PRESS RELEASE

First half 2018 Results(1) August 31, 2018  

Bolloré Group performs strongly

 in the first half of 2018

 

 

  • Group revenue: €10,869m, +7% at constant scope and exchange rates (+54% on a reported basis, including €6,460m contribution from Vivendi).
 

  • Strong operating results across all segments: €544m (+33%)
 

  • Bolloré Transport & Logistics: €266m, up 4% on a reported basis and 10% at constant scope and exchange rates, on the back of a strong volume growth;
  • Communications: €370m (+50%) with the full consolidation of Vivendi for 6 months (compared with 2 months in first half 2017) and benefiting from the strong performances (+26% at constant scope and exchange rates) by Vivendi's main businesses: Universal Music Group, Canal+ Group and Havas;
  • Electricity Storage: slight improvement in results at -€77m compared with
    -€79m in first half 2017.
 

  • Net income: €605m compared with €482m in first half 2017
Net income, Group share: €97m compared with €330m in first half 2017, which included a gain of €232m following the full consolidation of Vivendi.

 

  • Capital gain on the disposal of Ubisoft shares: €1,216m including €1,160m recognized directly in equity at Vivendi(2).
             

  • Net debt: €5,649m compared with €4,841m at December 31, 2017, up as a result of the Group's increased shareholding in Vivendi.
  Gearing ratio: 20%.

 

 

  • Interim dividend: €0.02 per share, payable in cash or shares (ex-dividend date:
    September 7, 2018, payment date: October 4, 2018).
 
First half 2018 results
 

 

The Board of Directors of Bolloré, meeting on August 31, 2018, approved the financial statements for first half 2018.

 

 

Revenue was up 54% compared with the first half of 2017 (+7% at constant scope and exchange rates):

 

At constant scope and exchange rates, revenue for first half 2018 stood at €10,869m, up 7%:

 

  • improvement in the Transportation and Logistics operations on the back of growth in freight forwarding and logistics (+12%), benefiting from the overall increase in air and sea volumes handled, and Bolloré Africa Logistics, (+11%) thanks to the sharp growth in port terminals (TICT, Abidjan Terminal, Congo Terminal, Conakry Terminal and Benin Terminal);
  • 20% increase in Oil Logistics revenue, mainly due to higher oil product prices;
  • improvement in the Communications business (+3%), mainly attributable to Vivendi, which benefited from growth at Universal Music Group (+6.8%)(3) and Canal+ Group (+1.3%)(3).
 

On a reported basis, revenue increased by 54 %, given the impact of €3,558m in the changes in consolidation scope, mainly resulting from the consolidation of Vivendi(4), and -€424m in foreign exchange impacts.

 

 

 

First half 2018 EBITDA(5) : €1,195m, up 58% | Operating income: €544m, up 33%

 

The Group's operating income amounted to €544m, an increase of 33% compared with first half 2017:

 

  • an improvement in the Transportation and Logistics business: +4% on a reported basis and +10% at constant scope and exchange rates, marked by the strong performance of port terminals and the growth in freight forwarding volumes;
  • an increase in Oil logistics income on the back of positive inventory effects;
  • in the Communications segment, very strong performances across the main Vivendi businesses: Universal Music Group (+24%)(3),Canal+ Group (+28%)(3) and Havas (+5%)(3);
  • controlled expenditure at the Electricity Storage and Solutions business in the background of the termination of the Autolib' service.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for first half 2018: €605m compared with €482m in first half 2017

 

  • Financial income stood at €377m, compared with €178m in the first half of 2017. It mainly included the revaluation of Spotify shares (+€456m) and Ubisoft shares (+€56m), the balance of the Ubisoft capital gain (€1,160m in Vivendi's accounts) was recognized directly in equity. In 2017, financial income included €232m from the fair value adjustment of Vivendi's shares following the change in consolidation method.
     
  • The share in net income of non-operating companies accounted for using the equity method stood at €19m compared with €46m in first half 2017, impacted by the lower results at Socfin Group plantations, marked by the fall in commodity prices, and the shareholding in Mediobanca which, despite enjoying a record year, recognized an impairment provision of €32m.
 

Given these items and after taking into consideration -€335m in taxes (including in 2018,
the full consolidation of Vivendi for 6 months with -€114m in deferred taxes from the revaluation of Spotify), consolidated net income stood at €605m, compared with €482m in first half 2017. Net income, Group share stood at €97m compared with €330m in first half 2017, which included a gain of €232m following the full consolidation of Vivendi.

 

 

Net debt: €5,649m | Shareholders' equity: €28,508m

 

  • Net debt stood at €5,649m before the remaining payment due on the Ubisoft and Fnac-Darty sales (€768m).
Shareholders' equity stood at €28,508m (€31,091m at December 31, 2017), namely a net debt to equity ratio (gearing) of 20% compared with 16% at end-2017.
             

  • Group liquidity (6) represented an undrawn available amount of some €2.3bn at end-June 2018.
 

 

Interim dividend: 0.02 euros per share

 

The Board of Directors of Bolloré has decided to pay an interim dividend of 0.02 euros per share, the same as last year, payable in cash or in shares.
The ex-dividend date will be September 7, 2018 and payment or delivery of shares will be made on October 4, 2018.

 

The subscription price for the option of dividend payment in shares is set at 3.64 euros and the subscription period will run from September 7, 2018 to September 25, 2018. The shares issued as a result shall carry dividend rights as of January 1, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group structure:  

  • Vivendi - increased shareholding in Vivendi
    • In February 2018, Bolloré Group, exercised 21.4 million options representing 1.7% of the share capital of Vivendi, at an average exercise price of €16.57, i.e., €354 million, which exercise price had been previously set in October 2016. After completion of this transaction, Bolloré Group continues to hold 13.3 million call options that enable it to acquire as many Vivendi shares, exercisable at any time until June 25, 2019, at an average exercise price of €21.10 per share.
    • In addition, in the first half of 2018, Compagnie de Cornouaille acquired approximately 61m Vivendi shares on the market, representing 4.9% of the share capital for €1.3bn (~€21 par share) and exceeded the threshold of 25% of Vivendi's share capital (7).
    • Finally early August, Financière de Larmor (wholly owned by Bolloré) acquired close to an additional 0.8% for approximately €200m.
       
  • Fnac Darty(8)
On January 16, 2018, Vivendi arranged hedging to protect the value of its 11% shareholding in Fnac Darty. On July 2, Vivendi opted to settle the hedge through the delivery of shares, which took place on July 10. On July 12, Vivendi received a payment of €267m corresponding to the hedged price of €91 per share, after making an initial investment, in May 2016, of €159m, i.e., €54 per share.

 

  • Ubisoft(8)
On March 20, 2018, Vivendi announced the sale of its entire 27.27% shareholding in Ubisoft at a price of €66 per share for a total of €2bn, realizing a capital gain of €1.2bn(9). Vivendi has already received €1.5bn, the €0.5bn balance is still to be received under the forward sale.

 

 

 

 

 

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       Consolidated key figures for Bolloré

(in millions of euros) 1st half 2018 1st half 2017* Change
Revenue 10,869 7,041 54%
EBITDA 1,195 754 58%
Depreciation, amortization and provisions (651) (345) 89%
Operating income 544 409 33%
  Of which operating companies accounted for using the equity method(1) 15 38 (61%)
Financial income 377 178 112%
Share in net income of      
non-operating companies accounted for using the equity method 19 46 (59%)
Taxes (335) (151) -
Net income 605 482 25%
Net income, Group share 97 330 (71%)
Non-controlling 508 152 233%
       
Net cash flow from operations 426 459 (34)
Net industrial investments (451) (451) 1
Net financial investment (205) (70) (135)
  June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017* Change (€m)
Shareholders' equity 28,508 31,091 (2,583)
  Of which Group share 9,388 10,430 (1,042)
Net debt(2) 5,649 4,841 807
Gearing(3) 20% 16% -

Liquidity: at June 30, 2018 the undrawn available amount(4) was around €2,300m.

(1) At Vivendi, primarily Telecom Italia at 06/30/2017. Shareholding in Telecom Italia reclassified under non-operating companies accounted for using the equity method at 06/30/2018
(2) Vivendi's net debt before the remaining payment due on the Ubisoft and Fnac Darty sales (€768m)
(3) Gearing: net debt / equity ratio
(4) Excluding Vivendi and Havas

(*) December and June 2017 data adjusted, see "Comparability of financial statements" section

Change in revenue by business in the first half

(in millions of euros) 1st half 1st half 1st half Growth Growth
 
  1. 8
 2017(1) 2017* Reported Organic
Transport and Logistics 2,947 2,643 2,755 7% 11%
Oil logistics 1,260 1,052 1,059 19% 20%
Communications (Vivendi, Havas, Media, Telecoms)(2) 6,488 6,324 3,066 112% 3%
Electricity Storage and Solutions 161 145 149 8% 11%
Others (Agricultural Assets, Holding Companies) 13 12 12 15% 15%
Total revenue Bolloré Group 10,869 10,175 7,041 54% 7%
  1. at constant scope and exchange rates
  2. Vivendi's contribution over the 6 months of first half 2018, namely €6,460m, compared with 2 months of Vivendi and 6 months of Havas in first half 2017,
    namely €3,041m.
  3. Given

(*)    December and June 2017 data adjusted, see "Comparability of financial statements" section

All amounts are expressed in millions of euros and rounded to the nearest decimal. As a result, the sum of the rounded amounts may differ slightly from the reported total.

Change in revenue per quarter

(in millions of euros) 1st quarter 2nd quarter
  2018 2017(1) 2017* 2018 2017(1) 2017*
Transport and Logistics 1,457 1,321 1,387 1,490 1,322 1,368
Oil logistics 670 580 584 590 472 475
Communications (Havas, Media, Telecoms) 3,122 3,043 531 3,366 3,281 2,535
Electricity Storage and Solutions 79 70 73 83 74 76
Others (Agricultural Assets, Holding Companies) 7 6 6 6 5 5
Total revenue Bolloré Group 5,333 5,020 2,581 5,536 5,155 4,460
  1. at constant scope and exchange rates

  (*)   December and June 2017 data adjusted, see "Comparability of financial statements" section

All amounts are expressed in millions of euros and rounded to the nearest decimal. As a result, the sum of the rounded amounts may differ slightly from the reported total.

Operating income by activity
(in millions of euros) 1st half
2018 		1st half
2017* 		Change
Bolloré Transport & Logistics 266 256 4%
  Transport and Logistics(1) 255 246 4%
  Oil logistics 11 10 17%
Communications (Vivendi, Havas, Media, Telecoms)(2) 370 247 50%
Electricity Storage and Solutions (77) (79) -
Other (agricultural assets, holdings)(1) (16) (14) -
Total Operating Income Bolloré Group 544 409 33%
  % Revenue 5.0% 5.8% -81 bps
  1. Before Bolloré trademark fees
  2. Including, in 2018, 6 months in which Vivendi was fully consolidated, namely €384m (compared with, in 2017, 2 months in which Vivendi was fully consolidated and 4 months in which it was classified as an operating company accounted for using the equity method and 6 months of Havas, namely €261.3m)

             
(*) December and June 2017 data adjusted, see "Comparability of financial statements" section

Detailed presentation of the financial statements is available online at www.bollore.com.
The procedures for a limited review of the half-year financial statements have been carried out. The limited review report will be issued after reviewing the half-year financial report.

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Comparability of financial statements

New reporting standards applied from January 1, 2018

  • IFRS 15 - "Revenue from Contracts with Customers"
    • No material impact on revenue or on consolidated operating income
    • Bolloré nevertheless elected to apply this change in accounting standard to the 2017 fiscal year, thereby making the data presented for H1 2017 comparable.
  • IFRS 9 -"Financial instruments"
    • In accordance with this standard, choice of classification of securities at fair value through profit or loss or through equity with adjustment in opening balance sheet at January 1, 2018.
    • Material impact on H1 2018 net income:

Vivendi's €1,216m capital gain following the sale of its stake in Ubisoft on March 20, 2018 could not be recognized in the profit and loss statement except for €56m (corresponding to the revaluation of the stake between January 1 and March 20, 2018).
Under the former IAS 39, it would have been fully recognized in profit and loss in H1 2018.

  • Change in the consolidation scope
    • Vivendi has been fully consolidated since April 26, 2017, i.e., for 6 months in 2018 and 2 months in 2017. It was previously accounted for using the equity method.
    • The work on the recognition of Vivendi's assets and liabilities at fair value was finalized in first half 2018, in accordance with IFRS 3 - Business Combinations. The 2017 financial statements were adjusted to reflect the effects of the final allocation.
    • Havas was sold to Vivendi in July 2017 and was consolidated by Vivendi in H1 2018.
       
  • Foreign exchange
    • The euro strengthened against the main currencies compared with H1 2017.

                         

  H1 2018 H1 2017 Change
USD 1.21 1.08 (12%)
GPB 0.88 0.86 (2%)
JPY 131.60 121.70 (8%)
ZAR 14.89 14.31 (4%)
NGN 436.10 337.70 (29%)
CDF 1,954.00 1,455.00 (34%)
  • 2017 reconciliations
    • Restated Income Statements of December 2017 and June 2017
 Millions of euros 1st Half 2017
Reported		 1st Half 2017
Restated		  (in millions of euros) December 2017
Reported		 December 2017
Restated
Revenue 7,055.9 7,041.2  Revenue 18,325.2 18,290.4
Operating income 442.7 409.0  Operating income 1,123.9 1,115.1
Financial income 177.9 177.9  Financial income 118.8 118.8
Share in net income of non-operating companies accounted for using the equity method 45.6 45.6   Share in net income of non-operating companies accounted for using the equity method 115.5 115.5
Corporate income tax (161.1) (150.5)   Corporate income tax 723.3 699.5
Consolidated net income 505.2 482.0  Consolidated net income 2,081.5 2,048.9
Consolidated net income, Group share 333.2 329.6   Consolidated net income, Group share 699.4 695.0
Minority interests 171.9 152.4  Minority interests 1,382.1 1,353.9
             
Earnings, Group share per share (in euros, excluding treasury shares)  Earnings, Group share per share (in euros, excluding treasury shares)
- basic 0.11 0.11   - basic 0.24 0.24
- diluted 0.11 0.11   - diluted 0.24 0.24
  • Balance Sheets restated as of December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018
Assets - in millions of euros December 31, 2017
Reported		 January 1, 2018
Restated		   Equity and liabilities - in millions of euros December 31, 2017
Reported		 January 1, 2018
Restated
Goodwill 14,459.6 13,988.0   Shareholders' equity 31 857,9 31,078.5
Intangible and tangible assets 13,399.3 13,039.6   Net debt 4,841.4 4,841.4
Securities accounted for using the EM and financial assets 14,829.5 14,721.3   Provisions 2,289.6 2,289.8
Total assets 42,688.4 41,748.9  Net deferred tax assets 1,703.0 1,608.4
     Net WCR and other 1,996.4 1,930.7
     Total liabilities 42,688.4 41,748.9


1December and June 2017 data adjusted, see "Comparability of financial statements" section

2 As reported in Vivendi' s consolidated accounts

3Data published by Vivendi at constant scope and exchange rates.

4 Vivendi's contribution over the 6 months of first half 2018, i.e., €6,460m, compared with only 2 months of Vivendi and 6 months of Havas in the first half of 2017, i.e., €3,041m.

5EBITDA = Operating income - amortization and operating provision (including the share of net income of equity-accounted operating companies).

6 Excluding Havas and Vivendi

7 Including the share-loan agreement for 2.7% of the share capital and the remaining call options which represent 1% of capital

8 Non-consolidated

9 Almost fully recognized directly in equity

BOLLORE : First half 2018 Results


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Source: BOLLORE via Globenewswire