NRC Group — Earnings Release 2021

May 12, 2021

NRC Group ASA - First quarter 2021 results

NRC Group ASA - First quarter 2021 results

Today, 12 May 2021, NRC Group has released its financial results for the first

quarter of 2021.

The presentation is available on the following webcast link:

https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/nrcgroup/20210511_1/

A Q&A session will be held at 10.00 AM (CET), and investors, analysts and

journalists are welcome to participate.

Participants dial-in numbers:

NO: +47 2100 2610

SE: +46 (0)8 5664 2753

FI: +358 (0)9 7479 0361

DK: +45 3515 8049

International: +44 (0)330 336 9126

US: +1 929-477-0448

Below you will find highlights and a summary from the report.

REVENUE

· NOK 1.1 billion (NOK 1.3 billion)

EBITA*

· NOK -59 million (NOK -54 million)

ORDERS

· Order intake of NOK 0.9 billion (NOK 1.4 billion)

· Order backlog of NOK 6.0 billion (NOK 8.0 billion)

LIQUIDITY

· Operating cash flow of NOK 17 million (NOK 43 million)

· Cash position of NOK 551 million (NOK 821 million)

Comments on first quarter 2021 results

First quarter revenue was NOK 1,129 million compared to NOK 1,254 million for

the same period of 2020. The revenue growth was -10% in the quarter mainly

explained by an extraordinary sale of inventory of NOK 110 million in first

quarter last year. Group EBITA* was NOK -59 million compared to NOK -54 million

for the same period last year. The EBITA* margin was -5.2%.

Revenue in Norway was NOK 423 million compared to NOK 407 million in the first

quarter of 2020. The organic growth was 4% in the quarter mainly explained by

increased revenue in rail construction. EBITA* was NOK -17 million, com- pared

to NOK -14 million in the same period of 2020. The EBITA margin was -4.0% this

quarter compared to -3.5% for the same period last year.

Revenue from the Swedish operation amounted to NOK 259 million for the quarter

compared to NOK 311 million in the same period of 2020. The organic growth in

the quarter was -19% in local currency. The revenue was significantly lower than

last year mainly due to the low order book going into 2021. The EBITA* was NOK

-35 million compared to NOK -27 million in the same period of 2020, due to lower

revenue and lower utilisation of machines. The EBITA* margin was -13.4% for the

quarter compared to 8.8% last year.

Finland had revenue of NOK 446 million compared to NOK 540 million in the first

quarter of 2020. The organic growth was -16% in the quarter in local currency.

Adjusted for the additional sale of inventory of approximately NOK 110 million

in first quarter last year, the revenue was approximately at same level. The

EBITA* was NOK 2 million compared to NOK -3 million in the same period of 2020.

EBITA* margin was 0.4% for the quarter, an increase from -0.6% last year, mainly

explained by improved profitability in rail construction.

Group operating profit (EBIT) for the quarter was NOK -77 million, at same level

as last year. Net financial items amounted to NOK -18 million for the quarter,

compared to NOK -22 million for the same period last year. The Group has a 20%

interest in a joint venture sharing risks and rewards of two larger projects

with Astaldi and Gülermak in connection with the Station Haga in Gothenburg. The

projects are complex with substantial risk, hence net income from the associated

company has been reported at zero.

The order backlog amounted to NOK 5,961 million at end of March. First-quarter

order intake was NOK 860 million, split on announced contracts of NOK 386

million and unannounced order intake of NOK 474 million including currency

adjustments of NOK -245 million due to NOK strengthening vs SEK and EUR in the

quarter. The unannounced order intake also includes a reversal of NOK 183

million due to a decision from the Market Court in Finland which annulled the

previous decision of the appointed contract of Maintenance Area 5 (with

reference to stock release 1 March 2021). The contract was valued at

approximately EUR 25 million, with an estimated yearly production of EUR 5

million in the period 2021 to 2025. The decision is estimated to have limited

financial effect in 2021. The FTIA is expected to re-announce the contract to

the market in the third quarter this year. NRC Group Finland will operate the

contract for six months after the contract is awarded.

In Norway, new orders included an appointed contract by Oslo municipality of NOK

185 million, for ground, foundation and construction work in connection with

establishing a new access tunnel to the Fornebu Metro Line at Skøyen. The work

commenced in April 2021 and is scheduled for completion in October 2022. New

orders in Finland included renewal of existing railway yards at Törölä,

Tapavainola and Rasinsuo. The contract was appointed by FTIA, valued at EUR 6.25

million. The work commenced in April 2021 and is scheduled for completion in

September 2022. The FTIA also appointed NRC Group Finland to a contract at EUR

4.8 million for signal installation at Oulu station. The work will commence in

May 2021 and is scheduled for completion in November 2022. In Sweden, new orders

included a SEK 51 million contract of civil construction work in connection with

the installation of wind turbines in Sunne. The work commenced in February 2021

and is scheduled for completion in April 2022. NRC Group Sweden was also

appointed to a contract of SEK 36 million by Premium Svensk Lax AB, for ground,

foundation and construction work at Säffle. The work commenced in March 2021 and

the project is scheduled for completion in October 2021.

The Group has identified an addressable tender pipeline of approximately NOK 22

billion for the next nine months. This compares to a NOK 21 billion tender

pipeline three months ago and NOK 18 billion at the same time in 2020.

The tender pipeline in Finland is approximately NOK 3.9 billion, a decrease of

approximately NOK 1.2 billion compared to the tender pipeline three months ago,

but approximately NOK 2.4 billion higher than the same period last year. The

first National Transport System Plan (NTSP) in Finland has now been prepared by

the Government. It covers the period from 2021-2032. The NTSP is expected to be

approved by the Parliament during spring 2021.

In Sweden, the tender pipeline is approximately NOK 9.2 billion, a decrease of

NOK 0.3 billion since three months ago and at same level as the same period last

year. The Government in Sweden has recently presented their proposal for the

National Transportation Plan (NTP) for the period 2022-2031 totalling SEK 799

billion. This is an increase of SEK 176 billion from the existing NTP. The NTP

is expected to be approved in first half of 2022.

The tender pipeline in Norway is approximately NOK 9.2 billion, an increase of

NOK 3.1 billion compared to the tender pipeline three months ago and an increase

of approximately NOK 2.0 billion at the same time last year. The increase is

mainly driven by larger pipeline in Rail construction and the tender for the

first maintenance contract which will be in the market in the second half of

2021. The Government in Norway has recently presented a proposal for the

National Transportation Plan for the period 2022-2033. Total investment proposal

to railway infrastructure is NOK 400 billion, an increase of NOK 72 billion from

existing NTP. The NTP for 2022-2033 is expected to be approved before summer in

Update on Covid-19

NRC Group continues a sharp focus on adopting guidelines and policies to prevent

and handle Covid-19 outbreaks. The Group monitors the development of the

pandemic and its potential impact on the industry and on business continuity.

The main risks are related to potential operational impact if outbreaks

intensify, and restrictions are resumed. Operations also depend on that

customers, predominantly the public transport agencies and the municipalities in

Norway, Sweden and Finland, continue to announce and award tenders as scheduled

to enable efficient planning and execution of projects during 2021. Governmental

restrictions and recommendations were intensified in all three countries as the

numbers of affected has increased in first quarter and continued into second

quarter in 2021. In order to limit import infection, foreigners' access to

Norway has been tightened sharply. Only those non- Norwegian citizens who are

residents of Norway are permitted to enter the country. In the first quarter,

persons, including Norwegian citizens and foreigners residing in Norway, must

spend the entry quarantine at quarantine hotels. A limited access for qualified

foreign workers specialised in concrete work, has impacted the operation in some

projects. Operations in Sweden are not affected by entry restrictions as no

foreign workers are used in the operation. Finland still has open borders to

foreign nationals seeking entry with a few exceptions.

NRC Group's main priority is to keep employees safe while maintaining

operations. The Group communicates regularly and transparently to equip teams

for virtual working and safe project execution. The Group complies with

restrictions and guidelines from relevant authorities and follows up with

immediate actions when relevant and needed.

Parts of NRC Group's activities are related to maintenance and upgrades of

existing railway infrastructure. These operations are defined as critical to the

society, and the company will prioritise these activities in case of situations

where certain resources become scarce.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had limited financial impact for NRC Group to date.

Still the long-term impact for the societies and people is characterised by

uncertainty due to volatility in infection rates and new restrictions.

Outlook

NRC Group is strongly positioned in a growing market with a substantial tender

pipeline. Recently confirmed national budgets and updated proposals of the

National Transportation Plans with increasing long-term investments confirm a

positive market outlook.

NRC Group continues focus on implementation of the updated strategy and

improvement measures to restore profitability. For 2021, the Group expects an

EBITA margin between 1.75% and 2.5%.

The first quarter 2021 result report and result presentation can be found

attached and will be available on the company's homepage: www.nrcgroup.com.

For further information, please contact Dag Fladby, Chief Financial Officer, NRC

Group ASA on tel: +47 90 89 19 35.

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5

-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.