Hensoldt AG (HAGHY) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and Strategic Milestones

In This Article:

  • Order Intake: EUR 1.86 billion, a 21% organic increase.

  • Revenue: Nearly EUR 1.4 billion, marking a 21% increase.

  • Adjusted EBITDA: EUR 187 million, a 24% increase with a margin of 13.6%.

  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow: Minus EUR 157 million.

  • Order Backlog: Increased by more than EUR 1 billion to EUR 6.5 billion.

  • Net Leverage: Increased to 2.9 times, excluding new debt for acquisition at 1.7 times.

  • Guidance for 2024: Revenue expected to grow to around EUR 2.3 billion; book-to-bill ratio guidance raised to 1.2 times.

Release Date: November 06, 2024

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

Positive Points

  • Hensoldt AG (HAGHY) reported strong financial performance for the first nine months of 2024, with a 21% increase in revenue reaching nearly EUR1.4 billion.

  • The company achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of the first flight of the modified aircraft under the Pegasus program.

  • Hensoldt AG (HAGHY) signed a landmark cooperation agreement with German air traffic control, enhancing air traffic safety with innovative technology.

  • The order intake dynamics remain positive, with orders summing up to more than EUR1.8 billion in the third quarter, reflecting strong demand.

  • The integration of ESG is on track, contributing positively to the group's performance and supporting the company's growth strategy.

Negative Points

  • The adjusted free cash flow was negative at minus EUR157 million, although it was in line with seasonal expectations.

  • Finance costs increased due to additional loans for the ESG acquisition, impacting the company's financial expenses.

  • The electronics segment faced challenges with a negative adjusted EBITA of minus EUR7 million, impacted by lower volumes in the South African entity.

  • The tax charge fluctuated significantly, with a high tax charge reported in Q3, affecting adjusted earnings.

  • Direct exposure to Ukraine accounts for around 7% of sales, which could be at risk due to potential changes in US funding and geopolitical uncertainties.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Sensor margins have been down year over year despite lower part of revenues. What caused the weaker margins in Q3? Also, is the high growth in German Optronics sustainable mid-term? A: The margin in sensors was affected by some lower-margin projects in the naval region and electronic warfare, but we expect to be within our guided percentage by year-end. As for Optronics, we anticipate continued growth in the German business, with revenue and margin improvements expected to be visible by the end of the year.