Copenhagen, 2015-02-25 08:07 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Announcement no. 16
• Q4 revenue up by 2% and operating profit (EBITDA) up by 14% to DKK 314m
• Full-year revenue up by 6% to DKK 12.8bn and EBITDA up by 18% to DKK 1.43bn, in line with expectations
• North Sea, Channel, and acquisitions primary drivers of improved performance
• Increased payout to shareholders through 29% higher dividend per share and ad-ditional share buy-back programme of DKK 300m
• Outlook 2015: EBITDA expected to increase to DKK 1.55-1.65bn
For the full-year 2014, DFDS grew revenue by 6% to DKK 12.8bn and EBITDA before special items was increased by 18% to DKK 1.43bn. A return of 8% was achieved on the invested capital before special items, up from 6% in 2013. The improved perfor-mance in the activities on the North Sea and the English Channel, along with a positive impact from acquisitions in the Logistics Division, were the main drivers of the progress.
In the last quarter of the year, revenue grew by 2% to DKK 3.1bn and EBITDA before special items increased by 14% to DKK 314m.
| DFDS key figures | Q4 | Q4 | FY | FY | ||
| Before special items, DKK m | 2014 | 2013 | ∆ % | 2014 | 2013 | ∆% |
| Revenue | 3,059 | 2,994 | 2% | 12,779 | 12,097 | 6% |
| EBITDA | 314 | 276 | 14% | 1,433 | 1,213 | 18% |
| EBIT | 113 | 102 | 11% | 695 | 503 | 38% |
| Profit before tax | 75 | 66 | 13% | 571 | 367 | 56% |
“Based on our solid performance, we are well positioned to expand our activities through both organic growth and acquisitions, should the right opportunities materialise, in 2015. We remain committed to improving the development in customer satisfaction, efficiency and earnings,” says CEO Niels Smedegaard.
Outlook 2015
While volume growth, as anticipated, was subdued in Q4, freight and passenger markets are expected to benefit from accelerating growth in Europe in 2015. Expectations for EBITDA before special items is increased to DKK 1.55-1.65bn, while revenue is expected to grow by 3% and by 5% adjusted for route closures and acquisitions. Investments are expected to amount to DKK 650m, excluding possible ship purchases and acquisitions.
Increased payout to shareholders
The proposal of the Board of Directors is to increase the dividend per share by 29% to DKK 18 from DKK 14 in 2014. An additional share buy-back programme of DKK 300m is intended to be launched once the current programme of DKK 200m is completed, expectedly in April/May 2015.
The online DFDS Review 2014 is available here
Contact persons
Niels Smedegaard, CEO
+45 33 42 34 00
Torben Carlsen, CFO
+45 33 42 32 01
Søren Brøndholt Nielsen, IR
+45 33 42 33 59
