Edenred 2020 annual results : After a strong rebound in the second half of 2020, and with its development potential intact, Edenred is back on track to deliver sustainable and profitable growth
Press release
March 2, 20212020 annual resultsAfter a strong rebound in the second half of 2020, and with its development potential intact, Edenred is back on track to deliver sustainable and profitable growthBertrand Dumazy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Edenred, said: “First and foremost, I want to give my warmest thanks to all our teams, who showed an exemplary level of commitment and community spirit during this unprecedented year. The Group’s 10,000 employees leveraged all their energy and passion to continue to serve our clients, users and partner merchants in the 46 countries in which we operate. As a result, we were able to limit the impact of the health crisis in the first half, return to growth as early as the third quarter and, on the whole, post solid financial performances for the year.In addition, thanks to our unique digital platform, our capacity to offer specific-purpose payment solutions proved particularly effective for developing and deploying, in record time, new earmarked funds programs adapted to the health crisis. More than ever, this attention to people’s essential, day-to-day needs, combined with a dynamic sales organization, will help us continue to develop our businesses in underpenetrated markets.Our solutions, which are increasingly digital, increasingly connected and enabling increasingly responsible behavior, provide the perfect response to key issues in today’s society that have been amplified by the pandemic, such as the sustainable shift to remote working. As illustrated by our rebound in the second half of the year, our value-creation potential is intact. We are fully confident in Edenred’s ability to generate sustainable and profitable growth in the years ahead.”
2020 ANNUAL RESULTSThe consolidated financial statements1 for 2020 were approved for publication by the Board of Directors on March 1, 2021.Key financial metrics for 2020:·Total revenue: €1,465 millionTotal revenue for 2020 amounted to €1,465 million, down 2.0% like-for-like compared with 2019. On a reported basis, an unfavorable currency effect (-8.1%) and a slightly positive scope effect (+0.2%) resulted in a decrease of 9.9%.Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 was €412 million, a slight increase of 0.6% like-for-like and a decrease of 9.6% as reported, reflecting a negative currency effect (-10.1%) and a slightly negative scope effect (-0.1%).·Operating revenue: €1,423 millionFor full-year 2020, operating revenue came to €1,423 million, down 1.6% like-for-like and 9.4% as reported, including a negative currency effect (-8.0%) and a positive scope effect (+0.3%).Edenred demonstrated its capacity for robust growth early in the year, then limited the erosion of its revenues at the peak of the health crisis, thanks notably to its high proportion of digital solutions, before returning to growth as early as the third quarter.In the fourth quarter, the Group’s ongoing sales and marketing efforts in all its business lines resulted in operating revenue of €402 million, up 1.2% like-for-like (-8.7% as reported), representing a faster pace of growth than in the third quarter despite new lockdown measures in Europe.·Operating revenue by business lineOperating revenue for the Employee Benefits business line was €874 million in 2020, representing 61% of the consolidated total, and €255 million in the fourth quarter. Operating revenue fell by 4.4% like-for-like (-10.3% as reported) over the full year. In the fourth quarter, operating revenue returned to growth, with a like-for-like increase of 0.6% (-6.7% as reported), representing an improvement over the third quarter (-1.4%).With the global health crisis making the digitalization of its solutions even more relevant, Edenred continued to innovate to enhance its portfolio of services for clients and merchants. For example, the Group now has more than 100 online partners in 16 countries, primarily meal delivery platforms connected via the app-to-app payment service. Thanks to this expansion, Edenred has the most comprehensive and the most flexible ecosystem in the workplace meals segment today. The equivalent of a virtual canteen, its solution gives users access to more than one million partner restaurants, allowing them to enjoy meals anytime, anywhere, dining in or from home, whether they’re working in the office or remotely. More satisfying for users and more economical for employers, this offer enables Edenred to support companies such as Spotify in the United States, Siemens in Belgium and Orange in France as they transition to new ways of working.Edenred also took the shift to digital even further in 2020 by launching a 100% virtual Ticket Restaurant solution, which uses no paper or plastic cards, in Spain and Finland, and more recently in France.Thanks to these services, which make the Group’s virtual offering more attractive, the portion of digital solutions in the Employee Benefits portfolio in Europe was up 9 points versus 2019. As a result, digital solutions accounted for 86% of total Group volume in 2020.In the Fleet & Mobility Solutions business line, which accounts for 25% of the Group’s business, like-for-like operating revenue decreased by 1.2% in 2020 (-13.2% as reported) to €355 million. This limited drop reflects the business line’s stronger resilience, despite lower fuel prices than in 2019. Operating revenue dipped by just 0.6% like-for-like (-16.2% as reported) in the fourth quarter, confirming the rebound observed in the third quarter (-1.5%). This improvement was driven by the dynamic performances of the sales and marketing teams and the success of the Beyond Fuel strategy, which sets Edenred’s offering apart and generates cross-selling opportunities, while also reducing its exposure to fuel price fluctuations. Combined with the impact of exchange rate variations and the drop in crude oil prices, these developments have enabled Edenred to reduce the sensitivity to fuel prices of its total revenue by 20%.The Complementary Solutions business line, which represents 14% of the Group’s business, encompasses Corporate Payment Services, Incentive & Rewards Solutions, and Public Social Programs. In 2020, it recorded operating revenue of €194 million, up 11.8% like-for-like and 4.2% as reported. The business continued to grow in the fourth quarter, with operating revenue up 8.3% like-for-like (-3.1% as reported). The increase stems from the earmarked funds programs implemented during the year to support vulnerable people and sectors and from the strong sales performance in Incentive & Rewards programs.Edenred’s Corporate Payment Services business in North America, which is operated by its CSI subsidiary, was impacted in 2020 by the fall-off in transactions carried out by its clients, particularly in the hospitality and media industries. Despite the crisis, the volume of new client wins was in line with the Group’s ambitions, thanks to a differentiated and constantly evolving portfolio of services and to the gradual ramp-up of indirect distribution agreements, including those signed with leading financial institutions. In addition, Sage expanded its partnership with CSI to provide US clients with a comprehensive accounts payable solution, fully integrated into its cloud-based Sage Intacct offering, starting in first-quarter 2021.· Operating revenue by regionIn Europe, operating revenue rose by 1.3% like-for-like (+1.9% as reported) to €900 million, representing 63% of consolidated operating revenue in 2020. In fourth-quarter 2020, operating revenue came to €265 million, up 4.5% on a like-for-like basis and as reported. Fourth-quarter growth was weaker than in the third quarter (+7.3%) because of the additional health-related restrictions imposed by countries in the region starting in late October 2020.In France, operating revenue amounted to €253 million for the year, down 4.0% like-for-like and as reported. In the fourth quarter, operating revenue increased by 1.4% like-for-like and as reported, despite the second wave of lockdown measures. Edenred recorded a sharp upturn in business after being hit hard by lockdown and short-time working measures in the second quarter. The rebound was notably due to a renewed sales and marketing drive in all business lines and to the efforts made by restaurants to maintain business continuity, through take-away and delivery services.Operating revenue in Europe excluding France rose by 3.6% like-for-like in 2020 (+4.4% as reported) to €647 million. In the fourth quarter, growth in operating revenue came to 5.9% like-for-like and as reported. More resilient than the rest of the Group during the year, this region rebounded sharply thanks to the digitalization of its solutions and the energy of its sales and marketing teams, as demonstrated by the end-of-year gift card campaign, as well as to the development of new products, such as value-added services for trucking companies.Operating revenue in Latin America amounted to €406 million, down 6.7% like-for-like and 27.4% as reported, reflecting the sharp drop in the value of the Brazilian real and the Mexican peso (-25% and -12%, respectively). The region accounted for 29% of Edenred’s consolidated operating revenue in 2020. In the fourth quarter, operating revenue for the region came to €108 million, down 3.3% like-for-like (-28.5% as reported), representing an improvement over the third quarter (-7.6% like-for-like).In Brazil, on a like-for-like basis, operating revenue was down 5.8% for the year and 2.9% for the fourth quarter alone, which was an improvement compared to the previous quarter (-4.4%). This performance reflects the health-related restrictions still in place, although not as strict as during the first lockdown, and notably the closure of restaurants in certain areas. By swiftly developing partnerships with meal delivery platforms, Edenred has enabled restaurants and users to continue to benefit from its platform despite the unfavorable conditions. After demonstrating resilience at the height of the crisis, the Fleet & Mobility Solutions business line continued to build on the solid performance posted in the third quarter, notably thanks to the success of maintenance management solutions.Hispanic Latin America was particularly impacted by the health crisis in 2020, notably due to the implementation of health-related restrictions for a longer period of time than in other regions. Operating revenue for the year was down 8.8% like-for-like. However, following the gradual and partial lifting of lockdown measures in various countries, operating revenue only fell by 4.2% in the fourth quarter, representing a sharp improvement over the previous quarter (-15.4%). Mexico, Edenred’s main market in the region, continued to be heavily impacted by the crisis, notably due to the economic downturn, increased unemployment and lower fuel prices compared with the prior-year period.Operating revenue in the Rest of the World region, which accounted for 8% of consolidated operating revenue in 2020, came to €117 million, down 0.2% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis (-8.3% as reported). In the fourth quarter, operating revenue contracted by 2.9% like-for-like (‑18.0% as reported), representing an improvement over the third quarter (-4.1%). This performance reflects the resilience of Edenred’s operations in this region, with the exception of North America, which continued to be heavily impacted by the crisis.·Other revenue: €42 millionIn 2020, other revenue came to €42 million, down 11.9% like-for-like (-25.0% as reported), reflecting the adverse impact of a generalized decrease in interest rates worldwide and a significantly negative currency effect. In the fourth quarter, other revenue fell by 18.1% like-for-like and 34.8% as reported.·EBITDA: €580 millionEBITDA amounted to €580 million in 2020, a decrease of 4.6% like-for-like and 13.2% as reported, with growth of 2.5% and a margin improvement of 0.8 points like-for-like in the second half of the year.This performance was made possible thanks notably to the implementation, at the end of the first quarter, of a plan to reduce costs by €100 million compared with the 2020 budget. Ultimately, Edenred managed to exceed this objective while preserving its capacity for technological innovation and development, pursuing its efforts in the areas of employer appeal and employee engagement, and continuing to roll out its corporate social responsibility policy.In Europe, EBITDA was up 3.9% like-for-like, reflecting the rebound in revenue growth in this region. In Latin America, EBITDA remained lower than in 2019 for the full year (-8.3% like-for-like) despite a sharp improvement in the second half (-0.9% like-for-like).EBITDA margin came in at 39.6% for the year, down 1.1 points like-for-like and 1.5 points as reported.·Net profit, Group share: €238 million Net profit, Group share amounted to €238 million in 2020, down €74 million from 2019, in line with the decrease in EBITDA.·Strong cash flow generationDespite the pandemic, Edenred’s business model enabled it to generate funds from operations before other income and expenses (FFO) of €475 million in 2020, an increase of 2.7% like-for-like and a decrease of 9.4% as reported.Despite the negative currency effect, the float2 increased by €685 million over the period thanks to the upturn in business in the second half and the extension of retention times for prepaid funds by about one week. This phenomenon is due to lesser usage of solutions during lockdown periods and is expected to gradually dissipate in 2021.
At December 31, 2020, Edenred had a float of €3.7 billion.Thanks to the high level of cash generated from operations, combined with an increase in the structurally negative working capital requirement, the Group generated €640 million in free cash flow in 2020, while continuing to invest in its technology assets to pave the way for future growth, notably in the areas of cybersecurity and compliance. Recurring capital expenditure totaled €104 million in 2020, versus €98 million in 2019, representing an increase of 6%.·A robust financial positionEdenred had net debt of €1.12 billion at December 31, 2020 (versus €1.29 billion a year earlier), resulting in a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.9x, which is stable compared with end-2019. The change in net debt reflects strong free cash flow generation, the €101 million returned to shareholders over the previous 12 months and the negative €333 million impact of currency effects and non-recurring items.At end-2020, the cost of the Group’s debt stood at 0.8%, an improvement of 5 basis points, and its average debt maturity increased to more than 5 years (+6 months versus end of 2019).In May 2020, Standard & Poor’s confirmed the Group’s BBB+ Strong Investment Grade rating with a stable outlook.·Further progress in CSRIn 2020, Edenred continued to implement its “People, Planet, Progress” corporate social responsibility policy, which is aimed at improving quality of life, protecting the environment and creating value ethically and responsibly. In addition to tying one of its financing instruments to its CSR performance in 2020, Edenred also made progress during the year on its objectives for 2022 and 2030, despite the pandemic. For example, women now hold 29% of the Group’s executive positions, representing an increase of 2 points versus the prior year, for a target of 40% by 2030.Through its solutions, which enable more responsible behavior, and its own initiatives, Edenred is contributing to 12 of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, thanks to its earmarked funds platform, Edenred is creating virtuous ecosystems that contribute to the fight against the informal economy, fraud, food insecurity, inequality and climate change.·Proposed dividendThe Group recommends a dividend of €0.75 in respect of the fiscal year 2020. Consistent with the Group’s growth profile, performance and solid financial position, the dividend is up 7.1% from last year. Shareholders may opt to receive the dividend 100% in cash or 100% in shares, with a 10% discount. The dividend will be submitted to the shareholders’ approval at Edenred’s Annual General Meeting to be held on May 11, 2021.2020 HIGHLIGHTS·Measures taken by the Group in response to the consequences of the Covid-19 epidemicIn March 2020, due to the uncertain environment resulting from the Covid-19 epidemic, the Group suspended its targets for full-year 2020 until it had better visibility of the financial impacts of the epidemic3.In April 2020, Edenred launched its “More than Ever” relief plan, pledging to commit up to €15 million to support its teams, partner merchants and clients through the unprecedented crisis caused by the Covid-19 epidemic4.The “More than Ever” plan is notably financed through:the 20% decrease in the dividend for 2019, to €0.7 per share;the reduction in the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s compensation in line with AFEP recommendations;the reduction in the compensation of the members of the Group’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors.·Renewed market confidence in Edenred’s credit quality, and social and environmental criteria tied to one of its financing instruments for the first timeIn February 2020, when it renegotiated its syndicated credit facility, Edenred introduced environmental and social performance criteria into the calculation of the financing costs for the first time5. These criteria relate to:promoting healthy and sustainable eating habits;combating global warming.In June 2020, the Group extended its financial resources by submitting a €250 million Negotiable EUropean Medium Term Note (NEU MTN) program to France’s central bank.In June 2020, Edenred successfully issued €600 million worth of nine-year bonds paying a coupon of 1.375%6. The issuance enabled the Group to strengthen its financial resources and extend the average maturity of its debt under favorable conditions.·Targeted external growth transactionsIn January 2020, Edenred strengthened its leadership position in the United Arab Emirates payroll cards market with the acquisition of the payroll card portfolio of Mint, the second-largest operator specializing in pay distribution and management for under- or unbanked workers in the United Arab Emirates7.In May 2020, Edenred strengthened its position in the Brazilian market with the acquisition of employee benefits operations from Cooper Card8.In May 2020, Edenred acquired all the remaining outstanding shares (17%) that it did not already own in its UTA subsidiary. The transaction followed the exercise of a put option by the Eckstein family, co-founders of UTA. The option was accretive to net profit, Group share.·Appointments to the Group’s Executive CommitteeEdenred announced four appointments to its Executive Committee in 20209: – Emmanuelle Châtelain was appointed Vice President, Communications;
– Patrick Rouvillois was appointed Executive Vice President, Innovation & Asia-Pacific;
– Eric Sauvage was appointed Executive Vice President, Marketing & Strategy;
– Julien Tanguy was appointed Executive Vice President, Finance.2021 OUTLOOKEdenred is particularly well positioned to seize the opportunities created by a number of promising trends revealed or reinforced by the health crisis, which affect the world of work:A more connected, digital and mobile-first world;A more remote-working world;A world seeking socially and environmentally responsible solutions;A world where B2B payments are increasingly automated and digital.By leveraging these changes and its unique position as an intermediation platform that connects 50 million users with 2 million partner merchants daily to meet their essential needs (Eat, Move, Care, Pay), Edenred has kept its growth potential intact despite the economic impact of the health crisis. With its proven agility, Edenred will continue to activate the business drivers designed to further penetrate its markets, develop new solutions and deploy its innovations widely and rapidly. In addition to these internal development avenues, the Group also intends to pursue its targeted acquisition strategy and has over €1 billion in firepower for this purpose.This is how Edenred intends to step up the pace and generate sustainable and profitable growth in a post-Covid world.Early 2021 has nonetheless shown that the uncertainties surrounding the health crisis persist, with new local lockdowns and restrictive measures in Europe, including in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, and that the economic and health situation remains downbeat in Latin and North America.Edenred will continue to prove its resilience in the first quarter of the year, despite an unfavorable basis of comparison, and expects to be able to grow more strongly in the second quarter, when it will notably benefit from a more favorable comparison basis.A gradual return to an economic situation close to normal – thanks notably to a vaccination rate that should enable restrictive measures to be eased considerably by the middle of the year – will support Edenred’s growth in the second half.Despite the uncertain health situation, Edenred intends to achieve like-for-like EBITDA growth in 2021 of minimum 6%.UPCOMING EVENTSApril 22, 2021: First-quarter 2021 revenue
May 11, 2021: General Meeting
July 27, 2021: First-half 2021 results
October 21, 2021: Third-quarter 2021 revenue▬▬Edenred is a leading digital platform for services and payments and the everyday companion for people at work, connecting over 50 million users and 2 million partner merchants in 46 countries via more than 850,000 corporate clients.Edenred offers specific-purpose payment solutions for food (such as meal benefits), mobility (such as multi-energy, maintenance, toll, parking and commuter solutions), incentives (such as gift cards, employee engagement platforms) and corporate payments (such as virtual cards). These solutions enhance user’s well-being and purchasing power, improve companies’ attractiveness and efficiency, and vitalize the employment market and the local economy. They also foster access to healthier food, more environmentally friendly products and softer mobility.Edenred’s 10,000 employees are committed to making the world of work a connected ecosystem that is safer, more efficient and more user-friendly every day.In 2020, thanks to its global technology assets, the Group managed close to €30 billion in business volume, primarily carried out via mobile applications, online platforms and cards.Edenred is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and included in the following indices: CAC Next 20, FTSE4Good and MSCI Europe.The logos and other trademarks mentioned and featured in this press release are registered trademarks of Edenred S.A., its subsidiaries or third parties. They may not be used for commercial purposes without prior written consent from their owners.▬▬CONTACTS
APPENDICESGlossary and list of references needed
for a proper understanding of financial informationMain terms
Like-for-like, impact of changes in the scope of consolidation, currency effect:Like-for-like or organic growth corresponds to comparable growth, i.e., growth at constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation. This indicator reflects the Group’s business performance.Changes in activity (like-for-like or organic growth) represent changes in amounts between the current period and the comparative period, adjusted for currency effects and for the impact of acquisitions and/or disposals.The impact of acquisitions is eliminated from the amount reported for the current period. The impact of disposals is eliminated from the amount reported for the comparative period. The sum of these two amounts is known as the impact of changes in the scope of consolidation or the scope effect.The calculation of changes in activity is translated at the exchange rate applicable in the comparative period and divided by the adjusted amount for the comparative period. The currency effect is the difference between the amount for the reported period translated at the exchange rate for the reported period and the amount for the reported period translated at the exchange rate applicable in the comparative period. ·Business volume:Business volume comprises total issue volume of Employee Benefits, Incentive and Rewards, Public Social Program solutions and Corporate Payment Services, plus the transaction volume of Fleet & Mobility Solutions and other solutions. ·Issue volume:Issue volume is the total face value of the funds preloaded on all of the payment solutions issued by Edenred to its corporate and public sector clients. ·Transaction volume:
Transaction volume represents the total value of the transactions paid for with payment instruments, at the time of the transaction. b) Alternative performance measurement indicators included in the December 31, 2020 Financial ReportThe alternative performance measurement indicators outlined below are presented and reconciled with accounting data in the Annual Financial Report.
c) Alternative performance measurement indicators not included in the December 31, 2020 Financial Report
Operating revenue
Other revenue
Pro forma 2019 operating revenue and other revenue by quarter following the classification change for revenue related to merchants’ fast reimbursement in Brazil
Total revenue
EBITDA, Operating EBIT and EBIT
Summarized balance sheetFrom net profit, Group share to Free cash flows
1 The audit has been completed and the auditors will issue their opinion after having finalized the review of the management report and the due diligences on 2020 financial statements related to the ESEF electronic format.2020 changes are calculated based on 2019 pro forma figures, which reflect the change in the breakdown between operating revenue and other revenue within total revenue in Brazil, effective since fourth-quarter 2019 and with no impact on full-year 2019 total revenue. See the appendices, page 18. Like-for-like performance and currency effects are temporarily calculated excluding Venezuela.2 The float corresponds to a portion of the operating working capital from the preloading of funds by corporate clients.3 Press release dated March 25, 2020.4 Press release dated April 7, 2020.5 Press release dated February 13, 2020.6 Press release dated June 10, 2020.7 Press release dated January 8, 2020.8 Press release dated May 13, 2020.9 Press releases dated December 10 and 16, 2020.Attachment2021 03 02 – Edenred 2020 Annual Results – PR vENG