The Currys board rejected two Elliott bids, claiming they “significantly undervalued” the company, while JD.com ended up not making an offer. The two companies walked away earlier this month, quashing speculation over an imminent takeover of the chain.
Mr Baldock said the takeover speculation “seems to have passed”,
Category Archives: Financial
V-ZUG increases profitability despite a difficult market situation
Full-year results for 2023:
Declining sales volumes, increased gross profit and targeted cost management
In 2023, the V-ZUG Group generated net sales of CHF 585.4 million, 8.0 % lower than the previous year (CHF 636.3 million). During the pandemic-induced boom in 2021–2022, sales volumes were extraordinarily high. In addition to this base effect, inflation, rising interest rates and a corresponding decline in demand had a negative impact on sales volumes in the reporting year. This development was exacerbated by the reduction of inventory levels at V‑ZUG partners. To address the market-related decline in volume, additional measures to increase sales and cost-saving initiatives were implemented that had a positive effect on the operating result and cash flow. The operating result (EBIT) amounted to CHF 16.8 million (previous year: CHF 10.3 million, + 63.1 %). Free cash flow improved to CHF 18.2 million (previous year: CHF – 52.2 million). For the year 2024, V-ZUG expects the market environment to remain challenging and continues to be committed to its medium-term targets through investments in market development and positioning, production as well as ongoing projects to increase innovation and efficiency.
De’Longhi ends 2023 with an 82% increase in net profit
Fourth quarter with clear growth allowed De’Longhi to surprise the markets with an expanding balance sheet in terms of margins and cash generation the Group increased sales by 4.7% (8% at constant exchange rates) with Ebitda margins equal to 16.6% of revenues (a marked improvement compared to 14.6% last year). In the 12 months, turnover fell by 2.6% (-0.2% at constant exchange rates) but Ebitda went from 11.5 to 14.4% of revenues.Net profit almost doubled from 364 to 663 million euros and 40% will be turned over to shareholders who will receive a dividend of 0.67 euros.The growth of Eversys’ professional coffee machines was significant, maintaining a sustained expansion trend throughout the year, achieving a turnover of over 30% in the twelve months.
UK Antitrust gives green light to the joint venture between Whirlpool and Arçelik: Beko Europe is born
Arçelik’s main goal is to create the future leader of the home appliance industry, and certainly this agreement marks a significant step towards that direction. In any case, the new industrial entity, Beko Europe, will include a wide range of brands of great relevance in the sector, ranging from Whirlpool itself to Indesit, Bauknecht, Privileg, Ignis, Grundig, Arctic, Elektrabregenz, Flavel and Leisure, Hotpoint, Altus and Blomberg. This diversification of the brand portfolio will provide a unique opportunity for the new joint venture to reach a wide range of consumers and consolidate its presence in the global home appliance market The agreement will also have an important impact on Italian territory. Arcelik will provide two factories in Romania to the new company, while Whirlpool will move its European large household appliances business unit, which includes seven factories in Europe and employs a total of 14,000 employees. In Italy, the operation will involve various factories, such as those in Siena for freezers, Comunanza (Ascoli Piceno) for washing machines and washer-dryers, Melano (Ancona) for hobs and Cassinetta (Varese) for built-in refrigerators and microwave ovens. Furthermore, the Carinaro (Caserta) site will be involved with a logistics warehouse and a reconditioning center for damaged Whirlpool products.
Currys should hold out for £1bn takeover offer, says shareholder
Currys shareholder has said the retailer should hold out for an offer worth £1bn amid the ongoing takeover saga between Waterstones owner Elliott Advisors and Chinese online shopping giant JD.com.
JO Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM) UK Equity Income fund, which is a top 10 shareholder, said an offer between 80p and 100p per share would be “acceptable”.
iRobot narrows its loss
IRobot reported a fiscal fourth-quarter net loss of $63.6 million, or $2.28 a share, compared with a net loss of $84.1 million, or $3.07 a share, in the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted earnings were a loss of $1.82 a share.
Revenue dropped to $307.5 million from $357.9 million in the year-ago quarter Shares of iRobot have plunged 71% over the past year, Last month, Amazon.com called off its planned acquisition of iRobot following opposition from the European Union. IRobot also said it would lay off 31% of its employees, or about 350 people, and that its chief executive, Colin Angle, had stepped down
Currys rejects second takeover offer from US firm Elliott
Currys has rejected a second takeover approach from US firm Elliott, saying the offer “significantly undervalued” the electronics chain.
Elliott valued the retailer at around £757m, up from its initial £700m valuation earlier this month.
The US company is up against Chinese rival JD.com which has also expressed an interest in buying the British firm
Whirlpool sells 24% of Indian subsidiary
Whirlpool corporation is selling a 24% stake in its subsidiary Whirlpool of India to various investors. The goal is to raise $451 million. The operation was officially announced last November and is part of the debt and invested capital reduction strategy which also led to the disengagement from EuropeWhirlpool of India sees its leadership position on the Indian white goods market undermined by competition, especially Korean competition, and closed its financial statements in December with a loss for the sixth consecutive quarter. The Indian stock market, on the other hand, is at historically very high levels. To be precise, Whirlpool Corp has put 19 million shares on the market and hopes to place another 11 million while remaining the controlling shareholder.
SEB ACQUISITION PROCESS OF THE SOFILAC GROUP AND ITS EMBLEMATIC BRANDS LACANCHE AND CHARVET
Groupe SEB wishes to strengthen its expertise in the high-end cooking segment and thus continue its growth in the professional and semi-professional markets.
Sofilac is a French family group majority owned by members of the Augagneur family. It designs, manufactures, and distributes high-end semi-professional (Lacanche brand) and professional (notably with the Charvet brand) cooking equipment. Lacanche, Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, and Charvet offer exceptional, timeless and durable products based on unique know-how. With its iconic brands, the Sofilac Group meets the requirements of professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts to allow them to best express their talent.
This acquisition would allow Groupe SEB to strengthen its presence in the cooking segment by completing its network made up of its premium brands (Krampouz, Forge Adour, WMF, All-Clad, and Lagostina). It would thereby support Groupe SEB’s ambition to become a key player in the profitable and growing professional and semi-professional equipment markets, with complementary brands, products and distribution channels.Manufactured for several centuries in a Burgundy village of the same name, whose history is closely associated with metalwork, Lacanche stoves and cookers perpetuate the French culinary tradition. A wide variety of options and finishes make each “Gastronome Piano” a unique object.
Faithful to its original values, this family business combines passion, innovation and know-how. Recognized as a “Living Heritage Company”, it pays particular attention to the nobility of the materials and components, as well as the quality of the enameled color adornments of its equipment.
Russian manufacturers of household appliances asked for help
Russian manufacturers of household appliances are talking about record revenue, but they note problems with profits, which is due to increased production and advertising costs, competition from Chinese and Turkish companies, as well as increased commissions from marketplaces. Kommersant writes about this with reference to market participants.
A representative of the Redmond household appliance brand noted that manufacturers from friendly countries are increasing their influence, so the industry would benefit from government assistance. In particular, he asked for a ban on parallel imports of goods from vendors who left the Russian market.
Founder of the Smart Solution group (Jacky’s brand) Huseyn Imanov pointed out that his company’s revenue had doubled to 3.4 billion rubles. He expects growth of another 30 percent this year.
At the same time, on the issue of profit, the businessman believes that a number of manufacturers, especially small ones, will start to lose revenue. In his opinion, the high demand for placement on marketplaces leads to an increase in advertising prices on sites, which directly affects profits.
A representative of Weissgauf said that the brand’s revenue doubled in 2023, but expressed confidence that it would decrease in 2024 due to the increase in the cost of goods. The ruble exchange rate, inflation and other circumstances force Russian manufacturers to raise prices for goods, which is why they lose out to suppliers from China and Turkey.
He called the sanctions pressure a significant problem, which forces the use of gasket companies to organize custom production, which hits profits.
In turn, the commercial director Holodilnik.ru Alexey Pogudalov believes that a large localization of production in Russia could correct the situation. The expert stressed that the demand in the domestic market makes it possible to take such a step.
