Norway Royal Salmon: Q4 18 – Highest Operational EBIT in the history of NRS

Today Norway Royal Salmon (NRS) reports an operational EBIT of MNOK 232 for the fourth quarter 2018 and EBIT per kg of NOK 17.73. Corresponding figures for the same quarter last year were MNOK 95 and NOK 15.51.

- Today we report the highest operational EBIT in the history of NRS for both a quarter and a financial year. We are pleased that Region North continues the positive development in production costs, however biological challenges in Region South are reducing the result says CEO Charles Høstlund.

For the financial year of 2018, NRS has operating revenues of more than NOK 5 billion and achieved an operational EBIT of MNOK 642 million. The Board proposes a dividend of NOK 6.00 per share for 2018.

Net operational cash flow amounted to MNOK 130 in the fourth quarter. Net interest-bearing debt decreased in the quarter by MNOK 80 to MNOK 420. The equity at the end of the quarter is MNOK 2 321, which equates an equity ratio of 57 per cent. Return on capital employed for the last four quarters is 37 per cent.

Region North

Region North posted an operational EBIT of MNOK 243.3 in the quarter, compared with MNOK 116.0 in the corresponding quarter last year. Operational EBIT per kg gutted weight was NOK 20.20 compared with NOK 15.84 in the corresponding quarter last year.

Region South

Region South posted an operational EBIT of MNOK 1.0 in the quarter, compared with MNOK 24.4 in the corresponding quarter last year. Operational EBIT per kg gutted weight was NOK 0.60, compared with NOK 14.12 in the corresponding quarter last year.

NRS harvested 13 783 tonnes gutted weight in the quarter, which is 52 per cent higher than in the same quarter last year. 12 042 tonnes of the total volume were harvested in Region North and 1 741 tonnes in Region South. Estimated harvest volume is 38 000 tonnes for 2019, an increase of 6 per cent from 2018. The sales business sold 27 785 tonnes salmon during the quarter, which is 24 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter last year. Both harvested and sold volume is the highest in a quarter in the history of NRS.

- NRS takes an active part in the development of a sustainable aquaculture industry through substantial investments over the next three years. We focus on innovation and technology development to ensure our sustainable growth by investing in a smolt facility and offshore fish farms that will create new local jobs, says Charles Høstlund.

For more information, please contact:

• CEO Charles Høstlund, +47 994 18 449
• CFO Ola Loe, +47 911 79 411.

Norway Royal Salmon in brief

Norway Royal Salmon (NRS) group owns 39 426 tonnes MAB distributed between 34 746 tonnes MAB in Region North located in West Finnmark and Troms and 4 680 tonnes MAB in Region South in the area around Haugesund. In addition, the group has minority interest in three associated Norwegian fish farming companies which together own ten fish farming licenses, as well as Arctic Fish on Iceland. NRS is an attractively positioned fish farming group, which offers salmon to the market through its own sales organisation. For further details, please visit www.norwayroyalsalmon.com.