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Vestas Wind Systems AS (VWDRY) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Order Intake and Strong ...

In This Article:

  • Revenue: EUR17.3 billion for the full year 2024, a 12% increase year on year.

  • EBIT Margin: 4.3% for the full year 2024.

  • Service EBIT: EUR448 million for the full year 2024.

  • Order Intake: 17 gigawatts, valued at EUR19 billion.

  • Dividend Proposal: EUR0.55 per share.

  • Share Buyback: EUR100 million initiated.

  • Q4 Revenue Growth: 29% year on year.

  • Q4 Gross Margin: 18.1%, an improvement of over 7 percentage points.

  • Q4 EBIT Margin: 12.4%.

  • Power Solutions Q4 EBIT Margin: 12.9%.

  • Service Revenue Growth: 30% year on year in Q4.

  • Operating Cash Flow: EUR2.2 billion in Q4.

  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow: EUR1.1 billion for the full year 2024.

  • Net Cash Position: Over EUR800 million at year-end 2024.

  • Order Backlog: EUR31.6 billion for Power Solutions; EUR37 billion for Service.

  • 2025 Revenue Outlook: EUR18 billion to EUR20 billion.

  • 2025 EBIT Margin Outlook: 4% to 7%.

  • 2025 Service EBIT Outlook: Around EUR700 million.

  • 2025 Investment Level: EUR1.2 billion.

Release Date: February 05, 2025

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

Positive Points

  • Vestas Wind Systems AS (VWDRY) achieved a record order intake of 17 gigawatts, valued at EUR19 billion, marking a high ASP and strong momentum in both onshore and offshore sectors.

  • The company ended 2024 with a revenue of EUR17.3 billion and an EBIT margin of 4.3%, meeting its outlook for the year.

  • Vestas proposed a dividend of EUR0.55 per share and announced a share buyback of EUR100 million, reflecting confidence in its financial position.

  • The service order backlog grew to nearly EUR37 billion, solidifying Vestas' position as the largest service business in the industry.

  • Vestas reported a strong Q4 with a 29% year-on-year revenue increase, driven by higher revenue in both Power Solutions and Service segments, and achieved a 12.4% EBIT margin in Q4.

Negative Points

  • Rising costs posed challenges for the service segment in 2024, necessitating a recovery plan to address operational inefficiencies and quality-related effects.

  • The offshore ramp-up is expected to be margin dilutive in 2025, with significant investments required for manufacturing and amortization.

  • The geopolitical and trade volatility, along with ongoing inflation, presents uncertainties that could impact future operations and profitability.

  • The company faced five fatalities in 2024, highlighting ongoing safety challenges that need to be addressed.

  • Vestas' long-term ambition of achieving a 25% EBIT margin in the service segment remains unmet, with current margins at 18%.