Nordex SE - Earnings Release 2016

News Details

Corporate | 1 March 2017 07:00

Nordex closes 2016 in line with guidance

DGAP-News: Nordex SE / Key word(s): Preliminary Results/Final Results

01.03.2017 / 07:00

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Press release

**Nordex closes 2016 in line with guidance

– Sales up 40% to EUR 3.4 billion

– Increase in EBITDA margin to 8.4%

– Order book up 47% to EUR 3.9 billion

– Cash flow of EUR 144.4 million from operating activities

Hamburg, 1 March 2017. On the basis of its provisional consolidated financial statements for 2016, the Nordex Group (ISIN: DE000A0D6554) achieved its targets. Sales climbed by 40% to EUR 3.4 billion, including sales of EUR 726 million contributed by the new subsidiary Acciona Windpower (AWP), which was consolidated from 1 April 2016 following the acquisition.

The main sales driver was Europe with EUR 2.3 billion, equivalent to a share of 69%. The share accounted by the Americas increased sharply to 22% (2015: 11.7%). This success is materially due to the new subsidiary AWP, which holds a strong position in these growth markets. Total sales also include the service business, which grew by 28% to EUR 271.6 million.

Operating earnings (EBITDA) climbed by 56.6% to EUR 285.5 million, translating into a margin of 8.4%, which is slightly above guidance. Consolidated net profit increased by 82.4% to EUR 95.4 million.

The Group continues to have a solid balance sheet, with the equity ratio stable at 31.4% (2015: 31.2%). Cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 649.5 million as of 31 December, 2016 (2015: EUR 529.0 million) and the Group continued to hold net liquidity.

Cash flow of EUR 144.4 million was generated from operating activities. Excluding the acquisition of AWP, free cash flow amounted to EUR 51.0 million. The working capital ratio was 4.1% as of the reporting date. The improvement in the fourth quarter was materially due to the sharp year-end increase in order intake.

Nordex registered total new orders of EUR 3.3 billion in 2016, with the book-to-bill ratio coming to 1.05. This led to an increase in the order book – including service contracts – to EUR 3.9 billion (2015: EUR 2.7 billion).

As stated on 23 February, the Management Board projects sales of EUR 3.1 – 3.3 billion in 2017. The decline over the previous year is due to project postponements in some core markets and delays in entry into the Indian market. Despite lower capacity utilisation, profitability should remain stable thanks to the synergy benefits harnessed from the merger with AWP and the absence of most of the non-recurring expenses that had arisen in 2016. The EBITDA margin is expected to amount to between 7.8% and 8.2%.

Turning to 2018, management expects sales to grow again to EUR 3.4 – 3.6 billion accompanied by stable profitability. Says Lars Bondo Krogsgaard, CEO of the company: “In order to improve profitability, we will focus more strongly on activities that offer above-average margins. At the same time, we will step up spending on products to secure targeted competitive advantages.”

For more information, please contact:

Nordex SE

Ralf Peters

Telephone + 49 40 300 30 – 1522

[email protected]

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Language:	English
Company:	Nordex SE
	Erich-Schlesinger-Straße 50
	18059 Rostock
	Germany
Phone:	+49 381 6663 3300
Fax:	+49 381 6663 3339
E-mail:	[email protected]
Internet:	www.nordex-online.com
ISIN:	DE000A0D6554
WKN:	A0D655
Indices:	TecDAX
Listed:	Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange