GOTHENBURG, Sweden, August 15, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Capio:
- Net sales rose by 70 per cent to SEK 3,714 M (H1 2001: SEK 2,186 M). Organic growth amounted to 15 per cent in local currencies. - Operating earnings before goodwill amortisation (EBITA) amounted to SEK 342 M (149), corresponding to an operating margin of 9.2 per cent (6.8). - Earnings after financial items increased by 82 per cent to SEK 186 M (102). - Earnings per share increased by 59 per cent to SEK 1.78 (1.12). A tax revenue of a non-recurring nature affected earnings for the period in an amount of SEK 0.32 per share. - Capio's core operations, Healthcare Nordic and Healthcare U.K., report strong earnings and growth. - The hospital properties in the UK were divested in June. Capio has a 20 per cent holding in the property company.
INVITATION TO ATTEND A TELEPHONE CONFERENCE On Thursday 15 August 2002, Capio will present their six-months 2002 Interim Report. In conjunction with this, we will be arranging a telephone conference in English at 14:00 CET, 13:00 GMT. The meeting will include a presentation of Capio's Report by President and CEO Per Batelson and CFO Staffan Carlsson. An overhead-slide presentation will also be available via www.capio.se
This invitation is extended to journalists and professionals active in the capital market. To connect to the conference, please dial +44 (0)20 8401 1043 just before the conference, and specify "Capio." You may listen to an Instant Replay directly after the conference and until August 21, please dial +44 (0)20 8288 4459 access code 670852.
January - June 2002 Capio Group Capio has experienced strong growth compared with the preceding year, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Community Hospitals Group in the U.K., now renamed Capio Healthcare U.K., in June 2001. The Capio Group continued to show a strong trend of organic growth, corresponding to 15 per cent in local currencies.
Consolidated net sales increased by 70 per cent compared with the first six months of 2001 and amounted to SEK 3,714 M (2,186). EBITA), including items affecting comparability of SEK 15 M (19), amounted to SEK 342 M (149), corresponding to an operating margin of 9.2 per cent (6.8). Earnings after financial items totalled SEK 186 M (102).
The U.K. property holdings were divested on June 12 and Capio has signed a 30-year leasing agreement to continue operations in the properties. The sale releases capital that will enhance the potential for continued expansion. Capio's minority interest of 20 per cent in the property company permits a satisfactory degree of future influence over the hospital properties.
The Capio Research Foundation has distributed SEK 1 M to near-patient multidisciplinary research relating to epilepsy, perinatal injuries, elderly care and paediatric care.
In line with the announcement made in July, evaluations and negotiations are currently under way concerning the acquisition of a French hospital group.
Healthcare Services
Net sales amounted to SEK 2,985 M (1,674). The increase of 78 per cent compared with the preceding year is attributable to the acquisition of Capio Healthcare U.K. in June 2001. Expressed in local currencies, organic growth during the period was 15 per cent. EBITA amounted to SEK 250.9 M (102.9), representing an operating margin of 8.4 per cent (6.1).
Nordic healthcare operations are developing well. Demand continues to be strong in the Swedish market. The introduction of a care guarantee has resulted in greater patient mobility and increased revenues for several Capio units.
Lundby Hospital has signed an agreement to extend its dialysis operations and now has one of Sweden's largest dialysis units.
Reengineers the emergency unit at St. Goran's Hospital has begun and is expected to be completed by year-end. The remodelling will create a better flow and improve capacity to handle the increasing volumes of patients needing emergency care. Lowet Geriatrik in Stockholm has been operated by St. Goran's Hospital since the beginning of the year.
Linkoping Medical Centre, which signed an agreement earlier this year to provide care for Norwegian patients, signed an agreement with the Danish Federation of County Councils during the second quarter to participate in the Federation's program to reduce care queues.
Volvat Medical Centre has signed agreements with four of the five new healthcare companies in Norway. The agreements apply as of 2002 and replace previous agreements. This is a significant step for Volvat's continued volume growth.
UK healthcare operations continued to develop favourably. Expansion developments have been completed at The Rivers Hospital and Euxton Hall Hospital. Work is proceeding to plan for additional facilities at Ashtead Hospital. Discussions are under way concerning closer co- operation with the National Health Service, following their commitment to involving the independent hospital sector and overseas healthcare companies in delivering healthcare to NHS patients.
Demand for occupational healthcare in the Swedish market continues to be favourable. During the first six months of the year, Previa signed several major contracts in both Sweden and the UK. The profitability of certain Swedish units is unsatisfactory, however.
Healthcare Services currently has annual sales of approximately SEK 5,600 M.
Diagnostic Services
Net sales for Diagnostic Services amounted to SEK 497 M (448). EBITA amounted to SEK 22.2 M (28.4). Expressed in local currency, organic growth amounted to 8.4 per cent.
In January, the Laboratory Medicine and Radiology business areas were merged to form Capio Diagnostics, and the units concerned will now progressively switch over to the Capio Diagnostics name.
Capio has entered into a long-term agreement with Siemens Medical Solutions to co-operate closely in the radiology area. The five-year agreement is expected to give Capio Diagnostics substantial advantages when investing in radiology equipment.
The payment system for radiology services introduced in Norway at the beginning of the year had a positive impact on earnings. Demand is increasing in Norway and two new radiology units are in the process of being commissioned.
Patient flow at the Globen Rontgen clinic has increased but volumes remain unsatisfactory. The unit has a positive cash flow. St. Goran Rontgen continues to have problems achieving satisfactory productivity.
In April, Capio Diagnostics took over mammography screening and clinical mammography operations in Sodra Alvsborg. The operations are conducted at hospitals in Boras, Skene and Alingsas.
Order bookings for clinical trials in laboratory medicine continued at a weak level, resulting in negative earnings for the Danish operations.
Mediscan, which was acquired in February, recorded a strong increase in numbers of private radiology patients during the second quarter. Mediscan is Capio's first acquisition in Finland.
Preparations are in progress for the start-up of Diagnostics operations in the U.K. Equipment has been ordered based on a projected start-up in January 2003. The first step will be to take care of the patient volumes that are currently outsourced by Capio Healthcare U.K.
Diagnostic Services currently has sales of approximately SEK 900 M on an annual basis.
Elderly Care Services
Net sales for elderly care operations amounted to SEK 318 M (137). The sector noted an operating loss of SEK 2.2 M (profit: 8.7) before goodwill amortisation. A major proportion of the business sector's six- month earnings in 2001 derived from the now divested properties for elderly care. There is considerable demand, with organic growth of 40 per cent, expressed in local currencies. This expansion has depressed the profitability of the sector's operations. The focus is now on the trend of profit and the staffing situation.
Actica Omsorg took over the operations of Madserud Sykehjem (Nursing Home) in Oslo in June. A home-care service operation was started in Solna, Sweden, in March. A contract was signed at the beginning of the year for the operation of a completely new residential unit for the elderly in Lerum, commencing in 2003. The Elderly Care Services operating sector now has sales of about SEK 600 M on an annual basis, in addition to contracts that will gradually become effective and which will bring annual sales up to approximately SEK 800 M by the end of 2003.
Financial position
The Capio Group's financial situation has changed significantly following the divestment of the hospital properties in the U.K. in June. In conjunction with the sale, a loan of GBP 223 M (about SEK 3,200 M) in a consortium of banks was repaid. The Group has pledged assets and contingent liabilities totalling SEK 352 M. At the beginning of the year, the corresponding figure was SEK 5,647 M. The decrease was due to the repayment of the bank loan. The properties that were sold are now leased by Capio's subsidiaries in the U.K. on 30-year leasing agreements. The leasing agreements have been guaranteed by the Parent Company, Capio AB.
On June 30, the equity/assets ratio was 53 per cent.
At the end of the second quarter, the Group's interest-bearing net assets totalled SEK 248 M. Liquid funds amounted to SEK 352 M.
Tax expenses
Tax expenses for the period were affected by substantial changes in deferred taxes, mainly resulting from the sale of properties. The effect of the changes in deferred taxes led to tax expenses for the period being reduced by SEK 26 M. The tax effect on items affecting comparability is estimated to be negative in an amount of SEK 6 M.
Personnel
At the end of the period, the number of Group employees was 8,673 (7,135). The average number of employees during the period totalled 8,520 (5,253).
Parent Company sales and earnings
The Group's Parent Company, Capio AB, reported net sales of SEK 3.0 M (11) for the period and an operating loss of SEK 35.0 M (loss: 34) before goodwill amortisation and excluding items affecting comparability. The loss before appropriations and taxes amounted to SEK 5.0 M (loss: 7). The Parent Company reported net investments of SEK 2.0 (1) for the period.
Per Batelson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Gothenburg, August 15, 2002 Capio AB (publ)
This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/08/15/20020814BIT01340/wkr0001.doc The full report www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/08/15/20020814BIT01340/wkr0002.pdf The full report