By Ian Walker

Paints and specialty chemicals firm Akzo Nobel N.V. (AKZA.AE) on Wednesday said fourth-quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 29%, missing analysts consensus forecasts, and the company expects 2016 will be a challenging year.

The Amsterdam-based company which lists Dulux, Sikkens, Interpon and Eka among its brands, added that difficult market conditions continue in Brazil, China and Russia, while no significant improvement is anticipated in Europe, particularly in its buildings and infrastructure segment.

However, deflationary pressures continue and currency tailwinds are moderating, the company said.

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2014 Akzo said Ebitda rose to 426 million euros ($462.65 million) from EUR330.0 million a year earlier, on revenue of EUR3.56 billion. This compares with consensus forecasts of EUR438.1 million and EUR3.51 billion, respectively, taken from the company's website and based on 22 analysts forecasts.

Net profit rose to EUR203 million from EUR7 million.

The board declared a final dividend of EUR1.20 a share, taking the total dividend for the year to EUR1.55 a share, up from EUR1.45 in 2014.

-Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com; @IanWalk40289749

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 10, 2016 01:54 ET (06:54 GMT)

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