Piaggio Group: first quarter 2017

Consolidated net sales 309.1 million euro, up 0.7%  (307.1 €/mln in Q1 2016) 

Ebitda 41.2 million euro, up 10.2% (+10.4% at constant exchange rates) (37.4 €/mln in Q1 2016), the best Q1 performance since 2008  

Ebitda margin 13.3% (12.2% in Q1 2016) 

Industrial gross margin 95.1 million euro, up 4.7%  (90.8 €/mln in Q1 2016) 

Return on net sales 30.8% (29.6% in Q1 2016) 

Ebit 10.9 million euro (10.9 €/mln in Q1 2016) 

Ebit margin 3.5% (3.5% in Q1 2016) 

Profit before tax 2.5 million euro (2.1 €/mln in Q1 2016) 

Net profit 1.5 million euro, up 17.9%  (1.3 €/mln in Q1 2016) 

Net financial position -532.4 million euro   an improvement of 22 €/mln from -554.4 €/mln at 31 March 2016 

121,200 vehicles sold in the first three months of the year (in line with 2016) 

 

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Board authorises issue of long-term bonds for institutional investors for an overall nominal amount of 30 million euro

 

Pontedera, 03 May 2017 – At a meeting today chaired by Roberto Colaninno, the Board of Directors of Piaggio & C. S.p.A. examined and approved the interim report on operations for the quarter to 31 March 2017.

 

In the first quarter of 2017 the Piaggio Group reported a positive performance compared with the year-earlier period, with improvements in all the main indicators and a reduction in debt.

 

Piaggio Group business and financial performance at 31 March 2017[^1] 

 

Group consolidated net sales in the first quarter of 2017 totalled 309.1 million euro, an improvement of 0.7% from 307.1 million euro at 31 March 2016.

 

The industrial gross margin at 31 March 2017 was 95.1 million euro, up by 4.7% from 90.8 million euro in the year-earlier period. The return on net sales was 30.8%, an increase of 1.2 percentage points from the year-earlier period, the best first-quarter result reported since Piaggio was admitted for trading on the Italian stock exchange.

 

Operating expense sustained in the first quarter of 2017 amounted to 84.2 million euro, a slight rise (+4.2 million euro) from the year-earlier figure, generated largely by the increase in amortisation and depreciation (21.3 million euro, from 17.5 million euro in the first quarter of 2016).

 

The income-statement figures described above produced consolidated Ebitda of 41.2 million euro, the best first-quarter figure since 2008, with an increase of 10.2% (+10.4% at constant exchange rates) from 37.4 million euro in the first quarter to 31 March 2016. The Ebitda margin was 13.3%, the best first-quarter result reported since Piaggio was admitted for trading on the Italian stock exchange (12.2% at 31 March 2016).

 

Ebit in the first quarter of 2017 was 10.9 million euro, in line with the year-earlier period (10.9 million euro). The EBIT margin was 3.5% (3.5% also at 31 March 2016).

 

For the first quarter of 2017, the Piaggio Group posted profit before tax of 2.5 million euro, up 17.9% compared with 2.1 million euro in the first quarter of 2016. Income tax for the period was 1 million euro, with an impact on pre-tax profit of 40%.

 

The Piaggio Group closed the first quarter of 2017 with net profit of 1.5 million euro, an increase of 17.9% compared with 1.3 million euro in the first quarter of 2016.

 

Net financial debt at 31 March 2017 stood at 532.4 million euro, an improvement of 22 million euro from 554.4 million euro at 31 March 2016. At 31 December 2016 net financial debt was 491 million euro, lower than at the end of the first quarter of 2017 due to the typical seasonal nature of the two-wheeler business, which absorbs financial resources in the first half of the year and generates them in the second half.

 

Group shareholders' equity at 31 March 2017 was 398.7 million euro, an increase of 5 million euro from 31 December 2016.

 

Piaggio Group capital expenditure in the first quarter of 2017 amounted to 18.3 million euro (26.2 million euro in the year-earlier period), of which 11.2 million euro for R&D expenditure (12.8 million euro in Q1 2016) and approximately 7.1 million euro for property, plant and equipment, investment property and intangible assets (approximately 13.4 million euro in Q1 2016).

 

The total workforce of the Piaggio Group at 31 March 2017 numbered 6,470 employees.
The Group’s Italian employees numbered 3,509, unchanged from the end of 2016.

 

Business performance in the first quarter to 31 March 2017 

 

In the first three months of 2017, the Piaggio Group sold 121,200 vehicles worldwide, in line with 121,700 in the year-earlier period.

 

At geographical level, sales generated revenue growth in the EMEA and the Americas areas (+3.9%), which more than counterbalanced the decreases reported in India (-3.3% largely due to slower sales of commercial vehicles as a result of the Indian Government's demonetisation policy) and in Asia Pacific (-6.1%).

 

In the first quarter of 2017, the Group sold 82,500 two-wheelers worldwide (up 10.3% from 74,800 in the year-earlier period), generating net sales of 218.9 million euro, an improvement of 5.2% from 208.2 million euro in the first quarter of 2016. The figure includes spares and accessories, on which turnover totalled 29.7 million euro, an increase of 4.6% from the year-earlier period.

 

In the first quarter of 2017 the Piaggio Group continued to strengthen its presence on the European two-wheeler market, with an overall market share of 14.2% (13.6% in the first quarter of 2016), and 26.4% (24.5% in the year-earlier period) in the scooter sector alone, with a lead of almost 10 percentage points from the second competitor. On the Indian two-wheeler market, the Group more than doubled its sales volumes, thanks to the introduction of the new Aprilia SR 150 scooter, which has been very warmly received. Analysing performance in Asia Pacific, Vietnam reported a decline in scooter sales volumes, while the Group expanded its offer in Thailand through its recent entry on to the motorcycle market with the introduction of the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands, flanking the already well-established scooter offer with the Vespa and Piaggio brands. The Group maintained a particularly strong presence on the North American scooter market, with a share of 21.6%; it is also committed to strengthening its position in motorcycles in North America.

 

Highlights in the scooter sector included the excellent results of the Vespa brand, which boosted worldwide sales by 8.5% from the first quarter of 2016, and notably strengthened its presence on the EMEA market, with net sales growth of 18.5%. Performance was also positive in high-wheel scooters, where the Group reported revenue growth at global level, largely thanks to the Beverly and the new Liberty.

Still in the scooter sector, the Aprilia brand also performed well, especially on the Indian market thanks to the Aprilia SR 150 sports scooter, which has been very well received, with significant growth in sales.

 

The Group also reported healthy performance in the motorcycle sector, thanks to a 7.1% increase in Moto Guzzi sales arising specifically from the new V9 Roamer and Bobber, the California range and the V7 line, which this year celebrated its 50th anniversary with an ad hoc model. Sales volumes also rose for Aprilia motorcycles, thanks specifically to the excellent response to the new super sports model RSV4 1000, which achieved an increase of more than 21% in part as a result of the strong return in terms of performance and image from Aprilia’s participation in the world MotoGP championship.

 

In the commercial vehicles sector, the Group sold 38,800 vehicles (47,000 in the first quarter of 2016) for net sales of 90.2 million euro (98.9 million euro in the quarter to 31 March 2016). The figure includes spares and accessories, where sales totalled 11.2 million euro (11.6 million euro at 31 March 2016). On the Indian market for three-wheel commercial vehicles, the PVPL subsidiary had an overall share of 30.9% and confirmed its leadership in the Cargo segment with a market share of 48.2%. An important growth program is being rolled out for commercial vehicles in 2017, beginning with the recent strengthening of the Group's presence in the high-potential markets of Latin America, Africa and Asia and the extension of the distribution network to 23 countries. 

 

In the first three months of 2017 the PVPL production hub also exported 3,419 three-wheel commercial vehicles worldwide. These sales arose in part in the EMEA and Americas areas and in part in the India area, in connection with responsibility for management of the individual markets.

 

Significant events in the first quarter of 2017 

 

On 19 January 2017, the Piaggio Group announced the strengthening of its distribution network after reaching the important milestone of 200 Motoplex stores in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Asia and India. Launched only two years ago, the Group multibrand stores flank the traditional distribution network. 

 

On 2 February, the GITA and KILO projects were presented in Boston, the first initiatives developed by Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF). GITA is a smart autonomous vehicle designed to assist people. It carries up to18 kg, observes and communicates. It can follow a person, reaching a speed of 35 km/h, and can move autonomously in a mapped environment. Its spherical shape and clean design are distinguishing characteristics of its personality. KILO is GITA’s “big brother”, with a 120 lt loading capacity for weights up to 100 kg. It offers outstanding stability, thanks to its three wheels. The two projects reflect the Group’s exploration of future-oriented developments in mobility and the broadening of its vision to technological solutions ranging way beyond its current core business.

 

On 15 February, the Piaggio Group entered the Thai premium motorcycle market with the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands thanks to the opening of Motoplex Bangkok, its largest flagship store in South East Asia and one of the largest Motoplex outlets in the world, with a huge offer available in a single location.

 

On 1 March, Simone Montanari became Piaggio Group CFO, replacing Gabriele Galli.

 

On 3 March, in the run-up to the 2017 World MotoGP season, the new Aprilia RS-GP 2017 bike in Italian colours was presented, together with the two new riders, Aleix Espargarò and Sam Lowes. The new bike, which is more powerful and technologically advanced than its predecessor, has already made progress in the first races of the season, with a consequential positive impact on brand visibility.

 

On 15 March, the Piaggio Group announced that it had been awarded the contract put out to tender by the Environment & Mobility Department of Madrid City Council for the supply of 160 new Piaggio MP3 three-wheelers (500 and 300cc engines) for the municipal police. The award is a further demonstration of confidence in the Piaggio MP3, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and was chosen in preference to the other vehicles thanks to its superiority in terms of stability and safety, its performance, reliability, low fuel consumption and ease of use in traffic and in all weather conditions.

 

On 23 March, the Piaggio Group celebrated its 130th anniversary with an event in Milan, which included the presentation of the limited numbered edition of the book FuturPiaggio – 6 lezioni italiane sulla mobilità e sulla vita moderna, written by Jeffrey Schnapp and published by Rizzoli, on the history and the future of the Group.

 

On 30 March, the Piaggio Group announced that its Indian facility had begun production some months earlier of 2-, 3- and 4-wheel vehicles compliant with the new Bharat Stage IV emissions regulation, which came into effect on 1 April 2017, without risking any adverse effects in terms of production and sales.

 

Significant events after 31 March 2017 

 

On 6 April, Michele Colaninno, a director of Piaggio & C. S.p.A. and Chairman of Piaggio Fast Forward, was appointed Vice President of ACEM (Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles), the European motorcycle industry association in Brussels, of which all the world two-wheeler groups are members.

 

Also on 6 April, with a sentence that will go down in history, the Court of Turin declared the full validity of the three-dimensional trademark of the Vespa scooter and recognised the specific creative nature and artistic value of the shape that has characterised the scooter since it first went into production in 1946.

 

On 21 April, the Piaggio Group made its debut appearance at Auto Shanghai 2017, one of Asia's most important automotive tradeshows, confirming its attention to the Chinese market consistently with its strategy to strengthen and re-organise its Asian operations. The Group also announced the appointment of Gianluca Fiume (previously Group VP for the European two-wheeler market) as the new President and General Manager of Piaggio Vietnam, with responsibility for all South-East Asian markets.

 

* * * 

 

Board authorises issue of long-term bonds for institutional investors for an overall nominal amount of 30 million euro

 

At today’s meeting, the Piaggio & C. S.p.A. Board of Directors also authorised the issue of medium/long-term bonds for an overall nominal amount of 30 million euro, for private placement with institutional investors. The issue is intended to support the Group's international growth and to extend average debt maturity by restructuring exposure. The issue terms and conditions will be set after negotiations with the investors, close to the issue date².

 

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Outlook  

 

In a general economic context likely to see a strengthening of the global economic upturn, where uncertainty will nonetheless remain with regard to the speed of European growth and the risk of a slowdown in some Asian countries in the Far East, Piaggio Group commercial and industrial operations will focus on:

 

• confirming the leadership position on the European two-wheeler market, taking full advantage of the expected recovery through:

–    further strengthening of its product range;

–    maintenance of current positions on the European commercial vehicle market;

• consolidating its presence in Asia Pacific, in part through the opening of new Motoplex stores, the exploration of new opportunities in mid-size motorcycles and boosting penetration of the premium segment on the Chinese market;
• increasing sales on the Indian scooter market thanks to the Vespa offer and the success of the new Aprilia SR 150;
• growing commercial vehicle sales in India and the emerging countries, aiming for further growth in exports to Africa and South America.

 

From the technological viewpoint, the Piaggio Group will continue research on new solutions to current and future mobility problems, through the work of Piaggio Fast Forward (Boston) and new advances in design at PADc (Piaggio Advanced Design center) in Pasadena.

 

In Europe, the Group R&D centres with a more traditional approach to new product development and production start-ups, will work on technologies and platforms that enhance the functional and emotional aspects of vehicles, through continuous advances in power trains, in particular electric power trains, where Piaggio boasts a pioneering tradition dating back to the mid-1970s.

 

At a more general level, the Group maintains its constant commitment – a characteristic of recent years and continuing in 2017 – to generate higher productivity through close attention to cost and investment efficiency, in compliance with the ethical principles adopted by the Group.

 

* * * 

 

Share buyback program 

 

In connection with the shareholder authorisation for the purchase and disposal of own shares given by the Piaggio AGM on 12 April 2017, the Board of Directors also approved the launch of a share buyback program, which represents a useful strategic investment opportunity for the purposes allowed under law, including the purposes contemplated in art. 5 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation, “MAR”), among which the purchase of own shares for subsequent cancellation, and in the practices allowed under art. 13 MAR.

 

Share buybacks under the program will be performed in the manner and in compliance with the limits set out in the aforementioned shareholder resolution, specifically:

 

• the purchase may be for a maximum of 15,000,000 Piaggio no-par ordinary shares, for a maximum amount set at Euro 27,600,000 and, therefore, within the legal limits (20% of the share capital pursuant to art. 2357, paragraph 3, Italian Civil Code);
• share buybacks shall take place within the limits of distributable earnings and available reserves as reflected in the most recent financial statements (including interim financial statements) approved at the time of implementation of the transaction;
• share buybacks shall be effected on the regulated market in a manner that ensures equality of treatment of shareholders as envisaged by art. 132 of Law 58/1998, with the graduality deemed to be in the interests of the company and in accordance with current laws, adopting the procedures envisaged by art. 144-bis, paragraph 1, head b) of Consob Regulation 11971/1999, as amended, and taking into account the conditions relating to trading as per art. 3 of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 (“Regulation 1052”) enacting the MAR (i) for a consideration that shall not be higher than the greater of the price of the most recent independent transaction and the price of the highest independent offer on the trading markets where the buyback is made, without prejudice to the condition that the per-share consideration shall not in any case be more than 20% below or 10% above the mean official Piaggio share price in the ten trading days before each single purchase transaction; (ii) for volumes not exceeding 25% of the average daily volume of Piaggio shares traded on the regulated market where the buyback is made, determined on the basis of the parameters as per art. 3 of Regulation 1052;
• the buyback program may be implemented, in one or more tranches, through 12 October 2018.

 

As of today, the company does not hold any own shares.

 

* * * 

Conference call with analysts  

 

The presentation of the financial results as at and for the quarter ended 31 March 2017, which will be illustrated during a conference call with financial analysts, is available on the corporate website at www.piaggiogroup.com/it/investor and on the “eMarket Storage” authorised storage mechanism on the website www.emarketstorage.com.

 

* * * 

 

The Piaggio Group consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of financial position and consolidated statement of cash flows as at and for the quarter ended 31 March 2017 are set out below.

 

The manager in charge of preparing the company accounts and documents, Alessandra Simonotto, certifies, pursuant to paragraph 2 of art. 154 bis of Legislative Decree no. 58/1998 (TUF), that the accounting disclosures in this statement correspond to the accounting documents, ledgers and entries.

* * * 

 

In line with the recommendations of CESR Communication 05-178b, attention is drawn to the fact that this press release contains a number of indicators that, though not yet contemplated by the IFRS (“Non-GAAP Measures”), are based on financial measures envisaged by the IFRS. These indicators – presented in order to assist assessment of the Group’s business performance – should not be considered as alternatives to those envisaged by the IFRS and are consistent with those in the Piaggio Group 2016 Annual Report and quarterly and half-year reports. Furthermore, since determination of such indicators is not specifically regulated by the IFRS, the methods used may not coincide with those adopted by other companies/groups, and consequently the indicators in question may not be comparable. In compliance with Consob Communication no. 9081707 of 16 September 2009, it should be noted that the alternative performance indicators (“Non-GAAP Measures”) have not been audited by the independent auditors.

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to future events and Piaggio Group business and financial results. By their nature, these statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, since they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such statements as a result of a variety of factors.

* * * 

 

2 - THIS NOTICE IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION NOR FOR CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN OR IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN WHICH THE ISSUE OF THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN IS NOT PERMITTED ABSENT SPECIFIC AUTHORISATIONS BY THE AUTHORITIES AND/OR COMMUNICATION TO INVESTORS RESIDENT IN SUCH COUNTRIES.

 

THIS NOTICE (INCLUDING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN) DOES NOT CONSTITUTE NOR REPRESENT AN OFFER TO BUY THE BONDS INDICATED HEREIN OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION TO INVEST IN FINANCIAL PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN, NOR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERS OR SOLICITATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO AUTHORISATION BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR IN ANY CASE FORBIDDEN BY LAW.

 

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