Henkel has announced that 2009 sales will decline by 3.5% to around €13.57 billion. The company said it expects adjusted earnings to fall to €1.91 per preferred share from €2.19 a share a year ago. However, the company concluded that the 2009 recession year has been "better than anticipated." The company has posted a strong business performance for Q4 2009, citing better-than-expected developments in their Laundry & Home Care and Adhesive Technologies business sectors. Adjusted return on sales (EBIT) further increased in the fourth quarter to 12.4%. The company is scheduled to release final figures on Feb. 25