Danone meets expectations with 2015 growth figures

Danone has announced its financial results for 2015, during which it delivered a revenue total of 22.41 billion euros (17.54 billion pounds).

This represents a year-on-year increase of 4.4 percent, with its earnings per share rising by 8.4 percent to 2.93 euros and its trading operating margin improving to reach 12.91 percent.

During the year, the company was able to invest in new product launches and further research and development, allowing it to navigate a challenging economic situation. This was achieved while also reducing the carbon footprint of the business's operations.

In 2016, Danone is targeting sales growth within a range of three to five percent, as well as a solid improvement of its trading operating margin and a further rise in its free cashflow.

Emmanuel Faber, chief executive officer of Danone, said: "In 2016, in a global context that remains volatile, Danone will continue to invest behind its brands and will mark a further important step to develop a balanced model of strong, profitable and sustainable growth."

Last month, the company was named as one of the three top-performing companies in the 2016 Access to Nutrition Index, alongside Unilever and Nestle.