PSA reports positive H1 earnings for first time in four years

PARIS -- PSA/Peugeot Citroen posted good first half net earnings for the very first time in four years as the auto-maker tightened handle on spending and offered more vehicles at higher costs in its home area as well as in Asia.
PSA recorded net earnings of 571 million euros ($631 million) for January-June, after a 1 14 million-euro loss a year before, the organization said in a statement nowadays.
"We've reached all of our Again in the Race targets quicker than anticipated," Chief Financial Officer Jean Baptiste de Chatillon told reporters on a conference-call. "But we stay careful because this 1st half benefited from favorable states and good seasonal results," Chatillon stated. "We are conscious that we face some headwinds in the 2nd half."
First half sales grew 6.9% to 28.9 billion euros. Recurring operating revenue soared to 1.42 billion euros ($1.57 billion) from a re-stated 387 million euros a year before.
Net profits at the automotive department were 975 million euros, with about one third of the progress coming from a "favorable business atmosphere," as well as the remainder from price reductions, more revenue of greater-priced automobiles and decreased discounting, PSA stated. That lifted the divisional operating margin to 5% of income, a-level not seen for over a decade as well as in line using a goal the organization has established for the 2019-2023 planning interval.
A weaker euro, dropping raw material prices as well as other seasonal tailwinds accounted for about one third of the first half operating earnings of 1.08 billion euros, Chatillon stated.
PSA trapped to moderate-term recovery targets it has surpassed in the 1st half, including a-2% vehicle department gross profit and 2 billion euros of cumulative income by 2018.
Operating free-cash-flow increased by two thirds to 2.79 billion euros in the 1st half, PSA stated.
CEO Carlos Tavares warned that of more demanding market conditions in the remaining twelvemonth. "Our first half results are extremely favorable but we must review them on a full-year foundation," he stated in the declaration.
PSA's first half deliveries increased 0.4% to 1.55 million automobiles and light-commercial vehicles, with desire in Asia, Europe and the Middleeast creating for dropping sales in Latin America and Russian Federation.
Increase was aided by the Peugeot 308 hatchback and Citroen C4 Cactus crossover.
PSA stated it anticipates automotive demand to enlarge by 6% in Europe this year, by 3% in China and to drop by 15-percent in Latin America and drop by 3-5% in Russia.
Tavares stated PSA should be "dedicated to the entire performance of the Straight Back in the Race strategy to procure the automaker's retrieval amid an "unstable global environment."
Tavares is trying to endure profits after PSA posted its first yearly operating revenue in 3 years in 2014. Following a-3 billion-euro bail out that found the French authorities and China's Dongfeng purchase fitting 14 percent positions in the firm a year ago, PSA employed the former Renault second in command and vowed to cut labour costs, stock and model lines to bring back profitability. His scheme, dubbed Back in the Race, has entailed immobilizing workers' spend, re-structuring South American and Russian procedures and increasing in other states outside Europe. In addition, it incorporates streamlining the team line while adding versions in the new DS superior brand.
Morgan Stanley analyst Harald Hendrikse mentioned PSA is "do better" with "a really remarkable" 1st half. "However, anticipations were already high, and assistance is unchanged," he stated.
China reductions
PSA will consider new cost cutting moves in reaction to to the China slow down, Tavares mentioned, including a customer change to Chinese manufacturers had started "worry mode" cost-slashing by some overseas competitors.
The organization 's Asia leader Gregoire Olivier can have the newest propositions on Thursday, Tavares stated.
Other forthcoming headwinds add a second half surge in motor production prices to comply with more stringent Euro 6 discharges regulation, PSA stated.
But elsewhere the car-maker revealed improvement in even the most demanding markets, slashing set and operational costs by an anticipated 50% in Russia in 2013. In Latin America, PSA came back to some tiny gain after cutting its lineup by six versions and halving set expenses.
Reuters and Bloomberg contributed to this report
Contact Automotive News

Labels:

Gains
PSA
Marketing

Read Source

29.07.2015
ID:2566

More news from this source:

1. Tell us about retail high achievers under 40
2. Suits target price-fixing parts makers
3. Soaring on the wings of the snowbirds
4. Volvo recalls 59,000 cars over software fault
5. Hyundai Ioniq targets Prius, but not in sales