In This Article:
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EBITDA: $63.1 million, above the guidance range provided in January 2025.
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Net Debt: Reduced by 29% to $392 million.
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Revenue: Increased by 16% to $916.8 million.
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Base Milk Price: Forecasted at $10 per kilogram of milk solids.
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Advanced Nutrition Revenue: Increased by 20% to $45 million.
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Advanced Nutrition Gross Profit: Increased by 80% to $59 million.
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Ingredients Revenue: Increased by 17%, up by $49 million.
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Ingredients Gross Profit: Increased to $14.3 million from $1.4 million year on year.
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Consumer Business Gross Profit: Increased by $2.2 million despite a slight decrease in sales.
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Food Service Volumes: Increased by nearly 115% compared to half year '24.
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Operating Cash Flow: Best performance since half year '21, with a $43 million lift in trading performance.
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CapEx: Limited to $12.7 million, the lowest level since 2017.
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Sales Growth in New Zealand: 23% increase.
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Sales Growth in Australia: 28% increase.
Release Date: March 23, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
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Synlait Milk Ltd (ASX:SM1) returned to profitability in the first half of FY25, with an EBITDA of $63.1 million, exceeding the guidance range.
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Revenue increased by 16% to $916.8 million, driven by advanced nutrition demand, high commodity prices, and improved foreign exchange performance.
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The company reduced its net debt by 29%, largely due to equity placement supported by BrightDairy and the a2 Milk Company.
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Advanced nutrition business experienced significant growth, with revenue up by 20% and gross profit rising by 80%.
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The company has made substantial improvements in operating cash flows and reduced capital expenditure to optimize current assets.
Negative Points
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The food service category, particularly UHT cream to China, saw a profit reduction of $1.4 million year-on-year due to high fat pricing.
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The second half of FY25 is expected to face slower progress compared to the first half, with headwinds related to milk stream returns and foreign exchange.
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The North Island asset has been a drag on performance, although improvements have been made.
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Lactoferrin remains a negative contributor at the gross profit level, despite some improvements.
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Inventory provisions increased significantly, indicating potential challenges in managing stock levels and stream returns.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Could you explain the changes in the net debt target range from $200-$250 million to $250-$300 million? A: Andy Liu, CFO: The previous range did not include the shareholder loan, which is now included in the $250-$300 million range. This adjustment clarifies the debt measurement compared to senior debt.