2024 III quarter and 9 months consolidated interim report (unaudited)
In the third quarter of this year, the downward trend in the construction market
did not experience a significant shift. Forward-looking indicators that
characterize both the construction market and the broader macroeconomic
environment are contradictory, making it difficult to predict a market upturn in
the coming quarters. This uncertainty affects both the public and private
sectors' willingness and confidence to make broad-based investments in buildings
and infrastructure.
Despite the challenging market conditions, all three key economic indicators of
Nordecon AS show a positive trend. In the third quarter, the group continued to
see growth in profitability and sales revenue, and the backlog of unfinished
work increased as well.
The group's gross profit margin reached 7.1% for the first nine months of 2024
(compared to 3.3% in the first nine months of 2023) and 8.7% in the third
quarter (compared to 3.5% in Q3 2023). Profitability improved in both the
Building and Infrastructure segments, driven by better risk management in
general contracting projects and the completion in 2023 of long-term contracts
signed before the war in Ukraine, which were impacted by previous years' rapid
growth in construction input costs. The improvement in the Infrastructure
segment was partly influenced by an investment made earlier this year in an
asphalt concrete plant, which has reduced production costs and marked a
significant step forward in materials recycling.
The group's net profit for the first nine months amounted to 4,547 thousand
euros (compared to a loss of 2,772 thousand euros for the same period in 2023).
Sales revenue for the first nine months of 2024 was 178,722 thousand euros, a
37% increase compared to the sales revenue from continuing operations in the
same period last year. Sales revenue in the building segment grew by 57%, while
it decreased by 18% in the infrastructure segment.
As of 30 September 2024, the volume of order book was 195,628 thousand euros,
marking an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. New contracts
worth a total of 131,801 thousand euros were signed in the first nine months, of
which 67,771 thousand euros were signed in the third quarter.
Condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position
EUR'000 30 September 2024 31 December 2023
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 11,476 11,892
Trade and other receivables 39,332 37,010
Prepayments 3,951 1,789
Inventories 23,541 25,879
Total current assets 78,300 76,570
Non-current assets
Other investments 76 76
Trade and other receivables 9,607 9,113
Investment property 5,517 5,517
Property, plant and equipment 13,264 14,292
Intangible assets 14,961 14,964
Total non-current assets 43,425 43,962
TOTAL ASSETS 121,725 120,532
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Borrowings 8,119 10,188
Trade payables 52,269 39,855
Other payables 8,283 9,241
Deferred income 8,921 20,602
Provisions 651 1,129
Total current liabilities 78,243 81,015
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 8,888 8,563
Trade payables 5,175 6,011
Provisions 2,493 2,405
Total non-current liabilities 16,556 16,979
TOTAL LIABILITIES 94,799 97,994
EQUITY
Share capital 14,379 14,379
Own (treasury) shares (660) (660)
Share premium 635 635
Statutory capital reserve 2,554 2,554
Translation reserve 4,288 3,786
Retained earnings 4,292 919
Total equity attributable to owners of the
parent 25,488 21,613
Non-controlling interests 1,438 925
TOTAL EQUITY 26,926 22,538
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 121,725 120,532
Condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income
EUR'000 9M 2024 Q3 2024 9M 2023 Q3 2023 2023
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue 178,722 63,777 130,799 44,273 186,464
Cost of sales (165,955) (58,204) (126,488) (42,745) (182,655)
Gross profit 12,767 5,573 4,311 1,528 3,809
Marketing and distribution
expenses (301) (129) (402) (176) (497)
Administrative expenses (5,011) (1,638) (4,337) (1,353) (6,564)
Other operating income 145 68 240 30 286
Other operating expenses (628) (170) (309) (123) (465)
Operating profit (loss) 6,972 3,704 (497) (94) (3,431)
Finance income 437 120 267 136 613
Finance costs (2,625) (1,079) (2,298) (515) (3,356)
Net finance costs (2,188) (959) (2,031) (379) (2,743)
Profit (loss) before tax 4,784 2,745 (2,528) (473) (6,174)
Income tax expense (237) 0 (244) 0 (244)
Profit (loss) for the period
from continuing operations 4,547 2,745 (2,772) (473) (6,418)
Profit for the period from a
discontinued operation - - 2,408 1,699 8,474
Profit (loss) for the period 4,547 2,745 (364) 1,226 2,056
Other comprehensive income
(expense)
Items that may be reclassified
subsequently to
profit or loss
Exchange differences on
translating foreign operations 502 337 (48) (302) 470
Total other comprehensive
income (expense) 502 337 (48) (302) 470
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(EXPENSE) 5,049 3,082 (412) 924 2,526
Profit (loss) attributable to:
- Owners of the parent 3,373 2,353 (2,452) 41 (942)
- Non-controlling interests 1,174 392 2,088 1,185 2,998
Profit (loss) for the period 4,547 2,745 (364) 1,226 2,056
Comprehensive income (expense)
attributable to:
- Owners of the parent 3,875 2,690 (2,500) (261) (472)
- Non-controlling interests 1,174 392 2,088 1,185 2,998
Comprehensive income (expense)
for the period 5,049 3,082 (412) 924 2,526
Earnings per share from
continuing operations
attributable to owners of the
parent:
Basic earnings per share (EUR) 0.11 0.07 (0.16) (0.05) (0.31)
Diluted earnings per share (EUR) 0.11 0.07 (0.16) (0.05) (0.31)
Earnings per share from a
discontinued operation
attributable to owners of the
parent:
Basic earnings per share (EUR) - - 0.08 0.05 0.28
Diluted earnings per share (EUR) - - 0.08 0.05 0.28
Condensed consolidated interim statement of cash flows
EUR'000 9M 2024 9M 2023
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash receipts from customers 199,510 249,453
Cash paid to suppliers (173,448) (211,054)
VAT paid (7,048) (8,563)
Cash paid to and for employees (15,051) (18,225)
Income tax paid (237) (574)
Net cash from operating activities 3,726 11,037
Cash flows from investing activities
Paid for acquisition of property, plant and equipment (289) (318)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 193 384
Loans provided (35) (524)
Repayments of loans provided 1 12
Dividends received 6 12
Interest received 159 25
Net cash from (used in) investing activities 35 (409)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from loans received 902 1,344
Repayments of loans received (1,857) (799)
Lease payments (1,689) (2,194)
Interest paid (819) (935)
Dividends paid (661) (1,347)
Net cash used in financing activities (4,124) (3,931)
Net cash flow (363) 6,697
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 11,892 7,238
Effect of movements in foreign exchange rates (53) 1
Change in cash and cash equivalents (363) 6,697
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 11,476 13,936
Financial review
Financial performance
Nordecon delivered a gross profit of EUR12,767 thousand in the first nine months
of 2024 (9M 2023: EUR4,311 thousand). The group's gross margin improved
significantly year on year, rising to 7.1% for the nine months (9M 2023: 3.3%)
and 8.7% for the third quarter (Q3 2023: 3.5%). Both main operating segments
earned a profit in the nine months and the third quarter, showing a year-on-year
margin improvement. The gross margin of the Buildings segment was 8.5% for the
nine months and 10.2% for the third quarter (9M 2023: 4.5% and Q3 2023: 3.7%).
The Infrastructure segment's gross margin was lower, reaching 5.1% for the nine
months and 9.2% for the third quarter (9M 2023: 2.0% and Q3 2023: 4.5%). While
both segments have improved their profit margins, the volumes of the
Infrastructure segment are low and therefore most of the group's profit was
generated by the Buildings segment. The margin improvement was supported by
better mitigation of the risks associated with general contracting and the
expiry last year of a number of long-term contracts signed before the war, which
had been severely affected by earlier increases in construction input prices.
The improved performance of the Infrastructure segment is partly due to the
investment in an asphalt concrete plant made earlier this year, which has
reduced the cost price and represents a major step forward in material
recycling.
The group's administrative expenses for the first nine months of 2024 were
EUR5,011 thousand. Administrative expenses increased by around 16% compared to the
same period last year (9M: EUR4,337 thousand) due to growth in staff costs. The
ratio of administrative expenses to revenue (12 months rolling) decreased year
on year to 3.1% (9M 2023: 3.3%).
The group ended the nine months of 2024 with an operating profit of EUR6,972
thousand (9M 2023: an operating loss of EUR497 thousand). EBITDA for the period
was EUR9,154 thousand (9M 2023: EUR1,799 thousand).
The group's finance income and costs are affected by exchange rate fluctuations
in the group's foreign markets, particularly movements in the exchange rate of
the Ukrainian hryvnia. During the period, the Ukrainian hryvnia weakened against
the euro by around 8% and the translation of the loans provided to the group's
Ukrainian subsidiaries in euros into the local currency gave rise to a foreign
exchange loss of EUR534 thousand (9M 2023: a foreign exchange gain of EUR66
thousand).
The group's net profit for the period was EUR4,547 thousand (9M 2023: a net loss
of EUR2,772 thousand). The net profit attributable to owners of the parent,
Nordecon AS, was EUR3,373 thousand (9M 2023: a net loss of EUR2,452 thousand).
Cash flows
Operating activities produced a net cash inflow of EUR3,726 thousand in the nine
months of 2024 (9M 2023: an inflow of EUR11,037 thousand). Operating cash flow is
strongly influenced by the fact that the contracts signed with most public and
private sector customers do not require them to make advance payments, while the
group has to make prepayments to subcontractors and materials suppliers. Cash
inflow is also reduced by contractual retentions, which extend from 5 to 10% of
the contract price and are released at the end of the construction period only.
Investing activities of the period resulted in a net cash inflow of EUR35 thousand
(9M 2023: an outflow of EUR409 thousand). Investments in property, plant and
equipment amounted to EUR289 thousand (9M 2023: EUR318 thousand) and proceeds from
the sale of property, plant and equipment amounted to EUR193 thousand (9M 2023:
EUR384 thousand). Loans provided amounted to EUR35 thousand (9M 2023: EUR524 thousand)
and interest received amounted to EUR159 thousand (9M 2023: EUR25 thousand).
Financing activities generated a net cash outflow of EUR4,124 thousand (9M 2023:
an outflow of EUR3,931 thousand). The largest items were related to loans and
leases. Proceeds from loans received amounted to EUR902 thousand (9M 2023: EUR1,344
thousand), consisting of the use of development loans. Repayments of loans
received totalled EUR1,857 thousand (9M 2023: EUR799 thousand), consisting of
regular repayments of long-term investment and development loans and the change
in the overdraft balance. Lease payments were EUR1,689 thousand (9M 2023: EUR2,194
thousand). Dividends paid in the nine months of 2024 amounted to EUR661 thousand
(9M 2023: EUR1,347 thousand).
The group's cash and cash equivalents as at 30 September 2024 amounted to
EUR11,476 thousand (30 September 2023: EUR13,936 thousand).
Key financial figures and ratios
Figure/ratio 9M 2024 9M 2023 9M 2022 2023
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue (EUR'000)* 178,722 130,799 165,462 186,464
Revenue change* 36.6% (20.9)% 5.4% (15.4)%
Net profit (loss) (EUR'000)* 4,547 (2,772) (2,552) (6,418)
Net profit (loss)
attributable to owners of
the parent (EUR'000) 3,376 (2,452) (2,651) (942)
Weighted average number of
shares 31,528,585 31,528,585 31,528,585 31,528,585
Earnings per share (EUR) 0.11 (0.08) (0.08) (0.03)
Administrative expenses to
revenue* 2.8% 3.3% 2.4% 3.5%
Administrative expenses to
revenue (rolling)* 3.1% 3.3% 2.3% 3.5%
EBITDA (EUR'000)* 9,154 1,799 2,232 (412)
EBITDA margin* 5.1% 1.4% 1.3% (0.2)%
Gross margin* 7.1% 3.3% 1.4% 2.0%
Operating margin* 3.9% (0.4)% (0.1)% (1.8)%
Operating margin excluding
gain on non-current asset
sales* 3.8% (0.6)% (0.2)% (2.0)%
Net margin* 2.5% (2.1)% (1.5)% (3.4)%
Return on invested capital 13% 1.9)% (1.1)% 8.0%
Return on equity 18.4% (1.4)% (5.1)% 8.3%
Equity ratio 22.1% 17% 17.8% 18.7%
Return on assets 3.8% 0.3% (1.0)% 1.6%
Gearing 12.6% 16.8% 36.6% 16.6%
Current ratio 1.00 0.91 0.90 0.95
30 Sept 2024 30 Sept 2023 30 Sept 2022 31 Dec 2023
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order book (EUR'000)* 195,628 175,539 150,694 216,732
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Continuing operations
Due to the sale of Nordecon Betoon OÜ and NOBE Rakennus OY at the beginning of
December 2023, the business of those companies has been classified as a
discontinued operation. The discontinued operation's revenues and expenses for
comparative periods are presented separately in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income within Profit (loss) from a discontinued operation.
Performance by geographical market
The proportion of revenue generated outside Estonia remained stable compared to
the same period last year. Other markets accounted for approximately 2% of the
group's total revenue for the first nine months of 2024, consisting of revenue
generated in Ukraine. Despite the war, Nordecon's construction volumes in
Ukraine have increased. During the period, the group provided services under
contracts for the reconstruction of substations and installation of associated
physical protection systems in the Poltava, Zhytomyr, Volyn and Ivano-Frankivsk
oblasts in Ukraine, and for the reconstruction of a building into an apartment
complex for internally displaced persons in Ovruch, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine.
Nordecon did not generate any revenue and had no ongoing construction contracts
in the Swedish market. With the sale of Nordecon Betoon OÜ at the beginning of
December 2023, the group also withdrew from the Finnish market, where it had
operated through Nordecon Betoon OÜ's subsidiary NOBE Rakennus OY. The group was
active on a project basis in Latvia and Lithuania.
9M 2024 9M 2023 9M 2022 2023
-------------------------------------------------
Estonia 98% 98% 96% 97%
Ukraine 2% 1% 0% 2%
Finland - 1% 2% 1%
Lithuania - 0% 1% 0%
Latvia - 0% 1% 0%
Performance by business line
Segment revenues
We strive to maintain a balance between the revenues of our two main operating
segments (Buildings and Infrastructure) as far as market developments allow, as
this helps diversify risks and provides better opportunities to continue
construction activities in more challenging market conditions, where volumes in
one subsegment decline sharply while volumes in another subsegment start to grow
more rapidly.
The group's revenue for the first nine months of 2024 was EUR178,722 thousand,
approximately 37% higher than in the same period last year, when revenue from
continuing operations amounted to EUR130,799 thousand. The Buildings segment
generated revenue of EUR149,615 thousand and the Infrastructure segment revenue of
EUR29,068 thousand. The corresponding figures for the first nine months of 2023
were EUR95,423 thousand and EUR35,295 thousand. Revenue generated by the Buildings
segment increased by 57%, while revenue generated by the Infrastructure segment
decreased by 18%. The revenue growth and changes in the performance of the
reportable segments were expected and in line with the group's order book. The
decrease in revenue in the Infrastructure segment is mainly due to delays in the
start of work on the Rail Baltica contracts and reduced investment by the
Transport Administration.
Revenue by operating segment 9M 2024 9M 2023 9M 2022 2023
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Buildings 84% 73% 76% 74%
Infrastructure 16% 27% 24% 26%
Subsegment revenues
In the Buildings segment, revenue from the public buildings subsegment more than
doubled and revenue from the commercial buildings subsegment increased by 40%
compared to the same period last year. However, revenue from the industrial and
warehouse facilities subsegment and the apartment buildings subsegment decreased
significantly. As the revenue contribution of the industrial and warehouse
facilities subsegment was also modest in previous years, the decrease in its
revenue did not have a significant impact on total segment revenue, but the
revenue of the apartment buildings subsegment fell by 46%, mainly due to lower
revenue from the provision of construction service, reflecting the current
market situation in this subsegment.
The period's largest projects in the public buildings subsegment were the
construction of the main building of the Estonian Internal Security Service and
Loodusmaja (Nature Hub) in Tallinn, the design and construction of warehouse
complexes for the Centre for Defence Investment in Luunja and Nõo rural
municipalities in Tartu County and in Ida-Viru County, the design and
construction of a new study and sports building for the Saku Upper Secondary
School near Tallinn, the reconstruction of the building of the Karlova School in
Tartu and the design and construction of a study building for the Centre for
Defence Investment on the Raadi campus in Tartu.
Revenue generated by the apartment buildings subsegment consisted of revenue
from the construction of the commercial and residential complex Vektor and the
group's own development projects. Revenue from our own development activities
decreased slightly compared to the same period last year and was EUR7,453 thousand
(9M 2023: EUR7,917 thousand). The figure includes revenue from the sale of
apartments in Tartu - in the Mõisavahe Kodu housing estate and the centrally
located Emajõe Residents housing estate on the banks of the Emajõgi river
(https://emajoeresidents.ee). We continued to build phase 1 of the Seileri
Kvartal housing estate in Pärnu (https://seileri.ee) and the Tammepärja Kodu
housing estate in the Tammelinn district in Tartu (https://tammelinn.ee). Both
development projects will be completed in the first half of 2025. In carrying
out our own development activities, we carefully monitor potential risks in the
housing development market.
The largest ongoing projects in the commercial buildings subsegment were the
construction of the commercial and residential complex Vektor and the LEED Gold
compliant Golden Gate office building at Ahtri 6 in Tallinn, the design and
construction of a commercial building at Nõlvakaare 4 at Raadi in Tartu County,
and the construction of a Lidl store in Võru.
A significant share of the revenue generated by the industrial and warehouse
facilities subsegment came from the reconstruction of substations and
installation of associated physical protection systems in the Poltava, Zhytomyr,
Volyn and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts in Ukraine.
Buildings segment 9M 2024 9M 2023 9M 2022 2023
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public buildings 70% 33% 29% 37%
Commercial buildings 21% 23% 23% 23%
Apartment buildings 7% 30% 29% 27%
Industrial and warehouse facilities 2% 14% 19% 13%
The largest revenue contributor in the Infrastructure segment is the road
construction and maintenance subsegment whose revenue for the period decreased
by around 2% year on year. A major share of its revenue came from the
construction of an armoured manoeuvre shooting range and roads in Harju County,
the reconstruction of the Mäeküla-Koeru-Kapu road section, the construction of
the Tagadi ecoduct (wildlife crossing) on the Rail Baltica route and the
provision of road maintenance services in Järva County.
Infrastructure segment 9M 2024 9M 2023 9M 2022 2023
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Road construction and maintenance 94% 60% 80% 63%
Other engineering 6% 31% 16% 30%
Environmental engineering 0% 9% 0% 7%
Specialist engineering 0% 0% 4% 0%
Order book
The group's order book (backlog of contracts signed but not yet performed) stood
at EUR195,628 thousand at 30 September 2024. Compared to the same period last
year, the order book has grown by around 11%. In the nine months of 2024, we
signed new contracts for EUR131,801 thousand (9M 2023: EUR191,326 thousand), of
which EUR67,771 thousand in the third quarter (Q3 2023: EUR90,694 thousand). The
rise in construction input prices and high interest rates in recent years have
caused a sharp increase in the final cost of development projects and,
consequently, the postponement of the start of new projects. There has been a
significant reduction in investment by the Transport Administration, which has
had a direct impact on the order book of our Infrastructure segment. The volume
of work procured for the Rail Baltica project has increased, partially
offsetting the decline in investment by the Transport Administration, but the
excessive length of the procurement processes makes it difficult to predict the
potential start dates of the work and the impact on revenue. While public
investment in building construction has also declined, we see some investment
activity at local authority level.
30 Sept 2024 30 Sept 2023 30 Sept 2022 31 Dec 2023
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Order book (EUR'000)* 195,628 175,539 150,694 216,732
* Continuing operations
The Buildings segment accounts for 82% and the Infrastructure segment for 18% of
the group's order book (30 September 2023: 90% and 10%, respectively). Compared
with 30 September 2023, the order book of the Buildings segment has remained at
the same level while the order book of the Infrastructure segment has doubled,
mainly due to the award of the Rail Baltica contract. The order book of the
Buildings segment mainly includes contracts secured by the commercial buildings
and public buildings subsegments.
Major contracts secured during the period include:
* the construction of an armoured manoeuvre shooting range and roads for the
Centre for Defence Investment in Harju County with an approximate cost of
EUR5,450 thousand;
* the construction of a modern war and disaster medicine centre for the Centre
for Defence Investment in Tartu with an approximate cost of EUR15,000 thousand
(the group is one of the joint bidders);
* the construction of a Lidl store in Võru with an approximate cost of EUR3,900
thousand;
* the construction of a platform area for Class E aircraft at Tallinn Airport
with an approximate cost of EUR7,500 thousand;
* the construction of a building complex in the Port Athena quarter at Väike-
Turu 7 in Tartu (the complex consists of four six-storey buildings, one
seven-storey building and a common basement level used mainly for parking)
with an approximate cost of EUR26,000 thousand;
* the construction of the Hagudi-Alu section of stage III of the Rail Baltica
Raplamaa main line railway infrastructure with an approximate cost of
EUR30,500 thousand;
* the construction of the LEED Gold standard Uusküla spa hotel on the northern
shore of Lake Peipus in Alutaguse rural municipality with an approximate
cost of EUR28,300 thousand;
* the reconstruction of a building into an apartment complex for internally
displaced persons in Ovruch, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine with an approximate
cost of EUR1,800 thousand.
Management expects the group's revenue to increase in 2024 compared to the
revenue generated by continuing operations in 2023. In a highly competitive
environment, we will avoid taking unjustified risks that could materialise
during the contract execution phase and have an adverse impact on the group's
results. We will focus on cost management and pre-construction and design
activities where we can leverage our professional competitive advantages.
People
Employees and staff costs
The average number of the group's employees (at the parent company and the
subsidiaries) in the nine months of 2024 was 437, including 283 engineers and
technical professionals (ETP). Headcount decreased by around 23% year on year,
due to the restructuring of the group's Infrastructure segment, which was
completed in 2023, and the sale of Nordecon Betoon OÜ and NOBE Rakennus OY at
the beginning of December 2023.
Average number of employees at group companies (the parent company and the
subsidiaries):
9M 2024 9M 2023 9M 2022 2023
-----------------------------------------------------
ETP 283 382 437 374
Workers 154 185 232 184
Total average 437 567 669 558
The group's staff costs for the first nine months of 2024, including all taxes,
were EUR16,178 thousand, compared with EUR14,162 thousand for continuing operations
in the same period last year. Staff costs increased due to salary increases and
the payment of performance bonuses.
The service fees of the members of the council of Nordecon AS for the first nine
months of 2024 totalled EUR149 thousand and the related social security charges
amounted to EUR49 thousand (9M 2023: EUR129 thousand and EUR43 thousand,
respectively).
The service fees of the members of the board of Nordecon AS totalled EUR391
thousand and the related social security charges amounted to EUR129 thousand (9M
2023: EUR424 thousand and EUR140 thousand, respectively).
Labour productivity and labour cost efficiency
We measure the efficiency of our operating activities using the following
productivity and efficiency indicators, which are based on the number of
employees and the staff costs incurred:
9M 2024 9M 2023 9M 2022 2023
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal labour productivity (rolling), (EUR'000) 557.4 488.4 475.7 499.3
Change against the comparative period, % 14.1% 2.7% 14.2% 1.8%
Nominal labour cost efficiency (rolling), (EUR) 11.0 10.4 12.0 10.3
Change against the comparative period, % 5.0% (12.8)% 8.1% (13.4)%
The group's nominal labour productivity for the period increased year on year
due to a decrease in the average number of employees and an increase in revenue.
Nominal labour cost efficiency also improved, supported by revenue growth.
Andri Hõbemägi
Nordecon AS
Head of Investor Relations
Tel: +372 6272 022
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
www.nordecon.com (http://www.nordecon.com)