Solid Q1 2020 performance and improved free cash flow
The Hague
Financial results Q1 2020
| In € million
| Q1
2019 | Q1
2020 |
| Revenue | 684 | 701 |
| Normalised EBIT | 30 | 15 |
| Free cash flow | (8) | 5 |
Highlights Q1 2020
- Ensuring safe and healthy environment for our people and clients remains key priority
- Committed to FY 2020 outlook for normalised EBIT of between €110 million and €130 million; uncertainties regarding duration and severity of Covid-19 pandemic may impact ability to achieve this result
- Strong volume development at Parcels since mid-March, supported by positive price/mix effect
- Sandd integration ahead of plan in delivering anticipated benefits and synergies
- More greetings cards contributing to a favourable price/mix development
- Additional mail volume decline due to lower direct mail activity since mid-March
- Measures to protect our people and clients and increased staff absence due to Covid-19 impacted operating costs
- Disciplined working capital management contributed to improved free cash flow
CEO statement
Herna Verhagen, CEO of PostNL, said: “In an unprecedented first quarter, PostNL was able to achieve a solid performance resulting in improved free cash flow. The integration of the postal networks of PostNL and Sandd, completed on 1 February, is ahead of plan in delivering the anticipated benefits and synergies and was already accretive to normalised EBIT in Q1 2020.
“Above all, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for our people, partners, clients and consumers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic is and will remain our key priority. We are applying all social distancing guidelines and health regulations to protect our people and consumers as much as possible and have implemented additional measures in our operations and facilities. We are proud of our people, who are fully focused on the ongoing delivery of mail, parcels and other shipments such as medical goods and food, allowing people to stay at home. We are actively monitoring developments and have had a comprehensive business continuity plan in place since early March.
“Our financial position is strong and, building on our solid Q1 performance, we are committed to achieving our FY 2020 outlook for normalised EBIT of between €110 million and €130 million. Going forward, we see both challenges and opportunities, as e-commerce has picked up and consumer mail is becoming more popular. However, visibility is limited and the uncertainties about the duration and severity of the pandemic may impact PostNL’s ability to achieve the projected result.”
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.