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ACOMO N.V.

Interim / Quarterly Report Jul 21, 2017

3801_iss_2017-07-20_c1ceccfa-b9fa-4464-910b-b6b67ad1c83c.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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PRESS RELEASE – HALF YEAR REPORT 2017

Rotterdam, 20 July 2017

Acomo increased net profit to € 17.4 million for H1 2017

Half year interim dividend set at € 0.40 per share, equal to H1 2016

Main financial indicators H1 2017

  • Net profit: € 17.4 million (H1 2016: € 17.2 million, +1%)
  • Sales: € 354.2 million (H1 2016: € 341.8 million, +4%)
  • EBITDA: € 28.4 million (H1 2016: € 28.2 million, +1%)
  • Earnings per share: € 0.714 (H1 2016: € 0.718, -1%)
  • Interim dividend: € 0.40 per share (H1 2016: € 0.40, equal)
  • Solvency: 53.4% (H1 2016: 49.6%)

Highlights and developments H1 2017

  • Performance in the first six months improved in three out of four segments versus prior year. Both Spices & Nuts and Tea realized higher sales at stable margins. Food Ingredients achieved stable sales at higher margins. Edible Seeds reported higher sales at lower margins.
  • Food commodity prices were very volatile with major price swings upward in nuts, and downward in spices. Edible seed prices declined resulting in pressure on maintaining absolute margins. Tea prices remained at higher than expected levels in Sri Lanka and Africa.
  • On 25 January 2017, the Group's working capital bank facilities were extended for another three years with the option for two additional years, at improved terms.
  • On 5 May 2017 the acquisition of nuts trader Delinuts, based in Ede, the Netherlands, was completed. Delinuts offers a wide range of nuts and dried fruits to wholesale and retail customers, the food industry and the out-of-home channel. Acomo's new subsidiary complements the existing activities of group companies in nuts and dried fruits.

Over the first six months of 2017, the consolidated sales recorded by Amsterdam Commodities N.V. (Acomo) increased by 4% to € 354.2 million (H1 2016: € 341.8 million), partly caused by the consolidation of Delinuts (€ 10.8 million). The total gross margin increased by 7% due to Delinuts, and a higher share of value-added products (e.g. SunButter®). Personnel and general costs increased due to Delinuts, and increased processing costs in the US.

The interest expenses decreased due to lower average borrowings, partly offset by higher Libor rates. The effective corporate income tax rate decreased by 0.9 percent point due to a more favourable country mix of the Group's source of profits. H1 2017 net profit of € 17.4 million is 1% above the first half of 2016.

Currency euro/US dollar

The US dollar remained relatively stable at higher levels compared to H1 2016 versus the euro in the first four months of 2017, but weakened in the last two months. The average euro/US dollar exchange rate of 1.083 in H1 2017 was stronger than H1 2016 (1.117). The FX rate had no material impact on sales and net profit.

The US dollar declined versus the euro at the end of this half year period. The euro/US dollar balance sheet exchange rate on 30 June 2017 was 1.143 versus 1.052 on 31 December 2016. The impact of the FX rate on the consolidated assets was € 12.1 million.

Interim dividend H1 2017

The interim dividend per share is set at € 0.40 in cash, in line with H1 2016. The dividend is payable on 4 August 2017 (ex-dividend date is 25 July 2017).

Key figures H1 2017 – unaudited

H1 2017 H1 2016 Change %
Consolidated figures (in € millions)
Sales 354.2 341.8 4%
Gross margin 60.9 57.0 7%
EBITDA 28.4 28.2 1%
EBIT 25.8 25.8 0%
Financial result -1.6 -1.6 3%
Corporate income tax -6.8 -7.0 -3%
Net profit 17.4 17.2 1%
Shareholders' equity (before interim dividend) 184.9 168.7 10%
Total assets 346.4 340.3 2%
Ratios
Solvency 53.4% 49.6% 4%
Return on Equity (ROE), annualized 18.8% 19.6% -1%
Return On Net Capital Employed (RONCE), annualized 18.3% 17.3% 1%
RONCE operating companies (excluding goodwill), annualized 23.9% 22.1% 2%
Dividend pay-out ratio 56.6% 55.7% 1%
Key performance indicators (in €)
Earnings per share 0.714 0.718 0%
Interim dividend per share 0.40 0.40 0%
Equity per share per 30 June 7.51 7.03 7%
Share price per 30 June 28.49 21.99 30%
Market capitalization per 30 June (in millions) 701.0 527.8 33%
Number of shares outstanding (in thousands)
Per 30 June 24,605 24,001 3%

'It is satisfying to see that the efforts of our operating companies have resulted in a solid performance in the first half of 2017. Our people have done very well in addressing the challenging market circumstances and their continued search for market opportunities. I am very happy to welcome the Delinuts employees to the Acomo Group and I am confident that Delinuts will develop further within our Group,' said Group Managing Director Allard Goldschmeding.

Activity review per segment

Spices and Nuts

Catz International in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, realized a net result which was only slightly below the record year 2016. This is an excellent achievement given the challenging market circumstances in which prices of a number of spices halved. Pepper showed a significant downward price trend and so did products like garlic and dried fruits. Cashews prices on the other hand increased by double digits.

Tovano in Maasdijk, the Netherlands, achieved an excellent result, benefiting from good market conditions.

King Nuts & Raaphorst in Bodegraven, the Netherlands, achieved strong margins and an excellent net result. Most nut prices showed an upward trend in the first six months. Brazil nuts in particular experienced a price explosion, due to reduced crops as a consequence of drought in the Amazon region. King Nuts & Raaphorst did an excellent job in handling these market conditions.

Delinuts in Ede, the Netherlands, joined the Acomo Group per 5 May 2017, and performed in May and June ahead of the same months prior year. Delinuts was consolidated per 1 May 2017 and contributed positively to the Group's net profit.

Edible Seeds

Red River Commodities in Fargo, USA, realized net profit results at the level of H1 2016. A warm and short winter impacted bird food sales in the USA market. Despite lower volumes, Red River Commodities maintained its bird food gross margin. Export sales were lower due to a strong US dollar, world competition and overall low commodity prices. Lower sales to the snack market were compensated by an excellent six months for SunButter® with sales and margin growth well above 20%. Startup company Red River Global Ingredients in Winkler, Canada, began trading activities late in 2016 with a focus on specialty grains and pulses. H1 2017 was in line with company expectations.

Red River-van Eck in Zevenbergen, the Netherlands, experienced a difficult poppy seed market the past six months due to very soft market conditions. The net result was substantially below prior year.

SIGCO Warenhandel in Hamburg, Germany, showed improved financial results versus prior year, due to better margins on bakery seeds at stable turnover.

Tea

Van Rees Group in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, realized an improved net result in the first six months versus prior year. Volumes were up in most offices, except for Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Colombo office was impacted by persistent high prices for Sri Lankan teas in the first six months and reduced volumes to Turkey. Margins were similar to last year levels. Crops in Kenya were down significantly by about 50,000 MT versus last year, which caused higher selling prices in the entire East African region. General demand was good although some countries, such as Russia and Egypt showed lower demand due to economic circumstances.

Food Ingredients

Distribution and blending activities in Food Ingredients continued to perform excellent. The net result for the first six months improved further versus prior year. Both dry and wet blends volumes grew, resulting in higher margins at stable costs.

Consolidated balance sheet and financial position

The Group's total balance sheet shortened when compared with 31 December 2016 mainly because of lower inventories (decrease of € 9.9 million) and lower trade creditors (decrease of € 9.3 million). The addition due to the consolidation of the assets of Delinuts was more than offset by reduced stock levels and the euro/US dollar exchange rate per 30 June 2017.

Shareholders' equity increased by € 2.0 million to € 184.9 million on 30 June 2017 (31 December 2016: € 182.9 million). In May 2017, the 2016 final dividend of € 18.2 million was paid (€ 0.75 per share).

Long-term bank borrowings increased by € 7.6 million and short-term borrowings were reduced by € 5.2 million versus year-end 2016.

Outlook 2017

2017 started in line with the first half of 2016. Given the nature of the Group's activities, it is impossible to forecast market developments or likely Group results. However, the Company is confident that its teams will continue to generate good results for shareholders.

Responsibility statement of the Executive Board as per section 5:25c (2) (c) of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wft)

The Company's executive director hereby declares that, to the best of his knowledge:

    1. The half year report for the first six months of 2017 gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and the profit of the Company and its consolidated entities.
    1. The half year report for the first six months of 2017 gives a true and fair view of the financial position of the company at the balance sheet date and of their state of affairs during the first H1 2017 of the Company and its related entities whose financial information has been consolidated in the half year report.

Rotterdam, 20 July 2017

Allard Goldschmeding Group Managing Director

Appendices

Page 7 Consolidated balance sheet as at 30
June
2017
Page 8 Consolidated income statement H1
2017
Page 8 Consolidated cash flow statement H1
2017
Page 9 Statement of changes in shareholders' equity H1
2017
Page 9 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income H1
2017
Page 10 Segment information H1
2017
Page 10 Sales per geography
H1 2017
Page 11 Notes to the H1 2017
consolidated interim financial statements
Page 13 Financial calendar 2018

This report in the English language has also been translated into the Dutch language. In case of any differences between the two versions, the English version will prevail.

Note to the editors:

For further information, please contact:

Amsterdam Commodities N.V. (Acomo) Creative Venue PR

WTC, Beursplein 37, 10th floor Sophialaan 43 3011 AA Rotterdam 1075 BM Amsterdam The Netherlands The Netherlands [email protected] [email protected]

Tel. +31 10 4051195 Tel. +31 20 4525225

Mr A.W. Goldschmeding Mr F.J.M. Witte, spokesperson

Fax +31 10 4055094 Fax +31 20 4528650 www.acomo.nl www.creativevenue.nl

About Amsterdam Commodities N.V.

Amsterdam Commodities N.V. (Acomo) is an international group with as its principal business the trade and distribution of natural food products and ingredients. Our main trading subsidiaries are Catz International B.V. in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, (spices and food raw materials), Van Rees Group B.V. in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, (tea), Red River Commodities Inc. in Fargo, USA, (confectionary sunflower seeds), Red River Global Ingredients Ltd. In Winkler, Canada, Red River-van Eck B.V. in Zevenbergen, the Netherlands, and SIGCO Warenhandelsgesellschaft mbH in Hamburg, Germany, (edible seeds), King Nuts B.V. in Bodegraven, the Netherlands, and Delinuts B.V. in Ede, the Netherlands (nuts), and Snick EuroIngredients N.V. in Ruddervoorde, Belgium (food ingredients). Acomo shares have been traded on Euronext Amsterdam since 1908.

Consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2017

before interim dividend

(in € thousands) 30 June 2017 31 December 2016 30 June 2016
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 67 266 62 919 60 941
Property, plant and equipment 39 945 42 138 40 465
Other non-current assets 1 321 1 356 1 266
Deferred tax assets 291 173 425
Total non-current assets 108 823 106 586 103 097
Current assets
Inventories 148 523 158 396 146 676
Trade receivables 83 207 81 401 84 190
Other receivables 3 886 2 649 3 809
Derivative financial instruments 444 2 735 947
Cash and cash equivalents 1 561 1 805 1 624
Total current assets 237 621 246 986 237 246
Total assets 346 444 353 572 340 343
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Share capital 11 072 10 901 10 800
Share premium reserve 61 428 52 447 50 649
Other reserves
Retained earnings
9 080
85 881
15 499
69 684
10 779
79 284
Net profit for the period 17 394 34 377 17 229
Total shareholders' equity 184 855 182 908 168 741
Non-current liabilities and provisions
Bank borrowings 14 111 6 519 7 850
Deferred tax liabilities 8 422 8 894 10 681
Retirement benefit obligations 2 025 2 062 1 849
Other provisions 290 279 754
Total non-current liabilities 24 848 17 754 21 134
Current liabilities
Bank borrowings 80 061 85 233 99 379
Trade creditors 34 779 44 050 32 447
Tax liabilities 5 668 5 113 3 480
Derivative financial instruments 1 980 503 408
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses 14 253 18 011 14 754
Total current liabilities 136 741 152 910 150 468
Total equity and liabilities 346 444 353 572 340 343

Consolidated income statement H1 2017

(in € thousands) H1 2017 H1 2016
Sales 354 160 341 826
Cost of goods sold (293 234) (284 865)
Gross margin 60 926 56 961
Personnel costs (20 939) (19 185)
General costs (11 571) (9 619)
EBITDA 28 416 28 157
Depreciation and impairment charges (2 592) (2 331)
EBIT 25 824 25 826
Interest income 42 28
Interest expense (1 486) (1 628)
Other financial income and expenses (214) (9)
Profit before income tax 24 166 24 217
Corporate income tax (6 772) (6 988)
Net profit 17 394 17 229
Total basic EPS (in €) 0.714 0.718
Total diluted EPS (in €) 0.706 0.714

Consolidated cash flow statement H1 2017

(in € thousands) H1 2017 H1 2016
Cash flow from operating activities 27 881 27 887
Net changes in working capital 7 557 (3 254)
Paid interest and taxes (8 256) (5 960)
Total cash flow from operating activities 27 182 18 492
Cash flow from investing activities (10 875) (2 839)
Cash flow from financing activities
Dividend paid (18 180) (14 401)
Proceeds from new shares 131 82
Net changes in long term bank borrowings 5 634 (1 078)
Net changes in bank financing of working capital (4 133) (181)
Cash flow from financing activities (16 548) (15 397)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (241) 256
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 1 807 1 384
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents (5) (16)
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of half year 1 561 1 624

Statement of changes in shareholders' equity H1 2017

Share Net profit
Share premium Other Retained for the Total
(in € thousands) capital reserve reserves earnings period equity
Balance at 1 January 2016 10 796 50 571 13 268 61 434 32 251 168 320
Net profit for the period - - - - 17 229 17 229
Other comprehensive income - - (2 523) - - (2 523)
Appropriation of net profit - - - 32 251 (32 251) -
Issue of ordinary shares 4 78 - - - 82
Employee share option plan - - 34 - - - 34
Dividend relating to 2015, final - - - (14 401) - (14 401)
Balance at 30 June 2016 10 800 50 649 10 779 79 284 17 229 168 741
Balance at 1 January 2017 10 901 52 447 15 499 69 684 34 377 182 908
Net profit for the period - - - - 17 394 17 394
Other comprehensive income - - (6 448) - - (6 448)
Appropriation of net profit - - - 34 377 (34 377) -
Issue of ordinary shares 171 8 981 - - - 9 152
Employee share option plan - - 29 - - - 29
Dividend relating to 2016, final - - - (18 180) - (18 180)
Balance at 30 June 2017 11 072 61 428 9 080 85 881 17 394 184 855

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income H1 2017

(in € thousands) H1 2017 H1 2016
Net profit 17 394 17 229
Other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods
Movement currency translation reserves on equity, net (4 207) (1 421)
Movement currency translation differences on goodwill (2 021) (758)
Movement on cash flow hedge (220) (344)
Total other comprehensive income (6 448) (2 523)
Total comprehensive income 10 946 14 706
Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of the parent 10 946 14 706

Segment information H1 2017

Spices and Food
(in € thousands) Nuts Edible Seeds Tea Ingredients Other Total
H1 2017
Sales 177 402 97 741 73 653 10 454 (5 090) 354 160
Costs (162 926) (87 804) (70 489) (8 533) 4 008 (325 744)
EBITDA 14 476 9 937 3 164 1 921 (1 082) 28 416
Depreciation (252) (1 912) (254) (171) (3) (2 592)
Financial results (902) (829) (320) (52) 445 (1 658)
Income tax expense (3 330) (2 250) (696) (590) 94 (6 772)
Net result 9 992 4 946 1 894 1 108 (546) 17 394
Total assets 123 528 97 267 55 146 11 689 58 814 346 444
Total liabilities 92 896 65 741 41 570 8 541 (47 159) 161 589
H1 2016
Sales 167 109 96 640 69 620 10 893 (2 436) 341 826
Costs (153 416) (86 274) (66 768) (9 061) 1 851 (313 668)
EBITDA 13 693 10 366 2 852 1 832 (585) 28 158
Depreciation (115) (1 778) (243) (174) (21) (2 331)
Financial results (485) (1 055) (310) (53) 293 (1 610)
Income tax expense (3 296) (2 407) (794) (557) 66 (6 988)
Non-recurring items, net of tax - - - - - -
Net result 9 797 5 126 1 505 1 048 (247) 17 229
Total assets 106 621 114 464 58 817 12 644 47 797 340 343
Total liabilities 85 985 73 800 40 155 1 332 (29 670) 171 602

The column 'Other' mainly represents holding costs and intra-Group items.

Sales per geography

(in € thousands) NL EU other US Other Total
H1 2017 63 356 161 383 91 562 37 859 354 160
H1 2016 57 359 154 803 86 308 43 356 341 826
Other H1 2017 H1 2016
Number of FTEs per 30 June 606 591
Effective tax rate (%) 28.0% 28.9%

Notes to the H1 2017 Consolidated interim financial statements

1. General

The interim financial statements for the six months ending 30 June 2017 comprise the results of the Company and its subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. They do not contain all the information required for annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements as of 31 December 2016.

The accounting policies and rules and measurement of income used for the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with the financial statements 2016 (published on the website of the Company) and are in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union.

The H1 2017 interim financial statements are unaudited.

2. Business combinations

On 5 May 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of Delinuts B.V. based in Ede, the Netherlands, active in the trade and distribution of nuts, dried fruit, and rice crackers. The existing management continues to lead the company after the acquisition. The results of Delinuts B.V. are consolidated as from 1 May 2017. The acquisition is partly financed by existing credit facilities and partly through the issue of Amsterdam Commodities N.V. shares.

Fair value and contribution of business combinations

At acquisition date the fair values of assets, liabilities and cash flow relating to the acquisition were as follows:

Intangible assets 457
Property, plant and equipment 464
Net deferred tax assets 24
Inventories 10 985
Receivables and other current assets 6 910
Cash and current borrowings (4 083)
Pension liability (137)
Payables and other current liabilities (3 802)
Net asset acquired 10 818
Purchase consideration settled in cash 8 000
Purchase consideration settled in Acomo shares 8 986
Total purchase consideration 16 986
Goodwill - total purchase consideration exceeding net assets acquired 6 168
Purchase consideration settled in cash 8 000
Cash owned by the business combination 1 May 2017 (20)
Cash out flow on business combinations, net 7 980

The goodwill connected with the acquired business mainly consists of knowhow, staff and anticipated potential synergies. Goodwill is not tax deductible.

In accordance with IFRS 3, the amounts recorded for the transaction are provisional and are subject to adjustments during the measurement period if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date and, if known, would have affected the measurements of the amounts recognized as of that date. The increase of the H1 2017 sales due to the consolidation of the acquired business amounted to € 10.8 million. Total sales H1 2017 reached an amount of € 32.8 million (pro forma). The contribution to the H1 2017 income amounted to € 0.1 million.

Acquisition related costs

The Group incurred acquisition related costs such as external legal fees and due diligence costs for an amount of € 0.4 million (2016: € 0.1 million). These costs have been included in general costs.

3. Hedge accounting

All Acomo operating companies are required to hedge foreign exchange exposure related to transactions against their functional currency. The Group applies IFRS hedge accounting in order to exclude unrealized foreign currency results from the income statement. Based on a cost/benefit analysis Acomo has decided to discontinue applying IFRS hedge accounting for a number of entities as from 2016. IFRS hedge accounting continues to be applied in the Tea segment.

Not applying hedge accounting for part of the operations has no operational effect on the business, and only constitutes a timing difference. Unrealized foreign currency results are recognized in the income statement rather than in other comprehensive income, whereas under IFRS hedge accounting these results are recognized to the income statement upon realisation.

The negative impact of partially not applying hedge accounting on the H1 2017 net profit is € 0.2 million.

4. Shareholders' equity

The movements in shareholders' equity are shown in the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity on page 9. During H1 2017, Acomo issued 379,734 new shares in relation to the existing share option plan and the acquisition of Delinuts B.V.

On 30 June 2017, the number of shares outstanding was 24,605,060 (31 December 2016: 24,225,326).

Based on the existing share options granted, 19,000 share options are vested but not yet exercised. A total of 12,000 share options will vest on 1 December 2017. In the years 2018 until 2021, a total of 105,500 share options will vest.

5. Corporate governance, risks and risk management

On 25 April 2017 the AGM adopted the proposal to implement a one-tier Board structure. Besides this change, the corporate governance policies of the Company, the risks related to the activities, and the risk control and management systems of the Group as described in the Annual Report 2016, dated 9 March 2017 (published on the website of the Company), are unchanged. The main risks and uncertainties remain applicable in the current financial year.

6. Seasonality

The half year reported results of Acomo are not impacted by a seasonal pattern. The sales and margins are determined by market prices and conditions rather than seasonal fluctuations.

Financial calendar 2018

15
February 2018
Publication of the 2017
financials (unaudited) –
after close
8
March 2018
Publication of the Annual Report FY 2017

after close
26 April 2018 Annual general meeting
of shareholders
30
April 2018
Ex-dividend date, final dividend FY 2017
10
May 2018
Dividend payment date, final dividend FY 2017

All publications will be made available through www.acomo.nl

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