Page 10 of 24 INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT – COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 1065 – 24 October 2023
months of 2023, but only down by 4% in Q3 2023. The weakest
growth rates were recorded on export volumes out of APAC.
As a result of lower demand, reduced congestion and the
introduction of new capacity, sea freight rates have largely
returned to pre-pandemic levels across all major trade lanes.
In the first nine months of 2023, we estimate that DSV's volume
development – especially for air freight – was below the general
market. In a highly competitive market, this underperformance
can be attributed to our pricing discipline and focus on high-yield
cargo.
In Q3 2023, we have reinforced our commercial efforts and are
seeing positive results from this. Outgrowing the market
continues to be our ambition, but always with focus on profitable
growth.
Divisional revenue
The division’s revenue amounted to DKK 71,118 million for the
first nine months of 2023, compared to DKK 138,508 million for
the same period last year, and was down 47.1% in constant
currencies.
For Q3 2023, revenue amounted to DKK 21,912 million,
compared to DKK 45,339 million for the same period last year.
In constant currencies, revenue for the quarter was down
48.7%.
The development was driven by the significant decline in freight
rates and lower volumes. The division’s average revenue per
unit for the first nine months of 2023 was 34.7% below last year
for air and 46.5% below last year for sea.
Gross profit
For the first nine months of 2023, gross profit amounted to DKK
19,991 million, compared to DKK 27,347 million for the same
period last year. In constant currencies, gross profit was down
24.5%.
For Q3 2023, gross profit amounted to DKK 6,210 million,
compared to DKK 9,135 million for the same period last year.
In constant currencies, gross profit for the quarter was down
27.7%.
The decline in gross profit was most significant for air freight,
driven by both lower volumes and lower yields. The
normalisation of gross profit yields compared to the record-high
levels in 2022 is expected to continue into Q4 2023.
The division’s gross margin was 28.1% for the first nine months
of 2023, compared to 19.7% last year. The development was
mainly due to the product mix and lower pass-through revenue
compared to last year.
During the first nine months of 2023, the APAC region delivered
the weakest development in gross profit due to declining export
volumes and lower freight rates.
EBIT before special items
EBIT before special items came to DKK 10,481 million for the
first nine months of 2023, compared to DKK 16,842 million for
the same period last year. In constant currencies, EBIT declined
35.7%.
For Q3 2023, EBIT before special items amounted to DKK 3,281
million, compared to DKK 5,455 million for the same period last
year. In constant currencies, EBIT before special items for the
quarter was down 35.8%.
The decline in EBIT before special items was due to the drop in
gross profit, which was partially offset by a reduced cost base.
During 2023, various cost-saving initiatives have been put into
effect, reducing both staff costs and other external costs.
The conversion ratio was 52.4% for the first nine months of
2023, compared to the extraordinary high ratio of 61.6% for the
same period last year.
Net working capital
The Air & Sea division’s net working capital came to DKK 414
million on 30 September 2023, compared to DKK 9,493 million
on 30 September 2022. The significant reduction was mainly
due to lower revenue.