Beiersdorf AG (BDRFF) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Sales and Strategic Challenges

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Fri, Feb 28, 2025, 12:03 AM 4 min read

Net Sales: EUR9.9 billion, an all-time high.
EBIT Margin: Increased by 50 basis points to 13.9%.
Organic Sales Growth: 6.5% at group level.
Consumer Segment Sales Growth: 7.5% organic increase.
Derma Business Growth: 10.6% net sales increase.
NIVEA Sales Growth: 9% increase, surpassing EUR8 billion in net sales.
La Prairie Sales Decline: Decreased by 6.2%.
tesa Organic Sales Growth: 1.9% increase.
Earnings Per Share: Increased from EUR3.24 to EUR4.05.
Profit After Tax: EUR928 million.
Gross Margin Improvement: 120 basis points increase.
R&D and A&P Investments: Increased by more than EUR200 million.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with BDRFF.

Release Date: February 27, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Beiersdorf AG (BDRFF) achieved record net sales of EUR9.9 billion in 2024, with a strong organic sales growth of 6.5%.
The company's EBIT margin improved by 50 basis points to 13.9%, demonstrating effective cost management and profitability.
NIVEA, a key brand, delivered exceptional growth across all regions, with a notable 9% increase in sales, driven by innovations like LUMINOUS630.
The Derma business, including Eucerin and Aquaphor, saw a double-digit sales growth of 10.6%, with Eucerin becoming the second EUR1 billion brand in the Consumer portfolio.
Beiersdorf AG (BDRFF) is committed to sustainability, achieving a 25.3% reduction in GHG emissions and converting NIVEA cream tins to 80% recycled aluminum.

Negative Points

The luxury brand La Prairie experienced a sales decline of 6.2% in 2024, primarily due to challenges in the Greater China ecosystem and travel retail market.
The tesa division faced significant challenges with only a 1.9% organic sales growth, impacted by difficult market conditions in the chemical industry.
Beiersdorf AG (BDRFF) anticipates a weaker Q1 2025 due to a strong prior year comparison and ongoing challenges in the luxury market.
The company is undertaking a strategic inventory cleanup in China, which may temporarily impact sales performance in the first half of 2025.
There is a potential impact from US tariffs, which could affect the company's cost structure and pricing strategies in the North American market.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you explain the expected slowdown in growth for Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024, and what are your pricing plans for the year? A: We anticipate Q1 growth to be below our guidance due to a strong Q1 2024 comparison, driven by price increases, and ongoing challenges in the luxury and travel retail sectors. We are also restructuring our China operations to optimize stock levels and focus on strategic products. For pricing, we plan modest increases of around 3% in Europe and slightly higher in emerging markets to manage inflation and cost pressures.

Q: What are your expectations for the global skincare market in 2025, and how do you envision Beiersdorf's growth and strategic direction by 2030? A: We expect the global skincare market to grow around 5% in 2025, with stronger growth in emerging markets. By 2030, we aim to be the leading skincare innovator, expanding into white spaces and maintaining a mix of innovation and market expansion. We plan to consistently outperform the market with a focus on profitable growth.

Q: Could you provide more details on the rollout of Epicelline and the competitive landscape in the Derma skincare category? A: Epicelline has been launched in 40 countries within four months, achieving strong market positions and high repurchase rates. We plan to expand its availability across all brands and regions. The Derma skincare market is competitive, but our innovative offerings like Epicelline and upcoming acne solutions are expected to drive growth and differentiate us from competitors.

Q: How are you addressing sustainability, and what progress have you made towards your environmental goals? A: Sustainability is a core focus for us. We've reduced CO2 emissions by 25% since 2018 while increasing sales by 43%. Initiatives include using recycled materials, improving product formulas, and achieving climate neutrality in our European production sites. We remain committed to our long-term goals of reducing emissions and achieving net zero by 2045.

Q: What impact could US tariffs have on your business, and how are you managing this risk? A: US tariffs could impact our business by up to 50 basis points if a 25% tariff is implemented. We produce about a third of our US products domestically, which helps mitigate some effects. We are building inventory and considering pricing adjustments to manage potential impacts while continuing to focus on strong brand performance and launches in the US market.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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