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AKVA Group — Earnings Release 2018
Aug 15, 2018
3532_rns_2018-08-15_682ee25e-6f10-4d46-ac3c-3a74a7ee967a.html
Earnings Release
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AKVA group ASA: 2Q and 1H 2018 financial reporting
AKVA group ASA: 2Q and 1H 2018 financial reporting
AKVA group completed second quarter with growth in revenue. The revenue in
second quarter of 2018 ended on 627 MNOK (537 MNOK) with an EBITDA of 52 MNOK
(65 MNOK). Second quarter EBITDA margin was 8.3% (12.1%). The Net Profit
decreased to 19 MNOK compared to 27 MNOK in Q2 2017.
AKVA group is ending the quarter with an order backlog of 1.3 BNOK.
A half-yearly dividend of 0.75 NOK per share will be paid out in September 2018.
Cage Based Technology (CBT)
In the Nordic region, the order intake ended at 219 MNOK (258) in the second
quarter. Despite lower margins, the Nordic region continue to experience high
activity in the quarter. Investments in new manufacturing lines at Helgeland
Plast, as well as ramping up the Marine Service business in Norway has impacted
the margins negatively. Margins in the Nordic region are impacted by 8 MNOK in
acquisition cost related to Egersund Net AS.
The high market activity in Americas continues and the region had an order
intake of 139 MNOK in the quarter, compared to 128 MNOK in Q2 2017. Following
the continued good activity and high order backlog, revenues in Americas ended
at 125 MNOK compared to 61 MNOK in Q2 2017.
EME (Europe & Middle East) continued high activity, and revenue increased with
67% compared to Q2 2017. The operations in Turkey, Greece, Spain and Middle East
have shown another profitable quarter.
Software (SW)
Both AKVA group Software and Wise ehf ends the quarter with lower margins and
EBITDA compared to the same quarter last year. This is mainly due to less
development work in Q2 2018 being capitalized, compared to Q2 2017.
As noted in a stock notice of January 19th, we are currently conducting a
strategic evaluation of Wise lausnir Ehf with the objective to realize the
potential of the business going forward. No conclusions have yet been made.
Land Based Technology (LBT)
Revenues and margins are up year on year for the land based segment. The order
intake in Q2 2018 was 87 MNOK compared to 303 MNOK in Q2 2017. Q2 2017 order
intake was heavily influenced by two larger contracts signed for a total of of
183 MNOK.
Decisions for larger Land Based orders in Norway continue to be pushed out in
time and no such orders have been recorded in the quarter. However, several
medium sized Land Based orders have been signed in Scotland, Chile and the Faroe
Islands.
Balance sheet
The balance sheet remains strong. Working capital as a percentage of 12 months
rolling revenue is 8.2% (6.7%). The twelve month average working capital is
6.7%. Cash and unused credit facilities amounted to 418 MNOK at the end of Q2
(197 MNOK). Total assets and total equity amounted to 1,881 MNOK (1,606 MNOK)
and 499 MNOK (473 MNOK) respectively, resulting in an equity ratio of 26% (29%)
at the end of Q2.
Atlantis Subsea Farming AS
In partnership with Sinkaberg-Hansen AS and Egersund Net AS, AKVA group ASA
established Atlantis Subsea Farming AS on February 1st, 2016 with the purpose of
developing submersible fish-farming facilities for salmon on an industrial
scale. Atlantis Subsea Farming AS applied for six development licenses to
enable large-scale development and testing of the new technology and operational
concept.
On February 22nd 2018 The Directorate announced that the Company has been
granted one license. Atlantis Subsea Farming AS is now in a technology testing
and planning phase with regards to the execution of the project.
Dividend of NOK 0.75 per share to be paid out in Q3 2018
The Company's main objective is to maximize the return on the investment made by
its shareholders through both increased share prices and dividend payments.
According to AKVA group ASAs' dividend policy a dividend of 0.75 NOK per share
will be paid out in September 2018. Total dividend payout in September 2018 will
be 25.0 MNOK.
Order Backlog
We have experienced continued good activity across all regions and segments in
the second quarter of 2018. The order intake in Q2 2018 was 471 MNOK (778 MNOK).
The order backlog at the end of Q2 2018 was 1,274 MNOK (1,318 MNOK). MNOK 449 of
total order backlog at end of Q2 relates to land based technology.
Outlook
Although strong revenue growth and the lack of larger Land Based orders resulted
in a decline in the order book in the quarter, the order backlog is still solid
at 1,3 BNOK.
The pipeline of Land Based orders are still strong and we are ramping up the
organization to continue to improve our ability to win within the segment.
The activity in the Nordic cage based segment as well as within services
continues to be good, service and after sales are high priority in our strategy.
The market conditions in Chile are expected to remain favourable and we have
implemented improvements in the operations and product portfolio, which further
strengthen our competitive position and presence in that market.
The salmon farming industry expects growth in eastern Canada and Iceland and we
are in the process of positioning ourselves to participate in the expected
growth in these markets. This work has progressed significantly, especially for
Canada in the quarter.
The strategy to focus on the "Non-Salmon" activities around the Mediterranean
Sea, has yielded good results in 2017 and in the first half of 2018. We will
continue to develop and invest in these markets going forward.
The positive financial development has strengthened the Group, and during 2017
we have also carried out an extensive strategic review process, focusing on all
aspects of the business to further improve our cost position, product offerings
and ability to deliver sustainable aquaculture solutions to our customers.
The acquisition of Egersund Net is expected to close by August 31. The
transaction will significantly impact the financial numbers of AKVA group, we
refer to the Information Memorandum published on July 23 for further
information. Work to plan for the potential integration of the two organizations
has started.
About AKVA group
AKVA group is a technology and service partner to the aquaculture industry
worldwide. The company has 1 012 employees, offices in 11 countries and a total
turnover of NOK 2.1 billion in 2017. We are a public listed company operating in
one of the world's fastest growing industries and supply everything from single
components to complete installations, both for cage farming and land based
aquaculture. AKVA group is recognized as a pioneer and technology leader through
more than 40 years. The Corporate Headquarter is in Bryne Norway.
Dated: 15 August 2018
AKVA group ASA
Web: www.akvagroup.com
CONTACTS:
Hallvard Muri Chief Executive Officer
Phone: +47 51 77 85 00
Mobile: +47 91 58 07 50
E-mail: [email protected]
Simon Nyquist Martinsen Chief Financial Officer
Phone: +47 51 77 85 00
Mobile: +47 91 63 00 42
E-mail: [email protected]
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section
5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.