Granges AB (FRA:9GR) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Market Challenges with ...

In This Article:

  • Sales Volume: Increased by 7% to 123,000 tonnes compared to 115,000 tonnes last year.

  • Operating Profit: Stable at SEK420 million, roughly in line with last year.

  • EBIT: SEK420 million in Q3, slightly up year-on-year when adjusted for one-off energy cost compensation.

  • Net Sales: Increased by 3% to SEK5.75 billion.

  • Earnings Per Share (EPS): SEK2.67.

  • Return on Capital Employed: Increased to 11.9%, up 0.7 percentage points year-on-year.

  • Net Debt: Reduced by SEK200 million to SEK2.8 billion.

  • Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio: Reduced to 1.2 times.

  • Cash Flow from Operations: Positive SEK474 million in Q3.

  • Granges Americas Sales Volume Growth: 3% year-on-year.

  • Granges Eurasia Sales Volume Growth: 10% year-on-year.

  • Adjusted Operating Profit for Granges Eurasia: SEK165 million, an increase of SEK65 million year-on-year.

Release Date: October 24, 2024

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

Positive Points

  • Granges AB (FRA:9GR) reported a 7% increase in sales volume, reaching 123,000 tonnes, despite weak automotive demand.

  • The company achieved stable operating profit at SEK420 million, largely offsetting price pressure and wage inflation through productivity improvements and effective metals management.

  • Granges AB (FRA:9GR) demonstrated significant sustainability progress, with a 33% reduction in carbon emissions intensity compared to 2017 and record aluminum recycling levels.

  • The company announced a strategic partnership with Shandong Innovation Group, aimed at strengthening competitiveness and market share growth in Asia.

  • Granges Eurasia showed strong growth, with a 10% year-on-year increase in sales volume, driven by recovery in Europe and Asia.

Negative Points

  • The automotive market remains weak, posing challenges for Granges AB (FRA:9GR) despite their efforts to offset this with market share gains.

  • Sequentially, sales volume declined by 6%, reflecting a return to more normal seasonality, which also impacted operating profit.

  • The EBIT per tonne decreased from SEK380 in Q3 last year to SEK340 this year, indicating some pressure on profitability.

  • Depreciation increased by SEK8 million year-over-year due to completed expansion projects, impacting financial results.

  • The company anticipates a potential increase in leverage in Q4 due to higher capital expenditure and dividend payments.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you elaborate on the weaker demand from automotive customers and whether you expect a downturn in those volumes? A: Joergen Rosengren, CEO: While there is noticeable weakness in the automotive sector, we continue to gain market share in an uncertain market. Automotive is important but not our only segment, and our 7% growth despite weak automotive demand shows our diversified customer base.