,242,538

1,207,521

721,264

5,442,780

770,220

6,213,000

2017

1,200,000

56,648

1,256,648

2,486,755

1,339,022

894,853

5,977,278

767,944

6,745,222

2018

750,000

56,369

806,369

1,373,626

739,645

540,948

3,460,588

462,865

3,923,453

2017

750,000

47,540

797,540

1,498,165

806,704

894,853

3,997,262

461,600

4,458,862

2018

750,000

66,265

816,265

1,357,376

730,895

540,948

3,445,484

463,029

3,908,513

2017

750,000

67,811

817,811

1,498,165

806,704

894,853

4,017,533

461,860

4,479,393

2018

750,000

45,027

795,027

1,240,376

667,895

540,948

3,244,246

461,099

3,705,345

2017

750,000

95,165

845,165

1,377,915

741,954

894,853

3,859,887

459,882

4,319,769

2018

750,000

49,842

799,842

1,211,126

652,145

540,948

3,204,061

460,072

3,664,133

2017

750,000

47,588

797,588

1,449,415

780,454

894,853

3,922,310

458,721

4,381,031

2018

750,000

73,405

823,405

968,900

521,716

0

2,314,021

467,400

2,781,421

2017

125,000

25,218

150,218

188,922

101,727

0

440,867

179,972

620,839

in euros

Hans Van Bylen  
(Chairman)  
(since 5/1/2016) 

Board member since 
7/1/2005

Jan-Dirk Auris 
(Adhesive Technologies)

Board member since 
1/1/2011

Carsten Knobel 
(Finance)

Board member since 
7/1/2012

Kathrin Menges 
(Human Resources)

Board member since 
10/1/2011

Bruno Piacenza 
(Laundry & Home Care)

Board member since 
1/1/2011

Jens-Martin Schwärzler 
(Beauty Care)

Board member since 
11/1/2017

1  Payout in the relevant fiscal year.
2  Payout in the relevant following fiscal year.
3 Amount paid at relevant fiscal year-end for LTI tranches upon expiry of their respective three-year terms; payout in the relevant following fiscal year.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information58

2.  Remuneration of Henkel Management AG for 

 assumption of personal liability, and reimbursement  
of expenses to same

For assumption of personal liability and management respon-
sibility, Henkel Management AG in its function as Personally 
Liable Partner receives an annual payment of 50,000 euros 
(= 5 percent of its capital stock) plus any value-added tax (VAT) 
due, said fee being payable irrespective of any profit or loss 
made.

Henkel Management AG may also claim reimbursement from 
or payment by the corporation of all expenses incurred in con-
nection with the management of the corporation’s business, 
including the remuneration and pensions paid to its corporate 
bodies.

3.  Remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board 

and of the Shareholders’ Committee  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 

Regulation, structure and amounts 
The Annual General Meeting has defined the remuneration for 
the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee in 
provisions contained in Articles 17 and 33 of the Articles of 
Association. Remuneration is of a purely fixed nature to 
strengthen impartiality and to avoid conflicts of interest for 
corporate body members in the performance of their supervi-
sory function. In accordance with DCGK recommendations, 
remuneration is increased or additional remuneration paid to 
take account of the responsibility and scope of duties associ-
ated with being Chair, Vice Chair or member of a (sub)commit-
tee. 

The components in detail: Each member of the Supervisory 
Board and of the Shareholders’ Committee receives a fixed fee 
of 70,000 euros and 100,000 euros per year respectively. The 
Chair of the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ Commit-

tee receives double this amount, and the Vice Chair in each 
case one and a half times the aforementioned amounts.

Members of the Supervisory Board who are also members of 
one or more committees each receive additional remuneration 
of 35,000 euros; if they chair one or more committees, they 
receive 70,000 euros. Activity in the Nominations Committee 
is not remunerated separately. 

Members of the Shareholders’ Committee who are also mem-
bers of one or more subcommittees of the Shareholders’ Com-
mittee each receive additional remuneration of 100,000 euros; 
if they chair one or more subcommittees, they receive 200,000 
euros.

The higher remuneration allocated to the members of the 
Shareholders’ Committee as compared to the Supervisory 
Board takes into account that, under the Articles of Associa-
tion, the Shareholders’ Committee participates in the manage-
ment of the corporation.

Miscellaneous
The members of the Supervisory Board or a committee receive 
an attendance fee amounting to 1,000 euros for each meeting 
in which they participate. If several meetings take place on one 
day, the attendance fee is only paid once. In addition, the 
members of the Supervisory Board and of the Shareholders’ 
Committee are reimbursed expenses incurred in connection 
with their positions. The members of the Supervisory Board 
are also reimbursed the value-added tax (VAT) payable on their 
total remunerations and reimbursed expenses.

The corporation maintains directors and officers insurance for 
members of the corporate bodies of the Henkel Group. For 
members of the Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Commit-
tee there is a deductible amounting to 10 percent per loss 
event, subject to a maximum for the fiscal year of one and a 
half times their annual fixed remuneration.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information59

The Chair of the Supervisory Board and of the Shareholders’ 
Committee is provided with an office and secretarial support 
to enable her to perform these duties.

The corporation does not grant any loans or advances to mem-
bers of the Supervisory Board or the Shareholders’ Committee.

Remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board and 
of the Shareholders’ Committee for fiscal 2018
Total remuneration paid to the members of the Supervisory 
Board for the year under review (fixed fee, attendance fee, 
remuneration for committee activity) amounted to 1,559,000 
euros plus VAT (previous year: 1,565,000 euros plus VAT). Of 
this amount, fixed fees accounted for 1,225,000 euros, atten-
dance fees for 65,000 euros, and remuneration for committee 
activity (including associated attendance fees) for 269,000 euros.

Total remuneration paid to the members of the Shareholders’ 
Committee for the year under review (fixed fee and remunera-
tion for subcommittee activity) amounted to 2,295,206 euros 
(previous year: 2,215,754 euros). Of this amount, fixed fees 
were 1,122,603 euros and remuneration for subcommittee 
activity 1,172,603 euros. 

In the year under review, no compensation or benefits were 
paid or granted for personally performed services, including in 
particular advisory or intermediation services.

The remuneration of the individual members of the Supervi-
sory Board and of the Shareholders’ Committee, broken down 
according to the above-mentioned components, is presented 
in the tables on the following pages.

Supervisory Board remuneration 

29

in euros

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah 3,  
Chair

Birgit Helten-Kindlein 3, 
Vice Chair (since 4/9/2018)

Winfried Zander 3, 
Vice Chair (until 4/9/2018)

Jutta Bernicke

Dr. Kaspar von Braun

Peter Emmerich 
(since 4/9/2018)

Johann-Christoph Frey 
(until 4/9/2018)

TABLE CONT’D

Components of total remuneration

Fixed remuneration

Attendance fee

Fee for committee 
activity 1

Total remuneration 2

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

140,000

140,000

95,507

70,000

28,479

105,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

51,014

–

18,986

70,000

3,000

4,000

4,000

3,000

1,000

4,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

2,000

–

2,000

5,000

39,000

39,000

39,000

39,000

10,493

39,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

182,000

183,000

138,507

112,000

39,972

148,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

53,014

–

20,986

75,000

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther information60

Supervisory Board remuneration 

29

in euros

Peter Hausmann 3 
(until 4/9/2018)

Benedikt-Richard Freiherr von Herman

Timotheus Höttges

Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke 3

Angelika Keller 
(until 4/9/2018)

Barbara Kux

Andrea Pichottka

Philipp Scholz  
(since 4/9/2018)

Dr. Martina Seiler

Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert 3

Dirk Thiede  
(since 4/9/2018)

Edgar Topsch 3

Michael Vassiliadis 3 
(since 4/9/2018)

Total

Components of total remuneration

Fixed remuneration

Attendance fee

Fee for committee 
activity 1

Total remuneration 2

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

18,986

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

18,986

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

51,014

–

70,000

70,000

70,000

70,000

51,014

–

70,000

70,000

51,014

–

1,000

4,000

4,000

5,000

3,000

4,000

2,000

4,000

2,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

4,000

4,000

3,000

–

5,000

5,000

4,000

4,000

3,000

–

4,000

5,000

3,000

–

1,225,000

1,225,000

65,000

71,000

10,493

39,000

–

–

–

–

38,000

39,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

74,000

74,000

–

–

29,507

–

28,507

–

269,000

269,000

30,479

113,000

74,000

75,000

73,000

74,000

110,000

113,000

20,986

75,000

75,000

75,000

74,000

74,000

54,014

–

75,000

75,000

148,000

148,000

54,014

–

103,507

75,000

82,521

–

1,559,000

1,565,000

1  Remuneration for service on the Audit Committee, including attendance fee; there is no separate remuneration payable for service on the Nominations Committee. 
2  Figures do not include VAT. 
3 Member of the Audit Committee. Audit Committee Chair: Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationShareholders’ Committee remuneration 

30

61

in euros

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, 
Chair (Chair Human Resources Subcommittee)

Dr. Christoph  Henkel,  
Vice Chair (Chair Finance Subcommittee)

Prof. Dr. Paul Achleitner  
(Member Finance Subcommittee)

Boris Canessa 
(Member HR Subcommittee) (until 4/30/2017)

Johann-Christoph Frey 
(Member HR Subcommittee) (since 4/9/2018)

Stefan Hamelmann  
(Vice Chair Finance Subcommittee)

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner  
(Member Finance Subcommittee)

Dr. Dr. Norbert Reithofer  
(Member Finance Subcommittee)

Konstantin von Unger  
(Vice Chair HR Subcommittee)

Jean-François van Boxmeer 
(Member HR Subcommittee)

Werner Wenning  
(Member HR Subcommittee)

Total

Components of total remuneration

Fixed remuneration

Fee for committee 
activity

Total remuneration

200,000

200,000

150,000

150,000

100,000

100,000

–

32,877

72,603

–

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

100,000

100,000

–

32,877

72,603

–

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

400,000

400,000

350,000

350,000

200,000

200,000

–

65,754

145,206

–

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

200,000

1,122,603

1,082,877

1,172,603

1,132,877

2,295,206

2,215,754

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

4.  Remuneration of the members of the Supervisory 

Board of Henkel Management AG

According to Article 14 of the Articles of Association of Henkel 
Management AG, the members of the Supervisory Board of 
Henkel Management AG are each entitled to receive annual 
remuneration of 10,000 euros. However, those members of 
said Supervisory Board who are also and simultaneously mem-

bers of the Supervisory Board or the Shareholders’ Committee 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA do not receive this remuneration. As 
the Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG is only com-
prised of members who also belong to the Shareholders’ Com-
mittee, no remuneration was paid in respect of this Supervi-
sory Board in the year under review.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationH e n k e l   A n n u a l   R e p o r t   2 0 1 8

62

Combined  
management report

  63 
  63 

  65 

  67 
  68 

  69 
  69 

  69 

  70 
  70 
  71 
  71 
  72 

Fundamental principles of the Group
Operational activities
Overview
63 
63 
Organization and business units
 Henkel 2020+: Our ambitions  
and strategic priorities
Our ambitions 
65 
66 
 Strategic priorities in summary
Sustainability strategy
 Management system and performance  
indicators
Cost of capital
 Takeover-relevant information, corporate gov-
ernance statement, remuneration report
Separate non-financial report

Economic report
 Macroeconomic development
Development by sector
Review of overall business performance
Results of operations of the Group
72 
74 
74 
75 
75 
75 
76 
76 
76 
76 

Sales
Operating profit
Expense items
 Other operating income and expenses
Financial result
 Net income and earnings per share (EPS)
Dividend
Return on capital employed (ROCE)
Economic Value Added (EVA®)
 Comparison between actual business 
performance and guidance

  78 

  84 

 Adhesive Technologies
Beauty Care
Laundry & Home Care

Results of operations of the business units
78 
80 
82 
Net assets and financial position
84 
84 
85 
86 
87 
88 
Employees
  89 
Procurement
  92 
Production
  94 
  96 
Research and development
 100  Marketing and distribution

Acquisitions and divestments
Capital expenditures
Net assets
Financial position
 Financing and capital management
Key financial ratios

 103 

 107 
 107 
 107 
 110 
 117 
 118 

 119 
 119 
 119 
 120 

 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
(condensed version according to the  
German  Commercial Code [HGB])

Risks and opportunities report
 Risks and opportunities
 Risk management system
 Major risk categories
 Major opportunity categories
 Risks and opportunities in summary

Forecast
 Macroeconomic development
 Development by sector
 Outlook for the Henkel Group in 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
63

Fundamental principles of the Group

Operational activities

Overview
Henkel was founded in 1876. Therefore, the year under review 
marks the 142nd in our corporate history. At the end of 2018, 
Henkel’s workforce worldwide numbered around 53,000. We 
occupy globally leading market positions in our consumer and 
industrial businesses. 

Henkel is organized into three operational business units: 
Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care and Laundry & Home 
Care. Henkel’s Adhesive Technologies business unit leads the 
global market in the field of adhesives. In our Beauty Care and 
Laundry & Home Care consumer businesses, we also hold top 
positions in numerous markets and categories. 

1876

year of foundation.

Our purpose is to create sustainable value – for our customers 
and consumers, for our people and for our shareholders, as 
well as for the wider society and communities in which we 
operate.

Organization and business units
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is operationally active as well as being 
the parent company of the Henkel Group. As such it is respon-
sible for defining and pursuing Henkel’s corporate objectives 
and also for the management, control and monitoring of 
Group-wide activities, including risk management and the 
allocation of resources. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA performs all 
these tasks within the legal scope afforded to it as part of the 
Henkel Group, with the affiliated companies otherwise operat-
ing as legally independent entities.

Operational management and control is the responsibility of 
the Management Board of Henkel Management AG in its func-
tion as sole Personally Liable Partner. The Management Board 
is supported in this by the central, corporate functions.

Adhesive Technologies leads the global market with high- 
impact solutions. The business unit offers a broad portfolio of 
adhesives, sealants and functional coatings through both its 
Industry and its Consumers, Craftsmen and Building busi-
nesses.

Our Industry business encompasses four areas. In the Packag-
ing and Consumer Goods Adhesives business area, we work 
with major brand manufacturers and international customers 
to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for food pack-
aging, furniture and various consumer goods. In the Transport 
and Metal business area, we provide our customers in the 
automotive, aircraft and aerospace, and metal processing 
industries with advanced system solutions along the entire 
value chain, together with an extensive technology portfolio 
and specialized technical services. In the General Industry 
business area, we offer a comprehensive range of products for 
the manufacture, development, optimization, maintenance, 
repair and overhaul of durable goods, complemented by inno-
vative 3D printing solutions. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationOur customers range from household appliance manufactur-
ers through to operators of large-scale industrial plants, and 
service specialists operating in all branches of industry. Our 
Electronics business area offers customers a specialized port-
folio of innovative high- technology adhesives and materials 
for the manufacture of microchips and electronic assemblies. 
Our product solutions are also used in the infrastructure elec-
tronics of industrial facilities and in the automotive sector.

Our Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building business 
area markets an extensive range of sustainable brand-name 
products for private, trade and construction users.

The Beauty Care business unit is globally active in the 
Branded Consumer Goods business area with Hair Cosmetics, 
Body Care, Skin Care and Oral Care, as well as in the professional 
Hair Salon business. In both business areas, we hold top posi-
tions in numerous markets and categories. Both our Branded 
Consumer Goods and Hair Salon businesses offer focused 
brand portfolios featuring consumer-relevant innovations that 
create added value for our customers and consumers. Our 
products are sold both in brick-and-mortar stores and online.

The Laundry & Home Care business unit occupies leading 
market positions in both its Laundry Care and Home Care 
business areas. Our strong brands and consumer-relevant 
innovations play a key role in the everyday lives of our con-
sumers. Our product portfolio ranges from heavy-duty and 
specialty detergents, laundry additives, dishwashing products, 
hard surface and WC cleaners, to air fresheners and insect con-
trol products. Our products are sold mainly in brick-and-mor-
tar stores, but also via TV-based and online retailing.

Henkel around the world: Regional Centers 

64

31

Düsseldorf, Germany 
Global Headquarters

Vienna, Austria
Regional Center

Shanghai, China 
Regional Center

Stamford,  
Connecticut, USA  
Regional Center

Rocky Hill, 
Connecticut, USA 
Regional Center

Dubai, United 
Arab Emirates 
Regional Center

Mexico City, Mexico
Regional Center

São Paulo, Brazil
Regional Center

Our three business units are managed on the basis of globally 
responsible strategic business units. These are supported by 
the central functions of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, our Shared 
 Service Centers, and our Global Supply Chain organization in 
order to ensure optimum utilization of corporate network 
 synergies. 

Implementation of the strategies at the country and regional 
level is the responsibility of the national affiliated companies 
whose operations are supported and coordinated by regional 
centers. The executive bodies of these national affiliates manage 
their businesses in line with the relevant statutory regulations, 
supplemented by their own articles of association, internal 
procedural rules and the principles incorporated in our globally 
applicable management standards, codes and guidelines.

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Drive 
Growth

Accelerate 
Digitalization

Henkel 2020+: Our ambitions and 
strategic priorities

To ensure sustainable profitable growth through to 2020 and 
beyond, Henkel has defined four strategic priorities: drive 
growth, accelerate digitalization, increase agility and fund 
growth. Our balanced and broadly diversified portfolio with 
strong brands, innovative technologies and leading positions 
in attractive markets and categories provides a strong foundation. 
Our passionate global team is united in a strong corporate 
 culture with shared values. 

Fund
 Growth

Building on its strong foundation, Henkel is continuing to 
drive sustainable profitable growth. At the end of 2016, we 
 presented our ambitions and strategic priorities that will drive 
the company through to 2020 and beyond.

Increase
 Agility

Our ambitions 
We have defined our ambitions in a very volatile market envi-
ronment that is characterized by increasing globalization, 
accelerating digitalization, rapidly changing markets, and an 
increasing relevance of resource scarcity and social responsi-
bility. 

We want to become more customer- and consumer-focused 
and make the company even more innovative, agile and digi-
tal, in both our internal processes and our customer-facing 
activities. In  addition, we are further promoting sustainability 
in all our business activities. 

To underpin Henkel’s continued commitment to generate sus-
tainable profitable growth and attractive returns, in January 
2019 we expanded our mid- to long-term financial ambitions 
through to 2020 and beyond:

•  We are aiming to achieve organic sales growth of 2 to 4 percent.
•  For adjusted earnings per preferred share, we are targeting 

growth in a mid- to high-single-digit percentage range based 
on constant exchange rates.

•  We are aiming to further expand our free cash flow. 

In addition, we plan to continue pursuing compelling growth 
opportunities while maintaining our focus on strict cost disci-
pline and margin development.

Alongside organic growth, acquisitions will continue to be an 
integral part of our strategy. Our assessment of potential 
acquisitions is based on whether the targets are available, fit 
Henkel’s strategy, and are financially attractive. The focus in 
the Adhesive Technologies business unit is on expanding tech-
nology leadership, whereas in the Beauty Care and Laundry & 
Home Care business units we are striving to strengthen our 
categories in the relevant countries.

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Strategic priorities in summary

Drive growth

Increase agility

Driving growth in mature and emerging markets is a key 
 strategic priority for Henkel. In order to achieve this, we are 
implementing a range of targeted initiatives to further deepen 
the relationships with customers and consumers worldwide, 
strengthen our leading brands and technologies, develop 
exciting innovations and services, and  capture new sources 
of growth.

Accelerate digitalization

Accelerating digitalization helps us to successfully grow our 
business, strengthen the relationships with our customers and 
consumers, optimize our processes and transform the entire 
company. We are implementing a range of initiatives to drive 
our digital business, leverage Industry 4.0, and eTransform the 
organization. 

In a highly volatile and dynamic business environment, 
increasing the agility of the organization is a critical success 
factor for Henkel. This requires energized and empowered 
teams, fastest time-to-market as well as smart and simplified 
processes.

Fund growth

In order to fund growth, we are implementing new approaches 
to optimize resource allocation, focus on “Net Revenue Man-
agement,” further increase efficiency in our structures, and 
 continue to expand our Global Supply Chain organization. 
Together, these initiatives will contribute to further improving 
profitability and enable us to fund our growth ambitions for 
2020 and beyond.

Acquisitions in fiscal 2018 

Business

Unión Técnico Comercial S.R.L.,  
Products for maintenance,  
repair and overhaul of durable goods

JemPak Corporation,  
Detergent and dishwashing retailer brands

Aislantes Nacionales S.A.,  
Tile adhesives and building materials

1  Proforma sales 2018.

Key countries

Contract  
signed on

Completion on

Annual sales in 
million euros 1

Purchase price 
in million euros

Peru

12/5/2017

1/3/2018

~10

USA, Canada

5/10/2018

6/1/2018

~85

Chile

7/16/2018

12/10/2018

~85

13

76

343

32

For further 
information,  
see pages

84, 134–135

84, 95, 134–135

84, 134–135

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationWe continued to focus on driving these priorities and initia-
tives in fiscal 2018. 

Sustainability strategy

67

In driving growth, we have been able to acquire new customers 
and consumer target groups with our product and service 
innovations. We also expanded our venture capital activities 
further in 2018. Through investments in start-ups, we have 
strengthened our digital and technological expertise and have 
further expanded our network. Aside from organic growth, 
business was further strengthened in the year under review by 
several acquisitions (see table on page 66). The integration of 
the acquired businesses progressed well. 

We continued to drive the digital transformation of the company. 
Our efforts included launching Henkel X – a platform for further 
fostering entrepreneurial spirit among all our employees. 

We have increased agility by simplifying the organizational 
structures and processes in all business units. 

We continued to drive the implementation of our “Fund 
growth” initiatives in 2018 and reached further milestones, 
including the successful rollout of our “Net Revenue Manage-
ment” initiative into further countries.

Sustainability as one of our corporate values
Our commitment to leadership in sustainability is anchored in 
our corporate values. We want to create more value – for our cus-
tomers and consumers, for the communities we operate in, and 
for our company – while, at the same time, reducing our environ-
mental footprint. We aim to pioneer new solutions for sustain-
able development while continuing to shape our business 
responsibly and increasing our economic success. Our sustain-
ability strategy provides a clear framework for this aim and 
reflects the high expectations of our stakeholders. 

Our focal areas
We are concentrating our activities on six focal areas that reflect 
the key challenges of sustainable development as they relate to 
our operations. Three of them describe how we want to add 
value – for our customers and consumers, our shareholders and 
our company – for example, by enhancing occupational health 
and safety, and encouraging social progress. The three other focal 
areas describe the ways in which we want to reduce our environ-
mental footprint, for instance through reduced water and energy 
use and less waste.

Implementation along the value chain
We are convinced that our focus on sustainability is more 
important than ever before, and that it supports our growth, 
improves our cost efficiency and reduces risks. We already 
have a strong foundation on which to build, and can demon-
strate a successful track record. In response to the growing 
importance of sustainability for our stakeholders and for our 
long-term commercial success, we have defined strategies and 
objectives in our focal areas along the value chain, where we 
intend to add value and reduce our environmental footprint.

More details and background reading on the subject of sus-
tainability can be found in our Sustainability Report. 

  www.henkel.com/sustainabilityreport

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   www.henkel.com/ 
sustainabilityreport

Management system and  
performance indicators

Henkel plans to continue generating sustainable profitable 
growth through to 2020 and beyond. To this end, we have 
defined four strategic priorities – drive growth, accelerate digi-
talization, increase agility and fund growth – as described on 
pages 65 to 67. To enable efficient management of the Group, 
we align our actions to these strategic priorities translated into 
strategy plans for our central functions, the three business 
units Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care and Laundry & 
Home Care, and their respective business areas. 

Our management system and key performance indicators are 
derived from our ambition to continue generating sustainable 
profitable growth. The key performance indicators are organic 
sales growth, developments in adjusted return on sales, and 
growth in adjusted earnings per preferred share at constant 
exchange rates. 

Mid- to long-term, Henkel is aiming to achieve organic sales 
growth of 2 to 4 percent. For adjusted earnings per preferred 
share, Henkel is targeting growth in the mid- to high-single-
digit percentage range, based on constant exchange rates. 

The key performance indicators are represented in both our 
year and the medium-term plans. A regular comparison of 
these plans with current developments and expected figures 
enables focused management of the company based on the 
described performance indicators. 

Moreover, we report further key performance indicators, such 
as adjusted earnings per preferred share, net working capital 
as a percentage of sales, return on capital employed (ROCE), 
and free cash flow, which we are aiming to further expand as 
described in our mid- to long-term financial ambition.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information69

8.00 %

Group WACC before tax in  
fiscal 2018.

Cost of capital

The cost of capital is calculated as a weighted average of the 
cost of equity and debt capital (WACC). 

We regularly review our cost of capital in order to reflect chang-
ing market conditions. In addition, we apply different WACC 
rates depending on the business unit involved. These are 
based on business unit-specific beta factors determined from 
a peer group benchmark. 

The following two tables indicate the WACC rates before and 
after tax for the Henkel Group and each business unit. 

WACC before tax by business unit 

in percent

Adhesive Technologies

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

Henkel Group

WACC after tax by business unit 

in percent

Adhesive Technologies

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

Henkel Group

2018

10.50

9.00

9.00

8.00

2018

7.25

6.25

6.25

5.50

33

2019

10.00

8.00

8.00

7.75

34

2019

7.25

6.00

6.00

5.75

Takeover-relevant information,  
corporate governance statement, 
remuneration report

With regard to the disclosures and explanations
•  pursuant to Sections 289a (1) and 315a (1) German Commer-
cial Code [HGB] – Takeover-relevant information – please 
refer to pages 29 to 32,

•  pursuant to Sections 289f and 315d HGB – Corporate gover-

nance statement – please refer to pages 32 to 42, and

•  pursuant to Sections 289a (2) and 315a (2) HGB – Remunera-

tion report – please refer to pages 42 to 61, 

which duly constitute integral parts of the combined manage-
ment report.

Pursuant to Section 317 (2) sentence 6 HGB, any audit of the 
disclosures pursuant to Sections 289f and 315d HGB – Corpo-
rate governance statement – is limited to the auditor ensuring 
the relevant information has actually been disclosed.

Separate non-financial report

With regard to the explanations pursuant to Sections 289b and 
315b German Commercial Code [HGB], please refer to our Sus-
tainability Report 2018. It constitutes the separate, combined 
non-financial corporate report for the Henkel Group and 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA for fiscal 2018 as required in Sections 
315b and 315c HGB in conjunction with Sections 289b to 289e 
HGB, and is made publicly available through publication on 
the website:  

  www.henkel.com/sustainabilityreport

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information70

Economic report

Macroeconomic development

The general economic conditions described in this section are 
based on data published by IHS Markit. 

Overview:
Moderate development under persistently difficult under-
lying conditions
Global economic growth was moderate in 2018. Gross domes-
tic product increased by approximately 3 percent worldwide, 
which was more or less on a par with the prior year. The 
mature markets grew by approximately 2 percent, while the 
emerging markets achieved an increase of approximately  
5 percent. 

For the year as a whole, economic growth was close to 3 per-
cent in North America and approximately 2 percent in Western 
Europe. The Japanese economy expanded by approximately 
1 percent. Economic growth in Asia (excluding Japan) was 
approximately 6 percent, with China coming in slightly above 
this level. Eastern Europe posted growth of approximately 
3 percent, to which Russia also contributed with an increase of 
around 2 percent. The Africa / Middle East region recorded an 
increase of around 3 percent. Growth in Latin America was 
around 2 percent during the period under review.

Unemployment:
Global level unchanged year on year
Global unemployment remained close to the level of the previ-
ous year at around 7 percent. Year on year, the unemployment 
rates in both North America and Western Europe were lower at 
approximately 4 percent and approximately 7 percent respec-
tively. Unemployment remained at a level of 9 percent in Latin 
America. Compared to prior year, the unemployment rates in 

Eastern Europe at 6.5 percent and in Asia (excluding Japan) at 
around 7 percent were slightly lower, respectively unchanged, 
year on year. At approximately 10 percent, unemployment in 
Africa / Middle East was on a par with the prior-year level.

Inflation:
Moderate rise in global price levels
Global inflation was approximately 3 percent and thus 
unchanged year on year. In the mature markets, inflation was 
2 percent up. Inflation in Western Europe was approximately 
on a par with the prior-year level, while there was a slight 
increase in North America and Japan. The inflation rate in 
emerging markets was approximately 4 percent. In Latin 
America and Asia (excluding Japan), inflation increased 
slightly year on year. The inflation rate in Africa / Middle East 
rose to approximately 7 percent. In Eastern Europe, inflation 
was slightly lower year on year.

Direct materials: 
Prices moderately higher than prior-year level
As expected, prices for direct materials (raw materials, packag-
ing, and purchased goods and services) rose moderately in 
2018 compared to the level of the previous year. This develop-
ment was driven by higher prices for relevant input materials, 
particularly crude oil.

Currencies: 
High currency volatility
Most of the currencies in the emerging markets of relevance to 
Henkel devalued as an average over the year. The Turkish lira 
and Russian ruble lost most ground, while the US dollar depre-
ciated strongly in the first quarter before appreciating again 
from the second quarter onward. It closed at 1.15 US dollars 

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to the euro at year-end. Averaged out over the year as a whole, the 
US dollar lost ground to the euro.

Review of overall business  
performance

Changes in the average exchange rates of the currencies of rel-
evance to Henkel are indicated in the following table:

In a challenging economic environment, Henkel continued its 
successful business performance of the previous year.  
2018 proved to be a good year.

Average rates of exchange versus the euro 

Chinese yuan

Mexican peso

Polish zloty

Russian ruble

Turkish lira 

US dollar

2017

7.63

21.33

4.26

65.95

4.12

1.13

35

2018

7.81

22.71

4.26

74.04

5.71

1.18

Source: ECB daily foreign exchange reference rates.

Development by sector

Moderate rise in global consumption
Private consumer spending grew moderately at a rate of approxi-
mately 3 percent across all sectors. Consumer spending in mature 
markets increased by 2 percent year on year. Consumers in North 
America increased their spending by around 3 percent. In West-
ern Europe, consumer spending grew by around 1 percent com-
pared to the previous year. Consumers in emerging markets spent 
4.5 percent more.

Industrial production at prior-year level
At approximately 3 percent, the industrial production index 
(IPX) was on a par with the prior-year level worldwide. The 
mature markets contributed 2.5 percent to growth in 2018. In 
the emerging markets growth was 3.5 percent.

Sales totaled 19.9 billion euros in the year under review. We 
achieved good organic sales growth of 2.4 percent. Organic 
sales growth was very strong in the emerging markets at 
6.3 percent, and slightly down year on year at – 0.4 percent in 
the mature markets.

+ 2.4 %

organic sales  
growth.

Year on year, adjusted 1 gross margin decreased by – 0.6 per-
centage points to 46.5 percent. Savings from cost reduction 
measures and efficiency improvements accompanied by selec-
tive price increases were able to partially offset the impact of 
higher prices for direct materials (raw materials, packaging, 
and purchased goods and services).

As a result of our continued focus on cost management, strict 
implementation of our “Fund growth” initiatives, and the 
adjustment of our structures to our markets and customers, 
we were able to improve our profitability versus prior year. 
Adjusted 1 return on sales increased by 0.3 percentage points in 
2018 to 17.6 percent (2017: 17.3 percent).

Adjusted 1 earnings per preferred share grew to 6.01 euros, 
equivalent to an increase of 2.7 percent versus 2017 
(5.85 euros). Net working capital as a percentage of sales was 
5.1 percent, an increase of 0.3 percentage points over the previ-
ous year. We generated free cash flow of 1,917 million euros. 
Our net financial position totaled – 2,895 million euros (2017: 
– 3,222 million euros).

1   Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.

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37  

Sales

+ 2.4 %

organic sales  
growth.

Sales 
in million euros

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

16,428

18,089

18,714

20,029

19,899

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

Price and volume effects 

38

in percent

Adhesive Technologies

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

Henkel Group

Organic sales 
growth

of which  
price

of which  
volume

4.0

– 0.7

1.9

2.4

2.8

0.0

1.7

1.9

1.2

– 0.7

0.2

0.5

In a market environment that continues to be highly competi-
tive, we increased sales in the Western Europe region to 
6,107 million euros. Organic sales growth was positive, mainly 
driven by the positive performance in Germany. The share of 
sales from the region increased to 31 percent.

In the Eastern Europe region, we achieved sales of 2,843 million 
euros. Organically, sales grew by 7.6 percent. At 14 percent, the 
share of sales from the region was on a par with the prior-year 
level.

EBIT

17.6 %

adjusted 1 return on sales 
(EBIT): up 0.3 percentage 
points.

EPS

6.01 euros

adjusted 1 earnings per  
preferred share (EPS):  
up 2.7 percent.

Dividend

1.85 euros

dividend per preferred share 2.

Results of operations of the Group

Sales
Nominally, sales in fiscal 2018 decreased slightly by – 0.6 per-
cent to 19,899 million euros. Currency movements had a nega-
tive effect on sales of – 5.4 percent. Adjusted for foreign 
exchange effects, sales grew by 4.8 percent. Acquisitions / 
 divestments accounted for 2.4 percent of the increase in sales.

Organic sales growth, i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and 
acquisitions / divestments, was good at 2.4 percent. The 
increase was driven by both price and volume.

Sales development 1 

in percent

Change versus previous year

Foreign exchange 

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Acquisitions / divestments

Organic

of which price 

of which volume

36

2018

– 0.6

– 5.4

4.8

2.4

2.4

1.9

0.5

1  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.

The Adhesive Technologies business unit achieved organic 
sales growth of 4.0 percent. Organic sales growth in the Beauty 
Care business unit was – 0.7 percent and thus lower than in 
2017. The Laundry & Home Care business unit generated 
organic sales growth of 1.9 percent.

1  Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.
2  Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 8, 2019.

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39

Our sales in the Africa / Middle East region decreased to 
1,286 million euros. We were able to improve sales organically 
by 11.3 percent. At 6 percent, the share of sales from the region 
was unchanged year on year.

Sales in the Asia-Pacific region were down year on year, at 
3,314 million euros. Organic sales growth in the region was 
0.9 percent. The share of sales from the Asia-Pacific region 
remained flat at 17 percent.

Sales in the North America region decreased to 5,040 million 
euros. Organically, sales declined by – 1.0 percent. This slight 
decline was due to the delivery difficulties in our consumer 
goods businesses of Beauty Care and Laundry & Home Care. The 
share of sales from the region decreased slightly to 25 percent.

Our sales in the Latin America region rose to 1,181 million 
euros. Organically, we increased sales by 9.3 percent. The share 
of sales from the region remained unchanged at 6 percent.

Sales in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe, Africa / Middle 
East, Latin America and Asia (excluding Japan) were slightly 
lower year on year at 8,071 million euros. Organically, sales 
grew by 6.3 percent. Thus the emerging markets were the main 
drivers of organic sales growth. At 40 percent, the share of 
sales from emerging markets was unchanged year on year.

Key financials by region 1 

in million euros

Sales 2 2018

Sales 2 2017

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Organic

Proportion of Group sales 2018

Proportion of Group sales 2017

Operating profit (EBIT) 2018 

Operating profit (EBIT) 2017

1,810

1,463

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Return on sales (EBIT) 2018

Return on sales (EBIT) 2017

23.7 %

23.8 %

29.6 %

24.3 %

1  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.
2 By location of company.

Western 
Europe

Eastern  
Europe

Africa / 
Middle East

North America 

Latin America

Asia-Pacific

Total Regions

Corporate

Henkel Group

6,107

6,033

2,843

2,897

1,286

1,302

5,040

5,162

1,181

1,142

3,314

3,371

19,771

19,906

1.2 %

1.6 %

0.3 %

31 %

30 %

– 1.8 %

7.6 %

7.6 %

14 %

14 %

280

280

0.1 %

14.2 %

9.8 %

9.7 %

– 1.2 %

11.6 %

11.3 %

6 %

6 %

35

58

– 39.4 %

– 15.7 %

2.7 %

4.5 %

– 2.4 %

4.4 %

– 1.0 %

25 %

26 %

406

731

– 44.5 %

– 42.0 %

8.0 %

14.2 %

3.5 %

16.5 %

9.3 %

6 %

6 %

136

112

21.6 %

41.3 %

11.5 %

9.8 %

– 1.7 %

1.9 %

0.9 %

17 %

17 %

561

537

4.5 %

8.7 %

16.9 %

15.9 %

– 0.7 %

4.8 %

2.4 %

99 %

99 %

3,228

3,181

1.5 %

5.2 %

16.3 %

16.0 %

128

123

–

–

–

1 %

1 %

– 112

– 126

–

–

–

–

19,899

20,029

– 0.6 %

4.8 %

2.4 %

100 %

100 %

3,116

3,055

2.0 %

5.1 %

15.7 %

15.3 %

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationOperating profit
The following explanations relate to results adjusted for one-
time charges / gains and restructuring expenses so as to pres-
ent operational performance before exceptional items.

In all business units, we benefited from our successful innova-
tions, the ongoing measures to reduce costs and improve effi-
ciency, and synergy effects.

74

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT) 

in million euros

EBIT (as reported)

One-time gains 

One-time charges 

Restructuring expenses

Adjusted EBIT

40

+/–

2.0 %

Expense items
The following explanations relate to our operating expenses 
adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring 
expenses. The reconciliation statement and the allocation of 
the restructuring expenses between the various expense items 
of the consolidated statement of income can be found on page 
210.

2017

3,055

– 21

182

245

2018

3,116

– 11

129

262

3,461

3,496

1.0 %

In order to adapt our structures to our markets and customers, 
we spent 262 million euros on restructuring (previous year: 
245 million euros). A significant portion of this amount is 
attributable to the optimization of our sales and production 
structures. Please refer to page 210 for more details on our 
restructuring expenses and an explanation of the one-time 
charges and gains. 

Adjusted operating profit (adjusted EBIT) increased to 
3,496 million euros, a rise of 1.0 percent on the prior-year 
 figure of 3,461 million euros. We improved adjusted return on 
sales (adjusted EBIT margin) for the Group by 0.3 percentage 
points to 17.6 percent.

Adjusted return on sales in the Adhesive Technologies busi-
ness unit showed an increase of 0.2 percentage points to 18.7 
percent. Adjusted return on sales in the Beauty Care business 
unit was slightly down by – 0.1 percentage points year on year 
at 17.1 percent. The Laundry & Home Care business unit 
increased adjusted return on sales by 0.5 percentage points to 
18.1 percent.

Cost of sales was 0.4 percent higher year on year at 10,641 mil-
lion euros. Gross profit decreased by – 1.8 percent to 9,258 mil-
lion euros. Adjusted gross margin decreased by – 0.6 percent-
age points to 46.5 percent. Savings from cost reduction mea-
sures and efficiency improvements accompanied by selective 
price increases partially offset the impact of higher prices for 
direct materials (raw materials, packaging, and purchased 
goods and services).

At 4,513 million euros, marketing, selling and distribution 
expenses were below the prior-year figure of 4,665 million 
euros. Compared to fiscal 2017, the ratio to sales decreased to 
22.6 percent. We spent a total of 471 million euros for research 
and development. The ratio to sales, at 2.4 percent, was more 
or less on a par with the prior year. Administrative expenses 
totaled 875 million euros – up from 870 million euros last year. 
At 4.4 percent, administrative expenses as a percentage of 
sales were largely unchanged year on year.

17.6 %

adjusted return on sales:  
up 0.3 percentage points.

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Reconciliation from sales to adjusted operating profit 1 

in million euros

Sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Marketing, selling and distribution expenses

Research and development expenses

Administrative expenses

Other operating income / expenses

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)

2017

20,029

– 10,598

9,431

– 4,665

– 469

– 870

34

3,461

%

100

– 52.9

47.1

– 23.3

– 2.3

– 4.3

0.1

17.3

2018

19,899

– 10,641

9,258

– 4,513

– 471

– 875

97

3,496

%

100

– 53.5

46.5

– 22.6

– 2.4

– 4.4

0.5

17.6

41

Change

– 0.6 %

0.4 %

– 1.8 %

– 3.3 %

0.4 %

0.6 %

–

1.0 %

1  Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros; figures commercially rounded.

Other operating income and expenses
At 97 million euros, the balance of adjusted other operating 
income and expenses increased year on year (2017: 34 million 
euros). The increase was attributable to numerous individual 
transactions.

Financial result
The financial result developed from – 67 million euros in 2017 
to – 65 million euros in the reporting year. The higher financ-
ing expense caused by the acquisitions in 2017 and 2018 was 
offset by a lower interest expense relating to tax obligations 
and a higher investment result.

Net income and earnings per share (EPS)
Income before tax increased by 63 million euros to 3,051 mil-
lion euros. Taxes on income amounted to 721 million euros. 
The tax rate of 23.6 percent was substantially higher year on 
year (2017: 15.0 percent). The tax burden eased in the prior 
year mainly because of the remeasurement of deferred taxes 
resulting from the tax reform that was passed in the USA in 
December 2017. This effect did not recur in the year under 
review. The adjusted tax rate decreased year on year by 
– 1.2 percentage points to 23.5 percent. Net income declined 
by – 8.3 percent from 2,541 million euros to 2,330 million 
euros. After taking into account 19 million euros attributable 
to non-controlling interests, net income attributable to share-
holders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA amounted to 2,311 million 
euros, – 8.3 percent lower than the prior-year figure (2017: 
2,519 million euros). Adjusted net income after deducting 
non-controlling interests was 2,604 million euros compared 
to 2,534 million euros in fiscal 2017. A condensed version of 
the annual financial statements of the parent company of the 
Henkel Group – Henkel AG & Co. KGaA – can be found on 
pages 103 to 106.

€ 2,330 m

net income.

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Earnings per preferred share (EPS) decreased from 5.81 euros to 
5.33 euros. Earnings per ordinary share decreased from 
5.79 euros to 5.31 euros. 

Preferred share dividend 
in euros

43  

Adjusted earnings per preferred share grew by 2.7 percent to 
6.01 euros (2017: 5.85 euros). The figures are adjusted for one-
time charges / gains and restructuring expenses. 

Adjusted earnings per preferred share 
in euros

42  

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

1.31

1.47

1.62

1.79

1.85 1

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

4.38

4.88

5.36

5.85

6.01

0.0

1.5

3.0

4.5

6.0

Dividend
According to our dividend policy, dividend payouts of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA shall, depending on the company’s 
asset and profit positions and its financial requirements, 
amount to 25 percent to 35 percent of net income after 
non-controlling interests and adjusted for exceptional items. 
We will propose to the Annual General Meeting an increased 
dividend compared to the previous year: 1.85 euros per pre-
ferred share and 1.83 euros per ordinary share. The payout ratio 
would then be 30.9 percent.

Starting in fiscal 2019, dividends will be based on a higher tar-
get corridor of 30–40 percent for the payout ratio.

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

1   Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 8, 2019.

Return on capital employed (ROCE)
At 15.5 percent, return on capital employed (ROCE) was below 
the prior-year figure of 16.3 percent due to acquisitions.

Economic Value Added (EVA®)
Economic Value Added (EVA®) decreased from 1,610 million euros 
to 1,510 million euros.

Comparison between actual business performance  
and guidance 
In August 2018 we updated our guidance for fiscal 2018:

We confirmed our expectation for organic sales growth of 2 to 
4 percent for the Henkel Group. Our expectations for organic 
sales growth were 4 to 5 percent for the Adhesive Technologies 
business unit, 0 to 2 percent for the Beauty Care business unit 
and 2 to 4 percent for the Laundry & Home Care business unit. 

For adjusted return on sales (EBIT), we forecasted an increase 
to around 18 percent for fiscal 2018 and anticipated that all 
business units would contribute to this positive performance. 
We expected an increase in adjusted earnings per preferred 
share of 3 to 6 percent.

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With organic growth of 2.4 percent, we achieved our sales 
growth forecast of 2 to 4 percent. The Adhesive Technologies 
business unit was at the lower end of the forecast range, while 
Beauty Care fell short of the forecast range. Organic sales 
growth in the Laundry & Home Care business unit was slightly 
below the forecast bandwidth.

Adjusted return on sales of the Henkel Group increased by 
0.3 percentage points to 17.6 percent and was therefore below 
the forecast range of around 18 percent.

The increase in adjusted earnings per preferred share of 
2.7 percent to 6.01 euros (2017: 5.85 euros) was slightly below 
our updated forecast of 3 to 6 percent growth.

Our restructuring expenses totaled 262 million euros. In our 
guidance, we had predicted a range of between 200 million 
and 250 million euros. Capital expenditures on property, plant 
and equipment and intangible assets totaled 853 million euros 
in fiscal 2018. We had originally forecasted capital expendi-
tures of between 750 million and 850 million euros.

Guidance versus performance 2018 

44

Organic sales growth

Henkel Group: 2 – 4 percent  

Henkel Group: 2 – 4 percent 

Henkel Group: 2.4 percent 

Guidance for 2018

Updated guidance for 2018 1

Performance in 2018

All business units within this range

Adhesive Technologies: 4 – 5 percent
Beauty Care: 0 – 2 percent
Laundry & Home Care: 2 – 4 percent

Adhesive Technologies: 4.0 percent 
Beauty Care: – 0.7 percent
Laundry & Home Care: 1.9 percent

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT)

Increase to more than 17.5 percent

Increase to around 18 percent

Increase to 17.6 percent

Adjusted earnings per preferred 
share

1  Updated on August 16, 2018.

Increase of 5 – 8 percent

Increase of 3 – 6 percent

Increase of 2.7 percent

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Results of operations of the business units
Adhesive Technologies

78

Overview
Despite increasing economic and geopolitical risks, the eco-
nomic environment in which the Adhesive Technologies busi-
ness unit operates was characterized by a steady upward trend 
in global industrial production growth. From a regional per-
spective, economic performance was driven by strong growth 
in the emerging markets, while the mature markets showed a 
good development.

Within this general economic environment, Adhesive Tech-
nologies successfully continued on its profitable growth path. 
Through active portfolio management and innovative product 
solutions, our organic sales growth was strong, with a good 
performance in adjusted return on sales.

Sales
Sales generated by the Adhesive Technologies business unit 
rose nominally by 0.2 percent to 9,403 million euros in the 
year under review. Foreign exchange effects reduced sales 
growth by – 5.2 percent. Acquisitions / divestments accounted 
for 1.4 percent of the growth.

Sales growth

+ 4.0 %

organic sales growth.

Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisi-
tions / divestments), sales grew by 4.0 percent. Growth was 
driven by both price and volume.

In the following, we comment on our organic sales perfor-
mance in the regions. Sales increased very strongly in our 
emerging markets, due particularly to double-digit sales 
growth in Eastern Europe and significant sales growth in  

Key financials 2 

in million euros

Sales

45

Sales development 3 

2017

2018

+/–

in percent

9,387

9,403

Proportion of Henkel sales

47 %

47 %

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)

1,657

1,734

1,669

1,761

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

17.7 %

18.5 %

20.3 %

17.7 %

18.7 %

19.3 %

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

831

762

0.2 %

–

0.7 %

1.6 %

0.0 pp

0.2 pp

– 1.0 pp

– 8.2 %

Change versus previous year

Foreign exchange

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Acquisitions / divestments

Organic

of which price 

of which volume

1   Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.
2 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros; figures commercially rounded.
3 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.
pp = percentage points

46

2018

0.2

– 5.2

5.4

1.4

4.0

2.8

1.2

Adjusted 1  
operating profit

€ 1,761 m

adjusted 1 operating profit 
(EBIT): up 1.6 percent.

Adjusted 1  
return on sales

18.7 %

adjusted 1 return on sales 
(EBIT): up 0.2 percentage 
points.

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Top brands

Latin America. Sales performance in the Asia (excluding Japan) 
and Africa / Middle East regions was good. Sales growth in the 
mature markets was also good. Sales growth was strong in the 
North America region and good in Western Europe, whereas 
performance in the mature markets of the Asia-Pacific region 
was negative.

In 2018, we generated more than 80 percent of all sales with 
our five technology cluster brands in the industrial business 
and our four strong brand platforms in the consumer busi-
ness. The proportion of sales from products successfully 
launched onto the market in the last five years remains at 
around 30 percent.

Operating profit
Adjusted operating profit increased to 1,761 million euros. 
Adjusted return on sales reached 18.7 percent. Gross margin 
remained at the prior-year level. By raising prices and taking 
measures to optimize our organizational structures and 
improve production and supply chain efficiency, we were able 
to offset the impact of higher prices for direct materials.

Sales Adhesive Technologies 
in million euros

47  

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

8,127

8,992

8,961

9,387

9,403

0

2,500

5,000

7,500

10,000

At 11.8 percent, net working capital as a percentage of sales was 
above prior year. Return on capital employed (ROCE) was lower 
year on year at 19.3 percent. At 762 million euros, Economic 
Value Added (EVA®) was down – 69 million euros versus the 
previous year, mainly due to foreign exchange effects. 

Business areas
In the following, we comment on the organic sales perfor-
mance of our business areas. For details of the activities of the 
individual business areas, please refer to pages 63 and 64.

Industrial business
Sales growth in the Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives 
business area was strong versus the previous year, thanks 
especially to our portfolio of high-impact, safe solutions for 
manufacturing packaging used in the food and beverage sec-
tors. We posted a good increase in sales in our Transport and 
Metal business area, particularly due to our innovative and 
sustainable aircraft and aerospace solutions and to our broad 
and innovative metal packaging portfolio. Sales in the General 
Industry business area showed a significant increase, boosted 
by both our new solutions for designing and manufacturing 
household appliances and our innovative products for indus-
trial plant maintenance, repair and overhaul. Our Electronics 
business area posted strong sales growth versus prior year. 
Growth was driven above all by innovative products for appli-
cations in the automotive sector and infrastructure electronics.

Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building
Sales growth in the Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and 
Building business area was strong. Drivers of this performance 
included our innovations for the construction industry and 
our sustainable brand-name products for private users.

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Beauty Care

Overview
2018 saw an overall improvement in growth in the world’s cos-
metics markets and categories of relevance for the Beauty Care 
business unit. Apart from the global hair colorants category, all 
relevant categories achieved at least positive market growth.  

In our Branded Consumer Goods business, performance in the 
mature markets was positive to good. The development of 
some key market segments in the North America region was 
good. Growth in the market in Western Europe was positive, 
despite sustained promotional activity, severe price and trade 
pressures, and declining average prices. Market growth was 
very strong in the Eastern Europe and Latin America regions. 
The Asia-Pacific region recorded significant market growth, while 
the Africa / Middle East region achieved a double-digit increase. 

The professional hair salon market continued to be character-
ized by intense competition in 2018, especially in the mature 

markets. Positive growth stimulus came mainly from product 
innovations. 

Sales growth

Overall, organic sales growth was slightly negative in the Beauty 
Care business unit in 2018. Organic sales growth in our Branded 
Consumer Goods business area was negative. The Hair Salon 
business area reported very strong organic growth, outperform-
ing the market. This enabled us to further expand our position as 
the world number three in the professional hairdresser market.  
Adjusted return on sales in the Beauty Care business unit came in 
slightly below previous year.

Sales
Sales generated by the Beauty Care business unit increased 
nominally by 2.1 percent to 3,950 million euros in fiscal 2018. 
Foreign exchange effects reduced sales by – 4.8 percent. Acqui-
sitions / divestments accounted for 7.6 percent of the growth.

– 0.7 %

organic sales growth.

Adjusted 1  
operating profit

€ 675 m

adjusted 1 operating profit 
(EBIT): up 1.6 percent.

Key financials 2 

in million euros

Sales

48

Sales development 3 

2017

2018

+/–

in percent

3,868

3,950

Proportion of Henkel sales

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

19 %

535

665

13.8 %

17.2 %

17.6 %

20 %

589

675

14.9 %

17.1 %

14.8 %

2.1 %

–

10.0 %

1.6 %

1.1 pp

– 0.1 pp

– 2.8 pp

Change versus previous year

Foreign exchange

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Acquisitions / divestments

Organic

of which price 

of which volume

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

262

230

– 12.1 %

1   Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.
2 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros; figures commercially rounded.
3 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.
pp = percentage points

49

2018

2.1

– 4.8

6.9

7.6

– 0.7

0.0

– 0.7

Adjusted 1  
return on sales

17.1 %

adjusted 1 return on sales 
(EBIT): down 0.1 percentage 
points.

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Top brands

Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisi-
tions / divestments), sales growth was slightly negative at 
– 0.7 percent. Sales performance was driven by volume.

In the following, we comment on our organic sales perfor-
mance in the regions. From a regional perspective, business 
performance was strong in the emerging markets. In the 
Africa / Middle East region, the business unit achieved very 
strong organic sales growth. The Latin America region posted a 
significant increase. In Asia (excluding Japan), sales perfor-
mance was negative. In Eastern Europe, growth was very 
strong. Organic sales growth was negative in the mature mar-
kets. In the North America region, sales fell below the prior- 
year level, mainly due to the delivery difficulties in our con-
sumer goods business. In the Western Europe region, perfor-
mance was negative. Sales in the mature markets of the 
Asia-Pacific region were lower year on year. 

In 2018, we generated 90 percent of our sales with our top 10 
brands. The proportion of sales from products successfully 
launched onto the market in the last three years was around 
45 percent.

Sales Beauty Care 
in million euros

50  

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

3,547

3,833

3,838

3,868

3,950

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

Operating profit
Adjusted operating profit increased in the reporting year to 675 
million euros. Adjusted return on sales was slightly negative at 
17.1 percent. Gross margin was lower year on year. Our ongoing 
measures to reduce costs and enhance production and supply 
chain efficiency enabled us to partially offset the effects on 
gross margin exerted by higher prices for direct materials and 
sustained promotional intensity.

At 4.7 percent, net working capital as a percentage of sales 
increased versus the prior year. Return on capital employed 
(ROCE) declined to 14.8 percent year on year due to acquisi-
tions. At 230 million euros, Economic Value Added (EVA®) was 
down.

Business areas
In the following, we comment on the organic sales perfor-
mance of our two business areas. For details of the activities of 
the individual business areas, please refer to page 64.

Branded Consumer Goods
Sales growth in our Branded Consumer Goods business area 
was negative in 2018. Our hair colorants business generated 
very strong sales growth. Overall sales performance was 
boosted by successful innovations under our Schwarzkopf 
brand, such as got2b, and under our Fa body care brand. 

Hair Salon business
Performance by our Hair Salon business was again very strong 
in 2018, supported by our Schwarzkopf Professional brand 
with innovations in the Igora and BlondMe lines, and by our 
North American brands Kenra and Alterna.

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Laundry & Home Care

Overview
In 2018, growth in the relevant world market for laundry and 
home care products was good.

Market performance in the mature markets was good, with 
corresponding developments in the relevant markets for laun-
dry detergents and household cleaners in Western Europe and 
North America. Market growth in the mature markets of the 
Asia-Pacific region was positive. 

The emerging markets registered strong market development. 
The relevant markets in Eastern Europe and Latin America 
achieved very strong growth. Market development in the 
Africa / Middle East region was good, but negative in Asia 
(excluding Japan).

continue our path of profitable growth in 2018. Both the sus-
tained success of our strong brands and the successful intro-
duction of our innovations contributed to this good perfor-
mance. Growth in adjusted return on sales was very strong. 

Sales
Sales generated by the Laundry & Home Care business unit 
decreased nominally by – 3.5 percent to 6,419 million euros in 
fiscal 2018. Foreign exchange effects reduced sales growth by 
– 6.1 percent. Acquisitions / divestments contributed 0.7 per-
cent to sales growth. 

Organically (i.e. adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisi-
tions / divestments), sales increased by 1.9 percent. Sales 
growth was mainly price-driven.

Although our relevant markets continued to be characterized 
by intense price and promotional competition, we were able to 

In the following, we comment on our organic sales perfor-
mance in the regions. The emerging markets registered a sig-

Sales growth

+ 1.9 %

organic sales growth.

Adjusted 1  
operating profit

€ 1,162 m

adjusted 1 operating profit 
(EBIT): down 0.7 percent.

Key financials 2 

in million euros

Sales

51

Sales development 3 

2017

2018

+/–

in percent

6,651

6,419

– 3.5 %

Change versus previous year

Proportion of Henkel sales

33 %

32 %

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)

989

1,170

970

1,162

Return on sales (EBIT)

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT)

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

14.9 %

17.6 %

13.1 %

15.1 %

18.1 %

13.1 %

–

– 1.9 %

– 0.7 %

0.2 pp

0.5 pp

0.0 pp

Foreign exchange

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Acquisitions / divestments

Organic

of which price 

of which volume

Economic Value Added (EVA®)

309

306

– 1.0 %

1   Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.
2 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros; figures commercially rounded.
3 Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.
pp = percentage points

52

2018

– 3.5

– 6.1

2.6

0.7

1.9

1.7

0.2

Adjusted 1  
return on sales

18.1 %

adjusted 1 return on sales 
(EBIT): up 0.5 percentage 
points.

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Top brands

nificant increase in sales and were once again the primary 
driver of organic growth in Laundry & Home Care. The 
Africa / Middle East region contributed to this growth with a 
double-digit increase in sales. The Eastern Europe region posted 
very strong sales performance. Latin America achieved signifi-
cant sales growth, while Asia (excluding Japan) was below 
prior year. Organic sales development in the mature markets 
eased, mainly due to negative performance in the North Amer-
ica region caused by the delivery difficulties and unrelenting 
price and promotional competition. In the Western Europe 
region, sales performance was flat. The mature markets of the 
Asia-Pacific region registered very strong sales growth.

In 2018, we generated around 65 percent of our sales with our 
top 10 brand clusters. A brand cluster comprises individual 
global and local brands that share a common brand positioning 
internationally. The proportion of sales from products success-
fully launched onto the market in the last three years was around 
45 percent.

Sales Laundry & Home Care 
in million euros

53  

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

4,626

5,137

5,795

6,651

6,419

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

Operating profit
Adjusted operating profit was down year on year, at 1,162 mil-
lion euros. Adjusted return on sales in the Laundry & Home 
Care business unit increased very strongly to 18.1 percent. 
Gross margin was lower year on year. Our ongoing measures to 
reduce costs and enhance production and supply chain effi-
ciency, together with selective price increases, enabled us to 
partially offset the effects on gross margin exerted by higher 
prices for direct materials and sustained high promotional 
intensity.

Net working capital as a percentage of sales was below the pre-
vious year’s level at – 3.9 percent. Return on capital employed 
(ROCE) was on a par with the prior-year level, at 13.1 percent. At 
306 million euros, Economic Value Added (EVA®) was nearly 
on a par with the prior-year level.

Business areas
In the following, we comment on the organic sales perfor-
mance of our two business areas, Laundry Care and Home 
Care. For details of the activities of the individual business 
areas, please refer to page 64.

Laundry Care
Sales performance in our Laundry Care business area was 
good, helped in particular by the introduction of successful 
innovations. Our core brand Persil and our specialty deter-
gents business were the primary contributors to growth. 

Home Care
Sales growth in the Home Care business area was also good in 
2018. Hand dishwashing products and WC products were the 
biggest drivers of growth.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information84

€ 853 m

investments in property, 
plant and equipment and 
intangible assets.

Net assets and financial position

Acquisitions and divestments
Effective January 3, 2018, Henkel completed the acquisition of 
all shares in Unión Técnico Comercial S.R.L. based in Lima, 
Peru. The acquisition strengthens the market position of the 
General Industry business of Adhesive Technologies in the 
field of maintenance, repair and overhaul in Latin America. 

Effective June 1, 2018, Henkel completed the acquisition of all 
shares in JemPak Corporation based in Concord, Canada. The 
acquisition complements and strengthens the existing Laun-
dry & Home Care portfolio in North America; it will help to 
further expand Henkel’s position in this attractive market.

Effective December 10, 2018, Henkel completed the acquisition 
of all shares in Aislantes Nacionales S.A., Santiago, Chile. Fol-
lowing this acquisition, Henkel is now active in the attractive 
Chilean market for tile adhesives and building materials where 
it occupies a strong position. 

For further details of our acquisitions and divestments, please 
refer to pages 134 and 135 of the notes to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Neither the acquisitions and divestments nor other measures 
undertaken resulted in any material changes in our business 
and organizational structure. For detailed information on our 
organization and business activities, please refer to the disclo-
sures on pages 63 and 64.

Our long-term ratings remain at “A flat” (Standard & Poor’s) 
and “A2” (Moody’s). We intend to maintain a solid “A” rating 
to ensure our continued unrestricted access to the money 
and capital markets and to favorable financing terms and 
 conditions.

Capital expenditures
In the reporting period, capital expenditures (excluding acqui-
sitions) amounted to 853 million euros. Investments in prop-
erty, plant and equipment for existing operations totaled 
576 million euros, following 590 million euros in 2017. Capital 
expenditures on property, plant and equipment totaled 240 
million euros (previous year: 230 million euros) in the Adhe-
sive Technologies business unit, 74 million euros (previous 
year: 80 million euros) in Beauty Care, and 252 million euros 
(previous year: 274 million euros) in Laundry & Home Care. 
We invested 277 million euros in intangible assets (previous 
year: 73 million euros).

Around two-thirds of the expenditures were channeled into 
expansion projects, innovations and streamlining measures, 
which included increasing our production capacity, introduc-
ing innovative product lines and optimizing our production 
structure and business processes.

The major projects of 2018 were as follows:
•   Global optimization of our supply chain, consolidation and 
optimization of our IT system architecture for managing 
business processes

•  Acquisition of a new technology for developing innovative 

products

•  Expansion of basic detergent capsule production in Salt Lake 

City and Bowling Green, USA (Laundry & Home Care)
•  Modifications to liquid detergent packaging plants in 

Europe (Laundry & Home Care)

•   Construction of a new production facility for products used 

in the aviation industry in Montornès, Spain (Adhesive 
Technologies)

•  Construction of a new production site for industrial 

 adhesives and metal pretreatment products in Kurkumbh, 
India (Adhesive Technologies) 

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In regional terms, capital expenditures focused primarily on 
Western Europe, Eastern Europe and North America.

The acquisitions resulted in additions to intangible assets and 
property, plant and equipment in the amount of 428 million 
euros. Details of these additions can be found on pages 148 to 
155 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Capital expenditures 2018 

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant  
and equipment

Total

Existing  
operations

Acquisitions

277

576

853

396

32

428

Capital expenditures by business unit 1 

54

Total

673

608

1,281

55

Adhesive  
Technologies 

34 %

Corporate 

1 %

Laundry &  
Home Care 

31 %

Beauty Care 

34 %

1  Existing operations.

Net assets
Compared to year-end 2017, total assets rose by 1.3 billion 
euros to 29.6 billion euros. 

Under non-current assets, intangible assets increased by  
920 million euros as a result of acquisitions and currency 
effects. Property, plant and equipment remained largely 
unchanged, with capital expenditures of 576 million euros 
being offset by scheduled depreciation of 405 million euros.

Current assets increased from 8.5 billion euros to 8.7 billion 
euros, mainly as a result of higher inventories and higher trade 
accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents also increased, 
by 144 million euros in the reporting period.

Compared to year-end 2017, equity including non-controlling 
interests increased by 1.5 billion euros to 17.1 billion euros. The 
individual components influencing equity development are 
shown in the consolidated statement of changes in equity on 
page 127. Equity rose with the addition of net income amount-
ing to 2,330 million euros. The dividend distribution in April 
2018 had the countervailing effect of reducing equity by – 788 
million euros. By year-end 2018, the equity ratio had increased 
by 2.5 percentage points to 57.7 percent. 

Non-current liabilities decreased by – 1.3 billion euros to 
3.6 billion euros. This was mainly due to the reduction in 
non-current borrowings following premature repayment of 
our 1.1 billion US dollar syndicated bank loan and to the reclas-
sification of a 0.8 billion US dollar bond.

Current liabilities increased by 1.1 billion euros to 8.9 billion 
euros. This was mainly due to the increase of 1.3 billion euros 
in current borrowings following the issuance of commercial 
paper, primarily for the purpose of repaying the syndicated 
bank loan. The increase resulting from reclassification of an 
0.8 billion US dollar bond was reduced to 0.5 billion euros 
through redemption of a bond.

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Financial structure 
in million euros

56  

Assets 
of which in %

Equity and liabilities 
of which in %

28,339 1

29,623

29,623

28,339 1

Non-current assets
thereof: Intangible assets / 
property, plant and equipment

Current assets
thereof: Cash and  
cash equivalents

70

66

30

3

71

67

29

4

58

55

Equity

12
3
5

30
9

17
3
11

28
5

Non-current liabilities
thereof: Pension obligations
thereof: Borrowings

Current liabilities
thereof: Borrowings

2017

2018

2018

2017

Effective December 31, 2018, our net financial position 2 
amounted to – 2,895 million euros (December 31, 2017: – 3,222 
million euros). The change versus prior year was mainly due to 
the repayment of borrowings and to changes in free cash flow.

Net financial position 

in million euros

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

57

– 153

335

– 2,301

– 3,222

– 2,895

Financial position
At 2,698 million euros, cash flow from operating activities 
in 2018 was higher versus the previous year (2,468 million 
euros). In addition to the higher operating profit, this was 
mainly due to lower outflows in respect of trade accounts pay-
able, higher inflows relating to trade accounts receivable, and 
lower income tax payments.

At 5.1 percent, net working capital 3 as a percentage of sales was 
slightly above the prior-year level (4.8 percent). 

The cash outflow in cash flow from investing activities 
(– 1,208 million euros) was below the figure of the prior-year 
period (– 2,451 million euros), mainly as a result of lower 
investments in subsidiaries and other business units.

€ – 2,895 m

net financial position.

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).
2  Cash and cash equivalents plus readily monetizable financial instruments 
 classified as measured at fair value through profit or loss or through other 
comprehensive income, less borrowings, plus positive and less negative 
fair values of hedging transactions.

3  Inventories plus payments on account, receivables from suppliers and trade 

accounts receivable, less trade accounts payable, liabilities to customers, and 
current sales provisions.

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in million euros

58  

– 3,222 1

1,917

– 788

– 175

– 429 2

– 198 3

– 2,895

87

At December 31, 
2017

Free cash  
flow

Dividends  
paid

Allocations to 
pension funds

Payments for 
acquisitions

Other

At December 31, 
2018

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141). 
2 Including purchase of non-controlling interests with no change of existing control. 
3 Primarily foreign exchange effects.

Cash outflow in cash flow from financing activities was 
– 1,330 million euros compared to a cash outflow of – 412 mil-
lion euros in the prior year. The figure was influenced by 
higher dividend payments and the repayment of borrowings. 
During the year under review we prematurely repaid our 
1.1 billion US dollar syndicated bank loan and increased our 
commercial paper portfolio. The prior-year figure was greatly 
influenced by cash inflows resulting from a bond issuance.

Cash and cash equivalents increased compared to December 
31, 2017, by 144 million euros to 1,063 million euros.

The increase in free cash flow to 1,917 million euros in 2018 
(2017: 1,701 million euros) resulted from higher cash flow from 
operating activities and cash inflows under other changes in 
pension obligations following the reimbursement of pension 
payments. Higher capital expenditures on intangible assets 
and property, plant and equipment, including payments on 
account, had a countervailing effect.

Financing and capital management
Financing of the Group is centrally managed by Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA. Funds are, as a general rule, obtained centrally and 
distributed within the Group. Our financial management is 
based on the financial ratios defined in our financial strategy 
(see table of key financial ratios on the next page). We pursue a 
conservative and flexible investment and borrowings policy 
with a balanced investment and financing portfolio. The pri-
mary goals of our financial management are to secure the 
liquidity and creditworthiness of the Group, together with 
ensuring access at all times to the capital market, and to gener-
ate a sustainable increase in shareholder value. Measures 
deployed in order to achieve these aims include optimization 
of our capital structure, adoption of an appropriate dividend 
policy, equity management and debt reduction. Our capital 
needs and capital procurement activities are coordinated to 
ensure that requirements with respect to earnings, liquidity, 
security and independence are taken into account and prop-
erly balanced. 

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In fiscal 2018, Henkel paid a higher dividend for both ordinary 
and preferred shares compared to 2017. Cash flows not 
required for capital expenditures, dividends and interest pay-
ments were used for allocations to pension funds, to reduce 
our net debt and to finance acquisitions. We covered our 
short-term financing requirement primarily through commer-
cial paper. Our multi-currency commercial paper program is 
additionally secured by a syndicated credit facility.

Our credit rating is regularly reviewed by the two rating agen-
cies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. As in previous years, our 
ratings remain within the “single A” target corridor, at A/A–1 
(Standard & Poor’s) and A2/P1 (Moody’s). Both Standard & 
Poor’s and Moody’s continue to rate Henkel as investment 
grade, which is the best possible category.

As of December 31, 2018, our borrowings totaled 4,175 million 
euros and mainly comprised bonds issued and commercial 
paper.

Henkel’s financial risk management activities are explained in 
the risks and opportunities report on pages 107 to 118. Further 
detailed information on our financial instruments can be 
found in the financial instruments report on pages 179 to 202 
of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Key financial ratios
Our operating debt coverage in the reporting period was above 
the minimum of 50 percent, as it was at year-end 2017. The 
interest coverage ratio has decreased to 56, still well above the 
minimum threshold of 9.

Credit ratings 

59

Key financial ratios 

Standard & Poor’s

Moody’s

Long term

Outlook

Short term

A

Stable

A–1

At December 31, 2018

A2

Stable

P1

Operating debt coverage 
(net income + amortization and depreciation, 
impairment and write-ups + interest element of 
pension obligations) / net borrowings and pension 
obligations

Interest coverage ratio 
(EBITDA / interest result including interest element 
of pension obligations)

Equity ratio  
(equity / total assets)

60

2017 1

2018

80.9 %

78.9 %

59.2

56.0 

55.2 %

57.7 %

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

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Employees

Employees by organizational unit 

Our employees shape our company through their commit-
ment, knowledge and skills. They are instrumental in driving 
our long-term success. We strive to foster a corporate culture 
that is agile, motivational and based on performance, to enable 
us to drive our 2020+ strategic priorities together. To achieve 
this goal, we create a modern and inspirational working envi-
ronment where team spirit plays a key role – all of which 
builds on an open and appreciative leadership culture. We spe-
cifically nurture our employees and support their personal 
development to strengthen their loyalty and motivation.

Functions 

15 %

Beauty Care 

17 %

Laundry &  
Home Care 

18 %

At December 31, 2018

62

50 %

Adhesive  
Technologies 

What makes Henkel special
Everyone who works at Henkel moves in an environment char-
acterized by its global nature and diversity. We are represented 
by around 53,000 employees (as at year-end 2018) with 120 dif-
ferent nationalities operating in 78 different countries. At 
December 31, 2018, the number of employees had decreased 
compared to around 53,700 as of year-end 2017. The slight 
decline was due to synergies resulting from our acquisitions 
and ongoing adjustments in all business units.

As an international company with numerous sites and three 
business units in the industrial and consumer business sec-
tors, we offer a wide variety of career opportunities. Job rota-
tions that transcend departmental and country boundaries 
give our managers the chance to gain a wealth of experience, 
to strengthen their intercultural skills and to build a broad net-
work of contacts. 

We value diversity in our workforce. Women account for 
34.7 percent of the managers in our company. Key here is the 
creation of the necessary framework conditions to enable our 
employees, male and female, to reconcile their careers with 
their personal lives. For years, the age structure of our employ-
ees has remained constant and well balanced. We offer equal 
encouragement to all generations at Henkel and take different 
life phases into consideration. We want the diversity in our 
workforce to reflect the diversity in our customer structure.

Women in management 

in percent

Henkel

Managers

Top managers 1

2014

33.2

32.5

20.6

2015

33.6

33.1

21.1

2016

33.1

34.3

22.5

2017

34.3

34.5

23.2

63

2018

34.4

34.7

22.9

Payroll cost and average headcount 

61

1  Corporate Senior Vice Presidents, management circles I and IIa.

Payroll cost in million euros

Average headcount

2017

3,167

2018

3,128

51,950

53,450

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Energized and empowered teams
The great importance we attach to our employees is firmly 
anchored in Henkel’s strategic priorities and values. We hold 
regular assessment meetings and provide open feedback to 
specifically promote the development of our people. As part of 
our globally standardized assessment process, our senior 
managers discuss both performance and potential with their 
respective employees. Individual training programs and possi-
ble career moves are also discussed. We support our managers 
in these activities by providing digital HR systems that are 
being made increasingly available for mobile use.

Our employees also embrace the opportunities offered by digi-
talization, facilitating flexible working models and simplifying 
day-to-day work processes. In addition, we have created flexi-
ble office landscapes to enable employees to select where they 
want to work when performing specific assignments.

Employees by activity 

64

Production  
and engineering  55 %

Research and  
development 

5 %

Administration 

15 %

Marketing, selling  
and distribution 

25 %

At December 31, 2018

Recruiting, developing and retaining talents
We constantly strive to recruit talents for Henkel that best fit 
our culture and objectives. Our local recruitment partners 
advise our departments and concern themselves individually 
with each of our applicants. We continue to focus particularly 
on actively addressing potential candidates through social 
networks. Our employees post aspects of their day-to-day work 
on our social media channels under #MyStory@Henkel, thus 
enabling us to provide ever better insights into our company.

We place great importance on in-house training and profes-
sional development. Our efforts include consideration of the 
various approaches to training at the local level. Henkel pro-
vides 23 apprenticeship and dual-track study programs in  
Germany. In 2018, we welcomed 161 new apprentices and stu-
dents who started working toward a professional qualification 
at Henkel in Germany. In selected emerging markets, we offer 
a range of trainee programs tailored specifically to the needs of 
the relevant country.

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To continue driving digital transformation within the com-
pany, we are expanding our employee training and develop-
ment programs for specific target groups. Tailored to a variety 
of job profiles, our employees have the chance to test their dig-
ital knowledge. After completing an online test, employees are 
given individual recommendations for training programs to 
help them grow their knowledge base. We want to make sure 
all employees can participate in this program in the future and 
are gradually rolling it out throughout the company.

Employees by age group 

65

16–29 years 

16 %

30–39 years 

33 %

50–65 years 

24 %

At December 31, 2018

40–49 years 

27 %

Employees 

(At December 31)

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Africa / Middle East

North America

Latin America

Asia-Pacific

Total

2014

14,900

10,000

4,850

6,200

3,650

10,150

49,750

%

30.0

20.1

9.7

12.5

7.3

20.4

100.0

2015

14,900

9,800

4,700

6,250

3,500

10,300

49,450

%

30.2

19.8

9.4

12.7

7.1

20.8

100.0

2016

14,450

9,500

5,250

8,300

3,550

10,300

51,350

%

28.1

18.5

10.2

16.2

6.9

20.1

2017

14,750

9,950

4,750

9,050

5,500

9,700

%

27.5

18.5

8.8

16.9

10.2

18.1

2018

14,750

9,800

4,200

9,000

5,800

9,450

66

%

27.8

18.5

7.9

17.0

11.0

17.8

100.0

53,700

100.0

53,000

100.0

Basis: permanent employees excluding apprentices; figures rounded.

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Procurement

We use externally sourced materials (raw materials, packaging 
and purchased goods) and services to produce our finished 
products. These items all fall under the general category of 
direct materials. Examples include washing-active substances 
(surfactants), adhesive components, cardboard boxes and 
external filling services.

Aside from supply and demand, the prices of direct materials 
are mainly determined by the prices of the input materials 
used to manufacture them.

The markets for raw materials were very volatile in 2018 in 
light of geopolitical events and rising price levels. Prices for crude 
oil and petrochemicals increased strongly up until the end of 
the third quarter before dropping significantly again in the 
final quarter. On average, prices for crude oil and petrochemicals 
were substantially higher year on year. Prices of corrugated 
paper and cardboard were also considerably higher on average 
compared to the prior year. Prices of natural oils, such as palm 
kernel oil, decreased considerably below the prior- year level 
over the course of 2018. Taken together, these price trends for 
input materials were among the reasons why the prices of 
direct materials increased moderately in 2018 compared to the 
prior year. 

Direct material expenditures amounted to 8.5 billion euros 
and were therefore more or less on a par with the prior year. 
Savings from our global procurement strategy and cost reduc-
tion measures coupled with improvements in production and 
supply chain efficiency helped to offset the effects of rising 
material prices, higher sales volumes and acquisitions. 

Our five most important groups of raw materials within the 
direct materials category are washing-active substances (sur-
factants), raw materials for use in hotmelt adhesives, water- 
and acrylic-based adhesive raw materials, raw materials for 
polyurethane-based adhesives, and inorganic raw materials. 
These account for 36 percent of our total direct material expen-
ditures. Our five largest suppliers represent 13 percent of pur-
chasing volume in direct materials.

Within the category of indirect materials and services we 
procure items and inputs that are not directly used in the pro-
duction of our finished products. Examples include mainte-
nance materials, logistics, marketing and IT services. Although 
gross prices in these areas rose moderately in 2018, we were 
able to compensate for the increases through our global pro-
curement strategy and structural cost reduction measures. At 
5.2 billion euros, expenditure on indirect materials and services 
in 2018 was higher year on year due to higher  volumes overall.

In order to improve efficiency and secure material supplies, 
we continuously optimize our value chain while ensuring that 
we maintain or improve our level of quality. In addition to 
negotiating new, competitive contract terms, our ongoing ini-
tiative to lower total procurement expenses is a major factor in 
the success of our global purchasing strategy. Together with 

67

49 %

Adhesive  
Technologies 

Material expenditures by business unit 

Beauty Care 

16 %

Laundry &  
Home Care 

35 %

At December 31, 2018

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information93

the three business units, Purchasing works continuously on 
reducing product complexity, optimizing the raw materials 
mix and further standardizing packaging and raw materials. 
We enter into long-term business relationships with selected 
suppliers to encourage the development of innovations, and 
to optimize manufacturing costs and logistics processes. 
At the same time, we ensure the risk of supply shortages is 
minimized. We also agree and implement individual targets 
with our strategic suppliers aimed at optimizing the supply 
of direct and indirect materials. 

We were able to increase the efficiency of our purchasing 
activities by further standardizing, automating and centralizing 
our procurement processes. In addition to making use of 
eSourcing tools to support our purchasing operations, we 
have pooled large portions of our purchasing administration 
activities – such as order and invoice processing, price data 
maintenance and reporting activities – within our Shared 
 Service Centers. We are also continuously progressing the 
 digitalization of our purchasing activities. We are constantly 
optimizing collaboration with our strategic suppliers through 
our digital communication platforms and increasing transpar-
ency along the value chain through new digital applications. 
And we are increasingly using new technologies – such as 
robotics and artificial intelligence – to further improve our 
processes. In addition, we continued to integrate our production, 
logistics and purchasing activities across all business units 
in one integrated Global Supply Chain organization managed 
from its head office in Amsterdam and from a branch office 
in Singapore.

Risk management is an important component of our purchasing 
strategy, especially against the backdrop of uncertainties with 
regard to supply security on the procurement markets and 
movements in raw material prices. The emphasis here is on 
reducing price and supply risks while maintaining consistently 
high quality. As part of our active price management approach, 
we employ a mix of strategies to safeguard prices over the longer 
term. These include both the use of contracts and, where 
appropriate and possible, financial hedging instruments. In 
order to minimize the risk of supplier default, we perform 
detailed risk assessments of suppliers to determine their 
financial stability and stipulate supplier default clauses. With 
the aid of an external, independent financial services provider, 
we continuously monitor important suppliers whose financial 
situation is regarded as critical. If a high risk of supplier default 
is identified, we systematically prepare back-up plans in order 
to ensure uninterrupted supply.

Material expenditures by type 

68

Purchased goods  
and services 

17 %

Raw materials 

62 %

Packaging 

21 %

At December 31, 2018

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Production

In 2018, Henkel manufactured products at 185 sites in 56 coun-
tries. Our largest production facilities are located in Bowling 
Green, USA, and in Düsseldorf, Germany. We manufacture 
laundry detergents and household cleaners in Bowling Green. 
In Düsseldorf, we produce not only laundry detergents and 
household cleaners but also adhesives for consumers and 
craftsmen, and products for our industrial customers. 

Cooperation with toll manufacturers is an integral component 
of our production strategy, enabling us to optimize our pro-
duction and logistics structures when entering new markets or 
when volumes are still small. We currently purchase around 
10 percent in additional production tonnage from toll manu-
facturers each year.

Number of production sites 

Adhesive Technologies

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

Total

69

2018

141

11

33

185

2017

146

11

31

188

The Adhesive Technologies business unit continued to opti-
mize its global production network in 2018 with manufactur-
ing shared between 141 production sites around the world 
(prior year: 146). Business growth and rising demand in the 
emerging markets prompted capital expenditures on expand-
ing capacity in these regions. At the same time, we invest in 
the implementation of customer-specific requirements and in 
the ongoing optimization of our production in the mature 
markets. In addition to cutting-edge technologies and the 
leveraging of additional cost and quality advantages in the 
manufacture of our products, we are also focusing on the fur-
ther development of our production and warehousing network 
aligned to specific requirements.

Following successful implementation at our site in Shanghai, 
China, we are taking our multi-technology structure to other 
new production sites. Various manufacturing technologies are 
combined cost-efficiently within a shared infrastructure at 
these sites. Our factory in India that started production during 
the year under review will be expanded to incorporate further 
technologies in 2019. We are also currently putting a new plant 
in Turkey into service. These sites are crucial to ensuring supply 
efficiency within the dynamically growing emerging market 
environment. 

We are continuing to drive the digitalization of our production 
to further improve service quality and raise manufacturing 
efficiency. At various production sites, we have expanded the 
recording of operating parameters, enabling us to network 
important data for better control of the entire logistics and 
production process from supplier through to the customer.

The number of sites in our Beauty Care production network 
remained unchanged at 11. The sites acquired through acqui-
sitions in Latin America and the USA have been integrated 
into our production network and are being successively 
expanded. To ensure long-term growth, we are investing in 
capacities and technologies – especially in emerging markets 
– based on our supply chain strategy. Within Eastern Europe, 
we have continued the expansion of our factory in Russia, 
thus further increasing production capacity in all three key 
technologies – hair colorants, liquid products and aerosols. 
We have also specifically increased capacity at sites in North 
America and Europe. 

Another focal point of the business unit is the further improve-
ment of our delivery service to customers in a volatile market 
environment. By integrating our planning processes along the 
entire supply chain – from suppliers to production to the inter-
face with our customers – we can improve our ability to predict 
customer needs. The implementation of various Industry 4.0 
initiatives will also increase process transparency. The ability to 

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rapidly analyze big data can both speed up the decision- making 
process and make it more efficient. 

Pooling the purchasing, production and logistics activities of 
all business units in one Global Supply Chain organization 
enables us to develop our global processes more quickly.

For all business units, we have the environmental management 
systems at numerous sites externally certified. By the end of 
2018, 83 percent of our production volume was from sites 
 certified to ISO 14001, the internationally recognized standard 
for environmental management systems.

As a result of acquisitions, the production network in our 
Laundry & Home Care business unit grew by two to 33 sites 
in 2018. By expanding our production sites, we can align our 
capacity more closely to rising demand in growth categories. 
In 2018, we continued the successful integration of the pro-
duction sites in North America, the Middle East and Africa that 
we had acquired through acquisitions in prior years. Further, the 
business unit implemented an innovative real-time reporting 
system at the global level to capture, consolidate and evaluate 
production parameters around the world, thus enabling prompt 
intervention and management of the relevant parameters.

To continuously improve our customer service, we implemented 
numerous Industry 4.0 initiatives aligned to driving the 
 digitalization of our production and distribution processes. In 
addition, all processes and structures along the entire supply 
chain are permanently monitored to ensure they are efficient 
and to achieve – through pro-active management – high levels 
of quality, agility, and production capacity utilization. 

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71

58 %

Adhesive  
Technologies 

Research and development

R&D expenditures by business unit 

Beauty Care 

16 %

Laundry &  
Home Care 

26 %

At December 31, 2018

Expenditures by the Henkel Group for research and development 
(R&D) in fiscal 2018 increased year on year from 476 million 
euros to 484 million euros. Expressed as a percentage of sales, 
R&D expenses amounted to 2.4 percent (2017: 2.4 percent). 
Adjusted for restructuring expenses, R&D expenditures 
increased to 471 million euros. The ratio of adjusted expenses 
to sales was 2.4 percent (2017: 2.3 percent). 

In 2018, internal personnel expenses accounted for around 
60 percent of total R&D spending. Our research and develop-
ment costs were fully expensed; no product- or technology- 
related development costs were capitalized in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

On an annual average, around 2,750 employees worked in 
research and development (2017: around 2,700). This corresponds 
to approximately 5 percent of the total workforce. Our teams 
are composed of natural scientists – predominantly chemists – 
as well as material scientists, engineers and technicians.

R&D expenditures 1 
in million euros

70  

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

413

478

463

476

484

Our investments and the capabilities of our highly qualified 
employees form the foundation on which the  success of our 
R&D activities is built. We continue to focus on highly efficient 
innovations and steadily reducing our resource consumption 
while maintaining or improving performance. Our Open Inno-
vation strategy ensures the successful integration of external 
partners in our project delivery. We are further expanding 
our corporate venture capital activities and place additional 
focus on the increased use of digitalization in research and 
development.

Key R&D figures 

72

R&D expenditures 1 
(in million euros)

R&D expenditures 1 
(in percent of sales)

Employees 2 
(annual average)

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

410

2.5

464

2.6

460

2.5

469

2.3

471

2.4

2,650

2,800

2,700

2,700

2,750

0

100

200

300

400

500

1   Including restructuring expenses of 3 million euros (2014), 14 million euros 
(2015), 3 million euros (2016), 7 million euros (2017), and 13 million euros 
(2018).

1  Adjusted for restructuring expenses. 
2 Figures rounded.

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Strengthening research and development together
The research and development experts in the three business 
units align their project portfolios to the specific needs of their 
individual businesses. They work together on fundamental 
processes, basic innovations, evaluation of partners for inno-
vation, and on sustainability. The Research and Development 
Committee is responsible for Group-wide coordination.

The business units continually exchange on innovations in 
common areas of knowledge. Activities in 2018 focused on dig-
italization in research and development. They included the 
organization of international workshops, also with external 
experts involved. On the one hand, these focused on digital 
methods for acceleration, improving efficiency and optimiza-
tion within product development, and – on the other – on spe-
cific applications of digitalization in the utilization of product 
and service innovations. 

Open Innovation
As our innovations come from both internal and external 
sources, the concept of Open Innovation holds great signifi-
cance for us. Accordingly, we continue to intensify our efforts 
to involve external partners such as universities, research 
institutes and suppliers in many of our development projects.

Corporate venture capital
Henkel is striving to gain access to strategically relevant new 
technologies, applications and business models by partnering 
with, and investing in, start-ups with digital or technological 
expertise. 

In 2018, we further expanded our venture capital activities 
within the Henkel Ventures unit and strengthened our expertise 
by investing in start-up companies. Our investment in Circularity 
Capital, Scotland, has secured our access to new recycling and 
sustainability technologies. We have strengthened our portfolio 
of innovative surface technologies through investment in Dutch 

start-up Kriya Materials. Our investment in China Materialia 
gives us access to new technologies and applications in China, 
a key emerging market. We strengthened our consumer goods 
portfolio by investing in Partech, France. We also expanded our 
investment in the strategic growth area of laundry and dry 
cleaning services. In addition, Henkel has bought into a seed 
and growth fund in the USA to strengthen the exchange with 
relevant players in Silicon Valley and to identify potential new 
trends for Henkel. Henkel has similarly invested in firstmin-
ute capital, a fund specializing in investments in early- stage 
technology start-ups in Europe.

Research and development worldwide
In addition to its central research laboratories, Henkel main-
tains regional research and development sites in all regions 
around the world as hubs for innovative problem-solving. 
Worldwide research and development activities are managed 
globally by the business units. Research-intensive base tech-
nologies are developed at a central location with optimal 
access to external resources. These basic technologies are 
applied in the regional research and development sites to 
 customer- and market-specific innovations. At the same time, 
the research and development staff in the regional sites obtain 
information about specific problems for the next generation 
of innovations while working in close contact with markets 
and customers. The new base technologies needed for the rele-
vant solutions are again developed centrally.

The Adhesive Technologies business unit builds on its broad 
technology portfolio and extensive expertise to offer its cus-
tomers comprehensive and tailored design and application 
support. The global network of research and development 
 centers will grow in 2020 with the addition of an Innovation 
Center in Düsseldorf. This Innovation Center, for which the 
foundation stone was laid in 2018, will set new standards of 
technology-spanning cooperation among our experts and 
will strengthen collaboration with our customers. In addition, 

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Selected research and development sites 

73

Madison Heights, USA 
Bridgewater, USA 
Stamford / Trumbull, USA 
Rocky Hill, USA 
Toronto, Canada

Irvine, USA

Guadalajara, Mexico 
Toluca, Mexico

Bogotá, Colombia

Düsseldorf, Germany 
Hamburg, Germany 
Heidelberg, Germany

Moscow, 
Russia

Dublin, 
Ireland

Barcelona, 
Spain

Dubai, United 
Arab Emirates

São Paulo,  
Brazil

Johannesburg,  
South Africa

Shanghai, China 
Seoul, South Korea 
Tokyo, Japan

Pune, India

Sydney, Australia

a center for our strategic 3D printing research program was 
opened in 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. This is just one example of 
our strategic innovation programs with long-term growth 
potential.

With its acquisition of Zotos International Inc., the Beauty Care 
business unit has significantly expanded its research and devel-
opment expertise in the field of hair care products in North 
America. Base technologies developed in the Competence 
 Center in Europe form the springboard for product innovations 
in both our Hair Salon and Branded Consumer Goods businesses. 
These innovative formulation platforms are then adapted to 
local requirements and specific customer needs in regional 
test and development centers. In addition to our development 
 centers in North America, Mexico, Colombia, China, Japan and 
South Africa, we have opened a test and development center in 
the United Arab Emirates to strengthen our research and devel-
opment expertise in this growth region as well.

We have revised the content and structure of the research and 
development activities in our Laundry & Home Care business 
unit to ensure we are even better prepared for future changes 
in markets and technologies. A new Advanced Technologies 
function has been established, pooling the research focusing 
on chemistry and biotechnology and integrating the various 
engineering teams. All our disruptive innovation development 
expertise from the various disciplines is thus now combined 
into one powerful unit. The Central Development function in 
Europe works closely with the regional development centers 
within a global network. Central Development provides the 
base technologies which the regional development centers in 
the USA, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, the United Arab Emir-
ates and Australia then translate into product innovations for 
their specific markets.

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Contributing to sustainability
Worldwide, growth and quality of life need to be decoupled 
from resource use and emissions. Our contribution here lies in 
the development of innovative products and processes that 
consume ever less resources while offering the same or better 
 performance. It is therefore our ambition to ensure that all 
new products contribute to sustainable development in at 
least one of our six defined focal areas. These are systemati-
cally integrated within our innovation process. Early on, our 
researchers must demonstrate the specific advantages of their 
project in regard to product performance, added value for our 
customers, resource efficiency, and social criteria. We thus 
aim to combine product performance and quality with social 
and environmental responsibility. Our focus in this respect is 
on three goals: The first is to continuously improve, in collab-
oration with our suppliers, the sustainability profile of the raw 
materials we use. The second is to help our customers and con-
sumers reduce their energy use and carbon dioxide emissions 
through our innovations. The third is to ensure that our pack-
aging fulfills consumers’ performance expectations yet uses 
the least possible quantity of materials and the most sustainable 
solutions, and that it can be recycled once the product has 
been used.

Life cycle analyses, profiles of potential raw materials and pack-
aging materials, and our many years of experience in sustain-
able development help us to identify and evaluate improvement 
opportunities right from the start of the product development 
process. A key tool in this respect is our Henkel Sustainability# 
Master®. This evaluation system centers around a matrix based 
on the individual steps in our value chain and on our six focal 
areas. It shows which areas are most relevant from a sustain-
ability perspective, and allows a transparent and quantifiable 
comparison to be made between two products or processes.

Patents and registered designs
We hold around 9,600 patents to protect our technologies 
around the world. Nearly 5,950 patents are currently pending. 
And we have registered around 1,300 design patents to protect 
our intellectual property.

Further information on our research and development activities 
can be found on our website 

  www.henkel.com/brands-and-businesses

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Marketing and distribution

We put our customers and consumers at the center of what we 
do. We offer them maximum benefit, quality and service, 
together with attractive innovations of our brands and tech-
nologies. With this we create sustainable value.

The Adhesive Technologies business unit leads the global 
market with high-impact solutions. We operate in the globally 
specialized markets for adhesives, sealants and functional 
coatings, offering a comprehensive portfolio featuring 
groundbreaking innovations, tailor-made products and strong 
brands. Working in close partnership with our customers, 
we combine innovation and technology leadership to develop 
solutions that are essential components in industrial and 
 consumer goods around the world.

We develop the marketing strategies for our brands and tech-
nologies at both the global and regional level. The measures 
derived from our planning are then implemented locally. 
Within our branding strategy, we consistently leverage our 
five global technology cluster brands in the industrial markets 
and our four brand platforms in the consumer business.

Our customer base of around 130,000 direct industry and retail 
clients is managed primarily by our own sales teams, while our 
retail customers service the needs of private users, craftsmen 
and smaller industrial customers.

Our team of more than 6,500 experts fosters long-term relation-
ships with our customers and partners from nearly all manu-
facturing sectors. In the process, we gain an in-depth under-
standing of various applications across all markets. In light of 
the significant complexity of many of our solutions and tech-
nologies, technical customer service and thorough user training 
are of key importance. Our global presence enables us to provide 
technical services to customers worldwide, as well as in-depth 
product training on site.

In 2018, we laid the foundations for developing specific solutions 
in collaboration with our customers and making our inno-
vations accessible as a tangible experience for our partners 
and customers around the globe: Between now and the end of 
2020, we are building a new global Innovation Center at the 
site of our headquarters in Düsseldorf. On a floor area of 
approximately 50,000 square meters, more than 350 experts 
will further drive our innovation leadership – for and with 
global customers and partners.

Our focus is on ensuring a positive experience for our customers 
whenever they seek contact, both personally and when they 
engage digitally with us. Our efforts range from our new web-
site 
needs, and the further expansion of our Henkel Adhesives 
eShop, to the provision of additional digital services for meet-
ings with customers.

  henkel-adhesives.com, which is closely aligned to  customer 

In addition to digital communications, we strive to optimize our 
approach to consumers and craftsmen through the continued 
use of classic advertising coupled with measures to attract our 
target groups at the point of sale. Leveraging our close cus-
tomer relationships and our comprehensive technical exper-
tise, we continue to offer tailored solutions and innovative 
branded products that provide sustainable added value for our 
customers.

Within the Beauty Care business unit, our focused portfolio 
of brands with unique, distinct brand equities forms the basis 
for leading, consumer-relevant innovations in our Branded 
Consumer Goods and Hair Salon businesses. We develop new 
products and launch strategies with as much global synergy 
as is possible, while implementing them as locally as is neces-
sary. Through our customer and consumer proximity, we are 
able to identify global trends at an early stage and quickly 
respond to these on an individual basis with innovative prod-
ucts. In consumer marketing, advancing digitalization along-
side classic advertising and point-of-sale activities enables a 

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significant increase in media efficiency. With personalized 1:1 
experiences, we target the right consumer group with the right 
message in the right environment, while also accelerating effi-
cient re-targeting.

We not only specifically choose which consumers we commu-
nicate with and by what means, but also which sales channels 
are of strategic relevance for us. We leverage our category lead-
ership positions both in brick-and-mortar retail and in the 
field of eCommerce, also adding value for our online custom-
ers through our shopper knowledge and our expertise.

Having already hosted more than 400 customer visits in our 
Beauty Care Lighthouse, which opened in Düsseldorf in 2012, 
we have been able to consistently intensify our customer 
focus. The Lighthouse offers our customers from around the 
world an interactive experience of all our beauty competences, 
with the focus very much on digitalization.

We are committed also to close cooperation with our custom-
ers in our Hair Salon business. Through our globally estab-
lished Schwarzkopf Academies, we offer value-adding services 
in the form of state-of-the-art seminars and continuous train-
ing opportunities, with the focus on the professional hair-
dressers’ role as an entrepreneur.

In the Laundry & Home Care business unit, we develop our 
global marketing strategies and product innovations for our 
strong laundry detergents and household cleaner brands. We 
then adapt these strategies and innovations to regional con-
sumer needs and market conditions, and implement them at 
the local level. In doing so, we ensure central, efficient man-
agement of our brands aimed at strengthening their cores and 
responding to our consumers’ desire for both functional bene-
fits and emotional added value. We focus on an innovation 

process that enables us to recognize global consumer trends 
early on and to translate them quickly into new products.

Digitalization is an issue of key importance in our marketing 
processes, as reflected in the ongoing implementation of digi-
tal transformation measures in the business unit. One exam-
ple of this is our data-driven marketing that enables us to 
identify consumer trends more efficiently and to align our 
media campaigns ever more closely to specific consumer 
groups. In harnessing new technologies such as the Internet of 
Things, we are driving the further development of our brands 
in the digital environment and adding value for our consumers. 

Laundry & Home Care enters into strategic partnerships with 
its top customers aimed at delivering long-term and mutually 
profitable growth. The business unit focuses on five areas: 
innovation, shopper marketing, digitalization, eCommerce, 
sustainability, and supply chain. For example, we conduct sur-
veys to examine digital shopping behaviors, and accumulate 
expert knowledge. This then serves as the basis for developing 
customized solutions for the specific requirements of our 
partners, for identifying shared value-adding potential, and for 
advising our partners on the development of strategies across 
all the various sales channels. 

The Global Experience Center – our customer center – in Düssel-
dorf helps us to further deepen our relationships with custom-
ers. More than 270 customers have already visited the Center, 
using all their senses to explore the latest trends, products and 
sustainability concepts in the field of Laundry & Home Care. 

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The importance of sustainability in our relationships with 
customers and consumers continues to grow in all three 
business units. Our customers expect their suppliers to 
ensure compliance with global environmental, safety, and 
social standards. Our standards and management systems, our 
many years of experience in sustainability reporting, and 
excellent appraisals by external rating agencies all help us to 
convince our audience of our credentials in this domain. 
Moreover, the credible implementation of our sustainability 
strategy strengthens both our brands and the reputation of our 
company in the marketplace. With decades of experience in 
aligning our activities to sustainable development, we are able 
to position ourselves as a leader in the field and as a partner 
able to offer our customers future-capable solutions. Also 
here, we cooperate closely with our customers in trade and 
industry.

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 according to the German Commercial Code [HGB])*

103

The annual financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA have 
been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of 
the German Commercial Code [HGB] and the German Stock 
Corporation Act [AktG]. Deviations from the International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) applicable to the Group 
arise particularly with respect to the methods of recognition 
and measurement of intangible assets, financial instruments 
and provisions.

The net assets, financial position and results of operations of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA are influenced both by its own operat-
ing activity and by the operating activity of its subsidiaries on 
the basis of their dividend distributions. Thus the financial 
situation of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA generally corresponds to 
that of the Group as a whole, which is discussed in the section 
“Review of overall business performance” on page 71.

Operational activities

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is operationally active in the three busi-
ness units Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care and Laundry & 
Home Care, as well as being the parent company of the Henkel 
Group. As such it is responsible for defining and pursuing 
Henkel’s corporate objectives and also for the management, 
control and monitoring of Group-wide activities, including 
risk management and the allocation of resources. As of year-
end 2018, some 8,200 people were employed at Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA.

The operating business of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA represents 
only a portion of the business activity of the entire Henkel 
Group and is managed across the Group by the business units, 
particularly on the basis of the performance indicators: organic 
sales growth, adjusted return on sales (EBIT) and adjusted earn-
ings per preferred share. Only the Group approach can provide 
complete insight into these key financials (see the discussion of 
the management system and performance indicators applicable 
to the Henkel Group on page 68).

Results of operations

Sales and profits
At 3,641 million euros, sales of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA in 2018 
were on a par with the previous year. This figure is consistent 
with our guidance for 2018. Despite a lower financial result, 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA was able to meet its forecast of flat 
to slightly higher unappropriated profit. The lower financial 
result was mainly attributable to lower income generated with 
the plan assets. 

The Adhesive Technologies business unit achieved sales of 
1,045 million euros in 2018. This good sales growth versus 
prior year is attributable to developments in our Industrial 
Adhesives business areas, which also benefited from the 
merger of a German subsidiary. Sales in the Adhesives for Con-
sumers, Craftsmen and Building business area were still 
adversely affected by the sale of the professional Western 
European building material business back in 2017. 

*  The full financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA with the auditor’s unqualified opinion are filed with the commercial  

register and accessible on the internet at www.henkel.com/reports.

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Expense items

Compared to 2017, cost of sales increased by 41 million euros 
to 2,636 million euros, mainly as a result of higher scheduled 
depreciation in the wake of mergers and increased royalties 
and licensing fees paid to affiliated companies. Gross margin 
decreased by – 1.1 percentage points to 27.6 percent.

At 541 million euros, marketing, selling and distribution 
expenses were below the prior-year figure of 571 million euros. 
The proportion of sales was 14.8 percent, which was 0.9 per-
centage points down compared to the level of 2017. 

Compared to 2017, administrative expenses increased by 
20 million euros to 252 million euros. Their ratio to sales 
increased by 0.5 percentage points to 6.9 percent.

Expenditures for research and development increased in the 
reporting period by 25 million euros to 336 million euros. The 
proportion of sales rose accordingly compared to 2017, by 
0.7 percentage points to 9.2 percent.

Restructuring expenses of 40 million euros, included in the 
expense items mentioned, were higher compared to 2017 
(31 million euros).

Condensed income statement in accordance  
with the German Commercial Code [HGB] 

in million euros

Sales

Cost of sales 

Gross profit

Marketing, selling, distribution and 
administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Other operating income / expenses

Operating profit

Financial result

Income before tax

Taxes on income

Net income 

Profit brought forward

Unappropriated profit

2017

3,637

– 2,595

1,042

– 803

– 311

193

121

1,070

1,191

– 85

1,106

330

1,436

74

2018

3,641

– 2,636

1,005

– 793

– 336

210

86

903

989

– 64

925

664

1,589

The Beauty Care business unit achieved sales of 510 million 
euros in 2018. The slight decrease year on year was mainly due to 
fiercer competitive and price pressures.

The Laundry & Home Care business unit generated sales of 
970 million euros in 2018, thus exceeding the figure for 2017. 
Good performance by our top brands contributed substantially 
to this strong sales result.

Sales in the Corporate segment decreased from 1,158 million 
euros in 2017 to 1,116 million euros in 2018, mainly due to lower 
royalties and licensing fees from affiliated companies. 

The operating profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA declined by 35 mil-
lion euros versus 2017, to 86 million euros, mainly due to lower 
royalties and licensing fees and the non-recurring effect of 
switching to the Heubeck 2018 G mortality tables to evaluate the 
company’s pension obligations.

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Condensed balance sheet in accordance  
with the German Commercial Code [HGB] 

75

in million euros

12/31/2017

12/31/2018

Other operating income / expenses

In 2018, other operating result, at 210 million euros, was 
higher compared to the prior-year period (193 million euros).

Year on year, other operating income increased by 19 million 
euros to 297 million euros in 2018, mainly as a result of 
income generated from recharging costs to affiliated compa-
nies.

At 87 million euros, other operating expenses in 2018 were 
more or less on a par with the prior-year figure of 85 million 
euros. 

Financial result

Intangible assets and property, plant  
and equipment

Financial assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Receivables and miscellaneous assets 

Marketable securities

Liquid funds

Current assets

Deferred income

Assets arising from the overfunding  
of pension obligations

Total assets

Equity

The financial result decreased from 1,070 million euros in 
2017 to 903 million euros in 2018. The decrease is substantially 
attributable to lower securities prices and the resulting lower 
returns on financial investments held as plan assets.

Special accounts with reserve element

Provisions

Liabilities / deferred charges

Total equity and liabilities

1,032

13,365

14,397

14

1,963

4

84

2,065

28

419

16,909

6,823

84

712

9,290

16,909

1,378

13,190

14,568

13

1,660

4

335

2,012

40

107

16,727

6,956

79

589

9,103

16,727

Taxes on income

In 2018, taxes on income amounted to – 64 million euros fol-
lowing – 85 million euros in 2017.

Result for the year

Net income amounted to 925 million euros and was therefore 
below the 2017 result of 1,106 million euros. The decrease was 
mainly attributable to the lower financial result in 2018.

Net assets and financial position

As of December 31, 2018, the total assets of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA decreased compared to year-end 2017 by 182 million 
euros to 16,727 million euros.

Non-current assets increased to 14,568 million euros, a rise of 
171 million euros compared to 2017. The increase in intangible 
assets and property, plant and equipment was mainly due to 
the acquisition of a new technology for developing innovative 
products and to additions resulting from a merger between 
two subsidiaries.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information106

Current assets decreased in 2018 from 2,065 million euros to 
2,012 million euros, partly due to lower current receivables 
from affiliated companies.

At 107 million euros, overfunding from offsetting plan assets 
against pension obligations was lower year on year. The reduc-
tion was mainly due to the negative performance of the pen-
sion fund assets.

Equity increased from 6,823 million euros to 6,956 million 
euros. Provisions decreased by 123 million euros to 589 million 
euros. The balance of pension obligations and plan assets is 
reported in assets due to overfunding.

For details of issued capital and treasury stock, please refer to 
the disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial state-
ments of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.

Liabilities and deferred charges decreased in 2018 by a total of 
187 million euros versus 2017, following repayment of the syn-
dicated bank loan and redemption of a euro bond. The 
increase in commercial paper – issued primarily to repay the 
bank loan – had a countervailing effect.

For an overview of the financing and capital management of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, please refer to the information relating 
to the Henkel Group on pages 87 and 88.

Risks and opportunities

The business performance of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is essen-
tially subject to the same risks and opportunities as that of the 
Henkel Group. With respect to the risks of its subsidiaries, 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA is generally exposed in proportion to its 
shareholding in each case. 

Due to the different discount rates for pension obligations 
under the German Commercial Code [HGB] and IFRS, the con-
clusion drawn from the risk assessment for the separate finan-
cial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA differs from that of 
the Group. We assess the potential financial impact of this risk 
for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA as “major.”

Additional information regarding risks and opportunities and 
the risk management system can be found on the following 
pages 107 to 118.

Forecast

The performance of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA in its function as 
an operating holding company is influenced primarily by the 
development and dividend distributions of the companies in 
which it has shareholdings. We expect sales in 2019 to be on a 
par with the figure for 2018. The performance reported for the 
Group also impacts Henkel AG & Co. KGaA through dividend 
payments from subsidiaries. Assuming steady development of 
the financial result, we expect the unappropriated profit gen-
erated in 2019 by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA to be flat. This will 
enable our shareholders to participate to a reasonable extent 
in the Group’s net income, with retained earnings also avail-
able for utilization if necessary.

The forecast for the Henkel Group can be found on pages 119 
and 120.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information107

Risks and opportunities report

Risks and opportunities

In the pursuit of our business activities, Henkel is exposed to 
multiple risks inherent in the global market economy. We deploy 
an array of effective monitoring and control systems aligned to 
identifying risks at an early stage, evaluating the exposure, and 
introducing effective countermeasures. We have incorporated 
these instruments within a risk management system as 
described below. 

Entrepreneurial activity also involves identifying and exploiting 
opportunities as means of securing and extending the corpora-
tion’s competitiveness. The reporting aspect of our risk manage-
ment system, however, does not encompass entrepreneurial 
opportunities. Early and regular identification, analysis and 
exploitation of opportunities are performed at the Group level 
and within the individual business units. This is a fundamental 
component of our strategy. We perform in-depth analysis of the 
markets and our competitors, and study the relevant cost vari-
ables and key success factors. 

Risk management system 

The risk management system at Henkel is integrated into the 
comprehensive planning, controlling, and reporting systems 
used in the subsidiaries, in the business units, and at Group 
level. Our early warning system and Internal Audit function 
are also important components of our risk management sys-
tem. Within the corporate governance framework, our internal 
control and compliance management systems support our risk 
management capability. The risk reporting system encom-
passes the systematic identification, evaluation, documenta-

tion and communication of risks. We have defined the princi-
ples, processes and responsibilities relating to risk manage-
ment in a corporate standard that is binding on the Henkel 
Group. With the continuous development of our corporate 
standards and systems, we take into account updated findings. 

Within our risk strategy framework, the assumption of calcu-
lated risk is an intrinsic part of our business. However, risks 
that endanger the existence of the corporation must be avoided. 
When it is not possible to avoid these critical risks, they must 
be reduced or transferred, for example through insurance. Risks 
are controlled and monitored at the level of the subsidiaries, 
the business units, and the Group. Risk management is thus 
performed with a holistic, integrative approach to the systematic 
handling of risks. 

We understand risks as potential future developments or 
events that could lead to negative deviations from our guid-
ance. Risks with a probability of occurrence of over 50 percent 
are taken into account in our guidance and short-term plan-
ning. As a rule, we estimate risks for the one-year forecast 
period. 

The annual risk reporting process begins with identifying 
material risks using checklists based on defined operating (for 
example procurement and production) and functional (for 
example information technology and human resources) risk 
categories. We evaluate the risks in a two-stage process accord-
ing to the probability of occurrence and potential loss. 
Included in the risk report are risks with a loss potential of at 
least 1 million euros or 10 percent of the net external sales of a 
country, where the probability of occurrence is considered 
greater than zero. 

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The first step entails determining gross risk to the extent that 
this is possible. We then calculate the net risk, taking counter-
measures into account. Initially, risks are compiled on a 
decentralized, per-country basis, with the assistance of 
regional coordinators. The locally collated risks are then ana-
lyzed by experts in the business units and corporate functions. 
In particular areas such as Corporate Treasury, risks are deter-
mined with the support of sensitivity analyses including 
 value-at-risk computations. Risk analyses are then prepared 
for the respective executive committees of the business units 
and corporate functions, and finally assigned to an area- 
specific risk inventory. The risk situation is subsequently 
reported to our Compliance & Risk Committee, the Management 
Board and the various oversight boards. Material unforeseen 
changes are reported immediately to the CFO and the Compli-
ance & Risk Committee. Corporate Accounting is responsible 
for coordinating the overall process and analyzing the inven-
toried exposures. 

The risk reporting process is supported by internet-based soft-
ware which ensures transparent communication throughout 
the entire Group. Our Internal Audit function regularly reviews 
the quality and efficiency of our risk management system. 
Within the framework of the 2018 audit of our annual financial 
statements, our external auditor examined the structure and 
function of our risk early warning system in accordance with 
Section 317 (4) German Commercial Code [HGB], and con-
firmed its compliance.

The following describes the main features of the internal con-
trol and risk management system in relation to our accounting 
processes, in accordance with Section 315 (2) No. 5 HGB. 
 Corresponding with the definition of our risk management 
system, the objective of our accounting processes lies in the 
identification, evaluation and management of all risks that 
jeopardize the regulatory preparation of our annual and con-
solidated financial statements. Accordingly, the internal con-
trol system’s function is to implement relevant principles, pro-

cedures and controls so as to ensure the financial statement 
closing process is regulatory compliant. Within the organiza-
tion of the internal control system, the Management Board 
assumes overriding responsibility at Group level. The duly 
coordinated subsystems of the internal control system lie 
within the responsibility of the Corporate Accounting, Con-
trolling, Corporate Treasury, Compliance and Regional Finance 
functions. Within these functions, there are a number of inte-
grated monitoring and control levels. These are assessed by 
regular and comprehensive effectiveness tests performed by 
our Internal Audit function. Of the multifaceted control pro-
cesses incorporated into the accounting process, several are 
important to highlight. 

The basis for all our accounting processes is provided by our 
corporate standard “Accounting,” which contains detailed 
accounting and reporting instructions covering all material 
circumstances, including clear procedures for inventory valua-
tion or how transfer prices applicable for intra-group transac-
tions should be determined. This corporate standard is bind-
ing on the entire Group and is regularly updated and approved 
by the CFO. The local Presidents and Heads of Finance of all 
consolidated subsidiaries must confirm their compliance with 
this corporate standard on an annual basis.

Further globally binding procedural instructions affecting our 
accounting practice are contained in our corporate standards 
“Treasury” and “Investments.” Through appropriate organiza-
tional measures in conjunction with restrictive access to our 
information technology, we ensure segregation of duties in 
our accounting systems between transaction entry on the one 
hand, and checking and approval on the other. Documentation 
relating to the operational accounting and closing processes 
ensures that important tasks – such as the reconciliation of 
receivables and payables on the basis of account balance con-
firmations – are clearly assigned. Additionally, binding autho-
rization regulations exist governing the approval of contracts, 
credit notes and the like, with strict adherence to the principle 

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of dual control as a mandatory requirement. This is also stipu-
lated in our Group-wide corporate standards.

The significant risks for Henkel and the corresponding con-
trols with respect to the regulatory preparation of our annual 
and consolidated financial statements are collated in a central 
documentation pack. This documentation is reviewed and 
updated annually by the respective process owners. The estab-
lished systems are also regularly reviewed to determine their 
improvement and optimization potential. We consider these 
systems to be appropriate and effective. 

for compliance and reliability. After all consolidation steps 
have been completed, the consolidated financial statements 
are prepared by Corporate Accounting in consultation with the 
specialist departments. Preparation of the combined manage-
ment report is coordinated by Investor Relations in coopera-
tion with each business unit and corporate function. The Man-
agement Board then compiles the consolidated financial state-
ments and annual financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA, and the combined management report for Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA and the Group, and subsequently presents these doc-
uments to the Supervisory Board for approval.

The accounting activities for subsidiaries included in the con-
solidated financial statements are performed either locally by 
the subsidiary or through a Shared Service Center, taking the 
aforementioned corporate standards into account. The indi-
vidual subsidiaries’ financial statements are transferred to our 
central consolidation system and checked at corporate level 

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Risk category

Operating risks

Procurement market risks

Production risks

Macroeconomic and sector-specific risks

Functional risks

Financial risks

Credit risk

Liquidity risk

Currency risk

Interest rate risk

Risks from pension obligations

Legal risks

IT risks 

Personnel risks

Risks in connection with brand image or reputa-
tion of the company

Environmental and safety risks

Business strategy risks

Probability

Moderate

Moderate

High

Low

Low

Moderate

Moderate

High

Low

Low

Moderate

Low

Low

Moderate

110

Potential financial impact

76

Major

Major

Major

Major

Minor

Major

Minor

Minor

Major

Major

Moderate

Major

Major

Moderate

Classification of risks in ascending order 

77

Major risk categories

Probability

Low

Moderate

High

Potential financial impact

Minor

Moderate

Major

1 – 9 %

10 – 24 %

≥ 25 %

1 – 49 million euros

50 – 99 million euros

≥ 100 million euros

Risks are presented from a net perspective, i.e. with their 
respective mitigation measures taken into account.

Operating risks

Procurement market risks
Description of risk: We expect year on year price increases for 
direct materials in our procurement markets to be in a low sin-
gle-digit range in 2019. Due to geopolitical, global economic, 
and climatic uncertainties, we expect prices to fluctuate in the 
course of the year. This may lead to raw material price trends 
that are unfavorable for Henkel but cannot always be passed 

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111

on in full. We therefore see risks arising beyond the forecasted 
increase in a low single-digit range in relation to important 
raw materials and packaging materials.

The segments in the industrial goods sector are affected to a 
greater extent by these price risks than the individual seg-
ments in the consumer goods sector. Additional price and sup-
ply risks exist due to possible demand- or production-related 
shortages in the procurement markets. Furthermore, contin-
ued major volatility can be expected from global economic, 
geopolitical and climate risks, which could lead to rising mate-
rial prices and supply shortages. 

Measures: The measures taken include active supplier portfo-
lio management through our globally engaged, cross-divi-
sional sourcing capability, together with strategies aimed at 
securing price and volume both through contracts and, where 
appropriate and possible, through financial hedging instru-
ments (for more information about financial hedging instru-
ments, please refer to the notes to the consolidated financial 
statements, page 202). Furthermore, we work in interdisciplin-
ary teams within Research and Development, Supply Chain 
Management and Purchasing on devising alternative formula-
tions and packaging forms so as to be able to respond flexibly 
to unforeseen fluctuations in raw material prices. We also 
avoid becoming dependent on individual suppliers to better 
secure the constant supply of the goods and services that we 
require. Finally, close collaboration with our strategic suppli-
ers plays an exceptionally important role in our risk manage-
ment. Further details regarding the assessment of supplier 
financial stability can be found in the section on “Procure-
ment” on pages 92 and 93. The basis for our risk management 
approach is provided by a comprehensive procurement infor-
mation system aimed at ensuring permanent transparency 
with respect to our purchasing volumes.

Impact: Moderate probability rating, possible major impact on 
our earnings guidance.

Production risks
Description of risk: Henkel faces production risks in the 
event of low capacity utilization due to volume decreases and 
unplanned operational interruptions, especially at our single- 
source sites. 

Measures: We can offset the negative effects of possible pro-
duction outages through flexible production control and, 
where economically viable, insurance policies. Such produc-
tion risks are minimized by ensuring high employee qualifica-
tion, clearly defined safety standards, and regular plant and 
equipment maintenance. Capital expenditure decisions on 
property, plant and equipment are made in accordance with 
defined, differentiated responsibility procedures and approval 
processes. They incorporate all relevant specialist functions 
and are regulated in an internal corporate standard. Invest-
ments are analyzed in advance on the basis of detailed risk 
aspects. Further audits accompanying projects provide the 
foundation for project management and risk reduction.

Impact: Moderate probability rating, possible major impact on 
our earnings guidance.

Macroeconomic and sector-specific risks
Description of risk: We remain exposed to macroeconomic 
risks emanating from the uncertainties of the current geopo-
litical and economic environment. We currently see geopoliti-
cal risk arising in connection with a further increase in the 
number of conflict zones. The forthcoming departure of the 
United Kingdom from the European Union (“Brexit”) poses 
risks to our business, for example through a potential weaken-
ing of the economy. The impacts of the global trade conflicts 
are also jeopardizing the global economic climate. A decline in 
the macroeconomic environment poses a risk to the industrial 
sector in particular. A downturn in consumer spending is rele-
vant for the consumer goods segments. A further significant 
risk is posed by an increasingly competitive environment, as 
this could result in stronger price and promotional pressures 

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in the consumer goods sector. As consolidation in the retail 
sector continues and private labels occupy a growing share of 
the market, crowding-out competition in the consumer goods 
sector could intensify. The risk of product substitution inher-
ent in this could, in principle, affect all business units. Tech-
nological change associated with digitalization may involve 
risks for the success of our products and processes. 

Measures: We focus on continuously strengthening our 
brands (see separate risk description on pages 115 and 116) and 
consistently developing further innovations. We consider 
innovative products and processes to be a significant success 
factor for our company, enabling us to differentiate ourselves 
from the competition. We also pursue specific sales and mar-
keting initiatives, for example advertising and promotional 
activities. Here, again, driving digitalization is of key impor-
tance. One example of this is the specific marketing of our 
products on a dedicated eCommerce platform for our industry 
customers (further details can be found in the section on mar-
keting and distribution on pages 100 to 102). In addition, we 
have the capability to react quickly to potential sales declines 
through flexible production control. Moreover, we have 
formed interdisciplinary task forces – in connection with 
Brexit, for example – to enable early identification and specific 
mitigation of the risks.

Impact: High probability rating, possible major impact on our 
sales and earnings guidance.

Functional risks

Financial risks
Description of risk: Henkel is exposed to financial risk in the 
form of credit risks, liquidity risks, currency risks, interest rate 
risks, and risks arising from pension obligations.

For the description of credit risks, liquidity risks, currency 
risks and interest rate risks, please refer to the notes to the 
consolidated financial statements on pages 192 to 202. For the 
risks arising from our pension obligations, please see pages 
170 to 173.

Measures: Risk-mitigating measures and the management of 
these risks are also described in the notes to the consolidated 
financial statements on the pages mentioned.

Impact: We classify financial risks as follows:
•   Credit risk with a low probability of a major impact on our 

earnings guidance 

•   Liquidity risk with a low probability of a minor impact on 

our earnings guidance

•   Currency risk with a moderate probability of a major impact 

on our earnings guidance

•   Interest rate risk with a moderate probability of a minor 

impact on our earnings guidance

•   Risks arising from our pension obligations with a high prob-
ability of a minor impact on our earnings guidance, and with 
a moderate probability of a major impact on our equity 

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113

Legal and regulatory risks
Description of risk: As a globally active corporation we are 
exposed, in the course of our ordinary business activities, to a 
range of risks relating to litigations and other actions, including 
government agency proceedings in which we are currently 
involved or may become involved in the future. These risks 
arise, in particular, in the fields of product liability, product 
deficiency, competition and cartel law, infringement of propri-
etary rights, patent law, tax law, environmental protection and 
legacy remediation. We cannot rule out the likelihood of nega-
tive rulings on current litigations and further litigations being 
initiated in the future. Legal uncertainty in some regions could 
also limit our ability to assert our rights. 

Our business is subject to various national rules and regulations 
and – within the European Union (EU) – increasingly to harmo-
nized laws applicable throughout the EU. In addition, some of 
our operations are subject to rules and regulations derived from 
approvals, licenses, certificates or permits. Our manufacturing 
operations are bound by rules and regulations with respect to 
the registration, evaluation, usage, storage, transportation and 
handling of certain substances and also in relation to emissions, 
wastewater, effluent and other waste. The construction and 
operation of production facilities and other plant and infra-
structure are governed by framework rules and regulations, 
including those relating to legacy remediation. Product-specific 
regulations of relevance to us relate in particular to ingredients 
and input materials, safety in manufacturing, the handling of 
products and their contents, and the packaging and marketing 
of these items. The control mechanisms include statutory mate-
rial-related regulations, usage prohibitions or restrictions, pro-
cedural requirements (test and inspection, identification mark-
ing, provision of warning labels, etc.), and product liability law. 
Violation of such regulations may lead to legal proceedings or 
compromise our future business activities.

Amendments to the aforementioned regulations and further 
changes to the regulatory environment in our relevant markets 

could influence our business activities and thus adversely affect 
our assets, financial position and results of operations. Such 
changes might involve import and export controls, customs 
or other trade regulations, or pricing and foreign exchange 
restrictions.

Equally, as a globally active company, we maintain business 
relations with customers in countries that are subject to export 
control legislation, embargoes, economic sanctions or other 
forms of trade restriction. Changes to these regulations, new or 
extended sanctions, or corresponding initiatives by institu-
tional investors or non-governmental organizations may result 
in restrictions being imposed on our business activities in these 
countries or, indirectly, in other countries, or may prevent us 
from acquiring or keeping customers and suppliers.

Measures: Our internal standards, guidelines, codes of con-
duct, and training measures are geared to ensuring compliance 
with the aforementioned statutory requirements and, for exam-
ple, safeguarding our manufacturing facilities and products. 
These requirements have also been incorporated into our man-
agement systems and are regularly audited. This includes the 
early monitoring and evaluation of relevant statutory and regu-
latory requirements and changes.

Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations is an integral 
component of our business processes. This includes the early 
monitoring and evaluation of relevant statutory and regulatory 
requirements and changes. Henkel has further established a 
Group-wide compliance organization with locally and region-
ally responsible compliance officers led by a globally responsi-
ble General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer (details can be 
found in the corporate governance report on pages 26 to 42). In 
addition, our corporate legal department maintains constant 
contact with local counsel. Current proceedings and potential 
risks are recorded in a separate reporting system. For certain 
legal risks, we have concluded insurance policies that are stan-
dard for the industry and that we consider to be appropriate. 

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However, the outcome of proceedings is inherently difficult to 
foresee, especially in cases in which the claimant is seeking 
substantial or unspecified damages. In view of this, we are 
unable to predict what obligations may arise from such litiga-
tions. Consequently, major losses may result from litigations 
and proceedings that are not covered by our insurance policies 
or provisions. Potential damage to our reputation is not covered 
by insurance, nor is there any guarantee that Henkel will acquire 
adequate insurance cover at reasonable terms and conditions in 
future.

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major impact on our 
earnings guidance. 

Information technology risks
Description of risk: Information technology has strategic sig-
nificance for Henkel. Our business processes rely to a great 
extent on internal and external IT services, applications, net-
works, and infrastructure systems. The failure or disruption of 
critical IT services and the manipulation or loss of data consti-
tute material risks for Henkel. The failure or disruption of 
important IT services can impair critical business processes. 
The loss of confidential data, for example formulations, cus-
tomer information or price lists, could put us at a disadvantage 
with our competitors. Henkel’s reputation could also be dam-
aged by such loss.

Measures: The technical and organizational safeguards for 
protecting information at Henkel are based on the interna-
tional standards ISO 27001 and 27002. Major components 
include the classification of information, business processes, 
IT applications, and IT infrastructure safeguards with respect 
to confidentiality, availability, integrity and data protection 
requirements, as well as measures for mitigating risk. In addi-
tion, Henkel has put technical and organizational measures in 
place to prevent, discover and defeat cyber attacks. Henkel 
maintains regular contact with other major corporations to 

enable the early detection of threats and implementation of 
effective countermeasures.

Our critical business processes operate through redundantly 
configured systems designed for high availability. Our data 
backup procedures reflect best engineering practice. We regu-
larly review our restore and disaster recovery processes. We 
develop our systems using proven project management and 
program modification procedures. 

Access to buildings and areas containing IT systems, as well as 
user authorizations for our information systems, are limited 
to the minimum level necessary. For critical business pro-
cesses, the required segregation of duties is enforced by tech-
nological means.

Our IT services are protected against unauthorized external 
access and are consistently kept up to date. 

We instruct and train our employees in the proper and secure 
use of information systems as part of their regular duties.

The implementation of our security measures is continually 
reviewed by our Internal Audit function, other internal depart-
ments, and independent third parties.

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major impact on our 
earnings guidance. 

Personnel risks
Description of risk: The motivation and the qualification of 
our employees are key drivers of Henkel’s business success. 
Therefore, it is strategically important to attract highly quali-
fied professionals and executives and ensure they stay with 
the company. In selecting and employing talent, we compete 
globally for qualified professionals and executives. In many of 
our markets, we see clear signs of increasingly tough competi-

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tion for the most talented professionals and the impacts of 
demographic change. These developments expose us to the 
risk of losing valuable employees or of being unable to recruit 
relevant qualified professionals and executives.

Measures: We combat the risk of losing valuable employees 
through specifically devised personnel development programs 
and incentive systems. Supporting this is an established, thor-
ough annual review process from which we derive individu-
ally tailored and future-viable qualification programs as well 
as performance-related remuneration systems. Further areas 
of our HR management focus include a global health manage-
ment system and support for flexible work models to ensure 
better work-life flexibility.

We reduce the risk of not being able to recruit qualified profes-
sionals and executives by expanding our employer branding 
initiatives and through targeted cooperation with colleges and 
universities in all regions where we conduct business. Our 
attractiveness as an employer is reinforced by our focus on 
promoting talent and specialized development programs.

Further information relating to our employees can be found 
on pages 89 to 91.

Impact: Moderate probability rating, possible moderate 
impact on our earnings guidance.

Risks in connection with the brand image or reputation  
of the company
Description of risk: As a globally active corporation, Henkel 
is exposed to potential damage to the reputation of its corpo-
rate brand or the image of Henkel’s product brands – particu-
larly in the consumer goods sector – in the event of negative 
reports in the media, including social media. These could lead 
to a negative impact on sales.

Measures: We minimize these risks through the measures 
described under legal and regulatory risks (see pages 113 and 
114). These are designed to ensure that our production facili-
ties and products are safe. We also pursue a policy of pro- 
active public relations management that serves to reinforce 
the reputation of our corporate brand and individual product 
brands. These measures are supported by a global communica-
tion network, and international and local crisis management 
systems with regular training sessions and crisis response 
planning.

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major impact on our 
sales and earnings guidance.

Environmental and safety risks
Description of risk: Henkel is a global manufacturing corpo-
ration and is therefore exposed to risks pertaining to the envi-
ronment, safety, health, and social standards, manifesting in 
the form of personal injury, physical damage to goods, and 
reputational damage. Soil contamination and the associated 
remediation expense, as well as leakage or other technical fail-
ures, could give rise to direct costs for the corporation. Fur-
thermore, indirect costs such as fines, claims for compensa-
tion or reputational damage may also be incurred.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information116

Measures: We minimize these risks through the measures 
described under legal and regulatory risks (see pages 113 and 
114), and through our auditing, advisory and training activi-
ties. We continually update these preventive measures in 
order to properly safeguard our facilities, assets and reputa-
tion. We ensure compliance with high technical standards, 
rules of conduct, and relevant statutory requirements as a fur-
ther means of preserving our assets, and make sure that our 
corporate values – one of which is sustainability – are put into 
practice.

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major impact on our 
earnings guidance.

Business strategy risks
Description of risk: Business strategy risks can arise from our 
expectations for internal projects, acquisitions and strategic 
alliances failing to materialize. The associated capital expendi-
tures may not generate the originally anticipated value added 
due to internal or external influences. Individual projects 
could also be delayed or even halted by unforeseen events. 

Measures: We combat these risks through comprehensive 
project management. We limit exposure through financial via-
bility assessments in the review, decision, and implementa-
tion phases. These assessments are performed by specialist 
departments, assisted by external consultants where appropri-
ate. Project transparency and control are supported by our 
management systems. 

Impact: Moderate probability rating, possible moderate 
impact on our earnings guidance.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information117

Impact: We classify financial opportunities as follows:
•   Currency opportunities with a moderate probability of a 

major impact on our earnings guidance

•   Interest rate opportunities with a moderate probability of a 

minor impact on our earnings guidance

•   Opportunities arising from our pension obligations with a 

low probability of a minor impact on our earnings guidance, 
and with a moderate probability of a major impact on our 
equity 

Acquisition opportunities
Description of opportunities: Acquisitions are a key compo-
nent of our strategy. 

Impact: Large acquisitions could have a major impact on our 
earnings guidance. 

Research and development opportunities
Description of opportunities: Opportunities arising from 
our extensively continuous innovation process are a key com-
ponent of our strategy and are already accounted for in our 
guidance. There are additional opportunities in the event of 
product introductions that exceed our expectations of market 
acceptance, and in the development of exceptional innova-
tions that have not yet been taken into account.

Impact: Innovations arising from future research and devel-
opment could have a major impact on our sales and earnings 
guidance.

Major opportunity categories

Entrepreneurial opportunities are identified and evaluated at 
Group level and in the individual business units, and duly 
incorporated into the strategy and planning processes. We 
understand the opportunities presented in the following as 
potential future developments or events that could lead to a 
positive deviation from our guidance. We also assess the prob-
abilities of price-related procurement market and financial 
opportunities.

Procurement market opportunities
Description of opportunities: Countervailing the procure-
ment market risks listed on pages 110 and 111, opportunities 
may also arise in which the influencing factors described in 
this section develop in a direction that is advantageous to 
Henkel. 

Impact: Low probability rating, possible major impact on our 
earnings guidance.

Macroeconomic and sector-specific opportunities
Description of opportunities: Additional business opportu-
nities would arise if the uncertain geopolitical and macroeco-
nomic situation in some regions, or the economic conditions 
in individual sectors, develop substantially better than 
expected. 

Impact: The opportunities described could have a major 
impact on our sales and earnings guidance.

Financial opportunities
Description of opportunities: Countervailing the currency 
and interest rate risks indicated under financial risks, and the 
risks arising from pension obligations as described on page 112, 
opportunities may also arise in which the influencing factors 
described in this section develop in a direction that is advan-
tageous to Henkel. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information118

Risks and opportunities in summary

At the time this report was prepared, there were no identifiable 
risks related to future developments that could endanger the 
existence either of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, or a material sub-
sidiary included in the consolidation, or the Group, as a going 
concern. As we have no special-purpose vehicles, there is no 
risk that might originate from such a source.

Compared to the previous year, our expectation of the likeli-
hood and / or of the possible financial impact of individual risk 
and opportunity categories has changed slightly. Overall, how-
ever, the risk and opportunities situation has not altered to 
any significant degree. 

The system of risk categorization adopted by Henkel continues 
to indicate that the most significant exposure currently relates 
to the impact of macroeconomic and sector uncertainty 
together with financial risks, to which we are responding with 
the countermeasures described above. The Management Board 
remains confident that the earning power of the Group forms a 
solid foundation for future business development and pro-
vides the necessary resources to leverage our opportunities.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportFundamental principles  of the GroupEconomic reportHenkel AG & Co. KGaA  (condensed version  according to the German  Commercial Code [HGB])Risks and opportunities reportForecastConsolidated financial statementsFurther information119

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Fundamental principles  
of the Group

Economic report

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
(condensed version  
according to the German 
 Commercial Code [HGB])

Risks and opportunities report

Forecast

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Forecast

Macroeconomic development

The assessment of future world economic development is 
based on information provided by IHS Markit. 

Overview: 
moderate gross domestic product growth of  
around 3 percent
Global economic growth is expected to remain moderate 
but below previous year in 2019. IHS expects gross domestic 
 product to rise by close to 3 percent.

The mature markets should grow by approximately 2 percent. 
The North American economy is expected to grow by around 
2 percent, while Japan’s economy is forecasted to expand by 
approximately 1 percent. For Western Europe, IHS anticipates 
growth of around 1 percent.

The emerging markets are forecasted to achieve robust eco-
nomic growth of approximately 4.5 percent in 2019, but devel-
opments are expected to vary between individual regions and 
countries: Asia (excluding Japan) is expected to increase its 
economic output by 5.5 percent. An increase of approximately 
2 percent each is forecasted for the Latin America, Africa / Mid-
dle East and Eastern Europe regions.

Inflation:
global inflation rate on prior-year level
Global inflation in 2019 is expected to be approximately 3 percent, 
thus remaining at the level of the previous year. IHS expects 
the mature markets to continue exhibiting a high degree of 
price stability, with inflation at around 2 percent. Inflation of 
around 4 percent on average is forecasted for the emerging 
markets.

Direct materials: 
increase in price levels
We expect price increases for raw materials, packaging and 
purchased goods and services to be in the low single-digit 
 percentage range compared to the previous year.

Currencies:
continued high volatility 
We anticipate continued high volatility in the currency markets. 
Some major currencies in the emerging markets could weaken 
further on average in 2019 compared to 2018. We expect the 
US dollar to remain relatively stable.

Development by sector

Consumption and retail:
growth of approximately 3 percent
IHS expects that global private consumption will increase by 
approximately 3 percent overall in 2019. For the mature markets, 
IHS anticipates growth of 2 percent. Private spending in the 
emerging markets is expected to rise by around 4.5 percent.

Industrial production index:
growth of approximately 2.5 percent
Year on year, IHS expects the industrial production index (IPX) 
to grow at a lower pace of approximately 2.5 percent worldwide. 
Industrial production is expected to grow by approximately 
2 percent in the mature markets and by approximately 3 percent 
in the emerging markets.

Henkel Annual Report 2018120

Laundry & Home Care. We expect adjusted earnings per pre-
ferred share to be in the mid-single-digit percentage range 
below prior year at constant exchange rates.

Furthermore, we have the following expectations for 2019:
•  Restructuring expenses of 200 to 250 million euros
•  Cash outflows from investments in property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets of between 750 and 
850 million euros 

Dividend
In accordance with our dividend policy and depending on the 
company’s asset and profit positions as well as its financial 
requirements, we expect a dividend payout by Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA in the range of 30 to 40 percent of net income after 
non-controlling interests, and adjusted for exceptional items. 

Capital expenditures
In fiscal 2019, we plan cash outflows for investments in 
 property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of 
approximately 750 to 850 million euros. In line with our 
 strategic  priorities, considerable investments are planned in 
strengthening our innovation capabilities and in expanding 
and further streamlining our production and logistics. Targeted 
investments in IT infrastructure will drive the digitalization of 
our processes.

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Fundamental principles  
of the Group

Economic report

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
(condensed version  
according to the German 
 Commercial Code [HGB])

Risks and opportunities report

Forecast

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Outlook for the Henkel Group  
in 2019

We expect the Henkel Group to generate organic sales growth 
of 2 to 4 percent in fiscal 2019. Our expectation is that each 
business unit will generate organic sales growth within this 
range. The starting point for our expected organic sales growth 
is our diversified portfolio and leading competitive positions 
in key markets and categories. 

We expect the contribution to the nominal sales growth of the 
Henkel Group from our acquisitions in 2018 to be in the low 
single-digit percentage range. The translation of sales in for-
eign currencies is expected to have a negative effect, also in 
the low single-digit percentage range. 

In recent years we have introduced a number of measures that 
have had a positive effect on our cost structure. Again this 
year, we intend to continue adapting our structures to con-
stantly changing market conditions and to maintain our strict 
cost discipline. At the same time, we plan to significantly 
increase our investments in brands, technologies, innovations 
and digitalization in 2019. The aim of these additional 
expenses is to sustainably strengthen our growth and our posi-
tions in key markets, especially in our consumer goods busi-
nesses. 

This will affect our earnings performance in 2019. We expect 
adjusted 1 return on sales (EBIT) to be between 16 and 17 per-
cent. Our expectations with regard to adjusted return on sales 
(EBIT) in our individual business units are between 18 and 
19 percent for Adhesive Technologies, between 15 and 16 per-
cent for Beauty Care, and between 16.5 and 17.5 percent for 

1   Adjusted for one-time charges / gains and restructuring expenses.

Henkel Annual Report 2018H e n k e l   A n n u a l   R e p o r t   2 0 1 8

121

Consolidated  
financial  
statements

123 

 Consolidated statement  
of financial position

125 

Consolidated statement of income

126 

127 

 Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income

 Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

128 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

130 

132 

133 

 Notes to the consolidated financial  
statements – Group segment report  
by business unit

 Notes to the consolidated financial  
statements – Key financials by region

 Notes to the consolidated financial  
statements – Accounting principles  
and methods applied in preparation  
of the consolidated financial statements

148 

148 
153 
155 
156 
156 
157 
157 
158 
158 
159 
160 
160 
161 
161 
161 
161 
173 
175 
177 
178 
178 
179 

 Notes to the consolidated financial  
statements – Notes to the consolidated  
statement of financial position
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other financial assets
Other assets
Deferred taxes
Inventories
 Trade accounts receivable
 Cash and cash equivalents
 Assets and liabilities held for sale
Issued capital
Capital reserve
Treasury shares
Retained earnings
Other components of equity
Non-controlling interests
 Provisions for pensions and similar obligations
 Income tax provisions and other provisions
Borrowings
Other financial liabilities
Other liabilities
 Trade accounts payable
Financial instruments report

Henkel Annual Report 2018H e n k e l   A n n u a l   R e p o r t   2 0 1 8

122

225 

 Notes to the consolidated financial  
statements – Subsequent events

226 

 Independent Auditor’s Report

233 

 Recommendation for the approval  
of the annual financial statements  
and the appropriation of the profit  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

234 

 Responsibility statement by the Personally 
Liable Partner

235 

Corporate bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

203 

 Notes to the consolidated financial 
statements – Notes to the consolidated 
statement of income
 Sales and principles of income recognition
Cost of sales

203 
204 
204  Marketing, selling and distribution expenses
Research and development expenses
205 
Administrative expenses
205 
Other operating income
205 
Other operating expenses
205 
Financial result
206 
Taxes on income
206 
Non-controlling interests
209 

210 

210 
211 
211 
213 
217 
218 
221 
221 

222 
223 
223 
224 

224 
224 

 Notes to the consolidated financial  
statements –  Other disclosures
Reconciliation of adjusted net income
Payroll cost and employee structure
Share-based payment plans
 Group segment report
 Earnings per share
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Contingent liabilities
 Lease and other unrecognized financial com-
mitments
 Voting rights / Related party disclosures 
 Exercise of exemption options
Remuneration of the corporate bodies
 Declaration of compliance with the Corporate 
Governance Code [DCGK]
Subsidiaries and other investments
 Auditor’s fees and services

123

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Consolidated statement of financial position

Assets 

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other financial assets

Income tax refund claims

Other assets

Deferred tax assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Trade accounts receivable

Other financial assets 

Income tax refund claims

Other assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale

Current assets 

Total assets 

Note

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

3

4

8

9

2017 1

15,681

3,007

50

7

170

949

19,864

2,079

3,544

1,072

325

455

919

81

8,475

%

55.3

10.6

0.3

–

0.6

3.3

70.1

7.3

12.5

3.9

1.1

1.6

3.2

0.3

29.9

2018

16,601

3,122

65

10

184

959

20,941

2,176

3,610

1,030

321

406

1,063

76

8,682

78

%

56.1

10.5

0.2

–

0.7

3.2

70.7

7.3

12.1

3.5

1.1

1.4

3.6

0.3

29.3

28,339

100.0

29,623

100.0

Independent Auditor’s Report

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2018Consolidated statement of financial position

124

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Equity and liabilities 

in million euros

Issued capital

Capital reserve

Treasury shares

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Retained earnings 

Other components of equity

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Equity attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Non-controlling interests

Equity

Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

Income tax provisions

Other provisions

Borrowings

Other financial liabilities 

Other liabilities 

Deferred tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Independent Auditor’s Report

Income tax provisions

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Other provisions

Borrowings

Trade accounts payable

Other financial liabilities 

Other liabilities 

Income tax liabilities

Current liabilities

Note

2017 1

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

17

18

19

20

5

17

17

18

21

19

20

438

652

– 91

16,101

– 1,527 

15,573

74

15,647

760

16

353

3,076

87

17

632

4,941

417

1,786

1,268

3,721

214

340

5

7,751

%

1.5

2.3

– 0.3

56.9

– 5.4 

55.0

0.2

55.2

2.7

0.1

1.2

10.8

0.3

0.1

2.2

17.4

1.5

6.3

4.5

13.1

0.8

1.2

–

27.4

2018

438

652

– 91

17,399

– 1,382

17,016

77

17,093

794

152

285

1,556

69

18

775

3,649

305

1,768

2,619

3,713

145

318

13

8,881

79

%

1.5

2.2

– 0.3

58.6

– 4.6 

57.4

0.3

57.7

2.7

0.5

1.0

5.2

0.2

0.1

2.6

12.3

1.0

6.0

8.8

12.6

0.5

1.1

–

30.0

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Total equity and liabilities 

28,339

100.0

29,623

100.0

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Henkel Annual Report 2018Consolidated statement of income

125

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

in million euros

Sales

Cost of sales 

Gross profit

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Marketing, selling and distribution expenses 

Research and development expenses 

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Administrative expenses 

Other operating income

Other operating expenses

Operating profit (EBIT)

Interest income

Interest expense

Other financial result

Investment result

Financial result

Income before tax

Taxes on income 

Tax rate in % 

Net income 

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Earnings per ordinary share – basic and diluted in euros

Earnings per preferred share – basic and diluted in euros

1   Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Independent Auditor’s Report

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Note

2017 1

%

2018

%

100.0

– 53.3

46.7

– 24.3

– 2.4

– 4.8

0.6

– 0.5

15.3

0.1

– 0.3

– 0.1

–

– 0.3

15.0

– 2.3

12.7

0.1

12.6

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

20,029

– 10,680

9,349

– 4,876

– 476

– 980

129

– 91

3,055

18

– 55

– 26

– 4

– 67

2,988

– 447

15.0

2,541

22

2,519

5.79

5.81

100.0

– 54.0

46.0

– 23.3

– 2.4

– 5.0

0.8

– 0.4

15.7

0.1

– 0.5

– 

–

– 0.4

15.3

– 3.6

11.7

0.1

11.6

19,899

– 10,743

9,156

– 4,638

– 484

– 991

154

– 81

3,116

10

– 71

– 5

1

– 65

3,051

– 721

23.6

2,330

19

2,311

5.31

5.33

80

+/–

– 0.6 %

0.6 %

– 2.1 %

– 4.9 %

1.7 %

1.1 %

19.4 %

– 11.0 %

2.0 %

– 44.4 %

29.1 %

– 80.8 %

–

– 3.0 %

2.1 %

61.3 %

– 8.3 %

– 13.6 %

– 8.3 %

– 8.3 %

– 8.3 %

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
126

Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income

See Notes 14 and 21 for further explanatory information

in million euros

Net income

Results subject to possible future reclassification:

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Gains / losses from derivative financial instruments (Hedge reserve)

Gains / losses from equity and debt instruments (Equity and debt instruments reserve)

Results not subject to future reclassification:

Remeasurement of net liability from defined benefit pension plans (net of taxes)

Other comprehensive income (net of taxes)

Total comprehensive income for the period

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 

2017

2,541

– 1,334

– 14

–

124

– 1,224

1,317

13

1,304

81

2018

2,330

146

– 1

–

– 134

11

2,341

19

2,322

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Independent Auditor’s Report

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity

See Notes 10 to 14 for further explanatory information

in million euros

At January 1, 2017

Net income

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income  
for the period 

Dividends

Sale of treasury shares

Changes in ownership interest  
with no change in control

Other changes in equity

At Dec. 31, 2017 / Jan. 1, 2018

Effect of first-time application  
of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 3

At January 1, 2018 (adjusted)

Net income

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income  
for the period

Dividends

Sale of treasury shares

Changes in ownership interest  
with no change in control

Other changes in equity

At December 31, 2018

Issued capital

Other components of equity

Ordinary 
shares

Preferred 
shares

Capital 
reserve

Treasury 
shares

Retained 
earnings

Currency 
translation

Hedge 
reserve

Reserve for 
equity and 
debt instru-
ments 1

Share-
holders of 
Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA

Non- 
controlling 
interests

260

178

652

– 91

14,236

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

260

–

260

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

178

–

178

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

652

–

652

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,519

124

2,643

– 698

–

– 152

72 2

– 7

– 

– 1,325

– 184

–

– 14

– 1,325

– 14

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

– 

– 91

16,101

– 1,332

– 198

–

– 91

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 59

16,042

2,311

– 134

2,177

– 772

–

–

– 48

–

– 1,332

–

– 198

– 

146

146

–

–

–

– 

–

– 1

– 1

–

–

–

– 

260

178

652

– 91

17,399

– 1,186

– 199

3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3

–

3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3

15,047

2,519

– 1,215

1,304

– 698

– 

– 152

72

15,573

– 59

15,514

2,311

11

2,322

– 772

– 

–

– 48

17,016

138

22

– 9

13

– 38

– 

– 39

–

74

–

74

19

–

19

– 16

– 

–

–

77

127

82

Total

15,185

2,541

– 1,224

1,317

– 736

– 

– 191

72

15,647

– 59

15,588

2,330

11

2,341

– 788

– 

–

– 48

17,093

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Independent Auditor’s Report

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

on trade accounts receivable and 46 million euros to the application of IFRS 15, of which deferred taxes accounted for – 14 million euros.

1   Available-for-sale reserve in 2017.
2  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).
3  Retained earnings decreased by 59 million euros following application of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15. Of this amount, 13 million euros is attributable to an increase in valuation allowances  

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
128

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Consolidated statement of cash flows

See Note 37 for further explanatory information

Combined management report

in million euros

Consolidated financial statements

Operating profit (EBIT)

Income taxes paid

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Amortization / depreciation / impairment / write-ups of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment 1

Net gains / losses on disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, and from divestments

Change in inventories

Change in trade accounts receivable

Change in other assets

Change in trade accounts payable

Change in other liabilities, provisions and equity

Cash flow from operating activities

Purchase of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment including payments on account

Acquisition of subsidiaries and other business units

Purchase of associated companies and joint ventures held at equity

Proceeds on disposal of subsidiaries and other business units

Proceeds on disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Cash flow from investing activities

Dividends paid to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders

Independent Auditor’s Report

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Interest received

Interest paid

Dividends and interest paid and received

Issuance of bonds

Repayment of bonds

Repayment of non-current bank liabilities

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Other changes in borrowings

Allocations to pension funds

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Other changes in pension obligations 2

Payments for the acquisition of treasury shares

TABLE CONT’D

2017

3,055

– 727

672

– 36

– 181

– 322

29

217

– 239

2,468

– 700

– 1,830

– 5 

53

31

– 2,451

– 698

– 38

22

– 56

– 770

535

– 

– 

419

– 112 

– 64

– 

83

2018

3,116

– 586

578

– 31

– 156

– 89

14

32

– 180

2,698

– 837

– 429

– 14 

4

68

– 1,208

– 772

– 16

24

– 78

– 842

– 

– 500

– 947

1,158

– 175 

42

– 33

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

in million euros

Purchase of non-controlling interests with no change of control

Other financing transactions 3

Cash flow from financing activities

Combined management report

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31 

129

83

2018

– 7 

– 26

– 1,330

160

– 16

144

919

1,063

2017

– 157

– 263

– 412

– 395

– 75

– 470

1,389

919 4

Consolidated statement of income

1  Of which: Impairment in fiscal 2018: 24 million euros (fiscal 2017: 47 million euros).
2  Other changes in pension obligations include payment receipts of 100 million euros in fiscal 2018 constituting the refund of pension payments to retirees for 

which a right of reimbursement exists with respect to Henkel Trust e.V. No reimbursements were paid in 2017.

3  Other financing transactions in fiscal 2018 include payments of – 30 million euros for the purchase of short-term securities and time deposits as well as for the pro-

vision of financial collateral (fiscal 2017: – 231 million euros).

4  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Independent Auditor’s Report

Net interest paid

Other changes in pension obligations

Free cash flow 

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Additional voluntary information: Reconciliation to free cash flow 

in million euros

Cash flow from operating activities

Purchase of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment including payments on account

Proceeds on disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

2017

2,468

– 700

31

– 34

– 64

1,701

84

2018

2,698

– 837

68

– 54

42

1,917

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
Group segment report by business unit 1

130

85

Adhesives for 
Consumers, 
Craftsmen 
and Building

1,781

9 %

1,832

– 2.8 %

2.3 %

3.1 %

261

297

– 12.2 %

14.7 %

16.2 %

282

281

0.3 %

15.9 %

15.4 %

872

808

7.9 %

29.9 %

36.8 %

Industrial  
Business

Total  
Adhesive  
Technologies

Beauty  
Care

Laundry & 
Home Care

Operating  
business  
units total

Corporate

Henkel Group

7,622

38 %

7,556

0.9 %

6.2 %

4.2 %

1,408

1,360

3.6 %

18.5 %

18.0 %

1,479

1,452

1.8 %

19.4 %

19.2 %

7,765

7,429

4.5 %

18.1 %

18.5 %

9,403

47 %

9,387

0.2 %

5.4 %

4.0 %

1,669

1,657

0.7 %

17.7 %

17.7 %

1,761

1,734

1.6 %

18.7 %

18.5 %

8,637

8,237

4.9 %

19.3 %

20.3 %

3,950

20 %

3,868

2.1 %

6.9 %

– 0.7 %

589

535

10.0 %

14.9 %

13.8 %

675

665

1.6 %

17.1 %

17.2 %

3,983

3,038

31.1 %

14.8 %

17.6 %

6,419

32 %

6,651

– 3.5 %

2.6 %

1.9 %

970

989

– 1.9 %

15.1 %

14.9 %

1,162

1,170

– 0.7 %

18.1 %

17.6 %

7,381

7,557

– 2.3 %

13.1 %

13.1 %

19,771

99 %

19,906

– 0.7 %

4.8 %

2.4 %

3,228

3,181

1.5 %

16.3 %

16.0 %

3,598

3,568

0.8 %

18.2 %

17.9 %

20,001

18,832

6.2 %

16.1 %

17.0 %

128

1 %

123

4.3 %

–

–

– 112

– 126

–

–

–

– 102

– 107

–

–

–

77

38

–

–

–

19,899

100 %

20,029

– 0.6 %

4.8 %

2.4 %

3,116

3,055

2.0 %

15.7 %

15.3 %

3,496

3,461

1.0 %

17.6 %

17.3 %

20,078

18,870

6.4 %

15.5 %

16.3 %

in million euros

Sales 2018

Proportion of Henkel sales

Sales 2017

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Organic

EBIT 2018

EBIT 2017

Change from previous year

Return on sales (EBIT) 2018

Return on sales (EBIT) 2017

Adjusted EBIT 2018

Adjusted EBIT 2017

Change from previous year

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT) 2018

Adjusted return on sales (EBIT) 2017

Capital employed 2018 2

Capital employed 2017 2

Change from previous year

Return on capital employed (ROCE) 2018

Return on capital employed (ROCE) 2017 

TABLE CONT’D

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
131

85

in million euros

Amortization / depreciation / impairment /  
write-ups of intangible assets and property, 
plant and equipment 2018

of which impairment losses 2018

of which write-ups 2018

Amortization / depreciation / impairment /  
write-ups of intangible assets and property,  
plant and equipment 2017

of which impairment losses 2017

of which write-ups 2017

Capital expenditures (excl. financial assets) 2018

Capital expenditures (excl. financial assets) 2017

Operating assets 2018 3

Operating liabilities 2018

Net operating assets 2018 3

Operating assets 2017 3

Operating liabilities 2017

Net operating assets 2017 3

Adhesives for 
Consumers, 
Craftsmen 
and Building

Industrial  
Business

Total  
Adhesive  
Technologies

Beauty  
Care

Laundry & 
Home Care

Operating  
business  
units total

Corporate

Henkel Group

39

–

–

43

1

–

89

76

1,483

694

789

1,420

655

765

241

15

–

269

40

–

547

1,213

9,849

2,579

7,270

9,263

2,324

6,939

280

15

–

312

41

–

636

1,289

11,332

3,273

8,058

10,683

2,979

7,704

76

–

–

100

–

–

293

865

5,324

1,689

3,635

4,491

1,627

2,864

208

9

–

246

6

–

341

351

10,508

2,863

7,645

10,441

2,700

7,741

564

24

–

658

47

–

1,270

2,505

27,164

7,826

19,338

25,614

7,305

18,309

14

–

–

14

–

–

11

6

533

456

77

528

491

38

578

24

–

672

47

–

1,281

2,511

27,697

8,282

19,416

26,142

7,796

18,347

1   Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.
2 Including goodwill at cost prior to any accumulated impairment in accordance with IFRS 3.79 (b).
3  Including goodwill at net book value.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
132

86

Henkel 
Group

Key financials by region 1

in million euros

Sales 2 2018

Sales 2 2017

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Organic

Proportion of Group sales 2018

Proportion of Group sales 2017

Operating profit (EBIT) 2018

Operating profit (EBIT) 2017

Change from previous year

Adjusted for foreign exchange

Return on sales (EBIT) 2018

Return on sales (EBIT) 2017

Western 
Europe

Eastern 
Europe

Africa / 
Middle East

North 
America

Latin 
America

Asia- 
Pacific

Total 
Regions

Corporate

6,107

6,033

2,843

2,897

1,286

1,302

5,040

5,162

1,181

1,142

3,314

3,371

19,771

19,906

128

123

19,899

20,029

1.2 %

1.6 %

0.3 %

31 %

30 %

1,810

1,463

23.7 %

23.8 %

29.6 %

24.3 %

– 1.8 %

7.6 %

7.6 %

14 %

14 %

280

280

0.1 %

14.2 %

9.8 %

9.7 %

– 1.2 %

11.6 %

11.3 %

6 %

6 %

35

58

– 39.4 %

– 15.7 %

2.7 %

4.5 %

– 2.4 %

4.4 %

– 1.0 %

25 %

26 %

406

731

– 44.5 %

– 42.0 %

8.0 %

14.2 %

3.5 %

16.5 %

9.3 %

6 %

6 %

136

112

21.6 %

41.3 %

11.5 %

9.8 %

– 1.7 %

– 0.7 %

1.9 %

0.9 %

17 %

17 %

561

537

4.5 %

8.7 %

16.9 %

15.9 %

4.8 %

2.4 %

99 %

99 %

–

–

–

1 %

1 %

– 0.6 %

4.8 %

2.4 %

100 %

100 %

3,228

3,181

– 112

– 126

3,116

3,055

1.5 %

5.2 %

16.3 %

16.0 %

–

–

–

–

2.0 %

5.1 %

15.7 %

15.3 %

1   Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros. 
2  By location of company.

In 2018, the affiliated companies domiciled in Germany, 
including Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, generated sales of 2,435 mil-
lion euros (previous year: 2,388 million euros). Sales realized 
by the affiliated companies domiciled in the USA amounted 
to 4,696 million euros in 2018 (previous year: 4,864 million 
euros). Affiliated companies domiciled in China generated 
sales of 1,612 million euros in 2018 (previous year: 1,632 mil-
lion euros). In fiscal 2017 and 2018, no individual customer 
accounted for more than 10 percent of total sales.

Of the total non-current assets disclosed for the Henkel 
Group at December 31, 2018 (excluding financial instruments 
and deferred tax assets) amounting to 19,920 million euros 
(previous year: 18,836 million euros), 2,468 million euros 
(previous year: 2,149 million euros) was attributable to the 
affiliated companies domiciled in Germany, including 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. The non-current assets (excluding 
financial instruments and deferred tax assets) recognized in 
respect of the affiliated companies domiciled in the USA 
amounted to 10,617 million euros at December 31, 2018 (pre-
vious year: 10,126 million euros).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
133

Accounting principles and methods applied in  
preparation of the consolidated financial statements
General information

The consolidated financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA (Düsseldorf Regional Court, HRB 4724), Düsseldorf, as 
of December 31, 2018, have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and the 
relevant interpretations of the International Financial Report-
ing Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), as adopted per Regula-
tion number 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and the 
Council, on the application of international accounting stan-
dards in the European Union, and in compliance with Section 
315a German Commercial Code [HGB]. The consolidated finan-
cial statements are published in the electronic federal gazette.

The individual financial statements of the companies included 
in the consolidation are drawn up on the same accounting date, 
December 31, 2018, as that of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.

Members of the KPMG organization or other independent 
firms of auditors instructed accordingly have audited the 
financial statements of the material companies included in 
the consolidation. The Management Board of Henkel Manage-
ment AG – which is the Personally Liable Partner of Henkel AG 
& Co. KGaA – compiled the consolidated financial statements 
on January 31, 2019, and approved them for forwarding to the 
Supervisory Board and for publication. 

The consolidated financial statements are based on the princi-
ple of historical cost with the exception that certain financial 
instruments are accounted for at their fair values, and pension 
obligations are measured using the projected unit credit 
method. The functional currency of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and 

the reporting currency of the Group is the euro. Unless other-
wise indicated, all amounts are shown in million euros. In 
order to improve the clarity and informative value of the con-
solidated financial statements, certain items are combined in 
the consolidated statement of financial position, the consoli-
dated statement of income and the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, and then shown separately in the 
notes. 

Scope of consolidation

In addition to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA as the ultimate parent 
company, the consolidated financial statements at December 
31, 2018, include 15 German and 206 non-German companies 
in which Henkel AG & Co. KGaA has a dominating influence 
over financial and operating policies, based on the concept of 
control. The Group has a dominating influence on a company 
when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its 
involvement with the company and has the ability to affect 
those returns through its power over the company. Companies 
in which the stake held represents less than half of the voting 
rights are fully consolidated if Henkel AG & Co. KGaA controls 
them, as defined in IFRS 10, through contractual agreements 
or the right to appoint corporate bodies. 

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA prepares the consolidated financial 
statements for the largest and the smallest groups of compa-
nies to which Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its subsidiaries 
belong.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information134

The following table shows the changes to the scope of consoli-
dation in fiscal 2018:

Acquisitions and divestments

Scope of consolidation 

At January 1, 2018

Additions

Mergers

Disposals

At December 31, 2018

87

242

7

– 23

– 4

222

Acquisitions
Effective January 3, 2018, Henkel completed the acquisition of 
all shares in Unión Técnico Comercial S.R.L. based in Lima, 
Peru. The final purchase price was 13 million euros, settled in 
cash. The acquisition strengthens the position of Adhesive 
Technologies in the market for maintenance, repair and over-
haul in the General Industry business area in Latin America. 
Goodwill was recognized in the amount of 13 million euros. 

Further details can be found in the section “Acquisitions and 
divestments” below.

Subsidiaries which are of secondary importance to the Group 
and to the presentation of a true and fair view of our net assets, 
financial position and results of operations due to their inac-
tivity or low level of activity are generally not included in the 
consolidated financial statements. The total assets of these 
companies represent less than 1 percent of the Group’s total 
assets; their total sales and income (net of taxes) are also less 
than 1 percent of the Group totals.

Effective June 1, 2018, Henkel completed the acquisition of all 
shares in JemPak Corporation based in Concord, Canada. 
The final purchase price was 76 million euros, settled in cash. 
The acquisition complements and strengthens the existing 
Laundry & Home Care portfolio in North America and enables 
Henkel to further expand its position in this attractive market. 
Provisional goodwill was recognized in the amount of 53 mil-
lion euros. 

Effective December 10, 2018, Henkel completed the acquisition 
of all shares in Aislantes Nacionales S.A., Santiago, Chile. The 
purchase price was 343 million euros, settled in cash. A further 
purchase price component of 15 million euros maximum was 
agreed, depending on the amount of gross profit generated in 
2019. In determining the transferred consideration, 10 million 
euros was recognized as contingent. Following this acquisi-
tion, Henkel is now active in the attractive Chilean market for 
tile adhesives and building materials where it occupies a 
strong position. Provisional goodwill was recognized in the 
amount of 323 million euros. 

None of the goodwill relating to any of the acquisitions was 
recognized for tax purposes.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information135

The carrying amounts of the acquired assets and liabilities are 
determined by the contracts and our opening balances on each 
respective acquisition date. The recognition and measurement 
principles adopted by the Henkel Group were applied. 

If the acquisition of all shares of Unión Técnico Comercial 
S.R.L., JemPak Corporation and Aislantes Nacionales S.A. – 
and thus their business activities – had been completed by 
January 1, 2018, sales for the Henkel Group for the reporting 
period  January 1 to December 31, 2018, would be higher by 
179 million euros and income after tax would be higher by 
18 million euros, taking acquisition-related incidental costs 
into account. 

The business activities actually contributed 66 million euros 
to sales and 2 million euros to income after tax. Acquisition- 
related incidental costs amounted to 4 million euros. 

Reconciliation of the purchase price  
to provisional goodwill 

in million euros

Acquisitions 2018

Purchase price

Adjustment based on purchase agreement

Fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities

Provisional goodwill

89

2018

432

10

53

389

The goodwill acquired through the acquisition of Unión 
Técnico Comercial S.R.L., JemPak Corporation and Aislantes 
Nacionales S.A. represents the growth potential of the 
acquired businesses, as well as both offensive and defensive 
synergies, achieved through integration in Henkel’s existing 
organization. 

Because the acquisition of Aislantes Nacionales S.A. was only 
recently completed, and the acquisition of JemPak was closed 
in the course of the reporting year, the allocation of the pur-
chase prices to the acquired assets and liabilities in accor-
dance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations is provisional. In 
particular, determination of the fair value of the intangible 
assets, property, plant and equipment, provisions and deferred 
taxes has not yet been finalized. 

Acquisitions 

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other non-current assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Trade accounts receivable

Liquid funds

Other current assets 

Current assets

Total assets

Net assets 

Non-current liabilities 

Other current provisions / liabilities

Trade accounts payable

Current liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities

88

Acquisitions 
2018

Fair value

396

32

–

428

12

22

3

2

39

467

442

3

15

7

22

467

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information136

In the recognition of acquisitions of less than 100 percent, 
non-controlling interests are measured at the fair value of the 
share of net assets that they represent. Contingent futures 
contracts on non-controlling interests are recognized by the 
anticipated acquisition method. Accordingly, the acquisition 
of the outstanding non-controlling interests is already 
included as part of the first-time consolidation in the form of a 
contingent purchase price liability.

In subsequent years, the carrying amount of the Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA investment is eliminated against the current (share 
of) equity in the subsidiary entities concerned.

Changes in the shareholdings of subsidiary companies result-
ing in a decrease or an increase in the participating interests of 
the Group without loss of control are recognized within equity 
as changes in ownership without loss of control.

As soon as the control of a subsidiary is relinquished, all the 
assets and liabilities and the non-controlling interests, and 
also the accumulated currency translation gains or losses, are 
derecognized. In the event that Henkel continues to own 
non-controlling interests in the non-consolidated entity, these 
are measured at fair value. The result of deconsolidation is 
 recognized under other operating income or expenses.

Consolidation methods

The financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and of the 
subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements 
were prepared on the basis of uniformly valid principles of 
recognition and measurement, applying the standardized 
year-end date adopted by the Group. Such entities are included 
in the consolidated financial statements as of the date on 
which the Group acquired control.

All receivables and liabilities, sales, income and expenses, as 
well as intra-group profits on transfers of non-current assets 
or inventories, are eliminated on consolidation. 

The purchase method is used for capital consolidation. With 
business combinations, therefore, all hidden reserves and hid-
den charges in the entity acquired are revalued at the time of 
acquisition, and all identifiable intangible assets are sepa-
rately disclosed if they are clearly separable or if their recogni-
tion arises from a contractual or other legal right. Any differ-
ence arising between the acquisition cost and the (share of) 
net assets after purchase price allocation is recognized as 
goodwill. The goodwill of subsidiaries is measured in the 
functional currency of the subsidiary. 

Entities acquired are included in the consolidation for the first 
time as subsidiaries by offsetting the carrying amount of the 
respective parent company’s investment in them against their 
assets and liabilities. Contingent consideration is recognized 
at fair value as of the date of first-time consolidation. Subse-
quent changes in value do not result in an adjustment to the 
valuation at the time of acquisition. Incidental costs relating 
to the acquisition of participating interests in entities are not 
included in the purchase price. Instead, they are recognized 
through profit or loss in the period in which they occur. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information137

included in the consolidation is generally the local currency of 
the company concerned, assets and liabilities are translated at 
closing rates, while income and expenses are translated at the 
average rates for the year as an approximation of the actual 
rates at the date of the transaction. Equity items are recognized 
at historical exchange rates. The differences arising from using 
average rather than closing rates are taken to equity and shown 
as other components of equity, or as non-controlling interests, 
and remain neutral in respect of net income until the shares 
are divested.

In the subsidiaries’ annual financial statements, transactions 
in foreign currencies are converted at the rates prevailing at 
the time of the transaction. Financial assets and liabilities in 
foreign currencies are measured at closing rates through profit 
or loss. For the main currencies in the Group, the following 
exchange rates have been used based on 1 euro:

Currencies 

Chinese yuan

Mexican peso

Polish zloty

Russian ruble

Turkish lira

US dollar

90

Average exchange rate

Exchange rate on 
December 31

2017

7.63

21.33

4.26

65.95

4.12

1.13

2018

7.81

22.71

4.26

74.04

5.71

1.18

2017

7.80

23.66

4.12

69.39

4.55

1.20

2018

7.88

22.49

4.30

79.72

6.06

1.15

ISO code

CNY

MXN

PLN

RUB

TRY

USD

Companies recognized  
by the equity method

Associated companies and joint ventures are recognized by the 
equity method.

An associated company is a company over which the Group 
can exercise material influence on the financial and operating 
policies without controlling it. Material influence is generally 
assumed when the Group holds 20 percent or more of the vot-
ing rights. Where a Group company conducts transactions 
with an associated company or a joint venture, the resulting 
profits or losses are eliminated in accordance with the share of 
the Group in that company. 

The Group consolidates Vitriflex, Inc. and Zipjet Global S.à r.l. 
using the equity method. The carrying amount of the share-
holdings recognized by the equity method as of December 31, 
2018, was 3 million euros (previous year: 1 million euros). 

Associated companies that are less relevant for the Group and 
for the presentation of a fair view of its net assets, financial 
position and results of operations, are never recognized by the 
equity method. They are always recognized at amortized cost.

Currency translation

The annual financial statements of the consolidated compa-
nies, including the hidden reserves and hidden charges of 
Group companies recognized by the purchase method, good-
will arising on consolidation, and the consolidated statement 
of cash flows, are translated into euros using the functional 
currency method outlined in International Accounting Stan-
dard (IAS) 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates. 
The functional currency is the currency in which a foreign 
company predominantly generates funds and makes pay-
ments. As the functional currency for all the companies 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information138

Recognition and measurement methods

Summary of selected measurement methods 

91

Financial statement figures

Measurement method

Assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

with indefinite useful lives

with definite useful lives

Property, plant and equipment

Financial assets (categories per IFRS 9)

Amortized cost

Fair value through profit or loss

Lower of carrying amount and recoverable amount (“impairment only” method)

Lower of carrying amount and recoverable amount (“impairment only” method)

(Amortized) cost less any impairment losses

(Depreciated) cost less any impairment losses

(Amortized) cost using the effective interest method

Fair value through profit or loss

Fair value through other comprehensive income

Fair value with gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income 1

Fair value option

Other assets

Inventories

Assets held for sale

Fair value through profit or loss

(Amortized) cost

Lower of cost and fair value less costs to sell

Lower of cost and fair value less costs to sell

1  Apart from permanent impairment losses and effects arising from measurement in a foreign currency.

Equity and liabilities

Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

Present value of future obligations (projected unit credit method)

Other provisions

Financial liabilities (categories per IFRS 9)

Amortized cost

Fair value through profit or loss

Other liabilities

Settlement amount 

(Amortized) cost using the effective interest method

Fair value through profit or loss

Settlement amount

The methods of recognition and measurement, which are 
basically unchanged from the previous year, are described in 
detail in the notes relating to the individual items of the state-
ment of financial position on these pages. Also provided as 
part of the report on our financial instruments (Note 22 on 

pages 179 to 202) are the disclosures relevant to International 
Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 7 showing the breakdown 
of our financial instruments by category, our methods for fair 
value measurement, and the derivative financial instruments 
that we use.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information139

Material discretionary judgments are made in respect of the 
demarcation of the cash-generating units as explained in Note 
1 on pages 148 to 153 and the segment reporting as explained in 
Note 36 on pages 213 to 216. Contingent forward contracts for 
acquired minority interests are recognized by the anticipated 
acquisition method. 

As part of its efforts to optimize its supplier relations, Henkel 
offers suppliers the option of joining Supplier Financing Pro-
grams, which may result in changes to the legal creditor struc-
ture. Regardless of whether suppliers make use of a Supplier 
Financing facility or not, the programs do not result in any 
material changes to the amount, terms and conditions of the 
obligations or to the payment flows. As such, classification 
and the associated presentation as trade accounts payable is 
consistent with the recognition and presentation criteria of 
IFRS 9. 

Changes in the methods of recognition and measurement 
 arising from revised and new standards are applied retrospec-
tively, provided that the effect is material and there are no 
alternative regulations that supersede the standard concerned. 
The consolidated statement of income from the previous year 
and the opening balance for this comparative period are 
amended as if the new methods of recognition and measure-
ment had always been applied.

Accounting estimates, assumptions  
and discretionary judgments

Preparation of the consolidated financial statements is based 
on a number of accounting estimates and assumptions. These 
have an impact on the reported amounts of assets, liabilities 
and contingent liabilities at the reporting date and the disclo-
sure of income and expenses for the reporting period. The 
actual amounts may differ from these estimates.

The accounting estimates and their underlying assumptions 
are based on past experience and are continually reviewed. 
Changes in accounting estimates are recognized in the period 
in which the change takes place where such change exclu-
sively affects that period. A change is recognized in the period 
in which it occurs and in later periods where such change 
affects both the reporting period and subsequent periods. The 
judgments of the Management Board regarding the application 
of those IFRSs which have a significant impact on the consoli-
dated financial statements are presented in particular in the 
explanatory notes on taxes on income (Note 31 on pages 206 to 
209), intangible assets (Note 1 on pages 148 to 153), provisions 
for pensions and similar obligations (Note 16 on pages 161 to 
173), income tax provisions and other provisions (Note 17 on 
pages 173 to 175), financial instruments (Note 22 on pages 179 
to 202), sales (Note 23 on pages 203 and 204) and share-based 
payment plans (Note 35 on pages 211 to 213).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information140

Amendment of prior-year figures

The allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition of the 
global Darex Packaging Technologies business was finalized in 
fiscal 2018. The prior-year figures were subsequently amended 
as a result. In the course of the amendment, goodwill decreased 
by 1 million euros, retained earnings decreased by 3 million 
euros, other non-current provisions increased by 4 million 
euros, and deferred tax liabilities decreased by 2 million euros.

The allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition of all 
shares of Nattura Laboratorios, S.A. de C.V., Mexico, and associ-
ated companies in the USA, Colombia and Spain, was finalized 
in fiscal 2018. The prior-year figures were subsequently 
amended as a result. In the course of the amendment, goodwill 
increased by 2 million euros and other non-current financial 
liabilities also increased by 2 million euros.

The allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition of all 
shares of Zotos International Inc. was finalized in fiscal 2018. 
The prior-year figures were subsequently amended as a result. 
In the course of the amendment, goodwill increased by 27 mil-
lion euros, property, plant and equipment increased by 2 mil-
lion euros, inventories decreased by 1 million euros, cash 
increased by 3 million euros, deferred tax liabilities increased 
by 17 million euros, other current provisions increased by 
10 million euros, and trade accounts payable increased by 
4 million euros.

On September 5, 2018, the IFRS Technical Committee of the 
Accounting Standards Committee of Germany (DRSC) approved 
DRSC Interpretation 4 (IFRS) Accounting for Interest and 
 Penalties Related to Income Taxes under IFRSs.

The interpretation addresses the treatment of interest and 
penalties in relation to income tax per IAS 12.5 (recognition of 
interest and penalties as income tax). It applies to the jurisdic-
tion of Germany and also other jurisdictions where the income 
tax treatment of interest and penalties is structured in accor-
dance with German tax law.

First-time application of the interpretation results in a change 
in the recognition of interest and penalties related to taxes on 
income. Interest and penalties are henceforth to be treated in 
accordance with IAS 37 and may no longer be recognized as 
income tax items (IAS 12). As this modified accounting treat-
ment constitutes a change in policy under IAS 8, the relevant 
figures have had to be retrospectively amended. 

Accordingly, effective December 31, 2017, 4 million euros was 
reclassified from current income tax refund claims to other 
current assets, and 1 million euros from non-current income 
tax refund claims to other non-current assets. In addition, 
effective December 31, 2017, 20 million euros was reclassified 
from current income tax provisions to other current provisions, 
and 11 million euros from non-current income tax provisions 
to non-current other provisions. In the prior-year figures in the 
consolidated statement of income, income taxes decreased by 
16 million euros and other financial income increased by 
2 million euros, while other financial expense increased by 
18 million euros. This resulted in a change of 0.4 percentage 
points to the reported tax rate. It did not affect the earnings 
per share.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information141

Amendment of prior-year figures 

in million euros

Consolidated statement of financial position

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Income tax refund claims

Other assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Income tax refund claims

Other assets

Cash

Current assets

Total assets

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Equity

Income tax provisions

Other provisions

Other financial liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Income tax provisions

Other provisions

Trade accounts payable

Current liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Consolidated statement of income

Other financial result

Financial result

Income before tax

Taxes on income

Tax rate  in %

Dec. 31, 2017  
reported

Restatement

Dec. 31, 2017  
restated

92

15,653

3,005

8

169

19,834

2,080

329

451

916

8,473

28,307

16,104

15,576

15,650

27

338

85

617

4,920

437

1,756

3,717

7,737

28,307

– 10

– 51

3,004

– 463

15.4

28

2

– 1

1

30

– 1

– 4

4

3

2

32

– 3

– 3

– 3

– 11

15

2

15

21

– 20

30

4

14

32

– 16

– 16

– 16

16

– 0.4 pp

15,681

3,007

7

170

19,864

2,079

325

455

919

8,475

28,339

16,101

15,573

15,647

16

353

87

632

4,941

417

1,786

3,721

7,751

28,339

– 26

– 67

2,988

– 447

15.0

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information142

New international accounting 
 regulations according to Interna-
tional Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) 

Accounting regulations applied for the first time  
in the year under review 

93

IFRS 2 (Amendment) Classification and Measurement 
of Share-Based Payment Transactions

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance 
Consideration

Improvements to IFRSs 2014–2016

Mandatory for fiscal 
years beginning  
on or after

January 1, 2018

January 1, 2018

January 1, 2018

January 1, 2018

January 1, 2018

IFRS 2 (Amendment)
The amendments to IFRS 2 relate to consideration of the exer-
cise terms and conditions when measuring share-based pay-
ments settled in cash, to the classification of share-based pay-
ments providing net settlement for withholding taxes, and to 
the recognition of certain amendments to terms and condi-
tions. The changes will not have any material impact on the 
consolidated financial statements of Henkel.

IFRS 9
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, issued in July 2014, supersedes 
the existing rules in IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition 
and Measurement. IFRS 9 contains revised rules on the classi-
fication and measurement of financial instruments, including 
a new model for expected credit losses to calculate the impair-
ment of financial assets, and the new general accounting rules 
for hedging transactions. IFRS 9 has also adopted the guidance 
on recognition and derecognition of financial instruments 

from IAS 39. Henkel’s application of the classification and 
measurement regulations specified in the IFRS retrospectively, 
starting on January 1, 2018, is consistent with the transitional 
arrangements and the right to choose to report prior-year 
 periods as per IAS 39. The rules for hedge accounting have 
been applied prospectively. 

Classification: IFRS 9 contains three categories for classifying 
financial assets: “measured at amortized cost,” “measured at 
fair value through profit or loss,” and “measured at fair value 
through other comprehensive income.” The standard elimi-
nates the categories “held to maturity,” “loans and receivables” 
and “available for sale” that were specified in IAS 39. Financial 
instruments are allocated to the IFRS 9 categories on the basis 
of the business model used to hold the financial instruments 
and of the contractual payment flows. Most of the financial 
instruments that Henkel used to measure at amortized cost 
under IAS 39 will continue to be “measured at amortized cost” 
under IFRS 9. The payment flows relating to these financial 
instruments are comprised entirely of interest and redemp-
tion payments and are held by Henkel in a business model 
designed to collect the contractual payment flows. Certain 
shares in money market funds that are recognized in cash 
and cash equivalents, as well as securities and time deposits, 
will be measured at fair value through profit or loss in future. 
Henkel holds these financial instruments with the intention 
of selling them if liquidity is required. A table on pages 182 and 
183 reconciles the valuation categories and carrying amounts 
from IAS 39 to IFRS 9. The Group occasionally exercises its 
right to choose to recognize changes in the value of equity 
instruments through other comprehensive income. Accord-
ingly, upon application of IFRS 9 starting on January 1, 2018, 
losses of less than 1 million euros were reclassified from 
retained earnings to the equity and debt instruments reserve.

IFRS 9 did not have any effect on the recognition of financial 
liabilities within the Henkel Group.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information143

Impairment: Under IAS 39, valuation allowances were only 
recognized for impairment that had occurred but was as yet 
unidentified (incurred loss model), whereas IFRS 9 specifies 
the use of the expected loss model when quantifying valuation 
allowances for expected credit losses. Valuation allowances are 
recognized for all financial assets measured at cost and for 
debt instruments measured at fair value through other com-
prehensive income. 

For an explanation of these valuation allowances and our risk 
management, please consult pages 192 to 195. 

First-time application of IFRS 9 on January 1, 2018, resulted in 
an increase of 13 million euros in valuation allowances on 
trade accounts receivable, recognized in retained earnings.

Hedge accounting: Henkel applies the new rules of IFRS 9 for 
hedge accounting. In doing so, the Group ensures that its 
hedge accounting is consistent with the Group risk manage-
ment objectives and strategy and that a qualitative and for-
ward-looking approach is adopted when assessing the effec-
tiveness of its hedging instruments. 

Within the Henkel Group, forward exchange contracts are used 
to hedge future cash flows in foreign currencies. The Group 
only designates the spot component of these hedging transac-
tions. The (effective) portion of the change in fair value of the 
spot component is recognized in the hedge reserve in equity.  
If payment flows for non-financial assets are hedged, the 
amounts are included as part of the acquisition cost when the 
underlying transaction is recognized. Amounts stated in the 
hedge reserve or as part of the acquisition cost are recognized 
through profit or loss in the same period in which the hedged 
transaction impacts profit or loss. The non-designated compo-
nents are also recognized in the hedge reserve through other 
comprehensive income and – if the hedge relates to non- 
financial assets – included in the acquisition cost when the 
hedged underlying is recognized.

IFRS 15
In May 2014, the IASB published the new IFRS 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers. IFRS 15 specifies a comprehensive 
framework for determining whether, when and in what 
amount revenue is recognized. Under IFRS 15, revenue is only 
recognized when no substantial adjustments to the cumula-
tive recognized revenue is expected. When control of goods or 
intangible assets passes to a customer or a service is provided, 
the expected consideration for the transfer or provision must 
be recognized as revenue. 

This principle is applied in five steps. In step 1, the contract 
with the customer is identified. In step 2, the distinct perfor-
mance obligations in the contract are identified. In step 3, the 
transaction price is determined. In step 4, this transaction 
price is allocated to the distinct performance obligations. 
Finally, in step 5, revenue is recognized when the identified 
distinct performance obligations are satisfied, either over time 
or at a point in time.

The objective of the new standard is to bring together the dif-
ferent regulations contained in various other standards and 
interpretations. It replaces the existing guidance on revenue 
recognition, including IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction 
Contracts, and IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes. Clarify-
ing amendments to IFRS 15 were published in April 2016, pri-
marily relating to the identification of separate performance 
obligations and the clear distinction between principals and 
agents.

Henkel applied the cumulative method to all contracts on 
adoption of IFRS 15. Accordingly, the effects of first-time appli-
cation were recognized cumulatively in equity upon first-time 
application on January 1, 2018. 

First-time application of IFRS 15 has resulted in changes to the 
recognition of variable considerations.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information144

IFRIC 22
IFRIC 22 addresses an issue relating to the application of IAS 21 
The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates. It clarifies 
the timing of the exchange rate for translating foreign currency 
transactions that include the receipt or payment of advance 
considerations. The clarification does not have any material 
impact on the consolidated financial statements of Henkel.

Improvements to IFRSs 2014–2016
The Annual Improvements to IFRSs (2014–2016) included 
amendments to three IFRSs, of which application of only the 
following two was mandatory in 2018: In IFRS 1, the remaining 
short-term exemptions in IFRS 1 Appendix E for first-time 
adopters have been deleted. In IAS 28, clarification was pro-
vided that the choice of measuring an investment in an associ-
ate or joint venture held by a venture capital or other qualify-
ing company can be exercised differently, depending on the 
investment. Neither change has had any material impact on 
the consolidated financial statements of Henkel.

This affects the accounting procedure for returned goods. If 
products are sold with a right of return, IFRS 15 does not 
 permit the recognition of sales for goods whose return is 
expected. In case of expected product returns which can be 
reliably estimated, an asset representing the right of return 
and a provision for the respective refund are recognized. 

Secondly, the new rules governing the accounting procedure 
for variable considerations impact the timing of sales deduc-
tions following invoice deductions by customers. 

Overall, adoption of IFRS 15 resulted in an increase of 11 mil-
lion euros in other current assets and an increase of 71 million 
euros in other current provisions, leading to a reduction in 
equity of 60 million euros before or 46 million euros after 
deduction of deferred taxes. The statement of financial posi-
tion and statement of income for the comparable prior periods 
have not been amended. At December 31, 2018, the increase 
in other current assets arising from application of IFRS 15 
amounted to 10 million euros, the increase in deferred tax 
assets to 14 million euros, and the increase in other current 
provisions to 76 million euros. Under the former rules, sales 
would have been 5 million euros higher at December 31, 2018, 
and cost of sales 1 million euros less.

Further details of sales can be found in the notes on sales and 
the principles of income recognition on pages 203 and 204.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information145

Accounting regulations not applied in advance  
of their effective date
The following standards and amendments to existing stan-
dards of possible relevance to Henkel, which have been 
adopted into EU law (endorsement mechanism) but are not 
yet mandatory, have not been applied early: 

Accounting regulations not applied  
in advance of their effective date 

IFRS 9 (Amendment) Prepayment Features  
with Negative Compensation

IFRS 16 Leases

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

94

Mandatory for fiscal 
years beginning  
on or after

January 1, 2019

January 1, 2019

January 1, 2019

IFRS 9
The amendments to IFRS 9 that were published on March 26, 
2018, relate to a limited adjustment to the relevant evaluation 
criteria for classifying financial assets. Financial assets con-
taining prepayment features with negative compensation may 
be recognized at amortized cost or they may be recognized at 
fair value through other comprehensive income rather than 
through profit or loss, subject to certain requirements being 
met. The changes will not have any material impact on the 
consolidated financial statements of Henkel. 

IFRS 16
IFRS 16 provides a single accounting model for lease contracts 
in a lessee’s balance sheet. A lessee reflects the right-of-use to 
the underlying asset (right-of-use asset) as well as a liability 
representing the future lease payments in the course of the 
lease contract. Exceptions are provided for short-term leases 
and leases relating to low-value assets. The accounting 
requirements for lessors are similar to the current standard, 
i.e. lessors must continue to distinguish between finance and 
operating leases.

IFRS 16 supersedes the existing guidelines on leases, including 
IAS 17 Leases, IFRIC 4 Determining Whether an Arrangement 
Contains a Lease, SIC-15 Operating Leases – Incentives, and 
SIC-27 Evaluating the Substance of Transactions in the Legal 
Form of a Lease. 

The standard is mandatory for reporting periods beginning on 
or after January 1, 2019. Early application is permitted if IFRS 15 
is also applied. Henkel has not applied IFRS 16 before the 
effective date. 

Henkel will utilize the exemptions governing short-term 
leases and leases relating to low-value assets and will desist 
from recognition of such leases in its statement of financial 
position. Henkel will also exercise its right under IFRS 16.4 to 
choose not to apply IFRS 16 to certain intangible assets.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
146

When it adopts IFRS 16, the Group will recognize new assets 
and liabilities relating to its operating leases. These will 
mainly relate to office buildings and equipment, production 
buildings, warehouses, technical facilities, vehicles and IT 
equipment. Based on the information currently available, the 
estimated relevant amount will be in the range of 450 million 
euros to 600 million euros, with corresponding knock-on 
effects on key financial metrics such as the equity ratio. 

In addition, the nature of expenses associated with these 
leases will change, as IFRS 16 replaces the linear recognition of 
expenses for operating leases with linear depreciation of right-
of-use assets and degressive interest expenses for liabilities 
arising from the lease. The expenses incurred in connection 
with the application of IFRS 16 are therefore no longer exclu-
sively a component of the operating profit. Henkel expects a 
one-off lasting improvement in its operating profit in the high 
single-digit or low double-digit millions, together with a cor-
responding adverse effect on its financial result. The effect on 
net income of the non-linear recognition of total expenses 
resulting from lease accounting under IFRS 16 will be in the 
range of low to medium single-digit millions both in the year 
of first-time application and in the following years.

Henkel does not expect the Group’s finance leases to be 
impacted to any material extent.

Henkel plans to apply IFRS 16 retrospectively as per IFRS 16.C5(b). 
The effect of first-time application of the standard will be 
 recognized in retained earnings. Prior-year figures will not 
be amended.

When switching over, Henkel plans to use the simplification 
regulation allowing the definition of a lease to be maintained. 
As such, Henkel will apply IFRS 16 to all contracts concluded 
prior to January 1, 2019, and identified as leases under IAS 17 
and IFRIC 4.

IFRIC 23
The tax treatment of certain items and transactions is, in part, 
dependent on future recognition by the tax authorities or tax 
judiciary. IAS 12 Income Taxes regulates the accounting proce-
dure for actual and deferred taxes. IFRIC 23, which the IFRS 
Interpretations Committee published on October 24, 2018, 
supplements the rules of IAS 12 with regard to the consider-
ation of uncertainties relating to the income tax treatment of 
items and transactions. The changes will not have any material 
impact on Henkel’s consolidated financial statements. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information147

Accounting regulations not yet adopted into EU law
In fiscal 2018, the IASB issued the following standards and 
amendments to existing standards of relevance to Henkel, 
which still have to be adopted into EU law (endorsement 
mechanism) before they become applicable:

Accounting regulations not yet adopted into EU law 

95

Framework (Amendment)

IAS 1 and IAS 8 (Amendment) Definition of Material

IAS 19 (Amendment) Plan Amendment,  
Curtailment or Settlement

IAS 28 (Amendment) Long-term Interests in Associates 
and Joint Ventures

IFRS 3 (Amendment) Definition of a Business

Improvements to IFRSs 2015–2017

Mandatory for fiscal 
years beginning  
on or after

January 1, 2020

January 1, 2020

January 1, 2019

January 1, 2019

January 1, 2020

January 1, 2019

These new standards and amendments to existing standards 
will be applied by Henkel starting in fiscal 2019 or later. A con-
clusive assessment of the effects is not possible.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information148

97

Notes to the consolidated statement  
of financial position

The measurement and recognition policies for financial statement items are described in the relevant note.

Non-current assets

1   Intangible assets

All non-current assets with definite useful lives are depreci-
ated or amortized exclusively using the straight-line method 
on the basis of their estimated useful lives. The useful life esti-
mates are reviewed annually. If facts or circumstances indicate 
the need for impairment, the recoverable amount is deter-
mined. It is measured as the higher of the fair value less costs 
to sell (net realizable value) and the value in use. Impairment 
losses are recognized if the recoverable amounts of the assets 
are lower than their carrying amounts. They are charged to the 
relevant functions.

The following unchanged, standardized useful lives are 
applied:

Cost 

in million euros

At January 1, 2017

Acquisitions

Divestments

Additions

Disposals

Trademarks and  
other rights

Assets with 
indefinite 
useful lives

Assets  
with definite 
useful lives

3,067

215 1

– 

–

–

– 

–

1,722

185 1

–

7

– 13

8 

– 

3,007

1,829

–

– 

–

–

– 

–

7

–

8

– 13

– 

– 

45

Internally 
generated 
intangible 
assets with 
definite 
 useful lives

391

–

–

2

– 

–

60

– 10

443

–

–

11

– 

–

49

– 4

Intangible 
assets in 
development

Goodwill

Total

81

–

–

64

–

–

– 60

– 2

83

–

–

258

–

–

– 49

– 1

11,658

1,268 1

– 12 

–

– 

3 

–

16,919

1,668

– 12

73

– 13

11 

–

– 1,067

– 1,434

11,850

389

– 

–

– 

– 

–

276

17,212

396

–

277

– 13

– 

–

417

Translation differences

– 275

– 80

96

Reclassifications to 
assets held for sale

Reclassifications

3 to 20

50

40

25 to 33

10 to 25

7 to 10

10

5 to 20

2 to 5

At Dec. 31, 2017 /
Jan. 1, 2018

Acquisitions

Divestments

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications to 
assets held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

101

At December 31, 
2018

3,108

1,876

499

291

12,515

18,289

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Useful life 

in years

Intangible assets with definite useful lives

Residential buildings

Office buildings

Research and factory buildings, workshops,  
stores and staff buildings

Plant facilities

Machinery

Office equipment

Vehicles

Factory and research equipment

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information149

Accumulated amortization / impairment 

in million euros

At January 1, 2017

Divestments

Write-ups

Scheduled amortization

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At Dec. 31, 2017 / Jan. 1, 2018

Divestments

Write-ups

Scheduled amortization

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2018

Trademarks and other rights

Assets with 
indefinite  
useful lives

Assets with 
definite  
useful lives

Internally gen-
erated intan-
gible assets  
with definite  
useful lives

Intangible 
assets in  
development

8

–

– 

–

–

–

–

–

– 

8

–

– 

–

–

–

–

–

– 

8

1,126

–

–

180

–

– 13

6 

–

– 51

1,248

–

–

107

–

– 13

– 

–

29

1,371

210

–

–

44

–

–

–

–

– 8

246

–

–

42

2

–

–

–

– 10

280

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

98

Goodwill

Total

11

–

–   

–

18

–

– 

–

–

29

–

–   

–

–

–

– 

–

–

1,355

–

–

224

18

– 13 

6 

– 

– 59

1,531

–

–

149

2

– 13 

– 

– 

19

29

1,688

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information150

Net book values 

in million euros

At December 31, 2018

At December 31, 2017

Trademarks and other rights

Assets with 
indefinite  
useful lives

Assets with 
definite  
useful lives

Internally gen-
erated intan-
gible assets  
with definite  
useful lives

Intangible 
assets in 
 development

99

Goodwill

Total

3,100

2,999

505

581

219

197

291

83

12,486

11,821

16,601

15,681

Goodwill represents the future economic benefit of assets that 
are acquired through business combinations and not individ-
ually identifiable and separately recognized, as well as 
expected synergies, and is recognized at cost. Trademarks and 
other rights acquired for valuable consideration are stated at 
purchase cost, while internally generated software is stated at 
development cost.

Additions to internally generated intangible assets mostly 
reflect investments in consolidating and optimizing our IT 
system architecture for managing business processes.

The change in goodwill resulting from acquisitions and divest-
ments made in the fiscal year is presented in the section 
“Acquisitions and divestments” on pages 134 and 135.

Goodwill as well as trademarks and other rights with indefi-
nite useful lives are subjected to an impairment test at least 
once a year and also when indicators of impairment are pres-
ent (“impairment only” approach).

In fiscal 2017, goodwill impairment of 18 million euros was 
recognized in connection with the discontinuation of product 
lines in our General Industry business.

Amortization and impairment of trademarks and other rights 
are recognized as selling expenses. Amortization and impair-
ment of other intangible assets are allocated to the relevant 
functions in the consolidated statement of income.

In the course of our annual impairment test, we reviewed the 
carrying amounts of goodwill. The following table shows the 
cash-generating units together with the associated goodwill 
at book value at the reporting date. The description of the 
cash-generating units can be found in Note 36 on pages 213 to 
215 and in the combined management report on pages 78 to 83.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information151

Book values – Goodwill 

Cash-generating units 
in million euros

Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives

Transport and Metal

General Industry

Electronics

Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building

Total Adhesive Technologies

Branded Consumer Goods

Hair Salon business

Total Beauty Care

Laundry Care

Home Care

Total Laundry & Home Care

At December 31, 2017

Goodwill

Terminal 
growth rate

Weighted  
average cost  
of capital

At December 31, 2018

Goodwill

Terminal 
growth rate

1,882

1,103 1

442

1,346

374

5,147

1,324

717 1

2,041

3,514

1,119

4,633

1.50 %

1.50 %

1.00 %

1.50 %

1.00 %

1.00 %

1.00 %

1.30 %

1.40 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

6.25 %

6.25 %

6.25 %

6.25 %

1,924

1,131

460

1,397

668

5,580

1,374

747

2,121

3,546

1,239

4,785

1.50 %

1.50 %

1.00 %

1.50 %

1.00 %

1.00 %

1.00 %

1.30 %

1.40 %

100

Weighted  
average cost  
of capital

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

6.00 %

6.00 %

6.00 %

6.00 %

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

We assess goodwill impairment according to the fair-value-less-
costs-to-sell approach on the basis of future estimated cash 
flows which are obtained from the business budgets approved 
by the appropriate corporate bodies. The determination of fair 
value (before deduction of costs to sell) is allocated to valua-
tion level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 22 on pages 179 
to 202). The assumptions upon which the essential planning 
parameters are based reflect experience gained in the past, 
aligned to current information provided by external sources. 
Budgets are prepared on the basis of a financial planning hori-
zon of four years. For the period after that, a growth rate in a 
range between 1 and 2 percent (previous year: 1 and 2 percent) in 
the cash flows (which in particular takes into account the pass-
ing-on of expected inflation rises to our customers) is assumed 
for the purpose of impairment testing. The euro to US dollar 
exchange rate applied is 1.19. Taking into account specific tax 
effects, the cash flows of the various cash-generating units are 

discounted at different rates reflecting the weighted average 
cost of capital (WACC) in each business unit: 7.25 percent after 
tax for Adhesive Technologies, and 6.00 percent after tax for 
both Beauty Care and Laundry & Home Care.

In the Laundry & Home Care business unit, we have assumed 
an average increase in sales during the four-year detailed fore-
casting horizon of 3 to 4 percent per year (previous year: 3 to 
4 percent), with a slight increase in market share. Average 
sales growth in the Beauty Care business unit over the four-
year forecasting horizon is budgeted at 3 to 4 percent per year 
 (previous year: 3 to 5 percent). Here, too, we expect a slight 
increase in market share. Sales in the Adhesive Technologies 
business unit are expected to grow by between 2 and 6 percent 
per year (previous year: 2 to 5.5 percent) on average over the 
detailed four-year forecasting horizon, thus exceeding the 
market average. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information152

In all the business units, we assume that a future increase in 
the cost of raw materials can be extensively offset by cost 
reduction measures in purchasing and by passing the increase 
on to our customers, as well as through the implementation 
of efficiency improvement measures. Given our continued 

pro-active management of the portfolio, we anticipate achiev-
ing at least stable gross margins in all our business units.

Trademarks and other rights with indefinite useful lives are 
presented in the following table.

Book values – Trademarks and other rights 

101

Cash-generating units (summarized)  
in million euros

Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives

Transport and Metal

General Industry

Electronics

Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building

Total Adhesive Technologies

Branded Consumer Goods

Hair Salon business

Total Beauty Care

Laundry Care

Home Care

Total Laundry & Home Care

At December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2018

Trademarks 
and other  
rights with 
indefinite  
useful lives

Terminal 
growth rate

Weighted 
 average cost  
of capital

Trademarks 
and other 
rights with 
indefinite  
useful lives

Terminal 
growth rate

Weighted 
 average cost  
of capital

51

18

–

90

66

225

540

321 1

861

1,586

327

1,913

1.50 %

1.50 %

1.00 %

1.50 %

1.00 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

0.20 – 2.00 %

6.25 – 8.84 %

0.20 – 2.00 %

6.25 – 10.35 %

1.00 – 2.00 %

6.25 – 13.78 %

1.00 – 2.00 %

6.25 – 13.15 %

51

14

–

90

69

224

559

335

894

1,643

339

1,982

1.50 %

1.50 %

1.00 %

1.50 %

1.00 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

7.25 %

0.20 – 2.00 %

6.00 – 8.30 %

0.20 – 2.00 %

6.00 – 8.08 %

1.00 – 2.00 %

6.00 – 12.84 %

1.00 – 2.00 %

6.00 – 13.21 %

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

We assess impairment of trademarks and other rights with 
indefinite useful lives according to the fair-value-less-costs-
to-sell approach at the level of the cash-generating unit, which 
consists of either global strategic business units (Adhesive 
Technologies) or regional strategic business units. We base the 
approach on future estimated cash flows which are obtained 
from business budgets. The determination of fair value (before 
deduction of costs to sell) is allocated to valuation level 3 of 
the fair value hierarchy (see Note 22 on pages 179 to 202). The 
assumptions upon which the essential planning parameters 

are based reflect experience gained in the past, aligned to cur-
rent information provided by external sources. Budgets are 
prepared on the basis of a financial planning horizon of 
four years. For the period after that, a growth rate in a range 
between 0.2 and 2 percent (previous year: 0.2 and 2 percent) in 
the cash flows (which in particular takes into account the 
passing-on of expected inflation rises to our customers) is 
assumed for the purpose of impairment testing. The euro to 
US dollar exchange rate applied is 1.19. Taking into account 
specific tax effects, the cash flows of the various cash-generat-

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationing units are discounted at different rates, with a range 
between 6.00 and 13.21 percent applied as the weighted aver-
age cost of capital (WACC) to each cash-generating unit. 

The trademarks and other rights with indefinite useful lives 
with a net book value of 3,100 million euros (previous year: 
2,999 million euros) are established in their markets and will 
continue to be intensively promoted. Moreover, there are no 
other statutory, regulatory or competition-related factors that 
limit our usage of our brand names. 

Our annual impairment tests on trademarks and other rights 
with indefinite useful lives required impairment losses of 
0 million euros (previous year: 0 million euros). 

The company also intends to continue using the brands dis-
closed as having definite useful lives. No impairment losses 
were registered with respect to trademarks and other rights 
with definite useful lives in 2018.

2   Property, plant and equipment

Cost 

in million euros

At January 1, 2017

Acquisitions

Divestments

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets 
held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At Dec. 31, 2017 / 
Jan. 1, 2018

Acquisitions

Divestments

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets 
held for sale

Reclassifications

Translation differences

Land, land 
rights and 
buildings

Plant and 
machinery

Factory and 
office  
equipment

Assets in the 
course of  
construction

2,214

94 1

– 11

77

– 21

– 3 

47

– 104

3,479

77 1

– 33

130

– 98

–

133

– 176

1,095

5

– 3

79

– 82

–

48

– 44

2,293

3,512

1,098

19

–

15

– 33

– 16 

45

– 9

12

– 2

133

– 98

– 6

178

– 8

1

–

71

– 71

– 1

55

6

264

4

–

304

–

–

– 228

– 13

331

–

–

357

–

–

– 278

– 8

402

At December 31, 2018

2,314

3,721

1,159

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

153

102

Total

7,052

180

– 47

590

– 201

– 3

– 

– 337

7,234

32

– 2

576

– 202

– 23

– 

– 19

7,596

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationAccumulated depreciation / impairment 

in million euros

At January 1, 2017

Divestments

Write-ups

Scheduled depreciation

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale 

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At Dec. 31, 2017 / Jan. 1, 2018

Divestments

Write-ups

Scheduled depreciation

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications to assets held for sale 

Reclassifications

Translation differences

At December 31, 2018

Net book values 

in million euros

At December 31, 2018

At December 31, 2017

Plant and 
machinery

Factory and 
office  
equipment

Assets in the 
course of  
construction

Land, land 
rights and  
buildings

1,094

– 4

– 

65

9

– 16

– 

– 

– 35

1,113

–

– 

72

3

– 26

– 14 

– 

– 3

2,260

– 23

–

226

12

– 93

– 

–  

– 85

2,297

– 1

–

224

16

– 69

– 6

–  

2

1,145

2,463

811

– 2

– 

110

8

– 76

–

–

– 34

817

– 

– 

109

3

– 61

– 1

–

– 1

866

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Land, land 
rights and 
buildings

1,169

1,180

Plant and 
machinery

Factory and 
office  
equipment

Assets in the 
course of  
construction

1,258

1,215

293

281

402

331

154

103

Total

4,165

– 29

–

401

29

– 185

–

–

– 154

4,227

– 1

–

405

22

– 156

– 21

–

– 2

4,474

104

Total

3,122

3,007

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationAdditions are stated at purchase or manufacturing cost. The 
latter includes direct costs and appropriate proportions of 
 necessary overheads. Interest charges on borrowings are not 
included, as Henkel does not currently hold any qualifying 
assets in accordance with International Accounting Standard 
(IAS) 23 Borrowing Costs. Cost figures are shown net of invest-
ment grants and allowances. In fiscal 2018, investment grants 
of 19 million euros were deducted from purchase and manu-
facturing costs. Some of the grants are conditional upon cer-
tain terms and conditions being met, such as location guaran-
tees. The company is sufficiently confident that these terms 
and conditions can be satisfied. Acquisition-related incidental 
costs incurred in order to make the asset ready for the 
intended use are capitalized. An overview of the primary 
investment projects undertaken during the fiscal year can be 
found on pages 84 and 85 in the combined management report.

At December 31, 2018, property, plant and equipment with a 
carrying amount of 0 million euros had been pledged as secu-
rity for existing liabilities (previous year: 0 million euros). The 
periods over which the assets are depreciated are based on 
their estimated useful lives as set out on page 148. Scheduled 
depreciation and impairment losses recognized are allocated 
to the relevant functions in the consolidated statement of 
income. 

155

105

3    Other financial assets

Analysis 

in million euros

Receivables from  
non-consolidated affiliated 
companies and associated 
companies

Financial receivables  
from third parties

Derivative financial  
instruments

Investments accounted for 
using the equity method

Other investments 

Receivable from Henkel 
Trust e.V.

Securities and time deposits

Financial collateral provided

Sundry financial assets  

Total

At December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2018

Non- 
current

Current

Total

Non- 
current

Current

Total

–

14

–

1

22

–

–

–

13

50

1

12

64

–

–

605

203

37

150

1

26

64

1

22

605

203

37

163

1,072

1,122

1

11

–

3

35

–

–

–

15

65

–

12

37

–

–

608

221

49

103

1

23

37

3

35

608

221

49

118

1,030

1,095

With the exception of investments, derivatives, securities 
and time deposits, other financial assets are measured at 
amortized cost.

The receivable from Henkel Trust e.V. relates to pension pay-
ments made by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA to retirees for which 
reimbursement can be claimed from Henkel Trust e.V. 

Of the receivables from non-consolidated affiliated companies and 
associated companies, 1  million euros (previous year: 0 million 
euros) is attributable to non-consolidated affiliated companies.  

Securities and time deposits are monies deposited as part of our 
short-term financial management arrangements. The monies 
involved are primarily time deposits. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
156

Sundry non-current financial assets include, among others, 
receivables from insurance companies. The sundry current 
financial assets include the following:
•   Receivables from sureties and guarantee deposits amount-
ing to 21 million euros (previous year: 35 million euros)
•   Receivables from suppliers amounting to 26 million euros 

(previous year: 15 million euros)

•   Receivables from employees amounting to 9 million euros 

(previous year: 11 million euros).

4    Other assets

Analysis 

in million euros

Tax receivables

Payments on account

Overfunding of pension obligations 

Reimbursement rights related to employee benefits 

Accruals

Sundry other assets

Total 

At December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2018

Non-current

–

–

30

102

28

10 1

170

Current

247

79

–

10

77

42 1

455

Total

247

79

30

112

105

52

625

Non-current

Current

9

–

43

102

28

2

184

209

56

–

9

86

46

406

106

Total

218

56

43

111

114

48

590

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

5    Deferred taxes

Deferred taxes are recognized for temporary differences 
between the valuation of an asset or a liability in the financial 
statements and its tax base, for tax losses carried forward, and 
for unused tax credits. This also applies to temporary differ-
ences in valuation arising through acquisitions, with the 
exception of goodwill.

Deferred tax liabilities on taxable temporary differences related 
to shares in subsidiaries are recognized to the extent that a 
reversal of this difference is expected in the foreseeable future.

Changes in the deferred taxes in the statement of financial 
position result in deferred tax expenses or income unless the 
underlying item is directly recognized in other comprehensive 
income. For items recognized directly in other comprehensive 
income, the associated deferred taxes are also recognized in 
other comprehensive income.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information157

The valuation, recognition and disaggregation of deferred 
taxes in respect of the various items in the statement of finan-
cial position are disclosed under Note 31 (“Taxes on income”) 
on pages 206 to 209.

6    Inventories

In accordance with IAS 2, reported under inventories are those 
assets that are intended to be sold in the ordinary course of 
business (finished products and merchandise), those in the 
process of production for such sale (work in progress) and 
those to be utilized or consumed in the course of manufacture 
or the provision of services (raw materials and supplies). Pay-
ments on account made for the purpose of purchasing inven-
tories are likewise disclosed under the inventories heading. 
With the application of IFRS 9 as of January 1, 2018, the mea-
surement effects from hedging transactions recognized in 
equity in the hedge reserve in the course of cash flow hedge 
accounting are recognized as part of the cost of the hedged 
non-financial assets. The IFRS 9 basis adjustment shown 
under inventories relates to currency hedges for the procure-
ment of inventories in foreign currency.

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realiz-
able value. 

however, are interest expenses incurred during the manufac-
turing period. 

The net realizable value is determined as an estimated selling 
price less costs yet to be incurred through to completion, and 
less necessary selling and distribution costs. Write-downs to 
the net realizable value are made if, at year-end, the carrying 
amounts of the inventories are above their realizable fair val-
ues. The resultant valuation allowance amounted to 137 mil-
lion euros (previous year: 142 million euros). The carrying 
amount of inventories recognized at fair value less costs to 
sell amounted to 454 million euros (previous year: 346 million 
euros). The carrying amount of inventories pledged as security 
for liabilities was unchanged year on year at 0 million euros.

Analysis of inventories 

107

in million euros

Raw materials and supplies

Work in progress

Finished products and merchandise

Payments on account for merchandise

IFRS 9 basis adjustment

Total

At December 
31, 2017

At December 
31, 2018

594 1

109

1,359

17

–

2,079

643

124

1,389

23

– 3

2,176

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Inventories are measured using either the “first in, first out” 
(FIFO) or the average cost method. Manufacturing cost 
includes not only the direct costs but also appropriate portions 
of necessary overheads (for example goods inward depart-
ment, raw material storage, filling, costs incurred through to 
the finished goods warehouse), production-related adminis-
trative expenses, the costs of the pensions of people who are 
employed in the production process, and production-related 
amortization / depreciation. The overhead add-ons are calcu-
lated on the basis of average capacity utilization. Not included, 

7    Trade accounts receivable

Trade accounts receivable amounted to 3,610 million euros 
(previous year: 3,544 million euros). They are all due within 
one year. Valuation allowances have been recognized in 
respect of specific risks as appropriate. Overall, the net balance 
of depreciation / amortization and additions to / reversals of 
valuation allowances resulted in an expense of 2 million euros 
(previous year: income of 1 million euros). Valuation allow-

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information158

ances are reported under selling and distribution costs. For an 
explanation of these valuation allowances and our risk manage-
ment, please consult pages 192 to 195.

Trade accounts receivable 

108

in million 
euros

At December 
31, 2017

IFRS 9 
 adjustment

At January 1, 
2018

At December 
31, 2018

Trade accounts 
receivable, 
gross

less: cumula-
tive valuation 
allowances on 
trade accounts 
receivable

Trade 
accounts 
receivable, 
net

3,647

–

3,647

3,704

103

13

116

94

3,544

13

3,531

3,610

Development of valuation allowances  
on trade accounts receivable 

in million euros

Valuation allowances at January 1

IFRS 9 adjustment

Additions / Releases

Derecognition of receivables

Currency translation effects

Valuation allowances at December 31

2017

118

 –

– 3

– 10

– 2

103

109

2018

103

13

–

– 20

– 2

94

8    Cash and cash equivalents

Recognized under cash and cash equivalents are liquid funds, 
sight deposits and other financial assets with an original term 
of not more than three months. In accordance with IAS 7, also 
recognized under cash equivalents are shares in money market 
funds which, due to their first-class credit rating and invest-
ment in extremely short-term money market securities, 
undergo only minor value fluctuations and can be readily con-
verted within one day into known amounts of cash. Utilized 
bank overdrafts are recognized in the statement of financial 
position as liabilities to banks.

The volume of cash and cash equivalents increased compared 
to the previous year from 919 million euros to 1,063 million 
euros. Of this figure, 939 million euros (previous year: 742 mil-
lion euros) relates to cash and 124 million euros (previous 
year: 177 million euros) to cash equivalents. The change is 
shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

9    Assets and liabilities held for sale

Assets held for sale are assets that can be sold in their current 
condition and whose sale is very probable. Disposal must be 
expected within one year from the time of reclassification as 
held for sale. Such assets may be individual assets, groups of 
assets (disposal groups) or business operations (discontinued 
operations). Assets held for sale are no longer subject to sched-
uled depreciation and amortization and are instead recognized 
at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell 
(level 3), which is determined by current price negotiations 
with potential buyers.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information159

Compared to December 31, 2017, assets held for sale decreased 
by 5 million euros to 76 million euros. This item mainly relates 
to the Laundry & Home Care site in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, 
which will probably be sold in fiscal 2019 due to the merger of 
the administrative functions as part of the process of integrat-
ing The Sun Products Corporation.

No liabilities were held for sale (December 31, 2017: 0 million 
euros).

Assets and liabilities held for sale 

110

in million euros

Intangible assets and property,  
plant and equipment

Inventories and trade accounts  receivable

Cash and cash equivalents

Other assets

Provisions

Borrowings

Other liabilities

Net assets

At December 
31, 2017

At December 
31, 2018

80

–

–

1

–

–

–

81

76

–

–

–

–

–

–

76

10   Issued capital

Issued capital 

111

in million euros

At December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2018

Ordinary bearer shares

Preferred bearer shares

Capital stock

260

178

438

260

178

438

Comprising: 
259,795,875 ordinary shares, 178,162,875 non-voting preferred shares.

All shares are fully paid in. The ordinary and preferred shares 
are bearer shares of no par value, each of which represents a 
nominal proportion of the capital stock amounting to 1 euro. 
The liquidation proceeds are the same for all shares. The num-
ber of ordinary shares issued remained unchanged year on 
year. The number of preferred shares in circulation was also 
unchanged year on year, at 174,482,323 as at December 31, 2018.

Art. 6 (5) of the Articles of Association governs the allocation of 
authorized capital. Accordingly, the Personally Liable Partner 
is authorized, with the approval of the Shareholders’ Commit-
tee and of the Supervisory Board, to increase the capital of the 
corporation at any time until April 12, 2020, by up to a nominal 
amount of 43,795,875 euros in total by issuing up to 43,795,875 
new non-voting preferred shares for cash and / or in-kind con-
sideration. The authorization may be utilized to the full extent 
allowed, or once or several times in installments. The propor-
tion of capital stock represented by shares issued against pay-
ment in kind on the basis of this authorization must not 
exceed a total of 10 percent of the capital stock existing at the 
time the authorization takes effect. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information160

The Personally Liable Partner is authorized, with the approval 
of the Shareholders’ Committee and of the Supervisory Board, 
to set aside the pre-emptive rights of shareholders in the case 
of a capital increase against payment in kind, particularly for 
the purpose of business combinations or the (direct or indi-
rect) acquisition of entities, operations, parts of businesses, 
equity interests or other assets, including claims against the 
corporation or companies dependent upon it within the mean-
ing of Section 17 German Stock Corporation Act [AktG].

If capital is increased against payment in cash, all shareholders 
are essentially assigned pre-emptive rights. However, these 
may be set aside where necessary, subject to the approval of 
the Shareholders’ Committee and of the Supervisory Board, in 
order to dispose of fractional amounts or to grant to holders of 
bonds with warrants or conversion rights issued by the 
 corporation, or one of the companies dependent upon it, 
pre-emptive rights corresponding to those that would accrue 
to such bondholders following the exercise of their warrant or 
conversion rights or on fulfillment of their conversion obliga-
tions, or if the issue price of the new shares is not significantly 
below the quoted market price at the time of issue price fixing.

Liable Partner is also authorized, with the approval of the 
Shareholders’ Committee and of the Supervisory Board, to can-
cel treasury shares without the need for further resolution by 
the General Meeting.

Insofar as shares are issued or used to the exclusion of 
pre-emptive rights, the proportion of capital stock repre-
sented by such shares shall not exceed 10 percent.

11   Capital reserve

The capital reserve comprises the amounts received in previ-
ous years in excess of the nominal value of preferred shares 
and convertible warrant bonds issued by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.

12   Treasury shares

At December 31, 2018, Henkel held 3,680,552 preferred shares 
(December 31, 2017: 3,680,552), representing a nominal propor-
tion of 3.7 million euros (0.84 percent) of the capital stock.

In addition, the Personally Liable Partner is authorized to pur-
chase ordinary and / or preferred shares of the corporation at 
any time until April 12, 2020, up to a maximum nominal pro-
portion of the capital stock of 10 percent. This authorization 
can be exercised for any legal purpose. To the exclusion of the 
pre-emptive rights of existing shareholders, treasury shares 
may, in particular, be transferred to third parties for the pur-
pose of acquiring entities or participating interests in entities. 
Treasury shares may also be sold to third parties against pay-
ment in cash, provided that the selling price is not signifi-
cantly below the quoted market price at the time of share dis-
posal. The shares may likewise be used to satisfy warrants or 
conversion rights granted by the corporation. The Personally 

Between March 6, 2018, and March 26, 2018, Henkel purchased 
a total of 305,914 preferred shares, representing a nominal pro-
portion of 0.3 million euros (0.07 percent) of the capital stock. 
An average price of 108.84 euros was paid for each preferred 
share on the stock exchange; in total, 33.29 million euros was 
paid to buy back preferred shares (excluding incidental costs). 
The preferred shares were purchased solely for the purpose of 
awarding preferred shares to the managers of Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA or one of its subsidiaries who are eligible under the 
terms and conditions of the Global LTI Plan 2020+ for the 
2017–2020 performance cycle. The shares were awarded – i.e. 
transferred to the eligible managers – immediately after com-
pletion of the buy-back.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information161

Due to changes that had meanwhile occurred in the group of 
eligible managers, a total of 327 shares representing a nominal 
proportion of around 327 euros (0.0001 percent) of the capital 
stock were no longer required for awarding and were conse-
quently resold on the stock exchange, with the proceeds of the 
sale amounting to around 32,700 euros accruing to Henkel.

Details of the Global LTI Plan 2020+ are explained on  
pages 211 to 213.

13   Retained earnings

connection with cash flow hedges or hedges of a net investment 
in a foreign entity. At December 31, 2018, the negative difference 
attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA arising 
from currency translation was virtually unchanged year on year 
at –1,186 million euros (2017: – 1,332 million euros).

15   Non-controlling interests

Recognized under non-controlling interests are equity shares 
held by third parties measured on the basis of the proportion of 
net assets they represent.

Recognized in retained earnings are the following:
•    Amounts allocated in the financial statements of  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA in previous years

•   Amounts allocated from consolidated net income less those 

amounts attributable to non-controlling interests

•   Buy-back of treasury shares by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA at cost 

and the proceeds from their disposal

•   Actuarial gains and losses recognized in other  

comprehensive income

•   The acquisition or disposal of ownership interests in 

 subsidiaries with no change in control

•  Valuation effects following application of the anticipated 

acquisition method

•  Effects of first-time application of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15. 

16    Provisions for pensions and 

 similar obligations

Description of the pension plans
Employees in companies included in the consolidated financial 
statements have entitlements under company pension plans 
which are either defined contribution or defined benefit plans. 
These take different forms depending on the legal, financial 
and tax regimes of each country. The level of benefits provided 
is based, as a rule, on the length of service and on the income 
of the person entitled. Details of pension benefits for members 
of the Management Board are provided in the remuneration 
report on pages 42 to 61.

14    Other components of equity

Reported under this heading are differences recognized in 
equity arising from the currency translation of annual financial 
statements of foreign subsidiaries, and also the effects arising 
from the valuation in comprehensive income of financial 
assets in the “fair value through other comprehensive income” 
category and of derivative financial instruments for which 
hedge accounting is used. The latter are derivatives used in 

In defined benefit plans, the liability for pensions and other 
post-employment benefits is calculated at the present value 
of the future obligations (projected unit credit method). This 
actuarial method of calculation takes future trends in wages, 
salaries and retirement benefits into account. 

The majority of the recipients of pension benefits are located 
in Germany and the USA. The pension obligations are primar-
ily financed via various external trust assets that are legally 
independent of Henkel. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information162

Active employees of Henkel in Germany participate in a defined 
contribution system, “Altersversorgung 2004 (AV 2004),” which 
was newly formed in 2004. AV 2004 is an employer-financed 
pension plan that reflects the personal income development 
of employees during their career at Henkel and thus provides a 
performance-related pension. Henkel guarantees a minimum 
return on the company’s contributions. The benefit essentially 
consists of an annuity payable upon attainment of the retire-
ment age plus a lump-sum payment if the annuity threshold is 
exceeded in the employee’s service period. In addition to age 
and disability pensions, the plan benefits include surviving 
spouse and surviving child benefits. 

Employees who started at Henkel after April 1, 2011, participate 
in the pension plan “Altersversorgung 2011 (AV 2011).” AV 2011 
is an employer-financed, fund-linked retirement plan funded 
by contributions based on the income development of the 
employee. Henkel assures its employees that a lump-sum 
amount is available upon retirement which is at least equiva-
lent to the level of principal contributions made by Henkel. 
Henkel pays the pension contribution into an investment fund 
established for the purpose of the company pension plan. 
Upon attaining retirement age, the employee can choose 
between an annuity through transfer of the superannuation 
lump-sum to a pension fund, or a one-time payment. 

To provide protection under civil law of the pension entitle-
ments of future and current pensioners of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA against insolvency, we have transferred the proceeds of 

the bond issued in 2005 and certain other assets to Henkel 
Trust e.V. The trustee invests the cash with which it has been 
entrusted in the capital market in accordance with investment 
policies laid down in the trust agreement. In addition, we also 
subsidize medical benefits for active and retired employees 
resident mainly in the USA. Under these programs, retirees 
are reimbursed for a certain percentage of their refundable 
 medical expenses. We create provisions during the employees’ 
service period and pay the promised benefits when they are 
claimed. The subsidies for medical benefits that are attribut-
able to active employees are expensed for each period and not 
included in the provisions for pensions and similar obliga-
tions. Disputes relating to health insurance commitments 
(self-insurance) are pending in the USA. They relate to issues 
surrounding the reimbursement of costs for certain medical 
treatments and whether these costs are refundable under rein-
surance agreements.

The defined contribution plans are structured in such a way 
that the corporation pays contributions to public or private 
sector institutions on the basis of statutory or contractual 
terms or on a voluntary basis and has no further obligations 
regarding the payment of benefits to employees. The contribu-
tions for defined contribution plans, excluding multi-employer 
plans, for the reporting period amounted to 112 million euros 
(previous year: 97 million euros). In 2018, we paid 48 million 
euros to public sector institutions (previous year: 46 million 
euros) and 64 million euros to private sector institutions 
 (previous year: 51 million euros).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information163

112

The discount rate is based on yields in the market for high- 
ranking corporate bonds on the respective date. The currency 
and term of the underlying bonds are aligned with the cur-
rency and expected maturities of the post-employment pen-
sion obligation.

Actuarial assumptions 

in percent

Discount rate

Income trend

Expected increases in costs for  
medical benefits

in years

Life expectancy at age 65 as of the  
valuation date for a person currently

65 years old

40 years old

1  Weighted average.

Germany

USA

Other countries 1

2017

1.70

3.25

2018

1.80

3.25

2017

3.60

3.00

2018

4.15

3.00

2017

2.15

3.10

2018

2.45

3.05

–

–

6.60

6.30

3.85

3.80

21.3

24.5

21.8

24.9

22.0

24.0

22.0

24.0

23.6

25.8

23.5

25.7

Multi-employer plans
Henkel provides defined pension benefits that are financed 
by more than one employer. The ensuing multi-employer 
plans are treated as defined contribution plans because, due 
to the limited share of the contribution volume in the plans, 
the information available for each of the financing companies 
is insufficient for defined benefit accounting. Within Henkel 
Group, benefits from multi-employer plans are  provided for 
employees in the USA. Withdrawal from our multi-employer 
plans at the present time would incur a one-time expense of 
around 20 million euros (previous year: around 21 million 
euros). Payments into multi-employer plans in fiscal 2018 
amounted to 1 million euros (previous year: 1 million euros). 
We expect contributions of around 1 million euros in fiscal 
2019.

Assumptions
Group-wide, the obligations from our pension plans are valued 
by an independent external actuary at the end of the fiscal 
year. The calculations at the end of the fiscal year are based 
on the actuarial assumptions below. These are given as the 
weighted average. The mortality rates used are based on pub-
lished statistics and experience relating to each country. In 
Germany, the assumptions are based on the “Heubeck 2018G” 
mortality table. Changing to the 2018 mortality charts resulted 
in an increase of 31 million euros in the present value of pen-
sion obligations. This effect was recognized in other compo-
nents of equity. In the USA, the assumptions are based on the 
modified “RP 2014” mortality table. The valuation of pension 
obligations in Germany is based essentially on the assumption 
of a 1.8 percent increase in retirement benefits (previous year: 
1.8 percent).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information164

Development of defined benefit obligations at December 31, 2017 

in million euros

At January 1, 2017

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+)

of which: from changes in demographic assumptions

of which: from changes in financial assumptions

of which: from experience adjustments

Current service cost

Employee contributions

Gains (–) / losses (+) arising from the termination and curtailment of plans

Interest expense

Retirement benefits paid out of plan assets

Employer payments for pension obligations

Other changes

At December 31, 2017

of which: obligations not covered by plan assets

of which: obligations covered by plan assets

of which: obligations covered by reimbursement rights

Development of plan assets at December 31, 2017 

in million euros

At January 1, 2017

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Retirement benefits paid out of plan assets

Planned income on plan assets

Remeasurements in equity

Other changes

At December 31, 2017

Germany

3,120

10

0

– 38

–

– 29

– 9

46

19

– 4 

49

– 126

– 2

–

3,074

100

2,974

–

Germany

2,718

–

–

28

19

– 126

52

147

–

2,838

USA Other countries

1,237

1

– 154

71

– 8

73

6

14

–

– 

45

– 61

– 27

–

1,126

145

869

112

1,204

77

– 35

– 6

– 14

27

– 19

30

1

– 2 

24

– 40

– 15

– 6

1,232

83

1,149

–

USA Other countries

871

–

– 110

37

–

– 61

33

48

–

818

997

44

– 27

47

1

– 40

18

22

– 6

1,056

113

Total

5,561

88

– 189

27

– 22

71

– 22 

90

20

– 6

118

– 227

– 44

– 6

5,432

328

4,992

112

114

Total

4,586

44

– 137

112

20

– 227

103

217

– 6

4,712

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information165

Development of asset ceiling at December 31, 2017 

in million euros

At January 1, 2017

Interest cost for asset ceiling

Remeasurements in equity

At December 31, 2017

Development of the net obligation at December 31, 2017 

in million euros

Net obligation at January 1, 2017

Recognized through profit or loss

Current service cost

Gains (–) / losses (+) arising from the termination and curtailment of plans

Interest expense

Recognized in other comprehensive income

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+)

Remeasurements in equity

Change in the effect of the asset ceiling

Other items recognized in equity

Employer payments

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Net obligation at December 31, 2017

Overfunding of pension obligations

Recognized provision at December 31, 2017

Germany

USA Other countries

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8

–

2

10

Germany

402

USA Other countries

366

215

46

– 4

– 3

– 38

– 147

–

– 30

10

–

236

–

236

14

–

12

71

– 48

–

– 64

1

– 44

308 

19

327

30

– 2

6

– 6

– 22

2

– 62

33

– 8

186

11

197

115

Total

8

–

2

10

116

Total

983

90

– 6

15

27

– 217

2

– 156

44

– 52

730

30

760

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information166

Development of defined benefit obligations at December 31, 2018 

in million euros

At January 1, 2018

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+)

of which: from changes in demographic assumptions

of which: from changes in financial assumptions

of which: from experience adjustments

Current service cost

Employee contributions

Gains (–) / losses (+) arising from the termination and curtailment of plans

Interest expense

Retirement benefits paid out of plan assets

Employer payments for pension obligations

Other changes

At December 31, 2018

of which: obligations not covered by plan assets

of which: obligations covered by plan assets

of which: obligations covered by reimbursement rights

Development of plan assets at December 31, 2018 

in million euros

At January 1, 2018

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Retirement benefits paid out of plan assets

Planned income on plan assets

Remeasurements in equity

Other changes

At December 31, 2018

Germany

3,074

USA Other countries

1,126

1,232

4

–

– 39

31

– 67

– 3

43

21

– 7

52

– 122

– 2

–

3,024

93

2,931

–

Germany

2,838

–

–

41

21

– 122

57

– 179

–

2,656

11

51

– 77

–

– 62

– 15

19

–

– 

39

– 61

– 26

–

1,082

141

830

111

– 10

– 3

– 48

– 10

– 44

6

23

1

1 

24

– 41

– 9

– 1

1,169

86

1,083

–

USA Other countries

818

6

39

81

–

– 61

30

– 68

–

845

1,056

– 6

– 2

52

1

– 41

19

– 42

– 1

1,036

117

Total

5,432

5

48

– 164

21

– 173

– 12

85

22

– 6

115

– 224

– 37

– 1

5,275

320

4,844

111

118

Total

4,712

–

37

174

22

– 224

106

– 289

– 1

4,537

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information167

Development of asset ceiling at December 31, 2018 

in million euros

At January 1, 2018

Interest cost for asset ceiling

Remeasurements in equity

At December 31, 2018

Development of the net obligation at December 31, 2018 

in million euros

Net obligation at January 1, 2018

Recognized through profit or loss

Current service cost

Gains (–) / losses (+) arising from the termination and curtailment of plans

Interest expense

Recognized in other comprehensive income

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+)

Remeasurements in equity

Change in the effect of the asset ceiling

Other items recognized in equity

Employer payments

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Net obligation at December 31, 2018

Overfunding of pension obligations

Recognized provision at December 31, 2018

Germany

USA Other countries

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10

–

4

14

Germany

236

USA Other countries

308

186

43

– 7

– 5

– 39

179

–

– 43

4

–

368

–

368

19

–

9

– 77

68

–

– 107

5

12

237 

18

255

23

1

5

– 48

42

4

– 61

– 4

– 1

147

24

171

119

Total

10

–

4

14

120

Total

730

85

– 6

9

– 164

289

4

– 211

5

11

752

42

794

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information168

Analysis of reimbursement rights 

in million euros

At January 1

Changes in the Group

Translation differences

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Retirement benefits paid

Interest income

Remeasurements in equity

At December 31

2017

115

–

– 11

8

–

– 12

4

8

112

121

2018

112

–

9

1

–

– 6

4

– 9

111

Within our consolidated statement of income, current service 
costs are allocated on the basis of cost of sales to the respective 
function. Only the net of interest expense for the present value 
of obligations and interest income from plan assets is reported 
in the interest result. All gains / losses from the termination 
and curtailment of plans are recognized in other operating 
income / expenses. The employer contributions in respect of 
state pension provisions are included as “Social security con-
tributions and staff welfare costs” under Note 34 on page 211. 
In 2018, allocations to the pension fund amounted to 174 mil-
lion euros (previous year: 112 million euros).

The reimbursement rights covering a portion of the pension 
obligations in the USA are assets that do not fulfill the defini-
tion of plan assets as stated in IAS 19.

The reimbursement rights indicated are available to the Group 
in order to cover the expenditures required to fulfill the 
respective pension obligations. Reimbursement rights and the 
associated pension obligations must, according to IAS 19, be 
shown unnetted in the statement of financial position.

Payments into pension funds in fiscal 2019 are expected to 
total 51 million euros.

The total present value (defined benefit obligation – DBO)  
is comprised of:
•  1,827 million euros (previous year: 1,881 million euros)  

for active employees, 

•   861 million euros (previous year: 914 million euros) for  

former employees with vested benefits, and 

•  2,587 million euros (previous year: 2,637 million euros)  

for retirees. 

The average weighted duration of pension obligations is 
15 years (previous year: 15 years) for Germany, 8 years (previ-
ous year: 9 years) for the USA and 18 years (previous year: 
19 years) for other countries.

In determining net liability, we take into account amounts that 
are not recognized due to asset ceiling restrictions. If the fair 
value of the plan asset item exceeds the obligations arising 
from the pension benefits, an asset is recognized only if the 
reporting entity can also derive economic benefit from these 
assets, for example in the form of return flows or a future 
reduction in contributions (Asset Ceiling per IAS 19.58 ff.). In 
the reporting period, we recorded an amount of 14 million 
euros as the asset ceiling (previous year: 10 million euros).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information169

Analysis of plan assets 

in million euros

Shares

Europe

USA

Others

Bonds and hedging instruments

Government bonds

Corporate bonds

Derivatives

Alternative investments

Cash

Liabilities 1

Other assets

Total

At December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2018

Quotation  
on active  
markets

No quotation 
on active  
markets

1,476

709

177

590

3,307

1,260

2,047

–

–

–

–

–

4,783

–

–

–

–

– 28

–

–

– 28

254

106

– 605

202

– 71

Total

1,476

709

177

590

3,279

1,260

2,047

– 28

254

106

– 605 

202

4,712

Quotation  
on active  
markets

No quotation 
on active  
markets

1,047

363

174

510

3,454

1,685

1,769

–

–

–

–

–

4,501

–

–

–

–

19

–

–

19

272

170

– 608

183

36

122

Total

1,047

363

174

510

3,473

1,685

1,769

19

272

170

– 608

183

4,537

1   Liability to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA from the assumption of pension payments for Henkel Trust e.V.

Plan assets by country 2018 

123

Classification of bonds by rating 2018 

124

USA 

19 %

Germany 

58 %

Non-investment grade 

6 %

Investment grade 

94 %

Other countries 

23 %

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
 
170

The objective of the investment strategy for the global plan 
assets is the long-term security of pension payments. This is 
ensured by comprehensive risk management that takes into 
account the asset and liability portfolios of the defined benefit 
pension plans. Henkel pursues a liability-driven investment 
(LDI) approach in order to achieve the investment objective. 
This approach takes into account the structure of the pension 
obligations and governs the funding ratio of the pension 
plans. To improve the funding ratio, Henkel invests plan assets 
in a diversified portfolio for which the expected long-term 
yield is above the interest costs of the pension obligations.

In order to cover the risks arising from trends in wages, sala-
ries and life expectancies, and to close the potential deficit 
between plan assets and pension obligations over the long 
term, additional investments are made in a return-enhancing 
portfolio as an add-on instrument that contains assets such as 
equities, private equity and real estate. The target portfolio 
structure of the plan assets is essentially determined in 
asset-liability studies. These studies are conducted regularly 
with the help of external advisors who assist Henkel in the 
investment of plan assets. They examine the actual portfolio 
structure, taking into account current capital market condi-
tions, investment principles and the obligation structure, and 
can suggest adjustments be made to the portfolio. 

The expected long-term yield for individual plan assets is 
derived from the target portfolio structure and the expected 
long-term yields for the individual asset classes. 

Major plan assets are administered by external fund managers 
in Germany and the USA. These countries pursue the above 
investment strategies and are monitored centrally. At Decem-
ber 31, 2018, other assets making up the plan assets included 
the present value of a non-current receivable of 60 million 
euros (previous year: 62 million euros) relating to claims per-
taining to a hereditary building lease assigned by Henkel AG & 
Co. KGaA to Henkel Trust e.V. Also shown here is a claim of 

98 million euros (previous year: 106 million euros) against 
BASF Personal Care & Nutrition GmbH (formerly Cognis 
GmbH) for indemnification of pension obligations. This claim 
represents the nominal value, which is equivalent to the mar-
ket price. In the reporting year, as in the previous year, we held 
no direct investments and no treasury shares in respect of plan 
assets in the portfolio.

Risks associated with pension 
 obligations

Our internal pension risk management monitors the risks of 
all pension plans Group-wide in compliance with local legal 
regulations. As part of the monitoring process, guidelines on 
the control and management of risks are adopted and continu-
ously developed; these guidelines mainly govern external 
funding, portfolio structure and actuarial assumptions. The 
objective of the financing strategy within the Group is to 
ensure that plan assets cover 90 to 100 percent of the present 
value of the funded pension obligations. The contributions 
and investment strategies are intended to ensure nearly com-
plete coverage of the plans for the duration of the pension 
obligations.

Henkel’s pension obligations are exposed to various market 
risks. These risks are counteracted by the degree of external 
funding and the structure of pension benefits. The risks relate 
primarily to changes in market interest rates, inflation, and 
life expectancy, as well as general market fluctuations. Pension 
obligations based on contractual provisions in Germany gen-
erally entail lifelong benefits payable when the employee 
reaches retirement age or in the case of incapacity or death.

In order to reduce the risks arising from the payment of life-
long benefits as well as inflation, pension benefits have been 
gradually converted since 2004 to what are known as modular 
benefits with a pension option, with the fund available being 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information171

In addition to the pension obligation risks already presented, 
there are specific risks associated with multi-employer plans. 
In the Henkel Group, these relate solely to the USA. The contri-
butions to these plans are raised mainly through an allocation 
process based on the pension-eligible income of active 
employees. Restructuring contributions may also be made in 
order to close gaps in coverage. The risks of such plans arise 
largely from higher future contributions to close coverage gaps 
or through discontinuation by other companies obligated to 
make contributions.

The effects of changes to assumptions with respect to medical 
benefits for employees and retirees in the USA are shown in 
the sensitivities analysis.

The analysis of our Group-wide pension obligations revealed 
no extraordinary risks.

initially divided into an annuity and lump-sum portion. 
Newly hired employees since 2011 receive a commitment 
based primarily on the lump-sum benefit. Generally, lump-
sum benefits may also be paid out as an annuity through a 
pension fund. All benefits in Germany are financed through 
a provident fund (Vorsorgefonds) established for the purpose 
of the occupational pension plan. Benefits for new employees 
since 2011, as well as a portion of the entitlements vested 
since 2004, are linked to the performance of this provident 
fund, resulting in a reduction in overall risk to the Group. The 
described adjustments within the pension structure reduce 
the financial risk arising from pension commitments in Ger-
many. By linking the benefit to the capital investment, the net 
risk is also largely eliminated. An increase in the long-term 
inflation assumption would mainly affect the expected increase 
in pensions and the expected trend in pension-eligible salaries.

The pension obligations in the USA are based primarily on 
three retirement plans that are all closed to new employees. 
New employees receive pension benefits based on a defined 
contribution plan. The pension benefits generally have a 
lump-sum option which is usually exercised. When a pension 
becomes payable, the amount granted is determined on the 
basis of current market interest rates. As a result, the impact of 
a change to the interest rate used in the calculation is low 
compared to pension commitments entailing lifelong bene-
fits. Additionally, in the USA, pensions paid once are not 
adjusted by amount, thus there are no direct risks during the 
pension payment period arising from pending annuity adjust-
ments. Inflation risks therefore result mainly from the salary 
adjustments awarded.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationCash flows and sensitivities
In the next five financial years, the following payments from 
pension plans are expected:

Future payments for pension benefits 

in million euros

Germany

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

145

131

133

134

143

USA

121

96

95

91

87

Other 
countries

35

34

36

37

40

125

Total

301

261

264

262

270

The future level of the funded status and thus of the pension 
obligations depends on the development of the discount rate, 
among other factors. Companies based in Germany and the 
USA account for 78 percent of our pension obligations. The 
medical costs for employees of our subsidiaries in the USA 
which are incurred after retirement are also recognized in 
the pension obligations for defined benefit plans. A rate of 
increase of 6.3 percent (previous year: 6.6 percent) was 
assumed for the medical costs. We expect this rate of increase 
to fall gradually to 4.5 percent by 2037 (previous year: 4.5 per-
cent by 2037). The effects of a change in material actuarial 
assumptions for the present value of pension obligations 
are as follows:

172

126

Total

5,085

5,840

5,467

5,409

5,674

5,231

5,442

5,435

127

Total

Sensitivities – Present value of pension obligations at December 31, 2017 

in million euros

Present value of obligations

In the event of:

Germany

USA

Other 
countries

3,074

1,126

1,232

5,432

Increase in the discount rate by 0.5 pp

Reduction of the discount rate by 0.5 pp

Rise in future income increases by 0.5 pp

Reduction of future income increases by 0.5 pp

Rise in retirement benefits increases by 0.5 pp

Reduction of retirement benefits increases by 0.5 pp

Rise in medical costs by 0.5 pp

Reduction of medical costs by 0.5 pp

2,875

3,299

3,074

3,073

3,234

2,928

3,074

3,074

1,088

1,185

1,139

1,128

1,133

1,133

1,136

1,131

1,122

1,356

1,254

1,208

1,307

1,170

1,232

1,230

pp = percentage points

Sensitivities – Present value of pension obligations at December 31, 2018 

in million euros

Present value of obligations

In the event of:

Germany

USA

Other 
countries

3,024

1,082

1,169

5,275

Increase in the discount rate by 0.5 pp

Reduction of the discount rate by 0.5 pp

Rise in future income increases by 0.5 pp

Reduction of future income increases by 0.5 pp

Rise in retirement benefits increases by 0.5 pp

Reduction of retirement benefits increases by 0.5 pp

Rise in medical costs by 0.5 pp

Reduction of medical costs by 0.5 pp

2,839

3,233

3,024

3,023

3,181

2,881

3,024

3,024

1,043

1,126

1,086

1,078

1,082

1,082

1,085

1,080

1,070

1,281

1,187

1,150

1,229

1,115

1,169

1,167

4,952

5,640

5,297

5,251

5,492

5,078

5,278

5,271

pp = percentage points

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationThe extension of life expectancy in Germany by one year 
would increase the present value of pension obligations by 
4 percent (previous year: 4 percent).

It should be noted with respect to the sensitivities presented 
that, due to mathematical effects, the percentage change is not 

and does not need to be linear. Thus the percentage increases 
and decreases do not vary by the same absolute amount. Each 
sensitivity is independently calculated and is not subject to 
scenario analysis.

17    Income tax provisions  
and other provisions

Development in 2018 

in million euros

Income tax provisions

of which: non-current

of which: current

Restructuring provisions

of which: non-current

of which: current

Sundry provisions

of which: non-current

of which: current

Total

of which: non-current

of which: current

At December 
31, 2017

Amendments 1

At January 1, 
2018

Acquisitions

Utilized

Released

Added

Other changes

464 

27 

437 

224

65

159

1,870

273

1,597

2,558

365

2,193

– 31

– 11

– 20

116

15

101

85

4

81

433

16

417

224

65

159

1,986

288

1,698

2,643

369

2,274

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

1

5

6

1

5

– 283

– 18

– 265

– 124

– 20

– 104

– 898

– 25

– 873

– 1,305

– 63

– 1,242

– 37

– 8

– 29

– 25

– 4

– 21

– 138

– 11

– 127

– 200

– 23

– 177

348

157

191

123

18

105

897

14

883

1,368

189

1,179

– 4

5

– 9

– 4

– 5

1

6

– 36

42

–2

– 36

34

1   The amendments relate to prior-year figures (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141) and an adjustment of 71 million euros  
to the opening balance at January 1, 2018, due to first-time application of IFRS 15 (please refer to the notes on pages 143 and 144).

173

128

At December 
31, 2018

457

152

305

194

54

140

1,859

231

1,628

2,510

437

2,073

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information174

Provisions are recognized for obligations toward third parties 
where the outflow of resources is probable and the expected 
obligation can be reliably estimated. Provisions are measured 
to the best estimate of the expenditures required in order to 
meet the current obligation as of the reporting date. Price 
increases expected to take place prior to the time of perfor-
mance are included in the calculation. Provisions in which the 
interest effect is material are discounted to the reporting date 
at a pre-tax interest rate. For obligations in Germany, we have 
applied interest rates of between  0.0 and 2.2 percent (previous 
year: – 0.1 and 2.2 percent). 

The income tax provisions comprise accrued tax liabilities and 
amounts set aside for the outcome of external tax audits.

Other provisions include identifiable obligations toward third 
parties. They are measured at total cost. 

Other changes in provisions include changes in the scope of 
consolidation, movements in exchange rates, compounding 
effects, and adjustments to reflect changes in maturity as time 
passes.

Provisions are recognized in respect of restructuring mea-
sures, provided that work has begun on the implementation of 
a detailed, formal plan or such a plan has already been com-
municated. Additions to the restructuring provisions are 
related to the optimization of our distribution structures and 
to the integration of our acquisitions.

The provisions for obligations arising from our sales activities 
cover expected burdens in the form of subsequent reductions 
in already generated revenues, and risks arising from pending 
transactions.

Provisions for payroll obligations essentially cover expendi-
tures likely to be incurred by the Group for variable, perfor-
mance-related remuneration components.

Provisions for obligations in the production and engineering 
sphere relate primarily to provisions for warranties.

Analysis of sundry provisions by function 

129

in million euros

Sales

of which: non-current

of which: current

Payroll

of which: non-current

of which: current

Production and engineering

of which: non-current

of which: current

Various sundry obligations

of which: non-current

of which: current

Total

of which: non-current

of which: current

At December 
31, 2017 1

At December 
31, 2018

944

8

936

588

158

430

48

24

24

335

98

237

1,915

288

1,627

1,084

7

1,077

468

115

353

46

23

23

261

86

175

1,859

231

1,628

1   Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Risks arising from legal disputes and proceedings
Provisions have been made for individual risks arising from 
civil disputes in the amount of probable claims plus associ-
ated procedural costs. In accordance with IAS 37.92, further 
disclosures with respect to the proceedings and their related 
risks to Henkel have not been made in order to refrain from 
interference with their outcome.

On December 18, 2014, in an action relating to infringements 
between 2003 and 2006, the French antitrust authorities 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information175

imposed fines amounting to around 951 million euros in total 
against various international companies in the cosmetic and 
detergent industries. Henkel received a fine of 109 million 
euros, which was paid provisionally on May 15, 2015. A final 
decision on the appeal filed by Henkel with regard to the 
amount of the fine is still pending.

Henkel and its Group companies are also defendants in or par-
ties to other judicial, arbitrational, and official proceedings. 
The course and outcomes of legal disputes are inherently 
uncertain and unpredictable. Based on the knowledge cur-
rently available, no negative future impact, material or other-
wise, on the net assets, financial position and results of opera-
tions of the corporation is expected.

18    Borrowings

 Borrowings 

in million euros

Bonds

Commercial paper 1

Liabilities to banks 2

Other borrowings

Total

At December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2018

Non-current

Current

2,157

–

916

3

3,076

509

729

30

–

1,268

Total

2,666

729

946

3

4,344

Non-current

1,556

–

–

–

1,556

Current

664

1,931

24

–

2,619

130

Total

2,220

1,931

24

–

4,175

1   From the euro and US dollar commercial paper program (total volume: 2 billion US dollars and 2 billion euros).
2  Obligations with floating rates of interest or interest rates pegged for less than one year.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationType

Nominal value

Carrying amounts  
excluding accrued interest

Market values  
excluding accrued interest 1

Market values  
including accrued interest 1

Interest rate

Maturity

176

131

Bonds 

Issuer

in million euros

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Bond

Bond

500 million euros

700 million euros

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Bond

750 million US dollars

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Bond 300 million GB pounds 2

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Bond

600 million US dollars

500

698

624

336

499

–

699

654

334

523

501

700

619

335

498

–

700

648

328

518

501

700

622

336

503

–

700

651

329

524

Total bonds

2,657

2,210

2,653

2,194

2,662

2,204

1  Market value of the bonds derived from the stock market price at December 31. 
2 A cross-currency swap is in place to convert the interest and principal payments on the bond denominated in British pounds into euro payments.

During the reporting period, we repaid our 1.1 billion US dollar 
syndicated bank loan prematurely, and increased our commer-
cial paper portfolio by 1.2 billion euros to 1.9 billion euros. The 
interest rate hedge on the variable US dollar interest payments 
for the syndicated bank loan was also closed prematurely. 
A 500 million euro bond was redeemed on schedule in the 
reporting period.

2017

0 % p.a.

0 % p.a.

2018

–

09/13/2018 

0 % p.a.

09/13/2021

1.5 % p.a.

1.5 % p.a.

09/13/2019

0.875 % p.a.

0.875 % p.a.

09/13/2022

2.0 % p.a.

2.0 % p.a.

06/12/2020

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information19   Other financial liabilities

Analysis 

177

132

in million euros

Non-current

Current

Total

Non-current

Current

Total

At December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2018

Liabilities to non-consolidated affiliated  
companies and associated companies

Liabilities to customers

Derivative financial instruments

Sundry financial liabilities

Total 

–

–

28

59 1

87

7

45

72

90

214

7

45

100

149

301

–

–

38

31

69

7

50

41

47

145

7

50

79

78

214

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Of the liabilities to non-consolidated affiliated companies and 
associated companies, 7 million euros (previous year: 7 mil-
lion euros) is attributable to non-consolidated affiliated com-
panies. Included in the sundry financial liabilities are out-
standing purchase price liabilities of 9 million euros (previous 
year: 52 million euros) relating to the acquisition of the Darex 
Packaging Technologies business, as well as the contingent 
purchase price liability of 29 million euros relating to our 
acquisition in Nigeria (previous year: 27 million euros), and 
liabilities from finance leases of 5 million euros (previous 
year: 13 million euros).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information178

20   Other liabilities

Analysis  

in million euros

Other tax liabilities

Liabilities to employees 

Liabilities relating to employee deductions

Liabilities in respect of social security

Sundry other liabilities

Total 

At December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2018

Non-current

–

7

–

–

10

17

Current

178

37

44

24

57

340

Total

178

44

44

24

67

357

Non-current

–

2

–

–

16

18

Current

152

38

40

20

68

318

133

Total

152

40

40

20

84

336

The sundry other liabilities primarily comprise various 
income deferrals for other accounting periods amounting 
to 18 million euros (previous year: 22 million euros) and pay-
ments on account received in the amount of 5 million euros 
(previous year: 5 million euros).

21   Trade accounts payable

Trade accounts payable decreased from 3,721 million euros to 
3,713 million euros. In addition to purchase invoices, they also 
relate to accruals for invoices outstanding in respect of goods 
and services received. They are all due within one year.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information179

22   Financial instruments report

Financial instruments explained by category
The effects of first-time application of IFRS 9 starting on  
January 1, 2018, are explained in the section on accounting 
principles and methods applied in preparation of the consoli-
dated financial statements on pages 142 and 143.

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a 
financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity 
instrument of another entity.

Within Henkel Group, financial instruments are reported in 
the statement of financial position under trade accounts 
receivable, trade accounts payable, borrowings, other financial 
assets, other financial liabilities, and cash and cash equiva-
lents.

Financial instruments are recognized once Henkel becomes a 
party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument. 
The recognition of financial assets takes place at the settlement 
date, with the exception of derivative financial instruments, 
which are recognized at the transaction date. All financial 
instruments are initially reported at their fair value. Only those 
trade accounts receivable without any material financing com-
ponent are recognized at transaction price as defined in IFRS 
15. Transaction costs are only capitalized if the financial 
instruments are not subsequently remeasured at fair value 
through profit or loss.

Classification rules must be complied with at the time of 
 recognition. The classification of a financial asset or financial 
liability dictates how it is to be subsequently remeasured. 

IFRS 9 contains three categories for classifying financial 
assets: “measured at amortized cost,” “measured at fair value 
through profit or loss” and “measured at fair value through 
other comprehensive income.” The standard eliminates the cat-
egories: “held to maturity,” “loans and receivables,” and “avail-
able for sale,” that were specified in IAS 39. Financial instru-
ments are allocated to the IFRS 9 categories initially on the 
basis of the  contractual cash flows. The classification of finan-
cial assets whose cash flows are comprised entirely of interest 
and redemption payments is then dictated by the business 
model. Financial instruments held so as to collect contractual 
cash flows are recognized at amortized cost. With the excep-
tion of derivative financial instruments, other investments 
and certain cash deposits recognized as securities and time 
deposits and as cash equivalents, all financial assets fulfill 
these criteria and are recognized at amortized cost. If the busi-
ness model essentially requires the assets to be held, albeit 
with sales remaining possible where necessary, for example to 
cover liquidity needs, said assets are recognized at fair value 
through other comprehensive income. Henkel currently uses 
this category for certain shares in investment funds that it 
uses for the long-term investment of cash. Financial instru-
ments whose cash flows are comprised entirely of interest and 
redemption payments but which are not held within one of 
the two aforementioned business models, are recognized at 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information180

fair value through profit or loss. Financial instruments whose 
cash flows are not comprised entirely of interest and redemp-
tion payments are always recognized at fair value through 
profit or loss. At Henkel, this is the case with derivative finan-
cial instruments, shares in open-end investment funds held to 
manage liquidity, and cash deposits with embedded deriva-
tives. Henkel exercises its right to choose to recognize individ-
ual equity instruments, including shares in closed-end invest-
ment funds, at fair value through other comprehensive 
income. If these equity instruments are sold or written down, 
the valuation effects accumulated up to then in other compre-
hensive income are reclassified to retained earnings and not 
included in the statement of income.

Derivative financial instruments are always measured at fair 
value through profit or loss. Hedge accounting is applied in 
individual cases – where possible and economically sensible 
– in order to avoid profit and loss variations arising from fair 
value changes in derivative financial instruments. Fair value 
and cash flow hedges are designated within the Group depend-
ing on the type of underlying and the risk being hedged. 
Details relating to the hedging contracts transacted within the 
Group and how the fair values of the derivatives are deter-
mined are provided on pages 188 to 192. 

As a rule, financial liabilities are recognized at amortized cost 
using the effective interest method. Financial liabilities for 
which hedging transactions have been concluded that meet 
the requirements of IFRS 9 with respect to designated hedging 
relationships are recognized according to hedge accounting 
rules. Within the Henkel Group, certain trade accounts payable 
are included in cash flow hedge accounting. 

Henkel currently does not exercise the fair value option for 
financial assets, nor for financial liabilities.

The carrying amounts of the financial assets recognized at 
amortized cost closely approximate their fair value due to their 
predominantly short-term nature. Expected credit losses are 
reflected in corresponding valuation allowances. 

Within Henkel Group, certain securities and time deposits, 
and the money market funds included in cash equivalents, are 
– in addition to derivative financial instruments and other 
investments – recognized at fair value.

All financial liabilities – with the exception of derivative 
financial instruments – are essentially recognized at amor-
tized cost using the effective interest method.

Under IAS 39, financial instruments were assigned to the fol-
lowing classes for purposes of remeasurement:
•  Financial instruments measured at amortized cost
•  Financial instruments measured at fair value 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information181

Different valuation categories were allocated to these two 
classes. Financial instruments assigned to the valuation cate-
gories “available for sale” and “held for trading” were generally 
measured at fair value. Other securities and time deposits as 
well as other investments not measured using the equity 
method, both recognized under other financial assets, were 
categorized as “available for sale.” Only the derivative financial 
instruments held by the Henkel Group which were not 
included in hedge accounting were  designated as “held for 
trading.” All other financial instruments including the financial 
assets categorized as “loans and receivables” were recognized 
at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The 
measurement categories “held to maturity” and “fair value 
option” were not used within the Henkel Group.

The financial instruments in the measurement category “loans 
and receivables” were non-derivative financial instruments. 
They were characterized by fixed or determinable payments 
and were not traded in an active market. Within the Henkel 
Group, this category was mainly comprised of trade accounts 
receivable, cash and cash equivalents, and other financial 
assets with the exception of investments, derivatives, securi-
ties and time deposits. The carrying amounts of the financial 
instruments categorized as “loans and receivables” closely 
approximated their fair value due to their predominantly 
short-term nature. If there were doubts as to the realizability of 
these financial instruments, they were recognized at amor-
tized cost less appropriate valuation allowances.

Financial instruments in the category “available for sale” were 
non-derivative financial assets and were recognized at fair 
value, provided that this was reliably determinable. If the fair 
value could not be reliably determined, they were recognized 
at cost. Value changes between the reporting dates were essen-
tially recognized in equity through other comprehensive 
income (revaluation reserve) without affecting profit or loss, 
unless the cause lay in permanent impairment. Impairment 
losses were recognized through profit or loss. Once the assets 
were sold, the amounts recognized in the revaluation reserve 
were released through profit or loss. In the Henkel Group, the 
securities and time deposits recognized under other financial 
assets were categorized together with other investments as 
“available for sale.” The fair values of the securities and time 
deposits were based on quoted market prices, or derived from 
market data. As the fair values of other investments could not 
be reliably determined, they were measured at amortized cost. 
As of December 31, 2017, Henkel was not planning to sell any of 
the financial instruments recognized under other invest-
ments.

The following table summarizes the classification categories 
of IFRS 9 and reconciles the original valuation categories 
under IAS 39 to the new categories:

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationReconciliation of valuation categories and carrying amounts from IAS 39 to IFRS 9 

182

134

in million euros

Financial assets

IAS 39 category 1

Trade accounts receivable

Loans and receivables

Other financial assets

Receivables from non-consoli-
dated affiliated companies and 
associated companies

Financial receivables from third 
parties

Derivative financial instruments 
not included in a designated 
 hedging relationship

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables

Financial assets held for trading  
(level 2)

Derivative financial instruments 
included in a designated hedging 
relationship

Derivative financial instruments 
 included in a designated  
hedging relationship (level 2)

Investments in non-consolidated 
subsidiaries and associated 
 companies

No financial instruments

Other investments

Available for sale (level 3)

Receivables from Henkel Trust e.V. Loans and receivables

Floating-interest securities  
and time deposits

Floating-interest securities  
and time deposits

Floating-interest securities  
and time deposits

–

–

Available for sale (level 2)

Financial collateral provided

Available for sale

Sundry financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Loans and receivables

Total

TABLE CONT’D

At December 
31, 2017

At December 
31, 2017

IAS 39 carry-
ing amount

3,544

1,122

Fair value IFRS 9 category 1

3,544 Amortized cost

1,122

At January 1, 
2018

At December 
31, 2018

At December 
31, 2018

IFRS 9 carry-
ing amount

IFRS 9 carry-
ing amount

Fair value

3,531 2

1,122

3,610

1,095

3,610

1,095

1

26

54

10

16

7

605

–

–

203

37

163

773

1 Amortized cost

26 Amortized cost

Fair value through profit or loss  
(level 2)

54

10 Not categorized (level 2)

16 No financial instruments

Fair value through other 
 comprehensive income (level 3)

7

605 Amortized cost

– Amortized cost

Fair value through other 
 comprehensive income (level 1)

–

Fair value through profit or loss  
(level 2)

203

37 Amortized cost

163 Amortized cost

773 Amortized cost

1

26

54

10

16

7

605

–

–

203

37

163

773

1

23

31

6

18

20

608

6

15

200

49

118

972

1

23

31

6

18

20

608

6

15

200

49

118

972

143

5,582

143

5,582

Fair value through profit or loss 
(level 2)

143

5,569

91

5,768

91

5,768

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationReconciliation of valuation categories and carrying amounts from IAS 39 to IFRS 9 (continued) 

in million euros

Financial liabilities

IAS 39 category 1

At December 
31, 2017

At December 
31, 2017

IAS 39 carry-
ing amount

Fair value IFRS 9 category 1

Trade accounts payable

Amortized cost

3,721 3

3,721 Amortized cost

Trade accounts payable

–

Bonds

Other borrowings

Other financial liabilities

Derivative financial instruments  
not included in a designated hedging 
relationship

Derivative financial instruments  
included in a designated hedging  
relationship

Derivative financial instruments  
included in a designated hedging  
relationship

Amortized cost (level 1)

Amortized cost

Financial assets held for trading  
(level 2)

Derivative financial instruments  
included in a designated hedging  
relationship (level 2)

–

Other financial liabilities

Amortized cost

Total

–

2,666

1,678

301 3

61

39

–

201 3

8,366

Amortized cost, included in a desig-
nated hedging relationship (level 2)

–

2,662 Amortized cost (level 1)

1,678 Amortized cost

301

Fair value through profit or loss  
(level 2)

61

39 Not categorized (level 2)

– Not categorized (level 3)

201 Amortized cost

8,362

183

134

At January 1, 
2018

At December 
31, 2018

At December 
31, 2018

IFRS 9 carry-
ing amount

IFRS 9 carry-
ing amount

3,721

3,268

–

2,666

1,678

301

61

39

–

201

8,366

445

2,220

1,955

214

28

50

1

135

8,102

Fair value

3,268

445

2,204

1,955

214

28

50

1

135

8,086

1  Indication of the fair value hierarchy for the figures in the “Fair value” columns.
2 The carrying amount of trade accounts receivable decreased by 13 million euros following first-time application of IFRS 9 due to higher valuation allowances.
3 Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141). 

According to the regulations of IFRS 13, fair value represents 
the price that would be payable in a principal market – or in 
the most favorable market, in the absence of the former – if an 
asset were to be sold or a liability transferred. Valuation 
parameters as close to market reality as possible must be used 
as input factors to determine fair value. The fair value hierar-
chy prioritizes the input factors used in the valuation methods 
in three descending levels, depending on market proximity:

•  Level 1: Fair values which are determined on the basis of 

quoted, unadjusted prices in active markets.

•  Level 2: Fair values which are determined on the basis of 
parameters for which either directly or indirectly derived 
market prices are available.

•  Level 3: Fair values which are determined on the basis of 

parameters for which the input factors are not derived from 
observable market data. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information184

135

The fair value of securities and time deposits classified as 
level 1 is based on the quoted market prices on the reporting 
date. Observable market data are used to measure the fair value 
of level 2 securities, time deposits and cash equivalents. If bid 
and ask prices are available, the mid price is used to determine 
the fair value. When using the discounted cash flow method to 
determine fair values, the contractually specified cash flows 
are discounted using currency-specific yield curves. When 

measuring derivative financial instruments, the credit risk is 
determined by netting all financial assets, liabilities, collateral 
received and collateral provided for each counterparty to 
determine the net credit exposure. An explanation of the 
method for determining the fair values of derivative financial 
instruments can be found on pages 188 and 189.

The changes in the fair values of the level 3 financial instru-
ments are discussed in the following:

Development of level 3 assets and liabilities 

in million euros

Carrying amount at January 1, 2018

Purchases

Gains / losses (realized) recognized in operating profit or loss

Gains / losses recognized in other comprehensive income

Currency effects / Other changes

Carrying amount at December 31, 2018

Derivative financial 
instruments 
included in a  
designated hedging 
relationship

–

–

–

– 1

–

– 1

Other investments

Contingent 
purchase price  
commitments

Puttable instruments 
for minority  
shareholders

7

12

–

–

1

20

38

4

– 9

–

–

33

27

–

–

2

–

29

The derivative financial instruments categorized as level 3 are 
commodity forwards recognized in hedge accounting. In the 
absence of forward quotes on the market, the fair value is 
determined on the basis of bids obtained from several banks 
for new contracts involving similar products.

The changes are included in full in the overall result of the 
hedge reserve. Reclassification to the cost of hedged invento-
ries is performed when the derivatives are realized. This 
occurs when the hedged inventories are recognized.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information185

Other investments include investments in companies and 
investment funds that are currently not intended for sale. The 
carrying amounts of the investments in companies totaled 
11 million euros (previous year: 6 million euros). Shares in 
investment funds totaled 9 million euros (previous year: 1 mil-
lion euros). The carrying amounts of each individual invest-
ment do not exceed 2 million euros. The fair value of other 
investments is based either on information derived from 
recent financing transactions, on a cost-based method or on 
valuation using the discounted cash flow method taking into 
account free cash flow. Appropriate risk-adjusted costs of capi-
tal are applied when using the discounted cash flow method. 
Since none of these investments were sold, no valuation results 
in equity have been reclassified to retained earnings. If the 
EBIT multiple and the costs of capital were to change by 
10 percent in each case – a supposition regarded as realistic – 
the change in the carrying amounts revealed by sensitivity 
analysis would be in the range of the very low single-digit 
 millions. The changes would be included in full in the overall 
figure for other changes in equity.

The fair value of the puttable instruments for minority share-
holders arising from our acquisition in Nigeria, which are 
 recognized in other financial liabilities, was determined using 
the discounted cash flow method, taking into account the free 
cash flow of the acquired company, based on a detailed plan-
ning horizon through to 2025. The assumptions upon which 
the essential planning parameters are based reflect experience 
gained in the past, aligned to current information provided by 
external sources. A discount rate was applied as derived from 
the capital costs in euros. Accordingly, in addition to the free 
cash flows of the company based on an average of 8 million 
euros, the material valuation parameters are the terminal 
growth rate reflected in the perpetual annuity of 1.5 percent, 
the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of 10.7 percent 
applied as the discount rate, and the exchange rate of the 
 Nigerian naira. A rise in interest rates or a depreciation of the 

naira would result in a lower negative fair value of the liability. 
An interest rate reduction or an appreciation of the naira 
would result in a higher negative fair value. Sensitivity analysis 
revealed that the carrying amount of the liability would differ 
by +7 million euros or – 5 million euros if – as a supposition 
regarded as realistic – the parameters relevant for valuation 
were to have changed by 10 percent in each case as of the 
 closing date. The changes would be included in full in equity 
under other changes in equity.

The fair value of the contingent consideration relating to the 
acquisition in Chile was determined on the basis of the 
expected trend in gross profit that is the basis for the payment 
of the contingent purchase price component. In addition to 
the gross profit, the exchange rate of the Chilean peso is a fur-
ther material valuation parameter. If gross profit were to be 
10 percent lower, or the Chilean peso were to devalue by 
10 percent, the resulting fair value would be lower by 10 mil-
lion euros or 1 million euros respectively. If gross profit were 
to be 10 percent higher, or the Chilean peso were to appreciate 
by 10 percent, the resulting fair value would be higher by 3 mil-
lion euros or 1 million euros respectively. Sensitivity analysis 
revealed, moreover, a probability of 95 percent that – taking 
possible future exchange rate developments into account – the 
fair value would not increase from 10 million euros to more 
than 15 million euros. The changes would be included in full 
in the statement of income.

The fair value of the performance-related purchase price com-
ponent relating to the acquisition in fiscal 2018 of the out-
standing non-controlling shares in the United Arab Emirates 
was determined on the basis of the expected trend in earnings 
before interest, taxes, impairment, depreciation and amortiza-
tion (EBITDA) that was relevant to payment of the contingent 
purchase price component. In addition to the EBITDA, the 
exchange rate of the UAE dirham is a further material valua-
tion parameter. If EBITDA were to be 10 percent lower, or the 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationUAE dirham were to devalue by 10 percent, the resulting fair 
value would be lower by 12 million euros or 2 million euros 
respectively. If EBITDA were to be 10 percent higher, or the UAE 
dirham were to appreciate by 10 percent, the resulting fair 
value would be higher by 12 million euros or 3 million euros 
respectively. The changes would be included in full in the 
statement of income.

We did not perform any reclassifications between the valua-
tion categories or transfers within the fair value hierarchy 
either in fiscal 2018 or in the previous year.

Net gains and losses from financial instruments  
by category
The net gains and losses from financial instruments can be 
allocated to the following categories:

Net results by measurement category and reconciliation to financial result 

2017 

IAS 39 valuation categories  

Total net results

in million euros

Loans and receivables

Financial assets available for sale

Financial assets and liabilities held for trading, 
including derivatives in a designated hedging 
relationship

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

Total net results 2017

of which  
interest 

of which  
valuation 
allowances

of which  
payments 
received for 
written-off and 
derecognized 
financial  
instruments

of which  
fees

of which  
other effects 
recognized 
through profit 
or loss

of which  
valuation 
effects recog-
nized through 
other compre-
hensive income

18

–

– 385

– 61

– 428

18

–

–

– 57

– 39

0

–

2

–

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 4

– 4

–

–

– 389

–

– 389

–

–

–

–

–

186

136

of which  
reclassifications 
of valuation 
effects recog-
nized through 
other compre-
hensive income

–

–

2

–

2

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
 
 
 
 
187

137

of which  
reclassifications 
of valuation 
effects recog-
nized through 
other compre-
hensive income

–

–

–

–

36

–

–

36

Net results by measurement category and reconciliation to financial result 

2018 

IFRS 9 valuation categories 

Total net results

in million euros

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

Financial assets measured at fair value through 
other comprehensive income (debt instruments)

Financial assets measured at fair value  
through other comprehensive income  
(equity instruments)

Financial assets measured at fair value through 
profit or loss (debt instruments)

Derivative financial instruments with and  
without a designated hedging relationship

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

Financial liabilities recognized in hedge  
accounting

Total net results 2018

of which  
interest 

of which  
valuation 
allowances

of which 
 payments 
received for 
written-off and 
derecognized 
financial  
instruments

of which  
fees

of which  
other effects 
recognized 
through profit 
or loss

of which  
valuation 
effects recog-
nized through 
other compre-
hensive income

11

– 1

–

–

85

– 85

2

12

10

– 5

–

–

–

–

– 72

–

– 62

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 5

3

–

–

–

–

–

–

3

–

–

–

–

–

– 5

–

– 5

3

–

–

–

86

– 8

–

81

–

– 1

–

–

– 37

–

2

– 36

Reconciliation of net results to financial result 

in million euros

Total net results

less / plus results included in operating profit or in 
other comprehensive income

Foreign exchange effects

Interest expense of pension obligations less inter-
est income from plan assets and reimbursement 
rights

Other financial result (not related to financial 
instruments)

Financial result

2017

– 428

– 

402

– 11

– 29

– 67

138

2018

12

12

– 85

– 5

1

– 65

The realization and valuation of financial assets and liabilities 
in foreign currencies (without derivative financial instruments) 
resulted in an expense of 85 million euros (previous year: 
income of 402 million euros).

No gains or losses were realized in the fiscal year from 
derecognized financial assets measured at amortized cost.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are measured at their fair 
value at the reporting date. Recognition of the gains and losses 
arising from fair value changes of derivative financial instru-
ments is dependent upon whether the requirements of IFRS 9 
are fulfilled with respect to hedge accounting. The Group 
ensures that its hedge accounting is consistent with the Group 
risk management objectives and strategy, and that a qualitative 
and forward-looking approach is adopted when assessing the 
effectiveness of its hedging transactions.

Hedge accounting is not applied to the large majority of deriv-
ative financial instruments. We recognize through profit or 
loss the fair value changes in these derivatives which, in eco-
nomic terms, represent effective hedges within the framework 
of the Group strategy. These are largely compensated by fair 
value changes in the hedged items. In hedge accounting, deriv-
ative financial instruments are qualified as instruments for 
hedging the fair value of a recognized underlying (“fair value 
hedge”), as instruments for hedging future cash flows (“cash 
flow hedge”) or as instruments for hedging a net investment in 
a foreign entity (“hedge of a net investment in a foreign 
entity”). When closing the transaction, Henkel documents the 
relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged 
underlying transactions, together with the risk management 
objectives and strategies of the hedging transactions. This 
method ensures that all derivatives classified as hedges are 
tied to specific committed and planned transactions. Henkel 
uses acknowledged methods – such as the dollar offset 
method or the hypothetical derivative method – to determine 
the effective portion of the hedges and any ineffective por-
tions. 

188

139

The following table provides an overview of the derivative 
financial instruments utilized and recognized within the 
Group, and their fair values:

Derivative financial instruments 

At December 31 
in million euros

Forward exchange contracts 1

(of which: for hedging loans  
within the Group)

(of which: designated as cash  
flow hedge)

Foreign exchange options 1

Interest rate swaps 3

(of which: designated as cash  
flow hedge)

Cross-currency swaps 4

(of which: designated as cash  
flow hedge)

Equity forward contracts 

(of which: designated as cash  
flow hedge)

Commodity forwards

(of which: designated as cash  
flow hedge)

Nominal value

Positive fair value 2

Negative fair value 2

2017

4,899

2018

5,046

2017

61

2018

37

2017

– 68

2018

– 31

( 2,710)

(2,171)

(48)

(20)

(– 49)

(– 19)

(554)

(651)

8

917

( 917)

338

( 338)

128

(128)

–

–

–

–

–

335

(335)

74

(74)

9

(9)

(7)

–

3

(3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

(6)

(– 7)

(– 3)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 21 

– 30

(– 21)

– 11

(– 11)

–

–

(– 30)

– 17

(– 17)

– 1

– 1

– 79

Total derivative financial instruments

6,290

5,464

64

37

– 100

1   Maturity less than 1 year. 
2  Fair values including accrued interest and excluding valuation allowance for counterparty credit risk of  

0 million euros (previous year: 0 million euros).

3  Nominal value: 1.1 billion US dollars. 
4  Nominal value: 300 million British pounds.

We determine the fair value of forward exchange contracts and 
cross-currency swaps on the basis of the reference rates issued 
by the European Central Bank for the reporting date, taking 
into account forward premiums / forward discounts for the 
remaining term of the respective contract versus the con-
tracted foreign exchange rate. Foreign exchange options are 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information189

measured using price quotations or recognized models for the 
determination of option prices. The fair value of equity for-
ward contracts is measured on the basis of the closing price of 
Henkel preferred shares on the reporting date, taking into 
account forward premiums / forward discounts for the remain-
ing term of the respective contract versus the contracted for-
ward share price. Interest rate hedges are measured on the 
basis of discounted cash flows expected in the future, taking 
into account market interest rates applicable for the remaining 
term of the contracts. These are indicated for the two most 
important currencies in the following table. It shows the inter-
est rates quoted on the interbank market in each case on 
December 31.

Interest rates in percent p.a. 

140

At December 31  
Terms

Euro

US dollar

1 month

3 months

6 months

1 year 

2 years 

5 years 

10 years

2017

– 0.37 

– 0.33

– 0.27

– 0.19

– 0.15

0.31

0.89

2018

– 0.36

– 0.31

– 0.24

– 0.12

– 0.18

0.20

0.81

2017

2018

1.56

1.69

1.84

2.11

2.08

2.25

2.40

2.50

2.81

2.88

3.01

2.67

2.58

2.72

In measuring derivative financial instruments, counterparty 
credit risk is taken into account with an adjustment to the fair 
values concerned, determined on the basis of credit risk pre-
miums. The adjustment relating to fiscal 2018 amounts to 
0 million euros (previous year: 0 million euros). The addition 
was recognized through profit or loss under financial result.

Depending on their fair value and their maturity on the report-
ing date, derivative financial instruments are included in 
financial assets (positive fair value) or in financial liabilities 
(negative fair value).

Most of the forward exchange contracts serve to hedge risks 
arising from trade accounts receivable and payable, and those 
pertaining to Group financing.

Fair value hedges
A fair value hedge hedges the fair value of recognized assets 
and liabilities. The change in the fair value of the derivatives 
and the change in the fair value of the underlying resulting 
from the hedged risk are simultaneously recognized in profit 
or loss.

The Henkel Group did not use any fair value hedges in fiscal 
2018 nor in fiscal 2017.

Cash flow hedges
A cash flow hedge hedges fluctuations in future cash flows 
from recognized assets and liabilities, and also transactions 
that are either planned or highly probable, or firmly contracted 
unrecognized financial commitments, from which an interest- 
rate, currency, or share price risk arises. The effective portion 
of a cash flow hedge is recognized through the hedge reserve 
in equity. The ineffective portion arising from the change in 
value of the hedging instrument is recognized through profit 
or loss in the financial result or operating profit, depending on 
the underlying. Since first-time application of IFRS 9 starting 
on January 1, 2018, Henkel has exercised its right to choose to 
also recognize changes in value of non-designated compo-
nents – such as the forward component of currency forwards 
– in equity. If cash flows for non-financial assets are hedged, 
the amounts recognized in equity are included as part of the 
acquisition cost when the underlying transaction is recog-
nized. Amounts recognized in the hedge reserve or as part of 
the acquisition cost are released through profit or loss in the 
same period in which the hedged transaction impacts profit or 
loss.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information190

Cash flow hedges (after income taxes) 

141

Currency derivatives in cash flow hedge accounting 

142

Initial  
balance

Addition 
(recog-
nized in 
equity)

– 233

– 215

– 37

– 10

Disposal 
(recog-
nized 
through 
profit or 
loss)

33

– 8

End  
balance

Disposal 
(recog-
nized in 
acquisition 
cost)

3

–

– 234

– 233

in million 
euros

2018

2017

in euros

US dollar

British pound

Canadian dollar

Chinese yuan

Russian ruble

2018

Nominal

Weighted  
hedging rate

548

62

49

38

32

1.14

0.89

1.55

8.10

77.56

The initial value of the cash flow hedges recognized in equity 
relates substantially to currency hedges for past acquisitions 
and for planned inventory purchases. Of the ending balance 
of – 234 million euros, – 2 million euros is attributable to 
non-designated components. A further 2 million euros is 
attributable to currency hedges on planned inventory pur-
chases, which will be reclassified from equity to acquisition 
cost upon receipt of the hedged inventories.

Currency risk
The hedged risk arises from fluctuations of budgeted sales and 
inventory purchases in foreign currencies due to changing 
spot rates. In these cases, no ineffective portions arise since 
the Group only designates the spot component of the budgeted 
currency exposures. Currency forwards or booked foreign cur-
rency liabilities are used as hedges. They are all due within one 
year. The hedge ratio is determined individually, depending on 
the relevant strategy for each currency. The hedging rates for 
major currencies are shown on the right:

An addition of 27 million euros after income taxes relates to 
currency hedges of planned inventory purchases and currency 
hedges of budgeted sales against fluctuating spot rates. Of the 
gains recognized in equity in the reporting period, – 34 million 
euros was reclassified to cost of hedged inventories without 
affecting profit or loss or – within the framework of hedging 
budgeted sales – to the operating result through profit or loss. 
The positive and negative fair values of the derivatives con-
tracted as a currency hedge of planned inventory purchases 
and as a currency hedge of budgeted sales amounted to 6 mil-
lion and – 3 million euros respectively. The cash flows from 
these currency derivatives and the cash flows from the hedged 
inventory purchases and the hedged sales are expected to 
occur and affect profit or loss in the next fiscal year when the 
inventories are used and the sales realized. 

In addition to the currency derivatives, corresponding trade 
accounts payable were designated as hedges for budgeted 
sales. The carrying amount of these liabilities is 445 million 
euros. The cash flows from these liabilities and the cash flows 
from the hedged sales are expected to occur and affect profit or 
loss in the next fiscal year.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information191

0.29 euros per pound. A 10 percent higher (lower) forward 
price on the reporting date would have resulted in other com-
prehensive income increasing (decreasing) by 1 million euros. 

The negative changes in value of these derivatives of 1 million 
euros after deduction of income taxes were recognized as 
additions to equity. Of the losses recognized in equity in the 
reporting period, 0 million euros was reclassified to cost of 
hedged inventories without affecting profit or loss.  

Share price risk
The hedged risk arises from potential fluctuations in future 
payroll cost for budgeted payouts relating to our Long Term 
Incentive (LTI) due to fluctuations in the price of Henkel 
shares. Equity forward contracts with maturities from 2018 
through 2020 were or are used to hedge against this risk. In 
these cases, no ineffective portions arise since the Group only 
designates the spot component of the equity forward con-
tracts. At the reporting date, the exposure amounted to 90 mil-
lion euros. A volume of 74 million euros is hedged at an aver-
age price of 115 euros. 

Interest rate risk
The hedged risk arises from fluctuations in future interest 
 payments due to changing market interest rates. The hedged 
interest payments are designated in full. A cross-currency 
swap was used to convert into euro payments the future inter-
est and principal payment obligations relating to the 300 mil-
lion British pound bond that we issued in 2016. The transac-
tion was hedged at a rate of 0.8361 British pounds. An addition 
of – 3 million euros after income taxes relates to hedges of 
future interest payments. The negative fair value of the 
cross-currency swap amounted to – 30 million euros. The cash 
flows from the cross-currency swap that are attributable to the 
interest payments were recognized proportionately for the 
reporting period through profit or loss as an interest expense.

Interest rate swaps were used in fiscal 2017 to convert into 
fixed-rate payments the floating-rate interest payments in 
US dollars due for the 1.1 billion US dollar syndicated bank 
loan recognized under liabilities to banks. In fiscal 2018, we 
repaid our syndicated bank loan prematurely and closed the 
interest hedge relating to the same. The total starting balance 
of 2 million euros at January 1, 2018, was recognized after 
income taxes in the financial result through profit or loss, as 
the hedged cash flows will no longer occur. 

Commodity price risk
The hedged risk arises from fluctuations in budgeted inven-
tory purchases due to changing commodity prices. In fiscal 
2018, commodity forwards were contracted for the first time to 
hedge against fluctuations in the prices of our budgeted inven-
tory purchases. They are all due within one year. The Group 
only designates the commodity price component of the bud-
geted raw material purchases. Other price components, such 
as transportation costs, are not designated. Accordingly, there 
are no ineffective portions. At the reporting date, commodity 
exposure in connection with clearly identifiable ethylene 
components amounted to 32 million euros. An ethylene 
 volume of 9 million euros was hedged at an average rate of 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information192

143

End  
balance

35

35

An addition of – 3 million euros after income taxes arose from 
the hedge of this budgeted exposure relating to our Long Term 
Incentive (LTI) scheme. Of the gains recognized in equity, 
– 3 million euros was reclassified to operating profit in the 
reporting period. The negative fair values of the equity forward 
contracts totaled – 17 million euros. The cash flows relating to 
these derivatives will occur over the next four fiscal years, as 
will the cash flows from the hedged LTI payments.

Hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity
The accounting treatment of hedges of a net investment in a 
foreign entity against translation risk is similar to that applied 
to cash flow hedges. The gain or loss arising from the effective 
portion of the hedging instrument is recognized in equity 
through other comprehensive income; the gain or loss of the 
ineffective portion is recognized directly through profit or 
loss. Since first-time application of IFRS 9 starting on January 
1, 2018, Henkel has exercised its right to choose to also recog-
nize changes in value of non-designated components – such 
as the forward component of currency futures – in equity. The 
gains or losses recognized directly in equity remain there until 
disposal or partial disposal of the net investment. 

The initial balance recognized in equity relates essentially to 
translation risks arising from net investments in Swiss francs, 
US dollars, Chinese yuans and Russian rubles for which the 
associated hedges were entered into and settled in previous 
years. The ending balance of 35 million euros does not contain 
any non-designated components.

Hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity (after income taxes) 

Initial balance

Addition  
(recognized in 
equity) 

Disposal  
(recognized 
through profit 
or loss)

Without  
affecting  
profit or loss

35

31

–

4

–

–

–

–

in million euros

2018

2017

Risks arising from financial instruments; risk management
As a globally active corporation, Henkel is exposed in the 
course of its ordinary business operations to credit risks, 
liquidity risks and market risks (currency translation, interest 
rate and other price risks). The purpose of financial risk man-
agement is to restrict the exposure arising from operating 
activities through the use of selective derivative and non-de-
rivative hedges. Henkel uses derivative financial instruments 
exclusively for the purposes of risk management. Without 
these instruments, Henkel would be exposed to higher finan-
cial risks. Changes in exchange rates, interest rates or com-
modity prices can lead to significant fluctuations in the fair 
values of the derivatives used. These variations in fair value 
should not be regarded in isolation from the hedged items, as 
derivatives and the underlying constitute a unit in terms of 
countervailing fluctuations.

Management of currency, interest rate and liquidity risks is 
based on the treasury guidelines introduced by the Manage-
ment Board, which are binding on the entire corporation. They 
define the targets, principles and competences of the Corpo-
rate Treasury unit. These guidelines describe the fields of 
responsibility and establish the distribution of these responsi-
bilities between Corporate Treasury and Henkel’s subsidiaries. 
The Management Board is regularly and comprehensively 
informed of all major risks and of all relevant hedging transac-
tions and arrangements. A description of the objectives 
and fundamental principles adopted in capital management 
can be found in the combined management report on pages 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information193

87 and 88. There were no major risk clusters in the reporting 
period. Appropriate details are provided in the description of 
the individual risks.

Under IFRS 9, valuation allowances for expected credit losses 
(“expected loss model”) must be recognized for all financial 
assets measured at amortized cost and for all debt instruments 
measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. 

Credit risk
In the course of its business activities with third parties, the 
Henkel Group is exposed to global credit risk arising from both 
its operating business and its financial investments. This risk 
derives from the possibility of a contractual party not fulfilling 
its obligations.

The maximum credit risk – notwithstanding any collateral 
provided – is represented by the carrying value of the financial 
assets recognized in the statement of financial position 
(excluding financial investments recognized using the equity 
method), as indicated in the following table: 

Maximum risk position 

in million euros

Trade accounts receivable

Derivative financial instruments not 
included in a designated hedging  
relationship

Derivative financial instruments included 
in a designated hedging relationship

Other financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Total carrying values

2017

3,544

54

10

1,058

916

5,582

144

2018

3,610

31

6

1,058

1,063

5,768

Given that collateral has been provided, the actual credit risk is 
significantly lower and is discussed in detail in the following. 
Other financial assets include 608 million euros (previous 
year: 605 million euros) representing a receivable from Henkel 
Trust e.V., which constitutes the largest of all the financial 
assets. Given the investment structure and rules of Henkel 
Trust e.V., the credit risk is very minor. Further details of risk 
concentrations are discussed in the following.

IFRS 9 provides a three-level method for this purpose. Risk 
provisions are accrued on the basis either of the 12 months 
 expected losses (level 1), or of the lifetime expected losses if 
the credit risk has increased significantly since initial recogni-
tion (level 2), or if the credit rating has been downgraded sig-
nificantly (level 3). The simplified approach is adopted for 
most of the financial assets, including trade accounts receiv-
able with no material financing component. As such, the 
expected credit losses are always determined for the lifetime 
expected losses of the financial instruments. 

To calculate the expected credit losses, counterparties are 
grouped by similar credit default risks. Individual valuation 
allowances are made on a case-by-case basis in response to 
specific circumstances and risk indicators. Both empirical data 
– such as historical default rates – and forward-looking infor-
mation – such as individual and macroeconomic circum-
stances – are considered when determining the amounts of 
the valuation allowances. The default rates have initially been 
determined with the aid of data from external sources and on 
the basis of actual defaults. In future, this information will be 
based solely on expected defaults.

If a counterparty defaults, all outstanding amounts relating to 
that counterparty are subjected to a valuation allowance. The 
default is determined on the basis of individual assessment – 
prompted by noticeable changes in payment behavior, for 
example, or application for bankruptcy. A financial instrument 
is derecognized if it is reasonably judged to be unlikely that a 
financial asset will be recoverable in part or in whole, for 
example after completion of insolvency proceedings, or after 
consideration of other local law circumstances.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information194

The decision as to whether a credit risk is managed through 
a valuation allowance account or by derecognition of the 
impaired receivable depends upon the probability of incurring 
a loss. For accounts receivable classified as irrecoverable, we 
report the credit risk directly through derecognition of the 
impaired item or entry of the relevant amount in the valuation 
allowance account. If the basis for the original impairment is 
eliminated, we recognize a reversal through profit or loss.

Trade accounts receivable and other financial assets in 
Henkel’s operating business
In its operating business, Henkel is confronted by progressive 
concentration and consolidation on the customer side, as 
reflected in the receivables from individual customers. No 
individual customer and no individual country apart from 
China and the USA accounted for more than 10 percent of all 
trade accounts receivable. Of the total trade accounts receiv-
able, customers based in China and the USA account for 
10 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Receivables from cus-
tomers with a high credit risk rating account for about 10 per-
cent of all trade accounts receivable. These risks are monitored 
regularly at global and regional level and steps are taken to 
mitigate the risk.

Our credit risk management system operating on the basis of a 
globally applied credit policy ensures that credit risks are 
 constantly monitored and bad debts minimized. This policy, 
which applies to both new and existing customers, governs the 
allocation of credit limits and compliance with those limits, 
individual analyses of customers’ creditworthiness based on 
both internal and external financial information, risk classifi-
cation, and continuous monitoring of the risk of bad debts at 
the local level. We also monitor our key customer relationships 
at the regional and global level. In addition, safeguarding 
 measures are implemented on a selective basis for particular 
countries and customers inside and outside the eurozone. 

Collateral received and other safeguards include country- 
specific and customer-specific protection afforded by credit 
insurance, confirmed and unconfirmed letters of credit in the 
export business, and guarantees, warranties, and cover notes. 
Most of the collateral included as of the reporting date is attrib-
utable to credit insurance policies in Western and Eastern 
Europe.

Valuation allowances on trade accounts receivable by risk category 

Risk categories 

Low risk

Moderate risk

High risk

Individual assessment

Default

SMEs and microbusinesses

Equivalent to 
S&P rating

Weighted  
probability of 
default

Gross before 
deduction of 
collateral and 
value-added tax 
in million euros

Net for deter-
mining the 
 valuation 
allowance in 
million euros

AA– to A+

BBB– to BB+

B– to C

n/a

D

n/a

0.1 %

0.3 %

8.1 %

Individual

100 %

1.9 %

1,899

1,000

380

8

64

192

3,543

1,197

644

271

8

61

161

2,342

145

Valuation 
 allowance in 
million euros

1

2

22

5

61

3

94

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information195

tored and steps taken if fixed thresholds for ratings and credit 
default swaps (CDS) are exceeded. To minimize the credit risk, 
we agree netting arrangements to offset bilateral receivables 
and obligations with counterparties. We additionally enter 
into collateral agreements with relevant banks, on the basis of 
which reciprocal sureties are established twice a month to 
secure the fair values of contracted derivatives and other 
claims and obligations. The netting arrangements only provide 
for a contingent right to offset transactions conducted with a 
contractual party. Accordingly, associated amounts can be off-
set only under certain circumstances, such as the insolvency 
of one of the contractual parties. Thus, the netting arrange-
ments do not meet the offsetting criteria under IAS 32 Finan-
cial Instruments: Presentation. The following table provides 
an overview of financial assets and financial liabilities from 
derivatives that are subject to netting, collateral, or similar 
arrangements:

Of the gross amount before deduction of collateral and  
value-added tax of 3,543 million euros, items worth 1,201 mil-
lion euros were deducted for which no valuation allowances 
were required. Of the latter amount, 1,004 million euros is 
attributable to collateral provided and 197 million euros to 
refundable value-added tax. Accordingly, the net base for 
determining valuation allowances was 2,342 million euros.

Overall, we added valuation allowances of 2 million euros for 
trade accounts receivable in 2018 (previous year: release of  
1 million euros). The carrying amount of trade accounts receiv-
able with terms renegotiated because they would have other-
wise been overdue by more than 30 days was 3 million euros 
(previous year: 0 million euros). Receivables of 64 million 
euros were written off in full, but not yet derecognized as they 
are still subject to ongoing collection proceedings.

Apart from financial receivables from third parties amounting 
to 23 million euros, no valuation allowances exist in respect of 
other financial assets in our operating business because the 
credit risk is considered to be very low. A valuation allowance 
of 0 million euros (previous year: 0 million euros) exists for 
financial receivables from third parties.

Financial investments 
Credit risks also arise from financial investments such as cash 
at banks, securities and the positive fair value of derivatives. 
Such exposure is limited by our Corporate Treasury specialists 
through the selection of counterparties with strong credit rat-
ings, and limitations on the amounts allocated to individual 
investments. In financial investments and derivatives trading 
with German and international banks, we only enter into 
transactions with counterparties of high financial standing. 
We invest exclusively in securities from issuers with an invest-
ment grade rating. Our cash deposits can be liquidated at short 
notice. Our financial investments are broadly diversified 
across various counterparties and various financial assets. 
Credit ratings and investment limits are continuously moni-

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information196

Financial assets and financial liabilities from derivatives subject to netting, collateral, or similar arrangements 

146

At December 31  
in million euros

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Gross amount recog-
nized in the statement 
of financial position 1

Amount eligible  
for offsetting

Financial collateral 
received / provided

Net amount

2017

64

100

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

37

79

55

55

26

26

5

37

6

48

4

8

5

5

1  Fair values excluding valuation allowance of 0 million euros relating to counterparty credit risk (previous year: 0 million euros).

ted bilateral loans of 0.1 billion euros with a revolving term of 
up to one year. Our credit rating is regularly assessed by the 
rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. We intend to 
maintain our ratings within a “single A” target corridor.

Our liquidity risk can therefore be regarded as very low.

The maturity structure of the original and derivative financial 
liabilities within the scope of International Financial Reporting 
Standard (IFRS) 7 based on undiscounted cash flows, and thus 
the risk concentration in respect of liquidity risk, is shown in the 
following table:

In addition to netting and collateral arrangements, investment 
limits are set, based on the ratings of the counterparties, in 
order to minimize credit risk. These limits are monitored and 
adjusted regularly. When determining the limits, we also apply 
certain other indicators, such as the pricing of credit default 
swaps (CDS) by banks. A valuation allowance of 0 million euros 
exists to cover the remaining credit risk relating to the positive 
fair values of derivatives (previous year: 0 million euros).

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is defined as the risk of an entity failing to meet 
its financial obligations at any given time. We mitigate this 
risk through our long-term management strategy of using 
financing instruments in the shape of bonds issued with vari-
ously staggered terms up to six years, and in different curren-
cies. With the help of our existing debt issuance program in 
the amount of 6 billion euros, this is also possible on a short-
term and flexible basis. We predominantly invest cash in 
financial assets traded in a liquid market in order to ensure 
that they can be sold at any time to procure liquid funds or to 
manage liquidity in the short term. We also use our US dollar 
and euro commercial paper program for short-term liquidity 
management. In order to ensure the financial flexibility of 
Henkel at any time, the liquidity within the Group is largely 
centralized and managed through the use of cash pools. In 
addition, the Henkel Group has at its disposal a confirmed 
credit line of 1.5 billion euros with a term until 2023. The indi-
vidual subsidiaries additionally have at their disposal commit-

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationCash flows from financial liabilities 

147

197

1  From the euro and US dollar commercial paper program (total volume: 2 billion US dollars and 1 billion euros). 
2 Sundry financial instruments include amounts due to customers, and finance bills.
3 Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

in million euros

Bonds 

Commercial paper 1

Liabilities to banks

Trade accounts payable

Sundry financial instruments 2

Original financial instruments

Expected inflow from cross-currency swaps

Expected outflow for cross-currency swaps

Other derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments 

Total

Cash flows from financial liabilities 

in million euros

Bonds 

Commercial paper 1

Liabilities to banks

Trade accounts payable

Sundry financial instruments 2

Original financial instruments

Expected inflow from cross-currency swaps

Expected outflow for cross-currency swaps

Other derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments

Total

Remaining term

Up to 1 year

Between  
1 and 5 years

More than  
5 years

Dec. 31, 2017 
Total cash flow

Dec. 31, 2017 
Carrying 
amounts

2,666

729

946

3,721

204

8,266

21

79

100

8,366

522

742

55

3,721

143

5,183

3

–

72

69

2,205

–

933

–

54 3

3,192

350

359

7

16

5,252

3,208

–

–

–

–

9

9

–

–

–

–

9

2,727

742

988

3,721

206

8,384

353

359

79

85

8,469

148

Remaining term

Up to 1 year

Between  
1 and 5 years

More than  
5 years

Dec. 31, 2018 
Total cash flow

Dec. 31, 2018 
Carrying 
amounts

2,220

1,931

24

3,713

135

8,023

30

49

79

678

1,931

25

3,713

104

6,451

3

–

41

38

1,577

–

–

–

26

1,603

345

359

8

22

8,102

6,489

1,625

–

–

–

–

5

5

–

–

–

–

5

2,255

1,931

25

3,713

135

8,059

348

359

49

60

8,119

1  From the euro and US dollar commercial paper program (total volume: 2 billion US dollars and 2 billion euros). 
2 Sundry financial instruments include amounts due to customers, and finance bills.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information198

Market risk
Market risk exists where the fair value or future cash flows of a 
financial instrument may fluctuate due to changing market 
prices. Market risks primarily take the form of currency risk, 
interest rate risk and various price risks (particularly the com-
modity price risk, and the share price risk arising from our Long-
Term Incentive [LTI] scheme). 

The Corporate Treasury department manages currency expo-
sure and interest rates centrally for the Group and is therefore 
responsible for all transactions with financial derivatives and 
other financial instruments. Trading, Treasury Controlling and 
Settlement (front, middle and back offices) are separated both 
physically and in terms of organization. The parties to the con-
tracts are German and international banks which Henkel mon-
itors regularly, in accordance with Corporate Treasury guide-
lines, for creditworthiness and the quality of their quotations. 
Financial derivatives are used to manage currency exposure, 
interest rate and other price risks in connection with operating 
activities and the resultant financing requirements, again in 
accordance with the Corporate Treasury guidelines. Financial 
derivatives are entered into solely for hedging purposes.

The currency and interest rate risk management of the Group 
is supported by an integrated treasury system which is used to 
identify, measure and analyze the Group’s currency exposure 
and interest rate risks. In this context, “integrated” means that 
the entire process from the conclusion of financial transac-
tions to their entry in the accounts is covered. Much of the 
currency trading takes place on internet-based, multibank 
trading platforms. These foreign currency transactions are 
automatically transferred into the treasury system. The cur-
rency exposure and interest rate risks reported by all subsid-
iaries under standardized reporting procedures are likewise 
integrated into the treasury system by data transfer. As a result, 
it is possible to retrieve and measure at any time all currency 
and interest rate risks across the Group and all derivatives 

entered into to hedge the exposure to these risks. The treasury 
system supports the use of various risk concepts. 

Market risk is monitored on the basis of sensitivity analyses 
and value-at-risk computations. Sensitivity analyses enable 
estimation of potential losses, future gains, fair values or cash 
flows of instruments susceptible to market risks arising 
from one or several selected hypothetical changes in foreign 
exchange rates, interest rates, commodity prices or other 
 relevant market rates or prices over a specific period. We use 
sensitivity analyses in the Henkel Group because they enable 
reasonable risk assessments to be made on the basis of direct 
assumptions (e.g. an increase in interest rates). Value-at-risk 
analyses reveal the maximum potential future loss of a certain 
portfolio over a given period based on a specified probability 
level.

Currency risk
The global nature of our business activities results in a huge 
number of cash flows in different currencies.

This transaction risk arises from possible exchange rate fluctu-
ations causing changes in the value of future foreign currency 
cash flows. The hedging of the resultant exchange rate risks 
forms a major part of our central risk management activity. 
Transaction risks arising from our operating business are 
 partially avoided by the fact that we largely manufacture our 
products in those countries in which they are sold. Residual 
transaction risks on the operating side are proactively man-
aged by Corporate Treasury. This includes the ongoing assess-
ment of the specific currency risk and the development of 
appropriate hedging strategies. The objective of our currency 
hedging is to fix prices based on hedging rates so that we are 
protected from future adverse fluctuations in exchange rates. 
Because we limit our potential losses, any negative impact on 
profits is restricted. The transaction risk arising from major 
financial payables and receivables is extensively hedged. In 
order to manage these risks, we primarily utilize forward 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationexchange contracts and currency swaps. The derivatives are 
designated as cash flow hedges and recognized accordingly in 
the financial statements or measured at fair value through 
profit or loss. The currency risk that exists within the Group in 
the form of transaction risk initially affects equity in the 
case of cash flow hedges, while all changes in the value of 
derivatives are recognized directly through profit or loss.

The following table shows the risk exposure for Henkel’s major 
currencies. The risk arises mainly from imports and exports by 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its foreign subsidiaries. Due to the 
international nature of its activities, the Henkel Group has a 
portfolio of more than 50 different currencies. 

Currency risk exposure 1 

199

149

in million euros

US dollar

Chinese yuan

Russian ruble

British pound

Canadian dollar

Others

1  Transaction risk.

2017

2018

Total currency risk 
exposure before 
currency hedging 

of which  
from planned  
transactions

Net currency  
risk exposure after 
currency hedging

Total currency risk 
exposure before 
currency hedging 

of which  
from planned  
transactions

Net currency  
risk exposure after 
currency hedging

195

156

149

139

149

1,057

1,845

178

116

105

123

135

811

1,468

102

74

105

65

74

721

1,141

463

177

151

139

119

1,272

2,321

670

139

102

128

108

644

1,791

184

102

71

66

59

984

1,466

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information200

Henkel’s interest management strategy is essentially aligned 
to optimizing the net interest result for the Group. The deci-
sions made in interest management relate to the bonds, liabil-
ities to banks, and commercial paper issued to secure Group 
liquidity, the securities and time deposits used for cash invest-
ments, and the other financial instruments. The financial 
instruments exposed to interest rate risk are primarily denom-
inated in euros and US dollars.

Depending on forecasts with respect to interest rate develop-
ments, Henkel enters into derivative financial instruments, 
primarily interest rate swaps, in order to optimize the interest 
rate lock-down structure. In the event of an expected rise in 
interest rate levels, Henkel protects its positions by transacting 
additional interest rate derivatives as effective hedging instru-
ments. In addition to the fixed-rate euro-denominated bond, 
Henkel entered into a cross-currency swap to convert the bond 
denominated in British pounds into a fixed-rate euro obliga-
tion. Two fixed-rate bonds denominated in US dollars were 
also issued. Commercial paper with interest rates fixed for at 
least three months are also included as fixed-rate instruments 
in the calculation of interest risk exposure. Following prema-
ture repayment of our syndicated bank loan, the correspond-
ing interest hedge was also closed in fiscal 2018. All other 
financial instruments bear floating interest rates. Our expo-
sure to interest rate risk at the reporting dates was as follows:

The value-at-risk pertaining to the transaction risk of the 
Henkel Group as of December 31, 2018 amounted to 120 million 
euros after hedging (previous year: 95 million euros). The val-
ue-at-risk shows the maximum expected risk of loss in a year 
as a result of currency fluctuations. Our value-at-risk analysis 
assumes a time horizon of one year and a one-sided confidence 
interval of 95 percent as it comprehensively reflects the risk asso-
ciated with one fiscal year. We adopt the variance-covariance 
approach as our basis for calculation. Volatilities and correlations 
are determined using historical data. The value-at-risk analysis is 
based on the operating book positions, the derivative financial 
instruments and the budgeted positions in foreign currency, nor-
mally with a forecasting horizon of up to twelve months. 

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk encompasses those potentially negative 
influences on profits, equity or cash flow in current or future 
reporting periods arising from changes in interest rates. In the 
case of fixed-interest financial instruments, changing capital 
market interest rates result in a fair value risk, as the attribut-
able fair values fluctuate depending on those capital market 
interest rates. In the case of floating-interest financial instru-
ments, a cash flow risk exists because the interest payments 
may be subject to future fluctuations.

The funding and investment activities of the Henkel Group 
mainly take place on international money and capital markets. 
Our financial liabilities and cash deposits are exposed to the 
risk of changing interest rates. The aim of our centralized 
interest rate management is to reduce this risk by choosing 
fixed or floating interest rate contracts and by using interest 
rate derivatives. Only those derivative financial instruments 
that can be modeled, monitored and assessed in the risk man-
agement system may be used to hedge the interest rate risk.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information201

Interest rate risk exposure 

in million euros

Fixed-interest financial instruments

Euro

US dollar

Floating-interest financial instruments

Euro

US dollar

Chinese yuan

Russian ruble

Others

Carrying amounts

2017

2018

Interest rate risk 
exposure before 
interest hedge

Interest rate risk 
exposure after  
interest hedge

Interest rate risk 
exposure before 
interest hedge

Interest rate risk 
exposure after  
interest hedge

150

– 1,535

– 1,131

– 2,666

94

– 1,666

316

24

673

– 559

– 1,535

– 2,048

– 3,583

94

– 749

316

24

673

358

– 1,838

– 1,186

– 3,024

364

– 1,161

241

31

654

129

– 1,838

– 1,186

– 3,024

364

– 1,161

241

31

654

129

The calculation of the interest rate risk is based on sensitivity 
analyses. The analysis of cash flow risk examines all the float-
ing-interest financial instruments as of the reporting date. 
Fixed-interest financial instruments that mature in the follow-
ing period are included on a time-weighted basis in the calcu-
lation to reflect the reinvestment or refinancing risk. Net 
financial position is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus 
readily monetizable financial instruments measured at amor-
tized cost or at fair value through profit or loss, less borrow-
ings, and plus positive and less negative fair values of hedging 
transactions. The interest rate risk figures shown in the table 
are based on this calculation at the  relevant reporting date. 
When analyzing fair value risk, we assume a parallel shift in 
the interest curve of 100 basis points for all currencies and cal-
culate the hypothetical fair value loss or gain of the relevant 
interest rate derivatives at the reporting date.

The risk of interest rate fluctuations with respect to the earn-
ings of the Henkel Group is shown in the basis point value 
(BPV) analysis in the following table.

Interest rate risk 

in million euros

Based on an interest rate change  
of 100 basis points per currency

of which:

Cash flow through profit and loss

Fair value recognized in equity 
through other comprehensive 
income

2017

14 

4

10

151

2018

7

6

1

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information202

Other price risks (commodity and share price risks)
Uncertainty with respect to commodity price development 
impacts the Group. Purchase prices for raw materials can affect 
the net assets, financial position and results of operations of 
Henkel. The risk management strategy put in place by the 
Group management for safeguarding against procurement 
market risk is described in more detail in the risks and oppor-
tunities report on pages 110 and 111. As a small part of the risk 
management strategy, cash-settled commodity forwards are 
entered into on the basis of forecasted purchasing require-
ments in order to hedge future uncertainties with respect to 
commodity prices. Cash-settled commodity derivatives are 
only used at Henkel where there is a direct relationship 
between the hedging derivative and the physical underlying. 
Henkel uses hedge accounting for these hedging transactions, 
thus limiting the temporary exposure to price risks related to 
holding commodity derivatives. Developments in fair values 
and the resultant risks are continuously monitored.

Due to our long-term incentive scheme, Henkel is exposed to 
fluctuations in the price of its own shares. Details of our long-
term incentive plans are discussed on pages 211 to 213. Henkel 
uses equity forward contracts to hedge against the share price 
risk.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information203

Notes to the consolidated statement of income

23    Sales and principles of income 

recognition

Sales decreased year on year to 19,899 million euros (previous 
year: 20,029 million euros). 

Henkel applied the new IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers for the first time in the fiscal year just ended. All of 
the sales reported for the year under review relate to revenue 
from contracts with customers as defined in IFRS 15. With 
first-time adoption of IFRS 15, Henkel has applied the cumula-
tive method to all contracts. The prior-year figures have not 
been amended and therefore reflect the accounting procedure 
of IAS 18 Revenue. 

Sales comprise the transfer of goods and services less direct 
sales deductions such as customer-related rebates, credits and 
other benefits paid or granted. Sales are recognized once con-
trol of the goods has been transferred, or the service provided. 
The timing of transfer of control of the goods to a customer is 
determined by the underlying contract and the terms and con-
ditions of supply stipulated therein, or by international trade 
rules. 

Sales represent the consideration that Henkel will likely 
receive in exchange for transferring the goods or providing the 
service. Sales may only be recognized when no substantial 
adjustments to the cumulative recognized revenue is 
expected.

Prior-year sales figures were recognized under IAS 18 as soon 
as the goods were delivered or the service provided. This was 
always the case upon physical delivery of the goods at the time 
of the so-called transfer of risk. At this point in time, Henkel 
transferred the material risks and rewards associated with the 
title to the sold goods to the buyer, at the same time relinquish-
ing any existing right to, or effective power over, the sold 
goods. Recognition was also subject to the likelihood of the 
economic benefits associated with the transaction flowing to 
the Group, and the costs incurred with respect to the transac-
tion being reliably measurable.

Pursuant to IFRS 15, Henkel does not recognize sales for prod-
ucts that it expects to be returned. In addition, empirical expe-
rience has shown that customers are justified in expecting 
invoice amounts to be reduced in certain instances. The 
amounts of these expected refunds are also not recognized as 
sales. Henkel draws on past return and refund statistics to 
quantify the expected returns and refunds; these are separated 
by business unit and legal entity, and are subject to ongoing 
calculation and adjustment. Mathematical estimates and 
assumptions were made with regard to the underlying analysis 
period for determining the rates of return and the amount of 
sales to be adjusted by this rate of return, and also with regard 
to the observable volatilities.

Henkel agrees payment terms that are standard in our indus-
try; contracts with customers do not contain any material 
financing components.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information204

Warranty obligations do not constitute a separate performance 
obligation and are recognized as provisions in accordance 
with IAS 37. 

Services are generally provided in conjunction with the sale of 
goods, and recorded once the service has been performed. The 
amount of sales revenue relating to the provision of services is 
less relevant than that attributable to the transfer of goods.

For information about opening and closing balances, and 
impairment of contract receivables in fiscal 2018, please refer 
to our discussion of trade accounts receivable in Note 7 on 
pages 157 and 158. 

A disaggregation of sales according to IFRS 15.114 f. can be 
found in the Group segment report by business unit and in the 
discussion of regional development on page 132. 

Henkel exercises its right under IFRS 15.121 and refrains from 
disclosing transaction prices relating to any remaining perfor-
mance obligations, since the underlying contracts have an 
expected original term of no more than one year. 

Interest income is recognized on a time-proportion basis that 
takes into account the effective yield on the asset and the 
interest rate in force. Dividend income from investments is 
recognized when the shareholders’ right to receive payment is 
legally established.

24    Cost of sales

The cost of sales increased from 10,680 million euros to 
10,743 million euros. 

Cost of sales comprises the cost of products and services sold 
and the purchase cost of merchandise sold. It consists of the 
directly attributable cost of materials and primary production 
cost, as well as indirect production overheads including the 
production-related amortization / depreciation and impair-
ment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.

25    Marketing, selling and 
 distribution expenses

Marketing, selling and distribution expenses amounted to 
4,638 million euros (previous year: 4,876 million euros). 

In addition to marketing organization and distribution 
expenses, this item comprises, in particular, advertising, sales 
promotion and market research expenses. Also included here 
are the expenses of technical advisory services for customers, 
valuation allowances on trade accounts receivable and valua-
tion allowances and impairment losses on trademarks and 
other rights.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information205

26    Research and development 

28    Other operating income

expenses

Research and development expenses increased year on year 
to 484 million euros (previous year: 476 million euros). Expen-
ditures directly attributable to research and development 
activities amounted to 471 million euros (previous year: 
469 million euros). 

The capitalization of research expenses is not permitted. 
Development expenditures are recognized as an asset if all 
the criteria for recognition are met, the research phase can be 
clearly distinguished from the development phase, and the 
expenditures can be attributed to distinct project phases. Cur-
rently, the criteria set out in International Accounting Stan-
dard (IAS) 38 Intangible Assets for recognizing development 
expenditures are not all met with respect to product and tech-
nology developments, due to a high level of interdependence 
within these developments and the difficulty of assessing 
which products will eventually be marketable.

Other operating income 

152

in million euros

2017

2018

Gains on disposal of non-current assets

Release of provisions 1

Insurance claim payouts

Payments on derecognized receivables

Write-ups on non-current assets

Impairment reversal on assets held for sale

Sundry operating income

Total

18

10

10

–

–

–

91

129

39

18

5

1

–

–

91

154

1   Including income from the release of provisions for pension obligations  
(curtailment gains) of 6 million euros in 2018 (2017: 6 million euros).

Sundry operating income relates to a number of individual 
items arising from ordinary operating activities, such as grants 
and subsidies, tax refunds for indirect taxes, and similar 
income.

27    Administrative expenses

29    Other operating expenses

Administrative expenses amounted to 991 million euros 
 (previous year: 980 million euros). 

Administrative expenses include personnel and material costs 
relating to the Group management, Human Resources, Pur-
chasing, Accounting and IT functions, as well as the costs of 
managing and administering the business units.

Other operating expenses 

in million euros

Losses on disposal of non-current assets

Other taxes

Amortization, depreciation of other assets

Sundry operating expenses

Total

153

2018

– 6

– 

– 

– 75

– 81

2017

– 5

– 

–

– 86

– 91

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information206

Sundry operating expenses include a number of individual 
items arising from ordinary operating activities, such as fees, 
provisions for litigation and third party claims, sundry taxes, 
and similar expenses. 

30    Financial result

Financial result 

in million euros

Interest result

Other financial result

Investment result

Total

154

2018

– 61

– 5

1

– 65

2017

– 37

– 26 1

– 4

– 67

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Other financial expenses include – 107 million euros (previous 
year: – 380 million euros) from currency losses. Other financial 
income includes 113 million euros (previous year: 395 million 
euros) from currency gains. Please see page 187 of the financial 
instruments report for information on the net results of the 
valuation categories under International Financial Reporting 
Standard (IFRS) 7, and the reconciliation to financial result.

Investment result
The investment result includes 1 million euros for income 
from the valuation of companies that are recognized by the 
equity method (2017: – 4 million euros).

31    Taxes on income

Income tax expense / income breaks down as follows:

155

Income before tax and analysis of taxes 

2018

in million euros

Income before tax

Current taxes

Deferred taxes

Taxes on income

Tax rate in percent

157

2018

3,051

618

103

721

2017

2,988 1

638 1

– 191

447

15.0 %

23.6 %

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Interest result 

in million euros

Interest and similar income from third parties

Interest to third parties

Total

Other financial result 

in million euros

Interest result from net obligation (pensions)

Interest income from reimbursement rights  
(IAS 19)

Other financial expenses

Other financial income

Total

2017

18

– 55

– 37

2017

– 15

4

– 420 1

405 1

– 26

10

– 71

– 61

156

2018

– 9

4

– 131

131

– 5

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information207

Tax reconciliation statement 

160

Main components of tax expense and income 

in million euros

Current tax expense / income in the reporting year

Current tax adjustments for prior years

Deferred tax expense / income from temporary 
differences

Deferred tax expense / income from unused tax 
losses

Deferred tax expense from tax credits

2017

664

– 26

50

46

1

Deferred tax income from changes in tax rates

– 289

158

2018

635

– 17

in million euros

Income before tax

Tax rate (including trade tax)  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

102

Expected tax charge

Tax reductions due to differing tax rates abroad

23

1

– 2

Tax increases / reductions for prior years

Tax increases / reductions due to changes  
in tax rates

2017

2018

2,988 1

3,051

31 %

31 %

926

– 100

– 4

– 289

946

– 153

7

– 2

1

– 21

– 192

– 137

– 6

53

58

447

– 14

52

43

721

15.0 %

23.6 %

Tax increases / reductions due to the recognition  
of deferred tax assets relating to unused tax losses 
and temporary differences

Tax reductions due to tax-free income and other 
items

Tax increases / reductions arising from additions  
and deductions for local taxes

Tax increases due to withholding taxes

Tax increases due to non-deductible expenses

Tax charge disclosed

Tax rate

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Deferred taxes are calculated on the basis of tax rates that 
apply in the individual countries at the year-end date or which 
have already been legally decided. In Germany, there is a uni-
form corporate income tax rate of 15 percent plus a solidarity 
surcharge of 5.5 percent. After taking into account trade tax, 
this yields an overall tax rate of 31 percent.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted where they 
involve the same tax authority and the same tax creditor.

Increase / decrease in valuation allowances on 
deferred tax assets

1

– 21

Deferred tax expense by items on the statement  
of financial position 

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Financial assets

Inventories

Other receivables and other assets

Special tax items

Provisions

Liabilities

Tax credits

Unused tax losses

Financial statement figures

2017

– 281

– 16

– 56

9

1

– 3

52

55

1

47

– 191

159

2018

43

14

– 35

11

–

– 3

86

– 15

– 1

3

103

We have summarized the individual company reports – pre-
pared on the basis of the tax rates applicable in each country 
and taking into account consolidation procedures – in the 
statement below, showing how the expected tax charge, based 
on the tax rate applicable to Henkel AG & Co. KGaA of 31 per-
cent, is reconciled to the effective tax charge disclosed.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information208

The deferred tax assets and liabilities stated on the reporting 
date relate to the following items of the consolidated state-
ment of financial position, unused tax losses and tax credits:

Allocation of deferred taxes 

161

in million euros

Intangible assets

Property, plant and 
equipment

Financial assets

Inventories

Other receivables and 
other assets

Special tax items

Provisions

Liabilities

Tax credits

Unused tax losses

Amounts netted

Financial statement 
figures

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

December 
31, 2017

December 
31, 2018

December 
31, 2017 1

December 
31, 2018

381

351

29

–

37

26

–

677

147

6

51

27

–

25

24

–

681

140

6

46

739

76

101

2

42

30

8

39

– 

–

781

102

68

1

40

26

86

12

– 

–

– 405

– 341

– 405

– 341

949

959

632

775

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

The deferred tax assets of 681 million euros (previous year: 
677 million euros) relating to provisions in the financial state-
ment result primarily from recognition and measurement 
 differences with respect to pension obligations. The deferred 
tax liabilities of 781 million euros (previous year: 739 million 
euros) relating to intangible assets are mainly attributable to 
business combinations. 

An excess of deferred tax assets is only recognized insofar as it 
is likely that the company concerned will achieve sufficiently 
positive taxable profits in the future against which the deduct-
ible temporary differences can be offset and tax loss carryfor-
wards can be used. Deferred taxes have not been recognized 
with respect to unused tax losses of 171 million euros (previ-
ous year: 249 million euros), as it is not probable that suffi-
cient taxable profit will be available against which they may be 
utilized. Of these tax losses carried forward, 63 million euros 
expire after two years and 53 million euros (previous year: 
171 million euros) expire after more than three years. Thereof 
51 million euros (previous year: 48 million euros) are attribut-
able to state taxes of our US subsidiaries (tax rate around 
2.4 percent). Of the tax losses carried forward, 56 million euros 
are non-expiring (previous year: 52 million euros). Deferred 
tax liabilities of 34 million euros (previous year: 52 million 
euros) relating to the retained earnings of foreign subsidiaries 
have been recognized due to the fact that these earnings will 
be distributed in 2019. 

We have summarized the expiry dates of unused tax losses and 
tax credits in the following table, which includes unused tax 
losses arising from losses on the disposal of assets of 9 million 
euros (previous year: 9 million euros) which may be carried 
forward without restriction. In addition to the unused tax 
losses listed in the table, an interest expense of 8 million euros 
(previous year: 12 million euros) is available which may be 
 carried forward in full with no expiration.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information209

Expiry dates of unused tax losses and tax credits 

162

32   Non-controlling interests

in million euros

Expire within

1 year

2 years

3 years

more than  
3 years

May be carried  
forward without  
restriction

Total

Unused tax losses

Tax credits

December 
31, 2017

December 
31, 2018

December 
31, 2017

December 
31, 2018

The amount shown here represents the proportion of net 
income and losses attributable to other shareholders of con-
solidated affiliated companies.

24

1

128

403

95

651

7

65

3

311

103

489

1

–

–

5

–

6

1

–

–

4

–

5

Their share of net income was 19 million euros (previous year: 
22 million euros).

The non-controlling interests included in the Henkel Group 
at the end of fiscal 2018 had no material impact on our net 
assets, financial position and results of operations. The Group 
has no joint operations or unconsolidated structured entities.

In many countries, different tax rates apply to losses on the 
disposal of assets than to operating profits, and in some cases 
losses on the disposal of assets may only be offset against 
gains on the disposal of assets. 

Tax loss carryforwards in the amount of 203 million euros 
 (previous year: 257 million euros) are attributable to our US 
subsidiaries. Of this amount, 198 million euros (previous year: 
251 million euros) relate exclusively to state taxes.

Equity-increasing deferred taxes of 16 million euros were 
 recognized (previous year: equity-decreasing deferred taxes 
of 71 million euros). Within this figure, income of 1 million 
euros (previous year: expense of 66 million euros) results from 
actuarial gains and losses on pension obligations. The expense 
attributable to hedges of net investments in foreign entities 
was 0 million euros (previous year: expense of 2 million 
euros), while currency effects resulted in income of 3 million 
euros (previous year: expense of 3 million euros).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information210

Other disclosures

33    Reconciliation of adjusted  

net income

in million euros

EBIT (as reported)

One-time gains 

One-time charges

Restructuring expenses 

Adjusted EBIT

Adjusted return on sales 

Financial result

Taxes on income (adjusted)

Adjusted tax rate 

Adjusted net income

Attributable to non-controlling interests

Attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share 

Adjusted earnings per preferred share 

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

2017

2018

3,055

– 21 

182 

245

3,461

17.3

– 67 1

– 837 1

24.7 1

2,557

23

2,534

5.83

5.85

3,116

– 11 

129 

262

3,496

17.6

– 65

– 806

23.5

2,625

21

2,604

5.99

6.01

in %

in %

in euros

in euros

163

+/–

2.0 %

–

–

–

1.0 %

0.3 pp

– 3.0 %

– 3.7 %

– 1.2 pp

2.7 %

– 8.7 %

2.8 %

2.7 %

2.7 %

The one-time gains recognized in 2018 relate to the successful 
renegotiation of an unfavorable supply agreement that Henkel 
had acquired (2017: 0 million euros). 

The adjusted charges for fiscal 2018 include expenses of 
93 million euros relating to the integration of The Sun Prod-
ucts Corporation (2017: 131 million euros), 21 million euros to 
the optimization of our IT system architecture for managing 
business processes (2017: 23 million euros), 11 million euros 
to provisions for legal disputes (2017: 0 million euros) and 
4 million euros to acquisition-related incidental costs (2017: 
11 million euros).

Of the restructuring expenses in fiscal 2018, 90 million euros 
fall under cost of sales (2017: 77 million euros) and 103 million 
euros fall under marketing, selling and distribution expenses 
(2017: 122 million euros). A further 13 million euros is assigned 
to research and development expenses (2017: 7 million euros), 
and 56 million euros to administrative expenses (2017: 39 mil-
lion euros).

Taxes on income amounting to 806 million euros reflect the 
tax effects of the adjustments to EBIT. Moreover, the figure for 
fiscal 2017 was adjusted for the one-time impacts of the tax 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
211

reform in the USA. This adjustment resulted in an earnings 
effect totaling 270 million euros.

34    Payroll cost and employee  

structure

Payroll cost 1 

in million euros

Wages and salaries

Social security contributions and staff welfare 
costs

Pension costs

Total

164

2018

2,503

 450

 175

2017

2,552

447

168

3,167

 3,128

1   Excluding personnel-related restructuring expenses of 87 million euros  

(previous year: 87 million euros).

Number of employees per function 1 

Production and engineering

Marketing, selling and distribution

Research and development

Administration

Total

165

2018

28,600

14,200

2,750

7,900

2017

28,150

13,650

2,700

7,450

51,950

53,450

1   Basis: annual average headcount of full-time employees, excluding appren-
tices and trainees, work experience students and interns; figures rounded.

35    Share-based payment plans

Global Long Term Incentive Plan (LTI Plan) 2020+
The Global Long Term Incentive (LTI) Plan 2020+ was intro-
duced effective January 1, 2017 to replace the previous Global 
LTI Plan 2013. Both programs will exist alongside each other 
until the final tranche of the Global LTI Plan 2013 is paid out in 
2020. However, as from January 1, 2017, first-time-eligible 
employees are only being admitted to the Global LTI Plan 
2020+.

Unlike the Global LTI Plan 2013, which is designed as a share-
based remuneration scheme with cash settlement, the Global 
LTI Plan 2020+ provides for share-based remuneration settled 
with preferred shares of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. These treasury 
shares are granted on condition that members of the Plan are 
employed for four years by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA or one of its 
subsidiaries in a position senior enough to qualify for partici-
pation, and that they are not under notice during that period. 
This minimum period of employment pertains to the calendar 
year in which the treasury shares are granted and the three 
subsequent calendar years. A performance-related investment 
amount is pledged to eligible employees at the start of each 
four-year cycle. Target achievement is determined, and the 
investment amount specified, at the end of the first calendar 
year. At the start of the second calendar year, this investment 
amount – after deduction of taxes and social security contri-
butions, where appropriate – is used to purchase treasury 
shares on the stock exchange, which are then transferred to 
the employees. The number of shares transferred to each 
employee on the basis of the investment amount is deter-
mined by the actual market price (stock exchange price) of the 
shares at the time of purchase. The shares are subject to a 
lock-up period that ends upon completion of the relevant four-
year cycle. During this time, the employees participate in all 
share price developments. Once the lock-up period has 
expired, the employees may dispose of the shares as they wish. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information212

In addition, an Outperformance Reward, which grants treasury 
shares based on the achievement of target figures established 
in advance, was set at the beginning of the four-year medium- 
term plan. In this case, the employees are not granted the 
 treasury shares until the four-year performance measurement 
period has ended, but may then dispose of them immediately 
at will.

Of the shares already acquired for the 2017 cycle, 267 have now 
become vested. They will be made freely available to qualify-
ing employees on April 1, 2019. 6,079 shares becoming avail-
able due to forfeited entitlements were resold. At year-end 
2018 therefore, 299,241 treasury shares were transferred to 
employees. The employees will be able to dispose of them 
freely at the end of 2020. 

The investment amount specified in the first year of the cycle 
is recognized as a proportionate payroll cost spread over the 
four-year performance period. As the Global LTI Plan 2020+ 
provides for settlement using treasury shares, the allocations 
are recognized in equity. If treasury shares are granted at the 
end of the performance measurement period, equity is 
reduced accordingly with no effect on profit or loss. Additional 
employer contributions and other payments that do not con-
stitute part of the investment amount and are not settled with 
treasury shares are recognized under other provisions.

For the 2017 – 2020 cycle, a gross investment amount of 
47 million euros was determined, based on target achieve-
ment. In fiscal 2018, after deduction of taxes and social insur-
ance contributions, 305,914 treasury shares with a total value 
of 33 million euros were purchased and will be made freely 
available to qualifying employees on January 1, 2021. The 
shares were purchased at an average price of 108.84 euros. 
 Recognition of the payment of the gross investment amount 
resulted in a reduction of equity. 

Global LTI Plan 2020+ 

Vested entitlements and awards on April 1, 2018

Forfeited entitlements in fiscal 2018

Entitlements that became vested in fiscal 2018

Outstanding vested entitlements  
on December 31, 2018

166

Number of shares

305,587

6,079

267

299,241

In fiscal 2018, an equity-increasing payroll cost of 1 million 
euros (previous year: equity-increasing cost of 21 million 
euros) was recognized in connection with the Global LTI Plan 
2020+.

Global Long Term Incentive (LTI) Plan 2013
In fiscal 2013, the general terms and conditions of the previ-
ously implemented Global CPU Plan 2004 were amended and 
replaced by the Global LTI Plan 2013, which is a share-based 
remuneration scheme with cash settlement. Effective Janu-
ary 1, 2017, this scheme was replaced by the Global LTI Plan 
2020+. Since 2013, Cash Performance Units (CPUs) have been 
granted on condition that members of the Plan are employed 
for four years by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA or one of its subsidiar-
ies in a position senior enough to qualify for participation and 
that they are not under notice during that period. This mini-
mum period of employment pertains to the calendar year in 
which the CPUs are granted and the three subsequent calendar 
years. 

Until payment of the final tranche in 2020, the total value of 
the cash remuneration payable to senior management person-
nel is recalculated on each reporting date and on the settle-
ment date, based on the fair value of the CPUs, and recognized 
through an appropriate increase in provisions as a payroll cost 
that is spread over the period of service of the beneficiary. All 
changes to the measurement of this provision are reported 
under payroll cost.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information213

The number of CPUs granted depends not only on the seniority 
of the officer but also on the achievement of set target figures. 
For the cycles issued from 2013 onward, the target is based on 
growth in adjusted earnings per preferred share. The value of a 
CPU in each case is the average price of the Henkel preferred 
share as quoted 20 stock exchange trading days after the 
Annual General Meeting following the performance period. As 
of the reporting date, the calculation of the provision was 
based on a fair value of 95.40 euros (closing price of Henkel 
preferred shares on December 28, 2018; on December 29, 2017: 
110.35 euros) per CPU. The overall payout of the long-term 
incentive is subject to a cap.

The twelfth four-year cycle, which was issued in 2014, became 
due for payment in 2018. At December 31, 2018, the CPU Plan 
worldwide comprised 372,186 CPUs (December 31, 2017: 
520,448 CPUs) from the four-year tranche issued in 2015, and 
362,558 CPUs (December 31, 2017: 502,700 CPUs) from the 
tranche issued in 2016. This resulted in an additional expense 
in the reporting year of 3.2 million euros (December 31, 2017: 
43.0 million euros). The corresponding provision amounted 
to 63.9 million euros (December 31, 2017: 122.9 million euros), 
of which 37.4 million euros (December 31, 2017: 53.1 million 
euros) is vested.

36    Group segment report

The format for reporting the activities of the Henkel Group by 
segment is by business unit and reportable segments; selected 
regional information is also provided. The segment report cor-
responds to the way in which the Group manages its operating 
business, and the Group’s reporting structure. 

The Group segment report comprises nine operating segments 
assigned to four reportable segments. The Adhesives for 
 Consumers, Craftsmen and Building reportable segment is 
comprised of a single operating segment of the same name, 
whereas the Industrial Adhesives reportable segment covers 
four operating segments: Packaging and Consumer Goods 
Adhesives, Transport and Metal, General Industry, and Elec-
tronics. The Beauty Care reportable segment is comprised of 
two operating segments: Branded Consumer Goods and Hair 
Salon. The Laundry & Home Care reportable segment is also 
made up of two operating segments: Laundry Care and Home 
Care.

The assignment of operating segments to individual report-
able segments is based on the economic characteristics of the 
business, the nature of products and production processes, the 
type of customer groups, and the characteristics of the sales 
and distribution structure and of the regulatory environment.

The level of homogeneity in terms of the characteristics of the 
operating segments within both the Beauty Care and the Laun-
dry & Home Care reportable segments is very high. The busi-
ness characteristics within the relevant reportable segments 
display a similarity given the comparability of the relevant 
operating segments with respect to various key financials of 
relevance for the Group. These key financials include both 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information214

earnings and accounting figures, and cost of capital rates. The 
nature of the production, selling and distribution processes 
within the reportable segments is also highly comparable, 
given that – in some cases – even the same production facili-
ties are used, similar raw materials purchased and the distri-
bution models are also comparable. In addition, the manufac-
tured product is destined for direct sale to and use by consum-
ers. Accordingly, there is also homogeneity between the cus-
tomer groups within these two reportable segments. There are 
no essential differences in the regulatory environment that 
have any impact on the management of the businesses.

The operating segments in the Adhesive Technologies business 
unit do not demonstrate the same high level of homogeneity. 
In particular, the operating segments differ due to the nature 
of their products and the associated customer groups. The 
products are either destined predominantly for private con-
sumers and craftsmen, or for key accounts in the manufacturing 
sector. Accordingly, the operating segments are assigned to 
two different reportable segments. The Industrial Adhesives 
reportable segment is comprised of those operating segments 
whose products are manufactured for major industrial customers 
and predominantly sold in large quantities, whereas the 
 Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building reportable 
segment focuses on private consumers and craftsmen who 
regularly purchase small quantities from wholesalers / retailers.

Reportable segments 

Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building
In the Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building oper-
ating segment, we market a comprehensive range of brand-name 
products for private users, craftsmen and the construction 
industry. Based on our four international brand platforms, 
namely Loctite, Pritt, Pattex and Ceresit, we offer target-group-
aligned system solutions for applications in the household, 
in schools and in offices, for do-it-yourselfers and craftsmen, 
and also for the building industry.

Industrial Adhesives
The Industrial Adhesives reportable segment covers four oper-
ating segments: Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives, 
Transport and Metal, General Industry, and Electronics. The 
Packaging and Consumer Goods Adhesives operating segment 
serves major international customers as well as medium- and 
small-sized manufacturers of the consumer goods and furniture 
industries. Our economies of scale allow us to offer attractive 
solutions for standard and volume applications. 

The Transport and Metal operating segment serves major 
international customers in the automotive and metal-process-
ing industries, offering tailor-made system solutions and 
 specialized technical services that cover the entire value chain – 
from steel strip coating to final vehicle assembly. In the General 
Industry operating segment, our customers comprise manu-
facturers from a multitude of industries, ranging from house-
hold appliance producers to the wind power industry. Our 
portfolio here encompasses Loctite products for industrial 
maintenance, repair and overhaul, a wide range of sealants 
and system solutions for surface treatment applications, and 
specialty adhesives. Our Electronics operating segment offers 
customers from the worldwide electronics industry a broad 
spectrum of innovative, high-tech adhesives and soldering 
materials for the manufacture of microchips and electronic 
assemblies.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information215

Beauty Care
The Beauty Care reportable segment comprises our globally 
active Branded Consumer Goods operating segment with Hair 
Care, Hair Colorants, Hair Styling, Body Care, Skin Care and Oral 
Care, as well as the professional Hair Salon operating segment.

Laundry & Home Care
The Laundry & Home Care reportable segment covers the 
global activities of Henkel in laundry and home care branded 
consumer goods. The Laundry Care operating segment 
includes not only heavy-duty and specialty detergents but 
also fabric softeners, laundry performance enhancers, and 
other fabric care products. Our Home Care operating segment 
encompasses hand and automatic dishwashing products, 
cleaners for bathroom and WC applications, and household, 
glass and specialty cleaners. We also offer air fresheners and 
insect control products for household applications in 
selected regions. 

Principles of Group segment reporting
In determining the segment results, assets and liabilities, we 
apply essentially the same principles of recognition and mea-
surement as in the consolidated financial statements. We have 
valued net operating assets in foreign currencies at average 
exchange rates.

The Group measures the performance of its segments on the 
basis of a segment income variable referred to internally and 
in our reporting procedures as “adjusted EBIT,” which is calcu-
lated by adjusting operating profit (EBIT) for one-time charges 
and gains and also restructuring expenses. 

Of the restructuring expenses, 68 million euros (previous year: 
69 million euros) is attributable to Adhesive Technologies, 
59 million euros (previous year: 76 million euros) to Beauty 
Care and 132 million euros (previous year: 90 million euros) 
to Laundry & Home Care. 

For reconciliation with the figures for the Henkel Group, 
Group overheads are reported under Corporate together with 
income and expenses that cannot be allocated to the individ-
ual business units.

For reconciliation with the pre-tax earnings of the Henkel 
Group, please refer to the consolidated statement of income 
and the financial result reported therein.

Proceeds transferred between the segments only exist to a 
 negligible extent and are therefore not separately disclosed.

Net operating assets, provisions and liabilities are assigned to 
the segments in accordance with their usage or origin. Where 
usage or origin is attributable to several segments, allocation is 
effected on the basis of appropriate ratios and keys. 

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information216

For regional and geographic analysis purposes, we allocate 
sales to countries on the basis of the country-of-origin princi-
ple. Non-current assets are allocated in accordance with the 
domicile of the international company to which they pertain.

Reconciliation between net operating assets / capital employed and financial statement figures 

Net operating assets

Financial state-
ment figures

Net operating assets

167

Financial state-
ment figures

in million euros

Goodwill at book value

Other intangible assets and property, plant  
and equipment (including assets held for sale)

Deferred taxes

Inventories

Trade accounts receivable from third parties

Intra-group accounts receivable

Other assets and tax refund claims 2

Cash and cash equivalents

Operating assets / Total assets

Operating liabilities

of which:  
 Trade accounts payable to third parties

 Intra-group accounts payable

 Other provisions and other liabilities 2  
(financial and non-financial)

Net operating assets

– Goodwill at book value

+ Goodwill at cost 3

Capital employed

Annual  
average 1 2017

December 31, 
2017

December 31, 
2017

Annual  
average 1 2018

December 31, 
2018

December 31, 
2018

11,601

11,821 4

11,821 4

12,005

12,486

12,486

6,759

–

2,066

3,560

1,520

636

26,142

7,796

3,735

1,520

2,540

18,347

11,601

12,124

18,870

6,948 4

–

2,079 4

3,544

1,874

599

26,865

8,063

3,721 4

1,874

2,472

18,773

–

–

–

6,948 4

949

2,079 4

3,544

–

2,079 4

919 4

28,339

–

3,721 4

–

2,797

–

–

–

–

7,169

–

2,261

3,799

1,839

624

27,697

8,282

3,869

1,839

2,574

19,416

12,005

12,667

20,078

7,313

–

2,176

3,610

1,721

555

27,861

7,885

3,713

1,721

2,451

19,976

–

–

–

7,313

959

2,176

3,610

–

2,016

1,063

29,623

–

3,713

–

2,603

–

–

–

–

1  The annual average is calculated on the basis of the 12 monthly figures.
2 We take only amounts relating to operating activities into account in calculating net operating assets.
3 Before deduction of accumulated impairment pursuant to IFRS 3.79 (b).
4 Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information217

37   Earnings per share

Earnings per share 

in million euros (rounded)

Net income attributable to shareholders of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dividends, ordinary shares

Dividends, preferred shares

Total dividends

Retained earnings, ordinary shares

Retained earnings, preferred shares

Retained earnings

Number of ordinary shares

Dividend per ordinary share in euros

of which preliminary dividend per ordinary share in euros 1

Retained earnings per ordinary share in euros

Earnings per ordinary share in euros

Number of outstanding preferred shares 2

Dividend per preferred share in euros

of which preferred dividend per preferred share in euros 1

Retained earnings per preferred share in euros

Earnings per preferred share in euros

Number of ordinary shares

Dividend per ordinary share in euros

of which preliminary dividend per ordinary share in euros 1

Retained earnings per ordinary share in euros (after dilution)

Diluted earnings per ordinary share in euros

168

2017

2018

Reported

Adjusted

Reported

Adjusted

2,519

460

312

772

1,045

702

1,747

2,534

460

312

772

1,054

708

1,762

2,311

475

323

798

905

608

1,513

2,604

475

323

798

1,080

726

1,806

259,795,875

259,795,875

259,795,875

259,795,875

1.77 3

0.02

4.02

5.79

1.77 3

0.02

4.06

5.83

1.83 3

0.02

3.48

5.31

1.83 3

0.02

4.16

5.99

174,482,323

174,482,323

174,482,323

174,482,323

1.79 3

0.04

4.02

5.81

1.79 3

0.04

4.06

5.85

1.85 3

0.04

3.48

5.33

1.85 3

0.04

4.16

6.01

259,795,875

259,795,875

259,795,875

259,795,875

1.77 3

0.02

4.02

5.79

1.77 3

0.02

4.06

5.83

1.83 3

0.02

3.48

5.31

1.83 3

0.02

4.16

5.99

Number of potentially outstanding preferred shares 2

174,482,323

174,482,323

174,482,323

174,482,323

Dividend per preferred share in euros

of which preferred dividend per preferred share in euros 1

Retained earnings per preferred share in euros (after dilution)

Diluted earnings per preferred share in euros

1.79 3

0.04

4.02

5.81

1.79 3

0.04

4.06

5.85

1.85 3

0.04

3.48

5.33

1.85 3

0.04

4.16

6.01

1  See combined management report, Corporate governance, Composition of issued capital / Shareholders’ rights on pages 29 and 30. 
2 Weighted annual average of preferred shares. 
3 Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 8, 2019.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information218

38    Consolidated statement  

of cash flows

We prepare the consolidated statement of cash flows in accor-
dance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 7 State-
ment of Cash Flows. It describes the flow of cash and cash 
equivalents by origin and usage of liquid funds, distinguishing 
between changes in funds arising from operating activities, 
investing activities, and financing activities. Financial funds 
include cash on hand, checks and credit at banks, and other 
financial assets with a remaining term of not more than three 
months. Securities are therefore included in financial funds, 
provided that they are available at short term and are only 
exposed to an insignificant price change risk. The computa-
tion is adjusted for effects arising from currency translation. 
In some countries, there are administrative hurdles to the 
transfer of money to the parent company. 

Cash flows from operating activities are determined by ini-
tially adjusting operating profit for non-cash variables such as 
amortization / depreciation / impairment / write-ups on intan-
gible assets and property, plant and equipment – supple-
mented by changes in provisions, changes in other assets and 
liabilities, and also changes in net working capital. We dis-
close payments made for income taxes under operating cash 
flow. 

Cash flows from investing activities occur essentially as a 
result of outflows of funds for investments in intangible assets 
and property, plant and equipment, subsidiaries and other 
business units, as well as investments accounted for by the 
equity method, and joint ventures. Here, we also recognize 
inflows of funds from the sale of intangible assets and prop-
erty, plant and equipment, subsidiaries and other business 
units. In the reporting period, cash flows from investing activi-
ties mainly involved outflows for the acquisition of subsidiar-
ies and other business units in the amount of – 429 million 
euros (previous year: – 1,830 million euros), as well as outflows 
for investments in intangible assets and property, plant and 
equipment, including payments on account, in the amount 
of – 837 million euros (previous year: – 700 million euros). Of 
the outflows for the acquisition of subsidiaries and other busi-
ness units, virtually the entire amount is attributable to the 
acquisitions described in the section “Acquisitions and divest-
ments” on pages 134 and 135. 

In cash flow from financing activities, we recognize interest 
and dividends paid and received, the change in borrowings 
and in pension provisions, and also payments made for the 
acquisition of non-controlling interests and other financing 
transactions. 

Free cash flow indicates how much cash is actually available 
for acquisitions and dividends, reducing debt and / or alloca-
tions to pension funds.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information219

169

Total

Reconciliation of assets and liabilities reflected in cash flow from financing activities 

in million euros 

At January 1, 2017

Change in cash flow from financing  
activities 1

of which:

Interest paid

Issuance of bonds

Other changes in borrowings

Allocations to pension funds

Other changes in pension  
obligations

Other financing transactions

Interest expense / income 

Purchase or sale of subsidiaries

Foreign exchange

Changes in fair value

Sundry

At December 31, 2017

Derivative  
assets and  
liabilities

Securities, time 
deposits and  
financial collateral 
provided

Receivable from 
Henkel Trust e.V. 
and reimbursement 
rights

Provisions  
for pensions and  
similar obligations

Borrowings

Finance leases

1

354

– 2

– 

360

–

–

– 4

2

–

–

– 382

–

– 25

9

231

–

–

–

–

–

231

0

–

–

–

–

240

616

104

–

–

–

–

104

–

4

– 

– 11 

4

–

717

– 1,007

– 3,725

– 17

– 4,123

72

–

–

–

112

– 40

–

– 15

– 44

52

190

– 8

– 886

51

– 535

– 402

–

–

–

– 57

– 4

69

259

–

2

0

–

2

–

–

–

0

–

2

–

–

– 123

49 2

– 535

– 40 3

112

64

227 

– 66

– 48

112

71

– 8

– 760

– 4,344

– 13

– 4,185

1   The received interest disclosed in the cash flow from financing activities is mainly attributable to cash and cash equivalents; their reconciliation is derived from the cash flow statement. 
2  Does not include cash outflow of 7 million euros for fees and other financial charges relating to the procurement of money and loans. 
3  Differs from the cash flow statement due to currency differences and the currency results of intra-group financing and capital transactions.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information220

170

Total

Reconciliation of assets and liabilities reflected in cash flow from financing activities 

in million euros 

At January 1, 2018

Change in cash flow from financing  
activities 1

of which:

Interest paid

Redemption of bonds

Other changes in borrowings

Allocations to pension funds

Other changes in pension  
obligations

Other financing transactions

Interest expense / income 

Purchase or sale of subsidiaries

Foreign exchange

Changes in fair value

Sundry

At December 31, 2018

Derivative  
assets and  
liabilities

Securities, time 
deposits and  
financial collateral 
provided

Receivable from 
Henkel Trust e.V. 
and reimbursement 
rights

Provisions  
for pensions and 
similar obligations

Borrowings

Finance leases

– 25

– 55

 3

– 

– 66

–

–

8 

 – 3

–

–

 59

–

– 24

240

18

–

–

–

–

–

18

–

–

–

–

12

270

717

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3

– 

9  

– 10

–

719

– 760

133

–

–

–

175

– 42

–

– 9

– 5

– 11

– 125

– 17 

– 794

– 4,344

370

71

1,447

– 1,148

–

–

–

– 75

– 

– 43

– 83

–

– 4,175

– 13

– 4,185

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 5

–

–

13

– 5

466

74 2

1,447

– 1,214 3

175

– 42

26  

– 84

– 10

– 45

– 159

8

– 4,009

1   The received interest disclosed in the cash flow from financing activities is mainly attributable to cash and cash equivalents; their reconciliation is derived from the cash flow statement. 
2  Does not include cash outflow of 4 million euros for fees and other financial charges relating to the procurement of money and loans. 
3  Differs from the cash flow statement due to currency differences and the currency results of intra-group financing and capital transactions.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information221

39    Contingent liabilities

Finance lease commitments 2017 

173

Analysis 

in million euros

Liabilities under guarantee and warranty  
agreements

171

December 
31, 2017

December 
31, 2018

10

9

40    Lease and other unrecognized  

financial commitments

Operating leases as defined in IAS 17 comprise all forms of 
rights of use of assets, including rights of use arising from rent 
and leasehold agreements. Payment commitments under 
operating lease agreements are shown at the total amounts 
payable up to the earliest date of termination. The amounts 
shown are the nominal values. At December 31, 2018, they were 
due for payment as follows:

Operating lease commitments 

172

in million euros

Due in the following year

Due within 1 to 5 years

Due after 5 years

Total

December 
31, 2017

December 
31, 2018

79

168

147

394

137

265

133

535

Within the Group, we primarily lease office space and equip-
ment, production buildings, warehouses, technical facilities, 
automobiles, and IT equipment. Some of these contracts con-
tain extension options and price adjustment clauses. In the 
course of fiscal 2018, 85 million euros became due for payment 
under operating leases (previous year: 80 million euros).

Future  
payments  
relating to 
finance lease 
commitments

2

7

6

15

in million euros  
At Dec. 31, 2017

Due in the following 
year 

Due within 1 to 5 years 

Due after 5 years 

Total

Finance lease commitments 2018 

Future  
payments  
relating to 
finance lease 
commitments

0

2

11

13

in million euros  
At Dec. 31, 2018

Due in the following 
year 

Due within 1 to 5 years 

Due after 5 years 

Total

Interest  
portion

Present value of 
future lease 
installments

0

1

0

1

2

6

5

13

174

Interest  
portion

Present value of 
future lease 
installments

0

2

4

6

0

0

7

7

As of the end of 2018, commitments arising from orders for 
property, plant and equipment amounted to 103 million euros 
(previous year: 68 million euros). 

As of the reporting date, payment commitments under the 
terms of agreements for capital increases and share purchases 
contracted prior to December 31, 2018 amounted to 24 million 
euros (previous year: 4 million euros).

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information222

41    Voting rights / Related party  

disclosures

Related parties as defined by IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures 
are legal entities or natural persons who may be able to exert 
influence on Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its subsidiaries, or be 
subject to control or material influence by Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA or its subsidiaries. These mainly include all members of 
the Henkel family share-pooling agreement, the non-consoli-
dated affiliated companies in which Henkel holds shares, the 
associated companies, and the members of the corporate bod-
ies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, whose remuneration is explained 
in the remuneration report on pages 42 to 61 of Henkel's 
Annual Report 2018. Related parties as defined in IAS 24 also 
include Henkel Trust e.V. and Metzler Trust e.V.

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf, has been notified that on 
October 12, 2018, the proportion of voting rights held by the 
members of the Henkel family share-pooling agreement repre-
sented in total a share of 61.20 percent of the voting rights 
(158,999,015 votes) in Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (ISIN 
DE0006048408), held by
•  132 members of the families of the descendants of Fritz 

Henkel, the company’s founder,

•  four foundations set up by members of those families,
•  three trusts set up by members of those families,
•  two private limited companies (GmbH) set up by members 
of those families, thirteen limited partnerships with a lim-
ited company as general partner (GmbH & Co. KG), and one 
limited partnership (KG),

under the terms of a share-pooling agreement per Section 
34 (2) German Securities Trading Act [WpHG], whereby the 
shares held by the two private limited companies, by the 

thirteen limited partnerships with a limited company as 
general partner, and by the one limited partnership, repre-
senting a share of 16.97 percent of the voting rights 
(44,081,965 votes), are also attributed (per Section 34 (1) (1) 
WpHG) to the family members who control those compa-
nies.

No party to the share-pooling agreement is obliged to notify 
that it has reached or exceeded 3 percent or more of the total 
voting rights in Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, even after adding 
voting rights expressly granted under the terms of usufruct 
agreements.

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Germany, is the authorized repre-
sentative of the parties to the Henkel family share-pooling 
agreement.

Financial receivables from and payables to other invest-
ments in the form of non-consolidated affiliated entities 
and associated entities are disclosed in Notes 3 and 19.

Henkel Trust e.V. and Metzler Trust e.V., as parties to rele-
vant contractual trust arrangements (CTA), hold the assets 
required to cover the pension obligations in Germany. The 
claim on Henkel Trust e.V. for reimbursement of pension 
payments made is shown under other financial assets (Note 
3 on page 155). The receivable does not bear interest.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information223

42    Exercise of exemption options

Adopting the same approach as in 2017, the following German 
companies included in the consolidated financial statements 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA exercised exemption options in fiscal 
2018:
•  Schwarzkopf Henkel Production Europe GmbH & Co. KG,  

Düsseldorf (Section 264b German Commercial Code [HGB])

•   Henkel Loctite-KID GmbH, Hagen (Section 264 (3) HGB)
•   Henkel IP Management and IC Services GmbH, Monheim 

(Section 264 (3) HGB)

surviving dependents, amounted to 100,940,669 euros (previ-
ous year: 102,214,945 euros). The total remuneration for this 
group of persons (Section 285 (9b) and Section 314 (1) (6b) HGB) 
in the reporting year amounted to 7,205,023 euros (previous 
year: 7,265,411 euros). 

The following expenditure was recognized in fiscal 2018 under 
IFRS for remuneration paid to members of the Management 
Board, Supervisory Board and Shareholders' Committee in 
office in the year under review: 

•   The Bergquist Company GmbH, Halstenbek (Section 264 (3) 

Remuneration of the corporate bodies 

175

HGB)

•  Sonderhoff Services GmbH, Cologne (Section 264 (3) HGB)
•  Sonderhoff Chemicals GmbH, Cologne (Section 264 (3) HGB)
•  Sonderhoff Holding GmbH, Cologne (Section 264 (3) HGB) 

The Dutch company Henkel Nederland B.V., Nieuwegein, exer-
cised the exemption option afforded in Article 2:403 of the 
Civil Code of the Netherlands.

43    Remuneration of the corporate 

bodies

The total remuneration of the members of the Supervisory 
Board and of the Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA amounted to 1,559,000 euros plus value-added tax (pre-
vious year: 1,565,000 euros) and 2,295,206 euros (previous 
year: 2,215,754 euros) respectively. The total remuneration 
(Section 285 (9a) and Section 314 (1) (6a) HGB) of the Manage-
ment Board and members of the Management Board of Henkel 
Management AG amounted to 21,111,180 euros (previous year: 
25,326,382 euros). 

Accruals for pension obligations to former members of the 
Management Board and the management of Henkel KGaA, as 
well as the former management of its legal predecessor and 

in euros

2017 *

2018

Management Board remuneration

Short-term remuneration 1

Expense for long-term incentive

Service cost of pension obligations

Total

Supervisory Board remuneration

20,006,185

18,226,124

5,923,244

247,567

3,167,459

3,084,685

29,096,888

21,558,376

Fixed fee and meeting attendance 2

1,565,000

1,559,000

Shareholders' Committee remuneration 

Fixed fee 2

2,215,754

2,295,206

Total expenses relating to the corporate bodies

32,877,642

25,412,582

1  Fixed remuneration, other emoluments, short-term incentive.
2 Including committee activity.
*  Figures for 2017 relate to the members of the corporate bodies   

who served in 2017.

In the year under review, no benefits relating to the termina-
tion of service on the Management Board (e.g. severance pay) 
were paid (previous year: 5,120,400 euros).

Further discussion of the remuneration paid to the members 
who served on the Management Board, Supervisory Board and 
Shareholders’ Committee in the year under review can be 
found in the audited remuneration report on pages 42 to 61.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information224

44    Declaration of compliance with 
the Corporate Governance Code 
[DCGK]

In February 2018, the Management Board of Henkel Manage-
ment AG, and the Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Com-
mittee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA approved a joint declaration 
of compliance with the recommendations of the German Cor-
porate Governance Code [DCGK] in accordance with Section 
161 German Stock Corporation Act [AktG]. The declaration has 
been made permanently available to shareholders on the com-
pany website: 

  www.henkel.com/ir

45    Subsidiaries and other  

investments

Details relating to the investments held by Henkel AG & Co. 
KGaA and the Henkel Group, which are part of these financial 
statements, are provided in a separate schedule appended to 
these notes to the consolidated financial statements but not 
included in this version of the Annual Report. Said schedule is 
included in the accounting record submitted for publication in 
the electronic federal gazette and can be viewed there and at 
the Annual General Meeting. The schedule is also published on 
our website: 

  www.henkel.com/reports

46    Auditor’s fees and services

The total fees charged to the Group for services provided by the 
auditor KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft and other 
companies of the worldwide KPMG network in fiscal 2017 and 
2018 were as follows:

Type of fee 

in million euros

Audits 

Other attestation services

Tax advisory services

Other services

Total

2017

10.3

0.5

1.0

0.8

12.6

of which 
Germany

2.5

0.3

0.3

0.8

3.9

2018

9.7

0.4

1.6

0.6

12.3

176

of which 
Germany

2.0

0.2

0.7

0.5

3.4

The financial statement auditing services provided by KPMG 
AG relate primarily to their audits of the annual and consoli-
dated financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, together 
with various audits of annual financial statements of its sub-
sidiaries. Reviews of interim financial statements were also 
included in the audit mandate.

Other attestation services included the provision of a comfort 
letter, and the performance of legally and contractually stipu-
lated audits such as those specified in Section 20 Securities 
Trading Act [WpHG] in relation to the European Market Infra-
structure Regulation (EMIR). These fees also covered the audit 
of the non-financial report and sustainability disclosures.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information225

Fees for tax advisory services mainly relate to those performed 
in connection with intra-group restructuring procedures 
under company law, the audit of the tax compliance manage-
ment system, and provision of support on ongoing tax issues.

Other services mainly comprised advisory services relating to 
cyber and IT security, audits performed as part of IT migra-
tion projects, services focusing on the implementation of 
 regulatory requirements, and other project- related advisory 
services.

Subsequent events

After December 31, 2018, there were no reportable events of 
particular significance for the net assets, financial position 
and results of operations of the Henkel Group.

Düsseldorf, January 31, 2019

Henkel Management AG, 
Personally Liable Partner  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Management Board 
Hans Van Bylen, 
Jan-Dirk Auris, Carsten Knobel, Kathrin Menges,  
Bruno Piacenza, Jens-Martin Schwärzler

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Independent Auditor’s Report

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
 
 
 
 
226

Independent Auditor’s Report

To Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf

Report on the Audit of the Consolidated Financial State-
ments and of the Combined Management Report 

Opinions
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and its subsidiaries (the Group), which 
comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as 
at December 31, 2018, and the consolidated statement of 
income, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, 
consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated 
statement of cash flows for the financial year from January 1 
to December 31, 2018, and notes to the consolidated financial 
statements, including a summary of significant accounting 
policies. In addition, we have audited the combined manage-
ment report of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA for the financial year 
from January 1 to December 31, 2018. In accordance with the 
German legal requirements we have not audited the content 
the Corporate governance statement which is included in 
 section “Fundamental principles of the Group” of the com-
bined management report. 

In our opinion, on the basis of the knowledge obtained in the 
audit,
•  the accompanying consolidated financial statements com-

ply, in all material respects, with the IFRSs as adopted by the 
EU, and the additional requirements of German commercial 
law pursuant to Section 315e (1) HGB [Handelsgesetzbuch: 
German Commercial Code] and, in compliance with these 
requirements, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabili-
ties, and financial position of the Group as at December 31, 
2018, and of its financial performance for the financial year 
from January 1 to December 31, 2018, and

•  the accompanying combined management report as a whole 
provides an appropriate view of the Group’s position. In all 
material respects, this combined management report is con-
sistent with the consolidated financial statements, complies 
with German legal requirements and appropriately presents 
the opportunities and risks of future development. Our 
opinion on the combined management report does not 
cover the content of the Corporate governance statement 
mentioned above.  

Pursuant to Section 322 (3) sentence 1 HGB, we declare that our 
audit has not led to any reservations relating to the legal com-
pliance of the consolidated financial statements and of the 
combined management report. 

Basis for the Opinions 
We conducted our audit of the consolidated financial state-
ments and of the combined management report in accordance 
with Section 317 HGB and the EU Audit Regulation No. 537/2014 
(referred to subsequently as “EU Audit Regulation”) and in 
compliance with German Generally Accepted Standards for 
Financial Statement Audits promulgated by the Institut der 
Wirtschaftsprüfer [Institute of Public Auditors in Germany] 
(IDW). Our responsibilities under those requirements and 
principles are further described in the “Auditor’s Responsibili-
ties for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements and 
of the Combined Management Report” section of our auditor’s 
report. We are independent of the group entities in accordance 
with the requirements of European law and German commer-
cial and professional law, and we have fulfilled our other Ger-
man professional responsibilities in accordance with these 
requirements. In addition, in accordance with Article 10 (2) 
point (f) of the EU Audit Regulation, we declare that we have 
not provided non-audit services prohibited under Article 5 (1) 

Note: This is a translation of the German original. Solely the original text in German language is authoritative.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information227

of the EU Audit Regulation. We believe that the evidence we 
have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinions on the consolidated financial statements and 
on the combined management report. 

Key Audit Matters in the Audit of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the con-
solidated financial statements for the financial year from Jan-
uary 1 to December 31, 2018. These matters were addressed in 
the context of our audit of the consolidated financial state-
ments as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, we do 
not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

In performing the impairment test for goodwill and intangible 
assets with indefinite useful lives, which is conducted annually, 
the carrying amounts of the respective cash-generating units are 
compared with their respective recoverable amounts. The recov-
erable amount is determined at Henkel based on fair value less 
costs to sell. For this purpose, fair value is determined using a dis-
counted cash flow model. Future cash flows are derived from the 
Henkel Group’s financial plan, which is prepared by management 
and approved by the Supervisory Board, and which is developed 
for subsequent years using assumptions. Future cash flows are 
discounted using the weighted average cost of capital of the 
respective cash-generating unit. This measurement is highly 
dependent on estimates of future cash flows as well as on the cost 
of capital used and therefore subject to considerable uncertainty. 

Recoverability of the carrying amount of goodwill and 
 intangible assets with indefinite useful lives

See Note 1 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for 
explanations on goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful 
lives.

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT RISK
In the consolidated financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
as of December 31, 2018, goodwill of EUR 12,486 million and 
trademarks and other rights with indefinite useful lives of EUR 
3,100 million are reported. Goodwill and intangible assets with 
indefinite useful lives are allocated to the cash-generating units 
that are expected to benefit from the business combination in 
which the goodwill arose or from the utilization of the intangible 
assets. Concerning goodwill, these cash-generating units are gen-
erally represented by the strategic business units, while the 
Beauty Care and Laundry & Home Care trademarks are allocated 
to regional business units.

In this context and due to the underlying complexity of the valua-
tion models there is a risk that impairment of goodwill and of 
intangible assets with indefinite useful lives existing as of the 
reporting date is not recognized. There is also a risk that the dis-
closures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA associated herewith are not appropriate. 

OUR AUDIT APPROACH
Our audit included an evaluation of the methodical approach to 
conducting the impairment tests and a verification of the com-
putational accuracy of the model. 

Through a comparison with the assumptions from the financial 
plan and reconciliation with the expected developments in the 
relevant markets derived from market analysis, among others, 
we confirmed the appropriateness of the future cash flows that 
were used. We conducted interviews in the business units to 
obtain information on key drivers of future development and to 
estimate their effects on the forecasts for the cash flows. We 

Note: This is a translation of the German original. Solely the original text in German language is authoritative.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information228

assessed the appropriateness of the estimated perpetuity growth 
rates using relevant market analysis. We also confirmed adher-
ence to budget by making a retrospective comparison. Further-
more, we evaluated Henkel’s planning process by surveying 
those responsible for the process and verifying the process 
steps.

As even small changes in the cost of capital materially affect the 
fair value, we involved our valuation specialists and focused on 
the assumptions and data used to determine the weighted aver-
age cost of capital and also verified the calculation procedure. 
This also involved comparisons with the peer group relevant to 
Henkel as regards the cost of equity utilized. In addition, we 
conducted our own sensitivity analyses for the cash-generating 
units to establish the effects of incremental changes to assump-
tions on the measurement of goodwill and intangible assets. 

Finally, for the purposes of an overall assessment, we compared 
the total calculated fair values less costs to sell for the individual 
cash-generating units with the current market capitalization of 
the Henkel Group.

The related disclosures in the notes to the consolidated finan-
cial statements are appropriate.

The global transformation of purchasing, production and 
logistics activities

See pages 93 and 95 in the combined management report for explana-
tory notes on the global transformation of purchasing, production and 
logistics activities

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT RISK
Since 2014, Henkel has pooled its global purchasing activities 
to achieve greater efficiency and improved cooperation with 
its strategic suppliers worldwide. This is part of the close inte-
gration of purchasing activities with production and logistics 
activities. Across all business units, the so called supply chain 
will be further standardized, optimized and combined in a 
central supply chain organization operating worldwide. This 
organizational realignment will be supported by a globally 
uniform IT platform that maps the new processes accompany-
ing the transition. 

We also assessed whether the disclosures required pursuant to 
IAS 36 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements are 
appropriate.

In financial year 2018, the business in North America was inte-
grated into Henkel‘s central supply chain organization.

OUR CONCLUSIONS
The calculation model used by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA for 
impairment testing of goodwill and intangible assets with 
indefinite useful lives is appropriate and consistent with the 
applicable accounting policies. 

The transition of purchasing, production and logistics activi-
ties resulted in changes in the legal and organizational struc-
ture within the Henkel Group and changes in intragroup trans-
actions, which all impact accordingly on key operating pro-
cesses and the accounting-related control system associated 
with those processes. 

The assumptions used for the measurement of goodwill and 
intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are generally rea-
sonable as a whole. 

This results in the risk that the adjustments to the account-
ing-related internal control system required due to the trans-
formation may be incomplete and the effectiveness of the 

Note: This is a translation of the German original. Solely the original text in German language is authoritative.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information229

accounting-related internal control system may be compro-
mised. Furthermore, there is the risk that the data migration to 
a global IT platform, which was carried out as part of the inte-
gration of the IT systems, may have been deficient or incom-
plete. In addition, the adjustment to the respective purchasing, 
production and logistics activities also has income tax impli-
cations for the Henkel Group, in particular concerning the 
appropriateness of transfer pricing. 

OUR AUDIT APPROACH
Based on our understanding of the processes, we assessed the 
setup, implementation and effectiveness of the significant and 
relevant internal controls that had been modified as part of the 
converted purchasing, production and logistics processes. 
The audit procedures performed for this matter included an 
assessment of the setup and effectiveness of the internal con-
trols. 

A further focus was placed on the audit of the proper migration 
of accounting-relevant data to the standardized IT platform. 
We carried out this audit with the involvement of our IT spe-
cialists in order to verify that the data transfer was complete 
and the IT system settings were correct. 

Furthermore, as part of our audit, with the assistance of our 
tax specialists, we particularly assessed the appropriateness of 
the setup and implementation of the transfer pricing system. 
In the course of our audit of intragroup agreements, the expert 
opinions of the external tax experts engaged by Henkel con-
cerning the appropriateness of the transfer pricing system 
were evaluated, and we were able to verify the competence and 
objectivity of the external tax experts.

The regional focus of our work in respect of the audit proce-
dures outlined above was on North America, as this region was 
integrated into Henkel‘s centralized supply chain in financial 
year 2018.

OUR OBSERVATIONS
We were able to verify that, after the adjustments concerning 
the transformation of the purchasing, production and logistics 
activities, the accounting-related internal control system has 
been properly set up and implemented, and is effective. 

The data migration related to the introduction of a uniform IT 
platform was carried out appropriately and completely. 

Moreover, we were able to verify that the income tax effects 
arising from the changes to intragroup transactions have been 
appropriately presented in the financial statements.

Other Information 
Management is responsible for the other information. The 
other information comprises: 
•  the Corporate governance statement, and
•  the remaining parts of the annual report, with the exception 
of the audited consolidated financial statements and com-
bined management report and our auditor’s report. 

Our opinions on the consolidated financial statements and on 
the combined management report do not cover the other 
information, and consequently we do not express an opinion 
or any other form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit, our responsibility is to read the 
other information and, in so doing, to consider whether the 
other information 
•  is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial 
statements, with the combined management report or our 
knowledge obtained in the audit, or

•  otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  

Note: This is a translation of the German original. Solely the original text in German language is authoritative.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information230

Responsibilities of Management and the Supervisory Board 
for the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Combined 
Management Report
Management is responsible for the preparation of the consoli-
dated financial statements that comply, in all material respects, 
with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and the additional require-
ments of German commercial law pursuant to Section 315e (1) 
HGB and that the consolidated financial statements, in compli-
ance with these requirements, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position, and financial performance 
of the Group. In addition, management is responsible for such 
internal control as they have determined necessary to enable 
the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, manage-
ment is responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to con-
tinue as a going concern. They also have the responsibility for 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern. In 
addition, they are responsible for financial reporting based on 
the going concern basis of accounting unless there is an inten-
tion to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or there is 
no realistic alternative but to do so.

Furthermore, management is responsible for the preparation 
of the combined management report that, as a whole, provides 
an appropriate view of the Group’s position and is, in all mate-
rial respects, consistent with the consolidated financial state-
ments, complies with German legal requirements, and appro-
priately presents the opportunities and risks of future devel-
opment. In addition, management is responsible for such 
arrangements and measures (systems) as they have considered 
necessary to enable the preparation of a combined manage-
ment report that is in accordance with the applicable German 
legal requirements, and to be able to provide sufficient appro-
priate evidence for the assertions in the combined manage-
ment report. 

The supervisory board is responsible for overseeing the 
Group’s financial reporting process for the preparation of the 
consolidated financial statements and of the combined man-
agement report. 

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated 
Financial Statements and of the Combined Management Report 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or 
error, and whether the combined management report as a 
whole provides an appropriate view of the Group’s position 
and, in all material respects, is consistent with the consoli-
dated financial statements and the knowledge obtained in the 
audit, complies with the German legal requirements and 
appropriately presents the opportunities and risks of future 
development, as well as to issue an auditor’s report that 
includes our opinions on the consolidated financial state-
ments and on the combined management report.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a 
guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Section 
317 HGB and the EU Audit Regulation and in compliance with 
German Generally Accepted Standards for Financial Statement 
Audits promulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer 
(IDW) will always detect a material misstatement. Misstate-
ments can arise from fraud or error and are considered mate-
rial if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably 
be expected to influence the economic decisions of users 
taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements 
and this combined management report.

We exercise professional judgment and maintain professional 
skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the 

consolidated financial statements and of the combined 
management report, whether due to fraud or error, design 

Note: This is a translation of the German original. Solely the original text in German language is authoritative.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information231

and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our opinions. The risk of not detecting a 
material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than 
for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, 
forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the 
override of internal control.

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the 

audit of the consolidated financial statements and of 
arrangements and measures (systems) relevant to the audit 
of the combined management report in order to design audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but 
not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effec-
tiveness of these systems. 

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used by 
management and the reasonableness of estimates made by 
management and related disclosures.

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of 
the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the 
audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty 
exists related to events or conditions that may cast signifi-
cant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going con-
cern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we 
are required to draw attention in the auditor’s report to the 
related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements 
and in the combined management report or, if such disclo-
sures are inadequate, to modify our respective opinions. Our 
conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to 
the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or 
conditions may cause the Group to cease to be able to con-
tinue as a going concern. 

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of 
the consolidated financial statements, including the disclo-
sures, and whether the consolidated financial statements 

present the underlying transactions and events in a manner 
that the consolidated financial statements give a true and 
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and 
financial performance of the Group in compliance with 
IFRSs as adopted by the EU and the additional requirements 
of German commercial law pursuant to Section 315e (1) HGB. 

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the 
financial information of the entities or business activities 
within the Group to express opinions on the consolidated 
financial statements and on the combined management 
report. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and 
performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsi-
ble for our opinions. 

•  Evaluate the consistency of the combined management 

report with the consolidated financial statements, its con-
formity with German law, and the view of the Group’s posi-
tion it provides.

•  Perform audit procedures on the prospective information 
presented by management in the combined management 
report. On the basis of sufficient appropriate audit evidence 
we evaluate, in particular, the significant assumptions used 
by management as a basis for the prospective information, 
and evaluate the proper derivation of the prospective infor-
mation from these assumptions. We do not express a sepa-
rate opinion on the prospective information and on the 
assumptions used as a basis. There is a substantial unavoid-
able risk that future events will differ materially from the 
prospective information.  

We communicate with those charged with governance regard-
ing, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the 
audit and significant audit findings, including any significant 
deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our 
audit. 

Note: This is a translation of the German original. Solely the original text in German language is authoritative.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information232

We also provide those charged with governance with a state-
ment that we have complied with the relevant independence 
requirements, and communicate with them all relationships 
and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on 
our independence, and where applicable, the related safe-
guards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with gov-
ernance, we determine those matters that were of most signifi-
cance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of 
the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We 
describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or 
regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter.

Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements  

Further Information pursuant to Article 10 of the EU Audit 
Regulation
We were elected as group auditor by the annual general meet-
ing on April 9, 2018. We were engaged by the supervisory 
board, represented by the Audit Committee Chair, on May 11, 
2018. We have been the group auditor of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 
without interruption for more than 25 years.

We declare that the opinions expressed in this auditor’s report 
are consistent with the additional report to the audit commit-
tee pursuant to Article 11 of the EU Audit Regulation (long-
form audit report).

German Public Auditor Responsible for the Engagement
The German Public Auditor responsible for the engagement is 
Marcus Rohrbach. 

Düsseldorf, January 31, 2019 

KPMG AG 
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft 
[Original German version signed by:]

Klaus Becker  
Wirtschaftsprüfer 
[German Public Auditor] 

Marcus Rohrbach 
Wirtschaftsprüfer 
[German Public Auditor]

Note: This is a translation of the German original. Solely the original text in German language is authoritative.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
233

Recommendation for the  approval of the annual 
financial statements and the appropriation of the 
profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

It is proposed that the annual financial statements of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA be approved as presented 
and that the unappropriated profit of 1,589,068,831.62 euros for fiscal 2018 be applied as follows:

a)   Payment of a dividend of 1.83 euros per ordinary share  

(259,795,875 shares) 

b)  Payment of a dividend of 1.85 euros per preferred share  

(178,162,875 shares) 

c)  Carried forward as retained earnings 

= 475,426,451.25 euros

= 329,601,318.75 euros
= 784,041,061.62 euros

1,589,068,831.62 euros

According to Section 71b German Stock Corporation Act [AktG], treasury shares do not qualify for a divi-
dend. The amount in unappropriated profit which relates to the shares held by the corporation (trea-
sury shares) at the date of the Annual General Meeting will be carried forward as retained earnings. As 
the number of such treasury shares can change up to the time of the Annual General Meeting, a corre-
spondingly adapted proposal for the appropriation of profit will be submitted to it, providing for an 
unchanged payout of 1.83 euros per ordinary share qualifying for a dividend and 1.85 euros per pre-
ferred share qualifying for a dividend, with corresponding adjustment of the payout totals and of 
retained earnings carried forward to the following year.

Düsseldorf, January 31, 2019

Henkel Management AG, 
Personally Liable Partner  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Independent Auditor’s Report

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the 
profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Management Board

Henkel Annual Report 2018 
 
 
234

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable accounting principles, the consoli-
dated financial statements give a true and fair view of the net assets, financial position and results of 
operations of the Group, and the management report of the Group, which is combined with the man-
agement report of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, includes a fair review of the development, performance and 
results of the business and the position of the Group, together with a cogent description of the princi-
pal opportunities and risks associated with the expected development of the Group.

Düsseldorf, January 31, 2019

Henkel Management AG

Management Board 
Hans Van Bylen, 
Jan-Dirk Auris, Carsten Knobel, Kathrin Menges,  
Bruno Piacenza, Jens-Martin Schwärzler

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated statement  
of financial position

Consolidated statement of income

Consolidated statement  
of  comprehensive income

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Consolidated statement  
of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements

Subsequent events

Independent Auditor’s Report

Recommendation for the approval 
of the annual financial statements 
and the appropriation of the profit 
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Responsibility statement by the  
Personally Liable Partner

Corporate bodies of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Further information

Henkel Annual Report 2018235

Corporate bodies of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Boards / memberships as defined by Section 125 (1) sentence 5 German Stock Corporation Act [AktG] as at January 2019

Honorary Chairman of the Henkel Group: Dipl.-Ing. Albrecht Woeste

Supervisory Board of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dr. rer. nat. Simone Bagel-Trah
Chair,  
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1969 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Memberships: 
Henkel Management AG (Chair) 1 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
(Shareholders’ Committee, Chair) 2 
Bayer AG 1 
Heraeus Holding GmbH 1

Birgit Helten-Kindlein *
Vice Chair since April 9, 2018 
Chairwoman of the General Works Council of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and Chairwoman of 
the Works Council of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, 
Düsseldorf site

Born in 1964 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Winfried Zander *
(until April 9, 2018) 
Vice Chair, 
Chairman of the General Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and Chairman of the 
Works Council of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA,  
Düsseldorf site

Born in 1954 
Member from: May 17, 1993

Jutta Bernicke *
Member of the Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf site

Born in 1962 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Peter Hausmann *
(until April 9, 2018)  
Member of the Executive Board of  
IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie and responsible  
for Wages / Finance, Hannover

Dr. rer. nat. Kaspar von Braun
Astrophysicist, Pasadena

Born in 1971 
Member since: April 19, 2010

Peter Emmerich *
(since April 9, 2018) 
Member of the General Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and Chairman of the 
Works Council of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA,  
Herborn-Schönbach site

Born in 1966 
Member since: April 9, 2018

Johann-Christoph Frey
(until April 9, 2018)  
Private Investor, Klosters

Born in 1955 
Member from: April 11, 2016

Born in 1954 
Member from: April 15, 2013

Memberships: 
Continental AG 1 
Covestro AG 1 
Vivawest GmbH (Vice Chair) 1 
50 Hertz Transmission AG (Vice Chair) 1

Benedikt-Richard Freiherr von Herman
Private Investor, Wain

Born in 1972 
Member since: April 11, 2016

Timotheus Höttges
Chairman of the Executive Board,  
Deutsche Telekom AG, Bonn

Born in 1962 
Member since: April 11, 2016

Memberships: 
BT Group plc, Great Britain 2 
FC Bayern München AG 1 
Telekom Group: 
Telekom Deutschland GmbH (Chair) 1 
T-Mobile US, Inc. (Chair), USA 2

* Employee representatives.
1  Membership of statutory supervisory and administrative boards in Germany.
2 Membership of comparable oversight bodies.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information236

Supervisory Board committees

Nominations Committee

Functions  
The Nominations Committee prepares the 
resolutions of the Supervisory  Board on elec-
tion proposals to be presented to the Annual 
General Meeting for the election of members 
of the Supervisory Board (representatives of 
the share holders).

Members 
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chair 
Dr. Kaspar von Braun  
Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert

Audit Committee

Functions  
The Audit Committee prepares the proceed-
ings and resolutions of the Supervisory Board 
relating to the approval of the annual financial 
statements and the consolidated financial 
statements, and relating to ratification of the 
proposal to be put before the Annual General 
Meeting regarding appointment of the auditor. 
It also deals with accounting, risk management 
and compliance issues.

Members 
Prof. Dr. Theo Siegert, Chair  
Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke, Vice Chair 
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah  
Peter Hausmann (until April 9, 2018)  
Birgit Helten-Kindlein 
Edgar Topsch (since April 9, 2018) 
Michael Vassiliadis (since April 9, 2018) 
Winfried Zander (until April 9, 2018)

Prof. Dr. sc. nat. Michael Kaschke
Chairman of the Executive Board,  
Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen

Born in 1957 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Memberships: 
Deutsche Telekom AG 1 
Robert Bosch GmbH 1 
Carl Zeiss Group: 
Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH 
(Chair) 1 
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (Chair) 1 
Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH (Chair) 1 
Carl Zeiss Co. Ltd. (Chair), South Korea 2 
Carl Zeiss (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (Chair), China 2 
Carl Zeiss Far East Co. Ltd. (Chair), 
China / Hong Kong 2  
Carl Zeiss India (Bangalore) Private Ltd., India 2 
Carl Zeiss Pte. Ltd. (Chair), Singapore 2

Angelika Keller *
(until April 9, 2018)  
Member of the General Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and  
Chairwoman of the Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Munich site

Born in 1965 
Member from: January 1, 2017

Barbara Kux
Private Investor, Zurich

Born in 1954 
Member since: July 3, 2013

Memberships: 
Engie S.A., France 2 
Firmenich S.A. (Vice Chair), Switzerland 2 
Pargesa Holding S.A., Switzerland 2

Andrea Pichottka *
Managing Director, IG BCE Bonusagentur 
GmbH, Hannover 
Managing Director, IG BCE Bonusassekuranz 
GmbH, Hannover

Born in 1959 
Member since: October 26, 2004

Philipp Scholz
(since April 9, 2018) 
Adjunct Professor at Humboldt University 
Berlin, Berlin

Prof. Dr. oec. publ. Theo Siegert
Managing Partner of  
de Haen-Carstanjen & Söhne, Düsseldorf

Born in 1947 
Member since: April 20, 2009

Memberships: 
Merck KGaA 1 
E. Merck OHG 2

Dirk Thiede *
(since April 9, 2018) 
Member of the Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf site

Born in 1969 
Member since: April 9, 2018

Edgar Topsch *
Member of the General Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA and  
Vice Chairman of the Works Council of  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Düsseldorf site

Born in 1967 
Member since: April 9, 2018

Born in 1960 
Member since: August 1, 2010

Dr. rer. nat. Martina Seiler *
Chemist, Duisburg 
Member of the Senior Staff Representative 
Committee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Born in 1971 
Member since: January 1, 2012

Michael Vassiliadis *
(since April 9, 2018)  
Chairman of IG BCE, Hannover

Born in 1964 
Member since: April 9, 2018

Memberships: 
BASF SE 
RAG AG (Vice Chair) 
STEAG GmbH 
Vivawest GmbH

* Employee representatives.
1  Membership of statutory supervisory and administrative boards in Germany.
2 Membership of comparable oversight bodies.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information 
237

Subcommittees of the  
Shareholders’ Committee

Finance Subcommittee

Functions  
The Finance Subcommittee deals principally 
with financial matters, accounting issues 
including the statutory year-end audit, taxa-
tion and accounting policy, internal auditing, 
and risk management in the corporation.

Members 
Dr. Christoph Henkel, Chair 
Stefan Hamelmann, Vice Chair 
Prof. Dr. Paul Achleitner 
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner  
Dr. Dr. Norbert Reithofer

Human Resources Subcommittee

Functions 
The Human Resources Subcommittee deals 
principally with personnel matters relating to 
members of the Management Board, issues 
pertaining to human resources strategy, and 
with remuneration.

Members 
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chair 
Konstantin von Unger, Vice Chair 
Johann-Christoph Frey (since April 9, 2018) 
Jean-François van Boxmeer 
Werner Wenning

Jean-François van Boxmeer
Chairman of the Executive Board  
of Heineken N.V., Amsterdam

Born in 1961 
Member since: April 15, 2013

Membership: 
Mondelez International Inc., USA 2

Werner Wenning
Chairman of the Supervisory Board  
of Bayer AG, Leverkusen

Born in 1946 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Memberships: 
Bayer AG (Chair) 1 
Henkel Management AG 1 
Siemens AG 1

Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Dr. rer. nat. Simone Bagel-Trah
Chair,  
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1969 
Member since: April 18, 2005

Memberships: 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Chair) 1 
Henkel Management AG (Chair) 1 
Bayer AG 1 
Heraeus Holding GmbH 1

Dr. rer. pol. h.c. Christoph Henkel
Vice Chair, 
Founding Partner, Canyon Equity LLC, London

Born in 1958 
Member since: May 27, 1991

Prof. Dr. oec. HSG Paul Achleitner
Chairman of the Supervisory Board,  
Deutsche Bank AG, Munich

Born in 1956 
Member since: April 30, 2001

Memberships: 
Bayer AG 1 
Daimler AG 1 
Deutsche Bank AG (Chair) 1

Johann-Christoph Frey
(since April 9, 2018)  
Private Investor, Klosters

Born in 1955 
Member since: April 9, 2018

Membership: 
Antai Venture Builder S.L., Spain

Stefan Hamelmann
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1963 
Member since: May 3, 1999

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Ulrich Lehner 
Former Chairman of the Management Board  
of Henkel KGaA, Düsseldorf

Born in 1946 
Member since: April 14, 2008

Memberships: 
Deutsche Telekom AG (Chair) 1 
Porsche Automobil Holding SE 1

Dr.-Ing. Dr.-Ing. E.h. Norbert Reithofer 
Chairman of the Supervisory Board  
of Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktien-
gesellschaft, Munich

Born in 1956 
Member since: April 11, 2011

Memberships: 
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft  
(Chair) 1 
Siemens AG 1

Konstantin von Unger
Managing Director, CKA Capital Limited,  
London

Born in 1966 
Member since: April 14, 2003

Membership: 
Henkel Management AG 1

1  Membership of statutory supervisory and administrative boards in Germany.
2 Membership of comparable oversight bodies.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther information238

Management Board of Henkel Management AG *

Supervisory Board of Henkel Management AG *

Hans Van Bylen
Chairman of the Management Board

Born in 1961 
Member since: July 1, 2005 3

Jan-Dirk Auris
Adhesive Technologies

Born in 1968 
Member since: January 1, 2011

Carsten Knobel
Finance / Purchasing / Integrated Business Solutions

Born in 1969 
Member since: July 1, 2012

Memberships: 
Deutsche Lufthansa AG 1 
Henkel Central Eastern Europe GmbH (Chair),  
Austria 2 
Henkel (China) Investment Co. Ltd., China 2 
Henkel & Cie AG (Vice Chair), Switzerland 2 
Henkel Ltd., Great Britain 2 
Henkel of America Inc. (Chair), USA 2

Kathrin Menges
Human Resources / Infrastructure Services

Born in 1964 
Member since: October 1, 2011

Memberships: 
Adidas AG 1 
Henkel Central Eastern Europe GmbH, Austria 2 
Henkel Finland Oy, Finland 2 
Henkel Nederland BV, Netherlands 2 
Henkel Norden AB, Sweden 2

Bruno Piacenza
Laundry & Home Care

Born in 1965 
Member since: January 1, 2011

Jens-Martin Schwärzler
Beauty Care

Born in 1963 
Member since: November 1, 2017

Dr. rer. nat. Simone Bagel-Trah
Chair,  
Private Investor, Düsseldorf

Born in 1969 
Member since: February 15, 2008

Memberships: 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Chair) 1 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Shareholders’ Committee, Chair) 2 
Bayer AG 1 
Heraeus Holding GmbH 1

Konstantin von Unger 
Vice Chair, 
Managing Director, CKA Capital Limited, London

Born in 1966 
Member since: April 17, 2012

Membership: 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Shareholders’ Committee) 2

Werner Wenning
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG, Leverkusen

Born in 1946 
Member since: September 16, 2013

Memberships: 
Bayer AG (Chair) 1 
Siemens AG 1 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Shareholders’ Committee) 2

* Personally Liable Partner of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.
1  Membership of statutory supervisory and administrative boards in Germany.
2 Membership of comparable oversight bodies.
3 Including membership of the Management Board of Henkel KGaA.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsConsolidated statement  of financial positionConsolidated statement of incomeConsolidated statement  of  comprehensive incomeConsolidated statement  of changes in equityConsolidated statement  of cash flows Notes to the consolidated  financial statementsSubsequent eventsIndependent Auditor’s ReportRecommendation for the approval of the annual financial statements and the appropriation of the profit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaAResponsibility statement by the  Personally Liable PartnerCorporate bodies of  Henkel AG & Co. KGaAFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of key financials

239239

177

1st quarter

2nd quarter

3rd quarter

4th quarter

Full year

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

in million euros

Sales

Adhesive Technologies

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

Corporate

Henkel Group

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Marketing, selling and  distribution expenses

Research and development expenses

Administrative expenses

Other operating expenses and income

EBIT

Adhesive Technologies

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

Corporate

Henkel Group

Interest result

Other financial result

Investment result

Financial result

Income before tax

Taxes on income

Net income

 Attributable to non-controlling interests

 Attributable to shareholders of Henkel 
AG & Co. KGaA

2,295

1,011

1,726

32

5,064

– 2,649

2,415

– 1,237

– 121

– 258

24

431

149

274

– 30

823

– 4

– 13 1

–

– 17 1

806 1

– 199 1

607

10

597

2,270

965

1,569

32

4,835

– 2,588

2,247

– 1,184

– 116

– 238

30

389

152

219

– 21

739

– 14

–

– 1

– 15

724

– 176

548

5

543

2,370

997

1,703

29

5,098

– 2,678

2,420

– 1,242

– 119

– 248

28

446

155

265

– 27

839

– 7

– 3 1

–

– 10 1

829 1

– 198 1

631

7

624

2,432

1,035

1,644

32

5,143

– 2,738

2,405

– 1,192

– 137

– 271

9

438

151

246

– 22

814

– 20

8

3

– 9

805

– 203

602

4

598

Earnings per preferred share  

in euros

1.38

1.25

1.44

1.38

TABLE CONT’D

2,373

941

1,636

31

4,981

– 2,674

2,307

– 1,154

– 114

– 251

– 38

427

121

227

– 26

750

– 13

– 10 1

– 1

– 24 1

726 1

– 162 1

564

–

564

1.30

2,373

993

1,641

30

5,037

– 2,698

2,339

– 1,142

– 116

– 244

– 4

444

158

248

– 17

833

– 14

– 1

– 1

– 16

817

– 198

619

5

614

1.42

2,348

920

1,586

32

4,886

– 2,679

2,207

– 1,243

– 122

– 223

24

353

110

223

– 42

643

– 13

– 1

– 3

– 16 1

627 1

112 1

739

5

734

1.69

2,328

957

1,565

34

4,884

– 2,719

2,165

– 1,120

– 115

– 238

38

398

128

257

– 52

730

– 13

– 12

–

– 25

705

– 144

561

5

556

9,387

3,868

6,651

123

9,403

3,950

6,419

128

20,029

19,899

– 10,680

– 10,743

9,349

– 4,876

– 476

– 980

38

1,657

535

989

– 126

3,055

– 37

– 26 1

– 4

– 67 1

2,988 1

– 447 1

2,541

22

9,156

– 4,638

– 484

– 991

73

1,669

589

970

– 112

3,116

– 61

– 5

1

– 65

3,051

– 721

2,330

19

2,519

2,311

1.28

5.81

5.33

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendar 
240240

in million euros

EBIT (as reported)

One-time gains

One-time charges

Restructuring expenses

Adjusted EBIT

Adjusted earnings  
per preferred share  

1st quarter

2nd quarter

3rd quarter

4th quarter

Full year

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

823

– 19

39

11

854

739

– 11

30

84

842

839

– 2 

36

36

909

814

–

32

80

926

750

–

56

91

897

833

–

46

47

926

643

–

51

107

801

730

–

21

51

802

3,055

3,116

– 21

182

245

– 11

129

262

3,461

3,496

in euros

1.41

1.43

1.55

1.58

1.54

1.58

1.35

1.42

5.85

6.01

1  Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).

The quarterly figures are specific to the quarter to which they refer and have been rounded for commercial convenience. Calculated on the basis of units of 1,000 euros.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendar 
241241

178

2018

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

16,510

16,355

16,428

18,089

18,714

20,029

19,899 

8,256

3,542

4,556

155

8,117

3,510

4,580

148

8,127

3,547

4,626

128

8,992

3,833

5,137

128

8,961

3,838

5,795

121

9,387

3,868

6,651

123

9,403

3,950

6,419

128

46.8

47.7

47.0

48.2

47.9

46.7

46.0

408

2,199

1,191

483

621

– 97

2,018

24.4

1,526

415

2,285

1,271

474

682

– 141

2,172

25.2

1,625

413

2,244

1,345

421

615

– 137

2,195

24.3

1,662

478

2,645

1,462

561

786

– 164

2,645

24.4

1,968

1,480

1,589

1,628

1,921

9.2

14.3

19,525

11,927

7,598

9,511

10,014

48.7

17.6

9.9

23.9

19,344

11,360

7,984

10,158

9,186

52.5

17.1

>500

not relevant 4

10.1

48.4

20,961

14,150

6,811

11,644

9,317

55.6

16.4

274.8

10.9

75.7

22,323

15,406

6,917

13,811

8,512

61.9

16.9

375.2

in %

in %

in %

in %

in %

463

2,775

1,561

526

803

– 115

2,742

23.7

2,093

2,053

11.2

107.9

27,951 

19,738 

8,213

15,185

12,766

54.3

15.2

80.8

476

3,055

1,657

535

989

– 126

2,988 1

15.0 1

2,541

2,519

12.7

59.2 1

28,339 1

19,864 1

8,475 1

15,647 1

12,692 1

55.2 1

16.7 1

80.9 1

484

3,116

1,669

589

970

– 112

3,051

23.6

2,330

2,311

11.7

56.0

29,623

20,941

8,682

17,093

12,530

57.7

14.9

78.9

Multi-year summary

in million euros

Results of operations

Sales

Adhesive Technologies

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

Corporate

Gross margin

Research and development expenses

Operating profit (EBIT)

Adhesive Technologies

Beauty Care

Laundry & Home Care

Corporate

Income before tax

Tax rate 

Net income

Attributable to shareholders  
of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Net return on sales 2 

Interest coverage ratio

Net assets

Total assets

Non-current assets

Current assets

Equity

Liabilities

Equity ratio 

Return on equity 3 

Operating debt coverage ratio 

TABLE CONT’D

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendar 
242242

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2,634

516

2,116

465

as % of sales

3.1

2.8

1.20

1.22

0.93 

0.95

1,914

2,214

13.5

1.29

1.31

411

529

 569 

25.6 

51.93

62.20

24.6

30.0

75.64

84.31

34.7

30.0 

80.44

89.42

36.8

in euros

in euros

in %

in euros

in euros

2,384

979

5.4

2,850

4,430

23.7

2,468

2,511 1

12.5 1

2,698

1,281

6.4

1.45 

1.47

 639 

30.2 

88.62

103.20

41.4

1.60

1.62

704

30.3

98.98

113.25

45.9

1.77

1.79

779

30.7

100.00

110.35

45.6

1.83 5

1.85 5

805 5

30.9 5

85.75

95.40

39.3

in million euros

Financial position

Cash flow from operating activities

Capital expenditures

Investment ratio 

Shares

Dividend per ordinary share  

Dividend per preferred share  

Total dividends

Payout ratio 

Share price, ordinary shares, at year-end 

Share price, preferred shares, at year-end 

Market capitalization at year-end 

in bn euros

Employees

Total 6 

Germany

Abroad

(at December 31)

46,600

8,000

38,600

46,850

8,050

38,800

49,750

8,200

41,550

49,450

8,350

41,100

51,350

8,250

43,100

53,700

8,300

45,400

53,000

8,500

44,500

1    Prior-year figures amended (please refer to the notes on pages 140 and 141).
2 Net income divided by sales. 
3 Net income divided by equity at the start of the year.
4  Figure not relevant due to the positive balance of net financial position and pension obligations.
5  Proposal to shareholders for the Annual General Meeting on April 8, 2019.
6  Basis: permanent employees excluding apprentices.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendar 
Index of tables and graphs

The Company

Fiscal 2018 at a glance 

1   Key financials 

2   Sales by business unit 2018 

3   Sales by region 2018 

4   Key financials Adhesive Technologies 

5   Sales Adhesive Technologies 

6   Key financials Beauty Care 

7   Sales Beauty Care 

8   Key financials Laundry & Home Care 

9   Sales Laundry & Home Care 

Shares and bonds

10    Key data on Henkel shares 2014 to 2018 

11    Performance of Henkel shares versus  

market January through December 2018 

12    Performance of Henkel shares  

versus market 2009 through 2018 

13   Share data 

14   ADR data 

15    Shareholder structure: Institutional  
investors holding Henkel shares 

16   Bond data 

17   Analyst recommendations 

Corporate governance 

Cost of capital

2

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

19

20

21

22

22

23

24

25

18   Structure of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 

19   Remuneration structure 

20   Caps on remuneration 

21   Functional factors 

22   Calculation of STI and LTI 

23   Caps on remuneration 

24    Remuneration of Management Board members  

who served in 2018 

25    Remuneration structure of Management Board 

members who served in 2018 

26   Service cost / Present value of pension benefits 

27    Pursuant to DCGK, payments / benefits granted  
for the reporting year to members of the  
Management Board serving in 2018 

28    Pursuant to DCGK, payments / benefits paid  
for the reporting year to members of the  
Management Board serving in 2018 

29   Supervisory Board remuneration 

30   Shareholders’ Committee remuneration 

28

45

47

51

51

52

54

54

55

56

57

59

61

Combined management report 

Fundamental principles of the Group

Operational activities

31   Henkel around the world: Regional Centers 

64

Henkel 2020+: Our ambition  
and strategic priorities

32   Acquisitions in fiscal 2018 

66

33   WACC before tax by business unit 

34   WACC after tax by business unit 

Economic report

Macroeconomic development

35   Average rates of exchange versus the euro 

Results of operations of the Group

36   Sales development 

37   Sales 

38   Price and volume effects 

39   Key financials by region 

40   Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)  

41    Reconciliation from sales  

to adjusted operating profit 

42   Adjusted earnings per preferred share 

43   Preferred share dividend 

44   Guidance versus performance 2018 

Adhesive Technologies

45   Key financials 

46   Sales development 

47   Sales Adhesive Technologies 

Beauty Care

48   Key financials 

49   Sales development 

50   Sales Beauty Care 

243243

69

69

71

72

72

72

73

74

75

76

76

77

78

78

79

80

80

81

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendarLaundry & Home Care

51   Key financials 

52   Sales development 

53   Sales Laundry & Home Care 

Net assets and financial position

54   Capital expenditures 2018 

55   Capital expenditures by business unit 

56   Financial structure 

57   Net financial position 2014 to 2018 

58   Net financial position 

59   Credit ratings 

60   Key financial ratios 

Employees 

61   Payroll cost and average headcount 

62   Employees by organizational unit 

63   Women in management 

64   Employees by activity 

65   Employees by age group 

66   Employees 

Procurement

67   Material expenditures by business unit 

68   Material expenditures by type 

Production 

69   Number of production sites 

Research and development

70   R&D expenditures 

71   R&D expenditures by business unit 

72   Key R&D figures 

73   Selected research and development sites 

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (condensed version   
according to the German Commercial Code [HGB])

Results of operations

74    Condensed income statement in accordance  
with the German Commercial Code [HGB] 

Result for the year

75    Condensed balance sheet in accordance  
with the German Commercial Code [HGB] 

Risks and opportunities report

Risk management system

76   Major risk categories 

77   Classification of risks in ascending order 

Consolidated financial statements

78    Consolidated statement of  
financial position – Assets 

79    Consolidated statement of  

financial position – Equity and liabilities 

80   Consolidated statement of income 

81    Consolidated statement of  
comprehensive income 

82   Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

83   Consolidated statement of cash flows 

84    Additional voluntary information:  
Reconciliation to free cash flow 

85   Group segment report by business unit 

86   Key financials by region 

104

105

110

110

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

132

Accounting principles and methods applied in  
preparation of the consolidated financial statements

Scope of consolidation

87   Scope of consolidation 

134

82

82

83

85

85

86

86

87

88

88

89

89

89

90

91

91

92

93

94

96

96

96

98

244244

135

135

137

Acquisitions and divestments

88   Acquisitions 

89    Reconciliation of the purchase price  

to provisional goodwill 

Currency translation

90   Currencies 

Recognition and measurement methods

91   Summary of selected measurement methods 

138

Amendment of prior-year figures

92   Amendment of prior-year figures 

141

New international accounting  regulations according  
to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)

93    Accounting regulations applied for the first time  

in the year under review 

94    Accounting regulations not applied  
in advance of their effective date 

95    Accounting regulations  

not yet adopted into EU law 

Notes to the consolidated statement  
of financial position

Non-current assets

96   Useful life 

Intangible assets

97   Cost 

98   Accumulated amortization / impairment 

99   Net book values 

100   Book values – Goodwill 

101   Book values – Trademarks and other rights 

142

145

147

148

148

149

150

151

152

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendar119   Development of asset ceiling at December 31, 2018  167

138   Reconciliation of net results to financial result 

120    Development of the net obligation  

139   Derivative financial instruments 

Property, plant and equipment

102   Cost 

103   Accumulated depreciation / impairment 

104   Net book values 

Other financial assets

105   Analysis 

Other assets

106   Analysis 

Inventories

107   Analysis of inventories 

Trade accounts receivable

108   Trade accounts receivable 

109    Development of valuation allowances  

on trade accounts receivable 

Assets and liabilities held for sale

153

154

154

155

156

157

158

158

at December 31, 2018 

121   Analysis of reimbursement rights 

122   Analysis of plan assets 

123   Plan assets by country 2018 

124   Classification of bonds by rating 2018 

Risks associated with pension  obligations

125   Future payments for pension benefits 

126    Sensitivities – Present value of pension  
obligations at December 31, 2017 

127    Sensitivities – Present value of pension  
obligations at December 31, 2018 

Income tax provisions and other provisions

128   Development in 2018 

129   Analysis of sundry provisions by function 

110   Assets and liabilities held for sale 

159

Borrowings

Issued capital

111   Issued capital 

Provisions for pensions and  similar obligations

112   Actuarial assumptions 

113    Development of defined benefit obligations  

at December 31, 2017 

130   Borrowings 

131   Bonds 

Other financial liabilities 

132   Analysis 

Other liabilities 

133   Analysis 

159

163

164

114   Development of plan assets at December 31, 2017  164

115    Development of asset ceiling  

at December 31, 2017 

116    Development of the net obligation  

at December 31, 2017 

117    Development of defined benefit obligations  

at December 31, 2018 

Financial instruments report

165

165

166

134    Reconciliation of valuation categories  

and carrying amounts from IAS 39 to IFRS 9 

135   Development of level 3 assets and liabilities 

136    Net results by measurement category  

and reconciliation to financial result 2017 

118   Development of plan assets at December 31, 2018  166

137    Net results by measurement category  

and reconciliation to financial result 2018 

167

168

169

169

169

172

172

172

173

174

175

176

177

178

182

184

186

187

140   Interest rates in percent p.a. 

141   Cash flow hedges (after income taxes) 

142    Currency derivatives in cash flow  

hedge accounting 

143    Hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity  

(after income taxes) 

144   Maximum risk position 

145    Valuation allowances on trade accounts  

receivable by risk category 

146    Financial assets and financial liabilities  

from derivatives subject to netting, collateral,  
or similar arrangements 

147   Cash flows from financial liabilities 2017 

148   Cash flows from financial liabilities 2018 

149   Currency risk exposure 

150   Interest rate risk exposure 

151   Interest rate risk 

Notes to the consolidated statement of income

152   Other operating income 

153   Other operating expenses 

 Financial result

154    Financial result 

155   Interest result 

156   Other financial result 

Taxes on income

157   Income before tax and analysis of taxes 

158   Main components of tax expense and income 

159    Deferred tax expense by items on the  

statement of financial position 

245245

187

188

189

190

190

192

193

194

196

197

197

199

201

201

205

205

206

206

206

206

207

207

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendar160   Tax reconciliation statement 

161   Allocation of deferred taxes 

207

208

Further information 

177   Quarterly breakdown of key financials 

162    Expiry dates of unused tax losses and tax credits  209

178   Multi-year summary 

239

241

246246

Other disclosures

163    Reconciliation of adjusted net income 

210

Payroll cost and employee structure

164   Payroll cost 

165   Number of employees per function 

Share-based payment plans

166   Global LTI Plan 2020+  

Group segment report

211

211

212

167    Reconciliation between net operating assets /  

capital employed and financial statement figures 

216

168   Earnings per share 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

169    Reconciliation of assets and liabilities reflected  
in cash flow from financing activities 2017 

170    Reconciliation of assets and liabilities reflected  
in cash flow from financing activities 2018 

Contingent Liabilities

171   Analysis 

217

219

220

221

Lease and other unrecognized financial commitments

172   Operating lease commitments 

173   Finance lease commitments 2017 

174   Finance lease commitments 2018 

Remuneration of the corporate bodies

175   Remuneration of the corporate bodies 

Auditor’s fees and services

176   Type of fee 

221

221

221

223

224

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Glossary

Adjusted EBIT
Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) adjusted 
for exceptional items in the form of one-time charges, 
one-time gains and restructuring expenses.

Credit facility
Aggregate of all loan services available on call from  
one or  several banks as cover for an immediate credit 
requirement.

EBITDA
Abbreviation for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, 
 Depreciation and Amortization.

Capital employed
Capital invested in company assets and operations. 
Equity + interest-bearing liabilities.

Compliance
Acting in conformity with applicable regulations;  
ad herence to laws, rules, regulations and in-house  
or corporate codes of conduct.

Compound annual growth rate
Year-over-year rate of growth, e.g. of an investment.

Corporate governance
System of management and control, primarily within 
listed companies. Describes the powers and authority 
 of corporate management, the extent to which these 
need to be monitored and the extent to which struc-
tures should be put in place through which certain 
interest /stakeholder groups may exert influence on the 
corporate management.

Corporate Governance Code 
The German Corporate Governance Code (abbreviation: 
DCGK) is intended to render the rules governing corpo-
rate management and control for a stock corporation 
in Germany transparent for national and international 
investors, engendering trust and confidence in the 
 corporate management of German companies. 

Credit default swap
Instrument used by Henkel to evaluate the credit risks 
of banks.

Declaration of conformity
Declaration made by the management / executive 
board and supervisory board of a company according 
to Section 161 German Stock Corporation Act [AktG],  
confirming implementation of the recommendations  
of the Governmental Commission for the German 
 Corporate Governance Code.

Defined contribution plans
Post-employment benefit plans under which an entity 
pays fixed contributions into a separate entity (a fund) 
and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay 
further contributions if the fund does not hold suffi-
cient assets to pay all employee benefits relating to 
employee service in current and prior periods.

Derivative
Financial instrument, the value of which changes in 
 res ponse to changes in an underlying asset or an index, 
which will be settled at a future date and which initially 
requires only a small or no investment.

Earnings per share (EPS)
Metric indicating the income of a joint stock corporation 
divided between the weighted average number of its 
shares outstanding. The calculation is performed in 
accordance with International Accounting Standard 
(IAS) 33.

EBIT
Abbreviation for Earnings Before Interest and Taxes. 
Standard profit metric that enables the earning power 
of the operating business activities of a company to 
be assessed independently of its financial structure, 
facilitating comparability between entities where these 
are financed by varying levels of debt capital. 

Economic Value Added (EVA®)
The EVA concept reflects the net wealth generated by 
a company over a certain period. A company achieves 
positive EVA when the operating result exceeds the 
weighted average cost of capital. The WACC corre-
sponds to the yield on capital employed expected by 
the capital market. EVA is a registered trademark of 
Stern Stewart & Co.

Equity ratio
Financial metric indicating the ratio of equity to total 
capital. It expresses the share of total assets financed 
out of equity (owners’ capital) rather than debt capital 
(provided by lenders). Serves to assess the financial 
stability and independence of a company.

Free cash flow
Cash flow actually available for acquisitions, dividend 
payments, the reduction of borrowings, and contribu-
tions to pension funds.

Gross margin
Indicates the percentage by which a company’s sales 
exceed cost of sales, i.e. the ratio of gross profit to 
sales.

Gross profit
Difference between sales and cost of sales.

Hedge accounting
Method for accounting for hedging transactions where by 
the compensatory effect of changes in the fair value of 
the hedging instrument (derivative) and of the underly-
ing asset or liability is recognized in either the state-
ment of income or the statement of comprehensive 
income.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendar248248

KGaA
Abbreviation for “Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien.” 
 A KGaA is a company with a legal identity (legal entity) 
 in which at least one partner has unlimited liability 
with respect to the company’s creditors (personally lia-
ble  partner), while the liability for such debts of the 
other partners participating in the share-based capital 
stock  is limited to their share capital (limited share-
holders).

Long-term incentive (LTI)
Bonus aligned to long-term financial performance. 

Payout ratio
Indicates what percentage of annual net income (ad-
justed for exceptional items) is paid out in dividends to 
shareholders, including non-controlling interests. 

Return-enhancing portfolio
Contains investments in equities and alternative invest-
ments, and serves to improve the overall return of the 
pension plan assets over the long term in order to raise 
the coverage ratio of pension funds. In addition, a 
 broader investment horizon increases the level of 
 investment diversification.

Net financial position
The net financial position is defined as cash and cash 
equivalents plus readily monetizable non-derivative 
financial instruments less borrowings, plus positive and 
minus negative fair values of hedging transactions.

Net working capital
Inventories plus payments on account, receivables 
from suppliers and trade accounts receivable, less trade 
accounts payable, liabilities to customers, and current 
sales provisions.

Non-controlling interests 
Proportion of equity attributable to third parties in sub-
sidiaries included within the scope of consolidation. 
 Previously termed “minority interests.” Valued on a 
proportional net asset basis. A pro-rata portion of the 
net income of a corporation is due to shareholders 
owning non-controlling interests.

Organic sales growth
Growth in revenues after adjusting for effects arising 
from acquisitions, divestments and foreign exchange 
 differences – i.e. “top line” growth generated from 
within. 

Return on capital employed (ROCE)
Profitability metric reflecting the ratio of earnings 
before interest and taxes (EBIT) to capital employed. 

Return on sales (EBIT)
Operating business metric derived from the ratio of 
EBIT to revenues. Also known as EBIT margin.

Swap
Term given to the exchange of capital amounts in dif-
fering currencies (currency swap) or of different inter-
est obligations (interest swap) between two entities. 

Value-at-risk
Method, based on fair value, used to calculate the max-
imum likely or potential future loss arising from a port-
folio.

Weighted average cost of capital (WACC)
Average return on capital, expressed as a percentage 
and calculated on the basis of a weighted average of 
the cost of debt and equity. WACC represents the mini-
mum return expected of a company by its lenders for 
financing its assets.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendar249249

Credits

Published by
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA  
40191 Düsseldorf, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 211 - 797-0  

© 2019 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Edited by 
Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, 
Corporate Accounting and Subsidiary Controlling

Coordination 
Martina Flögel, Lars Korinth, Rabea Laakmann

English translation
SDL, London

Design and typesetting 
MPM Corporate Communication Solutions,  
Mainz, Düsseldorf

Photographs 
Nils Hendrik Müller; Henkel

Pre-print proofing 
Paul Knighton, Cambridge; Thomas Krause, Krefeld

Date of publication of this Report
February 21, 2019 

PR No.: 02 19 0

Except as otherwise noted, all marks used in this publication are trademarks 
and / or registered trademarks of the Henkel Group in Germany and elsewhere.

This document contains forward-looking statements which are based on the 
current estimates and assumptions made by the corporate management of 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. Forward-looking statements are characterized by the 
use of words such as expect, intend, plan, predict, assume, believe, estimate, 
anticipate, forecast and  similar formulations. Such statements are not to be 
understood as in any way guaranteeing that those expectations will turn out to 
be accurate. Future performance and the results actually achieved by Henkel AG 

& Co. KGaA and its affiliated companies depend on a number of risks and uncer-
tainties and may therefore differ materially from forward-looking statements. 
Many of these factors are outside  Henkel’s control and cannot be accurately 
estimated in advance, such as the future economic environment and the actions 
of competitors and others involved in the marketplace. Henkel neither plans nor 
undertakes to update forward-looking statements. This document has been 
issued for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute an invest-
ment advice or an offer to sell securities, or a solicitation of an offer to buy 
securities.

Henkel Annual Report 2018The CompanyShares and bondsCorporate governanceCombined management reportConsolidated financial statementsFurther informationQuarterly breakdown of  key financials Multi-year summaryIndex of tables and graphsGlossary CreditsContactsFinancial calendarContacts

Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 (0) 211 - 797-3533
E-mail: corporate.communications@henkel.com

Investor Relations
Phone: +49 (0) 211 - 797-3937
E-mail: investor.relations@henkel.com

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Quarterly breakdown of  
key financials 

Multi-year summary

Index of tables and graphs

Glossary 

Credits

Contacts

Financial calendar

250250

Up-to-date facts and figures on Henkel also  
available on the internet: 

  www.henkel.com

Our financial publications on the internet:

  www.henkel.com/reports

Our sustainability publications on the internet:

  www.henkel.com/sustainability/reports

Henkel app available for iOS and Android:

Henkel in social media:

www.facebook.com/henkel

www.twitter.com/henkel

www.linkedin.com/company/henkel_2

www.instagram.com/henkel

www.youtube.com/henkel

Henkel Annual Report 2018251251

The Company

Shares and bonds

Corporate governance

Combined management report

Consolidated financial statements

Further information

Quarterly breakdown of  
key financials 

Multi-year summary

Index of tables and graphs

Glossary 

Credits

Contacts

Financial calendar

Financial calendar

Annual General Meeting Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 2019:
Monday, April 8, 2019

Publication of Statement for the First Quarter 2019:
Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Publication of Report for the Second Quarter 2019 / Half Year 2019:
Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Publication of Statement for the Third Quarter 2019 / Nine Months 2019:
Thursday, November 14, 2019

Publication of Report for Fiscal 2019:
Thursday, March 5, 2020

Annual General Meeting Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 2020:
Monday, April 20, 2020

Henkel Annual Report 2018