Stock Exchange Release
This release is a summary of
Highest annual net sales and EBITA in the history of
OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2023 IN BRIEF - Net sales totalled
EUR 80.9 million (October-December 2022 : 75.2), change +8% -
EBITA was
EUR 7.8 (6.2) million, change +25% -
Comparable EBITA was
EUR 7.8 (7.9) million, change -2% -
Comparable EBITA margin was 9.6 (10.6) %
-
Comparable earnings per share excluding amortisation of acquisitions (undiluted), basic was
EUR 0.39 (0.35) *) -
Net cash flow from operations was
EUR 8.4 (17.2) million -
At comparable EUR/SEK exchange rates, EBITA would have been approximately
EUR 0.2 (0.2) million higher than reported **) -
One acquisition was made with annual net sales of approximately
EUR 2 million - The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of
EUR 0.44 (0.40) per share to be paid for 2023 in two equal instalments in April and November 2024
JANUARY-DECEMBER 2023 IN BRIEF - Net sales totalled
EUR 284.3 million (January-December 2022 : 260.7), change +9% -
EBITA was
EUR 28.6 (23.0) million, change +24% -
Comparable EBITA was
EUR 28.9 (25.8) million, change +12% -
Comparable EBITA margin was 10.1 (9.9) %
-
Comparable earnings per share excluding amortisation of acquisitions (undiluted), basic was
EUR 0.96 (0.90) *) -
Net cash flow from operations was
EUR 30.6 (28.8) million -
At comparable EUR/SEK exchange rates, EBITA would have been approximately
EUR 1.5 (0.7) million higher than reported **) -
Four acquisitions were made with a total annual net sales of approximately
EUR 25 million
- Net sales totalled
EUR 284.3 million (January-December 2022 : 260.7), change +9% -
EBITA was
EUR 28.6 (23.0) million, change +24% -
Comparable EBITA was
EUR 28.9 (25.8) million, change +12% - Comparable EBITA margin was 10.1 (9.9) %
-
Comparable earnings per share excluding amortisation of acquisitions (undiluted), basic was
EUR 0.96 (0.90) *) -
Net cash flow from operations was
EUR 30.6 (28.8) million -
At comparable EUR/SEK exchange rates, EBITA would have been approximately
EUR 1.5 (0.7) million higher than reported **) -
Four acquisitions were made with a total annual net sales of approximately
EUR 25 million
*) The average undiluted number of shares October-
**) The EUR/SEK impact has been calculated by converting the SEK denominated EBITA of the Swedish entities to EUR with the reporting period average EUR/SEK rate as well as the comparison period average EUR/SEK rate and comparing these two (translation difference).
Unless stated otherwise, figures in parentheses refer to the corresponding period of the previous year.
The change percentages in the tables have been calculated on exact figures before the amounts were rounded to millions of euros.
KEY FIGURES
EUR thousand unless stated otherwise | Oct-Dec 2023 | Restated**Oct-Dec 2022 | Jan-Dec 2023 | Restated**Jan-Dec 2022 |
Net sales | 80,942 | 75,185 | 284,252 | 260,683 |
Net sales growth, % | 7.7% | 2.2% | 9.0% | 9.6% |
Gross profit | 35,288 | 33,670 | 128,923 | 117,214 |
Gross margin, % | 43.6% | 44.8% | 45.4% | 45.0% |
EBITDA | 11,738 | 10,076 | 43,542 | 36,581 |
EBITDA margin, % | 14.5% | 13.4% | 15.3% | 14.0% |
Comparable EBITDA | 11,746 | 11,796 | 43,841 | 39,414 |
Comparable EBITDA, % | 14.5% | 15.7% | 15.4% | 15.1% |
EBITA | 7,794 | 6,216 | 28,552 | 23,013 |
EBITA margin, % | 9.6% | 8.3% | 10.0% | 8.8% |
Comparable EBITA | 7,802 | 7,936 | 28,851 | 25,846 |
Comparable EBITA, % | 9.6% | 10.6% | 10.1% | 9.9% |
Operating profit | 6,972 | 5,341 | 25,147 | 19,681 |
Operating profit margin, % | 8.6% | 7.1% | 8.8% | 7.5% |
Comparable operating profit | 6,980 | 7,061 | 25,446 | 22,514 |
Comparable operating profit, % | 8.6% | 9.4% | 9.0% | 8.6% |
Profit (loss) for the period | 6,304 | 3,691 | 13,739 | 10,032 |
Profit (loss) for the period margin, % | 7.8% | 4.9% | 4.8% | 3.8% |
Comparable profit (loss) | 6,312 | 5,411 | 14,038 | 12,864 |
Comparable profit (loss) margin, % | 7.8% | 7.2% | 4.9% | 4.9% |
Comparable profit (loss) excluding amortisation of acquisitions | 7,134 | 6,286 | 17,444 | 16,196 |
Comparable profit (loss) excluding amortisation of acquisitions margin, % | 8.8% | 8.4% | 6.1% | 6.2% |
Items affecting comparability included in profit (loss) for the period | 8 | 1,720 | 299 | 2,832 |
Net working capital | 67,068 | 62,551 | 67,068 | 62,738 |
Inventories | 74,105 | 67,804 | 74,105 | 67,804 |
Free cash flow | 8,074 | 16,331 | 24,013 | 23,983 |
Cash conversion | 68.8% | 162.1% | 55.1% | 65.6% |
Net Debt | 151,010 | 147,239 | 151,010 | 147,239 |
Net Debt excl. leasing Liabilities | 87,881 | 90,056 | 87,881 | 90,056 |
Net Debt to EBITDA, LTM | 3.47 | 4.02 | 3.47 | 4.02 |
Net Debt (excl. Leasing Liabilities) to EBITDA, LTM | 2.02 | 2.46 | 2.02 | 2.46 |
Net gearing | 136.5% | 141.7% | 136.5% | 141.7% |
Net gearing excl. leasing Liabilities | 79.4% | 86.7% | 79.4% | 86.7% |
Equity ratio | 33.6% | 33.2% | 33.6% | 33.2% |
Return on capital employed (ROCE) | - | - | 10.0% | 9.4% |
Return on equity (ROE) | - | - | 12.8% | 9.6% |
Return on assets (ROA) | - | - | 8.3% | 7.8% |
Earnings per share, basic (EUR) | 0.35 | 0.20 | 0.76 | 0.56 |
Earnings per share, diluted (EUR) | 0.34 | 0.20 | 0.73 | 0.53 |
Comparable earnings per share, basic (EUR) | 0.35 | 0.30 | 0.77 | 0.71 |
Comparable earnings per share, diluted (EUR) | 0.34 | 0.29 | 0.75 | 0.69 |
Comparable earnings per share excluding amortisation of acquisitions, basic (EUR) | 0.39 | 0.35 | 0.96 | 0.90 |
Comparable earnings per share excluding amortisation of acquisitions, diluted (EUR) | 0.38 | 0.33 | 0.93 | 0.86 |
Average number of employees | 1,082 | 1,003 | 1,050 | 997 |
Personnel at the end of the period, FTE | 1,089 | 1,009 | 1,089 | 1,009 |
*) The average undiluted number of shares October-
**)
2024 OUTLOOK AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL TARGET
The Company does not provide a numeric guidance for the financial year 2024. On
CEO ARNI EKHOLM COMMENTS THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023
"During 2023
"Fourth quarter: Fourth consecutive quarter of double digit EBITA growth
The last quarter of the year marked our fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit (cumulatively +25%) EBITA growth during 2023. Despite the challenging market conditions our net sales increased in total by 10% with comparable exchange rates and 1% organically. The wholesale market was positive in
The sales of vehicle spare parts developed very positively during the quarter (+16% in total and +12% organically with comparable exchange rates). The increase was strong especially in
The consumer demand for discretionary products remained very weak in
Year 2023: Highest turnover and EBITA in the history of the Group
We create value for the shareholders with a strategy combining three elements which reinforce each other: organic growth, acquisitions, and operational excellence. Our "buy and build" strategy has proven its resilience, and the defensive nature of the growing vehicle aftermarket lays a solid foundation also for future growth.
During the year 2023 we have successfully carried out our strategy in all three areas. Our net sales grew in total by 13% and organically by 5% with constant exchange rates. The growth was especially strong in
We acquired a total of four companies during last year. The acquisition of Adita in
We also started and carried out several initiatives to improve our operational efficiency. We enhanced our pricing policies and procedures in our wholesale operations in
Solid financial position
Our cash conversion ratio has remained on a healthy level also during the past year which contributes to the solid financial position of our Group. I am pleased to announce that the Board has proposed a raised dividend of
The outlook for 2024 is largely dependent on external, macroeconomic and market demand factors. Inflation is still on a relatively high level, the dramatically risen financial expenses for corporates and households are still affecting the purchase power of customers and consumers negatively. Unemployment and layoffs are also increasing in
I would like to express my warmest thanks to all our over 1,000 professionals, customers, business partners and shareholders for the year 2023."
RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND COMPARISON PERIOD
FINANCIAL CALENDAR FOR 2024
The interim reports and the half-year financial report for 2024 will be issued as follows: January-March on Wednesday,
The Annual General Meeting 2024 is planned to be held on Wednesday,
INVITATION TO THE WEBCAST
Presentation material and video will be available on the company's website at https://relais.fi/en/investors/ after the event.
Board of Directors
Further information:
Phone: +358 40 760 3323
E-mail: arni.ekholm@relais.fi
Distribution:
Nasdaq
Key Media
www.relais.fi
We are a profitable company seeking strong growth. We carry out targeted acquisitions in line with our growth strategy and want to be an active player in the consolidation of the aftermarket in our area of operation. Our acquisitions are targeted at companies having a good strategic fit with our group companies.
Our net sales in 2023 was
www.relais.fi
https://news.cision.com/relais-group-oyj/r/relais-group-plc-financial-statements-review-january-december-2023--unaudited--a-year-of-strong-and-,c3938450
https://mb.cision.com/Public/18708/3938450/92321ca4c245a0c5.pdf
(c) 2024 Cision. All rights reserved., source