- Overall performance of EUR 349.2m in 9M 2018 with Q3 contributing EUR 106.8m (or 31%)
- EBIT pre-PPA of EUR 81.8m translates into a margin of 23% above medium term target
- Strategic milestones achieved in Q3 2018 including cash capital increase raising gross proceeds of EUR 131m, increasing stake in CG to 75% on a diluted basis and divesting GxP stake
- Gross development volume (GDV) of EUR 9.6bn as of November 2018 (+112% vs. FY 2017) following acquisition of SSN Group
Besides previously reported building permits in H1 2018 for large-scale projects in Cologne, Leipzig and Dresden, Consus added further development income including from one of its landmark projects Steglitzer Kreisel in Berlin to achieve its overall performance of EUR 349.2m in 9M 2018. Consus' EBIT pre-PPA increased to EUR 81.8m translating into an EBIT pre-PPA margin of 23.4%.
Significant progress on development volume
Several development milestones have been accomplished in Q3 2018 for projects in Berlin (Ernst-Reuter-Platz) and Frankfurt (Westend Ensemble) with a combined GDV of c. EUR 250m with additional forward sales achieved for one of Consus major projects in Cologne of EUR 241m after the reporting date, with further forward sales expected to be signed prior to year-end. In addition to these operational highlights, Consus organically grew its portfolio by securing thirteen new projects for a total GDV of approx. EUR 1.7bn in the year to 30 September. In addition, Consus acquired one of Germany's leading development platforms, SSN Group AG, with a development volume of EUR 3.4bn that significantly increased the gross development volume of the group to c. EUR 9.6bn. The developments will be realized progressively until 2026.
Significant reduction of debt achieved
The net debt of Consus stands at EUR 1,225m as of Q3 2018 and has been reduced significantly over the last nine months from EUR 1,518m at the end of 2017. The average cost of debt of Consus as at 30 September was 7.2%, reflecting the increase in debt financing for new project acquisitions. Equity, including Consus' minority interests, stands at EUR 943 m compared to EUR 816 m at FY 2017.
Strategic milestones achieved and medium term forecast raised
Four strategic actions shaped the course of Consus in the third quarter, with the capital increase in July, the disposal of the non-core GxP investment in August and most importantly the agreed stake increase of the shareholding in CG Gruppe from 59% to 75% on a diluted basis and, linked with this transaction, the initiation of the Extended Group Management Board. Furthermore, Consus acquired a 75% stake in DIPLAN, an innovative PropTech company which concentrates on enhancing the digitalisation process of the company's core operations in development, including construction. All these events were part of Consus' strategic plan of focussing solely on the development segment.
Consus is on track to reach the communicated financial KPI targets in 2020 of an EBIT pre-PPA of approx. EUR 450m and, an EBIT pre-PPA margin of approx. 20% and a Net Debt / EBIT pre-PPA of around 3x.
Andreas Steyer, CEO of CONSUS, concludes: "Our group has achieved great operational and organisational results over the past nine months. With SSN now being part of our Group, we continue to be fully focused on executing our targets and look ahead to more forward sales, building permits and construction milestones in 2019 and beyond."
The consolidated 9M/Q3 2018 results are available for download under: https://www.consus.ag/financial-reports-presentations?lang=en
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement
