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Touax: 2021 Results
المصدر: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 23 مارس 2022 11:45:00 America/Chicago
PRESS RELEASE Paris, 23 March 2022 – 5.45 p.m.
THE LEASING SOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
2021 RESULTS
Growth in activity and confirmation of profitability momentum
- Significant growth in EBITDA (+13%), to €53.1 million
- Group share of Net Profit: €12.6 million (+114%)
- Increase in the net book value per share (+23.7%) and NAV (revalued net asset value) per share (+42%)
- Long-term value-creating investments
“The excellent results for 2021, following the strong figures for 2020, confirm the recurring nature of the group’s performance. The year was marked by a steady rate of asset purchases in order to meet our clients’ needs, and by our adaptation to the shortage of containers. 2021 demonstrated the relevance of our growth strategy in long-term leasing for sustainable transportation,” said Fabrice and Raphaël Walewski, Managing Partners of TOUAX SCA.
Despite the complex environment linked to the health crisis, in 2021 the group confirmed the recurring nature of its business model and its agility. Touax both continued to capitalise on the strategic, operational and financial measures taken in recent years to consolidate and improve its profitability, while developing its long-term investment programme, and adapted to the tensions created by the logistics disruptions linked to the recovery.
Touax confirmed its profitability momentum in 2021, with a Group share of Net Profit of €12.6 million, and observes an overall growth across all of its operational performance indicators.
Its net book value per share stood at €11.701, up 23.7% compared with 31 December 2020. Based on the market value of our assets, the revalued net asset value2 (« NAV ») per share came to €20.222, up 42% on 31 December 2020. The sharp rise in the NAV was driven by commodity price inflation.
The consolidated financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2021 were approved by the Management Board on 22 March 2022 and were submitted to the Supervisory Board on 23 March 2022. The auditing of these statements is underway.
KEY FIGURES
Key Figures (in million euros) 2021 2020 Restated revenue from activities (*) 125.0 111.6 Freight railcars 50.3 47.2 River Barges 12.8 11.8 Containers 47.7 39.8 Others 14.2 12.7 EBITDA 53.1 46.8 Current operating income 28.8 23.3 Operating Income 28.7 23.2 Profit before tax 16.8 10.0 Consolidated net profit (loss) (Group's share) 12.6 5.9 Including income from retained operations 12.6 6.0 Including income from discontinued operations 0.0 -0.1 Net earnings per share (€) 1.79 0.84 Total non-current assets 358.0 334.5 Total Assets 552.4 474.0 Total shareholders' equity 165.0 146.7 Net Financial Debt (1) 230.6 189.6 Operating cash flow (2) -25.7 -1.2 Loan to Value 52 % 54 % (1) Including €207.2 million of non-recourse debt at 31 December 2021
(2) Operating flows included €71.3 million of net equipment purchases (€31.5 million in 2020)
(*) The key indicators in the group’s activity report are presented differently from the IFRS income statement, to enable an understanding of the activities’ performance. As such, no distinction is made in third-party management, which is presented solely in agent form: the leasing revenue from equipment owned by passive investors is replaced by management fees, which correspond to the net contribution of the leasing management activity to the group’s performance.
This presentation shows syndication fees, sales fees and management fees, grouped together under management activity, separate from owned activity.
This new presentation has no impact on EBITDA, operating income or net income. The accounting presentation of revenue from activities is presented in the appendix to the press release.
STRONG BUSINESS GROWTH IN 2021
The utilisation rates at the end of December 2021 for Freight Railcars (89.0%), River Barges (92.3%) and Containers (99.2%) were high, due to the economic recovery and the sustained level of international trade.
Over the full-year 2021, restated revenue from activities totalled €125.0 million (€126.6 million at constant scope and currency), up 12% compared with 2020.
This increase was due to the buoyancy of the owned activity, which amounted to €116.4 million at the end of 2021, up 15%. The owned activity benefited particularly from the development of container trading, generating margins on sales and pick-up charges.
For the management activity, syndication fees came to €3.0 million, up €0.7 million, and management fees for investor fleets were stable at €3.6 million.
On the other hand, investor equipment sales fees fell steeply (-€3.0 million compared with 2020), mainly reflecting the low level of containers available for sale in a context of global shortages in 2021.
ANALYSIS OF CONTRIBUTION BY DIVISION
Restated revenue from the Freight Railcars division reached €50.3 million in 2021, an increase of 6.6%.
Revenue from the leasing activity increased by 9.7% to €46.4 million over the period, as the new assets purchased generated additional revenue, and investor fleet management fees grew by 13.4% to €1.8 million.
Owned equipment sales and syndication fees decreased, however, by a total amount of €1.2 million.
Restated revenue from the River Barges division was up 8.4% to €12.8 million in 2021, driven by the leasing activity (revenues linked to the increase in chartering in the Rhine basin). The average utilisation rate for the division over the period rose to 97.1% (versus 95.1% in 2020).
Restated revenue from the Containers division came to €47.7 million at the end of December 2021, an increase of 19.7%.
2021 was an exceptional year. In an environment with an utilisation rate of more than 99%, leasing revenue grew by 10.5% (+€1.0 million). The following positive effects were also seen:
- The rise in owned equipment sales (+€3.7 million year-on-year), with the development of the container trading activity
- The +€4.8million growth in ancillary services (one-way trading container delivery between Asia and the United States)
Syndication fees, up €1.7 million, with two major transactions over the financial year, did not offset the €3.0 million decrease in sales fees on containers owned by investors due to the continued shortage of containers available for sale.
Finally, revenue from the Modular Building activity in Africa, presented in the “miscellaneous” line, rose by €1.1 million over the period to €14.1 million.
A SHARP INCREASE IN PROFITABILITY
EBITDA came to €53.1 million, an increase of 13.4%.
The Freight Railcars division’s EBITDA was stable at €26.2 million, compared with €26.5 million in 2020.
Against a backdrop of a gradual rise in utilisation rates (89% at the end of December 2021), the division is continuing to make investments and recorded an increase in its operating expenses (maintenance expenses) to anticipate forthcoming rentals.
The River Barges division posted EBITDA of €4.8 million over the year, down slightly, by €0.3 million, mainly due to the €0.3 million decrease in syndication fees.
The Containers division’s EBITDA increased significantly, by €6.3 million, to €17.8 million (+54.1%), driven by the controlled development of trading, an activity that generated strong margins in 2021. Note that this level of performance, which was partly due to logistics disruptions affecting shipping containers worldwide, was extraordinary by an estimated €5 million. However, this positive impact could continue into 2022.
EBITDA for other activities, including Modular Building in Africa, grew to €4.2 million (+€0.6 million).
Operating income reached €28.7 million, an increase of 23.8% versus 2020.
Financial income came to -€11.9 million, compared with -€13.2 million in 2020. This €1.3 million improvement may be attributed to the decrease in financing fees and the reduction of foreign exchange impacts (particularly with the implementation of a cash flow foreign exchange hedging in 2021).
Profit before tax came to €16.8 million, compared with €10.0 million in 2020.
Group share of Net Profit stood at €12.6 million, a very sharp increase versus 2020 (€5.9 million). All of the group’s operating divisions made a positive contribution to the global consolidated Net Income.
A SOLID FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
The balance sheet showed a total of €552 million at 31 December 2021, compared with €474 million at 31 December 2020.
Tangible fixed assets and inventories amounted to €418 million, compared with €343 million at the end of December 2020, mainly due to investments within the Freight Railcars and Containers divisions.
Shareholders’ equity rose sharply, thanks to the net profitability for the year. Total shareholders’ equity stood at €165.0 million (versus €146.7 million in 2020) and the Group share of shareholders’ equity totalled €108 million (+17% year-on-year).
Cash flow from operating activities came to -€25.7 million due to a steady rate of equipment purchases amounting to €71.3 million of net purchases and changes in inventories (note that investments relating to operating lessors are classified under cash flow from operating activities).
Gross debt came to €285.5 million, of which 73% non-recourse debt. The group’s net debt amounted to €230.6 million, with a comfortable cash position of €53.8 million.
The loan-to-value ratio fell by two points, to 52%.
IMPACT OF THE ARMED CONFLICT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE
Touax is not directly exposed to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, as it has no subsidiaries, customers or leased transport assets (with the possible exception of a few non-significant containers in transit) in Ukraine or Russia. Indirectly, it is possible that the conflict will create inflation, a fall in European economic growth, logistical disruptions, and a shortage of equipment, spare parts and raw materials in certain industrial sectors (including the rail sector), whose consequences are as yet unknown.
OUTLOOK
The 2021 results validate the Touax group’s strategy of refocusing on its three business lines consisting of the long-term leasing of environmentally-friendly equipment for sustainable transportation.
The group is continuing to invest to grow its activities with a view to sustainable value creation. At 31 December 2021, firm orders for and investments in productive assets with third parties amounted to €54.1 million, consisting of €28.4 million of containers, €22.9 million of railcars and €2.8 million of river barges.
In the Freight Railcar sector, the European Commission has set an ambitious target of reaching a 30% freight transportation market share by 2030 (versus 18% in 2021), which will require the replacing of 400,000 railcars that are over 30 years old. The tendency towards outsourcing, which is favourable to lessors, is continuing in Europe, and combined rail transportation is still growing.
In Asia, the market is guided by the need for innovative railcars in order to increase loading capacity, diminishing road traffic and reducing CO2 emissions, as well as by the numerous infrastructure projects promoting rail and containerised traffic.
The River Barge sector is experiencing stability in the Americas and a positive trend in Europe. Demand for new barges is aimed at transporting aggregates for construction, biomass and cereals. European and government bodies are aware of the ecological advantages of river transportation. Substantial public and institutional investments should be made to reinvigorate the sector and Touax is positioned to benefit from the effects of these stimulus packages.
After an excellent 2021, the Containers division wishes to continue its strategy of investment to increase its critical size and meet its customers’ demands, while still developing its third-party investor management activity (two major partnerships have been signed with US and European funds).
The growth of the container trading activity, which very much complements the leasing activity, should also continue, and the division is constantly working to enhance its offer.
In the Modular Building activity in Africa, the group is continuing its investment to improve volumes and margins, and by focusing on increasing its sales of high value added turnkey products in order to maximize value.
Subject to the development of the situation in Ukraine and its potential impacts (particularly on the group’s trading activities), the business outlook for long-term equipment leasing for sustainable transportation is positive. Our various asset classes are benefiting from the development of infrastructure, e-commerce and intermodal logistics, as well as the support of public authorities, consumers, lenders and investors for green transport.
The group’s holding company (Touax SCA) carried out an independent revaluation of its tangible and financial assets, showing a revaluation difference of €67.6 million at 31 December 2021. The Management Board will propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders of June 2022 the conducting of a technical operation on its share capital (€21.8 million reduction followed by an increase of the same amount through the incorporation of the revaluation difference) in order to be in a position to resume a dividend distribution policy in the future.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 23 March 2022: SFAF presentation of the annual results in French
- 25 March 2022: Video conference call to present the annual results in English
- 12 May 2022: Q1 2022 revenue from activities
- 22 June 2022: Annual General Meeting
TOUAX Group leases out tangible assets (freight railcars, river barges and containers) on a daily basis worldwide, both on its own account and for investors. With more than €1.2 billion of assets under management, TOUAX is one of the leading European players in the leasing of such equipment.
TOUAX is listed on the EURONEXT stock market in Paris - Euronext Paris Compartment C (ISIN code: FR0000033003) - and is listed on the CAC® Small, CAC® Mid & Small and EnterNext©PEA-PME 150 indices.
For further information please visit: www.touax.com
Contacts:
TOUAX ACTIFIN
Fabrice & Raphaël Walewski Ghislaine Gasparetto
touax@touax.com ggasparetto@actifin.fr
www.touax.com Tel: +33 1 56 88 11 11
Tel: +33 1 46 96 18 00
APPENDICES
1 - ANALYSIS OF THE RESTATED REVENUE FROM ACTIVITIES
Restated Revenue from activities
(in € thousand)Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2021 Q4 2021 TOTAL 2021 Q1 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2020 TOTAL 2020 Leasing revenue on owned equipment 13,229 13,633 14,479 15,350 56,691 13,426 13,336 13,011 12,572 52,345 Ancillary services 2,745 3,747 5,530 7,358 19,380 3,044 2,997 3,838 2,895 12,774 Total leasing activity 15,974 17,380 20,009 22,708 76,071 16,470 16,333 16,849 15,467 65,119 Sales of owned equipment 7,085 8,328 9,132 15,780 40,325 5,872 7,216 10,917 12,108 36,113 Total sales of equipment 7,085 8,328 9,132 15,780 40,325 5,872 7,216 10,917 12,108 36,113 Total of owned activity 23,059 25,708 29,141 38,488 116,396 22,342 23,549 27,766 27,575 101,232 Syndication fees 17 946 48 1,992 3,003 232 231 13 1,809 2,285 Management fees 897 891 894 959 3,641 937 919 898 879 3,633 Sales fees 591 358 181 236 1,366 2,128 882 793 589 4,392 Total of management activity 1,505 2,195 1,123 3,187 8,010 3,297 2,032 1,704 3,277 10,310 Other capital gains on disposals 0 6 0 552 558 15 0 0 1 16 Total Others 0 6 0 552 558 15 0 0 1 16 Total Restated Revenue from activities 24,564 27,909 30,264 42,227 124,963 25,654 25,581 29,470 30,853 111,558 2 - TABLE SHOWING THE TRANSITION FROM THE ACCOUNTING PRESENTATION TO THE RESTATED PRESENTATION
Revenue from activities
(in € thousand)2021 Restatement Restated
20212020 Restatement Restated
2020Leasing revenue on owned equipment 56,691 56,691 52,345 52,345 Ancillary services 20,879 -1,499 19,380 18,140 -5,366 12,774 Total leasing activity 77,570 -1,499 76,071 70,485 -5,366 65,119 Sales of owned equipment 40,325 40,325 36,113 36,113 Total sales of equipment 40,325 0 40,325 36,113 0 36,113 Total of owned activity 117,895 -1,499 116,396 106,598 -5,366 101,232 Leasing revenue on managed equipment 44,328 -44,328 0 49,759 -49,759 0 Fees on syndications 3,003 3,003 2,285 2,285 Management fees on managed assets 721 2,920 3,641 381 3,252 3,633 Margins on sale of managed equipment 1,366 1,366 4,369 23 4,392 Total of management activity 49,418 -41,408 8,010 56,794 -46,484 10,310 Other capital gains on disposals 558 558 16 16 Total Others 558 0 558 16 0 16 Total Restated Revenue from activities 167,871 -42,907 124,963 163,408 -51,850 111,558 3 - BREAKDOWN OF THE RESTATED REVENUE FROM ACTIVITIES BY DIVISION
Restated Revenue from activities
(in € thousand)Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2021 Q4 2021 TOTAL 2021 Q1 2020 Q2 2020 Q3 2020 Q4 2020 TOTAL 2020 Leasing revenue on owned equipment 9,152 9,223 10,122 10,779 39,276 9,199 9,118 8,910 8,860 36,087 Ancillary services 1,873 1,724 1,950 1,584 7,131 1,462 2,044 1,680 1,025 6,211 Total leasing activity 11,025 10,947 12,072 12,363 46,407 10,661 11,162 10,590 9,885 42,298 Sales of owned equipment 320 403 162 640 1,525 939 662 354 141 2,096 Total sales of equipment 320 403 162 640 1,525 939 662 354 141 2,096 Total of owned activity 11,345 11,350 12,234 13,003 47,932 11,600 11,824 10,944 10,026 44,394 Syndication fees 0 0 0 570 570 214 231 0 746 1,191 Management fees 463 470 451 440 1,824 373 395 406 434 1,608 Total of management activity 463 470 451 1,010 2,394 587 626 406 1,180 2,799 Total Freight railcars 11,808 11,820 12,685 14,013 50,326 12,187 12,450 11,350 11,206 47,193 Leasing revenue on owned equipment 1,688 1,745 1,770 1,625 6,828 1,636 1,626 1,755 1,638 6,655 Ancillary services 683 972 1,286 2,272 5,213 1,246 439 1,062 1,320 4,067 Total leasing activity 2,371 2,717 3,056 3,897 12,041 2,882 2,065 2,817 2,958 10,722 Sales of owned equipment 41 0 0 0 41 0 0 0 56 56 Total sales of equipment 41 0 0 0 41 0 0 0 56 56 Total of owned activity 2,412 2,717 3,056 3,897 12,082 2,882 2,065 2,817 3,014 10,778 Syndication fees 0 0 0 710 710 0 0 0 1,046 1,046 Management fees 6 6 5 7 24 0 0 0 0 0 Total of management activity 6 6 5 717 734 0 0 0 1,046 1,046 Total River barges 2,418 2,723 3,061 4,614 12,816 2,882 2,065 2,817 4,060 11,824 Leasing revenue on owned equipment 2,384 2,654 2,572 2,937 10,547 2,578 2,581 2,335 2,054 9,548 Ancillary services 191 1,054 2,297 3,996 7,538 285 642 1,098 752 2,777 Total leasing activity 2,575 3,708 4,869 6,933 18,085 2,863 3,223 3,433 2,806 12,325 Sales of owned equipment 3,480 3,524 5,991 11,696 24,691 4,064 4,192 6,344 6,410 21,010 Total sales of equipment 3,480 3,524 5,991 11,696 24,691 4,064 4,192 6,344 6,410 21,010 Total of owned activity 6,055 7,232 10,860 18,629 42,776 6,927 7,415 9,777 9,216 33,335 Syndication fees 17 946 48 712 1,723 18 0 13 17 48 Management fees 428 415 438 512 1,793 564 524 492 445 2,025 Sales fees 591 358 181 236 1,366 2,128 882 793 589 4,392 Total of management activity 1,036 1,719 667 1,460 4,882 2,710 1,406 1,298 1,051 6,465 Total Containers 7,091 8,951 11,527 20,089 47,658 9,637 8,821 11,075 10,267 39,800 Leasing revenue on owned equipment 5 11 15 9 40 13 11 11 20 55 Ancillary services (2) (3) (3) (494) (502) 51 (128) (2) (202) (281) Total leasing activity 3 8 12 (485) (462) 64 (117) 9 (182) (226) Sales of owned equipment 3,244 4,401 2,979 3,444 14,068 869 2,362 4,219 5,501 12,951 Total sales of equipment 3,244 4,401 2,979 3,444 14,068 869 2,362 4,219 5,501 12,951 Total of owned activity 3,247 4,409 2,991 2,959 13,606 933 2,245 4,228 5,319 12,725 Other capital gains on disposal 0 6 0 552 558 15 0 0 1 16 Total Others 0 6 0 552 558 15 0 0 1 16 Total Miscellaneous and eliminations 3,247 4,415 2,991 3,511 14,164 948 2,245 4,228 5,320 12,741 Total Restated Revenue from activities 24,564 27,909 30,264 42,227 124,963 25,654 25,581 29,470 30,853 111,558
1 Excluding Undated Deeply Subordinated Bonds
2 The market value is calculated by independent experts, based 50% on the replacement value and 50% on the value-in-use for railcars, the value-in-use for containers and the replacement value for river barges with the exception of a long-term contract in South America for which the value-in-use was used. This market value is substituted for the net book value when calculating the net asset value.Attachment