Saab’s results January-June 2017
Defence and security company Saab presents the results for January-June 2017.
Statement by the President and CEO Håkan Buskhe:
Continued strong demand
Demand for, and interest in, Saab’s product portfolio remains high. This is a result of product development, investment in research and development, and a strong international presence.
Growing security concerns around the world seem to have created a state where tensions have now settled at an appreciably higher level. This is reflected in investments in defence and security, as evidenced by the great interest in Saab’s product portfolio. At the same time, the demands faced by suppliers are increasing as well. Solutions and systems have to be cost-efficient, offer strong capabilities, and be delivered quickly.
After a number of years of study and political debate in Sweden, updated rules on defense exports were introduced in the second quarter. A long-term regulatory framework is essential for exports to work. We are a company that does business in many countries, and we feel that the new proposed rules will enable us to continue to support our customers with defence and security solutions while achieving growth in line with our goals.
Major orders
During the first half-year, order bookings increased to MSEK 20,554 (11,462). Major orders were received in several areas, including two in airborne surveillance and one for the Next generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon system (NLAW) to the Swiss Army. Sweden ordered the development and production of the next generation anti-ship missile, the modification and upgrading of the Gävle-class corvettes, a new signal intelligence vessel, and continued support and maintenance of Gripen C/D. We also signed a contract for training systems with the U.S. Army.
The order backlog strengthened to MSEK 112,117 at the end of the period.
Sales growth
Sales increased by 11 per cent compared to the same period in 2016. All business areas saw higher sales. Operating income amounted to MSEK 885 (611) with an operating margin of 5.8 per cent (4.4). The improved operating margin is mainly attributable to stronger income in the business area Dynamics and a higher activity level related to airborne surveillance systems.
Operational cash flow amounted to MSEK -443 (4,193), which is in line with our expectations, since we had a strong positive cash flow in previous periods due to large advances and milestone payments that have not been repeated now.
Earnings per share after dilution amounted to SEK 5.98 (3.71).
Successful first flight for Gripen E
In June, Saab completed a successful first flight of the next generation smart fighter, Gripen E. During the flight, the aircraft carried out a number of actions to demonstrate various test criterias and key embedded functions were tested. Since then, further test flights have been conducted, and we are gradually evaluating the aircraft’s various functions as the programme is implemented.
Outlook statement for 2017:
We estimate that sales growth in 2017 will be higher than Saab’s long-term financial goal: annual organic sales growth of 5 per cent.
We expect the operating margin, excluding material non-recurring items, to improve compared to 2016 and thus the company will take a step towards its financial goal: an operating margin of 10 per cent.
Financial highlights
| MSEK | Jan-Jun 2017 | Jan-Jun 2016 | Change, % | Q2 2017 | Q2 2016 | Full Year 2016 |
| Order bookings | 20,554 | 11,462 | 79 | 10,853 | 6,848 | 21,828 |
| Order backlog | 112,117 | 111,593 | - | 107,606 | ||
| Sales | 15,353 | 13,854 | 11 | 7,923 | 7,064 | 28,631 |
| Gross income | 3,468 | 3,080 | 13 | 1,732 | 1,569 | 6,883 |
| Gross margin, % | 22.6 | 22.2 | 21.9 | 22.2 | 24.0 | |
| EBITDA | 1,313 | 1,075 | 22 | 614 | 551 | 2,743 |
| EBITDA margin, % | 8.6 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 9.6 | |
| Operating income (EBIT) | 885 | 611 | 45 | 393 | 317 | 1,797 |
| Operating margin, % | 5.8 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 6.3 | |
| Net income | 659 | 414 | 59 | 299 | 191 | 1,175 |
| Earnings per share after dilution, SEK | 5.98 | 3.71 | 2.68 | 1.71 | 10.60 | |
| Return on equity, %1) | 11.2 | 13.0 | 9.0 | |||
| Operational cash flow | -443 | 4,193 | -1,429 | 1,137 | 2,603 | |
| Free cash flow | -532 | 4,051 | -1,429 | 1,096 | 2,359 | |
| Free cash flow per share after dilution, SEK | -4.96 | 37.91 | -13.30 | 10.25 | 22.07 |
1) Return on equity is measured over a rolling 12-month period.
For more information and explanations regarding the usage of these key ratios, please see http://saabgroup.com/investor-relations/financial-data/key-ratios/
Press and analyst meeting
Saab invites to a press and analyst meeting, where CEO Håkan Buskhe and CFO Magnus Örnberg present the Saab January-June interim report 2017.
Date: Thursday 20 July at 10:00 (CET).
Address: Grand Hôtel, Blasieholmshamnen 8, Stockholm, Sweden
Venue: New York
You are welcome to participate on site at Grand Hôtel, watch the live webcast or dial in to the conference call. It is possible to post questions also over the web and conference call.
Live webcast:
http://saab-interimreport.creo.se/170720
Conference call:
Please, dial in using one of the numbers below.
UK: +44 2030089819
SE: +46 856642698
US: +1 8558315948
The interim report, the presentation material and the webcast will be available on http://www.saabgroup.com/en/InvestorRelations.
R.S.V.P
E-mail: marie.bergstrom@saabgroup.com
Tel: +46 8 463 02 45
For further information, please contact:
Saab Press Centre,
Petter Larsson, Media Relations Manager
+46 (0)734 180 018,
presscentre@saabgroup.com
Ann-Sofi Jönsson, Head of Investor Relations
+46 (0) 734 187 214
Follow us on Twitter: @saab
Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions within military defence and civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents around the world. Through innovative, collaborative and pragmatic thinking, Saab develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
The information is such that Saab AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07.30 CET on 20 July 2017.
