Unlock stock picks and a broker-level newsfeed that powers Wall Street.

Fourlis Holdings SA (FRA:2FH) Full Year 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Profit Growth ...

In This Article:

  • Revenue Growth: Increased by 1.6% year over year, with a 4% volume growth.

  • Gross Margin: Improved to 46.9%.

  • EBITDA: Rose by 17.9% to 42.3 million, with a margin of 8%.

  • EBIT: Grew by 26.8%, with a margin of 5%.

  • Profit Before Tax: Increased to 7.9 million, doubling from the previous year.

  • Profit After Tax: Reached 6.3 million.

  • Dividend: 0.15 per share, a 25% increase from last year.

  • Share Buyback: 1.94 million allocated, representing 20% of total shareholder returns.

  • Retail CapEx: 25.1 million, primarily for IKEA and sports store expansion.

  • Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio: Improved from 2.4 times to 2 times.

  • Sportswear Revenue: Grew by 4.1% to 191.1 million.

  • Sportswear Gross Margin: Improved to 47%.

  • Health and Wellness Revenue: Reached 2.3 million, with a significant increase in like-for-like sales.

  • Health and Wellness Gross Margin: Improved to 48%.

Release Date: April 09, 2025

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

Positive Points

  • Fourlis Holdings SA (FRA:2FH) reported strong retail performance, gaining market share despite a challenging environment.

  • The company exceeded its profit guidance, with significant profit improvements and enhanced shareholder returns through higher dividends and share buybacks.

  • IKEA's expansion continued with the opening of a new store in Patras and plans for more urban IKEA stores in the coming years.

  • The sportswear segment saw a milestone year with a partnership with Foot Locker, expanding its geographical footprint and product offerings.

  • The logistics arm signed an important agreement with Inter IKEA to build and operate a logistics center for the Eastern Mediterranean, enhancing operational efficiencies.

Negative Points

  • A cybersecurity attack in late November disrupted digital systems, impacting sales by an estimated $15 million, particularly affecting the home furniture segment.

  • Despite overall revenue growth, IKEA's revenues declined by 5% in 2024, partly due to the cybersecurity incident.

  • Operating expenses grew faster than sales in some segments, although they were managed below gross margin growth.

  • The company faced challenges in the home furnishings market, which saw a 9% decline in Greece due to inflationary pressures on households.

  • The share price underperformed compared to other stocks on the Athens Stock Exchange, raising concerns about valuation and shareholder returns.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Could you provide an outlook for IKEA's performance in 2025, considering the current market conditions? A: Dimitrios Valachis, CEO, stated that despite a challenging market, IKEA has seen a 4% increase in volume, gaining market share. This trend is expected to continue with single-digit growth in the first quarter of 2025. Specific targets for 2025 will be shared after the first quarter results, but the company remains confident in achieving its medium-term targets.