Metro Group reaches sales target and confirms EBIT outlook

According to preliminary numbers, the METRO GROUP has increased its like-for-like sales of the business year 2014/2015 by 1.5 %. With this, the Düsseldorf trading concern reaches its sales target for the overall year. The reported turnover of 52.9 billion was 1.2% under last year’s value due to negative exchange rates- and portfolio effects. In terms of local currency sales went up by 0.5%. “Business year 2014/2015 marks a turning point for the METRO GROUP”, says Olaf Koch, chairman of METRO AG. “We have succeeded in bringing dynamism back into our core business and in further strengthening our balance sheet. With like-for-like sales, we have achieved our goal for the business year. Furthermore, we are confirming our prognosis for EBIT vor Sonderfaktoren1. After the successful sale of Galeria Kaufhof, we furthermore have the financial means again for expanding and strengthening acquisitions in our sales lines. Examples include the recently acquired companies Classic Fine Foods and RTS.”

The METRO GROUP’s like-for-like sales rose by 1.3% in the 4th quarter of 2014/2015. Both METRO Cash & Carry as well as Media-Saturn have increased their like-for-like sales in the overall year of 2014/2015. The METRO GROUP’s reported turnover in the 4th quarter of 2014/2015 went back with 1.1%, or € 14.2 billion. However, this can be led back to the effects of the exchange rate and portfolio. In local currency, the sales increased by 1.9%.

In the 4th quarter of 2014/2015, the METRO GROUP has also clearly expanded the business in the strategic growth field of online trade and supply, and in doing so managed to strengthen its marketing position and relevance to the customers in many countries. The METRO GROUP is expecting good Christmas sales and has started the current quarter optimistically.

The METRO GROUP can list further steps forward in optimization of the portfolio: the most important event in the 4th quarter would be, as announced, the completion of the sale of Galeria Kaufhof on September 30, 2015. The transaction value amounts to € 2.825 billion, including several commitments. The net cash inflow of € 1.75 billion, which was above the original prognosis, has been received in a timely fashion by the METRO GROUP.

Source: METRO GROUP