Wolters Kluwer 2014 Full-Year Report
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
February 18, 2015 - Wolters Kluwer, a global leader in professional information
services, today released its 2014 full-year results.
Highlights
* Revenues up 3% in constant currencies and up 2% organically.
* Leading, high growth positions grew 7% organically (48% of total
revenues).
* Digital & services revenues grew 5% organically (80% of total).
* North America and Asia Pacific drove organic growth.
* Adjusted operating margin 21.0%, within guidance range, reflects increased
restructuring.
* Diluted adjusted EPS ?1.57, up 3% in constant currencies, in line with
guidance.
* Adjusted free cash flow ?516 million, up 1% in constant currencies,
exceeding expectation.
* Net-debt-to-EBITDA improved to 2.1x at year-end (2013: 2.2x).
* Proposed 2014 dividend increase to ?0.71 per share to be paid in cash.
* Outlook 2015: expect diluted adjusted EPS to rise at mid-single-digit rate
in constant currencies.
* Reviewing strategic options for Transport Services (1% of revenues).
* Announcing up to ?140 million share buy-back program in 2015, including
anti-dilution buy-back.
Nancy McKinstry, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, commented:
"Group-wide organic growth improved to 2%, following a strong fourth quarter.
Our leading, high growth businesses and digital products across all divisions
are driving this growth and supporting the transformation of the company. The
macro-economic environment in Europe remains uncertain, but our strategy is
delivering results and we are confident we will meet our guidance for 2015."
Key Figures 2014 Full-Year:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31
(in millions of euros, unless
otherwise stated) 2014 2013 D D CC D OG
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Business performance -
benchmark figures
Revenues 3,660 3,565 +3% +3% +2%
Adjusted operating profit 768 765 0% 0% -1%
Adjusted operating margin 21.0% 21.5%
Adjusted net profit 470 467 +1% +3%
Diluted adjusted EPS (?) 1.57 1.56 +1% +3%
Adjusted free cash flow 516 503 +3% +1%
Net debt 1,897 1,988 -5%
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IFRS results
Revenues 3,660 3,565 +3%
Operating profit 569 619 -8%
Profit for the year 474 346 +37%
Diluted EPS 1.58 1.15 +37%
Net cash from operating
activities 645 630 +2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D: % Change; D CC: % Change constant currencies (EUR/USD 1.33); D OG: %
Organic growth. Benchmark (adjusted) figures are performance measures used by
management. See Note 5 for a reconciliation from IFRS to benchmark figures.
IFRS: International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European
Union.
Full-Year 2015 Outlook
In 2015, we intend to further sharpen our portfolio towards our leading, high
growth businesses, to step up organic investment in digital products, and to
continue to drive efficiencies, particularly in low growth or declining
operations. We expect the adjusted operating margin to increase in 2015. This
includes anticipated 2015 restructuring costs of ?30-?35 million (2014: ?36
million), mainly in Legal & Regulatory Solutions. The table below provides our
guidance for the full-year.
2015 Outlook
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance indicators 2015 guidance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted operating profit margin 21.0%-21.5%
Adjusted free cash flow ?500-?525 million
Return on invested capital >= 8%
Diluted adjusted EPS Mid-single-digit growth
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guidance for adjusted free cash flow and diluted adjusted EPS is in constant
currencies (EUR/USD 1.33). Guidance for EPS growth reflects the announced
share repurchases. Adjusted operating profit margin and ROIC are in reported
currency.
Our guidance is based on constant exchange rates. Wolters Kluwer generates more
than half of its revenues and adjusted operating profit in North America. As a
rule of thumb, based on our 2014 currency profile, a 1 U.S. cent move in the
average EUR/USD exchange rate for the year causes an opposite 1.0 euro-cent
change in diluted adjusted EPS. Currency is expected to have a more significant
influence on results in 2015 than in recent years.
We expect adjusted net financing costs of approximately ?100 million, excluding
the impact of exchange rate movements on currency hedging and intercompany
balances. We expect the benchmark effective tax rate to be between 27% and 28%
in 2015. We expect a cash conversion ratio in line with our historic average of
95%, and capital expenditure between 4% and 5% of revenue.
Our guidance assumes no significant change in the scope of operations. We may
make further disposals which could be dilutive to margins and earnings in the
near term.
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in professional information services.
Professionals in the areas of legal, business, tax, accounting, finance, audit,
risk, compliance and healthcare rely on Wolters Kluwer's market leading
information-enabled tools and software solutions to manage their business
efficiently, deliver results to their clients, and succeed in an ever more
dynamic world.
Wolters Kluwer reported 2014 annual revenues of ?3.7 billion. The group serves
customers in over 170 countries, and employs over 19,000 people worldwide. The
company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.
Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are
included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored
Level 1 American Depositary Receipt program. The ADRs are traded on the over-
the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY).
For more information about our products and organization, visit
www.wolterskluwer.com, follow (at)Wolters_Kluwer on Twitter, or search for Wolters
Kluwer videos on YouTube.
Financial Calendar
March 11, 2015 Publication of 2014 Annual Report
April 22, 2015 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
April 24, 2015 Ex-dividend date
April 27, 2015 Dividend record date
May 13, 2015 First-Quarter 2015 Trading Update
May 13, 2015 Dividend payment date
May 20, 2015 ADR dividend payment date
July 29, 2015 Half-Year 2015 Results
November 4, 2015 Third-Quarter 2015 Trading Update
February 24, 2016 Full-Year 2015 Results
Media Investors/Analysts
Caroline Wouters Meg Geldens
Corporate Communications Investor Relations
t + 31 (0)172 641 459 t + 31 (0)172 641 407
press(at)wolterskluwer.com ir(at)wolterskluwer.com
Forward-looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements may be
identified by words such as "expect", "should", "could", "shall" and similar
expressions. Wolters Kluwer cautions that such forward-looking statements are
qualified by certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
events to differ materially from what is contemplated by the forward-looking
statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ from these
forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, general economic
conditions; conditions in the markets in which Wolters Kluwer is engaged;
behavior of customers, suppliers, and competitors; technological developments;
the implementation and execution of new ICT systems or outsourcing; and legal,
tax, and regulatory rules affecting Wolters Kluwer's businesses, as well as
risks related to mergers, acquisitions, and divestments. In addition, financial
risks such as currency movements, interest rate fluctuations, liquidity, and
credit risks could influence future results. The foregoing list of factors
should not be construed as exhaustive. Wolters Kluwer disclaims any intention or
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The full press release is available here:
Wolters Kluwer 2014 Full-Year Results (PDF):
http://hugin.info/130682/R/1895211/672073.pdf
This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of
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(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Wolters Kluwer NV via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1895211]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 18.02.2015 - 08:01 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 372293
Anzahl Zeichen: 10540
contact information:
Town:
Alphen aan den Rijn
Kategorie:
Business News
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