USA market shrinks and Lindt does not reach profit estimate

Lindt Spruengli announced profit for & full year slightly below analysts '' estimates at a time of shrinking u.s. market and after the largest manufacturer of premium chocolate in the world reshaped the company''s portfolio Russell Stover to make it less seasonal.
The operating profit rose 8,4%, to 562,500,000 francs ($ 556 million), said the company based in Kilchberg, Switzerland, in a statement on Tuesday. The analysts had expected 565,300,000 francs.
The manufacturer of chocolate Lindor balls gave last year to the sequence''s portfolio cleaning Russell Stover, of more than 2,000 products and offered less price promotions for the brand. The American market of chocolates 2% by volume fell and remained stagnant in value for the first time in about 20 years, according to CEO Dieter Weisskopf.
"The consumer sentiment was not exactly great in the US," said the CEO, at a news conference in Zurich. "The good news is that the premium segment grew again in the United States. The phenomenon of recovery is still growing. "
The chocolate manufacturers deal with the slowdown in sales in the U.S. at a time when Americans increasingly turn their back on the sugar. Earlier this month, Hershey announced plans to cut 15% of your workforce. Lindt is adjusting the portfolio of Russell Stover and will launch fewer seasonal products and also reworked sugar free items this year.
The company said organic revenue growth expected in 2017 similar to 6% increase from last year, plus a larger operating margin improvement. Lindt has a goal of annual growth of 6% the 8% organic sales in the long term, with increased 20 to 40 basis points in your operating profit margin.
Lindt is raising your dividend in 10%, to 880 francs per share. The action showed little change, 65,480 francs.