PostNL provides update on Q2 business trends and FY 2020 outlook
Q2 performance to show strong improvement, positively impacting FY 2020 outlook for normalised EBIT and free cash flow
PostNL today provides an update on current business trends, taking into account the continuation of the developments related to Covid-19 that started to have an impact during March and accelerated through April and May. PostNL now expects Q2 2020 normalised EBIT to come in strongly above last year (Q2 2019: €39 million) as a result of better performance in Parcels. Based on the expected performance over the first half year, coupled with the current trends, PostNL is adjusting its FY 2020 outlook for normalised EBIT to strongly above the previous guidance of between €110 million and €130 million. The increase in normalised EBIT is expected to translate into an improvement in free cash flow.
Limited visibility due to Covid-19 developments
It remains to be seen how the Covid-19 pandemic will develop in the course of 2020 and over the longer term, and how this will impact the economic environment. Longer-term visibility remains limited due to uncertainties about the duration and severity of the pandemic. The outlook for PostNL’s FY 2020 performance provided today could be impacted by such uncertainties.
Business trends in April and May following Covid-19 pandemic
Governments in the Netherlands and Belgium took health and safety measures early in March to contain the Covid-19 outbreak. Since then, e-commerce growth has picked up meaningfully across almost all segments and products, and e-commerce penetration has increased. At the same time, part of this growth relates to specific consumer spending as a result of the Covid-19 situation. The social distancing measures put upward pressure on costs across PostNL.
In Parcels, volume growth accelerated from close to 14% at the end of March to above 25% in April and May. To accommodate this growth, PostNL scaled up its network considerably. It is currently operating at almost optimal capacity, resulting in improved efficiency levels. The favourable price/mix development in Parcels as reported in Q1 is continuing, as is the positive trend at Spring.
The volume decline at Mail in the Netherlands in April and May was further impacted by a stronger than expected decline in bulk mail, explained by companies postponing direct mail campaigns. This was only partially offset by a slightly better trend in single items.
Health and safety remains first priority
PostNL applies all social distancing guidelines and health regulations to protect its people, partners and consumers as much as possible. It has implemented additional measures in its operations and facilities to support social distancing and to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.
Q2 and HY 2020 results will be published as scheduled on 3 August 2020.
About PostNL
We are PostNL, the mail and logistics solutions provider for all. With our mail and parcel deliverers who get everywhere, our 5,500 PostNL locations, 11.000 mail boxes and 517 automated parcel lockers, we are always nearby. We aim to be our customers’ favourite deliverer by making it as easy as possible for them to send and receive parcels and letters. Our over 35,000 people are right at the heart of society. On weekdays, we deliver an average 1.1 million parcels and 7.4 million letters across the Benelux region. Our focus is on quality for our customers, creating opportunities for our people and adding value for our stakeholders through growth, digitalisation and sustainability initiatives.
We optimise and support our physical networks by using smart digital solutions and launching new propositions that create value for our customers. We build long-lasting working relationships by acting as a good employer and client for everyone who works for and with us. To make our deliveries as sustainable as possible, we cover a lot of kilometres on foot or by bicycle or e-bike, provide innovative city logistics, use cleaner fuels, and use electric vans and light electric trucks. PostNL NV is a listed company with revenues of €3.1 billion in 2022, 61% of this derived from e-commerce. We provide deliveries of mail and parcels, logistics solutions for e-commerce, and cross-border solutions.