Salix Group (SALIX) investor relations material

Executive summary

• Q3 net sales rose 20% YoY to SEK 1,236m, including 4% organic growth; EBITA increased 35% to SEK 173m, with a 14% margin and a 10th consecutive quarter of EBITA growth.

• Organic growth, acquisitions and efficiency measures supported earnings; all three business areas improved gross margins.

• Positive momentum in DIY and agroforestry, with early recovery signs in Swedish industry-related markets; Arvid Nilsson strengthened the Nordic fasteners position.

Financial highlights

• Q3 gross profit was SEK 439m versus SEK 341m; gross margin rose to 35% from 33%, mainly on strategic pricing and favorable currency effects.

• Q3 reported EBIT was SEK 153m versus SEK 114m; net income was SEK 82m versus SEK 72m.

• Q3 adjusted EBITA, excluding comparability items, was SEK 173m versus SEK 125m, up 39%; 9M adjusted EBITA was SEK 463m versus SEK 325m, up 43%.

• LTM net sales were SEK 4,575m versus SEK 4,049m; LTM EBITA was SEK 466m versus SEK 359m.

• 9M net sales rose 15% to SEK 3,618m; reported EBITA increased 21% to SEK 382m and profit for the period grew 17% to SEK 183m.

Outlook and guidance

• Financial targets: LTM net sales growth at least 15%, EBITA margin at least 12%, EBITA/TWC at least 40%, and net debt/Adjusted EBITDA of 2–3x; Q3 results were 13%, 10%, 42%, and 2.8x.

• No forward margin guidance; management plans to sustain pricing discipline, sourcing improvements, innovation and operational efficiency initiatives.

• Q4 has historically been the strongest cash-flow quarter; seasonal cash generation and earnings momentum support continued acquisition capacity, partly offset by deferred consideration payments.

• Acquisition pipeline remains active, with transactions pursued at disciplined valuations and financing intended to keep leverage within target; Malmö logistics center investment is not expected to exceed SEK 150m.