• Total sales MSEK 48,665 (46,811)
• Income before taxes MSEK 2,297 (1,379)
• Items affecting comparability and impairment losses of goodwill MSEK 0 (–549)
• Net income after tax MSEK 1,694 (560)
• Earnings per share SEK 4.64 (1.53)
COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
"The shift of focus in Securitas from an acquisition driven expansion to a focus on organic growth and profitability, is reflected in the interim results. We intend to continue along this route and in the ¬present financial turmoil we will be more selective on acquisitions, although we intend to exploit opportunities as they occur.
The organic sales growth in Security Services North America remains in the 4 percent range in the quarter, which is in line with the present market growth. However, the growth in the US security market is slowing down. The organic sales growth in Security Services Europe is also in line with the European market growth in the 6 percent range in the quarter, but has, as expected, declined somewhat as we continue to prioritize profitability rather than volume. This strategic choice is supported by the implementation of a higher degree of specialization in the operation, sharing of knowledge, best practices and by further investments in training of security expertise and in security solutions.
In all divisions, including Loomis, the price increases have been approximately on par with wage costs development during the first nine months of the year.
The operating margin in the Group improved compared to last year. In Security Services North America the consistent and systematic work in primarily the management of the contract portfolio pays off in ¬improving operating margins in the quarter, 5.6 percent compared to 5.3 percent, as well as for the first nine months, 5.5 percent compared to 5.1 percent in 2007. In Security Services Europe the operating ¬margin remains flat on 5.7 percent in the quarter. The operations acquired in Germany, consolidated as of June 30, 2008, has as expected negatively impacted the operating margin in the third quarter 2008. Aviation is showing a positive trend and is contributing to maintaining the operating margin in the division in the quarter.
In Mobile and Monitoring, the organic sales growth as well as the operating margin improved in the third quarter compared to previous year. The investments in building a larger sales organization have been completed in the third quarter. We have decided not to further increase sales costs for the ¬coming year, but to optimize the investments made, before any additional sales resources are added.
In Loomis, the operating margin in the third quarter was 7.3 percent compared to 1.7 percent last year (5.8 percent when excluding LCM), and the positive trend of improving margins quarter by quarter continues. Cost saving actions have been taken in Loomis Sweden in the quarter. As planned, Loomis is expected to be listed on the Nasdaq OMX Stockholm in December 2008."
Alf Göransson
President and Chief Executive Officer
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Alf Göransson, President and CEO,
+46 10 470 3000
Gisela Lindstrand, Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs,
+46 10 470 3011
Micaela Sjökvist, Head of Investor Relations,
+46 10 470 3013
INFORMATION MEETING
An information meeting will be held on November 6, 2008, at 9.30 a.m. CET.
The information meeting will take place at Securitas’ head office, Lindhagensplan 70, Stockholm.
To follow the information meeting via telephone (and participate in Q&A session), please register via the link
https://eventreg1.conferencing.com/webportal3/reg.html?Acc=457866&Conf=161928
and follow instructions, or call +44 (0)20 7162 0077 or +46 (0) 8 505 201 10.
The meeting will be webcasted at www.securitas.com
A recorded version of the web cast will be available on Securitas’ website after the information meeting and a telephone recorded version of the information meeting will be available until midnight on November 8 on: +44 (0)20 7031 4064 and +46 (0)8 505 203 33, access code: 814763.
Securitas AB discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 8.00 a.m. (CET) on Thursday, November 6, 2008.
Securitas AB Interim Report January–September 2008
Published
06 November 2008 08:00
