The Q3 2024 results of AS Tallink Grupp will be introduced at an Investor Webinar held today at 12:00 (EEST). To participate, please join via the following link; we kindly ask participants to provide their questions latest by 11:00 by email to: investor@tallink.ee. Further details are available in a previously published announcement.
In the third quarter (1 July – 30 September) of the 2024 financial year, AS Tallink Grupp and its subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to as “the Group”) carried 1 715 496 passengers, which is 3.4% less than in the third quarter of 2023. The number of cargo units transported decreased by 11.7% compared to the same period a year ago. The number of passenger vehicles was down by 8.3% year-on-year and amounted to 250 810. The Group’s unaudited consolidated revenue amounted to EUR 231.9 million (EUR 240.7 million in Q3 2023), down by 3.7%. Unaudited EBITDA was EUR 68.4 million (EUR 82.1 million in Q3 2023) and the unaudited net profit for the period was EUR 36.8 million (EUR 48.7 million in Q3 2023).
The following operational factors impacted the Group’s revenue and operating results in the third quarter of 2024:
Demand continued to be affected by low consumer and business confidence levels, the economic challenges in the Group’s core markets as well as mounting global geopolitical tensions.As at the end of the quarter, the Group operated 14 vessels including 2 shuttle vessels, 2 cargo vessels, 5 operating cruise ferries as well as 3 vessels that were chartered out and 2 vessels that were in lay-up.During the quarter the Tallinn-Stockholm route was operated with two cruise ferries. The cruise ferry Victoria I returned to Tallinn-Helsinki route on 31 August 2024.The Group operated 3 hotels in Tallinn and 1 in Riga.The Group’s net debt was EUR 555.7 million as at the end of the quarter (EUR 548.9 million as at 30 June 2024) bringing the net debt to EBITDA ratio to 2.98 as at 30 September 2024.Payment of dividends in the amount of EUR 44.6 million and related income tax in the amount of EUR 4.9 million impacted the cash balance.As a result of the voluntary takeover bid, the shareholding of AS Infortar, the core shareholder of the Group, increased from 46.8% to 68.5% as at 9 August 2024. The Group continues to focus on cost efficiencies from the previously implemented measures and maintaining profitable operations on its core routes.The Group regularly monitors the developments on its core routes including the capacity of each route and continues to look for new chartering options for vessels not used on the main routes and to work on extending the existing chartering agreements. Sales and Segments
In the third quarter of 2024, the Group’s total revenue decreased by EUR 8.8 million to EUR 231.9 million compared to EUR 240.7 million in the third quarter of 2023.
Revenue from route operations (the Group’s core business) decreased by EUR 2.0 million to EUR 193.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2023. The segment result from route operations (the Group’s core business) amounted to EUR 48.1 million, down by EUR 6.9 million compared to the third quarter of 2023.
The number of passengers carried on the Estonia-Finland route dropped by 1.7% in year-on-year comparison. The number of transported cargo units decreased by 13.0%. Revenue from the Estonia-Finland route increased by EUR 0.4 million compared to the same period a year ago and amounted to EUR 86.8 million. The segment result decreased by EUR 0.9 million amounting to EUR 31.4 million. The segment reflects the operations of two shuttle vessels until 31 August 2024 and two shuttle vessels and one cruise ferry from thereon. From 31 May 2024 until 31 August 2024, the cruise ferry Victoria I operated the Tallinn-Stockholm route.
In the third quarter of 2024, the year-on-year decrease in the number of passengers on Finland-Sweden routes was 18.1%. The number of transported cargo units increased by 9.9%. The routes’ revenue decreased by EUR 11.1 million to EUR 72.6 million and the segment result decreased by EUR 5.6 million to EUR 13.2 million, year-on-year. The segment reflects the operations of one cruise ferry on the Turku-Stockholm route and two cruise ferries on the Helsinki-Stockholm route.
On Estonia-Sweden routes the number of carried passengers increased by 34.2% while the number of transported cargo units decreased by 21.6% compared to the third quarter of 2023. Year-on-year, the revenue of Estonia-Sweden routes increased by EUR 8.6 million to EUR 34.2 million. The segment result declined by EUR 0.4 million compared to the third quarter of 2023 and amounted to EUR 3.5 million. Estonia-Sweden routes reflect the operation of two cargo vessels and two cruise ferries until 31 August 2024. The cruise ferry Victoria I returned to the Tallinn-Helsinki route on 31 August 2024 and the Tallinn-Stockholm route was from thereon operated by the cruise ferry Baltic Queen.
Revenue from the segment Other decreased by a total of EUR 7.2 million and amounted to EUR 40.2 million. The decrease was mainly driven by less vessels on charter. As at the end of the third quarter of 2024, the Group had 3 vessels on charter, of which one was on long-term and two on short-term charter (Q3 2023: 5 vessels including 3 on long-term and 2 on short-term).
At the end of the third quarter of 2024, the following vessels were chartered out:
The shuttle vessel James Joyce (formerly Star) was chartered out from 5 May 2023 for 20 months with an option to extend the charter by 2+2 years and an option to purchase the vessel.The cruise ferry Galaxy I was chartered out in September 2022. In October 2024, the agreement was extended by 12 months until October 2025 with the option of extending the agreement at the end of the agreement period by 6+6 months.The cruise ferry Silja Europa was chartered out in August 2022. In October 2023, the charter agreement was extended until the end of 2024. Earnings
In the third quarter of 2024, the Group’s gross profit declined by EUR 10.6 million to EUR 67.0 million compared to EUR 77.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. EBITDA declined by EUR 13.7 million and amounted to EUR 68.4 million.
Amortisation and depreciation expense decreased by EUR 0.9 million to EUR 24.4 million compared to the third quarter of the financial year 2023.
The Group’s unaudited net profit for the third quarter of 2024 was EUR 36.8 million or EUR 0.050 per share compared to EUR 48.7 million or EUR 0.065 per share in the third quarter of 2023.
Investments
The Group’s investments in the third quarter of 2024 amounted to EUR 5.6 million (EUR 6.1 million in Q3 2023). Main investments in vessels included maintenance and repair works i.e., technical works as well as interior upgrades. The Group also continued to invest in the improvement of its IT systems.
Financial Position
At the end of Q3 2024, the Group’s net debt amounted to EUR 555.7 million, up by EUR 6.8 million compared to the end of second quarter of 2024. The net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.98 at the reporting date (2.7 as at 30 June 2024).
As at 30 September 2024, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 32.6 million (EUR 70.9 million as at 30 June 2024) and the Group had EUR 75.0 million in unused credit lines (EUR 75.0 million as at 30 June 2024). The total liquidity buffer (cash, cash equivalents and unused credit facilities) amounted to EUR 107.6 million (EUR 145.8 million as at 30 June 2024). The decline in cash and cash equivalents as well as in the liquidity buffer was driven by the payment of dividends and related income tax in the third quarter of 2024. In the third quarter of 2024, the Group repaid loans in the total amount of EUR 27.0 million (EUR 30.9 million in the third quarter of 2023).
Dividends
In 2018, the Group adopted a dividend policy subject to which dividends of a minimum amount of EUR 0.05 per share would be paid if the economic performance enables it.
The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on 7 May 2024 adopted a resolution to pay dividends of EUR 0.06 per share for the financial year of 2023. The dividends in the amount of EUR 44.6 million were paid out on 3 July 2024.
Results of the first 9 months of 2024
In the first 9 months (1 January – 30 September) of the 2024 financial year, the Group carried 4.3 million passengers which is down by 2.2% compared to the same period last year. The Group’s unaudited revenue for the period decreased by 6.1% and amounted to EUR 602.3 million. Unaudited EBITDA for the first 9 months was EUR 149.5 million (EUR 177.7 million in January-September 2023) and unaudited net profit was EUR 45.5 million (EUR 76.7 million in January-September 2023).
The financial result of the first 9 months of 2024 was impacted by the following factors:
Low consumer and business confidence in the home markets as well as mounting geopolitical tensions.The number of vessels on charter dropped from 5 in the beginning of the year to 3 as at the end of the third quarter.Sale of the cruise vessel Isabelle in the first quarter of 2024.Two vessels in lay-up including the cruise vessel Romantika the charter agreement of which was prematurely terminated in September 2023 and MV Superfast IX (formerly Atlantic Vision) the charter agreement of which ended in May 2024.Payment of dividends in the amount of EUR 44.6 million in the third quarter of 2024.Income tax expense on dividends in the amount of EUR 9.2 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2024. In the third quarter of 2024, income tax on dividends was paid in the amount of EUR 4.9 million (EUR 4.3 million of the dividend tax expense was offset by prepaid income tax).Repayment of long-term loans in the amount of EUR 59.5 million. Key Figures
For the periodQ3 2024Q3 2023Jan-Sep
2024Jan-Sep
2023Revenue (EUR million)231.9240.7602.3641.6Gross profit/loss (EUR million)67.077.7127.6168.9EBITDA¹ (EUR million)68.482.1149.5177.7EBIT¹ (EUR million)44.056.876.1101.9Net profit/loss for the period (EUR million)36.848.745.576.7 Depreciation and amortisation (EUR million)24.425.273.375.7Capital expenditures¹ ²(EUR million)5.66.116.522.3Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding743 569 064743 569 064743 569 064743 569 064Earnings/loss per share¹ (EUR)0.0500.0650.0610.103 Number of passengers1 715 4961 775 8214 270 0024 366 679Number of cargo units66 86575 701238 628247 792Average number of employees5 0634 7565 0044 878 As at30.09.202430.06.202430.09.202330.06.2023Total assets (EUR million)1 498.91 567.01 597.41 613.6Total liabilities (EUR million)711.5816.6813.7878.4Interest-bearing liabilities (EUR million)588.3619.8684.8722.5Net debt¹ (EUR million)555.7548.9620.4664.9Net debt to EBITDA¹3.02.72.73.1Total equity (EUR million)787.4750.4783.7735.2Equity ratio¹ (%)53%48%49%46% Number of ordinary shares outstanding743 569 064743 569 064743 569 064743 569 064Shareholders’ equity per share (EUR)1.061.011.050.99 Ratios¹Q3 2024Q3 2023Jan-Sep
2024Jan-Sep
2023Gross margin (%)28.9%32.3%21.2%26.3%EBITDA margin (%)29.5%34.1%24.8%27.7%EBIT margin (%)19.0%23.6%12.6%15.9%Net profit/loss margin (%)15.9%20.2%7.6%12.0% ROA (%)5.6%7.7%5.6%7.7%ROE (%)6.1%12.9%6.1%12.9%ROCE (%)6.7%9.6%6.7%9.6%
1 Alternative performance measures based on ESMA guidelines are disclosed in the Alternative Performance Measures section of this Interim Report.
2 Does not include additions to right-of-use assets.
EBITDA: result from operating activities before net financial items, share of profit of equity-accounted investees, taxes, depreciation and amortization
EBIT: result from operating activities
Earnings/loss per share: net profit or loss/ weighted average number of shares outstanding
Equity ratio: total equity / total assets
Shareholder’s equity per share: shareholder’s equity / number of shares outstanding
Gross profit/loss margin: gross profit / net sales
EBITDA margin: EBITDA / net sales
EBIT margin: EBIT / net sales
Net profit/loss margin: net profit or loss / net sales
Capital expenditure: additions to property, plant and equipment – additions to right-of-use assets + additions to intangible assets
ROA: earnings before net financial items, taxes 12-months trailing / average total assets
ROE: net profit 12-months trailing / average shareholders’ equity
ROCE: earnings before net financial items, taxes 12-months trailing / (total assets – current liabilities (average for the period))
Net debt: interest-bearing liabilities less cash and cash equivalents
Net debt to EBITDA: net debt / EBITDA 12-months trailing
Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income
Unaudited, in thousands of EURQ3 2024Q3 2023Jan-Sep
2024Jan-Sep
2023Revenue231 868240 668602 317641 588Cost of sales-164 849-163 013-474 695-472 682Gross profit/loss67 01977 655127 622168 906 Sales and marketing expenses-10 684-10 399-32 347-30 781Administrative expenses-12 770-11 175-39 009-37 494Other operating income46978920 8681 382Other operating expenses-42-35-1 001-68Result from operating activities43 99256 83576 133101 945 Finance income144133633804Finance costs-7 319-8 507-22 376-26 803Profit/loss before income tax36 81748 46154 39075 946 Income tax -1222-8 896762 Net profit/loss for the period36 81648 68345 49476 708Net profit/loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the Parent36 81648 68345 49476 708 Other comprehensive income Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss Exchange differences on translating foreign operations-11-24435829Other comprehensive income for the period-11-24435829 Total comprehensive profit/loss for the period36 80548 43945 85276 737Total comprehensive profit/loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the Parent36 80548 43945 85276 737 EPS (in EUR)0.0500.0650.0610.103Diluted EPD (in EUR)0.0490.0650.0610.103
Consolidated statement of financial position
Unaudited, in thousands of EUR30.09.202430.09.202331.12.2023ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents32 60964 43341 921Trade and other receivables30 29034 57731 766Prepayments11 01811 4857 661Prepaid income tax131193Inventories45 18039 75841 411Short-term intangible assets5 16600Current assets124 276150 254122 952 Investments in equity-accounted investees0750Other financial assets and prepayments5154 5104 794Deferred income tax assets21 84021 84021 840Investment property300300300Property, plant and equipment1 327 4131 391 6821 377 664Intangible assets24 55628 73427 671Non-current assets1 374 6241 447 1411 432 269TOTAL ASSETS1 498 9001 597 3951 555 221 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Interest-bearing loans and borrowings104 508126 148104 097Trade and other payables88 94083 59385 406Payables to owners000Income tax liability666Deferred income93510Current liabilities34 26145 23734 788 227 724255 019224 307Interest-bearing loans and borrowings Non-current liabilities483 812558 659545 160Total liabilities711 536813 678769 467 Share capital349 477349 477349 477Share premium663663663Reserves66 25167 69467 056Retained earnings370 973365 883368 558Equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent787 364783 717785 754Total equity787 364783 717785 754TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY1 498 9001 597 3951 555 221
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Unaudited, in thousands of EUR
