
Financial review
A part of this is due to increased costs to improve our
delivery service but also continued suppressed gross
profit margin.
Other operating income
Other operating income of DKK 39m primarily relates
to non-recurring income of DKK 35m from the
completion of the sale of our warehouse in Duiven.
External operating costs and staff costs
We actively initiate measures to mitigate the impact of
cost inflation and the expected market slowdown.
These measures proved effective and in Q3 2024,
external operating and staff costs declined by DKK
18m to 15.0% (15.1%) of revenue.
EBITDA
EBITDA of DKK 202m (DKK 187m) was on par with
expectations and we therefore reconfirm our 2024
EBITDA guidance of DKK 600m. Adjusted for
non-recurring income in Q3 2024, the underlying
EBITDA margin amounted to 5.7% (6.3%).
The results from the individual markets are given on
page 24.
Earnings before tax
Earnings before tax amounted to DKK 101m (DKK
93m) as reduced costs and non-recurring income more
than compensated for the decline in revenue and gross
profit margin.
Net profit
Net profit amounted to DKK 78m (DKK 71m).
Q1-Q3 2024
Revenue
As expected, we saw a decline in growth in Q1-Q3 but
with Q3 performing better than H1. However, the
recovery is still slower than initially expected. Adjusted
organic growth at group level amounted to -9.4%
(0.5%) while revenue declined to DKK 9.0 bn (DKK
9.9bn).
Gross profit
As expected, we saw a loss in gross profit margin
across several product categories in Q1-Q3.
Gross profit margin at group level amounted to 20.6%
(22.5%). The decline in gross profit margin, adjusted
for one-off price effects in Q1-Q3 2023, amounted to
1.5 percentage points. A part of this is due to a less
favourable mix combined with continued suppressed
gross margins, notably relating to Climate & Energy
products, as well as increased costs to improve our
delivery service.
Other operating income
Other operating income of DKK 39m primarily relates
to non-recurring income of DKK 35m, which resulted
from the completion of the sale of our warehouse in
Duiven.
External operating costs and staff costs
We actively initiate measures to mitigate the impact of
cost inflation and the expected market slowdown.
Consequently, costs in Q1-Q3 2024 include
restructuring costs of approx. DKK 27m. Despite this,
external operating and staff costs declined by DKK
75m. When adjusted for restructuring costs, external
operating and staff costs amounted to 15.8% (15.5%)
of revenue.
Loss on trade receivables
As we conduct efficient credit management, including
in the currently unpredictable market conditions, our
loss on trade receivables decreased to DKK 11m
(DKK 15m).
EBITDA
EBITDA of DKK 427m (DKK 681m) was as expected.
When adjusted for non-recurring income in Q3 2024
and one-off price effects in Q1-Q3 2023, the
underlying EBITDA margin amounted to 4.3% (6.5%).
The results of the individual markets are shown on
page 25.
Depreciation and write-down
Depreciation and write-down on property, plant and
equipment increased to DKK 181m (DKK 164m) as the
result of the depreciation of the warehouse extensions
and automatisation measures in Solar Danmark and
Solar Nederland.
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
amounted to DKK -55m (DKK -73m). In Q1-Q3 2023,
an impairment loss on Højager Belysning of DKK 20m
was recognised.
Earnings before tax
Earnings before tax amounted to DKK 129m (DKK
383m) as non- reduced costs and recurring income did
not fully compensate for the decline in revenue and
gross profit margin.
Net profit
Net profit came to DKK 97m (DKK 293m).
Cash flow
Net working capital as an average of the previous four
quarters declined to 15.5% (16.7%) of revenue. Net
working capital at the end of Q3 2024 amounted to
16.8% (16.6%).
Cash flow from operating activities totalled DKK 13m
(DKK 369m). We succeeded in reducing inventories
through inventory changes, which had a cash flow
impact of DKK 66m (DKK 59m). Changes in
receivables impacted cash flow by DKK -356m (DKK
-116m) while changes in non-interest-bearing liabilities
had a cash flow impact of DKK 54m (DKK -90m).
Total cash flow from investing activities amounted to
DKK -209m (DKK -318m). Although the sale of our
warehouse in Duiven is completed, the proceeds of
DKK 75m have not yet been released. The acquisition
of ThermoNova impacted cash flow by DKK -10m (DKK
-111m). All deferred payments regarding the acquisition
have been paid.
Cash flow from financing activities amounted to DKK
23m (DKK 24m). This was mainly affected by changes
in current interest-bearing liabilities, by dividend
distribution of DKK 219m (DKK 329m), and by the
raising of non-current interest-bearing debt of DKK
150m in Q1-Q3 2023.
7Solar A/S
Q3 2024