Earnings Release • Feb 5, 2025
Earnings Release
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| ISK million | Q4 2024 | Q4 2023 | Change %Change | 12M 2024 | 12M 2023 | Change %Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income Statement | ||||||||
| Sale of goods and services | 41,946 | 35,235 | 6,711 | 19.0% | 154,463 | 136,251 | 18,211 | 13.4% |
| Margin from sale of goods and services | 10,267 | 8,109 | 2,158 | 26.6% | 36,722 | 30,667 | 6,055 | 19.7% |
| Other operating income | 622 | 639 | -18 | -2.7% | 2,245 | 2,189 | 56 | 2.5% |
| EBITDA | 2,957 | 3,148 | -192 | -6.1% | 12,511 | 11,015 | 1,495 | 13.6% |
| EBIT | 1,388 | 2,052 | -664 | -32.4% | 7,723 | 7,053 | 670 | 9.5% |
| EBT | 966 | 1,187 | -221 | -18.6% | 5,112 | 4,136 | 975 | 23.6% |
| Profit for the period | 632 | 975 | -343 | -35.2% | 4,018 | 3,438 | 580 | 16.9% |
| Statement of Financial Position | 31.12.2024 31.12.2023 | Change %Change | ||||||
| Inventories | 14,118 | 13,557 | 561 | 4.1% | ||||
| Trade receivables | 7,168 | 5,985 | 1,183 | 19.8% | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 4,075 | 3,362 | 713 | 21.2% | ||||
| Interest bearing liabilities | 43,956 | 37,140 | 6,816 | 18.4% | ||||
| Net interest bearing liabilities | 39,881 | 33,778 | 6,103 | 18.1% | ||||
| Net interest bearing debt/EBITDA | 3.2 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 3.2% | ||||
| Equity ratio | 37.9% | 37.3% | +0.6 p.p. | 1.5% | ||||
| Return on equity | 10.4% | 10.0% | +0.4 p.p. | 3.5% | ||||
| Statement of Cash Flows | Q4 2024 | Q4 2023 | Change %Change | 12M 2024 | 12M 2023 | Change %Change | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities | 809 | 1,935 | -1,126 | -58.2% | 9,053 | 9,414 | -361 | -3.8% |
| Investing activities | -1,586 | -1,313 | -273 | 20.8% | -8,108 | -3,396 | -4,712 | 138.8% |
| Financing activities | -1,187 | -1,453 | 265 | -18.3% | -160 | -4,705 | 4,546 | -96.6% |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | 4,075 | 3,364 | 711 | 21.1% | 4,075 | 3,362 | 713 | 21.2% |
| Key indicators | ||||||||
| Margin from sale | 24.5% | 23.0% | +1.5 p.p. | 6.4% | 23.8% | 22.5% | +1.3 p.p. | 5.6% |
| Personel expenses/margin from sale | 50.7% | 48.8% | +1.9 p.p. | 3.9% | 50.1% | 50.3% | -0.2 p.p. | -0.6% |
| EBITDA/margin from sale | 28.8% | 38.8% | -10.0 p.p. | -25.8% | 34.1% | 35.9% | -1.8 p.p. | -5.2% |
| Profit/margin from sale | 6.2% | 12.0% | -5.8 p.p. | -48.8% | 10.9% | 11.2% | -0.3 p.p. | -2.4% |
| Earnings per share | 2.0 | 3.2 | -1.2 | -37.2% | 13.1 | 11.3 | 1.8 | 15.4% |
| Cash flows from operations/margin from sale | 7.9% | 23.9% | -16.0 p.p. | -67.0% | 24.7% | 30.7% | -6.0 p.p. | -19.7% |
| Investments | 1,701 | 1,421 | 280 | 19.7% | 4,642 | 4,015 | 627 | 15.6% |

The company's operations were good in the fourth quarter and results exceeded management's expectations, excluding the one-off costs due to an administrative fine. Sales of goods and services increased in most sectors and the increase was 19.0% YoY or 6.1% excluding Lyfja. Transactions increased by 11.2% or 2.1% excluding Lyfja. The sales margin was 24.5%, as in the previous quarter and increased by 1.5 p.p. from last year. The sales margin in ISK increased by 26.6% YoY and operating expenses increased by 41.7%. An administrative fine of ISK 750 million was paid in Q4, as a result of a settlement reached with the Icelandic Competition Authority, as outlined in Note 32 in the 2024 financial statements. The company's EBITDA was ISK 2,957 million, a decrease of 6.1% from the previous year but an increase of 17.8% excluding the administrative fine. N1's EBITDA increased by ISK 331 million year-on-year and Krónan's EBITDA increased by ISK 51 million year-onyear. ELKO's EBITDA decreased by ISK 97 million year-on-year. Net profit for the fourth quarter was ISK 632 million, a decrease of ISK 343 million or 35.2% year-on-year but increases by 41.7% excluding the administrative fine.
Lyfja's sales amounted to ISK 4,423 million in the quarter, EBITDA was ISK 369 million and loss ISK 36 million. Lyfja's sales for the whole year amounted to ISK 17,996 million, EBITDA ISK 1,522 million and profit for the year ISK 419 million.
| ISK million | Q4 2024 | Q4 2023 | Change %Change | 12M 2024 | 12M 2023 | Change %Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale of goods and services | ||||||||
| Grocery and convenience goods | 20,199 | 18,029 | 2,171 | 12.0% | 78,357 | 69,178 | 9,179 | 13.3% |
| Fuel and electricity | 8,902 | 8,699 | 203 | 2.3% | 39,866 | 38,849 | 1,017 | 2.6% |
| Electronic equipment | 5,954 | 5,439 | 515 | 9.5% | 19,246 | 18,061 | 1,185 | 6.6% |
| Medicine, prescription and over the counter | 3,500 | 0 | 3,500 | - | 6,841 | 0 | 6,841 | - |
| Other goods and services | 3,391 | 3,068 | 323 | 10.5% | 10,153 | 10,163 | -10 | -0.1% |
| Total sale of goods and services | 41,946 | 35,235 | 6,711 | 19.0% | 154,463 | 136,251 | 18,211 | 13.4% |
| Total other operating income | 622 | 639 | -18 | -2.7% | 2,245 | 2,189 | 56 | 2.5% |
| Total income | 42,568 | 35,874 | 6,694 | 18.7% | 156,707 | 138,440 | 18,267 | 13.2% |
Sales of groceries and convenience goods increased by 12.0% between years, a part of Lyfja's sales is in this segment. Sales of fuel and electricity increased by 2.3% between years, fuel prices in the global market decreased by around 13-22%, depending on fuel type, between years. Volume sold amounted to 50.5 million liters, which is an increase of 14.6% between years. Revenue from sales of electronics increased by 9.5% and revenue from other goods and services increased by 10.5% between years, a part of Lyfja's sales is in this segment. Medicine, prescription and over the counter, is a new segment and revenue amounted to ISK 3,500 million in Q4.

| ISK million | Q4 2024 | Q4 2023 | Change %Change | 12M 2024 | 12M 2023 | Change %Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margin from sale of goods and services | ||||||||
| Grocery and convenience goods | 4,609 | 4,056 | 553 | 13.6% | 18,190 | 15,799 | 2,391 | 15.1% |
| Fuel and electricity | 1,842 | 1,214 | 627 | 51.7% | 7,760 | 6,273 | 1,487 | 23.7% |
| Electronic equipment | 1,452 | 1,453 | -1 | -0.1% | 4,866 | 4,609 | 256 | 5.6% |
| Medicine, prescription and over the counter | 950 | 0 | 950 | - | 1,887 | 0 | 1,887 | - |
| Other goods and services | 1,415 | 1,386 | 29 | 2.1% | 4,019 | 3,986 | 33 | 0.8% |
| Total margin from sale of goods and services | 10,267 | 8,109 | 2,158 | 26.6% | 36,722 | 30,667 | 6,055 | 19.7% |
The total margin for sales of goods and services was ISK 10,267 million compared to ISK 8,109 million for the same quarter last year, an increase of 26.6%. Margin for sales of groceries and convenience goods was ISK 4,609 million, up by 13.6% YoY. Margin for fuel and electricity was ISK 1,842 million, an increase of ISK 627 million between years. Margin for medicine, prescription and over the counter, a new segment within the company, was ISK 950 million. Margin for sales of electronics was ISK 1,452 million, a decrease of 0.1%, and the margin for other goods and services was ISK 1,415 million, an increase of 2.1% between years.
| ISK million | Q4 2024 | Q4 2023 | Change %Change | 12M 2024 | 12M 2023 | Change %Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Salaries and other personnel expenses | 5,202 | 3,954 | 1,248 | 31.6% | 18,385 | 15,440 | 2,945 | 19.1% |
| Other operating expenses | ||||||||
| Operating costs of real estate | 594 | 478 | 116 | 24.4% | 2,218 | 2,008 | 210 | 10.4% |
| Maintenance expenses | 248 | 250 | -2 | -0.9% | 1,072 | 1,027 | 45 | 4.4% |
| Sales and marketing expenses | 525 | 432 | 93 | 21.6% | 1,824 | 1,545 | 279 | 18.1% |
| Office and administrative expenses | 171 | 174 | -2 | -1.4% | 529 | 528 | 0 | 0.1% |
| Communication expenses | 356 | 235 | 121 | 51.2% | 1,173 | 883 | 291 | 33.0% |
| Insurance and claims | 6 | 33 | -27 | -81.8% | 155 | 103 | 52 | 50.5% |
| Other expenses | 830 | 44 | 786 | 1774.7% | 1,099 | 306 | 793 | 259.4% |
| Total other operating expenses | 2,731 | 1,646 | 1,085 | 65.9% | 8,071 | 6,400 | 1,671 | 26.1% |
| Total operating expenses | 7,932 | 5,600 | 2,333 | 41.7% | 26,456 | 21,840 | 4,615 | 21.1% |

Salaries and other personnel expenses amounted to ISK 5,202 million in Q4 2024 compared to ISK 3,954 million in Q4 2023, which is an increase of 31.6% or 7.6% excluding Lyfja. Full-time equivalents were 1,620 in the quarter, an increase of 285 full-time equivalents or 21.3% YoY, but 1% excluding Lyfja. Contractual wage increases between the periods had an effect of ISK 117 million on the YoY increase, stock option agreements ISK 36 million and the effect from Lyfja's acquisition was ISK 949 million. The table below shows an analysis of the increase in wages and other personnel expenses in ISK million between years:
| Salaries and other personel expenses Q4 2023 | 3,954 |
|---|---|
| Change in full-time position equivalents | 42 |
| Contractual wage increases | 117 |
| Accrued vacation, change | 46 |
| Effect of Lyfja's acquisition | 949 |
| Other changes | 94 |
| Salaries and other personel expenses Q4 2024 | 5,202 |
Other operating expenses were ISK 2,731 million compared to ISK 1,646 million in Q4 2023, which is an increase of ISK 1,085 million or 65.9%. Excluding the effect of one-off costs the increase is 20.3%. The effect of inflation and increased sales affect comparison of cost items over years, but good results have been achieved in reducing all operating costs in the current environment.
| ISK million | Q4 2024 | Q4 2023 | Change %Change | 12M 2024 | 12M 2023 | Change %Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance income | 215 | 88 | 127 | 143.6% | 483 | 244 | 239 | 97.9% |
| Finance expenses | -860 | -931 | 71 | -7.7% | -3,768 | -3,544 | -224 | 6.3% |
| Foreign currency differences | 86 | -10 | 95 | 965.1% | 66 | -34 | 100 | 291.7% |
| Share of profit from associates | 137 | -12 | 150 | 1218.2% | 608 | 418 | 190 | 45.5% |
| Total | -422 | -865 | 443 | -51.3% | -2,612 | -2,917 | 305 | -10.5% |
Finance income amounted to ISK 215 million, an increase of ISK 127 million between years. Finance expenses amounted to ISK 860 million, a decrease of ISK 71 million between years. Foreign currency difference was positive by ISK 86 million, an increase of ISK 95 million compared to last year. The share of profit from associates amounted to ISK 137 million, compared to negative ISK 12 million in the same period last year.
February 5 th , 2025 – Festi company announcement Q4 and 12M 2024

| ISK million | 31.12.2024 | 31.12.2023 | Change | %Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodwill | 18,367 | 14,842 | 3,525 | 23.7% |
| Other intangible assets | 8,197 | 4,260 | 3,937 | 92.4% |
| Property and equipment | 41,217 | 35,779 | 5,439 | 15.2% |
| Leased assets | 10,535 | 8,097 | 2,438 | 30.1% |
| Investment properties | 7,012 | 6,647 | 365 | 5.5% |
| Inventories | 14,118 | 13,557 | 561 | 4.1% |
| Trade receivables | 7,168 | 5,985 | 1,183 | 19.8% |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 4,075 | 3,362 | 713 | 21.2% |
| Interest bearing liabilities | 43,956 | 37,140 | 6,816 | 18.4% |
| Net interest bearing liabilities | 39,881 | 33,778 | 6,103 | 18.1% |
| Equity ratio | 37.9% | 37.3% | +0.6 p.p. | 1.5% |
| Inventory turnover | 8.3 | 7.6 | 0.7 | 9.2% |
Goodwill amounted to ISK 18,367 million, an increase of ISK 3,525 million from the beginning of the year, due to Lyfja's acquisition. The preliminary distribution of Lyfja's purchase price has taken place and other intangible assets were ISK 8,197 million at the end of Q4 202. Properties and equipment amounted to ISK 41,217 million, an increase of ISK 5,439 million and investment properties amounted to ISK 7,012 million at the end of Q4 2024, an increase of ISK 365 million from year-end 2023.
Inventories increased by ISK 561 million from year-end 2023, of which ISK 1,371 million is due to Lyfja. Trade receivables increased by ISK 1,183 million from the beginning of the year. Cash and cash equivalents increased by 713 million from year-end 2023.
Net interest-bearing liabilities amounted to ISK 39,881 million which is an increase of ISK 6,103 million from year-end 2023. Equity ratio was 37.9% at the end of Q4 2024 compared to 37.3% at year-end 2023. The company's cash position remains strong as well as the balance sheet.
| ISK million | Q4 2024 | Q4 2023 | Change %Change | 12M 2024 | 12M 2023 | Change %Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash flow | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 6,064 | 4,232 | 1,833 | 43.3% | 3,362 | 2,112 | 1,250 | 59.2% |
| Net cash to operating activities | 809 | 1,935 | -1,126 | -58.2% | 9,053 | 9,414 | -361 | -3.8% |
| Net cash used in investing activities | -1,586 | -1,313 | -273 | 20.8% | -8,108 | -3,396 | -4,712 | 138.8% |
| Net cash used in financing activities | -1,187 | -1,453 | 265 | -18.3% | -160 | -4,705 | 4,546 | -96.6% |
| Effect of movments in exchange rates on cash | -25 | -37 | 12 | -32.4% | -72 | -63 | -9 | 15.1% |
| Cash and cash equivalents change | -1,964 | -831 | -1,133 | 136.5% | 785 | 1,313 | -527 | -40.2% |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | 4,075 | 3,364 | 711 | 21.1% | 4,075 | 3,362 | 713 | 21.2% |
Net cash from operations in Q4 2024 amounted to ISK 809 million, a decrease of ISK 1,126 million between years. Net cash used in Investments amounted to ISK 1,586 million, an increase of ISK 273 million between years. Net cash used in financing activities amounted to ISK 1,187 million, a decrease of ISK 265 million between years. Installments on interest-bearing loans and leases amounted to ISK 825 million and lease liabilities ISK 362 million. Cash and cash equivalents decreased by ISK 1,964 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and amounted to ISK 4,075 million at the end of Q4 2024.

EBITDA guidance for the year 2025 is ISK 14,400 – 14,800 million. CAPEX forecast for the year 2025 is ISK 4,800 – ISK 5,200 million.
The following external factors can have a major impact on the company's operations:
An investor meeting and online presentation for market participants will take place on Thursday, February 6 th at Dalvegur 10-14, 3rd floor.
Ásta S. Fjeldsted, CEO of Festi, and Magnús Kr. Ingason, CFO of Festi, will present the Group's performance and answer questions. The meeting starts at 08:30 local time.
Registration for the web stream takes place at: https://www.festi.is/en/tenglar/results-Q4-2024
Participants attending virtually will be able to ask questions during the meeting via the e-mail [email protected]. Answers will be provided at the end of the presentation.
The presentation will be held in Icelandic. Promotional material for the meeting will be available after that on the Festi website:
For further information please contact Ásta S. Fjeldsted, CEO ([email protected]) or Magnús Kr. Ingason, CFO ([email protected]).
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