Hans Linnarson,
Husqvarna President And CEO:
“Demand
in our two largest markets continued to be challenging during the third
quarter. In North America, sales were negatively impacted by the worst drought
conditions for many years. In Europe, demand was adversely affected by a
cautious consumer sentiment and continued unfavorable weather conditions. As
expected, preseason demand for seasonal products such as snow throwers was
soft.
We
were able to deliver a better result in comparison to last year. Group
operating income for the third quarter increased to SEK 182m (113), with
Americas reporting improved result while sales and income for Europe and
Asia/Pacific declined. Construction continued to improve, both in terms of
sales and income.
I
am also pleased to note the continued positive progress in our cash flow, which
is one of our top priorities. Year to date operating cash flow rose to SEK
1,595m (-328), with clear improvements across the Group mainly from working
capital improvements.
As
we enter the low season, we intensify preparation of the Group for 2013;
securing new product launches and enhanced customer service as well as measures
to improve efficiency by reducing the fixed cost base and increasing
flexibility throughout the Group. More details will be communicated during the
fourth quarter 2012.
Looking
ahead, we see many of our trade partners managing their inventory levels
conservatively,
as
the global economic uncertainty is expected to continue for 2013.”
Third Quarter
• Net sales amounted to SEK 5,841m
(6,410). Adjusted for exchange rate effects, net sales declined -8%.
• Operating income increased 61% to SEK
182m (113).
• Operating cash flow improved to SEK
1,503m (894).
• Earnings per share increased to SEK
0.19 (0.10).
First Nine Months
• Net sales amounted to SEK 26,358m
(25,363). Adjusted for exchange rate effects, net sales increase 1%.
• Operating income increased 25% to SEK
2,233m (1,787).
• Operating cash flow improved to SEK
1,595m (-328).
• Earnings per share increased to SEK
2.65 (2.12).
Third Quarter
Net sales
Net
sales for the third quarter decreased by -9% to SEK 5,841m (6,410). Adjusted
for exchange rate effects, net sales for the Group declined by -8%, for Europe
and Asia/Pacific by -6%, for Americas by -14%, while Construction increased by
3%.
Operating income
Operating
income for the third quarter increased by 61% and amounted to SEK 182m (113)
and the corresponding operating margin rose to 3.1% (1.8). Operating income
increased for Construction and Americas.
Operating
income was positively affected mainly by lower costs for materials and lower
expenses for selling and administration, while the decline in sales and changes
in exchange rates impacted negatively.
Changes
in exchange rates had a total negative effect on operating income of
approximately SEK -69m, compared with the third quarter 2011, of which
transaction effects amounted to SEK -130m (-44), translation effects amounted
to SEK 0m (8) and change in value of currency hedging contracts amounted to SEK
43m (18).
In
the third quarter 2011, operating income was negatively impacted by SEK -83m,
of which SEK -38m referring to costs directly related to production
disturbances, SEK -24m referring to costs for the closure of a production
facility in Spain and SEK -21m referring to the termination of the former CEO’s
contract.
First Nine Months
Net sales
Net
sales for the first nine months increased by 4% to SEK 26,358m (25,363).
Adjusted for exchange rate effects, net sales for the Group increased by 1%,
for Americas by 8%, for Construction by 6%, while sales for Europe and
Asia/Pacific decreased by -4%.
Operating income
Operating
income for the first nine months increased by 25% to SEK 2,233m (1,787) and the
corresponding operating margin rose to 8.5% (7.0). Operating income increased
for Americas and Construction.
Operating
income was positively affected mainly by lower production costs and improved
pricing, while product mix had a negative impact, partly due to weather related
lower sales of consumer watering products.
Changes
in exchange rates had a total positive effect on operating income of approximately
SEK 35m, compared with the first nine months of 2011, of which transaction
effects amounted to SEK -195m (38), translation effects amounted to SEK 0m (1)
and change in value of currency hedging contracts amounted to SEK 135m (-134).
In
the first nine months of 2011, operating income was negatively impacted by SEK
-368m referring to costs directly related to production disturbances, of which
SEK -323m affected Americas and SEK -45m affected Europe and Asia/Pacific, as
well as items affecting comparability of SEK -64m referring to Construction,
and costs related to the termination of the former CEO’s contract of SEK -21m.
Financial Items Net
Net
financial items for the third quarter amounted to SEK -80m (-89) and for the
first nine months to SEK -307m (-277). The average interest rate on borrowings
at the end of the third quarter was 4.0% (4.1).
Income After
Financial Items
Income
after financial items for the third quarter increased to SEK 102m (24)
corresponding to a margin of 1.8% (0.4). For the first nine months, income
after financial items increased to SEK 1,926m (1,510) corresponding to a margin
of 7.3% (6.0).
Taxes
Taxes
for the first nine months amounted to SEK -404m (-290), corresponding to a tax
rate of 21% (19) of income after financial items.
Earnings Per Share
Income
for the third quarter increased to SEK 105m (55), corresponding to SEK 0.19
(0.10) per share. Income for the first nine months increased to SEK 1,522m
(1,220), corresponding to SEK 2.65 (2.12) per share.
Operating Cash Flow
Due
to the seasonality of the Group’s operations, operating cash flow is normally
negative in the first quarter followed by positive cash flow in the second and
third quarters. Operating cash flow for the first nine months improved to SEK
1,595m (-328), mainly due to higher income after financial items and a
reduction of operating working capital, which was positively impacted by lower
inventory and trade receivables.
Financial Position
Group
equity as of September 30, 2012, excluding non-controlling interests, amounted
to SEK 11,976m (12,813), corresponding to SEK 20.91 (22.37) per share. Group
equity was negatively affected by exchange differences on translating foreign
operations to SEK amounting to SEK -911m.
Net
debt as of September 30 amounted to SEK 6,355m (6,628) of which liquid funds
amounted to SEK 1,285m (1,632) and interest bearing debt amounted to SEK 7,640m
(8,260). The major currencies used for debt financing are SEK and USD. In the
first nine months, net debt increased by SEK 30m as a result of changes in
exchange rates.
The
net debt/equity ratio amounted to 0.53 (0.51) and the equity/assets ratio to
44% (44).
On
September 30, 2012, long-term loans including financial leases amounted to SEK
5,089m (5,516) and short-term loans including financial leases to SEK 2,306m
(2,445). Long-term loans consist of SEK 2,572m (2,723) in issued bonds, and
bank loans of SEK 2,497m (2,793). Long term bonds and long term bank loans
mature in 2014 and onwards. The Group also has an unutilized SEK 6 bn
syndicated revolving credit, with maturity in 2016.
Performance By
Business Area Q3
Europe and
Asia/Pacific
Net
sales for Europe and Asia/Pacific in the third quarter decreased by -10%.
Adjusted for exchange rate effects, net sales decreased by -6%. For the first
nine months, sales decreased by -5%. Adjusted for exchange rate effects, the
decline was -4%.
Due
to continued unfavorable weather and economic uncertainty, sales declined in
the European markets as trade inventory levels were conservatively managed.
Pre-season demand for snow throwers was, as anticipated, soft.
Operating
income for the third quarter amounted to SEK 225m (291) and the operating
margin amounted to 7.3% (8.5). For the first nine months the operating income
amounted to SEK 2,062m (2,185) and the margin remained at a high level, 15.7%
(15.9).
Operating
income for the third quarter was negatively impacted mainly by the lower sales
volume, unfavorable mix and changes in exchange rates.
Changes
in exchange rates had a negative year-on-year effect on operating income of SEK
-39m in the third quarter and a positive impact of SEK 73m for the first nine
months.
Americas
Net
sales for Americas in the third quarter decreased by -11%. Adjusted for
exchange rate effects, net sales decreased by -14%. For the first nine months,
sales increased by 15%. Adjusted for exchange rate effects, the increase was
8%.
The
drought weather conditions in the US had substantial negative effect on industry
demand and sales of lawn care equipment declined. Pre-season demand for snow
throwers was also soft, partly due to trade inventory left from the previous
season.
Operating
income for the third quarter improved to SEK -99m (-172) and the corresponding
operating margin was -5.0% (-7.7). Operating income was positively impacted
mainly by lower costs for materials as well as lower costs for selling and
administration, while the lower sales volume had a negative effect.
For
the first nine months, operating income increased to SEK 67m (-364) and the
corresponding operating margin was 0.6% (-3.8).
Changes
in exchange rates had a negative year-on-year effect on operating income of SEK
-30m in the third quarter as well as for the first nine months.
Construction
Net
sales for Construction in the third quarter increased by 3%. Adjusted for exchange rate effects, the
increase was also 3%. For the first nine months, sales increased by 9%.
Adjusted for exchange rate effects, the increase was 6%.
The
higher sales were primarily driven by the U.S. market where construction
activity rose for residential and infrastructure construction, although at a
slower pace than previously in the year. Sales were also positively impacted by
market share gains.
Construction
market conditions across Europe, especially in southern Europe, were difficult
as the uncertain economic development continued. Sales decreased, partly due to
lower demand from rental operators. Emerging markets had a mixed development.
Operating
income for the third quarter increased to SEK 89m (50) and the operating margin
improved to 11.7% (6.7), mainly as a result of improved pricing and factory
productivity, as well as items affecting comparability of SEK -24m that was charged
to operating income in the first quarter 2011.
Operating
income for the first nine months increased to SEK 213m (108) and the operating
margin increased to 9.2% (5.1). Operating income for the first nine months of
2011 was charged with items affecting comparability of SEK -64m.
Changes
in exchange rates had a negative year-on-year impact on operating income in the
third quarter of SEK -2m and a negative effect of SEK -11m in the first nine
months.
In
the third quarter Husqvarna acquired the remaining 20% of Hebei Husqvarna Jikai
Diamond Tools Co., Ltd for SEK 46m.
Parent Company
Net
sales in the first nine months 2012 for the Parent Company, Husqvarna AB,
amounted to SEK 8,955m (8,906), of which SEK 6,962m (6,794) referred to sales
to Group companies and SEK 1,993m (2,112) toexternal customers.
Income
after financial items amounted to SEK 1,504m (937). Income for the period was
SEK 1,390m (838).
Investments
in tangible and intangible assets amounted to SEK 235m (237).
Cash
and cash equivalents amounted to SEK 34m (109) as of September 30, 2012.
Undistributed
earnings in the Parent Company amounted to SEK 17,915m (17,500).
Conversion Of Shares
According
to the company's articles of association, owners of A-shares have the right to
have such shares converted to B-shares. Conversion reduces the total number of
votes in the company.
In
July 2012, 6,036 A-shares were converted to B-shares at the request of
shareholders. The total number of registered shares in the company at September
30, 2012 amounted to 576,343,778 shares of which 127,770,610 were A-shares and
448,573,168 were B-shares.
In
October 2012, another 71,552 A-shares were converted to B-shares at the request
of shareholders. The total number of votes thereafter amounts to 172,563,530.
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