COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
Strong organic sales growth Organic sales growth remained exceptionally strong also in the first quarter of the year. We estimate that we are growing faster than the security markets in the US and Europe as well as in many of the Ibero-American countries, mainly supported by our strategy of providing security solutions and electronic security. The growth was further supported by continued higher levels of security needs in Europe.
Earnings per share and operating margin improved Earnings per share improved by 14 percent in the first quarter, adjusted for changes in exchange rates. The operating margin improved to 4.8 percent (4.7).
Continued strong growth of security solutions and electronic security sales Sales of security solutions and electronic security were strong in the first quarter and in line with our expectations. We believe that we can continue to increase our sales of security solutions and electronic security at a high pace in the coming years and to make this a substantial part of the Group’s total sales. The completed acquisition of Diebold’s North American Electronic Security business on February 1, 2016 also makes a substantial contribution in accelerating our transformation of the security industry.
Alf Göransson President and Chief Executive Officer
PRESENTATION OF THE INTERIM REPORT
Analysts and media are invited to participate in a telephone conference on May 4, 2016 at 14:30 p.m. (CET) where Securitas CEO Alf Göransson will present the report and answer questions. The telephone conference will also be audio cast live via Securitas web. To participate in the telephone conference, please dial in five minutes prior to the start of the conference call:
The United States: + 1 855 269 2605 Sweden: + 46 (0) 8 519 993 55 United Kingdom: + 44 (0) 203 194 0550
To follow the audio cast of the telephone conference via the web, please follow the link www.securitas.com/investors/webcasts. A recorded version of the audio cast will be available at www.securitas.com/investors/webcasts after the telephone conference.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Micaela Sjökvist, Head of Investor Relations, + 46 10 470 3013
Gisela Lindstrand, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, + 46 10 470 3011
Securitas AB discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 11.30 (CET) on Wednesday, May 4, 2016.