as sales slid 3 percent in the second quarter, missing market forecasts.

Analysts polled for Reuters had expected adjusted operating income to drop 15 percent to 249 million euros. Sales had been seen slipping roughly 2 percent to 2.48 billion euros.

The results come after Akzo agreed in March to sell its speciality chemicals unit for 10.1 billion euros to a group of buyers led by Carlyle Group (CG.O).

Akzo said operating income in the latest quarter had been mainly hurt by 21 million euros in adverse foreign currencies and 20 million euros in non-recurring items.

In it full year outlook, Akzo said it expects "positive developments" at the Decorative Paints and Performance Coatings business, while in Marine and Protective Coatings "market conditions are still challenging."

Raw material inflation is projected to continue for the remainder of 2018, although at a slower rate than during the start of the year, it said. It hopes to counter negative effects with pricing initiatives and cost-saving programs.

(Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Sunil Nair and Richard Pullin)