Kerry Group plc has said that it observes some optimism for Irish exports due to euro weakness. Its Chief Financial Officer, Brian Mehigan told Reuters that the company is working upon looking at acquisition opportunities in India and Thailand.

Kerry Group plc reported audited consolidated earnings results for the year ended December 31, 2009. Group sales revenue in 2009 reported at 4,520.7 million reflects a 4.8% reduction on a like-for-like (LFL) basis. However; allowing for elimination of non-core activities as a result of the 'go-to-market' and business restructuring programmes, improvements to product mix, lower pricing and trading currency movements; continuing business volumes were 2.2% ahead on a Group-wide basis. Continuing business volumes improved by 2.9% in ingredients & flavours and recovered in consumer foods as the year progressed to equal the 2008 level. Business restructuring in the Group's ingredients & flavours regional businesses was completed by year-end and was well advanced in the consumer foods division. Revenue from continuing operations was 4,790.8 million in 2008. Operating profit was 321.7 million against 318.0 million in 2008. Profit before tax and non-trading items increased by 6% to 335.8 million. Profit before taxation was 251.9 million against 240.4 million in 2008. Profit before tax and non-trading items increased by 6% to 335.8 million against 268.9 million in 2008. Profit after tax before intangible asset amortization and non-trading items increased by 8.4% to 291 million. Adjusted basic earnings per A ordinary share increased by 8.2% to 166.5 cent against 153.9 cent in 2008. Basic earnings per share increased from 101.3 cents to 115 cents. Profit after taxation and attributable to equity shareholders was 201.2 million against 177.0 million in 2008. Diluted earnings per A ordinary share were 114.9 cents against 101.1 cents in 2008. Net cash from operating activities was 478.9 million against 367.1 million in 2008. The Group achieved a free cash flow of 367 million against 227 million. Net capital expenditure was 108 million against 145 million in 2008. This includes a 133 million reduction in working capital approximately 100 million of which can be attributed to the Group's restructuring programmes.EBITDA was 519 million against 503 million in 2008. At December 31, 2009 net debt was 1,159 million against 1,164 million in 2008. Adjusted diluted earnings per A ordinary share were 166.3 cents against 153.6 cents a year ago. Purchase of non-current assets was 126.1 million against 159.6 million in 2008. The Board recommends a final dividend of 17.3 cents per share, an increase of 10.9% on 2008. Together with the interim dividend of 7.7 cents per share, this raises the total dividend for the year to 25 cent per share, reflecting an increase of 11.1% on the total 2008 dividend. The final dividend will be paid on May 14, 2010 to shareholders registered on the record date April 16, 2010. The strategies and investment programmes will enable sustained business margin improvement and the company is confident of delivering earnings growth in 2010 to a range of 182 to 185 cents per share.

Kerry Group plc announced that they will report first half 2, 2010 results on 08/31/2010