Austrian Post Reports Strong Growth in the First Half of 2021

The first half of 2021 was still impacted by restrictions and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for Austrian Post, but overall it was very successful. Against the backdrop of massive burdens in the comparison period of the previous year, both revenue and results were increased in the first half of 2021.

(Vienna) It is evident that especially the national and international volumes in the parcel sector continue to show good growth rates. In contrast, there was a continued structural decline in letter products. Pandemic-related restrictions continued to affect the business activities of some customer segments.

The group revenue of Austrian Post increased by 28.4% to EUR 1,260.4 million in the first half of 2021. The current half-year highlighted the structural change in comparison to divisions, with the now increased importance of the parcel business. The share of the Parcel & Logistics division in revenue was 49.4% in the first half of 2021, with a continued positive trend, while the share of the Letter & Advertising Mail division decreased to 47.9%. The revenue of the Parcel & Logistics division increased – also due to the full consolidation of the Turkish company Aras Kargo – by 70.7% to EUR 628.1 million (organic growth +27.0%) and included positive special effects from logistics services.

Letter Mail Also Contributes to Results

The Letter & Advertising Mail division generated revenues of EUR 608.2 million (+3.0%) during the reporting period. The Branch & Bank division also recorded increases with revenues of EUR 34.0 million in the first half of 2021. Since April 2020, bank99 has been offering its own financial services. To quickly expand the business, bank99 agreed with ING in July 2021 to take over ING’s retail banking business in Austria. A closing is expected by the end of 2021. “With the acquisition of ING’s retail banking business in Austria, we have made an extraordinary step towards accelerating the launch of our financial services,” says DI Dr. Georg Pölzl, CEO of Austrian Post. “Together with the highly professional team of ING in Austria, we will work on the further development of our bank,” Georg Pölzl continued.

EBITDA Significantly Increased

Austrian Post was also able to show a significant improvement in results in the first half of 2021 compared to the first half of the previous year. The group’s EBITDA increased by 64.3% to EUR 184.5 million after a first half of 2020 marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, EBIT increased by 114.5% to EUR 103.4 million, thus more than doubling. The Letter & Advertising Mail division recorded an EBIT increase of 12.6% to EUR 82.4 million, supported by an increase in revenue in the letter and advertising business after a previous year heavily impacted by COVID-19.

Positive effects also came from the product and tariff adjustments of letter mail as well as special mailings in the current reporting period. The EBIT of the Parcel & Logistics division increased from EUR 18.2 million to EUR 59.7 million in the first six months of 2021. The excellent operational development in all markets, the full consolidation of the Turkish company Aras Kargo, and special effects from logistics services contributed to this increase. The Branch & Bank division recorded an EBIT of minus EUR 27.0 million after minus EUR 28.7 million in the previous year. A positive trend in results from the financial services business is evident. The period result of Austrian Post was thus EUR 84.2 million in the first half of 2021, compared to EUR 39.1 million in the previous year. The earnings per share amounted to EUR 1.18 in the current reporting period after EUR 0.66 in the previous year.

Expectations for the Full Year 2021 Raised

With this good result in the first half, Austrian Post has also raised its expectations for the full year 2021. Despite ongoing uncertainty in the letter and advertising mail business, a revenue increase (including the Turkish subsidiary Aras Kargo) of about 15% is expected. The result should also improve compared to the previous year – an increase of at least 20% is targeted (base EBIT 2020: EUR 161 million). The current volume development in parcels confirms the planned capacity expansion program of Austrian Post. The sorting capacity will be expanded by another 50% from 2020 to 2022.

The Numbers in Detail:

Successful Strategic Decisions

• Parcel business as a strong second pillar of the group (organic growth and integration of Aras Kargo)
• Important milestone for bank99 through the acquisition of ING’s retail banking business in Austria

Volume in the parcel sector in H1 remains high, continued decline in letters

• Parcel volume Austria +20%, Turkey +24%, CEE +21%
• Letter volume -3%, advertising mail +2%

Revenue H1 2021 with +28.4% to EUR 1,260.4 million (+12.0% excl. Aras Kargo)

• Letter & Advertising Mail +3.0% to EUR 608.2 million
• Parcel & Logistics +70.7% to EUR 628.1 million (+27.0% excl. Aras Kargo)
• Branch & Bank +18.9% to EUR 34.0 million

Result improvement through parcel growth

• EBITDA +64.3% to EUR 184.5 million
• EBIT +114.5% to EUR 103.4 million
  • Letter & Advertising Mail +12.6% to EUR 82.4 million
  • Parcel & Logistics +41.5 million EUR to EUR 59.7 million
  • Branch & Bank +6.1% to minus EUR 27.0 million

Cash flow improved, total assets increased

• Operating free cash flow increased from EUR 45.3 million to EUR 139.1 million
• Total assets increased to EUR 2.8 billion due to bank expansion

Positive outlook for 2021

• Revenue increase of about 15% expected
• Result increase (EBIT) of at least 20% targeted
• Focus on investment program to ensure performance

Photo: © Austrian Post