13.03.2019 Symrise AG  DE000SYM9999

DGAP-News: Symrise successfully continues profitable growth course in 2018


 

DGAP-News: Symrise AG / Key word(s): Annual Results
Symrise successfully continues profitable growth course in 2018 (news with additional features)

13.03.2019 / 07:30
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.


  • Strong organic sales growth of 8.8 %
  • Sales increase of 5.3 % to EUR 3,154 million (reporting currency)
  • Solid earnings with EBITDA at EUR 631 million and EBITDA margin at 20.0 %
  • Net income increases to over EUR 275 million
  • Dividend increase to EUR 0.90 per share proposed


Symrise AG took full advantage of its growth opportunities in 2018 and successfully overcame headwinds resulting from external factors. Taking into account portfolio and exchange rate effects, sales increased by 5.3 % to EUR 3,154 million (2017: EUR 2,996 million). On organic basis, sales growth even amounted to 8.8 %, exceeding the increased guidance issued in late fall. This outstanding performance was carried by all segments and regions. Despite targeted investments in increased capacity at locations in China and the USA and negative effects from exchange rates and raw material costs, Symrise retained its earnings power. The Group achieved earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 631 million (2017: EUR 630 million). With an EBITDA margin of 20.0 %, profitability remained healthy and within the target corridor of 19-22 %.
 

"In 2018 we seamlessly continued our success story. Symrise again grew profitably and outperformed the market. We identified and successfully capitalized on growth opportunities in every business segment. We also invested in future growth and added to our capacity. Although we were not able to counteract all of the headwinds caused by high raw material prices and negative currency effects, we still operated with a healthy profitability. We want our shareholders to participate in this success. At the Annual General Meeting, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose a dividend increase to EUR 0.90 per share for the fiscal year 2018," said Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG. "Despite the anticipated economic slowdown, we have made a confident start to the new fiscal year. We have substantiated our long-term ambition with the updated forecast. It extends into the year 2025 and provides for a strong increase in sales with further improved profitability."
 

Sales growth in 2018 exceeds target

Symrise experienced strong demand across all segments and regions in 2018 and increased its sales to EUR 3,154 million (2017: EUR 2,996 million). The Group achieved strong organic growth of 8.8 %, exceeding the increased guidance announced in November, which indicated growth of over 8 %. In reporting currency, taking into account portfolio effects from the acquisitions of Cobell and Citratus and exchange rate effects, Group sales were up 5.3 % in the reporting period. Symrise experienced unfavorable exchange rate effects especially through the strong Euro in relation to the US-Dollar. Symrise again grew significantly faster than the relevant market for fragrances and flavors, where growth in 2018 was in the 3-4% range.

Dynamic trend in Latin America and Asia/Pacific

The growth driver at regional level was once again Latin America with an outstanding double-digit organic growth rate of 16.2 %. Business in the EAME and North America regions developed also highly positively, with an organic increase of 6.4 % and 6.1 %, respectively. In the Asia/Pacific region, Symrise achieved strong organic sales growth of 12.4 %. Overall organic sales growth in the dynamically expanding Emerging Markets reached 11.7 %. In these fast-developing markets, Symrise generated 43 % of its total sales.
 

Healthy profitability despite investments and external factors

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 631 million (2017: EUR 630 million). EBITDA was thus on prior year level, despite investments in additional capacity and negative effects from volatile exchange rates and high raw material costs. Symrise, for example, invested in a new Nutrition site in the US state of Georgia and a new production facility for fragrances and flavors in Nantong, China, which is currently being built. The industry-wide shortage of raw materials, including the key raw material Citral, which already prevailed in 2017, intensified in the past fiscal year. However, thanks to its own raw material base and extensive backward integration, Symrise was able to meet supplier obligations at all times and in full throughout the year. In addition, the Group actively implemented price increases to compensate for higher raw material costs. Despite these challenges, Symrise maintained profitability at a solid level and achieved an EBITDA margin of 20.0 %. As a result, Symrise was once again one of the most profitable companies in the industry.

Net income for the Group increased by 1.9 % to EUR 275 million (2017: EUR 270 million). Earnings per share increased from EUR 2.08 to EUR 2.12. The Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose an increase in the dividend to EUR 0.90 per share for the fiscal year 2018 (2017: EUR 0.88) at the annual general meeting on 22 May 2019.
 

Increase in operating cash flow

Symrise grew its operating cash flow by EUR 46 million to EUR 442 million (2017: EUR 396 million). This represents an increase of 12 % and can be attributed primarily to a smaller increase in working capital during the year under review.

Net debt including pension provisions and similar obligations decreased by EUR 29 million to EUR 1,893 million (2017: EUR1,922 million). The ratio of net debt including provisions for pensions and similar obligations to EBITDA remained unchanged at 3.0 (31 December 2017: 3.0). Due to the realized acquisitions, this value is temporarily above Symrise's target corridor of 2.0 to 2.5.

With an equity ratio of 39.5 % at 31 December 2018 (31 December 2017: 37.8 %), Symrise sees itself financially very well positioned to sustainably advance the future development of its business.


Scent & Care segment

Scent & Care increased its sales to EUR 1,324 million and achieved very strong organic growth of 8.9 % (2017: EUR 1,263 million). In reporting currency, taking currency effects and the Citratus acquisition into account, the segment posted 4.8 % growth. The Cosmetic Ingredients division developed particularly dynamically with double-digit organic percentage growth. Strong impulses came in particular from the national markets of China, Brazil and Japan. The Aroma Molecules and Fragrances division also performed well. Demand was particularly strong for applications with menthol, for fine fragrances and personal care products.

Scent & Care increased its EBITDA to EUR 254 million after EUR 248 million in the prior year period. The EBITDA margin was 19.2 % (2017: 19.6 %). The slight decline in the margin is mainly due to higher raw material costs, especially for perfumery raw materials.
 

Flavor segment

The Flavor segment experienced strong organic growth of 9.5 %, with sales increasing to EUR 1,191 million (2017: EUR 1,102 million). Taking currency effects into account and the portfolio effect from the Cobell acquisition, sales in the segment grew by 8.1 % in reporting currency. All regions and application areas contributed to this positive development. Flavor benefited in particular from strong demand in the EAME region, which achieved impressive double-digit growth. Growth was driven furthermore by applications for sweets and beverage products.

EBITDA in the Flavor segment, at EUR 244 million, was slightly higher than the prior-year figure (2017: EUR 243 million). The EBITDA margin stood at 20.5 % (2017: 22.0 %) and was influenced by the currently still lower profitability of the Cobell business and higher raw material costs.
 

Nutrition segment

Nutrition increased organic sales in the past fiscal year by 7.4 % to EUR 639 million (2017: EUR 631 million). In the reporting currency, including portfolio and currency effects, the segment grew by 1.2 %. The strongest impetus came from the Pet Food application area. The Food application area also performed well with double-digit growth.

In the year under review, Nutrition achieved an EBITDA of EUR 132 million (2017: EUR 139 million). The decline in earnings compared with the previous year is attributable to two factors: Investments in the new Diana Food location in the USA and a lower contribution to earnings from Probi due to a temporary inventory decrease by a major customer in the first half of the year. Starting in the third quarter, order intake largely returned to normal. Despite these special effects, the EBITDA margin was a good 20.7 % (2017: 22.1 %).
 

Confident outlook for 2019 and ambitious long-term targets until the end of 2025

Symrise is looking ahead to the current fiscal year with confidence. The Group again aims to exceed the overall growth rates in the relevant market. The market is projected to grow at a rate of 3-4 % worldwide. In addition, Symrise is targeting an EBITDA margin of around 20 % despite the anticipated economic slowdown, ongoing volatility in exchange rates and a tight market for raw materials. Overall, with its global presence, diversified portfolio and broad client base, Symrise believes it is well positioned to achieve these goals. With strategic investments, the Company plans to continue its expansion in high-growth, high-margin business segments. Against the background of the tense situation on the raw material markets, the expansion of its own backward integration will continue to play a key role in the future. In addition, long-term contracts and close cooperation with producers will secure Symrise's access to high-quality raw materials.

At the Capital Markets Day in January 2019, Symrise presented its long-term targets. They underscore the Group's ambition and now extend to the end of fiscal year 2025. By then, Symrise aims to increase sales to around EUR 5.5 to 6.0 billion. This increase is to be achieved through annual organic growth of 5 to 7 % (CAGR) and additional targeted acquisitions. Profitability is expected to improve further. Long-term, Symrise aims to achieve an EBITDA margin within the target corridor of 20 to 23 %. To this end, the Group will continue to systematically implement its proven strategy and closely align innovations to customer and market requirements. Furthermore, Symrise will continue to take advantage of megatrends. In addition to the traditional business with flavors and fragrances, the expansion of the portfolio will increasingly focus on adjacent, high-margin applications. For example, Symrise intends to open up growth areas, with focus on natural, sustainable product solutions. Digital business processes should also contribute to growth and profitability.

 

About Symrise:

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic active ingredients and raw materials, as well as functional ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, food and beverages, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of nutritional supplements and pet food.

Its sales of approximately EUR 3.2 billion in the 2018 fiscal year make Symrise a leading global provider. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Group is represented with over 100 sites in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the United States and Latin America.

Symrise works with its clients to develop new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked as part of this process. Symrise - always inspiring more .

www.symrise.com

 

Media Contact: Investor Contact:
Bernhard Kott Tobias Erfurth
Phone +49 (0)5531 90-1721 Phone +49 (0)5531 90-1879
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Social Media:
twitter.com/symriseag
linkedin.com/company/symrise
youtube.com/agsymrise
xing.com/companies/symrise


Further financial information can be found at the end of this release via a link in a separate PDF file.
 


Additional features:

Document: http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=CSKROJMAHU
Document title: Symrise FY 2018 Factsheet english


13.03.2019 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.dgap.de


Language: English
Company: Symrise AG
Mühlenfeldstraße 1
37603 Holzminden
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)5531 90 0
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.symrise.com
ISIN: DE000SYM9999, DE000SYM7787, DE000SYM7704
WKN: SYM999
Indices: MDAX
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange

 
End of News DGAP News Service

786843  13.03.2019 

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Die wichtigsten Finanzdaten auf einen Blick
  2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023e
Umsatzerlöse1 2.996,29 3.154,03 3.407,85 3.520,45 3.825,69 4.618,48 4.730,19
EBITDA1,2 630,31 630,52 685,07 742,08 813,62 795,42 851,65
EBITDA-Marge3 21,04 19,99 20,10 21,08 21,27 17,22
EBIT1,4 431,59 433,97 455,35 487,51 558,96 503,98 559,36
EBIT-Marge5 14,40 13,76 13,36 13,85 14,61 10,91 11,83
Jahresüberschuss1 275,65 297,69 297,88 314,95 385,03 290,70 344,94
Netto-Marge6 9,20 9,44 8,74 8,95 10,06 6,29 7,29
Cashflow1,7 396,18 441,79 546,76 635,68 521,56 360,11 719,51
Ergebnis je Aktie8 2,06 2,08 2,12 2,22 2,70 2,00 2,44
Dividende8 0,88 0,90 0,95 0,97 1,02 1,10 0,85
Quelle: boersengefluester.de und Firmenangaben

  Geschäftsbericht 2023 - Kostenfrei herunterladen.  
1 in Mio. Euro; 2 EBITDA = Ergebnis vor Zinsen, Steuern und Abschreibungen; 3 EBITDA in Relation zum Umsatz; 4 EBIT = Ergebnis vor Zinsen und Steuern; 5 EBIT in Relation zum Umsatz; 6 Jahresüberschuss (-fehlbetrag) in Relation zum Umsatz; 7 Cashflow aus der gewöhnlichen Geschäftstätigkeit; 8 in Euro; Quelle: boersengefluester.de

Wirtschaftsprüfer: Ernst & Young

INVESTOR-INFORMATIONEN
©boersengefluester.de
Symrise
WKN Kurs in € Einschätzung Börsenwert in Mio. €
SYM999 109,650 Halten 15.326,01
KGV 2025e KGV 10Y-Ø BGFL-Ratio Shiller-KGV
32,25 38,61 0,84 48,97
KBV KCV KUV EV/EBITDA
4,41 21,30 3,24 21,13
Dividende '22 in € Dividende '23e in € Div.-Rendite '23e
in %
Hauptversammlung
1,10 1,10 1,00 15.05.2024
Q1-Zahlen Q2-Zahlen Q3-Zahlen Bilanz-PK
25.04.2024 01.08.2024 24.10.2024 06.03.2024
Abstand 60Tage-Linie Abstand 200Tage-Linie Performance YtD Performance 52 Wochen
10,06% 13,57% 10,05% 11,18%
    
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Chemie , SYM999 , SY1 , XETR:SY1