STOCKHOLM, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --  Quarter 2, 2024 - Strong earnings and good underlying growth Net sales decreased 1.2% to SEK 36,617m (37,078) Organic growth amounted to -0.9%, of which volume accounted for 0.4% and price/mix -1.3%. Excluding restructuring and exited contracts, volumes increased 2.9%. EBITA increased 27% to SEK 5,237m (4,131) EBITA excl. IAC increased 17% to SEK 5,398m (4,617) and the EBITA margin excl. IAC increased 2.2 percentage points to 14.7% (12.5) ROCE increased to 17.9% (14.2), and ROCE excl. IAC increased 2.7 percentage points to 18.5% (15.8). Operating cash flow increased 14% to SEK 3,239m (2,847) Profit for the period, total operations, amounted to SEK 3,333m (2,551) Earnings per share, continuing operations, increased to SEK 4.72 (3.46). Earnings per share, total operations, increased to SEK 4.72 (3.53). Pursuant to the authorization granted by the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors has decided to buy back own Class B shares for SEK 3bn commencing on June 17, 2024 New financial targets with raised level of ambition presented: Annual organic sales growth >3% and EBITA margin excl. IAC >15% CEO'S COMMENTS Essity is in better shape than ever, reporting strong second-quarter earnings with good underlying growth and its highest operating profit (EBITA) to date. All business areas achieved higher EBITA margins compared with the preceding year. We presented new ambitious financial targets during the ...