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In Kesko`s grocery trade, the key objective is to stop the decline of market share and turn the trend upward in Finland. The first signs of a turnaround were already seen in February-March in both customer flows and sales. The partnership agreement with the world`s leading coffee house chain, Starbucks, announced in April is a good example of the different ways in which K-food stores can deliver the most exciting experiences in the market.

The market position of Kesko`s building and home improvement trade strengthened in Finland and profitability is being improved further in the Nordic and the Baltic countries. In Russia too, sales performance in local currencies has been strong despite the challenging market situation.

Kesko`s strategy work is underway and the new strategy will be published within the next few months. It has been prepared since the beginning of the year by some 40 people and the whole personnel has been invited to express their ideas through different channels. Kesko will be a more focused and unified group in the future. The strategy will guide Kesko`s future direction for several years to come and it will play a key role in the continuation of Kesko`s 75-year-long success story."

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Net sales and profit for January-March 2015
The Group`s net sales for January-March 2015 were €2,082 million, which is 2.2% down on the corresponding period of the previous year (€2,129 million). Anttila excluded, net sales performance was +0.7% in local currencies. The general economic situation and consumer demand in Finland remained weak during the reporting period. In the grocery trade, net sales performance was +0.1%. In the home improvement and speciality goods trade, net sales decreased by 5.2%, but Anttila excluded, they increased by 2.2% in local currencies. In the car and machinery trade, net sales were down 4.2%. The Group`s net sales in Finland decreased by 1.5% and in the other countries by 5.7%; in local currencies, net sales abroad increased by 6.0%. The weakening of the Russian rouble impacted net sales performance in euros especially in the home improvement and speciality goods trade. International operations accounted for 15.7% (16.3%) of net sales.

The operating profit excluding non-recurring items for January-March was €26.5 million (€19.1 million). Profitability improved markedly in the home improvement and speciality goods trade, in which profit performance strengthened especially in the building and home improvement trade in Finland, Sweden and Norway. The operating loss of Anttila was also clearly smaller than in the previous year. Profitability was at a good level also in the grocery trade and in the car and machinery trade despite the tightened competitive situation.

Operating profit was €-103.6 million (€-13.0 million). The operating profit includes €-130.1 million (€-32.2 million) of non-recurring items. The most significant non-recurring item is the €130 million loss on the divestment of Anttila. The non-recurring items in the comparative period included a €30.0 million restructuring provision recognised on measures taken to improve Anttila`s profitability.

The Group`s profit before tax for January-March was €-103.7 million (€-14.4 million). The Group`s earnings per share were €-1.11 (€-0.11). The Group`s equity per share was €21.30 (€22.83).

In January-March, the K-Group`s (i.e. Kesko`s and the chain stores`) retail and B2B sales (VAT 0%) were €2,475 million, down 3.1% compared to the previous year. The K-Plussa customer loyalty programme gained 16,021 new households in January-March 2015. At the end of March, there were 2.3 million K-Plussa households and 3.6 million K-Plussa cardholders.

Finance
In January-March, the cash flow from operating activities was €-74.8 million (€-94.8 million). The cash flow from investing activities was €-64.5 million (€-43.7 million).

The Group`s liquidity remained at an excellent level in January-March. At the end of the period, liquid assets totalled €506 million (€532 million). Interest-bearing liabilities were €548 million (€557 million) and interest-bearing net debt was €41 million (€25 million) at the end of March. The equity ratio was 51.5% (53.2%) at the end of the period.

In January-March, the Group`s net finance costs were €0.3 million (€1.6 million).

Taxes
In January-March, the Group`s taxes were €7.0 million. In the comparative period, taxes were €2.5 million positive due to deferred tax assets recognised on non-recurring costs.

Capital expenditure
In January-March, the Group`s capital expenditure totalled €51.5 million (€43.4 million), or 2.5% (2.0%) of net sales. Capital expenditure in store sites was €40.1 million (€27.8 million), in IT €4.7 million (€10.8 million) and other capital expenditure was €6.6 million (€4.8 million). Capital expenditure in foreign operations represented 53.4% (37.2%) of total capital expenditure.

Kesko`s strategy work progresses

Kesko`s strategy will be published and implemented across the Group within the next few months. The new strategy aims to achieve profitable growth in selected areas. All business operations will be developed in order to increase shareholder value. Synergies will be fully exploited at both customer interface and in internal operations. Special themes in the strategy include digitalisation, strengthening of retailer entrepreneurship, customer experience and identity. Kesko will be an increasingly focused and unified operator in the future.

Sale of Anttila`s shares was implemented

On 16 March 2015, Kesko sold the department store chain Anttila Oy to the German investment fund 4K INVEST at a price of €1 million. The transaction included all assets and liabilities in Anttila Oy. Anttila Oy`s approximately 1,500 employees continue in the employment of the company. The date of the transaction was 16 March 2015. Kesko recorded a €-130 million non-recurring item on the transaction for the first quarter of 2015 relating to the financing, working capital and fixed assets of Anttila. The transaction will improve Kesko`s profitability and make Kesko`s operations more focused.

Kesko continues preparations for real estate arrangement

The intention is to sell some of the store sites owned by Kesko to a joint venture to be set up. The arrangement is expected to be implemented during the first part of 2015, provided that the terms and conditions of the transaction are acceptable to Kesko.

Kesko`s objective is to set up a limited liability company (a joint venture) to own and manage mainly Kesko-owned store sites and shopping centres with Kesko as one of its significant investors. If the joint venture is set up, Kesko Group would continue operating on the store sites under long-term leases to be signed in connection with their sale. The fair value of store sites planned to be sold to the joint venture in Finland and Sweden is approximately €670 million at maximum. If implemented, the sale of store sites is estimated to generate a significant non-recurring profit.

Personnel
In January-March, the average number of employees in Kesko Group was 19,058 (19,619) converted into full-time employees. In Finland, the average decrease was 877 people, while outside Finland, there was an increase of 316 people.

At the end of March 2015, the number of employees was 21,489 (23,428), of whom 9,829 (12,155) worked in Finland and 11,660 (11,273) outside Finland. Compared to the end of March 2014, there was a decrease of 2,326 people in Finland and an increase of 387 people outside Finland. The number of personnel at Anttila, sold on 16 March 2015, was approximately 1,500.

The Group`s employee benefit expenses were €144 million (€156 million) in January-March.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Seasonal nature of operations
The Group`s operating activities are affected by seasonal fluctuations. The net sales and operating profits of the reportable segments are not earned evenly throughout the year. Instead, they vary by quarter depending on the characteristics of each segment.

Grocery trade

January-March 2015

The net sales of the grocery trade for January-March were €1,103 million (€1,102 million), with a performance of +0.1%. Easter falling at the beginning of April increased the wholesale of groceries at the end of the reporting period. In January-March, the grocery sales of K-food stores in Finland decreased by 1.1% (VAT 0%). In the grocery market in Finland, retail prices are estimated to have changed by approximately -0.5% compared to the previous year (VAT 0%; Kesko`s own estimate based on the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland) and the total market (VAT 0%) is estimated to have been at the previous year`s level in January-March (Kesko`s own estimate). Kespro`s sales and market position remained at a good level. The weakening of the rouble decreased the sales in euros of the food stores in Russia. In roubles, net sales increased by 24%.

In January-March, the operating profit excluding non-recurring items of the grocery trade was €34.9 million (€45.4 million). Profitability remained at a good level despite the measures taken to improve K-food stores` competitiveness. Kespro`s market share increased and profitability remained at a good level. Operating profit was €35.2 million (€44.3 million). Non-recurring items were €0.3 million (€-1.1 million).

The capital expenditure of the grocery trade in January-March was €37.6 million (€19.7 million), of which €34.2 million (€16.7 million) in store sites.

In January-March 2015, the sixth K-ruoka store in St. Petersburg and one new K-supermarket, as well as two new K-markets in Finland were opened. Renewals and space modifications were made in a total of seven stores.

The most significant store sites being built are the new K-supermarkets in Lauttasaari, Helsinki, in Oulu, Raasepori, Savonlinna, Uusikaarlepyy and the two new K-supermarkets in Lappeenranta. Two new food stores are being built in Russia.

* incl. online stores

In addition, several K-food stores offer e-commerce services to their customers.

Home improvement and speciality goods trade

January-March 2015

The net sales of the home improvement and speciality goods trade for January-March were €722 million (€761 million), down 5.2%. Net sales excluding Anttila increased by 2.2% in local currencies.

The net sales of the home improvement and speciality goods trade for January-March in Finland were €432 million (€461 million), a decrease of 6.3%. Anttila excluded, net sales decreased in Finland by 1.6% despite the positive performance of Indoor and Intersport.

The K-Group`s sales of building and home improvement products in Finland decreased by a total of 3.7% and the total market (VAT 0%) is estimated to have fallen by approximately 5.4% (Kesko`s own estimate). The K-Group`s market share is estimated to have grown during the first months of the year. The retail sales of the K-maatalous chain were down by 2.2%.

In January-March, the net sales from the foreign operations of the home improvement and speciality goods trade were €290 million (€300 million), a decrease of 3.5%. In local currencies, the net sales from foreign operations increased by 6.7%. In Sweden, net sales in kronas grew by 9.9% and in Russia, net sales in roubles grew by 14.8%. In Norway, net sales in krones were at the previous year`s level. Market position strengthened in Sweden and the Baltic countries. Foreign operations contributed 40.2% (39.5%) to the net sales of the home improvement and speciality goods trade.

In January-March, the operating profit excluding non-recurring items of the home improvement and speciality goods trade was €-11.4 million (€-31.4 million), up €20.0 million compared to the previous year. Anttila`s operating profit, €-12.7 million (€-22.2 million) is included in the profit of the home improvement and speciality goods trade. Anttila and non-recurring items excluded, the operating profit of the home improvement and speciality goods trade was €1.3 million, up €10.6 million on the previous year. The clearly improved profitability is attributable to a sales increase in foreign currency terms, coupled with the growth of sales margin and the implemented cost savings. Profit improved especially in the building and home improvement trade in Finland, Sweden and Norway. In Russia, the operating profit excluding foreign exchange impacts increased. The operating profit of the home improvement and speciality goods trade was €-141.8 million (€-62.5 million). Non-recurring items include a €130 million loss on the sale of Anttila.

In January-March, the capital expenditure of the home improvement and speciality goods trade totalled €9.5 million (€14.2 million), of which 36.1% (65.0%) was abroad. Capital expenditure in store sites represented 53.6% of total capital expenditure.

In January-March, an Intersport store in Vaasa and the Sotka.fi online store were opened and two Intersport stores were closed in St. Petersburg. The most significant store sites being built are the K-rauta stores in Kokkola, Lahti and Imatra.

* in 2015, 46 (47) Rautia stores also operated as K-maatalous stores

** incl. online stores

In addition, the building and home improvement stores offer e-commerce services to their customers.

Car and machinery trade

January-March 2015

The net sales of the car and machinery trade for January-March were €261 million (€272 million), down 4.2%.

VV-Auto`s net sales for January-March were €206 million (€214 million), a decrease of 3.7%. In January-March, the combined market performance of first time registered passenger cars and vans was -3.0%.

In January-March, the combined market share of passenger cars and vans imported by VV-Auto was 18.8% (20.9%).

Konekesko`s net sales for January-March were €55 million (€58 million), down 6.2% compared to the previous year. Net sales in Finland were €38 million, up 4.9%. The net sales from Konekesko`s foreign operations were €17 million, down 24.3%. The net sales decline was especially impacted by the weak market performance of the agricultural machinery trade in Finland and the Baltic countries.

In January-March, the operating profit excluding non-recurring items of the car and machinery trade was €7.0 million (€8.2 million), down €1.3 million compared to the previous year. The profitability of the car trade remained at a good level despite the weakened market situation.

The operating profit for January-March was €7.0 million (€8.2 million).

The capital expenditure of the car and machinery trade in January-March was €2.9 million (€2.9 million).

Changes in the Group composition

During the reporting period, Kesko Corporation sold its subsidiary Anttila Oy. (Stock exchange release on 16 March 2015)

Shares, securities market and Board authorisations

At the end of March 2015, the total number of Kesko Corporation shares was 100,019,752, of which 31,737,007, or 31.7%, were A shares and 68,282,745, or 68.3%, were B shares. At 31 March 2015, Kesko Corporation held 996,076 own B shares as treasury shares. These treasury shares accounted for 1.46% of the number of B shares, 1.00% of the total number of shares, and 0.26% of votes attached to all shares of the company. The total number of votes attached to all shares was 385,652,815. Each A share carries ten (10) votes and each B share one (1) vote. The company cannot vote with own shares held by it as treasury shares and no dividend is paid on them. At the end of March 2015, Kesko Corporation`s share capital was €197,282,584.

The price of a Kesko A share quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki was €28.56 at the end of 2014, and €36.76 at the end of March 2015, representing an increase of 28.7%. Correspondingly, the price of a B share was €30.18 at the end of 2014, and €39.77 at the end of March 2015, representing an increase of 31.8%. In January-March, the highest A share price was €38.08 and the lowest was €28.52. The highest B share price was €40.66 and the lowest was €29.95. In January-March, the Nasdaq Helsinki All-Share index (OMX Helsinki) was up 16.2% and the weighted OMX Helsinki Cap index 16.7%. The Retail Sector Index was up 28.6%.

At the end of March 2015, the market capitalisation of A shares was €1,167 million, while that of B shares was €2,676 million, excluding the shares held by the parent company. The combined market capitalisation of A and B shares was €3,843 million, an increase of €905 million from the end of 2014. In January-March 2015, a total of 0.8 million (0.6 million) A shares were traded on Nasdaq Helsinki, an increase of 41.7%. The exchange value of A shares was €27 million. The number of B shares traded was 17.3 million (14.6 million), an increase of 18.8%. The exchange value of B shares was €598 million. Nasdaq Helsinki accounted for 59% of Kesko A and B share trading in January-March 2015. Kesko shares were also traded on multilateral trading facilities, the most significant of which were BATS Chi-X with 34% and Turquoise with 7% of the trading (source: Fidessa).

The Board had the authority, granted by the Annual General Meeting of 16 April 2012, to issue a total maximum of 20,000,000 new B shares, which was intended to expire on 30 June 2015. The shares could be issued against payment for subscription by shareholders in a directed issue in proportion to their existing holdings of the company shares regardless of whether they consisted of A or B shares, or, deviating from the shareholder`s pre-emptive right, in a directed issue, if there had been a weighty financial reason for the company, such as using the shares to develop the company`s capital structure and financing possible acquisitions, capital expenditure or other arrangements within the scope of the company`s business operations. The amount paid for the shares would have been recognised in the reserve of invested non-restricted equity. The authorisation also included the Board`s authority to decide on the share subscription price, the right to issue shares against non-cash consideration and the right to make decisions on other matters concerning share issues.

On 13 April 2015, the Annual General Meeting approved a share issue authorisation which cancels the above authority granted by the General Meeting of 16 April 2012. In consequence, the Board has the authority, granted by the Annual General Meeting of 13 April 2015 and valid until 30 June 2018, to issue a total maximum of 20,000,000 new B shares. The shares can be issued against payment to be subscribed by shareholders in a directed issue in proportion to their existing holdings of the company shares regardless of whether they hold A or B shares, or, deviating from the shareholder`s pre-emptive right, in a directed issue, if there is a weighty financial reason for the company, such as using the shares to develop the company`s capital structure and financing possible acquisitions, capital expenditure or other arrangements within the scope of the company`s business operations. The amount paid for the shares is recognised in the reserve of invested non-restricted equity. The authorisation also includes the Board`s authority to decide on the share subscription price, the right to issue shares for non-cash consideration and the right to make decisions on other matters concerning share issues.

In addition, the Board has the authority, valid until 30 June 2017, to decide on the transfer of a maximum of 1,000,000 own B shares held by the company as treasury shares. On 9 February 2015, the Board decided to grant own B shares held by the company as treasury shares to persons included in the target group of the 2014 vesting period, based on the valid authority to issue treasury shares granted by the Annual General Meeting held on 8 April 2013 and the fulfilment of the vesting criteria of the 2014 vesting period of Kesko`s three-year share-based compensation plan. This transfer of a total of 120,022 own B shares was announced in a stock exchange release on 1 April 2015 and 7 April 2015. Based on the 2014-2016 share-based compensation plan decided by the Board, a total maximum of 600,000 own B shares held by the company as treasury shares can be granted within a period of three years based on the fulfilment of the vesting criteria. The Board will separately decide on the vesting criteria and target group for each vesting period. The share-based compensation plan was announced in a stock exchange release on 4 February 2014.

In January-March, a total of 761 shares granted based on the earlier share-based compensation plan (the 2011-2013 share-based compensation plan) was returned to the company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the share-based compensation plan. The return during the reporting period was notified in a stock exchange notification on 23 March 2015.

At the end of March 2015, the number of shareholders was 39,612, which is 257 less than at the end of 2014. At the end of March, foreign ownership of all shares was 27%. At the end of March, foreign ownership of B shares was 39%.

Flagging notifications

Kesko Corporation did not receive flagging notifications during the reporting period.

Key events during the reporting period

M.Sc. (Econ.) Anni Ronkainen, 48, was appointed Kesko`s Chief Digital Officer responsible for business development, digital business environment and marketing, and a member of the Group Management Board. (Stock exchange release on 26 January 2015)

Kesko sold the department store chain Anttila Oy to the German investment fund 4K INVEST at a price of €1 million. The transaction includes all assets and liabilities in Anttila Oy. Anttila Oy`s approximately 1,500 employees continue in the employment of the company. The date of the transaction was 16 March 2015. (Stock exchange release on 16 March 2015)

On 20 March 2015, at http://kesko2014.kesko.fi/en, Kesko published its first annual report that makes use of the integrated reporting framework. The annual report includes a business review, GRI indicators, the financial statements for 2014, the Corporate Governance Statement and the Remuneration Statement.

Resolutions of the 2015 Annual General Meeting and decisions of the Board`s organisational meeting
Kesko Corporation`s Annual General Meeting, held on 13 April 2015, adopted the financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for 2014 and discharged the Board members and the Managing Director from liability. The General Meeting also resolved to distribute a dividend of €1.50 per share as proposed by the Board, or a total amount of €148,715,547.00. The dividend pay date was 22 April 2015. The General Meeting resolved to leave the number of Board members unchanged at seven. The General Meeting resolved to elect retailer, Business College Graduate Esa Kiiskinen, Master of Science in Economics, retailer Tomi Korpisaari, retailer, Secondary School Graduate Toni Pokela, eMBA Mikael Aro (new member), Master of Science in Economics Matti Kyytsönen (new member), Master of Science in Economics Anu Nissinen (new member) and Master of Laws Kaarina Ståhlberg (new member) as Board members for a three-year term expiring at the close of the 2018 Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Articles of Association. In addition, the General Meeting resolved to leave the Board members` fees and the basis for reimbursement of expenses unchanged.

The General Meeting elected the firm of auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy, Authorised Public Accountants, as the company`s auditor, with APA Mikko Nieminen as the auditor with principal responsibility. The General Meeting also approved the Board`s proposals for the Board`s authorisation to issue of a total maximum of 20,000,000 new B shares until 30 June 2018, and its authorisation to decide on donations in a total maximum of €300,000 for charitable or corresponding purposes until the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2016.

After the Annual General Meeting, Kesko Corporation`s Board of Directors held an organisational meeting in which it elected retailer, Business College Graduate Esa Kiiskinen as its Chair and eMBA Mikael Aro as its Deputy Chair. Master of Laws Kaarina Ståhlberg (Ch.), eMBA Mikael Aro (Dep. Ch.) and Master of Science in Economics Matti Kyytsönen were elected to the Board`s Audit Committee. Esa Kiiskinen (Ch.), Mikael Aro (Dep. Ch.) and Master of Science in Economics Anu Nissinen were elected to the Board`s Remuneration Committee.

The resolutions of the 2015 Annual General Meeting and the decisions of the Board`s organisational meeting were announced in more detail in stock exchange releases on 13 April 2015.

Responsibility

The target of the Youth Guarantee in the K-Group programme was to employ 1,000 young people during 2013-2014. By the end of 2014, nearly 1,800 young people were employed by K-stores and Kesko in different parts of Finland.

The Blue and White Footprint campaign of the Association for Finnish Work continues in 2015 with K-rauta and Rautia stores joining K-food stores in the campaign. The campaign is aimed to increase the sales of Finnish products and the awareness of the positive impacts of buying Finnish work.

Kesko is the best food and staples retailer in the 2015 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list published in January rising to the fifth place on the list.

Plan, an international development organisation promoting children`s rights, and Kesko started a common research project on the position of Cambodian immigrant workers in Thailand in February 2015. The aim is to find out ways to improve the working conditions of Cambodian migrant workers and children`s education and protection in Thailand. The results of the research will be published in May 2015.

Risk management

Kesko Group has an established and comprehensive risk management process. Risks and their management responses are regularly assessed within the Group and reported to the Group management. Kesko`s risk management and risks associated with business operations are described in more detail on Kesko`s website in the Corporate Governance section.

The most significant near-future risks in Kesko`s business operations are associated with the general development of the economic situation and consumer confidence especially in Finland and Russia, as well as their impact on Kesko`s sales and profit. In other respects, no material change is estimated to have taken place during the first months of the year in the risks described in the Report by the Board of Directors and the financial statements for 2014 and the risks described on Kesko`s website. The risks and uncertainties related to economic development are described in the section future outlook of this release.

Future outlook
Estimates of the future outlook for Kesko Group`s net sales and operating profit excluding non-recurring items are given for the 12 months following the reporting period (4/2015-3/2016) in comparison with the 12 months preceding the reporting period (4/2014-3/2015).

The general economic situation and the expected trend in consumer demand vary in Kesko`s different operating countries. In Finland, demand in the trading sector is expected to be weak also in the current year and the tight competitive situation in the grocery trade and the speciality goods trade is expected to continue. In Sweden, Norway and the Baltic countries, the growth in demand in the trading sector is expected to continue. In Russia, the economic situation and consumers` purchasing power will weaken.

Kesko Group`s net sales for the next 12 months are expected to be lower than the level of the preceding 12 months and the operating profit excluding non-recurring items for the next 12 months is expected to exceed the level of the preceding 12 months.

Helsinki, 27 April 2015
Kesko Corporation
Board of Directors

The information in the interim report is unaudited.

Further information is available from Jukka Erlund, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, telephone +358 105 322 113, and Eva Kaukinen, Vice President, Group Controller, telephone +358 105 322 338. A Finnish-language webcast of the media and analyst briefing on the interim report can be accessed at www.kesko.fi, at 11.00. An English-language audio conference on the interim report will be held today at 14.30 (Finnish time). The audio conference login is available on Kesko`s website at www.kesko.fi.

Kesko Corporation`s interim report for January-June will be published on 22 July 2015. In addition, Kesko Group`s sales figures are published each month. News releases and other company information are available on Kesko`s website at www.kesko.fi.

KESKO CORPORATION

Merja Haverinen

Vice President, Group Communications

ATTACHMENTS: TABLES SECTION

Accounting policies

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Group`s performance indicators

Net sales by segment

Operating profit by segment

Operating profit excl. non-recurring items by segment

Operating margin excl. non-recurring items by segment

Capital employed by segment

Return on capital employed excl. non-recurring items by segment

Capital expenditure by segment

Segment information by quarter

Change in tangible and intangible assets

Related party transactions

Fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities

Personnel average and at the end of the reporting period

Group`s commitments

Calculation of performance indicators

K-Group`s retail and B2B sales

DISTRIBUTION

NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd

Main news media

www.kesko.fi

TABLES SECTION

Accounting policies

This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the IAS 34 standard. The interim report has been prepared in accordance with the same principles as the annual financial statements for 2014.

(..) Change over 100%

Consolidated statement of changes in equity (€ million)

Consolidated statement of cash flows (€ million), condensed

(..) Change over 100%

Segment information

* net sales in countries other than Finland

Segment information by quarter

Change in tangible and intangible assets (€ million)

Related party transactions (€ million)

The Group`s related parties include its key management (the Board of Directors, the Managing Director and the Group Management Board) and companies controlled by them, the Group`s subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures as well as Kesko Pension Fund.

The following transactions were carried out with related parties:

Fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities (€ million)

Fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities (€ million)

Level 1 instruments are traded in active markets and their fair values are directly based on quoted market prices. The fair values of level 2 instruments are derived from market data. The fair values of level 3 instruments are not based on observable market data.

Personnel, average and as at 31.3.

* total number incl. part-time employees

Calculation of performance indicators

Return on capital employed*, %

Operating profit x 100 / (Non-current assets + Inventories + Receivables + Other current assets - Non-interest-bearing liabilities) on average for the reporting period

Return on capital employed, %, moving 12 mo

Operating profit for prior 12 months x 100 / (Non-current assets + Inventories + Receivables + Other current assets - Non-interest-bearing liabilities) on average for 12 months

Return on capital employed excl. non- recurring items*, %

Operating profit excl. non-recurring items x 100 / (Non-current assets + Inventories + Receivables + Other current assets - Non-interest-bearing liabilities) on average for the reporting period

Return on capital employed excl. non- recurring items, %, moving 12 months

Operating profit excl. non-recurring items for prior 12 months x 100 / (Non-current assets + Inventories + Receivables + Other current assets - Non-interest-bearing liabilities) on average for 12 months

Return on equity*, %

(Profit/loss before tax - Income tax) x 100 / Shareholders` equity

Return on equity, %, moving 12 months

(Profit/loss for prior 12 months before tax - Income tax for prior 12 months) x 100 / Shareholders` equity

Return on equity excl. non-recurring items*, %

(Profit/loss adjusted for non-recurring items before tax - Income tax adjusted for the tax effect of non-recurring items) x 100 / Shareholders` equity

Return on equity excl. non-recurring items, %, moving 12 months

(Profit/loss for prior 12 months adjusted for non-recurring items before tax - Income tax for prior 12 months adjusted for the tax effect of non-recurring items) x 100 / Shareholders` equity

Equity ratio, %

Shareholders` equity x 100 /
(Total assets - Prepayments received)

Earnings/share, diluted

(Profit/loss - Non-controlling interests) /
Average diluted number of shares

Earnings/share, basic

(Profit/loss - Non-controlling interests) /
Average number of shares

Earnings/share excl.
non-recurring items,
basic

(Profit/loss adjusted for non-recurring items - Non-controlling interests) / Average number of shares

Equity/share

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent /
Basic number of shares at the balance sheet date

Gearing, %

Interest-bearing net liabilities x 100 /

Shareholders` equity

Interest-bearing net debt

Interest-bearing liabilities - Money market investments - Cash and cash equivalents

* Indicators for return on capital have been annualised.

K-Group`s retail and B2B sales, VAT 0% (preliminary data):

Kesko_Interim_report_Q1_2015

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This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Kesko Oyj via GlobeNewswire
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