Itella Corporation Interim Report Q2/2012

25.07.2012

ITELLA CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE JULY 25, 2012, AT 12:00 NOON (EET)

January–June 2012

Itella Group’s net sales in January–June amounted to EUR 958.5 (932.6) million. Net sales grew by 2.8%, with growth evident in all business groups.
Performance improved clearly: operating result before non-recurring items amounted to EUR 28.7 (-3.8) million, or 3.0% (-0.4%) of net sales.
Operating result before non-recurring items grew to EUR 36.0 (10.3) million in Itella Mail Communications, EUR -3.5 (-8.8) million in Itella Logistics, and EUR 5.8 (3.9) million in Itella Information.
Operating result in the first half grew from the year before and came to EUR 18.0 (-4.1) million, representing 1.9% (-0.4%) of net sales. The period’s performance was weighed down by non-recurring items to the amount of EUR 10.7 (0.3) million.

April–June 2012

Itella Group’s net sales in April–June amounted to EUR 473.2 (469.7) million. Net sales (+0.7%) in Itella Mail Communications remained on the same level as a year ago, while increasing in Itella Logistics and Itella Information.
Operating result before non-recurring items grew to EUR 5.9 (-4.4) million, or 1.2% (-0.9%) of net sales.
Operating result before non-recurring items grew to EUR 10.7 (4.8) million in Itella Mail Communications, EUR -1.8 (-3.7) million in Itella Logistics, and EUR 2.5 (-0.8) million in Itella Information.
Operating result in the second quarter improved from the previous year and came to EUR -3.1 (-4.7) million, representing -0.7% (-1.0%) of net sales. The period’s performance was weighed down by non-recurring items to the amount of EUR 9.0 (0.3) million.
At the end of May, Itella Corporation and VR-Yhtymä Oy signed a letter of intent where Itella Logistics will acquire VR Transpoint’s groupage logistics business in Finland.

Key figures of Itella Group	4-6 /2012	4-6 /2011	1-6 /2012	1-6 /2011	2011
Net sales, MEUR	473.2	469.7	958.5	932.6	1,900.1
Operating result (non-IFRS), MEUR *)	5.9	-4.4	28.7	-3.8	30.5
Operating result (non-IFRS), % *)	1.2	-0.9	3.0	-0.4	1.6
Operating result, MEUR	-3.1	-4.7	18.0	-4.1	-5.9
Operating result, %	-0.7	-1.0	1.9	-0.4	-0.3
Result before taxes, MEUR	-5.7	-6.4	13.6	-8.8	-16.4
Result for the period, MEUR	-7.5	-8.5	4.2	-14.2	-30.7
Return on equity, %, 12 months			-1.8	-0.6	-4.5
Return on investment, %, 12 months			2.0	2.4	-0.2
Equity ratio, %			47.0	49.6	46.1
Gearing, %			22.0	21.7	22.1
Gross capital expenditure, MEUR	23.2	12.7	45.2	23.8	102.9
Employees on average	27,660	29,216	27,431	28,753	28,493

*) Non-IFRS = excluding non-recurring items

Jukka Alho, President and CEO:

”Itella’s January–June net sales clearly increased and performance improved in comparison to the corresponding period in 2011. Net sales increased in all business groups. Following a strong first quarter, the growth during the second quarter was slightly less robust, in line with normal seasonal fluctuation.

Given that the overall economic situation became increasingly uncertain in the second quarter, the result of the first half of the year can be considered satisfactory at the very least.

In Itella Mail Communications, we increased volumes in both unaddressed deliveries and the parcel business, despite a tough competitive environment. In contrast, the volumes of addressed letters and newspapers and magazines continued to decline. In this respect, the forceful efforts to increase efficiency have been absolutely necessary.

At the end of May, Itella Corporation and VR-Yhtymä Oy signed a letter of intent on the acquisition of VR Transpoint's domestic groupage logistics business. After the final contract, the approval from the competition authorities is required.

As mentioned in our interim report for the first quarter, we had identified a need for change in our German printing services. The ensuing separation from the printing services has now been concluded and our German operations are focused on the expansion of financial management services.”

APPENDICES
Itella’s Interim Report in full (PDF)

FURTHER INFORMATION
Sari Helander, CFO, tel. +358 50 3791 819, firstname.lastname@itella.com

DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Key media
www.itella.com/financials

FINANCIAL CALENDER 2012
Interim Report Q3/2012 October 31

PHOTOGRAPHS AND LOGOS
www.itella.com/media

Itella Group provides solutions for managing information and product flows. Itella operates in the fields of mail communications, logistics, and financial management in Europe and Russia. Net sales in 2011 amounted to EUR 1,900 million. The number of staff is approximately 27,500. Corporate services are delivered under the Itella brand, while the Posti brand is used for services targeted at consumers in Finland. For further information, go to www.itella.com/group.