Orkla ASA
OSE:ORK
Orkla ASA
Orkla ASA, headquartered in Oslo, Norway, is a conglomerate with a diversified operational scope that primarily focuses on branded consumer goods. With its roots tracing back to 1654 in the form of a mining company, Orkla has evolved significantly over the centuries. Today, its business model revolves around acquiring and nurturing household brands, particularly in the food and beverage sector, with a strong presence in the Nordic region, the Baltics, and selected areas in Central Europe and India. The company has also expanded into personal care, snacks, confectionery, and health products, leveraging a keen understanding of consumer preferences to sustain its growth. What differentiates Orkla in the competitive landscape is its strategic emphasis on sustainability and innovation, ensuring that its offerings not only resonate with consumer demands but also align with global sustainability trends.
Through a deft orchestration of acquisitions and organic growth, Orkla not only ensures a robust portfolio but also secures a substantial distribution network across varied markets. This allows the company to capitalize on economies of scale and scope, enhancing its operational efficiency and market presence. By focusing on local brand loyalty and adapting its products to fit regional tastes, Orkla effectively captures a significant share of consumer spending. The breadth of its product range, coupled with effective marketing and distribution strategies, translates into consistent revenue streams. Furthermore, its commitment to continuous product development and diversification into adjacent categories helps mitigate market fluctuations, ensuring long-term profitability and growth. This approach has positioned Orkla as a resilient player in the consumer goods industry, adapting to shifts in market dynamics while maintaining a steadfast focus on delivering value.
Earnings Calls
Orkla showcased impressive performance in Q4 with a 6% revenue increase to NOK 18.8 billion, while underlying EBIT rose 13.4%. Notable organic growth of 3.3% stemmed from improved volumes and pricing strategies. The company plans to increase dividends to NOK 10 per share for 2024, reflecting solid cash conversion and robust growth. Significant asset sales, including the hydropower portfolio for NOK 6.1 billion, aim to simplify operations and enhance future investments. Furthermore, a strategic focus on operational efficiencies is expected to stabilize raw material prices moving forward, ensuring sustainable growth.
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Good morning, and welcome to Orkla's presentation of fourth quarter results. My name is Annie Bersagel, and I'm the Head of Investor Relations and Communication. Our President and CEO, Nils Selte, will begin with a summary of the quarter. After that, our CFO, Arve Regland, will share more details on the financials.
Before we move on to the Q&A, Nils will summarize the main messages for the quarter. So after the presentations, we will hold a video Q&A with our analyst community before we move on to questions from the web. So during the presentation, you are welcome to submit questions and this is open for everyone, and we will take these after the video Q&A with analysts.
Just a quick note to avoid any confusion on some name changes. So in our financial statements for the quarter, you may notice that we refer to Orkla ASA as in the consolidated portfolio companies, including Orkla ASA. This is the same concept as Orkla headquarters. It's just the name that has changed. Secondly, a few of the portfolio companies have simplified their name since the last quarter. So Orkla Foods Europe is now simply Orkla Foods and Orkla Confectionery & Snacks is now Orkla Snacks. I want to underline there's no change in strategy, just a simplification of the name.
So I will now leave the floor to you, Nils.
Thank you, Annie, and good morning to everyone, and thank you for joining the presentation. 2024 represents the first full year since we transformed into an industrial investment company and the first full year of our 2024-2026 strategy period. I'm very pleased with the value creation and strong financial performance in our portfolio companies.
So let me share some -- or a few highlights from 2024. First, we have seen substantial improvements in profitability in our portfolio companies with 17% underlying EBIT growth. At the same time, we invested significantly more in A&P, in line with our strategy. We improved cash flow from operation in the consolidated portfolio companies, including Orkla ASA by NOK 1.9 billion compared to 2023, driven by EBIT adjusted growth and better capital discipline.
As I said at the Capital Markets Day, my #1 priority is to drive organic value in our existing portfolio. We continue to simplify the portfolio through the sale of Lilleborg to Solenis in June 2024, and we also closed the transaction withdrawn for a minority stake in Orkla Food Ingredients in April. We continue to see the benefit from that partnership.
Based on the results for 2024, the Board of Directors intend to propose to increase the ordinary dividend for the financial year 2024 to NOK 4 per share. The Board also intend to propose an additional dividend of NOK 6 per share due to solid underlying performance, increased cash conversion and the sale of our hydropower assets. I have seen speculation in the media that our strategy is to break up Orkla. Let me assure you, it is not. We are following the steps that we outlined at the Capital Markets Day. We are driving organic value in the existing portfolio. We are reducing complexity, and we are beginning to assess opportunities to invest in Orkla's future growth, both organic and through M&A.
Our objective is to ensure sustainable growth in our portfolio companies while maintaining a stable ordinary dividend. We are positioned to take advantage of value-accretive opportunities that arise, but we are also committed to walk away from any transaction that is not in the best interest of Orkla's shareholders.
In terms of outlook, as you said in Q3, the development in raw materials prices remains polarized, but we continue to expect raw material prices in sum to stabilize, excluding cocoa.
Turning to the hydropower transaction and today's announced sale of Pierre Robert Group. On January 24, we announced the sale of Orkla entire hydropower portfolio for NOK 6.1 billion. It has been a long process, but with a good outcome in my view. While the transactions are subject to approval by the relevant authorities, we expect both transactions to be closed at the latest by the end of Q3 this year.
Today, we also announced the sale of Pierre Robert Group with expected closing by the end of Q1. The company has shown weak performance over several years and is currently undertaking a strategic repositioning. [ Jotunjll ] Partner can support the company's progress at this phase more effectively than under Orkla's continued ownership.
By selling these 2 assets, we reduced complexity, we also confirm our strategy to establish Orkla as a leading industrial investment company with a brand and consumer-oriented scope.
Moving on to Q4 results. In Q4, we continued to improve profitability and cash flow, delivering on our financial targets announced at the Capital Markets Day in November 2023. Orkla's organic growth was 3.3% in Q4. This was due to both volume and mix growth and price increases. The consolidated portfolio companies delivered underlying EBIT adjusted growth of 13.4%. Note that apartment deliveries in Orkla Real Estate also contributed positively to group EBIT adjusted.
Adjusted earnings per share improved 16% compared to the same quarter last year. In Q4, underlying EBIT adjust was, as I said, 13.4% for the consolidated portfolio companies, including Orkla ASA.
Turning to a few of the largest portfolio companies. Jotun continued to deliver solid results, including an impressive return on capital employed of 34% on a rolling 12-month basis. For Q4, Orkla Foods volume growth was again slightly positive for the quarter. Operating margin continued to improve despite increased advertising spend in line with strategy. Orkla Snacks achieved continued recovery at the biscuit factory in line with our previous communication.
Market shares overall were stable, and there was continued volume pressure in the chocolate category. Market prices for cocoa rose steeply during the quarter, and Arve will revert to this later. In October 2024, the CEO of Orkla Health decided to resign from her position due to misalignment on key priorities. The process of finding her replacement is progressing positively. The strategy remains firm with a focus on rejuvenating Orkla Health's strong position in the home markets, building a sustainable omnichannel platform and expanding international brands selectively.
We have 3 consolidated targets from the Capital Markets Day. These represent the aggregate effects of the portfolio companies reaching their targets through 2026. With the first of 3 years in the strategy period now complete, I'm pleased to see a significant growth in underlying EBIT and EBIT margins despite increased investments behind our brands. We're also generating greater return on the capital we employed in the businesses.
I will now hand over to Arve for more details on the financials.
Good morning, everyone. I'll give you the highlights of the financials in the fourth quarter, starting with the top line operating revenues grew by 6% to NOK 18.8 billion in the quarter. EBIT adjusted for the consolidated portfolio companies increased by 8%, driven by strong underlying growth and improved margins. We had an EBIT contribution of NOK 143 million from Orkla Real Estate this quarter related to delivery of 53 apartments in the last part of the development project in Oslo.
Hydro Power had an EBIT of NOK 252 million, an increase of 38% due to higher production volume. Please note that from the first quarter of 2025, Hydro Power will be reported as discontinued operations in the financial statements. In total, group EBIT grew by 25% to NOK 2 billion. Other income and expenses amounted to minus NOK 197 million in the quarter, mainly due to write-downs of intangible assets of NOK 121 million in [ Tierobg ] and NOK 30 million related to ongoing restructuring projects in Orkla Foods and Orkla Snacks.
Profit from Jotun and other associates was NOK 371 million, in line with the same quarter last year. Jotun had a 17% EBITA growth in the quarter, but profit after tax was offset by higher financial costs, including negative currency effects as well as higher tax costs compared to the same quarter last year. Rolling 12 months EBIT adjusted margin for the consolidated portfolio companies was 10.1% in Q4, an increase of 1.1 percentage points compared to -- over the last 12 months.
On the organic growth, it grew with 3.3% in the quarter, of which volume mix contributed with 1.5%. On an aggregated level, we had positive volume mix growth in all 4 quarters of '24 with broad-based contributions from the portfolio companies. And 2024 represents a more normalized environment, both in terms of price and volume development.
Total cash flow from operations for the full year amounted to NOK 7.9 billion, an increase of NOK 1.9 billion compared to last year. The increase was mainly driven by EBIT growth and lower net replacement investments as well as continued focus on working capital reduction. Including the cash flow effects from financial investments, taxes, dividend received from Jotun and financial expenses, cash flow before capital allocation ended at NOK 7.5 billion, an increase of NOK 3.1 billion compared to the previous year.
We are also pleased to see an increase in cash conversion across the portfolio companies, reaching 114% at an aggregated level in 2024. The strong cash flow discussed on the previous slide strengthened the balance sheet further in 2024. And at year-end, net interest-bearing debt was NOK 16 billion, equal to 1.5x EBITDA. Orkla has a long history of paying a stable and increasing ordinary dividend to our shareholders.
And as Nils mentioned, the Board intends to propose an increase in the ordinary dividend to NOK 4 per share, plus an additional dividend of NOK 6 per share. And subject to the Board's formal proposal and the approval at the Annual General Meeting in April, the total dividend of NOK 10 per share will be paid to shareholders in early May.
Now let's move on to some more details on the portfolio companies, starting with Jotun, who delivered yet another solid quarter with an increase in operating revenues of 15% adjusting for positive currency translation effects, operating revenue grew -- growth was 12%. All segments had double-digit growth, primarily driven by volume and supported by positive mix effects. All regions had positive sales growth, with sales picking up in Southeast Asia and Pacific in Q4.
Decorative in Scandinavia remained soft, while the Marine segment was negatively impacted by postponed dry dockings. EBITA grew by 17%, driven by higher sales and improved gross margin, supported by relatively stable raw material prices. This more than compensated for an increase in operating costs and high inflationary pressure in some markets.
Profit after tax was negatively impacted by increased financial expenses and tax costs, as previously mentioned. Overall, 2024 was a very solid year for Jotun and going into '25, Jotun expects continued sales growth at a higher level than projected market growth.
On the other hand, operating margins are projected to decline compared to the historical high levels seen in the last 2 years. On balance, we expect Jotun to deliver '25 results on par with 2024.
Orkla Foods had a modest organic growth of 1.1% in the quarter, mainly driven by price. Still, we are pleased to see another quarter of positive volume/mix growth in several key markets, especially in Norway and the Czech Republic, while other markets had a softer volume development from continued weak purchasing power, campaign phasing and customer logistics issues.
The grocery trade was the driver behind the growth, while the out-of-home channels had somewhat weaker development this quarter. EBIT adjusted came in at NOK 681 million, representing a reported growth of 7% and underlying growth of 10%. Rolling 12 months EBIT adjusted margins are now at 12.3% versus 11.1% last year. The increased cash generation was driven by improved working capital efficiency, especially from inventory reductions. Orkla Snacks reported an organic growth of 6.2%, driven primarily from price increases in the Confectionery segment. Volumes were hampered by softening demand on chocolate following high cocoa prices. The market price for cocoa rose steeply during the quarter, which will impact next quarters negatively, partly due to limited short-term ability to pass on input cost increases into -- in the markets.
The impact of cocoa price increases on consumer chocolate prices and demand over the following quarters is uncertain. Mitigating actions are ongoing and cover the full value chain through portfolio optimization, further price adjustments and the full review of the cost base. We expect cocoa prices to remain higher and be more volatile than in the past, but also expect prices to come down to a more sustainable level over time as supply-demand balances out.
We had a continued strong volume growth in the quarter for Bubs due to increased production capacity and for biscuits. EBIT adjust came in at NOK 424 million, representing an underlying growth of 21%, approximately half of the EBIT improvement can be attributed to recovery at the biscuit factory. Therefore, in accordance with our guidance, a significant part of the loss of NOK 150 million that we experienced in 2023 was regained.
Orkla Food Ingredients reported an organic growth of 4% in the quarter, driven by volume/mix growth across all clusters. Bakery volume grew in most markets, particularly in Eastern Europe, and performance in Bakery was solid throughout 2024 with growth outpacing the overall market. Sweet grew across all business units, especially within Confectionery Ingredients and Decorations. Growth in plant-based was mainly related to industrial margin and nondairy products.
Underlying EBIT adjusted grew by 18%, and the growth was derived from volume mix growth across all clusters, especially in the bakery cluster. EBIT adjust for plant-based declined. And as noted -- as we noted in our Q3 presentation, we faced strong comparables in the margin segment in Q4 2023. The cost program in the sweet cluster that was implemented in the third quarter is progressing according to plan. We expect to see gradual benefits in 2025 with a high double-digit million cost reduction in total.
Orkla Health reported an organic growth of 6.2% in the quarter, coming from both price and volume mix across markets. The volume/mix growth of 2.5% was driven by continued positive trend in the D2C portfolio and a strong quarter in Norway, Finland and Wound Care. Möller's and Jordan continued to perform well across markets.
Contribution margins in the food supplements category were pressured by increased raw material prices, especially for cod liver oil. EBIT adjust totaled NOK 85 million, and the decline compared to the last year can be explained by 2 main parts. Number one, in line with strategy, we are investing in the organization in both home and international markets to support future growth. And secondly, approximately NOK 30 million of nonrecurring costs is linked to organizational changes and inventory cleanup.
Organic growth in Orkla India was minus 3.6%, impacted by timing of financial incentives from the government of India with NOK 24 million recorded in the fourth quarter last year. These incentives were provided in the second and third quarter this year. Excluding these effects, organic growth was 0.6% with volume/mix growth of 4%, primarily related to international sales, while the negative price effect came from passing on input cost reductions to customers.
Despite challenging domestic market sentiment, underlying EBIT adjusted growth was 7% and 42% if adjusting for the financial incentives. The growth was positively impacted by declining raw material prices and reduced fixed costs. Organic growth was flat in the European pizza company in the quarter. Da Grasso in Poland continued to show positive momentum, while consumer sales in Finland and the Netherlands remained pressured by weak consumer sentiment.
EBIT adjust came in at NOK 70 million. The decrease compared to the same quarter last year is related to a write-down of receivables of NOK 7 million for a limited group of franchisees. Orkla Home and Personal Care had a 10% organic growth, driven by increased volumes in contract manufacturing, supported by positive market growth. Underlying EBIT adjusted growth of 86% was driven by revenue management, positive mix effects and input cost improvements.
Moving on to the other companies in the transform or exit category. And as Nils mentioned, we have entered into an agreement to sell 100% of the shares in Pierre Robert. The estimated accounting loss related to closing of the transaction is approximately NOK 40 million, and we expect the closing of the transaction to be at the end of the first quarter this year.
So with that, I would like to hand the floor back to you, Nils.
Thank you, Arve. I'm happy with the progress we have made in 2024. We delivered solid profit improvements and organic growth with positive volume mix. We are delivering on our Capital Markets Day targets, including reducing complexity in our portfolio. We are demonstrating value creation in the core, and we are intensifying our evaluation of future growth opportunities.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our organization for their dedication and hard work in achieving good results, and I look forward to continuing the journey together in 2025.
Before we turn to Q&A, I want to invite you to attend Capital Markets update on May 28 this year. By the end of May, we will be halfway through the strategic period. With the Capital Markets update, we plan to give a more detailed update on Orkla's progress towards our targets.
We spent much of the past 2 years discussing Orkla's transformation into an industrial investment company, and we are now experiencing enthusiasm around this. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time showing how we create value in the underlying portfolio companies.
For that reason, joining Arve and me on stage will be 3 of the portfolio companies' CEOs, [indiscernible] in Orkla Foods, Ingvill Berg in Orkla Snack and Johan Clarin in Orkla Food Ingredients. So we plan to give you a status update and lift the hood on how we create value in 3 of our largest portfolio companies.
With that, we move on to the Q&A.
[Operator Instructions] And our first question is from Eirik Rafdal from Carnegie.
Yes. I've got 3. If we could start with India, actually, no kind of firm update there, a couple of rumors overnight that you're looking at an outright sale. I sense previously you've been vocal that you don't want to fully exit India. Has your thinking changed there? And if so, why? That would be my first question.
First of all, we do not comment upon unfounded speculations or rumors in the market or media. So that's the first thing. What we have said earlier is that we have started a project to explore the opportunity to access the Indian capital market. That is still the case.
Very clear, Nils. And also on the structural measures, could you give a bit of an update on the remaining transform or exit assets? What your plans are there? And then how we should be thinking about that you've moved quite quickly now on structural measures the last couple of months?
Yes. As we have said earlier, we don't comment on M&A processes and potential structural deals before we have done it. So I can't give you any guidance. I'm happy with the performance of most of the companies currently, and we will revert when we have something to tell.
That's fair. I'll try one final one. Announcing the CMD in late May, is it fair to assume that some sort of margin upgrade is in the cards given where you kind of already are and also the divestments of some of the more margin dilutive assets over the last year? How should we think about that?
I think the main purpose of that capital market update is not a Capital Markets Day. It's an update halfway through the strategy period. We will give you -- as I said, we will give a look under the hood of the 3 of the largest portfolio companies. And that's the main purpose that you and our investors really understand how we are creating value in the new way of operating Orkla and our portfolio companies. That's the main purpose of that capital markets update.
Our next question is from Petter Nyström from ABG Sundal Collier.
That's on Health. Arve, you mentioned that you are investing for future growth here. How should we expect the cost development for the Health segment into 2025?
Yes. I don't expect it to be -- it was a particular quarter in the fourth quarter. As I mentioned, a huge part of the increased cost was really non one-off related. We do continue to invest somewhat in the organization, but I wouldn't give you a clear guidance, but I would look at fourth quarter as a bit particular when it comes to cost development and you expect more normalized levels going forward.
That appears to be the last question on Teams. So we'll now turn over to questions from the web. So our first question is from Rishab Jain. There is a recent discussion on selling majority stake in MTR, which is handled by Orkla India to ITC Limited. Any thoughts by when we can -- when can we expect the deal to go through? And what are the time lines we are talking? I think we already answered it.
I think we answered that. We don't comment on unfunded speculations and rumors, and that's it.
We have one more question here from Ole Martin Westgaard in DNB Markets, rather, he has 2 questions. First is on market shares. How do you see your market share development in Q4 and 2024 towards private label? And then there's another question on cocoa, but perhaps we take the market share development first.
First of all, we see positive to flat market share development across our portfolio companies. So we are happy to see that. When we look at the private label in the markets we operate, we see that is flattening out. So the increase that we saw through the inflation period is now flattening out or more stable.
And the second question is, how much of your cocoa exposure for 2025 have you hedged?
Well, we don't give a clear guidance on the hedging policy. What we have said is that we secure volumes for the first quarter, and we will revert with a more update in the first quarter on how we see cocoa price development, how that affect our margins and input costs at that time. So no further guidance on how much we are hedged throughout the year as of now.
And that appears to be the final question that we've received from the web. So before we sign off, I just want to remind you all that we report first quarter results on May 9. And other than that, please thank you for joining, and please enjoy your day.