Year End Report for New Wave Group AB

PERIOD 1 OCTOBER – 31 DECEMBER 2015

• Sales amounted to SEK 1,405 million, which was 12 % higher than last year (SEK 1,260 million).
• Operating profit amounted to SEK 108.4 (112.2) million.
• Result for the period amounted to SEK 63.3 (91.9) million.
• Earnings per share amounted to SEK 0.94 (1.38).
• Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 375.5 (-54.6) million.

PERIOD 1 JANUARY – 31 DECEMBER 2015

• Sales amounted to SEK 4,965 million, which was 16 % higher than last year (SEK 4,274 million).
• Operating profit amounted to SEK 255.2 (250.0) million.
• Result for the period amounted to SEK 145.3 (176.9) million.
• Earnings per share amounted to SEK 2.16 (2.66).
• Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 129.5 (-284.2) million.
• Equity ratio amounted to 45.9 (45.9) %.
• Net debt to equity ratio amounted to 76.8 (76.0) %.

CEO COMMENTS

THE FOURTH QUARTER
The fourth quarter was far better than what I thought. The extremely warm winter, or rather the lack of winter meant that we sold substantially fewer winter products than we planned for. Therefore, there was an obvious risk for a decrease in total sales, especially when winter was equally hot in both Europe and North America. But instead the promo sales channel hit an organic growth of a fantastic 20%. The operating segment Corporate Promo increased by 18% and then you should know that the segment had an increase of 21% over last year’s fourth quarter. Total sales increased by 12% to SEK 1,405 million which is the highest sales ever in a quarter, although I had expected even more.  

Operating income was slightly below last year, SEK 108.4 million against SEK 112.2 million. This is partly due to the fact that we sold slightly less than anticipated due to the warm winter, but also the fact that during the quarter we had non-recurring cost in regards to Russia for SEK 18.4 million. Of this SEK 8.1 million affected operating profit and SEK 10.3 million affected financial costs. The quarter’s cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 375.5 million which is the second highest in our history for a single quarter.


FULL YEAR 2015
It was largely an investment and stock building year and a continuation of our investments initiated in autumn 2014 to boost our growth and enhance our level of service. This meant that we increased our sales to SEK 4,965 million for 2015, which is an all-time high. I am convinced that we could have reached well over SEK 5 billion with a more normal winter in Europe and/or North America. Of our sales channels, promo showed a fantastic 23% in growth and retail 9%.

Operating income increased by SEK 5 million, despite all the investments and marketing as well as the result being burdened by the non-recurring cost for Russia and foreign exchange losses. It is also gratifying that we finished the year with a positive cash flow from operations even though it was a year of investment and inventory build-up.

I am glad that we have a strong balance sheet with an equity ratio of 45.9% after this build-up phase.

FUTURE AND FOCUS
We are extremely strong both in terms of brands, products, CSR, quality and service to our customers. With this knowledge, and the fact that our customers/dealers are more satisfied than ever, I am very positive for the future especially as we already have a decent growth rate.  However, I have some concern that the continued warm weather and lack of winter can also affect the first quarter negatively.

The focus now will be to increase the level of profit and operating margin. The operating margin that we had is perfectly ok under a heavy investment phase, but now it must start to increase. Our management and all subsidiary managers are well aware that we must focus on this in the near future.

I continue to be very positive looking forward and am very proud of how we are currently performing.

TORSTEN JANSSON
CEO New Wave Group


  
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

CEO Torsten Jansson
Phone: 031–712 89 01
E-mail: torsten.jansson@nwg.se

CFO Lars Jönsson
Phone: 031–712 89 12
E-mail: lars.jonsson@nwg.se

The information in this report is that which New Wave Group is required to disclose under the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Trading Act.

The information was released for publication at 7 am (CET) on 11 February 2016.