SYZYGY GROUP confirms preliminary figures: Revenue up by 2 per cent at EUR 71.7 million – operating EBIT margin of around 7 per cent.

• Revenue increases to EUR 71.7 million (+2 per cent compared to previous year)
• Adjusted operating income (excluding goodwill write-downs and restructuring costs) of EUR 5.3 million (-15 per cent compared to previous year), corresponding to an operating EBIT margin of around 7 per cent
• Core German market: Sales of EUR 57.4 million (+4 per cent compared to previous year) and an EBIT margin of 10 per cent after adjusting for restructuring costs and goodwill write-downs
  • Weakness in the strategy consultancy unit led to restructuring costs of EUR 1.2 million and goodwill write-downs of EUR 4.7 million
  • Sales and margin performance in all the other business areas were as budgeted or significantly better
• UK and US segment: Sales of EUR 8.4 million (-16 per cent compared to previous year) and an EBIT margin of 9 per cent
• Poland segment: Sales of EUR 6.1 million (+3 per cent compared to previous year) and an EBIT margin of 16 per cent
• Suspension of dividend for 2023 financial year to boost equity and liquidity
• Outlook for 2024: Sales at the prior-year level with an EBIT margin of around 10 per cent

The confirmed figures now available show that the SYZYGY GROUP increased its sales by 2 per cent to EUR 71.7 million in the 2023 financial year. It generated operating income of EUR 5.3 million, adjusted for goodwill write-downs (EUR 4.7 million) and restructuring costs (EUR 1.2 million), corresponding to an EBIT margin of around 7 per cent.

The core German market remained a stable environment for the SYZYGY GROUP, although earnings came under pressure due to weakness in the strategy consultancy unit. From the second quarter of 2023 onwards, strategy consultancy firm diffferent posted weaker performance than originally expected in its product and service innovation business. This was due to the reluctance on the part of some existing clients to invest, budget cuts and the generally recessionary market environment. The resulting restructuring measures led to expenditure of EUR 1.2 million in the third and fourth quarter and a goodwill write-down of EUR 4.7 million in the reporting period. The SYZYGY GROUP's operational earning capacity and cash flow are unaffected. Sales and margin performance in all the other business areas were as budgeted or significantly better, due to a combination of robust business with existing clients and success in acquiring new clients.

Overall, sales in the core German market were up 4 per cent to EUR 57.4 million, with an EBIT margin of 10 per cent. Around 80 per cent of total sales are attributable to the Group's home market.

In the UK and US, sales were down by 16 per cent to EUR 8.4 million, due to a reluctance on the part of some existing clients to invest and the challenging economic situation. The operating EBIT margin was 9 per cent.

The Polish company was able to increase its sales by 3 per cent to EUR 6.1 million compared to the previous year, combined with an operating EBIT margin of 16 per cent.

Financial income was negative at EUR -1.3 million in the reporting period, resulting in total net income after taxes of some EUR -2.8 million. Earnings per share are approximately EUR -0.22.

Proposed dividend for the 2023 financial year

The SYZYGY GROUP is committed to sharing business performance appropriately with its shareholders and at the same time maintaining the continuity of dividends. Due to negative total net income and in order to strengthen the SYZYGY GROUP's capital base and liquidity reserves, the Management Board and Supervisory Board have decided to recommend suspending the dividend payment for the 2023 financial year as a one-off measure at the Annual General Meeting on July 9, 2024. This decision underlines the Group's commitment to creating a solid financial basis for sustainable growth.

Forecast

Based on the information available to date, the SYZYGY GROUP expects revenue to be maintained at the previous year's level in the 2024 financial year, with an EBIT margin of around 10 per cent before goodwill write-downs.

In the UK and US, sales were down by 16 per cent to EUR 8.4 million, due to a reluctance on the part of some existing clients to invest. The operating EBIT margin was 9 per cent. The Polish company was able to increase its sales compared to the previous year. Sales were up 3 per cent at EUR 6.1 million, with an EBIT margin of 16 per cent.

Financial income was negative at EUR -1.3 million in the reporting period, resulting in total net income of some EUR -2.7 million after taxes. Earnings per share amounted to around EUR -0.21.

The full annual report for 2023 will be available from March 28, 2024 at Investors.