Altia Plc’s Half-Year Report January–June 2018: Continued stable development despite a demanding operating environment

Altia Plc’s Half-Year Report January–June 2018

Continued stable development despite a demanding operating environment

January–June 2018 compared to January–June 2017

• Reported net sales were EUR 160.6 (164.6) million and were impacted by unfavourable currency development
• Net sales were -2.4% compared to last year and -0.7% excluding currency impact
• Finland & Exports’ net sales slightly above last year
• Scandinavia’s net sales were at last year’s level in constant currencies
• Net sales in Altia Industrial were below last year’s level
• Comparable EBITDA was EUR 13.8 (13.4) million, which is 8.6% (8.2%) of net sales
• EBITDA was EUR 9.3 (12.8) million, 5.8% (7.8%) of net sales
• Net debt / comparable EBITDA (rolling 12 months) was 1.8 (0.6)

April–June 2018 compared to April–June 2017

• Reported net sales were EUR 87.1 (91.3) million and were impacted by unfavourable currency development
• Net sales in constant currencies were -2.8% compared to last year
• The timing of Easter impacts negatively a year-on-year comparison in the second quarter
• Comparable EBITDA was EUR 8.7 (9.2) million, which is 9.9% (10.0%) of net sales
• EBITDA was EUR 8.3 (9.0) million, 9.5% (9.9%) of net sales

• Guidance remains unchanged

Important note: This 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.

Key figures

Reconciliation of alternative key ratios to IFRS figures is presented in the appendix on page 29.

CEO Pekka Tennilä:

We have had a financially stable first half of 2018. Our profitability improved in comparison to previous year despite a demanding operating environment with several external factors affecting Altia’s business, such as the continued unfavourable currency development as well as cost pressures on key raw materials.

In January–June reported net sales amounted to EUR 160.6 (164.6) million. Net sales were impacted negatively by EUR 2.9 million due to the weak Swedish krona and Norwegian krone, and by lower net sales in the Altia Industrial segment. Comparable EBITDA was EUR 13.8 (13.4) million.

In the first half of the year, the Finland & Exports segment has grown slightly driven mainly by the Finnish retail business and exports. The Scandinavia segment’s net sales were at last year’s level in constant currencies. In total, the sales of beverages (Finland & Exports and Scandinavia segments together) grew by 0.5% in constant currencies. Altia’s spirits sales have been impacted negatively by the generally lower volumes in the retail monopoly in Finland. The currency impact on the net sales of wine is considerable, but we have been able to gain market shares in the monopolies overall. In the Altia Industrial segment, the sales of industrial products are developing positively. However, lower contract manufacturing volumes due to continued phasing in the second quarter have decreased net sales. We expect contract manufacturing volumes to stabilise towards the end of the year.

Altia’s second quarter reported net sales were EUR 87.1 (91.3) million. The main reasons for the lower net sales in comparison to last year, are the timing of Easter in Q1 in 2018 and in Q2 in 2017, partner portfolio changes in Sweden, and the continued unfavourable currency development. The negative currency impact on net sales in the second quarter was EUR 1.6 million.

Based on Altia’s strategy we focus on our Nordic core brands which are performing well and growing. Further, we continue building distribution in Asia for Larsen Cognac and in the US for Koskenkorva Vodka and O.P. Anderson aquavit. Exports of Koskenkorva Vodka to Russia are progressing well. The addition of the new partner, Garcia Carrion, and their extensive wine portfolio, has improved our market position in the Swedish market. Altia’s own wine brand, Chill Out, has had a good first half of the year. We have revamped the Chill Out design to further sharpen its position in the market. In the Finnish retail channel, we have launched Chill Out wine spritzers, and additional launches include a sugar free Koskenkorva Vichy and a low-alcohol version of Fresita sparkling wine. We are pleased with our product offering in retail, and we will continue to work hard to materialise the retail opportunity in Finland.

I am happy to announce that during the summer, Altia entered into a distribution agreement with the Swedish gin distillery, Hernö Gin. Hernö Gin produces a variety of craft gins which have been nominated as the world’s best gin several times. The addition of one of the most aspirational gin brands in the world, as well as premium craft gins to our offering is the right step in developing our offering and partner business. The agreement covers the distribution of Hernö gins in the monopoly markets, the Baltic region and in travel retail. Following this and the addition of the Garcia Carrion portfolio, we have a considerably stronger portfolio in Sweden which will help us to mitigate the unfavourable currency development.

The exceptionally dry and warm summer in Finland is expected to have some impact on the barley harvest. Despite demanding conditions, the volume forecast from Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) for the barley crop is -13% in comparison to last year which is far more better than other grain forecasts. However, the extent of the impact on the yield and quality is to be seen during the third quarter. In any case, to ensure the efficiency of the Koskenkorva plant, we are preparing for alternative solutions where possible.

For different businesses we have different pricing mechanisms to take into account raw material price changes. Naturally in these circumstances, there is more pressure on pricing in beverages and industrial products, while we will continue a strict cost control and focus on further efficiency improvements.

Outlook for 2018

Market outlook

The development of the Group’s business operations and profitability are affected by factors such as the market situation and competitive environment, economic outlook, imports by consumers and changes in alcohol taxation. The uncertainty in the eurozone and changes in customers’ buying behaviour are continuing. There is still significant uncertainty related to the development of consumer demand. Raw material prices and currencies are expected to remain volatile.

Seasonality

Sales in the sector are seasonal, with net sales and operating profit generally being significantly higher in the fourth quarter of the year compared to other quarters.

Guidance

The positive trend in Altia’s core brand portfolio is expected to continue. Cost increases in key raw materials and expansion in exports will impact profitability development. The unfavourable currency impact of the weak Swedish krona and Norwegian krone is expected to continue.

Guidance as published on 23 February 2018 remains unchanged: The Group’s comparable EBITDA is expected to improve or be at the 2017 level.

Financial calendar for 2018

Altia will publish the Business Review for January–September on 6 November 2018 at around 8:30 am EET.

Helsinki, 9 August 2018
Altia Plc
Board of Directors

Additional information:

Pekka Tennilä, CEO
Matti Piri, CFO

Contacts:

Analysts and investors: Tua Stenius-Örnhjelm, Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 748 8864
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 on Friday 10 August 2018 at 11 am EET.

CEO Pekka Tennilä and CFO Matti Piri will present the Half-Year Report, after which conference call participants will have the opportunity to ask questions. Presentation material will be made available before the call begins on Altia’s website at: https://altiagroup.com/investors.

Conference call participants are requested to dial in and register a few minutes earlier on the following numbers:

-       Finland: +358 981 710 495

-       Sweden: +46 8 566 427 02

-       United Kingdom: +44 203 194 05 52

-       US: +1 855 716 15 97

The conference call can also be followed online. To join the audio webcast, please go to: https://altia.videosync.fi/2018-08-10-q2

A recording of the audio webcast will be available later at Altia’s website: https://altiagroup.com/investors

Note:

This is a summary of Altia Plc's Half-Year Report for January–June 2018. The complete report is attached to this release and is also available on the company website at https://altiagroup.com/investors.

Distribution:

Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
Principal media
www.altiagroup.com

Tua Stenius-Örnhjelm
Investor Relations Manager
+358 40 748 8864
tua.stenius-ornhjelm@altiagroup.com

Altia is a leading Nordic alcoholic beverage company operating in the wines and spirits markets in the Nordic countries, Estonia and Latvia. Altia produces, imports, markets, sells and distributes both own and partner brand beverages. The Company also has production in Cognac, France. Further, Altia exports alcoholic beverages to approximately 30 countries, most of which are in Europe, Asia and North America. Altia’s own core brands are Koskenkorva, Chill Out, Blossa, Larsen, O.P. Anderson, Renault, Xanté and Valhalla. Altia’s net sales in 2017 were EUR 359.0 million and the Company employs about 700 professionals. Altia wants to enhance a modern, responsible Nordic drinking culture. www.altiagroup.com.