Viking Line's Interim Report for the period January - March 2016.


Mariehamn, 2016-05-18 08:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  


Viking Line Abp              INTERIM REPORT          18.5.2016, 9.00 AM

VIKING LINE'S INTERIM REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY - MARCH 2016.

Consolidated sales of the Viking Line Group during the first quarter, January 1 – March 31, 2016, increased by 1.8 per cent to 106.9 million euros compared to the same quarter of 2015 (EUR 105.0 M). Other operating revenue amounted to EUR 1.5 M (0.1). Operating income amounted to EUR -11.6 M (-9.8). Net financial items totalled EUR -1.5 M (-0.5). Consolidated income before taxes amounted to EUR -13.1 M (-10.4). Income after taxes totalled EUR -10.5 M (-8.2).

Competition in Viking Line’s service area remains tough and implies continued pressure on prices. Volume and price developments during the remainder of the financial year will be crucial to the Group’s earnings. The economic downturn in Finland is an uncertainty factor, but recent bunker price developments are currently having a favourable effect on earnings. The Board of Directors' assessment is that operating income will be somewhat lower in 2016 than in 2015 as a consequence of a larger number of vessel dry-dockings.

SALES AND EARNINGS

Consolidated sales of the Viking Line Group during the first quarter, January 1 – March 31, 2016, increased by 1.8 per cent to 106.9 million euros compared to the same quarter of 2015 (EUR 105.0 M). Other operating revenue amounted to EUR 1.5 M (0.1). Operating income amounted to EUR -11.6 M (-9.8). Net financial items totalled EUR -1.5 M (-0.5). Consolidated income before taxes amounted to EUR -13.1 M (-10.4). Income after taxes totalled EUR -10.5 M (-8.2).

Passenger-related revenue increased by 3.7 per cent to EUR 94.9 M (91.5), while cargo revenue fell by 10.8 per cent to EUR 11.2 M (12.6). Net sales revenue increased by 1.1 per cent to EUR 75.2 M (74.3).

Consolidated operating income declined mainly due to higher operating expenses in connection with planned and completed vessel dry-dockings. Operating expenses increased by 5.0 per cent to EUR 81.6 M (77.7).

SERVICES AND MARKET TRENDS

The Viking Line Group provides passenger and cargo carrier services using seven vessels on the northern Baltic Sea. The Group’s vessels served the same routes as during 2015. The extensive vessel modernizations that were carried out caused longer service interruptions than normal, which adversely affected the Group’s market share.

The number of passengers on Viking Line’s vessels during the report period increased by 37,070 to 1,314,700 (1,277,630). During the report period, Viking Line decreased its market share on the Turku (Finland)–Mariehamn/Långnäs (Åland Islands, Finland)–Stockholm (Sweden) route by 2.0 percentage points to 54.7 per cent. On the Helsinki (Finland)–Mariehamn–Stockholm route, market share decreased by 2.1 percentage points to 43.0 per cent. In cruise services between Stockholm and Mariehamn, market share increased by 5.2 percentage points to 61.6 per cent. On the Helsinki–Tallinn (Estonia) route, market share decreased by 1.3 percentage points to 23.1 per cent. On the short route over the Sea of Åland between Mariehamn and Kapellskär (Sweden), market share decreased by 2.0 percentage points to 38.0 per cent. The Group thus had a total market share in its service area of 34.0 per cent (35.3).

Viking Line’s cargo volume was 33,152 cargo units (34,506). Viking Line achieved a cargo market share of 22.2 per cent (23.6).

INVESTMENTS AND FINANCING

The Group’s investments amounted to EUR 5.1 M (2.6).

In March 2016 Viking Line Abp sold Park Alandia Hotell, which resulted in an increase in consolidated other operating revenue. The hotel has served as a support unit for vessel operations and has not had a material effect on the Group’s sales, operating income or assets.

On March 31, 2016 the Group’s non-current interest-bearing liabilities amounted to EUR 166.5 M (190.0). The equity/assets ratio was 42.8 per cent, compared to 40.4 per cent a year earlier.

At the end of March 2016, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 74.9 M (68.2). Net cash flow from operating activities amounted to EUR -17.2 M (-14.3).

FINANCIAL REPORTING

This Interim Report was prepared in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and was drawn up as a summary of the financial statements for the period in compliance with IAS 34. Estimates and judgments as well as accounting principles and calculation methods are the same as in the latest annual financial statements. Recognized income taxes are based on an estimated average tax rate, which is expected to apply throughout the fiscal year. This Interim Report is unaudited.

ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL

The average number of Group employees was 2,573 (2,577), of whom 1,919 (1,915) worked for the parent company. Land-based personnel totalled 635 (633) and shipboard personnel totalled 1,938 (1,944).

In addition to the Group’s own employees, the Viking XPRS was staffed by an average of 240 (227) people employed by a staffing company.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of Viking Line Abp on April 20, 2016 adopted the parent company and consolidated financial statements and approved the proposal of the Board of Directors that a dividend of EUR 0.95 per share be paid for the financial year 2015. The Annual General Meeting discharged the Board of Directors and the President and Chief Executive Officer from liability for the financial year.

The Company's current Board of Directors was re-elected, and until the end of the next Annual General Meeting it thus has the following composition: Ben Lundqvist (Chairman), Nils-Erik Eklund, Trygve Eriksson, Erik Grönberg, Agneta Karlsson, Dick Lundqvist and Lars G Nordström plus deputy members Ulrica Danielsson, Stefan Lundqvist and Johnny Rosenholm.

Ylva Eriksson, Authorized Public Accountant (CGR) was re-elected and Petter Lindeman, Authorized Public Accountant (CGR) was newly elected as auditors. The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy, Authorized Public Accountants, was re-elected as deputy auditor.

RISK FACTORS

Since the Year-end Report was published, no changes have occurred that affect the Group’s short-term assessment of the risks in its business operations.

Special risks during the immediate future are primarily related to bunker (vessel fuel) prices. Fluctuations in bunker prices have a direct impact on the Group’s earnings. In order to partly offset the risk of higher bunker prices, the Group has entered into fixed-price agreements related to a portion of its estimated bunker consumption during 2016.

ONGOING LEGAL ACTIONS

On February 27, 2015, the Helsinki District Court announced its judgement in a case between Viking Line and the Finnish State regarding fairway charges levied during the years 2001–2004. According to the judgement, the Finnish State will be required to pay approximately EUR 12.4 M in accordance with Viking Line's claim as well as legal expenses plus interest. If the judgement becomes final, it will affect Viking Line's financial statements positively with a corresponding amount. The Finnish State appealed the case. Leave of appeal was granted, and a main hearing was held in the Helsinki Court of Appeal in March 2016. A ruling is not expected until September 2016 at the earliest.

OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL FINANCIAL YEAR 2016

Competition in Viking Line’s service area remains tough and implies continued pressure on prices. Volume and price developments during the remainder of the financial year will be crucial to the Group’s earnings. The economic downturn in Finland is an uncertainty factor, but recent bunker price developments are currently having a favourable effect on earnings. The Board of Directors' assessment is that operating income will be somewhat lower in 2016 than in 2015 as a consequence of a larger number of vessel dry-dockings.

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT    
  Jan 1, 2016– Jan 1, 2015– Jan 1, 2015–
EUR M Mar 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2015
       
SALES 106.9 105.0 530.5
       
Other operating revenue 1.5 0.1 0.5
       
Expenses      
Goods and services 31.7 30.6 153.2
Salary and other employment benefit expenses 30.5 28.8 118.1
Depreciation and impairment losses 6.7 6.6 27.7
Other operating expenses 51.1 48.9 205.5
  120.0 114.9 504.6
       
OPERATING INCOME -11.6 -9.8 26.4
       
Financial income 0.5 1.0 5.0
Financial expenses -2.0 -1.6 -8.2
       
INCOME BEFORE TAXES -13.1 -10.4 23.2
       
Income taxes 2.6 2.1 -4.4
       
INCOME FOR THE PERIOD -10.5 -8.2 18.7
       
       
Income attributable to:      
Parent company shareholders  -10.5 -8.2 18.7
       
Earnings per share before and after dilution, EUR -0.97 -0.76 1.73
       
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF      
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME      
  Jan 1, 2016– Jan 1, 2015– Jan 1, 2015–
EUR M Mar 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2015
       
INCOME FOR THE PERIOD -10.5 -8.2 18.7
       
Other comprehensive income      
Items that may be transferred to the income statement      
Translation differences -0.1 0.2 0.5
Investments available for sale - 1.2 0.7
  -0.1 1.4 1.2
       
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD -10.6 -6.8 19.9
       
Comprehensive income attributable to:      
Parent company shareholders  -10.6 -6.8 19.9
       
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET    
EUR M Mar 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2015
       
ASSETS      
       
Non-current assets      
Intangible assets 0.8 0.6 0.8
Land 0.6 1.1 1.1
Buildings and structures 9.5 10.7 10.0
Renovation costs for rented properties 1.5 0.5 1.2
Vessels 322.5 337.1 324.5
Machinery and equipment 5.3 6.4 5.5
Investments available for sale 26.8 27.3 26.8
Receivables 0.2 0.3 0.2
Total non-current assets 367.1 384.1 370.0
       
Current assets      
Inventories 17.0 16.7 17.2
Income tax assets 3.3 2.8 0.5
Trade and other receivables 40.3 39.3 29.4
Cash and cash equivalents 74.9 68.2 110.7
Total current assets 135.5 127.0 157.8
       
TOTAL ASSETS 502.6 511.1 527.8
       
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES      
       
Equity      
Share capital 1.8 1.8 1.8
Reserves 0.7 1.3 0.7
Translation differences -0.6 -0.7 -0.4
Retained earnings 213.2 204.2 223.6
Equity attributable to parent company shareholders 215.1 206.5 225.7
       
Total equity 215.1 206.5 225.7
       
Non-current liabilities      
Deferred tax liabilities 34.5 31.4 34.5
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities 166.5 190.0 174.0
Total non-current liabilities 201.0 221.4 208.4
       
Current liabilities      
Current interest-bearing liabilities 15.0 15.0 23.5
Income tax liabilities 1.3 0.0 1.3
Trade and other payables 70.3 68.2 68.9
Total current liabilities 86.6 83.3 93.7
       
Total liabilities 287.5 304.6 302.1
       
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 502.6 511.1 527.8
       
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT    
  Jan 1, 2016– Jan 1, 2015– Jan 1, 2015–
EUR M Mar 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2015
       
OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
       
Income for the period -10.5 -8.2 18.7
Adjustments      
  Depreciation and impairment losses 6.7 6.6 27.7
  Capital gains from non-current assets -1.4 - 0.0
  Other items not included in cash flow 0.1 -0.4 -0.5
  Interest expenses and other financial expenses 1.3 1.5 5.9
  Interest income and other financial income 0.0 0.0 -0.1
  Dividend income - - -1.6
  Income taxes -2.6 -2.1 4.4
       
Change in working capital      
  Change in trade and other receivables -10.9 -10.0 -0.1
  Change in inventories 0.2 -0.6 -1.1
  Change in trade and other payables 2.6 2.2 1.7
       
Interest paid -2.4 -2.5 -5.4
Financial expenses paid -0.2 -0.3 -0.7
Interest received 0.0 0.0 0.1
Financial income received 0.0 0.0 0.0
Taxes paid -0.2 -0.4 -0.3
       
NET CASH FLOW FROM      
OPERATING ACTIVITIES -17.2 -14.3 48.7
       
INVESTING ACTIVITIES      
Investments in vessels -4.3 -2.4 -7.6
Investments in other intangible and tangible assets -0.8 -0.2 -2.4
Divestments of other intangible and tangible assets 2.5 - 0.1
Payments received for non-current receivables - - 0.2
Dividends received - - 1.6
       
NET CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES -2.6 -2.6 -8.1
       
FINANCING ACTIVITIES      
Repayment of non-current liabilities -16.0 -16.0 -23.5
Dividends paid - - -7.6
       
NET CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES -16.0 -16.0 -31.1
       
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -35.8 -32.9 9.5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 110.7 101.1 101.1
       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD 74.9 68.2 110.7

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CONSOLIDATED EQUITY    
   Equity attributable to parent company shareholders  
           
  Share   Translation Retained Total
EUR M capital Reserves differences earnings equity
           
Equity, Jan 1, 2016 1.8 0.7 -0.4 223.6 225.7
Income for the period       -10.5 -10.5
Translation differences   0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.1
Comprehensive income for the period - 0.0 -0.2 -10.4 -10.6
Equity, Mar 31, 2016 1.8 0.7 -0.6 213.2 215.1
           
Equity, Jan 1, 2015 1.8 0.0 -0.8 212.3 213.3
Income for the period       -8.2 -8.2
Translation differences   0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2
Remeasurement of investments available for sale   1.2     1.2
Comprehensive income for the period - 1.2 0.0 -8.1 -6.8
Equity, Mar 31, 2015 1.8 1.3 -0.7 204.2 206.5

 

QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT  
  2016 2015 2015 2015
EUR M Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
         
SALES 106.9 127.4 164.1 134.1
         
Other operating revenue 1.5 0.2 0.1 0.1
         
Expenses        
Goods and services 31.7 37.0 46.0 39.5
Salary and other employment benefit expenses 30.5 29.6 29.6 30.2
Depreciation and impairment losses 6.7 7.3 6.7 7.0
Other operating expenses 51.1 49.7 51.7 55.2
  120.0 123.7 134.0 131.9
         
OPERATING INCOME -11.6 3.9 30.1 2.3
         
Financial income 0.5 1.2 0.5 2.2
Financial expenses -2.0 -1.6 -3.2 -1.9
         
INCOME BEFORE TAXES -13.1 3.5 27.4 2.6
         
Income taxes 2.6 -1.0 -5.4 -0.1
         
INCOME FOR THE PERIOD -10.5 2.5 22.0 2.5
         
         
Income attributable to:        
Parent company shareholders  -10.5 2.5 22.0 2.5
         
Earnings per share before and after dilution, EUR -0.97 0.23 2.03 0.23
         
QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF    
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME        
  2016 2015 2015 2015
EUR M Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
         
INCOME FOR THE PERIOD -10.5 2.5 22.0 2.5
         
Other comprehensive income        
Items that may be transferred to the income statement        
Translation differences -0.1 0.5 -0.3 0.1
Investments available for sale - 0.8 0.6 -2.1
  -0.1 1.4 0.3 -1.9
         
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD -10.6 3.9 22.3 0.6
         
Comprehensive income attributable to:        
Parent company shareholders  -10.6 3.9 22.3 0.6

 

SEGMENT INFORMATION, VIKING LINE GROUP  
  Jan 1, 2016– Jan 1, 2015– Jan 1, 2015–
OPERATING SEGMENTS, EUR M Mar 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2015
       
Sales      
Vessels 106.1 103.9 525.1
Unallocated 0.9 1.1 5.6
Total, operating segments 106.9 105.0 530.7
Eliminations 0.0 0.0 -0.2
Total sales of the Group 106.9 105.0 530.5
       
Operating income      
Vessels -1.0 1.9 71.2
Unallocated -10.6 -11.7 -44.7
Total operating income of the Group -11.6 -9.8 26.4

 

 

PLEDGED ASSETS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES  
       
EUR M Mar 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2015
       
Contingent liabilities 181.5 205.0 197.5
Assets pledged for own debt 313.6 313.6 313.6
       
FINANCIAL RATIOS AND STATISTICS    
  Jan 1, 2016– Jan 1, 2015– Jan 1, 2015–
  Mar 31, 2016 Mar 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2015
       
Equity per share, EUR 19.91 19.12 20.89
Equity/assets ratio 42.8 % 40.4 % 42.8 %
       
Investments, EUR M 5.1 2.6 10.0
 – as % of sales 4.7 % 2.5 % 1.9 %
       
Passengers 1,314,700 1,277,630 6,568,684
Cargo units 33,152 34,506 133,163
       
Average number of employees, full-time equivalent 2,573 2,577 2,735
       
Earnings per share = (Income before taxes – income taxes +/– non-controlling interests) / Average number of shares
Equity per share = Equity attributable to parent company shareholders / Number of shares on balance sheet date
Equity/assets ratio, % = (Equity including non-controlling interests) / (Total assets – advances received)
       
When rounding off items to the nearest EUR 1,000,000, rounding differences of EUR +/– 0.1 M may occur.      

The next Interim Report (January – June 2016) will be published on August 18, 2016.


Mariehamn, Åland, May 17, 2016

VIKING LINE ABP
The Board of Directors

 

Jan Hanses
President and CEO
 

 

 

         CEO Jan Hanses, jan.hanses@vikingline.com, +358-18-27000


Attachments

Pressrelease 160518 Interim Report.pdf