Consumer products company Henkel has reported net earnings of E150 million or E0.33 earnings per diluted ordinary share, for the second quarter of 2009, compared to E42 million or E0.07 earnings per diluted ordinary share in the same period of the prior year.

Net sales for the second quarter of 2009 were E3.48 billion, compared to E3.67 billion in the corresponding period of the prior year.

Net earnings for the six-month period of 2009 were E271 million or E0.60 earnings per diluted ordinary share, compared to E265 million or E0.59 earnings per diluted ordinary share in the same period of the prior year.

Net sales for the six-month period of 2009 were E6.74 billion, compared to E6.83 billion in the corresponding period of the prior year.

Kasper Rorsted, chairman of the Henkel management board, said: "Again in the second quarter of 2009, Henkel felt the effects of the continuing world economic recession. Nevertheless, all our business sectors were again able to outstrip their relevant markets. Our Laundry & Home Care business sector actually surpassed the good results of the first quarter, while cosmetics/toiletries again showed a very positive performance. Compared to the first quarter, we also registered an improvement at Adhesive Technologies."