Economia
ASSYSTEM : First-half 2024 results
Paris La Défense, 11 September 2024, 5.35 p.m. (CEST) – At its meeting held today, the Board of Directors of Assystem S.A. (ISIN: FR0000074148 - ASY), an international engineering group, reviewed the Group's financial statements for the first half of 2024 (i.e. the six months ended 30 June 2024).
Dominique Louis, Assystem's Chairman & CEO, stated:
“The Group's growth remains robust, driven by our nuclear activities in France and internationally, not only regarding new nuclear programmes for large plants and SMRs, but also services for existing plants and fuel cycle infrastructure, decommissioning and defence. With over 7,500 employees, Assystem is pursuing its business development, in particular by supporting EDF in France and the UK, while strengthening its presence in India and Saudi Arabia.”
KEY FIGURES
ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST-HALF 2024 INCOME STATEMENT
In the first half of 2024, Assystem's consolidated revenue totalled €301.3 million, up 6.7% year on year. This increase included 5.8% organic growth, driven by ongoing robust demand for Nuclear activities (73% of total H1 2024 revenue), whose revenue advanced 10.0% on an organic basis, with rises of 8.3% for France and 15.4% for International operations.
Revenue in France (63% of the H1 2024 total) amounted to €189.6 million (of which 87% for Nuclear activities), representing a year-on-year increase of 1.7%, breaking down as 3.7% in organic growth and a negative 2.0% impact from changes in the scope of consolidation (net effect of the deconsolidation of Assystem's activities in the Pacific region and the acquisition of KEOPS). Revenue from International operations came to €111.7 million (of which 50% for Nuclear activities), up 16.4% year on year, including 9.9% organic growth, a favourable 5.9% impact from changes in the scope of consolidation (acquisition of L&T IEL), and a positive 0.5% currency effect.
Consolidated EBITA totalled €18.5 million in the first six months of 2024, up 17.8% on the €15.7 million recorded for the same period of 2023. EBITA margin widened to 6.1% from 5.6% in first-half 2023, with the year-on-year increase mainly due to the Group's enhanced use of resources.
EBITA in France was €11.3 million, representing 6.0% of revenue, compared with €8.1 million and 4.3% respectively in first-half 2023. This 1.7-point margin increase stems from enhanced use of resources and better absorption of fixed costs.
International EBITA came to €10.1 million, i.e. 9.0% of revenue, versus €10.5 million and 10.9% respectively in the prior-year period. This 1.9-point margin decrease was due to lower-than-expected volumes of business in Saudi Arabia.
The Group's central expenses (“Holding” segment) had a €2.9 million negative impact on consolidated EBITA in the first half of 2024 (the same as in H1 2023).
Excluding the impact of IFRS 16, consolidated EBITDA amounted to €21.0 million in first-half 2024, i.e. 7.0% of revenue, compared with €18.5 million and 6.5% respectively in the equivalent period of 2023.
Consolidated operating profit for the six months ended 30 June 2024 totalled €13.9 million, versus €19.7 million in H1 2023. The first-half 2024 figure includes a €2.4 million net non-recurring expense (compared with €5.0 million in net non-recurring income in H1 2023 corresponding to a reversal of the provision for the tax dispute related to the 2011 and 2012 research tax credits). Share-based payments (related to free share plans) amounted to €2.2 million (including employer social security contributions), versus €1.0 million in the first half of 2023.
The contribution to consolidated profit by Expleo Group – in which Assystem holds 37.15% of the capital and 38.94% of the quasi-equity instruments issued by the company (convertible bonds with capitalised interest) – was a negative €4.2 million, breaking down as €6.9 million in coupons on the convertible bonds less Assystem's €11.1 million share of Expleo Group's loss for the period. Expleo Group's contribution in first-half 2023 was €4.0 million, including €6.3 million in convertible bond coupons.
The Group ended the first six months of 2024 with a net financial expense of €0.7 million compared with net financial income of €0.3 million in first-half 2023.
After deducting €4.1 million in income tax expense (versus a €3.4 million expense in first-half 2023), consolidated profit for the period came to €5.0 million, compared with €21.0 million in H1 2023.
Revenue generated by Expleo Group rose by 4.2% to €728.2 million in the first six months of 2024 from €698.6 million in first-half 2023.
Expleo Group's EBITDA (including the impact of IFRS 16) climbed 5.6% year on year to €70.6 million, representing 9.7% of its consolidated revenue (versus €66.9 million and 9.6% respectively in H1 2023).
Before recognition of the capitalised interest on its quasi-equity instruments, Expleo Group posted a €12.0 million loss for the period , compared with €11.6 million in profit in first-half 2023. The year-on-year decrease was primarily due to financial expenses (net debt of €564 million at 31 December 2023 and increase of €50 million of TLB in first-half 2024) and non-recurring expenses.
PAYMENT OF THE 2023 DIVIDEND
At the Annual General Meeting held on 24 May 2024, Assystem's shareholders approved the payment of a €12.50 dividend per share for 2023, representing a total payout of €185.6 million. The dividend was paid in two stages: a €7.00 interim dividend paid on 5 April 2024, representing an aggregate €104.2 million, and the balance of €5.50 paid on 12 July 2024, representing an aggregate €81.4 million.
FREE CASH FLOW AND NET CASH POSITION
Taking into account the seasonal pattern of the Group's working capital requirement , free cash flow (excluding the impact of IFRS 16) corresponded to a negative €15.9 million in the first half of 2024, compared with a negative €27.5 million in first half 2023.
At 30 June 2024, the Group was in a net cash position (excluding the impact of IFRS 16), in the amount of €14.7 million , versus a net debt position of €52.2 million at 31 December 2023. The €66.9 million positive swing breaks down as follows:
SIGNIFICANT EVENT AFTER THE REPORTING DATE
In July 2024, the Group implemented the second phase of its key personnel retention plan aimed at helping drive its business growth, by launching two free share plans (comprising an aggregate 985,913 shares). The first phase, carried out in 2023, consisted of a free share plan involving 288,250 shares.
OUTLOOK FOR FULL-YEAR 2024
Taking into account the sale of its activities in the Pacific region and the acquisitions carried out as at the publication date of this press release , Assystem has set the following targets for full-year 2024:
This outlook is based on the assumption that the economic and exchange rate environment will remain stable compared with the situation as at the publication date of this press release.
AVAILABILITY OF THE FIRST-HALF 2024 INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT
Assystem's first-half 2024 interim financial report will be published and filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on 13 September. This report, as well as the presentation of the Group's first-half 2024 results, will be able to be viewed and downloaded on Assystem's website (www.assystem.com) in the “Finance/Regulated Information” section.
2024 FINANCIAL CALENDAR
12 September: First-half 2024 results release –
Presentation meeting on Thursday 12 September at 8.30 a.m. (CEST)
24 October: Third-quarter 2024 revenue release
ABOUT ASSYSTEM
Assystem, one of the world's leading independent nuclear engineering companies, is committed to accelerating the energy transition. With more than 55 years of experience in highly regulated sectors with stringent safety and security constraints, the Group provides engineering and project management services as well as digital solutions and services to optimise the performance of complex infrastructure assets throughout their life cycle.
In its 12 countries of operation, Assystem's 7,700 experts are supporting energy transition. To achieve an affordable low carbon energy supply, Assystem is committed to the development of low carbon electricity (nuclear, renewables and electricity grids) and clean hydrogen. The Group is also helping drive the use of low carbon electricity in industrial sectors such as transportation.
Assystem forms part of the Euronext Tech Leaders, CAC Small, CAC Mid & Small, CAC Industrials, CAC All-Tradable and CAC All-Share indices. To find out more, visit
www.assystem.com
CONTACTS
Malène Korvin – Chief Financial Officer – mkorvin@assystem.com – Tel.: +33 (0)1 41 25 29 00
Anne-Charlotte Dagorn – Marketing and Communications Director – acdagorn@assystem.com - Tel.: +33 (0)6 83 03 70 29
Agnès Villeret – Komodo – Investor relations –
agnes.villeret@agence -komodo.com – Tel.: +33 (0)6 83 28 04 15
APPENDICES
NOTE: As changes are calculated based on exact figures, there may be discrepancies in the totals shown due to rounding.
1/ Revenue and EBITA
(1) Consolidation of India-based L&T Infrastructure Engineering Limited (L&T IEL) and France-based KEOPS Automation since 1 January 2024, and deconsolidation of Assystem's activities in the Pacific region since 1 December 2023 following their sale.
(2) On a constant scope of consolidation and currency basis.
(3) Operating profit before non-recurring items (EBITA – Earnings Before Interest and Taxes – from Activity) including share of profit of equity-accounted investees other than Expleo Group and MPH (€0.4 million in H1 2023 and €0.3 million in H1 2024).
2/ Consolidated financial statements
(1) Including Framatome shares representing €205.0 million at 31 December 2023 and zero at 30 June 2024 following the sale of the Group's stake in Framatome in January 2024.
(2) The Group was in a net cash position at 30 June 2024 in an amount of €14.7 million, including:
(3) O/w, at 30 June 2024, €81.4 million corresponding to the balance of the 2023 dividend payable to Assystem shareholders, which was paid on 12 July 2024.
* Including interest expense.
3/ Movements in net debt/(net cash)
4/ Information about the Company's capital
Ownership structure at 31 August 2024
(1) HDL Development is a holding company that is 95.65% controlled by Dominique Louis, Assystem's Chairman & CEO, notably through HDL, which itself holds 0.85% of Assystem's capital.
(2) Including 0.85% held by HDL.
( 1 ) Operating profit before non-recurring items (EBITA – Earnings Before Interest and Taxes – from Activity) including share of profit of equity-accounted investees other than Expleo Group and MPH (€0.4 million in H1 2023 and €0.3 million in H1 2024).
(2) Including profit attributable to non-controlling interests: €0.8 million in H1 2023 and €(0.2) million in H1 2024. Profit for the period attributable to owners of the parent therefore totalled €20.2 million in H1 2023 and €5.2 million in H1 2024.
(3) Debt less cash and cash equivalents, excluding the IFRS 16 impact.
(4) EBITA excluding the impact of IFRS 16 (€26.9 million in H1 2024) and before depreciation and amortisation expense and net provisions for recurring operating items excluding the IFRS 16 impact.
(5) Expleo Group's net debt excluding the impact of IFRS 16, as used for the covenants applicable to instruments maturing between March and September 2027.
(6) Corresponding to net cash generated from operating activities less capital expenditure, net of disposals.
(7) The combined positive net impact on revenue resulting from the sale of the Group's activities in the Pacific region and the first-time consolidations of L&T Infrastructure and KEOPS Automation represents approximately €3.0 million.
(8) Operating profit before non-recurring items (EBITA – Earnings before Interest and Taxes – from Activity) including share of profit of equity-accounted investees (other than Expleo Group & MPH) divided by consolidated revenue.
Attachment
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