Groupe Renault Continues To Grow And Sets A New Half-Year Operating Margin Record

July 28, 2017 by Renault

• Registrations increased 10.4% to 1.88 million units.

• Group revenues increased by 17.3% to €29,537 million (+12.2% excluding the AVTOVAZ consolidation effect (1)).

• Group operating margin stood at €1,820 million, representing 6.2% of revenues. Excluding AVTOVAZ, the operating margin increased by 17.9% to €1,817 million (6.4% of revenues, as compared with 6.1% during the first half of 2016).

• Group operating income stands at €1,789 million (+21.2%) compared with €1,476 million.

• Net income at €2,416 million (+54.2%) compared with €1,567 million.

• Positive Automotive operational free cash flow of €358 million.

• The Group confirms its full-year guidance.

Groupe Renault revenues reached €29,537 million (+17.3%) in the first half of 2017. Excluding the impact of the AVTOVAZ consolidation, Group revenues increased 12.2% to €28,246 million (+ 11.3% at constant exchange rates).

Automotive excluding AVTOVAZ revenues reached €26,995 million (+12.1 %) thanks primarily to an increase in volume (+4.4 points). The increase in sales to partners contributed 2.5 points to this growth. The performance reflects the strong momentum in the CKD activity in Iran and China and in the sales of vehicles assembled in Europe, notably with the start of Nissan Micra production. The price effect (+2.3 points) is mainly due to the price increases related to the renewal of the range and the currency impact is positive at 0.8 points.

The Group's operating margin amounted to €1,820 million and represents 6.2% of revenues.

Automotive excluding AVTOVAZ operating margin was up €171 million (+15.3%) to €1,292 million or 4.8% of revenues compared with 4.7% during the first half of 2016. This performance is due primarily to the strong growth in activity (positive impact of €346 million) and the decrease in industrial costs (positive impact of €204 million).

---

Trending News

• PVGP Welcomes The Historic Stock Car Racing Association To 2024 Historics At Pitt Race
• Bonhams|Cars Presents An Unmissable Grid For Its Inaugural Miami Auction At The Formula 1 Crypto.Com Miami Grand Prix
• Carlisle Auctions Concludes First Auction of 2024 – Sells More than 50% of Consignments
• RM Sotheby's Announces Further Incredible Competiton And Rally Greats Coming To Monaco On 10 And 11 May
• BONHAMS|CARS SPRING STAFFORD MOTORCYCLE SALE ACHIEVES £3 MILLION WITH AN INDUSTRY-LEADING 95% SELL THROUGH RATE

---

Unlike 2016, the mix/price/enrichment effect no longer benefits from price increases in emerging countries to compensate for currency devaluations and it turned negative to the amount of €180 million. Raw materials had a negative impact of €132 million. The currency impact was slightly negative (-€99 million), largely due to the depreciation of the British pound.

The operating margin of AVTOVAZ amounted to €3 million, or 0.2% of revenues. This was not consolidated in Groupe Renault's 2016 accounts.

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault, commented: 'The Groupe posted new record results for a first half-year. These results are due to our product range renewal plan, our geographic expansion and the commitment of all our employees. This achievement puts us on a solid ground for the implementation of our next strategic plan and allows us to confirm our guidance for the year.'

Sales Financing contributed €525 million to the Groupe operating margin, compared with €420 million in the first half of 2016. This increase is due to the strong growth in net banking income, in connection with the positive evolution of performing outstandings. The cost of risk has stabilised at a record level of 0.29% of the average performing assets (0.30% in the first half of 2016).

Other operating income and expenses improved this half-year (-€31 million compared with -€65 million in the first half of 2016), notably due to the gains from real estate disposals.

The Groupe's operating income came to €1,789 million compared with €1,476 million in the first half of 2016 (+21.2%). This improvement is due to the increase in the operating margin and the reduction in other operating expenses.

Net financial income and expenses amounted to -€211 million, compared with -€67 million in the first half of 2016. This deterioration is due to the first consolidation of the net financial income and expenses of AVTOVAZ amounting to -€64 million, as well as to the negative impact of other financial items (value adjustment on the redeemable shares and foreign exchange gains).

The contribution of associated companies, mainly Nissan, came to €1,317 million, compared with €678 million in the first half of 2016. Nissan's contribution in the first quarter included a one-off gain related to the sale of its interest in the equipment manufacturer Calsonic Kansei.

Current and deferred taxes represent an expense of €479 million, a decrease of €41 million compared with 2016.

Net income reached €2,416 million (+54.2%), and net income, Group share totaled €2,379 million (€8.77 per share compared with €5.51 per share in the first half of 2016).

Automotive operational free cash flow (including AVTOVAZ) was positive at €358 million, after taking into account the positive impact of the change in the working capital requirement for €191 million.

At June 30, 2017, total inventories (including independent dealers) represented 63 days of sales, compared with 60 days at end-June 2016.

In 2017, the global market should see growth of around 1.5% to 2.5%. The European market is still expected to grow 2% over the period. The French market is expected to expand by 2%.

Outside Europe, the Russian market could grow by more than 5% (versus up to 5% previously) and the Brazilian market by 5% (versus stable previously).

The growth momentum is expected to continue in China (+5%) and India (+8%).

Within this context, and including AVTOVAZ, Groupe Renault is confirming its full-year 2017 guidance:

•increase group revenues, beyond the impact of AVTOVAZ (at constant exchange rates)*,

•increase group operating profit in euros*,

•generate a positive automotive operational free cash flow.