Sonae : accelerates growth as sales increase by 11% in the first six months

Main highlights of first half of 2019

• Sonae consolidated turnover increased by 11% to €2,985 M
• Improved operational profitability as underlying EBITDA grew 24% to €243 M and EBITDA increased 9.6% to €284 M
• Net results reached €38 M, having grown by 24% on comparable basis (excluding the impact of selling the stake in Outsystems in 2Q18)
• Investment rose to €189 M, a 25.3% growth driven by organic expansion and acquisitions
• Net debt decreased €131 M on a comparable basis

Cláudia Azevedo, CEO of Sonae, says 'Sonae had a very positive first half of the year, with strong growth, profitability improvements and important milestones in terms of portfolio management.

Consolidated turnover grew 11.0% y.o.y. to €2,985 M, with a particularly strong contribution from Sonae MC, solid growth at Sonae IM, and a better performance of Worten and Sonae Fashion in the second quarter. Non-consolidating businesses also posted very positive top line evolutions, especially MDS and ISRG, both with strong double-digit growth. These results give us great comfort that the value propositions of our businesses are being truly appreciated by our customers.

Underlying EBITDA increased 24.4% to €243 M, with Sonae MC maintaining its benchmark profitability level and Sonae Fashion improving its margins on the back of higher sales and its ongoing transformation programme. Total EBITDA grew 10% y.o.y. despite the challenging comparable of 2018, marked by the capital gain of the Outsystems transaction.

Regarding portfolio management, in the quarter Sonae Sierra Brasil reached a final merger agreement with Aliansce Shopping Centers to create the largest shopping centre operator in Brazil. Also in the second quarter Sonae IM continued to invest in technology-based companies and, already in July, announced the agreement with Mobileum to sell WeDo. This transaction illustrates Sonae IM's value creation model and we are confident that, under the new ownership, WeDo will be able to continue its growth trajectory in years to come.

Given this set of results, the robustness of our value propositions and the strength of our management teams, we remain confident that 2019 will be a very positive year for Sonae.'.

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