EVN AG (WBO:EVN) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Revenue Decline with Renewable Growth

In This Article:

  • Revenue: Decreased by 13.9% year-on-year to EUR2.5 billion.

  • Net Income: Solid group net result of EUR479.6 million for the first nine months.

  • Renewable Generation Share: Increased from 76% to 84% during the reporting period.

  • Investment: Total annual investment expected to remain within EUR700 million to EUR900 million.

  • Net Debt: Amounted to EUR1.1 billion as of the end of June.

  • EBITDA (Network Segment): Increased to EUR226.8 million.

  • EBIT (Southeast Europe Segment): Totaled EUR100.1 million.

  • Cash Flow from Operating Activities: Totaled EUR829.1 million.

  • Dividend Expectation: At least EUR0.82 per share for the current financial year.

Release Date: August 29, 2024

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

Positive Points

  • EVN AG (WBO:EVN) reported a significant increase in renewable energy generation, with the share of renewable generation rising from 76% to 84% during the reporting period.

  • The company is on track with its renewable generation capacity expansion, having completed the repowering of an eight-megawatt wind park and progressing with a new 22-megawatt wind park in Paasdorf.

  • Financial results improved with a solid group net result of EUR479.6 million in the first nine months of the financial year.

  • The company's financial flexibility remains solid, with contractually committed untapped credit limits amounting to EUR835 million.

  • EVN AG (WBO:EVN) expects the result to be at the upper part of the previously communicated range of EUR420 million to EUR460 million, indicating a positive outlook for the financial year.

Negative Points

  • Group revenue decreased by 13.9% year-on-year to EUR2.5 billion, primarily due to a decline in wholesale prices and reduced revenue from electricity generation in Southeast Europe.

  • The energy supply business is still under pressure, with EVN AG (WBO:EVN) reporting a loss partly due to an impairment of natural gas inventories.

  • Personal expenses increased by 16.8% compared to the prior year, reflecting a necessary increase in workforce and adjustments according to collective bargaining agreements.

  • The network segment faced challenges with lower distribution volumes due to mild weather conditions and changing consumer behavior towards energy savings.

  • The Southeast Europe segment experienced a decrease in revenue to EUR1 billion due to the downward trend in electricity prices and lower network tariffs in Bulgaria.

Q & A Highlights

Q: What is the expected investment level for the full year, and what were the main drivers behind the positive earnings contribution from EVN KG in Q3? A: Stefan Szyszkowitz, CEO, stated that the expected investment level for the full year is around EUR900 million, which will also be the level for the upcoming years. The positive earnings contribution from EVN KG in Q3 was due to the seasonal nature of energy sales, which peak after the third quarter. However, a loss of around EUR100 million is expected for EVN KG by the end of the year, influenced by the value of derivatives and other factors.