Trump announces trade deal with EU following months of negotiations
Investing.com -- Shares of Dustin Group (ST:DUST) plunged more than 14% on Wednesday after the IT products reseller reported a third-quarter loss and narrowing margins, citing lower volumes and increased competition in the Netherlands.
Net sales for the March-May period declined 6.7% to SEK 5.09 billion from SEK 5.46 billion a year earlier.
The company’s Q3 interim report indicated that organic sales growth fell by 2.9%, driven by a 2.6% reduction in the SMB segment and a 3% drop in the LCP segment.
Gross profit dropped to SEK 680 million from SEK 821 million, with the gross margin falling to 13.4% from 15%.
Dustin attributed the decline to reduced volumes in the LCP segment in the Netherlands, price pressure in public sector framework agreements, and a higher proportion of new contracts with initially lower margins.
Adjusted EBITA fell to SEK 72 million from SEK 130 million, with the adjusted EBITA margin narrowing to 1.4% from 2.4%. EBIT totaled SEK 11 million, down from SEK 86 million, and this figure included SEK 9 million in restructuring costs.
The quarterly net loss was SEK 28 million, compared with a profit of SEK 27 million the prior year. Earnings per share were SEK -0.05, down from SEK 0.05.
Cash flow from operating activities was negative SEK 139 million, compared with SEK 454 million a year earlier.
The decline was primarily linked to higher inventory levels and delayed payments due to public holidays.
Segment performance varied by geography. LCP net sales dropped 7.2% to SEK 3.69 billion, with organic growth down 3%.
The company reported growth in Belgium and all Nordic markets except Denmark. SMB net sales decreased 5.3% to SEK 1.40 billion, with organic growth slipping by 2.6%. Norway and Finland posted positive growth.
For the first nine months of the fiscal year, Dustin reported a net loss of SEK 2.63 billion, compared with a profit of SEK 136 million a year earlier.
The result includes a non-cash goodwill impairment of SEK 2.50 billion recorded in the second quarter.
Net sales for the period fell 6.9% to SEK 15.35 billion. Gross margin for the period was 13.8%, down from 15.5%, while adjusted EBITA declined to SEK 204 million from SEK 523 million.
The company completed a rights issue in May, raising SEK 1.24 billion after transaction costs.
Net debt stood at SEK 2.06 billion at the end of the quarter, compared with SEK 2.74 billion a year earlier. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA increased to 4.3 from 3.
Dustin said it is finalizing its SEK 150–200 million cost-saving program and will phase out its consumer offering, which accounted for about 2% of revenue in 2023/24. The number of full-time employees averaged 2,115 during the quarter, down from 2,271.