Nobia AB: Interim Report January-June 2015

Regulatory News:

Nobia (STO:NOBI):

April-June 2015

• Net sales for the second quarter amounted to SEK 3,575 million (3,007), positively affected by currency gains, organic growth and the acquisition of Rixonway Kitchens.

• Organic growth was 7 per cent (neg: 1).

• Operating profit amounted to SEK 400 million (293), corresponding to an operating margin of 11.2 per cent (9.7).

• Currency gains of approximately SEK 35 million (loss: 10) had a positive effect on the Group’s operating profit, of which SEK 25 million (15) comprised translation effects and SEK 10 million (neg: 25) transaction effects.

• Profit after tax amounted to SEK 289 million (192), corresponding to earnings per share of SEK 1.72 (1.14).

• Operating cash flow amounted to SEK 170 million (175).

Consolidated net sales, earnings and cash flow

Overall market performance is deemed to have improved compared with the second quarter of the preceding year. The Nordic market strengthened and the UK market is continuing to grow, while Nobia’s main markets in Central Europe weakened.

Sales increased organically 7 per cent (neg: 1). Currency gains of SEK 247 million (151) affected sales for the quarter. Rixonway Kitchens, which was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2014, reported sales of SEK 104 million for the second quarter of 2015.

The gross margin amounted to 41.1 per cent (41.0), positively impacted by the favourable currency gains and higher sales values, and negatively impacted by the fact that Rixonway has a structurally lower gross margin, and by a weaker sales mix.

Operating profit improved as a result of higher sales volumes, positive exchange-rate fluctuations and higher sales values. The return on operating capital including items affecting comparability was 24.5 per cent over the past twelve-month period (Jan-Dec 2014: 23.2).

The return on shareholders’ equity including items affecting comparability was 5.0 per cent over the past twelve-month period (Jan-Dec 2014: neg: 0.9).

Operating cash flow declined primarily due to negative change in working capital and higher investments compared with the preceding year.

Comments from the CEO

"The Group’s organic growth amounted to 7 per cent and the operating margin improved in all regions. Net sales in our two largest regions, Nordics and the UK, increased to both consumers and professional customers. The introduction of the low specification Simply Magnet range in the UK was well received. We are continuing to focus on profitable growth, both organically and through acquisitions. Providing that the current market situation is maintained, we expect to be able to achieve the target of an operating margin of 10 per cent during the next calendar year,” says Morten Falkenberg, President and CEO.

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