Interim Report January-June 2015: Continued focus on service offerings and long-term profitability

APRIL-JUNE 2015

• Net sales of SEK 9,666m (9,816)
• Adjusted operating income SEK 33m (-30).
• Item affecting comparability, net, SEK 470m (0) from a capital gain and an impairment loss.
• Operating income SEK 503m (-30).
• Net income totaled SEK 390m (-76).
• Cash flow from operating activities totaled SEK -127m (120).

JANUARY-JUNE 2015

• Net sales of SEK 19,699m (19,815)
• Adjusted operating income SEK 345m (76).
• Item affecting comparability, net, SEK 470m (0) in Q2 from a capital gain and an impairment loss.
• Operating income SEK 815m (76).
• Net income totaled SEK 593m (24).
• Cash flow from operating activities totaled SEK 1,013m (-349).

Message from Håkan Ericsson, President and CEO

E-commerce displays strong growth, while mail volumes continue to fall, especially in Denmark. Implemented restructuring programs improve profit.

During the quarter PostNord signed several major contracts in the area of parcel distribution, both in B2B and B2C, as well as a significant contract with the COOP chain of cooperative association supermarkets in Denmark regarding the distribution of direct mail. About a third of the new agreements that we enter into are in the e-commerce segment, which is continuing to grow strongly, and B2C parcel volumes rose by 17% during the quarter.

During the quarter PostNord expanded its strategic cooperation with the international network DPDgroup, which is the second largest service provider in the European parcel market. The core of the expanded cooperation comprises a powerful B2C strategy, which will link PostNord’s and DPDgroup’s distribution networks, thereby creating a harmonized system with service points at 26,000 locations in Europe.

PostNord entered into an agreement to acquire the company Uudenmaan Pikakuljetus Oy (UPK) in Finland. This deal reinforces PostNord Finland’s position in logistics solutions.

In the wake of continued digitization, mail volumes continued to decline, especially in Denmark. In total, mail volumes declined by 9% in the quarter, of which 15% in Denmark and 7% in Sweden. It is vital that amendments to the postal regulations should be based on the continually changing needs of customers so that a universal postal service can be maintained in the long term under reasonable economic conditions.

In late April the Court of Justice of the European Union announced its verdict that postal services not covered by individually negotiated agreements are to be VAT-exempt. PostNord is now awaiting ongoing amendments to Swedish VAT legislation. This may entail an increase in costs for PostNord due to a reduced right to deductions for input VAT.

The Group’s adjusted operating income in Q2 totaled SEK 33m (-30). For H1 the Group’s adjusted operating income amounted to SEK 345m (76). The result is adjusted for a capital gain and an impairment loss totaling SEK 470m (0), net. The restructuring work that we have implemented is having the intended effect on the result.

With rapidly declining mail volumes we face major challenges, but we are concurrently strengthening our position as a leading logistics operator. Continuous efficiency improvements and adaptations are, however, essential to secure long-term profitability. With a great focus on customers we will deliver on our promises.

PostNord AB (publ) is required to disclose the above information under the provisions of the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08.30 AM CET on August 13, 2015.

For further information, please contact
PostNord Media Relations, tel: 46 10 436 10 10, e-mail: press@postnord.com 

We deliver. PostNord is the leading supplier of communications and logistics solutions to, from and within the Nordic region. We also ensure the postal service to households and businesses in Sweden and Denmark. With our expertise and a strong distribution network, we develop options for tomorrow’s communication, e-commerce, distribution and logistics in the Nordic region. In 2014, PostNord had 38,000 employees and sales of SEK 40 billion. The parent company is a Swedish public limited company headquartered in Solna, Sweden. Visit us at www.postnord.com