HIGH DEMAND AND IMPROVED PROFITABILITY, THIRD QUARTER 2024

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

THIRD QUARTER

• Net sales amounted to MSEK 1,978 (1,811), an increase with 9% compared to the corresponding period last year. The organic growth for the period was 10%.
• EBITA amounted to MSEK 146 (132).
• EBIT amounted to MSEK 96 (85).
• Adjusted EBITA amounted to MSEK 154 (139), an increase with 11% compared to the corresponding period last year.
• Cash flow from operating activities amounted to MSEK 142 (175).
• Profit and loss after tax amounted to MSEK 27 (-91).
• Earnings per share before and after dilution amounted to SEK 0.06 (-0.20).

NINE MONTHS

• Net sales amounted to MSEK 5,678 (5,114), an increase with 11% compared to the corresponding period last year. The organic growth for the period was 11%. 
• EBITA amounted to MSEK 418 (391).
• EBIT amounted to MSEK 271 (252).
• Adjusted EBITA amounted to MSEK 422 (361), an increase with 17% compared to the corresponding period last year.
• Cash flow from operating activities amounted to MSEK 153 (802).
• Profit and loss after tax amounted to MSEK 82 (-95).
• Earnings per share before and after dilution amounted to SEK 0.18 (-0.27).

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:

DURING THE THIRD QUARTER

• The Board of Directors of Humble Group decide to adopt new financial targets. The new targets aim to reflect the Company's objective regarding growth and profitability and to reflect the Company's medium-term business plan.
• On September 27th, Humble Group changed list from First North to Nasdaq Stockholm Main market.

AFTER THE QUARTER

• No significant event has occurred after the quarter.

CEO COMMENT FROM THE REPORT 

” HIGH DEMAND AND IMPROVED PROFITABILITY

During the third quarter of the year, we delivered a good result, where net sales increased to MSEK 1,978 (1,811) and organic growth amounted to 10.3 percent. Adjusted EBITA amounted to MSEK 154 (139), corresponding to Adjusted EBITA margin of 7.8 percent. At the consumer level, demand for our products remains high and we see a continuous influx of new distribution agreements, not least with the largest chains. We are now entering our most seasonally intensive quarter while we are fully focused on executing the initiatives that are driven within our respective business areas.

Eventful quarter  
The third quarter was characterized by high intensity. In August, new financial targets were presented. Shortly afterwards, we held our first capital markets day with the purpose of giving the market a clearer insight into our existing operations and our strategy for continued value creation. In addition, we have completed a successful listing change to Nasdaq Stockholm's main market, which marks an important quality step in Humble's continued development.

The international expansion is going according to plan with several new product launches. A diaper series in a new price segment from Naty has been launched in the USA and an international rollout of Pändy and True Co is currently taking place in several European markets. It is also pleasing that the construction of the beverage line in Habo is now completed for full-scale production. The first production series is planned for the fourth quarter and the intention is to scale the production rate towards a full shift over time. Privab has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Hemmakväll, a leading player in the confectionery and snack trade in Sweden with 69 stores. The collaboration begins at the turn of the year and strengthens our position as an attractive partner for distribution of snacks, drinks and confectionery. Previous efforts in Australia are now bearing fruit and we see a positive development from the factory acquisition of a bar producer and the associated launch of Body Science Soft Bars. The reception of our protein bars has exceeded expectations and the product range has quickly become the leader in the bar category in Australia.

Operationally, we continue to see high demand from our customers. The response from the larger retail chains is positive and we have confirmed several new launches of products and brands for 2025. The consolidation work is progressing well and we have started a number of additional structural integrations and consolidations, with the purpose of streamlining central functions and achieving scalability in purchasing and sales.

Strong cash generation and increased gross profit
Organic growth increased compared to the first half of the year, where the Quality Nutrition business segment stood out with an increase of 18 percent, as a result of strong development in Sweden and Australia. The organic growth of 7 percent in Future Snacking was not satisfactory, which was negatively affected by terminated external distribution agreements in FCB of MSEK -7 and certain limitations in capacity. The brands in the segment continue to perform strongly and the work to strengthen production capacity continues, where we have a good outlook for the segment as a whole going forward. The sales increase for the group is primarily volume-driven and we see a continued slowdown in the historical price increases that dominated the market last year.

The profitability developed in the right direction, with an adjusted EBITA that amounted to MSEK 154 (139), a total increase corresponding to 11 percent, and taking into account the sale of the properties, the organic increase was 14 percent.

The gross margin for the quarter showed an improvement compared to previous year and increased to 31 percent (29), which contributed to an increase in gross profit of 15 percent. The improved margin is a result of our work to gradually implement central margin-improving initiatives as well as a good management of the dynamics of pricing vis-à-vis customers and purchases. The good demand and margin improvements are pleasing to see, not least in light of the volatile freight and raw materials market as well as continued uncertainty in the consumer market.

The quarter delivered a strong cash flow of SEK 142 million after changes in working capital, despite an increased inventory tie-up of SEK -47 million ahead of October and November, which have historically been the highest sales months. Seasonally, we expect to be able to release additional working capital during the fourth quarter, which will have a positive effect on our cash flow. Our balance sheet continues to strengthen and we are following the previously communicated plan to reduce leverage towards our financial target of <2.5x.

Outlook
The fourth quarter is Humble's most important quarter in terms of sales. The quarter has had a positive start, at the same time we are facing strong comparative figures against the previous year regarding net sales. We see good opportunities to continue growing the business with strengthened profitability and at the same time ensure the best possible conditions for 2025, with the aim of continued profitability improvement, development of our platform and establishment in existing and new markets. I am convinced that our position, combined with the strategic initiatives that have begun, gives us all the conditions to continue creating value for our shareholders.”

The report is attached and can also be downloaded in its entirety on the company's website here.

For more information, please contact:
Simon Petrén, CEO, Humble Group AB
Phone: +468 61 32 888
Email: simon.petren@humblegroup.se

This information is such that Humble Group is required to publish in accordance with EU Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014. The information in this press release has been published by the above contact person, at the time specified by Humble Group's news distributor Cision at the time of publication of this press release.

About Humble
Humble Group is a corporate group specializing in driving value and accelerating growth in small and medium-sized companies within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. Through an entrepreneurial approach and active ownership, Humble Group focuses on transforming its businesses to align with the future needs of consumers. The company manages a portfolio of brands, a global distribution network, and production facilities where its subsidiaries operate autonomously within their respective business areas, while Humble Group provides strategic guidance and support. The group is headquartered in Stockholm. For more information visit http://www.humblegroup.com

Humble is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap, under the ticker HUMBLE.

Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect Humble’s intentions, beliefs, or current expectations about and targets for Humble’s future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, anticipated growth, strategies and opportunities and the markets in which Humble operates. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “estimate”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “aim” or “might”, or, in each case, their negative, or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although Humble believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that they will materialize or prove to be correct. Because these statements are based on assumptions or estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties, the actual results or outcome could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this release by such forward-looking statements. Humble does not guarantee that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this press release are free from errors nor does it accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this press release or any obligation to update or revise the statements in this press release to reflect subsequent events. Readers of this press release should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release. The information, opinions and forward-looking statements that are expressly or implicitly contained herein speak only as of its date and are subject to change without notice. Neither Humble nor anyone else undertake to review, update, confirm or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise in relation to the content of this press release, unless it is not required by law or Nasdaq Stockholm's rule book for issuers.