PostNL reports normalised EBIT of €23 million for Q3 2021
FY 2021 outlook confirmed
The Hague
PDF press release (EN)
PDF persbericht (NL)
Financial highlights
in€ million | Q3 2020 | Q3 2021 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 |
Revenue | 742 | 729 | 2,232 | 2,530 |
Normalised EBIT | 36 | 23 | 105 | 216 |
assumed to be non-recurring and related to Covid-19 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 74 |
Free cash flow | 5 | 10 | 103 | 223 |
Normalised comprehensive income | 28 | 27 | 92 | 196 |
Highlights Q3 2021: Performance impacted by adjusted VAT regulation and Covid-19
- Volume growth of 1.6% at Parcels compared with Q3 2020; 6.4% when excluding the assumed non-recurring impact related to Covid-19 and around 19% growth compared with pre-Covid-19 Q3 2019
- Volume growth of 0.5% at Mail in the Netherlands, supported by non-recurring items related to Covid-19 and an improvement in the underlying substitution rate
- Stronger than expected, partly temporary, impact from change in VAT regulation for small non-EU goods and other regulation in China, visible both at Parcels and Mail in the Netherlands (total impact on normalised EBIT: €(8) million)
- Strong cash flow performance continues
Outlook for FY 2021 confirmed
- Normalised EBIT between €280 million and €310 million (including assumed non-recurring impact of around €75 million), with free cash flow between €250 million and €280 million
CEO statement
Herna Verhagen, CEO of PostNL, said: “In the third quarter of the year, the changes in VAT for small goods outside the EU and other regulation in China had a stronger temporary negative impact on international volumes than anticipated, and put pressure on the performance of both Parcels and Mail in the Netherlands.
“After operating in an environment dominated by the pandemic since early 2020, in the third quarter we seemed to be returning to more normal conditions. Volume at Parcels continued to grow. As expected, this growth was slower due to the reopening of non-essential stores and more people going on holiday, as well as some headwind from disruptions in global supply chains. Volume development at Mail in the Netherlands was positive, reflecting both Covid-19 and some improvement in the underlying substitution rate. We saw declining international volumes in both segments.
“We’re rebalancing our parcels’ network and, as usual during Q3, have started preparations for the end-of-year peak season. We have deliberately built up extra capacity and resources so as to be able to offer our customers the necessary sorting and delivery capacity and high quality service. In a quarter that includes the summer holiday, this had an impact on margins. This is expected to reverse in Q4, when parcel volumes are expected to come in at significantly higher levels.
“We are continuing to deliver on our strategy, including our commitment to sustainability and digital transformation. Early October, PostNL opened its fully automated, robotic sorting centre for small parcels. This innovative sorting centre, equipped with diverse robots, is unique in Europe and creates more capacity in our regular parcel sorting centres.
“Building on our solid performance in 2021 so far, we confirm our outlook for FY 2021 of normalised EBIT between €280 million and €310 million and strong free cash flow between €250 million and €280 million. The trend in e-commerce growth is expected to continue, with some uncertainty related to Covid-19 and the changes in VAT regulation.”
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.