Aspo (ASPO) Q1 2025 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Net sales grew 13.9% year-over-year to EUR 151.2 million, driven by acquisitions and organic growth in Telko and Leipurin, while ESL Shipping saw a decline due to weak industrial activity.

• All business segments improved profitability, with comparable EBITA increasing to EUR 8.8 million (5.8% of net sales).

• Strategic focus remains on maximizing benefits from acquisitions and investments, with a long-term ambition of EUR 1 billion sales and 8% EBITA by 2028, and a vision to split into two companies.

• Major milestones included a multi-year extension of ESL Shipping's contract with SSAB and Leipurin's acquisition in Lithuania.

• Profit for the period was EUR 3.9 million, up from a loss of EUR -6.0 million in Q1 2024.

Financial highlights

• Net sales: EUR 151.2 million (EUR 132.7 million Q1 2024), up 13.9% year-over-year.

• Comparable EBITA: EUR 8.8 million (EUR 5.1 million), EBITA margin 5.8%.

• Comparable EPS improved to EUR 0.13 (Q1 2024: EUR 0.09); reported EPS EUR 0.09 (Q1 2024: -EUR 0.16).

• Free cash flow was -EUR 4.4 million, mainly due to investments and inventory build-up for vessel sales.

• Net debt/comparable EBITDA at 3.3 (Q1 2024: 2.3); equity ratio 36.6%.

Outlook and guidance

• 2025 comparable EBITA expected at EUR 35–45 million (EUR 29.1 million in 2024), with profit improvement driven by Green Coaster vessels, recent acquisitions, and efficiency actions.

• Operating environment to remain challenging in H1, with gradual improvement anticipated in H2.

• Segment outlooks: ESL Shipping faces weak H1 demand, Telko and Leipurin expect stable development and further profit improvement.

• M&A-related costs expected to be much lower than last year.

• Guidance assumes lower acquisition-related expenses and stable Telko and Leipurin markets.