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Investing.com -- Valmet (HE:VALMT) shares rose more than 9% on Wednesday after the company reported a 19% increase in second-quarter orders to €1.52 billion, surpassing expectations.
The growth was driven by higher demand in China, North America and EMEA, with gains across all segments.
The company’s order backlog rose 23% to €4.71 billion, with 60% from Process Technologies, 25% from Services and 15% from Automation, according to its half-year financial report.
Services orders came in 6% ahead of consensus estimates, Automation orders were 5% above expectations, and Process Technologies orders were 86% higher, in part due to a large contract announced on July 8.
Net sales declined 6% to €1.24 billion. Sales rose in Automation, were flat in Services and declined in Process Technologies.
By region, sales fell in China, North America, Asia-Pacific and EMEA, while increasing in South America.
Comparable EBITA remained flat year-on-year at €143 million, though the margin improved to 11.5% from 10.6%.
According to UBS, Services posted a margin of 18.1% versus a 17.4% consensus estimate, Automation reported 17.8% versus 16.5%, and Process Technologies had a margin of 1.0% versus a 1.6% forecast.
The “Other” line in EBITA came in at €-10 million, compared with the €-13 million expected by UBS.
Earnings per share declined to €0.15 from €0.31. Adjusted EPS fell to €0.23 from €0.43.
Items affecting comparability totaled €-62 million, up from €-9 million a year earlier, largely due to restructuring expenses related to the company’s new operating model.
Operating profit dropped 45% to €57 million. Profit before taxes declined to €41 million from €85 million. Cash flow from operations decreased to €79 million from €128 million.
For the first half of 2025, orders rose 22% to €2.85 billion. Net sales declined 4% to €2.43 billion.
Comparable EBITA for the period was €265 million, slightly up from €262 million a year earlier, with a margin of 10.9% compared to 10.3%. Earnings per share fell to €0.48 from €0.62, and adjusted EPS dropped to €0.64 from €0.84.
Valmet reiterated its full-year 2025 guidance, expecting stable net sales and Comparable EBITA.
The company expects slightly weaker service activity and continued uncertainty in capital equipment decisions, while automation market activity is expected to remain stable.
Valmet introduced its “Lead the Way” strategy during the quarter and began operating under a new structure on July 1.
It now reports through two segments: Biomaterial Solutions and Services, and Process Performance Solutions. The company had 19,412 employees at the end of June, unchanged from a year earlier.
No acquisitions were completed during the quarter. Arbitration proceedings with Metsä Fibre remained ongoing. The company declared a second dividend installment of €0.67 per share, payable on Oct. 7.
Valmet reported €485 million in cash and a new €450 million undrawn credit facility as of the end of June.