04/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2024 05:34
SYZYGY GROUP improves profitability during subdued start to 2024 financial year
As expected, the SYZYGY GROUP started the new 2024 financial year with sales revenue of EUR 18 million (-6 per cent compared with the same period of the previous year). Operating income fell by 5 per cent compared with the first quarter of the previous year to EUR 1.6 million, while the operating EBIT margin was up slightly at 9.2 per cent (previous year: 9.1 per cent).
The core German market saw a decline in sales, which fell by 4 per cent to EUR 14.4 million, with operating profitability coming in at 11 per cent. This core market thus accounts for approximately 82 per cent of sales.
Sales in the UK & US segment declined by 46 per cent to EUR 1.2 million (EBIT margin: 0 per cent). The Poland segment posted a significant increase in sales, which rose 43 per cent to EUR 2.0 million, with an EBIT margin of 19 per cent.
Financial income was negative at EUR -0.2 million, meaning that total net income in the first quarter after taxes is around EUR 1.0 million. Earnings per share are EUR 0.07.
As expected, the SYZYGY GROUP continued to face a challenging market environment at the start of 2024. Slightly improved profitability was nonetheless achieved. We are well positioned to meet the current challenges. Accordingly, we still expect the SYZYGY GROUP to generate a significant increase in profitability to around 10 per cent in 2024, with sales at the previous year's level,
This year's Annual General Meeting will be held on July 9, 2024 as a virtual event without the physical presence of shareholders. 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 at the Annual General Meeting as a one-off measure. This decision underlines the Group's commitment to creating a solid financial basis for sustainable growth.
The SYZYGY GROUP is confirming its forecast for the year and expects sales at the previous year's level in the 2024 financial year, combined with an EBIT margin of around 10 per cent before goodwill write-downs.
The full quarterly report as at March 31, 2024 will be available from April 24, 2024 at investors.