EQS-News: KION Group increases profitability in the first half of the year and raises guidance
EQS-News: KION GROUP AG
/ Key word(s): Half Year Results/Quarterly / Interim Statement
KION Group increases profitability in the first half of the year and raises guidance
Frankfurt am Main, July 27, 2023 – The KION Group continued to increase its profitability in the first half of the year driven by the further strong momentum of its Industrial Trucks Services (ITS) segment. The improved supply chain situation and successful measures to increase commercial and operational agility are key reasons for the positive result. Adjusted EBIT improved by 11.7 percent year on year, while revenue was up by 1.5 percent. “The agility and performance measures initiated last year are paying off,” said Rob Smith, Chief Executive Officer of KION GROUP AG. “The positive development in the ITS segment is impressive proof that the determined focus of the entire KION team on the right levers has made the company much more resilient and agile going forward. We are therefore raising our guidance for 2023 for both the Group and the ITS segment.” Consolidated revenue advanced by 1.5 percent year on year to €5.617 billion in the reporting period (H1 2022: €5.537 billion). The proportion of consolidated revenue attributable to the service business grew to 44.3 per cent (H1 2022: 40.5 percent). The Group’s adjusted EBIT rose by 11.7 percent to €348.3 million in the first half of 2023 (H1 2022: €311.7 million). This increased the adjusted EBIT margin to 6.2 percent (H1 2022: 5.6 percent). Net income for the period amounted to €146.3 million (H1 2022: €159.8 million). This reflects a significantly lower financial result and higher tax expenses. Free cash flow was €228.8 million (H1 2022: negative free cash flow of €591.5 million), resulting from the increase in EBIT while net working capital remained at a similar level to the end of 2022. As a result of the improved liquidity situation, it was possible to reduce financial liabilities by €178.9 million. Net debt decreased by €101.0 million to €1.570 billion compared to end of 2022. KION Group commits to net-zero target and Science Based Targets initiative Sustainability is a key focus of the KION 2027 strategy. At the beginning of July 2023, the KION Group committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in order to provide transparency with regard to its activities and progress on the path toward a carbon-neutral future. In line with the SBTi principles, the KION Group is pursuing the net-zero target of being emission-free along its entire value chain (scopes 1, 2, and 3) by 2050 at the latest. The criteria for assessing whether companies are operating carbon neutrally are based on a fundamental scientific framework and align with the objective of the United Nations Paris climate agreement to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C. KION Group sells the ITS segment’s Russian business The KION Group announced its intention to exit its Russian business in October 2022. On 16 June 2023, the Group signed a contract to sell the ITS segment’s Russian business as part of a management buyout. The transaction is still subject to approval by the Russian authorities. The SCS segment’s remaining business in Russia is being wound up at the same time. Once the contracts come into force, the KION Group will no longer have any business activities in Russia. Outlook In the first half of 2023, the KION Group achieved revenue growth and a sharp increase in earnings thanks to the healthy business performance of the Industrial Trucks Services segment. The main contributing factors were the measures taken to enhance operational and commercial agility, the improved supply chain situation, and better availability of materials. In the remaining months of 2023, the Industrial Trucks Services segment is therefore expected to see an improvement in revenue and adjusted EBIT compared to the second half of the previous year. The Supply Chain Solutions segment is set to see noticeably higher revenue and improved adjusted EBIT in the second half of 2023 compared with the first six months thanks to the growing proportion of higher-margin customer projects in the order book. Subject to the proviso that there are no changes to the current level of availability of materials, the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG is raising the outlook for 2023 for the Group and the Industrial Trucks Services segment once again, having already raised it on April 19, 2023. The target figures for the Supply Chain Solutions segment remain unchanged:
Key performance indicators for the KION Group and its two operating segments for the first half-year of 2023 and for the second quarter ending June 30, 2023
[1] Figure as at June 30, 2023 compared with December 31, 2022. [2] Adjusted for purchase price allocation items and non-recurring items. [3] Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities plus cash flow from investing activities. [4] Number of employees stated in full-time equivalents as at June 30, 2023 compared with December 31, 2022.
The Company The KION Group is among the world’s leading suppliers of industrial trucks and supply chain solutions. Its portfolio encompasses industrial trucks such as forklift trucks and warehouse trucks, as well as integrated automation technology and software solutions for the optimization of supply chains, including all related services. Across more than 100 countries worldwide, the KION Group’s solutions improve the flow of material and information within factories, warehouses, and distribution centers. The MDAX-listed Group is the largest manufacturer of industrial trucks in the EMEA region in terms of units sold in 2021. In China, it is the leading foreign manufacturer (as measured by revenue in 2021) and number three overall. The KION Group is also one of the world’s leading providers of warehouse automation (as measured by revenue in 2021). With an installed base of more than 1.7 million industrial trucks at the end of 2022, the KION Group’s customers include companies of various sizes in numerous industries on six continents. The Group currently has more than 41,000 employees and generated revenue of around €11.1 billion in 2022. Current KION Group images can be found in our image database at https://mediacenter.kiongroup.com/categories and on the websites of our various brand companies. (fgr) Disclaimer This release and the information contained herein are for information purposes only and do not constitute a prospectus or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ significantly from the results that are currently expected due to various risk factors and uncertainties such as changes in economic or industry-specific conditions, changes in the market environment or political situation, changes in domestic or international legislation, interest rate or exchange rate fluctuations, legal disputes and investigations, and the availability of financial resources. We do not assume any responsibility for updating the forward-looking statements in this release.
Further information for the media Frank Grodzki Tel: +49 (0)69 201 107 725
Further information for investors
Additional features: File: KION Group_Press Release HY1 2023 File: KION Group_Image H1 2023
27.07.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. |
Language: | English |
Company: | KION GROUP AG |
Thea-Rasche-Straße 8 | |
60549 Frankfurt/Main | |
Germany | |
Phone: | +49 69 20110-0 |
E-mail: | [email protected] |
Internet: | www.kiongroup.com |
ISIN: | DE000KGX8881 |
WKN: | KGX888 |
Indices: | MDAX |
Listed: | Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange |
EQS News ID: | 1689315 |
End of News | EQS News Service |
|
1689315 27.07.2023 CET/CEST
Kion Group AG Aktie
Unentschiedenes Sentiment: Kion Group AG mit wenigen Buy- und Sell-Einschätzungen.
Bei einem Kursziel von 60 € für Kion Group AG deutet sich eine Steigerung von über 50% vom aktuellen Kurs von 35.14 € an.