Interim / Quarterly Report • Aug 31, 2018
Interim / Quarterly Report
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Friday 31 August 2018 – 7h00 CET regulated information
The Board of Directors of CFE examined and approved the H1 2018 financial statements at its meeting on August 27, 2018.
| In million € | 1st semester 2018 | 1st semester 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,860.1 | 1,455.9 | +27.8% |
| Self-financing capacity (EBITDA) (*) | 202.1 | 226.0 | -10.6% |
| % of revenue | 10.9% | 15.5% | |
| Operating income on activities (*) | 78.7 | 116.3 | -32.3% |
| % of revenue | 4.2% | 8.0% | |
| Operating income (EBIT) (*) | 77.5 | 101.0 | -23.3% |
| % of revenue | 4.2% | 6.9% | |
| Net income share of the group | 51.8 | 67.8 | -23.6% |
| % of revenue | 2.8% | 4.7% | |
| Net income share of the group per share (in EUR) |
2.05 | 2.68 | -23.5% |
| In million € | 30 June 2018 | 31 december 2017 (**) |
Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity share of the Group | 1,603.6 | 1,614.4 | -0.7% |
| Net financial debt (*) | 649.9 | 351.9 | +84.7% |
| Order book | 4,302.4 | 4,850.8 | -11.3% |
(*) The definitions are included in the 'Consolidated financial statements' section of the intermediary report.
(**) Amounts restated in accordance with changes in accounting method linked to the application of accounting standards IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and the associated amendments.
Revenue in the first half of 2018 amounted to € 1,860.1 million, which is up 27.8% compared to the first half of 2017. The three divisions of the group reported a substantial growth in activity.
EBITDA stood at € 202.1 million and EBIT at € 77.5 million euros, compared to € 101.0 million in the first half of 2017. This decrease in EBIT is primarily explained by three factors:
The net result, share of the group, came to € 51.8 million. While DEME reported a increase, the net result decreased in Contracting and at BPI.
After taking into account the payment of a dividend of € 60.8 million in respect of the 2017 financial year, the equity share of the Group amounted to € 1,603.6 million at 30 June 2018.
The group's net financial debt amounted to € 649.9 million, compared to € 351.9 million at 31 December 2017. This increase, which is in line with expectations, is explained by the continuation of DEME's investment programme.
| In million € | 1st semester 2018 | 1st semester 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,329.4 | 1,097.7 | +21.1% |
| EBITDA (**) | 187.1 | 195.4 | -4.2% |
| Operating income (**) | 67.0 | 72.3 | -7.3% |
| Net income share of the group |
48.4 | 46.1 | +5.0% |
| In million € | 30 June 2018 | 31 December 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order book | 3,100.0 | 3,520.0 | -11.9% |
| Net financial debt (**) | 552.9 | 285.7 | +93.5% |
(*) Excluding amounts restated to take account of the recognition at fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of DEME following the acquisition of an additional 50% of the DEME shares on 24 December 2013.
(**) The definitions are included in the 'Consolidated financial statements' section of the intermediary report.
The key figures shown below are presented according to the economic approach whereby the jointly controlled companies are proportionally consolidated (accounting rules applicable before 1 January 2014).
| In million € (Excluding restatements for DEME) |
1st semester 2018 | 1st semester 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,342.9 | 1,102.9 | +21.8% |
| EBITDA | 192.6 | 194.4 | -0.9% |
| Income from operating activities |
67.7 | 79.8 | -15.2% |
| Net income share of the group |
48.4 | 46.1 | +5.0% |
| Investments | 233.1 | 264.1 | -11.8% |
The first half of 2018 was marked by a solid growth of activity for DEME: +21.8% compared to the first half of 2017. Revenue amounted to €1,342.9 million.
There was an increase in activity across the board, but particularly marked at Tideway, DEME's subsidiary specializing in offshore work, such as the installation of submarine cables and the protection of pipelines. Tideway was involved at the beginning of the year in the installation of the connecting cables for the offshore wind farms Rentel in Belgium, Merkur in Germany, and Hornsea One in the United Kingdom.
GeoSea began installing the foundations and transition pieces for Hornsea One, the world's largest offshore wind farm currently under construction. By 30 June 2018, 60 of the 174 foundations were installed. In Germany, work on the Merkur project has entered its final phase, while the production of the 87 foundations for the Hohe See/Albatros wind farm has been completed and their installation is well underway. In Belgium, more than half of the wind turbines of the Rentel wind farm are operational.
In Singapore, 192 of the 222 caissons weighing 15,000 tonnes each were installed by 30 June 2018. They form the 8.6 km long quay wall of the future container terminal Tuas Terminal Phase 1.
Business was brisk for maintenance dredging on the European and African rivers.
| In % | 1st semester 2018 | 1se semester 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Capital dredging | 20% | 23% |
| Maintenance dredging | 11% | 12% |
| Fallpipe, landfalls and cables | 17% | 6% |
| Environment | 7% | 8% |
| Civil works | 5% | 3% |
| Marine works | 40% | 48% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
| In % | 1st semester 2018 | 1st semester 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (EU) | 70% | 68% |
| Europe (non-EU) | 3% | 3% |
| Africa | 8% | 11% |
| Americas | 2% | 3% |
| Asia-Pacific | 13% | 12% |
| Middle East | 1% | 1% |
| Indian subcontinent | 3% | 2% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
Despite the increase in revenue, EBITDA fell very slightly relative to the first half of 2017, and amounts to € 192.6 million.
The significant delay in the deployment of the vessels 'Living Stone' and 'Apollo' due to defaulting shipyards was damaging to the company. The substantial extra cost of renting replacement vessels weighed on the halfyear results.
The order book amounts to € 3.1 billion, compared to € 3.5 billion at 31 December 2017.
The new orders primarily concern dredging projects in the Middle East, South America, Africa and Australia.
As was already the case at 31 December 2017, the orders for the Fehmarnbelt, Blankenburg, Moray East and Triton Knoll projects are not included in the order book at 30 June 2018 as they are still subject to conditions precedent (award of planning permission and/or financial close).
Similarly, the contract to dredge the 66 km access channel to the port of Szczecin in Poland, which was awarded after 30 June 2018, is not included in the order book.
This means that around two billion euros worth of orders are not yet included in the order book at 30 June 2018.
Investments in the first six months amounted to € 233.1 million. They consist essentially of down payments on vessels under construction and capitalized maintenance costs.
The 'Gulliver' (in joint venture), 'Living Stone' and 'Apollo' are now fully operational.
DEME's board of directors approved the construction of four new vessels for a total amount of € 133 million. They include two trailing suction hopper dredgers with a capacity of 2,300 m³ and 8,000 m³ respectively, and two self-propelled barges with a capacity of 3,500 m³ each. They will be built by the IHC shipyard, and are due for completion in 2020.
The net financial debt amounted to € 559.0 million at 30 June 2018. As was expected, it increased substantially compared to 31 December 2017 (+ € 262.8 million), reflecting the investments during the period and the increase in working capital requirement following the decrease in prepayments on orders.
| In million € | 1st semester 2018 | 1st semester 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 468.1 | 351.2 | +33.3% |
| Operating income (*) | 7.2 | 14.8 | -51.4% |
| Net Income share of the group |
4.1 | 8.8 | -53.4% |
| In million € | 30 June 2018 | 31 December 2017 | Variation |
| Order book | 1,144.6 | 1,229.7 | -6.9% |
| Net Financial debt (*) | -81.3 | -90.5 | -10.2% |
(*) The definitions are included in the 'Consolidated financial statements' section of the intermediary report.
| In million € | 1st semester 2018 | 1st semester 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 343,3 | 242,9 | +41,3% |
| Buildings, Belgium | 255,9 | 177,9 | +43,8% |
| Buildings, International | 87,4 | 65,0 | +34,5% |
| Multitechnics | 86,2 | 74,9 | +15,1% |
| Rail Infra & Utility Networks | 38,6 | 33,4 | +15,6% |
| Total Contracting | 468,1 | 351,2 | +33,3% |
Revenue in the Contracting division showed a substantial increase compared to the first six months of 2017 (+33.3% on an actual basis). It increased by +13.7% on a like-for-like basis.
Business was buoyant in all Contracting segments, particularly at BPC (branch of CFE BBW operating in Brussels and Walloon Brabant) and in Poland.
The Belgian, Luxembourg and Polish markets are currently marked by high volumes of projects being started up, but prices remain highly competitive.
Furthermore, the entities of the Construction segment are confronted with a significant and general increase in the prices of their subcontractors without being able to pass on this increase to the full extent in the sale prices.
The division's operating income amounted to € 7.2 million in the first half of 2018.
As in 2017, the three segments made a positive contribution to the operating income.
The entities BPC, CFE Polska and Druart (branch specializing in HVAC) increased their operating income.
The Tunisian branch CTE, however, faces difficult market conditions and an unfavourable socioeconomic environment that weigh heavily on its results. As a result of the decision to reduce the activity, turnover fell to € 4.1 million in the first six months of 2018.
| In million € | 30 June 2018 | 31 December 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 890.7 | 978.8 | -9.0% |
| Buildings, Belgium | 745.2 | 767.3 | -2.9% |
| Buildings, International | 145.5 | 211.5 | -31.2% |
| Multitechnics | 162.8 | 152.6 | +6.7% |
| Rail Infra & Utility Networks | 91.1 | 98.3 | -7.3% |
| Total Contracting | 1,144.6 | 1,229.7 | -6.9% |
The order book came in at € 1,144.6 million on 30 June 2018, compared to € 1,229.7 million at 31 December 2017.
The entities of the Construction segment in Belgium reported a slight decrease in their order book relative to 31 December 2017. While the order book shrank in Wallonia, it grew in Flanders.
In July, the consortium made up of CFE and Cofinimmo won the tender for the NEO 2 project. The call for tenders launched by the City of Brussels and the Brussels-Capital Region in 2013 concerns the design, construction, financing and maintenance (DBFM) of a congress centre and the design, construction and operation of a hotel on the Heysel plateau in the North of Brussels. The contract will be included in the order book at the start of the project, which is scheduled for 2020.
International order intake was lower than in the first half of 2017. Nevertheless, several major contracts should replenish the order book during the second half of 2018. They include the project for the Aurea tower in Luxembourg, for which the contract was signed in July 2018.
The division's net cash position amounted to € 81.3 million (€ 84.4 million at 30 June 2017).
In connection with the acquisition by CFE of the Van Laere group, it was agreed that in the first half of 2018 Van Laere NV would pay an extraordinary dividend in respect of the 2017 financial year (€7.8 million) to its former shareholder, Ackermans & van Haaren.
In 2017, all electrical and automation activities of the Contracting division were grouped together in the VMA cluster. In September 2018, Druart will also join the VMA cluster, which will then be able to offer its customers a combined range of services (electricity and HVAC).
In July 2018, the VMA cluster also acquired a small electrotechnics firm based in the Antwerp area (P-Multitech), which will change its company name to VMA Antwerpen.
The integration of Van Laere and its subsidiaries in the CFE group is progressing in a positive way as expected.
| In million € | 1st semester 2018 | 1st semester 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 75.5 | 7.1 | +963.4% |
| Operating income (*) | 11.7 | 19.3 | -39.4% |
| Net income share of the group | 7.8 | 18.8 | -58.5% |
(*) The definitions are included in the 'Consolidated financial statements' section of the intermediary report.
| In million € | 30 June 2018 | 31 December 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Unsold units post completion | 10 | 6 |
| Properties under construction | 68 | 69 |
| Properties in development | 59 | 58 |
| Total capital employed | 137 | 133 |
(*) Real estate projects is the sum of the equity and net financial debt of the real estate division.
| In million € | 30 June 2018 | 31 December 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 82 | 82 |
| Luxembourg | 25 | 20 |
| Poland | 30 | 31 |
| Total | 137 | 133 |
During the first half of 2018, BPI acquired a new building plot in Warsaw (Wola district) on which a mixed residential and retail complex of 10,000 m² above ground will be built ('Ostroroga' project). As planning permission has been granted, marketing and construction will begin in the second half of 2018.
The sales of BPI's residential projects are generally good.
In Belgium, sales of apartments in the 'Ernest The Park' (Ixelles) and 'Voltaire' (Schaerbeek) projects are still going well. In the second quarter of 2018, BPI launched the marketing and construction of the Zen Factory project in Lot-Beersel (86 housing units).
In Luxembourg, BPI continued work on the projects 'Kiem' (Kirchberg Plateau) and 'Fussbann' in Differdange.
In Poland, BPI delivered two major projects in June 2018: the 'Immo Wola' project in Warsaw, and the first phase of the 'Bulwary Kasiazece' project in Wroclaw. Of the 449 apartments put up for sale, only 24 have found no buyer yet.
The Real Estate division's net financial debt amounted to € 70.4 million (€68.8 million at 31 December 2017).
During the first six months, BPI set up € 20 million worth of confirmed bilateral credit lines, of which € 13 million was drawn at 30 June 2018.
BPI's net result was favourably impacted by, among other things, the capital gain on disposal of the Woodskot project (91 student rooms in Brussels) and the recognition of the margin on the two completed projects in Poland. Unlike under the accounting rules applied in Belgium and in Luxembourg (recognition according to percentage of completion), the margin on the Polish residential projects is only recognized upon delivery according to IFRS rules.
In 2017, the sale of the 'Kons' project in Luxembourg and the 'Oosteroever' project in Ostend made an exceptional contribution to BPI's net result.
| In million € | 1st semester 2018 | 1st semester 2017 | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | -12.9 | -0.2 | n.s. |
| Operating income (*) | -5.8 | -2.1 | n.s. |
| Net income share of the group | -7.5 | -4.9 | n.s. |
(*) The definitions are included in the 'Consolidated financial statements' section of the intermediary report.
Adjusted for inter-division eliminations (€ -26.7 million), the revenue of the non-transferred activities amounted to € 13.8 million, compared to € 19.3 million in the first half of 2017.
As of 30 June 2018, CFE SA has only one remaining project in progress, the Brussels-South wastewater treatment plant. This project is progressing in line with expectations, and the second phase will be completed by the end of the year as planned. The third and final phase should begin after that and should be completed in 2020.
The operating loss is primarily attributable to the under-coverage of overhead costs.
The net result amounted to € -7.5 million, compared to € -4.9 million in the first half of 2017.
At the end of June 2018, CFE redeemed its € 100 million bond that had reached maturity. Refinancing was done by setting up a total of € 150 million worth of bilateral credit lines (maturing in 2023), of which € 120 million was drawn down at 30 June 2018.
In accordance with the new standard IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments, an impairment loss of € 12 million was recognized on the outstanding receivables on the Chadian government. This was recognized in CFE's opening balance sheet.
Negotiations continued in the first half of 2018 with the Chadian authorities and the Afrexim Bank to refinance the receivables relating to the Grand Hotel.
In July 2018, the Chadian government settled old receivables relating to the Ministry of Finance project and the Grand Hotel.
Accordingly, CFE's exposure to Chad has diminished by € 12 million following the recognition of the partial impairment loss, and by € 7.5 million to the extent that the sums received locally can be converted into euros and transferred to Belgium.
| Year ended at June 30 In thousands € |
2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,860,146 | 1,455,872 |
| Revenue from auxiliary activities | 31,123 | 57,988 |
| Purchases | (1,117,170) | (809,501) |
| Wages, salaries & social charges | (334,784) | (281,781) |
| Other operating charges | (233,825) | (189,435) |
| Depreciations and amortization | (126,150) | (116,844) |
| Goodwill Impairment | 0 | 0 |
| Operating income on activities | 78,740 | 116,299 |
| Earnings from associates and joint ventures | (1,211) | (15,284) |
| Operating income | 77,529 | 101,015 |
| Cost of gross financial debt | (7,091) | (9,427) |
| Other financial expenses and income | 29 | (3,867) |
| Financial result | (7,062) | (13,294) |
| Result before taxes | 70,467 | 87,721 |
| Income tax expense | (20,199) | (20,926) |
| Net income for the period | 50,268 | 66,795 |
| Attributable to owner of non-controlling interest | 1,581 | 1,030 |
| Net income share of the group | 51,849 | 67,825 |
| Year ended 30 June In thousands € |
2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Net income for the period – Share of the group | 51,849 | 67,825 |
| Net income for the period | 50,268 | 66,795 |
| Change in fair values related to the hedging instruments | (4,505) | 7,227 |
| Currency translation differences | 1,904 | (19) |
| Deferred taxes | 630 | (1,439) |
| Other elements of the comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent period |
(1,971) | 5,769 |
| Remeasurement on defined benefit plans | 0 | 0 |
| Deferred taxes | 0 | 0 |
| Other elements of the comprehensive income not to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent period |
0 | 0 |
| Total elements of the comprehensive income directly accounted in equity |
(1,971) | 5,769 |
| Comprehensive income | 48,297 | 72,564 |
| - attributable to the group | 50,016 | 73,656 |
| - attributable to non-controlling interests | (1,719) | (1,092) |
| Net result share of the group per share (€) (basic and diluted) | 2.05 | 2.68 |
| Comprehensive income per share (€) (basic and diluted) | 1.98 | 2.91 |
| Year ended In thousands € |
30 June 2018 | 31 December 2017 (*) |
|---|---|---|
| Intangible assets | 90,890 | 91,343 |
| Goodwill | 177,519 | 184,930 |
| Tangible assets | 2,208,024 | 2,138,208 |
| Associates and joint ventures | 138,778 | 140,510 |
| Other non-current financial assets | 154,258 | 147,719 |
| Non-current derivative instruments | 171 | 921 |
| Other non-current assets | 10,416 | 7,798 |
| Deferred tax assets | 99,300 | 104,022 |
| Total non-current assets | 2,879,356 | 2,815,451 |
| Inventories | 107,647 | 138,965 |
| Trade receivables and other operating receivables | 1,330,838 | 1,120,306 |
| Other current assets | 39,608 | 32,963 |
| Current derivative instruments | 1,146 | 4,156 |
| Current financial assets | 19 | 34 |
| Assets held for sale | 0 | 0 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 428,011 | 523,018 |
| Total current assets | 1,907,269 | 1,819,442 |
| Total assets | 4,786,625 | 4,634,893 |
| Issued capital | 41,330 | 41,330 |
| Share premium | 800,008 | 800,008 |
| Retained earnings | 804,087 | 812,993 |
| Defined benefits plans | (25,268) | (25,268) |
| Hedging reserves | (6,332) | (2,457) |
| Translation differences | (10,210) | (12,252) |
| Equity – part of the group CFE | 1,603,615 | 1,614,354 |
| Non-controlling interests | 12,067 | 14,421 |
| Equity | 1,615,682 | 1,628,775 |
| Retirement benefit obligations and employee benefits | 53,231 | 53,149 |
| Provisions | 34,812 | 30,183 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 3,127 | 4,497 |
| Bonds | 29,531 | 231,378 |
| Financial debts | 694,409 | 419,093 |
| Non-current derivative instruments | 7,858 | 7,209 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 116,985 | 126,946 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 939,953 | 872,455 |
| Current provisions | 75,454 | 82,530 |
| Trade & other operating payables | 1,345,716 | 1,295,073 |
| Income tax payable | 43,666 | 43,275 |
| Bonds | 201,097 | 99,959 |
| Current financial debts | 152,837 | 124,497 |
| Current derivative instruments | 7,472 | 7,445 |
| Liabilities held for sale | 0 | 0 |
| Other current liabilities | 404,748 | 480,884 |
| Total current liabilities | 2,230,990 | 2,133,663 |
| Total equity and liabilities | 4,786,625 | 4,634,893 |
(*) Amounts restated in accordance with changes in accounting method linked to the application of accounting standards IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and the associated amendments.
| Year ended 30 June In thousands € |
2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash flows relating to operating activities | 9,133 | 281,205 |
| Cash flows relating to investing activities | -235,832 | -269,351 |
| Cash flows relating to financing activities | 132,341 | -29,950 |
| Net increase/decrease in cash position | -94,358 | -18,096 |
| 30 June 2018 | 30 June 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of shares | 25,314,482 | 25,314,482 |
| Operating result after deduction of the net financial charges per share (in €) |
2.78 | 3.46 |
| Net result share of the group per share (in €) | 2.05 | 2.68 |
DEME expects a higher level of activity in the second half of the year with improved operating margins. The EBITDA margin for the full year 2018 is expected to rise above 16%.
In Contracting, the result is expected to come close to that of last year.
As far as BPI is concerned, most of its result was realized during the first half of 2018.
At 30 June 2018, CFE's share capital was divided into 25,314,482 shares.
Each share confers one vote. There has been no issue of convertible bonds or warrants. Financial institutions with which holders of financial instruments may exercise their financial rights are: BNP Paribas Fortis, Banque Degroof and ING Belgium. Banque Degroof has been appointed as the 'Main Paying Agent'.
Having reached the age limit, Renaud Bentégeat has resigned as managing director with effect from 1 September 2018. This will end the two-headed daily management : Piet Dejonghe, who was already joint managing director since the beginning of 2015, will become the only managing director of the group.
Nevertheless, Renaud Bentégeat will remain as director of CFE. Besides the chairmanship of the board of directors of BPI Real Estate Belgium SA and his director's mandates at DEME NV and Rent-A-Port NV which he will continue, he will also remain in charge of the closure of the non-transferred activities of CFE.
The board of directors thanks Renaud Bentégeat for the work he has done during his 15 years at the head of CFE.
| Publication of interim statements | 23 November 2018 (before opening of the stock market) |
|---|---|
| Publication of year results | 28 February 2019 (before opening of the stock market) |
| General meeting | 2 May 2019 |
The auditor, Deloitte Reviseurs d'Entreprises, represented by Michel Denayer and Rik Neckebroeck, has confirmed that its limited review revealed no material corrections to be made to the accounting information disclosed in this press release. Without modifying the unqualified opinion expressed above, the auditor draws the attention to the uncertainties regarding the amount due by the State of Chad and the undertaken actions in order to facilitate its payment.
* * *
CFE, founded in 1880 is a Belgian industrial group active in three different divisions. The first, Dredging, Environment, Offshore and Infra, is carried out by its wholly owned subsidiary DEME, one of the world leaders in the field. DEME has a modern fleet of multipurpose vessels equipped with the latest technologies. The second, Contracting, encompasses the group's construction, multitechnics and rail activities in Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland and Tunisia. The third, Real Estate Development, covers the real estate projects developed by BPI in Belgium, Luxembourg and Poland.
The CFE group currently employs more than 8,000 people and is active on every continent. CFE is listed on Euronext Brussels and is 60.40% owned by Ackermans & van Haaren.
This press release is available on our website at www.cfe.be.
* * *
Note to editors
For further information, please contact, at CFE:
- Piet Dejonghe, Chief Executive Officer - tel.: +32 2 661 13 19 - mail : [email protected]; or
- Fabien De Jonge, Chief Financial Officer - tel. +32 2 661 13 12 - mail : [email protected]
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