Nestle Posts Strong Profit Growth In 2014, Boosted By Non-Core Transactions

Nestle S.A. said net profit grew 44 percent in 2014, driven by the sale of its stake in L'Oreal and its acquisition of dermatology company Galderma. With those transactions excluded, Nestle's earnings per share rose 4.4 percent, the company said. Sales in Europe, however, slowed down, growing only 1.5 percent. Net profit increased by 4.4 billion francs to 14.5 billion francs, or $15.4 billion, on sales of 91.6 billion francs.