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H & M Group H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB Nine - month report Nine months ( 1 December 2020 - 31 August 2021 ) The H & M group's net sales in local currencies increased by 13 percent in the first nine months of the financial year compared with the corresponding period last year . Converted into SEK the group's net sales amounted to SEK 142,154 m ( 134,482 ) . The pandemic led to reduced footfall as a result of continued restrictions and store closures . At the most , around 1,800 stores were temporarily closed . Profit after financial items increased to SEK 8,297 m ( -1,613 ) . The group's profit after tax amounted to SEK 6,389 m ( -1,242 ) , corresponding to SEK 3.86 ( -0.75 ) per share . Cash flow from operating activities increased to SEK 37,210 m ( 15,995 ) . Financial net cash increased to SEK 24,874 m ( -5,853 ) . Cash and cash equivalents plus undrawn credit facilities amounted to SEK 55,408 m ( 41,413 ) . Third quarter ( 1 June 2021 - 31 August 2021 ) The H & M group's net sales in local currencies increased by 14 percent in the third quarter 2021 compared with the corresponding period last year . Converted into SEK net sales increased to SEK 55,585 m ( 50,870 ) . At the start of the quarter around 180 stores were temporarily closed and at the end around 100 stores remained closed . Online sales increased by 22 percent in local currencies and 17 percent in SEK . Store sales have started to recover as restrictions have been eased in many markets . Gross profit increased by 19 percent to SEK 29,559 m ( 24,851 ) . This corresponds to a gross margin of 53.2 percent ( 48.9 ) . Profit after financial items increased by 158 percent to SEK 6,093 m ( 2,365 ) . The operating margin was 11.3 percent ( 5.3 ) . Profit after tax increased to SEK 4,692 m ( 1,821 ) , corresponding to SEK 2.83 ( 1.10 ) per share . The stock - in - trade decreased to SEK 36,867 m ( 42,076 ) . The board of directors is proposing that a cash dividend of SEK 6.50 per share is paid in November 2021. This is based on significantly improved profitability , a strong financial position with financial net cash of SEK 24,874 m , more stable market conditions and a good outlook . There has been no resolution on a dividend since spring 2019. A dividend proposal in January 2020 was withdrawn in March 2020 due to the pandemic . The new autumn collections have been well received . Sales in September 2021 were slightly higher than in the corresponding month the previous year in local currencies , even though demand was not able to be fully met because of disruption and delays in product flow . Currently around 50 stores are temporarily closed . H & M online will launch in Chile in autumn 2021 and in Peru , Colombia and Uruguay in the first half of 2022 . Five new H & M markets will launch in 2022. Ecuador , North Macedonia and Kosovo , and via franchise in Costa Rica and Cambodia . " The H & M group's increase in profit for the quarter is mainly a result of well - received collections with more full - price sales , lower markdowns and good cost control . With our continued transformation and our well - positioned customer offering we are optimistic that we will see long - term , profitable and sustainable growth for the H & M group , " says Helena Helmersson , CEO . H & M Group HM COS WEEKDAY MONKL H & M HOME & other Stories ARKET AFOUND Q3 H.M Financial net cash SEK 24,874 m 31 August 2021 Cash flow from operating activities SEK 37,210 m Nine months 2021 Profit after financial items SEK 6,093 m Third quarter 2021