Altia Plc January-June 2019: Good net sales growth in first half, initiatives to improve profitability in progress

Altia Plc Stock Exchange Release 15 August at 8:30 am EET

Altia Plc Half-Year Report January-June 2019: Good net sales growth in first half, initiatives to improve profitability in progress

This release is a summary of Altia Plc's Half-Year Report January-June 2019. The complete report is attached to this release and is also available on the company website at www.altiagroup.com/investors.

January–June 2019 compared to January–June 2018

• Reported net sales grew by 2.7% to EUR 165.0 (160.6) million
• In constant currencies, net sales grew by 3.5%
• The Finland & Exports segment’s net sales were EUR 59.6 (62.5) million
• The Scandinavia segment’s net sales were EUR 50.7 (49.9) million; in constant currencies net sales grew by 4.1%
• Altia Industrial’s net sales were EUR 54.7 (48.2) million
• Comparable EBITDA was EUR 13.7 (13.8) million, 8.3% (8.6%) of net sales
• Comparable EBITDA without the impact from IFRS 16 standard was EUR 11.7 million, 7.1% of net sales
• Reported EBITDA was EUR 13.5 (9.3) million, 8.2% (5.8%) of net sales
• Net debt / comparable EBITDA (rolling 12 months) was 2.0 (1.8), excluding IFRS 16 impact ratio was 1.8

April–June 2019 compared to April–June 2018

• Reported net sales were EUR 91.2 (87.1) million
• In constant currencies, net sales grew by 5.4% compared to last year
• Comparable EBITDA was EUR 9.4 (8.7) million, 10.4% (9.9%) of net sales
• Comparable EBITDA without the impact from IFRS 16 standard was EUR 8.5 million, 9.3% of net sales
• Reported EBITDA was EUR 9.2 (8.3) million, 10.1% (9.5%) of net sales
• The timing of Easter in the second quarter affected the year-on-year comparison

• Guidance remains unchanged

Key figures

The Half-Year Report has been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as approved by the EU. The figures in the report are unaudited. A reconciliation of alternative key ratios to IFRS figures is presented in the Half-Year Report on page 35.

CEO Pekka Tennilä:

“We are pleased to see reported net sales growing by 2.7% to EUR 165.0 (160.6) million during the first half of 2019. In constant currencies, net sales grew by 3.5% compared to last year. In the second quarter, reported net sales grew by 4.7% to EUR 91.2 (87.1) million and in constant currencies by 5.4%. In the Scandinavia segment, growth in wine and price increases are contributing to net sales growth. We are especially pleased with the development in the Scandinavia segment in the second quarter with net sales growing by 7.8% in constant currencies. Also Altia Industrial’s net sales grew mainly driven by price increases following the high barley cost and good volume development.

Our cash flow from operating activities has improved in the second quarter and first half of the year as a result of measures taken to manage working capital more efficiently. In January–June, cash flow from operating activities was EUR -4.0 (-26.7) million.

In January–June, comparable EBITDA was EUR 13.7 (13.8) million and when excluding the impact from the adoption of the IFRS 16 standard comparable EBITDA was EUR 11.7 (13.8) million. The cost of barley, fx rates and the declining volumes in all the monopolies have negatively affected profitability development during the period. As an immediate action, we have implemented strict cost savings measures throughout the organisation.

As previously communicated, we are working on initiatives that support topline growth and create further efficiencies. Within revenue management, we made further price adjustments in both Finland and Norway in all categories in the second quarter. We have also proceeded with the optimisation of the alcohol by volume (ABV) levels of selected spirits products, and the first new products were introduced in the Finnish monopoly at the end of the second quarter. We are expanding with new innovations in growing categories and in grocery trade. Some of the recent novelties include for example Rum Ö, Explorer candy shots and Koskenkorva Ginger. On the efficiency side, we focus on consolidation and centralisation within procurement and further simplification of the supply chain. Also, we are working with SKU management focusing especially on non-profitable products.

The total wine and spirits volumes in all three monopolies declined during the first half of the year. Specifically in Finland the volume decline has not flattened out, as we previously have anticipated, rather the decline of 3.5% is steeper than in the same period last year. The wine markets have also declined in the Swedish and Norwegian monopolies, while we see a more positive development in spirits in both countries.

The Koskenkorva distillery was included on the list of the most interesting and inspiring companies in the circular economy compiled by the Finnish future fund Sitra – we use 100 per cent of the barley used as a raw material in our distillery. With the Green Company of the Year award received in 2018, this shows that we are the frontrunners in the industry. Sustainability is important for Altia and for our brands such as Koskenkorva Vodka, and we will continue to build on this strength both in our home markets and in exports.

The passenger imports of spirits from the Baltics to Finland have been increasing. Following the successive decisions by the Estonian and Latvian governments to decrease alcohol taxes, it is expected that passenger imports will continue to increase. The Finnish government’s plans to further increase excise taxes in Finland would accelerate the decline of domestic alcoholic beverage sales volumes, and consequently jeopardise the industry’s capacity to invest in international growth.

The latest grain harvest forecast expects the total harvest to exceed last year’s volumes, and the outlook for the barley harvest is also positive compared to last year. The high barley cost continues to put pressure on Altia’s profitability until the new harvest this autumn. The harvesting period has started but the quality of the harvest will be clarified at the end of the third quarter.

We repeat our guidance for 2019. We expect the comparable EBITDA to improve from the 2018 level. The guidance assumes a normal barley harvest, a flattened out market development in Finland, and growing markets in Sweden and Norway. In addition, the impact from the implementation of the new IFRS 16 standard is expected to improve comparable EBITDA by EUR 3-4 million.”

Outlook for 2019

Market outlook

The development of the Group’s business operations and profitability are affected by the competitive environment, the overall economic outlook, imports by consumers and changes in alcohol taxation. Uncertainty related to changes in consumer buying behaviour and consumer demand continues.

Seasonality

Substantial seasonal fluctuations in the consumption of alcoholic beverages affect Altia’s net sales and cash flow. The company typically generates large amounts of its revenue and cash flow during the fourth quarter of the year, and significantly lower amounts during the first quarter. In addition, excise taxes related to the high season at the end of the year are paid in January, resulting in large cash outflows at the beginning of the year.

Guidance

Guidance as published on 7 February 2019 remains unchanged: The comparable EBITDA is expected to improve from the 2018 level.

The positive trend of Altia’s Nordic core brand portfolio is expected to continue. Market development in Finland is expected to flatten out in comparison to 2018 and the markets in Sweden and Norway are expected to grow. The negative impact of the increased barley cost will be reflected in high raw material costs especially in the first quarters of the year. The guidance assumes a normal harvest in 2019.

In addition, the impact from the implementation of the new IFRS 16 standard is expected to improve comparable EBITDA by EUR 3-4 million.

Financial calendar 2019

Altia will publish the Q3 Business Review for January–September 2019 on 7 November 2019.

Helsinki, 14 August 2019

Altia Plc

Board of Directors 

Additional information:

Pekka Tennilä, CEO

Niklas Nylander, CFO

Contacts:

Analysts and investors: Tua Stenius-Örnhjelm, Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 7488864

Media: Petra Gräsbeck, Corporate Communications, tel. +358 40 767 0867

Conference call and audio webcast:

Altia will host a conference call and audio webcast for analysts and investors in English today at 11 am EET. CEO Pekka Tennilä and CFO Niklas Nylander will present the Half-Year Report. To join the conference call, please dial in and register 5–10 minutes earlier on the following numbers:

Finland: +358 981 710 310

Sweden: +46 856 642 651

United Kingdom: +44 333 300 08 04

United States: +185 585 706 86

Pin: 54934041#

The conference call can also be followed online. To access the audio webcast and the presentation material please go to: www.altiagroup.com/investors

A recording of the audio webcast will be available later the same day on Altia’s website.

Distribution:

Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd

Principal media

www.altiagroup.com

Altia is a leading Nordic alcoholic beverage brand company operating in the wines and spirits markets in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Altia wants to support a development of a modern, responsible Nordic drinking culture. Altia’s key exports brands are Koskenkorva, O.P. Anderson and Larsen. Other iconic Nordic brands are Chill Out, Blossa, Xanté, Jaloviina, Leijona, Explorer and Grönstedts. Altia’s net sales in 2018 were EUR 357.3 million and the company employs about 700 professionals. Altia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.  www.altiagroup.com.