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Piaggio & C

Earnings Release May 23, 2018

4466_ir_2018-05-23_01cd75c8-9d9c-47dd-8cb1-f9d4caf9336e.pdf

Earnings Release

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PRESS RELEASE

PIAGGIO GROUP: FIRST QUARTER 2018

Consolidated net sales 312.3 million euro, up 1% (+6.7% at constant exchange rates) (309.1 €/mln in Q1 2017)

Ebitda 43.2 million euro, up 4.9% (41.2 €/mln in Q1 2017) Ebitda margin 13.8% (13.3% in Q1 2017)

Industrial gross margin 96.7 million euro, up 1.6% (95.1 €/mln in Q1 2017) 31% return on net sales (30.8% in Q1 2017)

Ebit 14.5 million euro, up 32.4% (10.9 €/mln in Q1 2017) Ebit margin 4.6% (3.5% in Q1 2017)

Profit before tax 7 million euro (2.5 €/mln in Q1 2017)

Strong improvement in net profit to 4 million euro (1.5 €/mln in Q1 2017)

Net financial position -502.9 million euro, an improvement of 29.5 €/mln from -532.4 €/mln at 31 March 2017

129,700 vehicles shipped worldwide, up by 7% (121,200 in Q1 2017)

Milan, 08 May 2018 – At a meeting today chaired by Roberto Colaninno, the Board of Directors of Piaggio & C. S.p.A. (PIA.MI) examined and approved the interim report on operations as at and for the three months to 31 March 2018.

Piaggio Group business and financial performance at 31 March 20181

In the first quarter of 2018 the Piaggio Group reported an improvement in performance from the year-earlier period, with significant progress on all the main earnings indicators and a reduction in debt.

Group consolidated net sales totalled 312.3 million euro, an improvement of 1% from 309.1 million euro at 31 March 2017. At constant exchange rates, net sales would have risen by 6.7% from the first quarter of 2017.

The industrial gross margin was 96.7 million euro, up by 1.6% from 95.1 million euro at 31 March 2017. The return on net sales was 31%, the best first-quarter result since admission to trading (30.8% at 31 March 2017).

Operating expense sustained by the Group in the first quarter of 2018 amounted to 82.2 million euro, a decrease of 2.4% from the year-earlier period generated in part by the reduction in amortisation and depreciation.

of the related hedged items and related accruals.

1 The main alternative performance indicators used by the Piaggio Group, representing the data monitored by management, are as follows:

EBITDA: earnings (EBIT) before amortisation and depreciation and impairment losses on property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, as reflected in the consolidated income statement; • Industrial gross margin: net sales less costs to sell;

Net financial position: gross financial debt less cash and cash equivalents, and other current financial receivables. Determination of the net financial position does not include other financial assets and liabilities arising from measurement at fair value, derivatives designated or not as hedges, fair value adjustments

The changes in the income statement described above generated consolidated Ebitda of 43.2 million euro, up by 4.9% from 41.2 million euro at 31 March 2017, the best first-quarter result since admission to trading. The Ebitda margin was 13.8% (13.3% at 31 March 2017).

Ebit in the first quarter of 2018 amounted to 14.5 million euro, up 32.4% from 10.9 million euro in the first quarter of 2017. The Ebit margin was 4.6% (3.5% at 31 March 2017).

At 31 March 2018, the Piaggio Group posted profit before tax of 7 million euro, a strong increase from 2.5 million euro in the first quarter of 2017. Income tax for the period was 3 million euro, with an impact on pre-tax profit of 43%.

The Piaggio Group closed the first quarter of 2018 with net profit of 4 million euro, a significant increase compared with 1.5 million euro in the first three months of 2017.

Net financial debt at 31 March 2018 stood at 502.9 million euro, an improvement of 29.5 million euro from 31 March 2017 (532.4 million euro). At 31 December 2017 net financial debt was 446.7 million euro, lower than at the end of the first quarter of 2018 due to the typical seasonal nature of the two-wheeler business, which absorbs financial resources in the first half of the year and generates them in the second half.

Group shareholders' equity at 31 March 2018 was 380 million euro (385.1 million euro at 31 December 2017).

In the first quarter of 2018, Piaggio Group capital expenditure amounted to 22.3 million euro (18.3 million euro at 31 March 2017).

The total workforce of the Piaggio Group at 31 March 2018 numbered 6,632 employees. The Group's Italian employees numbered 3,435, substantially unchanged from the year-earlier period.

Business performance in the first quarter of 2018

During the first three months of 2018, the Piaggio Group sold 129,700 vehicles worldwide, an increase of 7% (121,200 shipments in the year-earlier period), and reported consolidated net sales of 312.3 million euro.

The Group geographical breakdown reflected strong volumes growth in India (+31%) and Asia Pacific (+11%), which more than counterbalanced the sales decline in Emea and the Americas (-15.1%), caused largely by unfavourable weather and a downturn in demand for 50cc vehicles.

Two-wheelers:

In the first quarter of 2018, the Group sold 80,600 two-wheelers worldwide (82,500 in Q1 2017), generating net sales of 210.1 million euro (218.9 million euro in the year-earlier period). The figure includes spares and accessories, on which turnover totalled 29.5 million euro, in line with the first quarter of 2017.

The Group reported a strong increase of 36.4% in two-wheeler volumes on the Indian market from the first quarter of 2017, while the two-wheeler volume growth in Asia Pacific was 11% from the year-earlier period. These results more than offset the 15.9% fall in volumes in western countries.

In Europe the Piaggio Group confirmed its leadership of the scooter segment, with a share of 23.6%. The Group retained a particularly strong presence on the North American scooter market, where its share reached 24.7%, and is already taking action to strengthen its position in motorcycles in the region.

In the scooter sector, the main highlight was the excellent performance of the Vespa brand, which boosted worldwide sales by about 13% from the first three months of 2017, with a particularly positive contribution from the Indian market, where sales volumes rose by more than 70%.

In the Group motorcycle business, important results were achieved by the Aprilia brand, with a 30.6% increase in sales, and a notably positive response to the naked Tuono models and the SX 50. Moto Guzzi turnover was assisted by the positive sales performance of its V7 models, with worldwide growth of approximately 18%.

Commercial vehicles:

In commercial vehicles, the Piaggio Group reported strong progress, with sales of 49,200 vehicles, up 26.7% from 38,800 in the first quarter of 2017, and net sales of 102.2 million euro, up 13.3% from 90.2 million euro in the year-earlier period.

The figure includes spares and accessories, where sales totalled 11.9 million euro, up 6.2% from 11.2 million euro in the first quarter of 2017.

Demand on the Indian market for three-wheel commercial vehicles showed strong signs of recovery; the PVPL subsidiary had an overall market share of 20.8% and confirmed its leadership in the Cargo segment with a share of 45.1%.

In the first three months of 2018 the PVPL production hub also exported 6,100 commercial vehicles worldwide. These sales arose in part in the EMEA and Americas areas and in part in the India area, in connection with responsibility for management of the individual markets.

Piaggio Fast Forward:

Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), the Piaggio Group company based in Boston, recently enhanced its Advisory Board with the entry of Daniela Rus, Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (MIT CSAIL) and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the MIT in Boston.

Development work continued on the first innovative projects, Gita and Kilo, and the first road tests were conducted in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, attracting great interest. Gita and Kilo are smart vehicles able to move autonomously in today's increasingly complex urban environments. The vehicles accompany the user, map their surroundings and monitor other moving objects.

Significant events in and after the first quarter of 2018

On 30 January, the Piaggio Group announced the strengthening of its distribution network after reaching the important milestone of 300 Motoplex stores in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Asia and India. The Group multibrand stores flank the traditional distribution network.

On 8 February, during the Auto Expo show, the Group presented the new Aprilia SR 125 and the Aprilia Storm 125 for the Indian market, intended for a broad target in a fast-growing segment, and flanking the best-selling Aprilia SR 150 and the premium scooter offer with the Vespa brand.

On 27 February, the Advisory Board of Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF) was further enhanced with the entry of Daniela Rus, Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (MIT CSAIL) and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the MIT in Boston.

On 26 March, the Moody's Investors Service rating agency announced that it had upgraded its Outlook for the Piaggio Group, from "stable" to "positive", and confirmed the company's B1 ratings. The following week, on 5 April, the Standard & Poor's Global Ratings agency announced its upgrade of the Piaggio Group rating from "B+" to "BB-", and confirmed its Outlook as "stable".

On 9 April, the Piaggio Group began placement of a 7-year non-convertible unsecured senior bond, which was successfully completed on 18 April. The 250 million euro issue pays annual interest of 3.625%. The proceeds of the notes will be used to refinance bonds of the same amount maturing in 2021 and will enable the Group to strengthen its debt profile by reducing the average cost of funding and significantly extending average maturity. The response of institutional investors to the issue was extremely positive, in and outside Italy, with orders for around 1.7 billion euro (almost 7 times oversubscribed).

On 10 April, the Piaggio Group launched a partnership to market the Ape in Egypt. This is part of its plan to strengthen and expand its position on the fastest-growing markets. With light commercial vehicle shipments of around 70,000 in 2017, Egypt is the world's second export market after Nigeria for three-wheel vehicles, with volumes rising 50% since 2010.

On 16 April, the Piaggio & C. S.p.A. annual general meeting appointed the Board of Directors: Roberto Colaninno, Matteo Colaninno, Michele Colaninno, Giuseppe Tesauro, Graziano Gianmichele Visentin, Maria Chiara Carrozza, Patrizia Albano, Federica Savasi and Andrea Formica. The shareholders also appointed the Board of Statutory Auditors and approved payment of a dividend of 5.5 eurocents per ordinary share.

On the same date, at a meeting held after the AGM, the Piaggio & C. S.p.A. Board of Directors named Roberto Colaninno as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Matteo Colaninno as Deputy Chairman and assigned strategic development powers to director Michele Colaninno.

* * *

Outlook

In a general economic context reflecting a strengthening of the global economic upturn, where uncertainty nonetheless remains with regard to the speed of European growth, Piaggio Group commercial and industrial operations will focus on:

  • confirming the leadership position on the European two-wheeler market, taking full advantage of the expected recovery through:
  • further strengthening of its product range;
  • maintenance of current positions on the European commercial vehicle market;
  • consolidating its presence in Asia Pacific, in part through the opening of new Motoplex stores, the exploration of new opportunities in countries in the region, with a particular focus on the premium segment of the market;
  • increasing sales on the Indian scooter market thanks to the Vespa offer and the Aprilia SR;
  • growing the penetration of commercial vehicles in India, in part through the introduction of new engine displacements.

At a more general level, the Group maintains its commitment – a characteristic of recent years and continuing in 2018 – to generate higher productivity through close attention to cost and investment efficiency, in compliance with its ethical principles.

* * *

Share buyback program

In connection with the authorisation for the purchase and disposal of own shares given by the Piaggio AGM on 16 April 2018, the Board of Directors also approved the launch of a share buyback

program, which represents a useful strategic investment opportunity for the purposes allowed under law, including the purposes contemplated in art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation, "MAR"), among which the purchase of own shares for subsequent cancellation, and in the practices allowed under art. 13 MAR.

Purchase transactions under the program will be performed in the manner and in compliance with the limits set out in the aforementioned shareholder resolution, specifically:

  • up to 15,000,000 no-par Piaggio ordinary shares may be purchased, for a maximum outlay of 33,700,000 euro, thus within the legal limits (20% of share capital, pursuant to art. 2357, par 3, Italian Civil Code;
  • share buybacks shall take place within the limits of distributable earnings and available reserves as reflected in the most recent financial statements (including interim financial statements) approved at the time of implementation of the transaction;
  • share buybacks shall be effected on the regulated market in a manner that ensures equality of treatment of shareholders as envisaged by art. 132 of Law 58/1998, with the graduality deemed to be in the interests of the company and in accordance with current laws, adopting the procedures envisaged by art. 144-bis, paragraph 1, head b) of Consob Regulation 11971/1999, as amended, and taking into account the conditions relating to trading as per art. 3 of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 ("Regulation 1052") enacting the MAR (i) for a consideration that shall not be higher than the greater of the price of the most recent independent transaction and the price of the highest independent offer on the trading markets where the buyback is made, without prejudice to the condition that the per-share consideration shall not in any case be more than 20% below or 10% above the mean official Piaggio share price in the ten trading days before each single purchase transaction; (ii) for volumes not exceeding 25% of the average daily volume of Piaggio shares traded on the regulated market where the buyback is made, determined on the basis of the parameters as per art. 3 of Regulation 1052;
  • the buyback program may be implemented, in one or more tranches, through 16 October 2019.

As of today, the company does not hold any own shares.

* * *

Conference call with analysts

The presentation of the financial results as at and for the three months ended 31 March 2018, which will be illustrated during a conference call with financial analysts, is available on the corporate website at www.piaggiogroup.com/en/investor.

* * *

The Piaggio Group consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of financial position and consolidated statement of cash flows as at and for the three months ended 31 March 2018 are set out below.

The manager in charge of preparing the company accounts and documents, Alessandra Simonotto, certifies, pursuant to paragraph 2 of art. 154 bis of Legislative Decree no. 58/1998 (TUF), that the accounting disclosures in this statement correspond to the accounting documents, ledgers and entries.

* * *

In line with the recommendations of CESR Communication 05-178b, attention is drawn to the fact that this press release

contains a number of indicators that, though not yet contemplated by the IFRS ("Non-GAAP Measures"), are based on financial measures envisaged by the IFRS. These indicators – presented in order to assist assessment of the Group's business performance – should not be considered as alternatives to those envisaged by the IFRS and are consistent with those in the Piaggio Group 2017 Annual Report and in the quarterly and half-year reports. Furthermore, since determination of such indicators is not specifically regulated by the IFRS, the methods used may not coincide with those adopted by other companies/groups, and consequently the indicators in question may not be comparable. In compliance with Consob Communication no. 9081707 of 16 September 2009, it should be noted that the alternative performance indicators ("Non-GAAP Measures") have not been audited by the independent auditors.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to future events and Piaggio Group business and financial results. By their nature, these statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, since they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such statements as a result of a variety of factors.

For further information:

Piaggio Group Corporate Press Office Director Diego Rancati

Via Broletto, 13 - 20121 Milan – Italy +39 02.319612.19/.16 [email protected] [email protected]

Image Building

Via Privata Maria Teresa, 11 - 20123 Milan - Italy +39 02 89011300 [email protected]

Piaggio Group Investor Relations

Viale Rinaldo Piaggio, 25 56025 Pontedera (PI) – Italy +39.0587.272286 [email protected] piaggiogroup.com

SCHEDULES

Consolidated Income Statement

Q1 2018 Q1 2017
of which
related
of which
related
Total parties Total parties
In thousands of euro
Net Sales 312,312 1,154 309,124 54
Cost of materials 180,106 6,471 177,027 8,472
Cost of services and use of third-party assets 52,695 942 53,299 965
Employee expense 52,726 54,454
Depreciation and impairment property, plant and
equipment 11,040 11,573
Amortisation and impairment intangible assets 17,669 18,676
Other operating income 20,551 40 22,439 82
Other operating expense 4,131 4 5,587 3
EBIT 14,496 10,947
Results of associates 67 67 352 352
Finance income 609 256
Finance costs 8,025 33 9,111 33
Net exchange-rate gains/(losses) (196) 24
Profit before tax 6,951 2,468
Income tax expense 2,990 987
Profit from continuing operations 3,961 1,481

Discontinued operations:

Profit or loss from discontinued operations

Profit for the period 3,961 1,481
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent
Minority interests
3,961
0
1,481
Earnings per share (in €)
Diluted earnings per share (in €)
0.011
0.011
0.004
0.004

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

In thousands of euro Q1 2018 Q1 2017
Profit for the period (A) 3,961 1,481
Items that cannot be reclassified to profit or loss
Re-measurement of defined benefit plans (833) 1,000
Total (833) 1,000
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss
Gains (losses) on translation of financial statements of foreign
entities
(4,413) 2,062
Share of components of comprehensive income relating to equity
accounted investees
72 (58)
Total gains (losses) on cash flow hedges 215 466
Total (4,126) 2,470
Other comprehensive income (expense) (B)* (4,959) 3,470
Total comprehensive income (expense) for the period (A + B) (998) 4,951
* Other comprehensive income (expense) taking related tax effects into account
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent (1,005) 4,955
Minority interests 7 (4)

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

At 31 March 2018 At 31 December 2017
of which of which
related related
In thousands of euro Total parties Total parties
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 646,183 648,977
Property, plant and equipment 264,241 273,013
Investment property 11,523 11,523
Equity investments 7,692 7,553
Other financial assets 5,881 7,364
Non-current tax receivables 19,728 19,913
Deferred tax assets 60,452 58,601
Trade receivables
Other receivables 12,810 115 12,157 115
Total non-current assets 1,028,510 1,039,101
Assets held for sale
Current assets
Trade receivables 113,064 2,760 83,995 2,150
Other receivables 27,498 10,834 26,916 10,029
Current tax receivables 19,386 11,106
Inventories 273,109 218,622
Other financial assets 1,874 2,321
Cash and cash equivalents 125,213 128,067
Total current assets 560,144 471,027
Total Assets 1,588,654 1,510,128
At 31 March 2018 At 31 December 2017
of which of which
related related
Total parties Total parties
In thousands of euro
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders' equity
Share capital and reserves attributable to
equity holders of the parent
380,271 385,296
Share capital and reserves attributable to
minority interests
(229) (236)
Total shareholders' equity 380,042 385,060
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings due after one year 509,972 2,900 446,483 2,900
Trade payables
Other non-current provisions 9,117 9,096
Deferred tax liabilities 2,894 3,170
Pension funds and employee benefits 45,126 44,457
Tax payables
Other non-current payables 6,391 13 5,621 12
Total non-current liabilities 573,500 508,827
Current liabilities
Borrowings due within one year 125,736 137,780
Trade payables 441,684 10,040 411,775 9,375
Tax payables 6,656 10,185
Other current liabilities 50,816 7,919 46,424 7,863
Current portion of other non-current provisions 10,220 10,077
Total current liabilities 635,112 616,241
Total Shareholders' equity and Liabilities 1,588,654 1,510,128

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Q1 2018 Q1 2017
of which of which
Total related
parties
Total related
parties
In thousands of euro
Operating assets
Profit (loss) for the period 3,961 1,481
Earnings attributable to minority interests
Income tax expense 2,990 987
Depreciation property, plant and equipment 11,040 11,573
Amortisation intangible assets 17,423 18,676
Allowances for risks, retirement funds and employee benefits 3,810 4,478
Impairment losses / (Reversals) 584 235
Losses / (Gains) realised on sale of property, plant and equipment (20) (6)
Losses / (Gains) realised on sale of intangible assets
Finance income (599) (183)
Dividend income
Finance costs 7,813 8,470
Income from public grants (432) (957)
Share of results of associates (67) (352)
Change in working capital:
(Increase)/Decrease in trade receivables (28,813) (610) (26,671) 1,312
(Increase)/Decrease in other receivables (1,153) (805) 235 (924)
(Increase)/Decrease in inventories (54,487) (48,599)
Increase/(Decrease) in trade payables 29,909 665 27,255 2,533
Increase/(Decrease) in other payables 5,162 57 1,328 40
Increase/(Decrease) in provisions for risks (1,762) (1,922)
Increase/(Decrease) in retirement funds and employee benefits (1,112) (3,679)
Other movements (8,105) (7,173)
Cash generated by operating activities (13,858) (14,824)
Interest expense paid (5,293) (6,296)
Tax paid (6,924) (2,829)
Cash flow from operating activities (A) (26,075) (23,949)
Investing activities
Investment in property, plant and equipment (6,627) (5,832)
Sale price or redemption value of property, plant
and equipment 42 49
Investment in intangible assets (15,664) (12,437)
Sale price or redemption value of intangible assets
Interest collected 132 162
Cash flow from investing activities (B) (22,117) (18,058)
Financing activities
Own share purchases
Loans received 70,936 42,488
Outflow for loan repayments (21,547) (57,564)
Repayment of finance leases (285) (279)
Cash flow from financing activities (C) 49,104 (15,355)
Increase / (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (A+B+C) 912 (57,362)
Opening balance 127,894 191,400
Exchange differences (3,945) 560
Closing balance 124,861 134,598

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