Interim Report for New Wave Group AB (publ) Q2 JANUARY - JUNE 2008 11% organic growth in the quarter The period 1 April - 30 June 2008 • Sales increased by 27 % to MSEK 1 245 (978), organic growth amounted to 11 %. • The result after tax increased by MSEK 11.8 to MSEK 85.8 (74.0). • The result per share amounted to SEK 1.29 (1.12). • The operating margin amounted to 11.9 (12.3) %. • The result after finance net increased by MSEK 12.0 to MSEK 112.5 (100.5). • Acquired units have contributed with MSEK 170 in sales and MSEK -2 in result after finance net compared with previous year. • Previous year's result includes a capital gain of MSEK 12.5 which is related to the sale of property. The period 1 January - 30 June 2008 • Sales increased by 30 % to MSEK 2 260 (1 738), organic growth amounted to 9 %. • The result after tax decreased by MSEK 11.9 to MSEK 70.8 (82.7). • The result per share amounted to SEK 1.07 (1.25). • The operating margin amounted to 7.3 (8.4) %. • The result after finance net decreased by MSEK 16.3 to MSEK 96.0 (112.3). • Acquired units have contributed with MSEK 367 in sales and MSEK -17 in result after finance net compared with previous year. Significant events during the quarter • Continued good profit development within the Promo business area, especially within the Nordic region. • The weaker American economy has affected the group's entities in the USA negatively. Views on 2008 • For 2008 New Wave is expecting higher sales and result then the previous year. SALES April - June The turnover for the period increased by 27 % to MSEK 1 245 (978). Out of the total increase, acquired units contributed MSEK 170. The organic growth amounted to 11%. Both business areas have good growth, with the Retail business area slightly stronger and especially within the sport sector, where the European championship in football made a positive contribution. The group companies that are selling hard giveaways on the Swedish market DJ Frantextil and Sagaform, together with the group's production unit in Denmark, have been and still are under restructuring. This has now started giving results for Sagaform and Dahetra who are showing a positive development. DJ Frantextil however has not yet shown any positive development. The sales growth was good in all regions, especially in the Nordic countries with an increase of 14%. The American units, particularly Orrefors Kosta Boda and Cutter & Buck, have been affected negatively by the weaker economic situation in the USA. Cutter & Buck sales within the golf sector are unchanged while the Promo business area is lower. January - June The turnover for the period increased by 30 % to MSEK 2 260 (1 738). Out of the total increase, acquired units contributed MSEK 367. Exchange rates have had a positive effect on sales by MSEK 18. The organic growth amounted to 9%. The sales growth was good in all regions, especially in the Nordic region with an increase of 12%, but also other regions showed good organic growth. The American units, particularly Cutter & Buck and Orrefors Kosta Boda, have been affected negatively by the weaker economic situation in the USA. Cutter & Buck sales within the golf sector are unchanged while the Promo business area is lower. PROFIT April - June The result after finance net increased by MSEK 12 to MSEK 112.5 (100.5) and acquired units affected by MSEK -2. Excluding previous year's capital gain of MSEK 12.5 in connection with the sale of property, the profit before tax increased by MSEK 24.5 or 28%. The result after tax increased by MSEK 11.8 to MSEK 85.8 (74.0) and result per share amounted to SEK 1.29 (1.12). Gross margin increased during the quarter and amounted to 49.7 (48.0) %. Increases are seen in most of the companies and markets. The groups units in the USA have been affected by the weaker American economy. The external costs as part of sales increased and amounted to 21.7 (20.9) %. This increase is mainly related to the acquired units. Personnel costs as part of sales is decreasing and amounted to 15.0 (15.4) %. The majority of the increase in absolute numbers is mainly related to acquired units but also centrally initiated projects have played a role. Depreciation increased by MSEK 6.8 to MSEK 16.7 (10.1). The increase mainly relates to acquired units. Net financial items amounted to MSEK -36.3 (-19.4). The increase is due to increased interest rates and higher net debt which relates to the acquisition of Cutter & Buck. The group's policy is to have a short duration, which has a swift effect on the costs when the interest rate changes. The tax rate for the group amounted to 23.7 (26.4) % which relates to an increase in deferred tax assets. Tax rate for the first 6 months is in line with the previous year. The operating margin was 11.9 (12.3) % which relates to a lower margin in the acquired units. January - June The result after finance net decreased by MSEK 16.3 to MSEK 96.0 (112.3) and acquired units affected by MSEK -17. In previous year's result a capital gain of MSEK 12.5 in connection with the sale of property is included. The result after tax decreased by MSEK 11.9 to MSEK 70.8 (82.7) and result per share amounted to SEK 1.07 (1.25). Gross margin increased during the first half year and amounted to 48.7 (47.8) %, which is in line with expectations. Orrefors Kosta Boda's American company has had negative impact on the margin since the weaker USD gave a higher cost of goods sold due to the fact that they are purchased in SEK. The external costs as part of sales increased and amounted to 24.2 (22.7) %. This increase is mainly related to the acquired units. Higher marketing costs during the first quarter in relation to the introduction of New Wave/Clique concept in the USA and Cutter & Buck in Europe has also affected the result. Personnel costs as part of sales is slightly better than the previous year and amounted to 16.2 (16.4) %. Depreciation increased to MSEK 29.2 (20.8). The increase mainly relates to acquired units. Net financial items amounted to MSEK -68.4 (-34.3). The increase is mainly due to higher net debt which relates to the acquisition of Cutter & Buck, but also to an increase in the interest rate level during the first six months. The group's policy is to have a short duration, which has a swift effect on the costs when the interest rate changes. The tax rate amounted to 26.3 % which is in line with the previous year. The operating margin was 7.3 (8.4) % and return on capital employed amounted to 8.6 (9.2) %. REPORT OF THE CORPORATE SEGMENTS The Promo Business Area and The Retailing Business Area are primary segments. The channel of distribution is the basis, not the product or the geographical market. Many products are common for both segments, with common stock and assets. This makes the split of depreciation and finance net difficult. Therefore, New Wave has chosen to present the results for both business areas on EBITDA-level (Earning Before Interest, Tax and Depreciation), with the operating result adjusted for depreciation. The Promo Business Area For the period April - June, the sales increased by 21 % to MSEK 762 (632) and profit on EBITDA-level increased by MSEK 32 to MSEK 151 (119). Acquired units contributed MSEK 80.7 in sales and MSEK 12 in EBITDA. Sales and result improvement was good in most regions, especially in the Nordic region. The weak American economy has given a lower turnover and result than the previous year. For the period January - June, the sales increased by 22 % to MSEK 1 343 (1 106) and profit on EBITDA-level increased by MSEK 35 to MSEK 191 (159). Acquired units contributed MSEK 172 in sales and MSEK 28 in EBITDA. Sales and result improvements are mainly related to regions outside Sweden. The Retailing Business Area For the period April - June, the sales increased by 40 % to MSEK 483 (347) and profit on EBITDA-level increased by MSEK 4 to MSEK 15 (11). Acquired units contributed MSEK 89 in sales and MSEK -3 in EBITDA. Sales within the sportsector and the European Championship in football had a positive contribution. The groups business in the American market has affected the profitability negatively. For the period January - June, the sales increased by 45 % to MSEK 917 (632) and profit on EBITDA-level decreased by MSEK 14 to MSEK -6 (8). Acquired units contributed MSEK 194 in sales and MSEK -10 in EBITDA. The decreased result is mainly related to the first quarter's higher production costs for energy and personnel in Orrefors Kosta Boda and the groups businesses in the American market. PURCHASE New Wave has purchase offices in Bangladesh, Vietnam, China and India. At present, the purchase department has approximately 160 employees. The group is continuing to put resources into strengthening competence and systems for follow-up of quality and environmental issues, both when it comes to products and suppliers. The strategy gives higher efficiency and lower costs. This work will continue during 2008. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION A table showing the sales per region Nordic, Mid-Europe, South Europe, USA and other countries is presented on page 7. The turnover increase in the Nordic region was strong in the quarter and increased by 14%. For the period January - June the increase was 12%. Increases are shown in all markets. In Mid Europe the increase is mainly related to the acquired unit in Poland but increases are also seen in other markets. South Europe has been affected by a positive development in Switzerland, France and Italy and mainly within the Promo business area. The sales growth in the American market is related to the acquired company Cutter & Buck. Sales in USA amounted to MSEK 446 (128) in the quarter and for the period January - June MSEK 234 (92). The increase in other markets is mainly related to Russia and China. NEW ESTABLISHMENTS The New Wave group has in Sweden concentrated all its sport brands into one legal company, New Wave Sports AB. The new sport company will have its head office in Borås, Sweden and the distribution will come from a newly built warehouse in Ulricehamn. Synergies within finance, administration, customer service and logistics will be achieved. The establishment of the brands Orrefors and Kosta Boda in China continues. During the quarter 5 additional stores have been opened and New Wave now has a total of 15 shops in the country. Out of the new shops, two have been opened in Beijing. CAPITAL TIED UP Capital tied up in stock increased during the period January - June by MSEK 201 to MSEK 2 062 (1 862). The corresponding increase the previous year was MSEK 324 of which the acquired unit Cutter & Buck contributed with MSEK 226. The increase in the quarter is mainly related to Orrefors Kosta Boda and the introduction of the New Wave/Clique-concept in USA and Cutter & Buck in Europe. The capital tied up is considered to be too high and the work to reduce it is has intensified. This is expected to give a result in 2009. There is however no increased risk for obsolescence. Accounts receivable increased by MSEK 25 to MSEK 908 (883). INVESTMENTS, FINANCING AND LIQUIDITY The group's cash flow from operations amounted to MSEK -217 (-106) and after investments MSEK -254 (-1 201). The groups cash-effecting net investments amounted to MSEK -37 (-1 095) and the previous year includes the acquisition of Cutter & Buck. Net debt increased during January - June by MSEK 304 and amounted to MSEK 2 661 (2 357). New Wave Group's credit limits were approximately MSEK 3 300 as of 30 June 2008. PERSONNEL AND ORGANISATION The number of employees as of 30 June 2008 was 2 720 (2 247) persons, of which 47 % were female and 53 % were male. A total of 867 employees were employed within production units. The production owned by New Wave belongs to Orrefors Kosta Boda, Seger, Dahetra, Toppoint and Cutter & Buck (embroidery). SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS IN NEW WAVE GROUP AB (PUBL) New Wave has three outstanding programs for subscription options. One was introduced during July 2007 and consists of 1 653 250 options. It will expire June 2010 and has an exercise price of SEK 102.50. These options were subscribed with a premium of SEK 7.00. The original number of options was 2 000 000, of which 346 750 have been cancelled. The two other programs were introduced in July 2008 and were issued partly towards key personnel and partly to the board of directors. The option program towards the key personnel consist of 1 800 000 and will expire June 2011. It has an exercise price of SEK 64.05. The options were subscribed with a premium of SEK 1.11 per option. The options towards the board of directors consists of 200 000 options and will expire June 2013. They have an exercise price of SEK 85.40. These options were subscribed with a premium of SEK 0.88 per option. VIEWS ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 For 2008, New Wave is expecting to have higher sales and result than the previous year. THE PARENT COMPANY Sales amounted to MSEK 52 (43). Profit after financial items amounted to MSEK -27 (-3). Net borrowings amounted to MSEK 1 690, of which MSEK 244 refer to financing of subsidiaries. Net investments amounted to MSEK -56 (-1 085). The total assets amounts to MSEK 2 865 (3 039) and the equity amounts to MSEK 757 (712). RISK AND RISK CONTROL New Wave is, with its international operations, continuously exposed to different financial risks. These financial risks are currency, borrowings and interest exposure as well as liquidity and credit exposure. The group has a financial policy in order to deal with the financial risks mentioned. For further explanations regarding the group's financial exposures, see Annual report 2007; www.nwg.se. The accounted exposures are in all material aspects unchanged. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES This report has been prepared according to IAS 34 interim report and the annual report law as well as the Swedish Financial Accounting Standards Council's standards RR 32 regarding the parent company. Applied accounting principles are in accordance with the Annual report for 2007. CALENDAR • 11 November, 2008. Interim report for Q3 • 20 February, 2009. Year end report 2008 • 24 April, 2009. Interim report for Q1 Gothenburg 26 August, 2008 New Wave Group AB (publ) Board of Directors and CEO FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: CEO, Göran Härstedt Phone: +46 31 712 89 02 E-mail: goran.harstedt@nwg.se CFO, Lars Jönsson Phone: +46 31 712 89 12 E-mail: lars.jonsson@nwg.se The information in this Report is that which New Wave is required to disclose under the Securities Exchange and clearing Operations Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. It was released for publication at 07.00 CET on 26 August, 2008.
Interim Report for New Wave Group AB (publ) Q2 JANUARY - JUNE 2008
| Source: New Wave Group AB
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