Akzo Nobel beats Q1 core profit forecast as pricing offsets material costs

　　div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpReuters – Dutch paints and coatings maker Akzo Nobel reported on Thursday strongerthanexpected quarterly core earnings as higher pricing helped offset high raw material costs. p

　　pThe Amsterdambased firm reported adjusted operating income of 230 million euros 249.18 million for JanuaryMarch, beating analysts 216.0 million euro forecast. pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

　　pRaw material and other variable costs increased 334 million euros 361.86 million compared with the same period last year, the company said. p

　　p1 0.9230 eurosp

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　　pp Reporting by Valentine Baldassari Editing by Muralikumar Anantharamanp

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