Daimler : reports third-quarter 2020 results

Highlights:

* Good performance by Group and divisions, despite lower unit sales and revenue, due to improving markets, strong products and diligent cost discipline

* Industrial net liquidity of EUR13.1 billion (end of Q2 2020: EUR9.5 billion)

* Positive momentum from market and cost measures in third quarter expected to be continued in fourth quarter

* Daimler expects EBIT for fiscal year 2020 at the prior-year level

* Significant increase of industrial free cash flow anticipated in 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019

Stuttgart (Germany) - Daimler AG (ticker symbol: DAI) today reported its results for the third quarter, which ended September 30, 2020. The key figures reflect a good performance based on improving markets and strong products, combined with diligent cost discipline and extensive cash-preservation measures. The Group's total unit sales decreased by 8% to 772,700 cars and commercial vehicles (Q3 2019: 839,300) and revenue slipped by 7% to EUR40.3 billion (Q3 2019: EUR43.3 billion). EBIT increased by 14% to EUR3,070 million (Q3 2019: EUR2,690 million). Adjusted EBIT, reflecting the underlying business, was EUR3,479 million (Q3 2019: EUR3,142 million) and net profit was EUR2,158 million (Q3 2019: EUR1,813 million). The high free cash flow of around EUR 5.1 billion in the quarter reflects the continuous efforts in cost-cutting and cash-preservation measures as well as the positive operating performance across all divisions. Additional positive factors are the dividend from the Chinese joint venture BBAC of EUR1.2 billion, positive contributions from working capital and seasonal phasing impacts.

Harald Wilhelm, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Finance & Controlling/Daimler Mobility: 'Our strong product portfolio and the positive market recovery drove us to a good performance. We have successfully pushed forward our comprehensive efforts regarding cost control and cash management. With this momentum, we are on track to make our business more weatherproof. However, the transformation of Daimler is a long-distance race. We are keeping up the pace with focus and full discipline.'

At the end of the third quarter, the net liquidity of the industrial business was EUR13.1 billion (end of Q2 2020: EUR9.5 billion). The free cash flow of the industrial business was at EUR5,139 million (Q3 2019: EUR2,819 million). The adjusted free cash flow of the industrial business was EUR5,345 million (Q3 2019: EUR2,931 million).

Unit sales by the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans division decreased by 4% to 673,400 vehicles in the third quarter (Q3 2019: 705,000). Despite that, adjusted EBIT increased to EUR2,417 million (Q3 2019: EUR1,868 million) and adjusted return on sales to 9.4% (Q3 2019: 7.0%). Improved pricing and a significant reduction in fixed costs had a positive impact on earnings. Earnings were adversely affected by restructuring expenses (EUR297 million), including the initiated cost-optimization program (EUR229 million) and expenses for the adjustment and realignment of capacities (EUR68 million) within the global production network in connection with the intended sale of the car plant in Hambach (France). Both initiatives will reduce fixed costs in the medium and long term.

The Daimler Trucks & Buses division showed a decrease in unit sales of 26% to 99,300 vehicles in the third quarter (Q3 2019: 134,300). Adjusted EBIT amounted to EUR603 million (Q3 2019: EUR838 million) and adjusted return on sales was 6.5% (Q3 2019: 7.3%). Earnings were negatively affected by declining volumes, primarily caused by contracting markets due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The measures introduced led to cost reductions in all functional areas. In particular, a significant reduction in fixed costs had a positive impact on earnings. The division recorded a significant increase in order intake in most key regions compared to the previous quarter, also compared to third quarter of 2019 in Europe and North America.

At Daimler Mobility, new business increased by 2% to EUR18.7 billion in the third quarter (Q3 2019: EUR18.3 billion). Adjusted EBIT amounted to EUR601 million (Q3 2019: EUR469 million) and adjusted return on equity was 16.5% (Q3 2019: 13.5%). Positive effects were recorded mainly due to the measures implemented to improve the cost position. Furthermore, as a result of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020, no further additions to credit-risk provisions were necessary in the third quarter of 2020.

Outlook

Daimler assumes that economic conditions in the most important markets continue to normalize and in particular that no further setbacks occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on this, Daimler expects that the significant unit-sales reductions recorded in the first nine months due to the COVID-19 pandemic will only be partially offset by the end of the year. The company therefore expects Group unit sales and Group revenue in 2020 to be significantly lower than in the previous year. On the basis of the expected market development and the current assessments of the divisions, Daimler anticipates Group EBIT in 2020 at the level of the prior year.

The divisions expect the following adjusted returns in the year 2020:

Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans: adjusted return on sales of 4.5 - 5.5% Daimler Trucks & Buses: adjusted return on sales of 1 - 2% Daimler Mobility: adjusted return on equity of 9 - 10%. The adjusted cash conversion rate (ratio of cash flow to EBIT) for the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans division in 2020 is expected to be at 1 and for Daimler Trucks & Buses at 2. Daimler anticipates a significant increase of the free cash flow of the industrial business compared to the previous year. This guidance does not take into account possible expenses in connection with legal and governmental proceedings.

Link to capital market presentation on the third quarter:

www.daimler.com/press/q320

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