CHALLENGING Q1 AS EXPECTED FOR DFDS
DFDS presents expected results for Q1
As expected, market conditions in the first quarter were challenging, especially in the North Sea. This was due to the recession in several European countries, including the important UK market. The Baltic Sea region made a slow start, but growth has resumed in the last couple of months. Higher oil prices during the quarter resulted in increased costs, primarily for passenger activities.
"We have maintained our focus on the cost side and started to implement further adjustments to operations. Another focus area is the Channel where we took a strategic decision to expand operations in the wake of the SeaFrance bankruptcy. The fast start-up entails short-term costs, but our perspective is long term," says CEO Niels Smedegaard. 2012 has begun with some headwind, but we are more efficient than before and financially very solid.
"DFDS is therefore in a strong position, and that means that we can continue to pursue the right opportunities for consolidation in the market," adds Niels Smedegaard.
Quarterly revenue was DKK 2,674m (DKK 2,698m), operating profit (EBITDA) was DKK 109m (DKK 171) and operating profit (EBIT) was DKK -54m (DKK 0m) before special items. DFDS quarterly results are impacted by seasonality with low season in Q1 and high season in Q3.
For the full-year 2012, revenue is now expected to increase to around DKK 12.0bn (DKK 11.6bn) due to addition of new activities. Operating profit (EBITDA) is still expected to be DKK 1,300-1,350m before special items (DKK 1,495m).
Contact persons:
Niels Smedegaard, CEO +45 33 42 34 00
Torben Carlsen, CFO +45 33 42 32 01
Søren Brøndholt Nielsen, IR +45 33 42 33 59