Michelin (MGDDF) Full Year 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges and Advancing ...

In This Article:

  • Segment Operating Income: EUR3.4 billion.

  • Free Cash Flow: EUR2.2 billion.

  • Revenue: EUR27.2 billion, down by 3.1% at constant exchange rates.

  • Operating Margin: 12.6% at constant exchange rates, 12.4% at current exchange rates.

  • Dividend Per Share: EUR1.38, corresponding to a 52% payout ratio.

  • EBITDA Margin: 19.7%, equating to EUR5.3 billion.

  • Net Financial Debt: Decreased by nearly EUR170 million.

  • Gearing Ratio: 16.7%.

  • Passenger Car Tire Market Growth: 2% over 2024.

  • Truck Tire Market Growth: 1%, excluding China.

  • CO2 Emission Reduction: Decreased by 13% for Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

  • Renewable and Recycled Content: Increased to 31% from 28% in 2023.

  • Engagement Rate: 84.7%, increased by 1.2 points from 2023.

Release Date: February 12, 2025

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

Positive Points

  • Michelin (MGDDF) reported a strong cash flow generation of EUR2.2 billion for 2024, marking the second-best performance in the company's history.

  • The company has maintained a high employee engagement rate of nearly 85%, indicating strong internal morale and commitment.

  • Michelin (MGDDF) has successfully reduced its CO2 emissions by 13% compared to 2023, showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability.

  • The company has increased the renewable and recycled content in its products to 31%, reflecting progress in its sustainability initiatives.

  • Michelin (MGDDF) has a robust local-to-local strategy in the US, with 70% of its sales in the region being serviced by local production, enhancing its market resilience.

Negative Points

  • Michelin (MGDDF) experienced a 3.1% decline in sales at constant exchange rates, with a significant volume decrease of 5.1% in 2024.

  • The company faced challenges in the Specialty segment, particularly in the Beyond Road activities, which were impacted by a sharp decline in original equipment sales.

  • There was a notable underperformance in the SR1 segment due to platform choices that did not perform well, affecting market share.

  • Michelin (MGDDF) anticipates a EUR250 million headwind from raw material costs in 2025, including EUR100 million related to UDR compliance.

  • The company is facing uncertainties in the market for 2025, with expectations of a flattish or slightly positive growth, but with potential volatility in the first half of the year.

Q & A Highlights

Q: What are your expectations for the Specialty division's return on sales for the current year, given the 11.6% recorded in the second half? A: Florent Menegaux, CEO, explained that 2024 was a record year for two-wheel activities, and they expect mining to perform better in 2025 without the one-off impacts seen in 2024. However, the Beyond Road segment may not fully recover until 2026.