FY 2023 SPIE annual results – Press release

Cergy, March 7^th, 2024
Outstanding financial performance in 2023

• Revenue: €8,709 m, up +7.6% vs. 2022, including an exceptional +8.4% organic growth reflecting the strong momentum on our markets, as well as our ability to increase prices in an inflationary context
• Significant increase of EBITA, up +14.3% (vs. 2022) at €584.2 m
• EBITA margin exceeding guidance at 6.7% of revenue; +40 bps vs. 2022, despite an inflationary context, and thanks to our unabating focus on operational excellence and our selectivity approach which is even higher in a context of strong demand for our services
• Adjusted net income¹: €344.0 m (+14.2% vs. 2022)
• Net income Group share: €238.5 m (+57.4% vs. 2022)
• Recommended dividend for FY2023: €0.83 per share², up +13.7% vs. 2022

Very strong cash generation and a leverage ratio at all-time low

• Exceptional level of free cash flow at €427 m (+35.6% vs. 2022), with a cash conversion at 109% well above our target of 100%, supported by a structurally highly negative working capital ((37) days of revenue at the end of December 2023) illustrating our rigorous focus on cash
• Further deleveraging down to 1.2x³ at December 31^st, 2023 (compared to 1.6x at December 31^st, 2022)
• Successful refinancing with very attractive conditions in early 2023 and no upcoming maturities before 2026
• In 2023, SPIE was upgraded to BB+ by both S&P and Fitch

Very strong delivery on our M&A activity with more than €700 million of yearly revenue acquired

• 9 bolt-on acquisitions reinforcing our footprint in France, Germany, the Netherlands as well as building a position in the offshore wind sector at SPIE Global Services Energy (former SPIE Oil & Gas Services)
• SPIE nurtures a rich pipeline of opportunities and pursues the consolidation of its key markets to further strengthen its positioning as a key enabler for energy transition

Leading the way on sustainability
– 48% of SPIE revenue is aligned with EU taxonomy, establishing SPIE as a best-in-class performer

As from 2024, new reporting segment to reflect the evolution of the geographical mix of the Group

• France (including Nuclear Services)
• Germany
• North-Western Europe
• Central Europe: Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia
• Global Services Energy (former Oil & Gas Services)

2024 outlook

• Further organic growth, at a slower pace than in 2023
• Further EBITA margin increase
• Continuation of a dynamic bolt-on M&A strategy, remaining at the core of SPIE’s business model
• The proposed dividend pay-out ratio will remain at c.40% of Adjusted Net Income⁴ attributable to the Group

As the Group has reached its 2025 EBITA margin guidance two years in advance, SPIE upgrades its 2025 mid-term guidance

– Organic growth: at least +4% p.a. on average, based on historical level of inflation
(unchanged)
– EBITA margin: continuous improvement towards 7% in 2025
(Previously: “EBITA margin improvement towards 6.7% in 2025”)
– A cash conversion of c.100%
(unchanged)
– Accelerating on its M&A compounding model
(unchanged)
– 5 ESG targets confirmed
(unchanged)

Gauthier Louette, Chairman & CEO, said: “2023 was a record year for SPIE in all respects. It demonstrates the strengths of our model and the unique positioning of our highly valuable multi-technical services, which are critical for the accelerating energy transition markets. The Group delivered an exceptional level of organic growth at 8.4%. Despite an inflationary context, the margin increased markedly, by 40 basis points, bringing us two years ahead of plan at our mid-term guidance of 6.7 % EBITA margin. SPIE delivered more than 100% cash conversion and achieved an all-time low leverage ratio. Our strong discipline and unabating focus on operational excellence remained the key drivers of success. We stepped up our bolt-on acquisitions during the year, with nine acquisitions representing more than 700 million euros of annual revenue acquired while nurturing a dynamic and rich pipeline of further opportunities.
Our revenue aligned with the EU taxonomy reached 48% in 2023, showcasing one of the highest levels among SBF120 and establishing the Group as a key enabler for energy transition.
Looking ahead, we are very confident to deliver yet another strong year in 2024”.

About SPIE

SPIE is the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications. Our 50,000 employees are committed to achieving the energy transition and responsible digital transformation alongside our customers.
SPIE achieved in 2023 consolidated revenue of €8.7 billion and consolidated EBITA of €584 million.

Contacts

www.spie.com
https://www.facebook.com/SPIEgroup
http://twitter.com/spiegroup

Disclaimer

Certain information included in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, including, without limitation, assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which SPIE operates, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results or other events, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and SPIE expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements included in this press release to reflect any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Such forward-looking statements are for illustrative purposes only. Forward-looking information and statements are not guarantees of future performances and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of SPIE. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified under Chapter 2 “Risk factors and internal control” in SPIE’s 2022 Universal Registration Document, filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on April 12^th, 2023, under number D.23-0265 which is available on the website of SPIE (www.spie.com) and of the AMF (www.amf-france.org).
This press release includes only summary information and does not purport to be comprehensive. No reliance should be placed on the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this press release.
This press release does not contain or constitute an offer of securities for sale or an invitation or inducement to invest in securities in France, the United States or any other jurisdiction.        

¹ Adjusted for i) operating income items restated from the Group’s EBITA, ii) the change in fair value and amortisation costs of derivative related to the ORNANE, and iii) the corresponding normative tax income adjustment

² Subject to shareholders’ approval at the next Annual General Meeting on May 3^rd, 2024

³ Ratio of net debt excluding the impact of IFRS 16 at end December to pro forma EBITDA (including full-year impact of acquisitions and disposals) on a trailing twelve-month basis

⁴ Adjusted for i) operating income items restated from the Group’s EBITA, ii) the change in fair value and amortisation costs of derivative related to the ORNANE, and iii) the corresponding normative tax income adjustment

Attachment

• FY 2023 SPIE annual results – Press release