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Arcadis NV Earnings Release 2024

Jul 25, 2024

3811_iss_2024-07-25_7042ea4c-996f-4233-8576-699df44e6c49.pdf

Earnings Release

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PRESS RELEASE

Arcadis Second Quarter and Half Year Results 2024

Continued growth and improved operating margin as 2024-2026 strategy implementation commenced

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

  • Net revenue of €991 million, solid organic growth of 6.0%1)
  • Strong order intake of €1.1B resulting in organic backlog growth of 5.6% year-on-year
  • Improved operating EBITA margin2) to 11.5% (Q2'23: 9.7%3)) driven by operating leverage and improved project portfolio
  • Free cash flow of €8 million (Q2'23: €-26M), net working capital % of 12.7% (Q2'23: 12.2%3) )

Amsterdam, 25 July 2024 – Arcadis, the world's leading company delivering data-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets, sees continued growing client demand across all its business, resulting in net revenue of €991 million, organic growth of 6% and an improved operating EBITA margin of 11.5% (Q2'23: 9.7%3)).

Alan Brookes, CEO Arcadis, said: "Arcadis has delivered a strong first half year of its strategy cycle 2024- 2026. Sustained client demand across all our Global Business Areas and specifically in solutions across Energy Transition, Water, Technology and Mobility resulted in strong revenue growth and order intake in the quarter. Operating leverage, an improved project portfolio and cost control allowed us to further improve our margin and deleverage our balance sheet. Meanwhile, we achieved the first milestones in our strategy implementation through the roll out of our Skills Powered Organization, the advancing of the Arcadis Energy Transition Academy and expansion of the Global Excellence Centers. Our deep asset knowledge, global expertise and complementary set of services are key success factors allowing us to further drive continued profitable growth and to better serve our clients."

KEY FIGURES*
in € millions Half Year Second Quarter
Period ended 30 June 2024 2024 2023 change 2024 2023 change
Gross revenues 2,512 2,477 1% 1,282 1,260 2%
Net revenues 1,959 1,886 4% 991 945 5%
Organic growth (%)1) 5.2% 10.6% 6.0% 9.0%
Operating EBITDA2) 271 241 13% 141 120 17%
Operating EBITA2)3) 217 184 18% 114 92 24%
Operating EBITA margin (%)2,3) 11.1% 9.7% 11.5% 9.7%
Net income3) 112 69 62%
Net income for operations per share (in €)
3,4)
1.40 1.14 23%
Net working capital (%)3) 12.7% 12.2%
Free cash flow5) -88 -134 8 -26
Net debt3) 1,016 1,193
Order intake 2,194 2,039 8% 1,066 976 9%
Backlog net revenues 3,386 3,249 4%
Backlog organic growth (%, yoy)1) 5.6% 5.4%
Backlog organic growth (%, ytd)1) 6.7% 5.0%
Voluntary employee turnover6) 11.3% 12.6%

* 2023 and 2024 half year results as presented in this press release are unaudited

1) Underlying growth excl. impact of FX, acquisitions, footprint reductions, winddowns or divestments

2) EBIT(D)A excluding restructuring, integration, acquisition, and divestment costs

3) 2023 revised to reflect the adjustments to the provisional opening balances of acquired entities recognized 30 June 2023 (in accordance with IFRS 3.49) 4) Net income before non-recurring items (e.g. valuation changes of acquisition-related provisions, acquisition and divestment costs, expected credit loss on

shareholder loans and corporate guarantees and one-off pension costs)

5) Free cash flow: cash flow from operations adjusted for capex and lease liabilities

6) Voluntary employee turnover excludes the Middle East as these operations are being wound down

REVIEW OF THE SECOND QUARTER 2024: PROFIT & LOSS ITEMS AND BACKLOG

Net revenues totaled €991 million, increasing by 6.0% organically, driven by all Global Business Areas (GBAs). Revenue and backlog growth was particularly strong in US and Europe with demand for our solutions across Energy Transition, Water, Technology and Mobility accelerating. The improved operating EBITA margin of 11.5% was driven by operating leverage, an improved portfolio and the materialization of cost synergies following a successful integration of IBI and DPS. Furthermore, we expanded our Global Excellence Centers workforce by 21% year-on-year to over 4,700 people, continued to invest in our key talent with the launch of our Skills Powered Organization, advancing of the Arcadis Energy Transition Academy.

REVIEW OF THE HALF YEAR 2024: PROFIT & LOSS ITEMS AND BACKLOG

Net revenues totaled €1,959 million, increasing organically by 5.2% driven by all GBAs. The operating EBITA margin increased to 11.1% (H1'23: 9.7%3)). Non-operating costs were €14 million, driven by portfolio optimizations such as the ongoing wind-down of the Middle East operations, merging of offices and other restructuring activities. Net finance expenses were €23 million (H1'23: €28 million). Net income from operations increased by 23% to €126 million (H1'23: €102 million3)), or €1.40 per share (H1'23: €1.14 3)). Order intake increased by 8% year-on-year to a record level of €2,194 million, outperforming total revenue growth of 4% and resulting in a book-to-bill of 1.12x. We see a significant pipeline of opportunities driven by allocation of stimulus funding across Arcadis' key markets. Excluding the Middle East, the operating EBITA margin performance was 11.1% in the first half of 2024.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

RESILIENCE

(37% of net revenues)
in € millions Half Year Second Quarter
Period ended 30 June 2024 2024 2023 change 2024 2023 change
Net revenues 727 678 7% 373 346 8%
Organic growth1) 8.6% 12.6% 9.0% 11.4%
Operating EBITA2) 93 76 23%
Operating EBITA margin (%) 12.8% 11.2%
Order intake 809 779 4% 361 356 1%
Backlog net revenues 1,048 999 5%
Backlog organic growth (%, yoy)1) 8.5% 14.1%
Backlog organic growth (%, ytd)1) 8.3% 10.9%

Solid demand across our Resilience solutions led to strong results in our key markets, including the US, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany. We continued to see significant growth in our Energy Transition solutions and relating advisory services. Our leading position in the Water sector resulted in significant project wins, underscoring our skills and ability to deliver high-value projects. Furthermore, we became more selective in our bidding processes, which resulted in increased discipline around order intake and was yet reflected in our margin performance. We continued to make investments in industry leading talent, including through our Arcadis Energy Transition Academy.

1) Underlying growth excl. impact of FX, acquisitions, footprint reductions, winddowns or divestments

2) EBITA excluding restructuring, integration, acquisition and divestment costs

3) Revised to reflect the adjustments to the provisional opening balances of acquired entities recognized 30 June 2023 (in accordance with IFRS 3.49)

PLACES

(38% of net revenues)

in € millions Half Year Second Quarter
Period ended 30 June 2024 2024 2023 change 2024 2023 change
Net revenues 751 760 -1% 377 372 1%
Organic growth (%)1) 0.8% 5.0% 2.7% 2.7%
Operating EBITA2) 3) 77 69 12%
Operating EBITA margin (%)2,3) 10.3% 9.0%
Order intake 850 792 7% 467 385 21%
Backlog net revenues 1,575 1,574 0%
Backlog organic growth (%, yoy)1) 0.1% -2.6%
Backlog organic growth (%, ytd)1) 5.1% 2.2%

Places showed good revenue growth driven by Germany, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and Canada. Demand for datacenters design remained strong, while our semiconductor clients' demand picked up on the back of CHIPS Act funding. We see good opportunities in our project pipeline as stimulus fund allocations across our solutions portfolio are beginning to come through.

MOBILITY

(22% of net revenues)

in € millions Half Year Second Quarter
Period ended 30 June 2024 2024 2023 change 2024 2023 change
Net Revenues 434 403 8% 218 204 7%
Organic growth1) 7.7% 13.5% 7.1% 11.3%
Operating EBITA2) 45 38 20%
Operating EBITA margin (%) 10.5% 9.4%
Order Intake 491 423 16% 218 212 3%
Backlog Net Revenues 642 560 15%
Backlog organic growth (%, yoy)1) 16.0% 3.7%
Backlog organic growth (%, ytd)1) 10.3% 3.9%

Mobility showed continued strong revenue growth in our key markets Australia, North America and Europe. Our global expertise resulted in significant multi-year project wins in H1'24, which are to contribute to order intake in the second half of 2024 and to our business performance in 2025 and beyond. Margin improvement resulted from double-digit US growth generating operating leverage, and improved performance with large government clients in the UK.

3) Revised to reflect the adjustments to the provisional opening balances of acquired entities recognized 30 June 2023 (in accordance with IFRS 3.49)

1) EBITA excluding restructuring, integration, acquisition and divestment costs

2) Underlying growth excl. impact of FX, acquisitions, footprint reductions, winddowns or divestments

INTELLIGENCE

(2% of net revenues)

in € millions Half Year Second Quarter
Period ended 30 June 2024 2024 2023 change 2024 2023 change
Net revenues 47 45 4% 24 23 1%
Organic growth1) 4.3% 1.7%
Operating EBITA2) 5 4 8%
Operating EBITA margin (%) 10.0% 9.6%
Order intake 44 45 -2% 20 23 -13%
Backlog net revenues 121 115 5%
Backlog organic growth (%, yoy)1) 6.1%
Backlog organic growth (%, ytd)1) -2.3% 0.2%

Intelligence saw good growth in North America and UK, particularly driven by improved Enterprise Decision Analytics (EDA) sales. In addition, Intelligence was instrumental in generating significant synergy wins for large Key Clients, which were mostly recorded with Mobility and Places, as we continue to focus on leveraging our digital tools and our existing Key Client relationships. Meanwhile, we accelerated our digital strategy by making key hires and driving our digital product roadmap.

BALANCE SHEET & CASH FLOW

Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) was 66 days at the end of H1'24 (H1'23: 65 days3) ). Net Working Capital as a percentage of annualized quarterly gross revenues was 12.7% (H1'23: 12.2%3) ), with a strong June performance driving up the receivables position. Free cash flow in the quarter was a positive €8 million resulting in €-88 million for the half year (H1'23: €-134 million), in line with seasonal trends and including the first interest payment of €24 million on our Eurobond issued February 2023. Net debt decreased to €1,016 million (H1'23: €1,193 million3) ) leading to a Net Debt / Operating EBITDA ratio of 1.9x (H1'23: 2.4x).

COST SYNERGIES REALIZATION ON TRACK

Following the finalization of the successful integration of Arcadis IBI and Arcadis DPS which was finalized by the end of 2023, the cost synergy realization is well on track with €20 million to be implemented by the end of 2024, mostly through further rationalization of workplaces and optimization of overheads, insurance & support.

2024-2026 STRATEGY "ACCELERATING A PLANET POSITIVE FUTURE"

On 16 November 2023 Arcadis presented its 2024-2026 Strategy "Accelerating a planet positive future" and its 2026 financial targets; these include: organic net revenue growth of mid to high single digits over the cycle, operating EBITA margin of 12.5% in 2026, Net Debt / Operating EBITDA of 1.5-2.5x with an Investment Grade credit rating and a dividend payout ratio of 30-40% of Net Income from Operations.

1) EBITA excluding restructuring, integration, acquisition and divestment costs

2) Underlying growth excl. impact of FX, acquisitions, footprint reductions, winddowns or divestments

3) Revised to reflect the adjustments to the provisional opening balances of acquired entities recognized 30 June 2023 (in accordance with IFRS 3.49)

ARCADIS KEY FINANCIAL METRICS*

in € millions Half Year Second Quarter
Period ended 30 June 2024 2024 2023 change 2024 2023 change
Gross revenues 2,512 2,477 1% 1,282 1,260 2%
Net revenues 1,959 1,886 4% 991 945 5%
Organic growth (%)1) 5.2% 10.6% 6.0% 9.0%
Operating EBITDA2) 271 241 13% 141 120 17%
Operating EBITDA margin (%)2) 13.9% 12.8% 14.2% 12.7%
EBITA 204 167 22% 108 81 33%
EBITA margin (%) 10.4% 8.9% 10.9% 8.5%
Operating EBITA2)3) 217 184 18% 114 92 24%
Operating EBITA margin (%)2)3) 11.1% 9.7% 11.5% 9.7%
Net income3) 112 69 61% 54 28 94%
Net income from operations (NIfO)3)4) 126 102 23% 61 52 19%
NIfO per share (in €) 1.40 1.14 23%
Avg. number of shares (millions) 90.0 89.7 90.1 89.8
Net working capital (%)3) 12.7% 12.2%
Days sales outstanding (days)3) 66 65
Free cash flow5) -88 -134 8 -26
Net debt
3)
1,016 1,193 -15%
Order intake 2,194 2,039 8% 1,066 976 9%
Order intake organic growth (%)1) 7.2% 10.7% 8.6% 11.2%
Book-to-bill6) 1.12 1.08 1.08 1.03
Backlog net revenues 3,386 3,249 4%
Backlog organic growth (%, yoy)1) 5.6% 5.4%
Backlog organic growth (%, ytd)1) 6.7% 5.0%
Voluntary employee turnover7) 11.3% 12.6%

* 2023 and 2024 half year results as presented in this press release are unaudited

1)Underlying growth excl. impact of FX, acquisitions, footprint reductions, winddowns or divestments

2)EBIT(D)A excluding restructuring, integration, acquisition, and divestment costs

3)2023 revised to reflect the adjustments to the provisional opening balances of acquired entities recognized 30 June 2023 (in accordance with IFRS 3.49) 4) Net income before non-recurring items (e.g. valuation changes of acquisition-related provisions, acquisition and divestment costs, expected credit loss on shareholder loans and corporate guarantees and one-off pension costs)

5)Free cash flow: cash flow from operations adjusted for capex and lease liabilities

6)Book-to-bill: order intake / net revenues

7)Voluntary employee turnover excludes the Middle East as these operations are being wound down

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

  • 31 October 2024 Q3 2024 Trading Update
    -
  • 13 February 2025 Q4 & Full Year 2024 Results
  • 7 May 2025 Q1 2025 Trading Update

All IR investor events: https://www.arcadis.com/en/investors/investor-calendar

ARCADIS INVESTOR RELATIONS

Christine Disch | +31 (0)615376020 | [email protected]

ANALYST WEBCAST

Today at 14:00 CEST

https://www.arcadis.com/en/investors/investor-calendar/2024/2024-q2-and-half-year-results

ABOUT ARCADIS

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering data-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 architects, data analysts, designers, engineers, project planners, water management and sustainability experts, all driven by our passion for improving quality of life. As part of our commitment to accelerating a planet positive future, we work with our clients to make sustainable project choices, combining digital and human innovation, and embracing future-focused skills across the environment, energy and water, buildings, transport, and infrastructure sectors. We operate in over 30 countries, and in 2023 reported €5.0 billion in gross revenues. www.arcadis.com

REGULATED INFORMATION

This press release contains information that qualifies or may qualify as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

DISCLAIMER

Statements included in this press release that are not historical facts (including any statements concerning investment objectives, other plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions or forecasts related thereto) are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees. Actual events or the results of our operations could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forwardlooking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "could", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "continue", "predict", "potential" or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

Gross revenues
2,512
2,477
Materials, services of third parties and subcontractors
(553)
(591)
Net revenues1
1,959
1,886
Personnel costs
(1,519)
(1,488)
Other operational costs
(183)
(174)
Depreciation and amortization
(55)
(57)
Amortization other intangible assets
(15)
(31)
Other income
3
1
Total Operational costs
(1,769)
(1,749)
Operating income
190
137
Finance income
16
7
Finance expense
(45)
(30)
Fair value change of derivatives
6
(5)
Net finance expense
(23)
(28)
Result from investments accounted for using the equity method
0
0
Profit before income tax
167
110
Income taxes
(55)
(40)
Result for the period
112
69
Result attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company (net income)
112
69
Non-controlling interests
(0)
(0)
Result for the period
112
69
Earnings per share (in €)
In € millions H1 2024 H1 20232
Basic earnings per share 1.24 0.77
Diluted earnings per share
1.24
0.77

2023 and 2024 half year results as presented in this press release are unaudited

1) Non-GAAP performance measure, to provide transparency on the underlying performance of our business. Reference is made to the Annual Integrated Report 2023 for the definition as used by Arcadis.

2) Revised in accordance with IFRS 3.49 to reflect the adjustments to the provisional opening balances of acquired entities recognized as at 30 June 2023.

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

In € millions H1 2024 2023
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets and goodwill 1,508 1,505
Property, plant & equipment 100 102
Right-of-use assets 232 249
Investments accounted for using the equity method 10 11
Other investments 5 4
Deferred tax assets 82 80
Pension assets for funded schemes in surplus 18 15
Other non-current assets 22 20
Total Non-current assets 1,977 1,986
Current assets
Inventories 0 0
Derivatives 8 8
Trade receivables 731 731
Contract assets (unbilled receivables) 708 580
Corporate tax receivables 74 83
Other current assets 120 101
Cash and cash equivalents 269 290
Total Current assets 1,910 1,793
Total Assets 3,887 3,779
Equity and liabilities
Shareholders' equity
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 1,137 1,063
Non-controlling interests (2) (2)
Total Equity 1,135 1,061
Non-current liabilities
Provisions for employee benefits 38 40
Provisions for other liabilities and charges 39 51
Deferred tax liabilities 61 53
Loans and borrowings 952 871
Lease liabilities 200 211
Derivatives 1 2
Total Non-current liabilities 1,291 1,228
Current liabilities
Contract liabilities (billing in excess of revenue) 498 503
Provision for onerous contracts (loss provisions) 11 13
Current portion of provisions 13 17
Corporate tax liabilities 68 67
Current portion of loans and short-term borrowings 15 -
Current portion of lease liabilities 67 70
Derivatives 6 9
Bank overdrafts 51 10
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities 732 801
Total Current liabilities 1,461 1,490
Total Liabilities 2,752 2,718
Total Equity and liabilities 3,887 3,779

2023 and 2024 half year results as presented in this press release are unaudited

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

In € millions 2024 20232
Cash flows from operating activities
Result for the period 112 69
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortization 55 57
Amortization other identifiable intangible assets 15 31
Income taxes 55 40
Net finance expense 23 28
Result from Investments accounted for using the equity method (0) (0)
Adjusted profit for the period (EBITDA)1 260 224
Change in Inventories 0 (0)
Change in Contract assets and liabilities, provision for onerous contracts (133) (89)
Change in Trade receivables 11 26
Change in Accounts payable (42) (65)
Change in Net working capital (164) (128)
Change in Other receivables (23) (35)
Change in Current liabilities (17) (20)
Change in Other working capital (40) (55)
Change in Provisions (21) (8)
Share-based compensation 4 3
Gains/ losses on divestments 0 2
Gains/ losses on derecognition of leases 0 0
Change in operational derivatives (1) 0
Settlement of operational derivatives 0 1
Dividend received 1 2
Interest received 16 7
Interest paid (48) (21)
Corporate tax paid (36) (105)
Net cash (used in)/ from operating activities (29) (78)
2024 20232
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments in (in)tangible assets (20) (19)
Proceeds from sale of (in)tangible assets/ reversal of non-cash items 0 0
Investments in consolidated companies (2) (1)
Proceeds from sale of consolidated companies 1 7
Investments in/ loans to associates and joint ventures 0 0
Proceeds from (sale of) associates and joint ventures 0 0
Investments in other non-current assets and other investments (4) (2)
Proceeds from (sale of) other non-current assets and other investments 2 1
Net cash (used in)/ from investing activities (23) (13)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of options - 1
Settlement of financing derivatives 2 (7)
New long-term loans and borrowings 95 496
Repayment of long-term loans and borrowings (15) (500)
New short-term borrowings 15 190
Repayment of short-term borrowings - -
Payment of lease liabilities (39) (38)
Dividends paid (76) (66)
Net cash (used in)/ from financing activities (18) 75
Net change in Cash and cash equivalents less Bank overdrafts (70) (17)
Exchange rate differences 8 6
Cash and cash equivalents less Bank overdrafts at 1 January 280 258

Cash and cash equivalents less Bank overdrafts at 30 June 218 247

2023 and 2024 half year results as presented in this press release are unaudited

1) Non-GAAP performance measure, to provide transparency on the underlying performance of our business. Reference is made to the Annual Integrated Report 2023 for the definition as used by Arcadis.

2) Revised in accordance with IFRS 3.49 to reflect the adjustments to the provisional opening balances of acquired entities recognized as at 30 June 2023.