FUCHS with good start into financial year 2024
EQS-News: FUCHS SE / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement/Interim
Report
FUCHS with good start into financial year 2024
30.04.2024 / 07:00 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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FUCHS with good start into financial year 2024
* Decrease in sales revenues of 6% to EUR 877 million due to price
adjustments and
negative currency effects
* EBIT improved by 4% or EUR 4 million to EUR 107 million
* Full-year outlook 2024 confirmed
* Agreement signed on the acquisition of the international LUBCON Group
FUCHS at a glance
in EUR million Q1 Q1 Abw. Abw.
2024 2023 %
Sales revenues (1) 877 936 -59 -6
Europe, Middle East, Africa 511 552 -41 -7
Asia-Pacific 245 252 -7 -3
North and South America 167 181 -14 -8
Consolidation -46 -49 3 -
EBIT before income from companies 105 101 4 4
consolidated at equity
EBIT 107 103 4 4
Earnings after tax 77 73 4 5
Investments 9 17 -8 -47
Free cash flow before acquisitions 15 52 -37 -71
Earnings per share in EUR
Ordinary share 0.58 0.54 0.04 7
Preference share 0.58 0.54 0.04 7
Employees as of March 31 6,338 6,120 218 4
1. By company location
"With an EBIT of EUR 107 million, we achieved a good result in the first
three months of the year 2024, improving by EUR 4 million or 4% compared to
the previous year. This increase in earnings was achieved despite sales
revenues being 6% down on the previous year due to price and exchange rate
effects. It was pleasing to see that all three world regions improved their
results. The geopolitical situation remains unclear. The flaring up of the
conflict between Israel and Iran and the uncertain development of the war in
the region have further increased the uncertainties regarding economic
development and the development of commodity prices. Based on our growth
plans, we nevertheless remain confident about the remainder of the year and
confirm our forecast for the full year with an EBIT of around EUR 430
million. We are pleased to have signed an agreement to acquire the
internationally active LUBCON Group. The family-run German company has many
years of experience and expertise in the development, production and
distribution of greases, oils and pastes, and will further strengthen our
product portfolio in the area of specialty lubricant solutions."
Stefan Fuchs, Chairman of the Executive Board FUCHS SE
Business development in the group
In the first three months of 2024, FUCHS generated sales revenues of EUR 877
million (936), which were 6% below the prior-year period due to price- and
currency effects.
Price adjustments resulted in an organic decline in sales revenues of 3%,
while negative currency effects, especially from the regions Asia-Pacific
and North and South America, amounted to 3%.
EBIT, on the other hand, improved by EUR 4 million or 4% to EUR 107 million
(103) compared to the first three months of the previous year. At 12.2%
(11.0%), the EBIT margin was significantly higher than in the previous year.
Earnings after tax rose by 5% to EUR 77 million (73).
Earnings amounted to EUR 0.58 (0.54) per ordinary share and per preference
share.
At EUR 15 million (52), Free cash flow before acquisitions was below a
favoured prior-year figure.
Business development in the regions
At EUR 511 million (552), sales revenues in the region Europe, Middle East,
Africa (EMEA) were 7% lower compared to the first three months of 2023,
primarily driven by prices. EBIT rose by 8% to EUR 54 million (50). Despite
lower sales revenues, the majority of the companies achieved earnings
improvements. In particular, the United Kingdom and Poland recorded strong
increases in earnings.
Sales revenues in the region Asia-Pacific were down 3% year-on-year at EUR
245 million (252) due to high negative currency effects. However, organic
growth of 3% was achieved, which was characterized by both a recovery in
business development in China as well as strong growth in India. The high
currency losses were mainly due to the weak Chinese renminbi and the
Australian dollar. EBIT increased by EUR 1 million to EUR 29 million (28).
This was driven by the recovery in China, while Australia and Southeast Asia
had a slow start to the year.
At EUR 167 million (181), sales revenues in the region North- and South
America were 8% below the previous year's level, mainly due to high negative
exchange rate effects and organic declines. Price adjustments and subdued
business development impacted sales in North America, while South America
was impacted primarily by the difficult macroeconomic situation in
Argentina. The high negative currency effects were caused by the Argentinian
peso and the American dollar. EBIT increased by 11% to EUR 21 million (19).
North America benefited from the continued positive development in the area
of specialty lubricants. In a difficult economic environment, South America
was on a par with the previous year.
Outlook for 2024 confirmed
In its current outlook from April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
forecasts global economic growth of 3.2% for the current year, which
represents a slight increase of 0.1% compared to the January forecast. For
Germany, the IMF lowered its expectations compared to its January forecast
from 0.5% to just 0.2%.
FUCHS thus continues to operate in a challenging environment with great
uncertainties regarding economic development in general and changes in
commodity prices in particular. The uncertain progress of the war in the
Middle East adds to these uncertainties. Nevertheless, we are confident
about the remainder of the year and confirm the existing forecast for the
full year:
* Sales revenues: around EUR 3.6 billion
* EBIT: around EUR 430 million
* FVA: around EUR 240 million
* Free cash flow before acquisitions: around EUR 250 million
Our global positioning and solid financial base remain robust, and FUCHS
continues to focus on profitable growth and the implementation of FUCHS2025.
Stefan Fuchs, Chairman of the Executive Board FUCHS SE
Mannheim, April 30, 2024
FUCHS SE
Public Relations
Einsteinstraße 11
68169 Mannheim
Tel. +49 (0)621 3802 1104
tina.vogel@fuchs.com
www.fuchs.com/group
The following information can be accessed via the Internet:
Image and video material: https://www.fuchs.com/gb-en/photo-gallery/
About FUCHS
Founded in 1931 as a family business in Mannheim, FUCHS is now the world's
largest
independent supplier of innovative lubrication solutions, covering almost
every industry and application. Today, the company's over 6,200 employees in
over 50 countries still share the same goal: to keep the world moving both
sustainably and efficiently. To live up to this claim, we think in terms of
perfection, not merely standards. When developing individual solutions, we
enter into an intensive customer dialogue - acting as an experienced
consultant, innovative problem solver and reliable team partner.
Important note
This press release contains statements about future developments that are
based on assumptions and estimates by the management of FUCHS SE. Even if
the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are
accurate, actual future developments and results can differ significantly
from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These
factors can, for example, include changes in the overall economic climate,
changes in procurement prices, changes in exchange rates and interest rates,
and changes within the lubricants industry. FUCHS SE provides no guarantee
that future developments and the results actually achieved in the future
will match the assumptions and estimates set out in this press release and
assumes no liability for such.
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Language: English
Company: FUCHS SE
Einsteinstraße 11
68169 Mannheim
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)621 / 3802-0
Fax: +49 (0)621 / 3802-7190
E-mail: ir@fuchs.com
Internet: www.fuchs.com/gruppe
ISIN: DE000A3E5D64, DE000A3E5D56
WKN: A3E5D6, A3E5D5
Indices: MDAX
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard),
Stuttgart; Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin,
Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Tradegate Exchange
EQS News ID: 1892155
End of News EQS News Service
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1892155 30.04.2024 CET/CEST