Copenhagen, 2015-05-21 07:49 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Announcement no. 44 / 2015
• Q1 profit improved by volume growth and efficiency gains
• Freight and passenger volumes up by 2.5% and 9.4% respectively
• Q1 shipping revenue up by 6% adjusted for route network changes in 2014
• Scrubber investments contributed to a smooth transition to new environment-friendly emission rules
• Operating profit (EBITDA) up by 150% from DKK 91m to DKK 228m
• Channel judgment does not materially impact 2015 result
• EBITDA outlook for 2015 raised to DKK 1.65-1.75bn from previously DKK 1.55-1.65bn
DFDS grew revenue in Q1 by 3% to DKK 2.9bn. EBITDA before special items increased by 150% to DKK 228m. A return of 9.0% on the invested capital was achieved over the last twelve months before special items, up from 8.0% for the full-year 2014.
| DFDS key figures | Q1 | Q1 | LTM* | LTM* | FY | |||
| Before special items, DKK m. | 2015 | 2014 | ∆ % | 2014-15 | 2013-14 | ∆ % | 2014 | |
| Revenue | 2,926 | 2,848 | 3% | 12,857 | 12,232 | 5% | 12,779 | |
| EBITDA | 228 | 91 | 150% | 1,570 | 1,204 | 30% | 1,433 | |
| EBIT | 27 | -78 | n.a. | 800 | 498 | 61% | 695 | |
| Profit before tax | -13 | -110 | n.a. | 667 | 375 | 78% | 571 | |
| *LTM: Last twelve months | ||||||||
The performance of the shipping activities improved in most areas in Q1 driven by growth in volumes, unit revenues and positive impacts from the continuous optimisation of the route network, including higher capacity utilisation. The performance of the logistics activities also improved in most areas driven by both organic growth and more efficient operations.
“Our strategy of customer focus and continuous improvement produced a strong first quarter. The improvement was supported by growth of varying strength in northern European markets. Russian market demand is, however, declining and we are benefiting from the steps we took last year to reduce our exposure to this market,” says CEO Niels Smedegaard.
“On the back of the Q1 result and expectations of continued growth above our initial expectations for 2015, we raise the outlook for EBITDA before special items to DKK 1.65-1.75bn from previously DKK 1.55-1.65bn,” says CEO Niels Smedegaard.
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
