HIGHCO Aix-en-Provence, 14 October 2020 (6.00 p.m.)
HIGHCO: Q3 2020 BETTER THAN EXPECTED WITH A DECLINE LIMITED TO 2.1% (GP)
Q3 Business activity higher than expected (GP)
- Q3 20201 gross profit of €21.83 M, down 2.1% on a reported basis and LFL2.
- 9-month 20201 gross profit of €62.24 M, a decrease of 11.7% on a reported basis and LFL2.
- Slight growth in Digital: Q3 up 1.1% LFL, 9-month YTD down 6% LFL.
- Decline in France less steep than expected: Q3 down 4.2% LFL, 9-month YTD down 11.4% LFL.
- Growth in International business: Q3 up 4.7% LFL, 9-month YTD down 12.5% LFL.
Net cash of €6 M at end-September 2020; €30 M government-backed loan unused
Adjusted guidance
- Business decline expected between 5% and 7% for H2 2020.
- 2020 adjusted operating margin3 forecast at more than 12%.
| Gross Profit (in € M) | 2020 | 2019 reported | 2019 LFL2 | 2020/2019 Reported change | 2020/2019 LFL2 change |
| Q1 | 20.79 | 23.17 | 23.17 | -10.3% | -10.3% |
| Q2 | 19.63 | 25.03 | 25.03 | -21.6% | -21.6% |
| Q31 | 21.83 | 22.28 | 22.28 | -2.1% | -2.1% |
| 9-month total1 | 62.24 | 70.48 | 70.48 | -11.7% | -11.7% |
1 Unaudited data.
2 Like for like: Based on a comparable scope and at constant exchange rates (i.e. applying the average exchange rate over the period to data from the compared period).
3 Adjusted headline profit before interest and tax: Recurring operating income before restructuring costs and excluding the cost of performance share plans. Adjusted operating margin: Adjusted headline PBIT/Gross profit.
Didier Chabassieu, Chairman of the Management Board, stated, “HighCo posted a better third quarter than expected in terms of both business activity, thanks to Digital businesses, and profitability. This good performance has enabled us to raise our guidance for 2020 operating margin.
In the current health and economic environment, in which the retail industry is increasingly shifting towards digital technology, our clients face new challenges. Through its startup studio HighCo Venturi, the Group is accelerating its innovation policy around digital promotional solutions.”
Q3 BUSINESS ACTIVITY HIGHER THAN EXPECTED
With a decline limited to 2.1% in Q3 2020, the Group posted better-than-expected business activity (Q1 2020: down 10.3%; Q2 2020: down 21.6%) and reached quarterly gross profit of €21.83 M.
Digital performed well, with like-for-like growth of 1.1%, mainly driven by click & collect. The share of Digital in total Group business continued to rise, up from the reported figure of 56.2% in Q3 2019 to 58% in Q3 2020.
As a result, HighCo’s businesses were down 11.7% for the first nine months of 2020, with gross profit of €62.24 M. At end-September 2020, the share of Digital in total Group business came in at 58.8%, up from the reported figure of 55.3% at end-September 2019.
France: Decline less steep than expected
| FRANCE | Gross Profit (in € M) | 2020/2019 Change | % Total gross profit | ||
| 2020 | 2019 reported | Reported | LFL | ||
| Q1 | 15.30 | 17.70 | -13.6% | -13.6% | 73.6% |
| Q2 | 15.66 | 18.62 | -15.9% | -15.9% | 79.8% |
| Q3 | 16.21 | 16.92 | -4.2% | -4.2% | 74.3% |
| 9-month total | 47.16 | 53.25 | -11.4% | -11.4% | 75.8% |
Although down 4.2% to €16.21 M, France posted better-than-expected gross profit in Q3 2020, as the effects of the crisis on activity were offset by the good performance of digital businesses (up 2.8% in Q3 2020). For the first nine months of 2020, business was down 11.4%, with France accounting for 75.8% of the Group’s gross profit.
International: Growth in Q3
| INTERNATIONAL | Gross Profit (in € M) | 2020/2019 Change | % Total gross profit | ||
| 2020 | 2019 reported | Reported | LFL | ||
| Q1 | 5.49 | 5.47 | +0.5% | +0.5% | 26.4% |
| o/w Benelux | 5.18 | 5.18 | +0.0% | +0.0% | 24.9% |
| Q2 | 3.97 | 6.41 | -38.0% | -38.0% | 20.2% |
| o/w Benelux | 3.73 | 6.14 | -39.2% | -39.2% | 19.0% |
| Q3 | 5.62 | 5.37 | +4.7% | +4.7% | 25.7% |
| o/w Benelux | 5.40 | 5.10 | +5.8% | +5.8% | 24.7% |
| 9-month total | 15.09 | 17.24 | -12.5% | -12.5% | 24.2% |
| o/w Benelux | 14.31 | 16.42 | -12.9% | -12.9% | 23.0% |
With gross profit of €5.62 M, International businesses grew 4.7% in Q3 2020. In Benelux, after a stable Q1 due to the later implementation of strict lockdown measures, and a very strong decline in Q2 (down 39.2%) with in-store businesses heavily impacted, business grew 5.8% in Q3 following a “technical” recovery in July.
For the first nine months of the year, International businesses fell 12.5% to €15.09 M, accounting for 24.2% of the Group’s gross profit.
Accelerating the digitisation of promotions
The COVID-19 health and economic situation has profoundly impacted retail and significantly influenced the digital transformations under way.
To help its clients navigate these major changes and create growth drivers for the future, HighCo is accelerating its innovation policy primarily through its startup studio HighCo Venturi.
The Group has set its priority on digitising two main promotional tools, discount coupons and flyers:
- For discount coupons, issuance and clearing remain for the most part physical. The Group aims to dematerialise issuance and acquisition (e-commerce websites, mobile apps, digital wallets), as well as clearing, especially with solutions to log in to retailer checkout systems;
- As HighCo estimates that €1 billion is invested annually in France, flyers represent an important tool in the retail industry. The Group aims to offer a 100% digital alternative to paper flyers.
CASH POSITION AT END-SEPTEMBER
At end-September 2020, estimated gross cash, excluding the government-backed loan and operating working capital, came out around €11 M, compared with €13.02 M at 30 June 2020 (€10.56 M at 31 December 2019). Net cash totalled approximately €6 M versus €8.01 M at 30 June 2020. The change between 30 June and 30 September 2020 is mainly due to payments in July and August of social contributions previously postponed.
Given positive headline PBIT3 in Q3, the absence of a dividend payment and ongoing suspension of the share buyback programme, the €30 M government-backed loan has not been used to date.
ADJUSTED GUIDANCE
As its businesses have held up better than expected with costs kept under control in Q3 2020, the Group has adjusted its previously announced guidance as follows:
- Decline in gross profit of between 5% and 7% in H2 2020 (H1 2020: down 16.1%);
- 2020 adjusted operating margin (adjusted headline PBIT/gross profit) raised from over 10% to over 12% (2019 adjusted operating margin: 18.5%).
About HighCo
As an expert in data marketing and communication, HighCo continuously innovates to work with brands and retailers in meeting the retail challenges of tomorrow.
Listed in compartment C of Euronext Paris, and eligible for SME equity savings plans (“PEA-PME”), HighCo has more than 700 employees and since 2010 has been included in the Gaia Index, a selection of 70 responsible Small and Mid Caps.
Your contacts
Cécile Collina-Hue Cynthia Lerat
Managing Director Press Relations
+33 1 77 75 65 06 +33 1 77 75 65 16
comfi@highco.com c.lerat@highco.com
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Q4 and FY 2020 Gross Profit: Wednesday, 20 January 2021
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ISIN: FR0000054231
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This English translation is for the convenience of English-speaking readers. Consequently, the translation may not be relied upon to sustain any legal claim, nor should it be used as the basis of any legal opinion. HighCo expressly disclaims all liability for any inaccuracy herein.
Attachment
- HighCo CP T3 2020 MB_VDEF_EN
