Antonio Picca Piccon
Analyst · Michael Binetti from Credit Suisse. Please go ahead. Your line is open
Thank you, Mr. Elkann, and good morning or afternoon to everybody who is joining us today. Starting from Page 4, you can see the highlights of the Q1 2021 results, which represent a very good start of the year up also versus 2019 on almost all metrics. Our shipments were 2,771 units, up 1.2% compared to a strong prior year quarter, since in Q1 2020 the impact on the car business of the COVID-19 pandemic was still very limited. The increase versus Q1 2019 is 6.2%. Group net revenues were EUR1.011 billion, up 8.5% compared to prior year and 7.6% versus 2019 driven mainly by the stronger product mix. EBITDA came in at EUR376 million, up 18.6% versus Q1 2020 and up 20.9% versus Q1 2019. The EBITDA margin reached a record level of 37.2%. EBIT was EUR266 million, up 20.9% compared to 2020, and 14.6% versus 2019 embedding higher D&A. Net profit was EUR250 million, up 24.1% versus Q1 2020 and 13.9% versus Q1 2019. Resulting in our diluted EPS of EUR1.11 compared to EUR0.90 of prior year and EUR0.95 of 2019. Industrial free cash flow for the quarter was EUR147 million, this was also stronger than in Q1 2019, both in terms of Euro amount and cash conversion. If we exclude the EUR170 million advances on the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 we collected in Q1 2019. Turning to Page 5, you can see the details of the first quarter of 2021 shipment, up 33 units or 1.2% versus a strong prior year quarter. As a reminder, last year we had a very limited impact on deliveries due to the COVID-19 pandemic; since we suspended the activities close to end of the quarter. Sales of 8 cylinder were up 8.1%, while 12 cylinder were down 19.6%. Note however that with the arrival of the SF90 Stradale and Spider that kept with the V8 Hybrid. The segmentation between V8 and V12 is becoming less relevant with regards to profitability. The F8 family and the 812 GTS drove the deliveries of the quarter. The SF90 Stradale and the Ferrari Roma was shipment commencing in Q4 2020 remain in wrap-up phase. During the quarter, we continue to deliver the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 in-line with production planning. The 488 Pista family and the Ferrari Portofino have been phased out at the end of 2020. Quarterly shipments were affected by our deliberate geographical location based on different state – in the different stages of the life-cycle of our model by region. As a result, EMEA was down 3.8%; America was also almost flat; Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan posted a strong percentage increase boosted by the arrival of new models and accentuated by in easy comparison versus prior year. As a reminder with privileged deliveries in this region in the first nine months of 2019 in advance of the early implementation of new emissions regulation, And finally, rest of APAC decreased by 16.6%. The second half of 2021, we'll also see that ramp-up of the SF90 Spider and the Portofino M. The product portfolio will be further enriched with a new Ferrari limited-edition V12 to be unveiled tomorrow and already sold out as we said. Turning to Page 6; you can see a displayed the walk of our group net revenues for the first quarter. That was up 10.8% at constant currency. The increasing revenues from cars and spare parts up 11% at constant currency was generated mainly by the strong enrichment of the product mix. Personalizations were in-line with the prior year in absolute terms, while lower in proportion to revenues from cars and spare parts essentially due to the phase out of the 488 Pista family. Engines revenue were up 37.8%, attributable to higher shipments to Maserati and, to a lesser extent to the rental of engines to other Formula 1 racing teams. The increase in sponsorship, commercial and brand was attributable to an improved outlook for the Formula 1 calendar partially offset by lower prior year ranking as well as reduced brand related activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currency including translation and transaction impact as well as foreign currency edges at the negative contribution of EUR22 million mainly the U.S. dollar Moving to Page 7; let me review the change in our EBIT bridge explained by the following variances. Volume is positive, thanks to the previously mentioned deliveries. Mix price variance of EUR48 million was boosted mainly by the SF90 Stradale and the Ferrari Monza. Industrial costs, research and development costs increased EUR19 million, mainly due to higher D&A as an increasing spending in product innovation activities net of technology-related government incentives, which were lower yeah-over-year. SG&A decreased EUR6 million mainly reflecting the adaptation of our communication and marketing activities to the new digital environment, also due to COVID-19. Other increased EUR24 million mainly due to the improved outlook for the Formula 1 calendar and higher contribution from other supporting activities as well as Maserati, partially offset by lower prior year ranking and reduced brand-related activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The total net impact of currency was negative for EUR18 million. As a result of what I just mentioned EBIT reached EUR266 million, up 28.5% at constant currency with EBIT margin at 26.3%. The strengths of the mix will continue over the year, while OpEx mainly marketing activities and expenses for product innovation will increase as planned in the second half of the year, leading to 2021 guidance margin. Turning to Page 8; industrial free cash flow generation for the quarter was EUR147 million. The positive generation of the quarter was driven by the strong EBITDA partially offset by investment of EUR151 million. For reference, please remind Q1 2020 including a portion of land purchase nearby the Maranello plant. The capitalization ratio was approximately 38% for the quarter increase versus prior year, essentially due to a timing difference in R&D spending for Formula 1. The adverse working capital and other impact was mainly due to higher inventories and the reversal of the Ferrari Monza's advances received in 2019. Net industrial debt as of the end of the quarter was EUR420 million, compared to EUR543 million at December last year. Now that in March, we restarted our multi-year share repurchase program with EUR150 million trend to be executed within the end of September. In addition, at the 2021 annual general meeting, a dividend distribution of EUR160 million was approved and due on May 5, 2021. At the end of the quarter, total available liquidity was EUR1.730 billion, following the reimbursement in January of EUR500 million 2021 note at including undrawn committed credit lines improved to EUR750 million. On Page 9 we have the 2021 guidance already presented in February then subject to trading conditions remaining unaffected by further impact from the COVID-19 pandemic during the course of the year. In summary, we target net revenues around EUR4.3 billion sustained by our core business with a rich mix. Revenues from Formula 1 racing activities and brand related activity is where we still have most of the uncertainties, particularly in respect of Formula 1 calendar and the format of the racing event due to the evolution of the pandemic. Adjust EBITDA between EUR1.450 billion and EUR1.500 billion with percentage margins between 33.7% and 34.9%. Adjusted EBIT between EUR970 million and EUR1.20 billion targeting an EBIT margin between 22.6% and 23.7%. Adjusted diluted EPS between EUR4 and EUR4.20 per share, assuming approximately 20% tax rate; industrial free cash flow in the region of EUR350 million. To conclude, I echo our Chairman and highlight our growing confidence in targeting the top end of such guidance range as a result of the previous satisfactory performance for the first quarter, but especially comforted by the record order book, the diversity of new order flow together with cancellations in line with our norm in a very dynamic pre-owned market, sustaining receivables. In addition, we expected a prudent management or capital expenditure also in 2021 will likely support our cash generation for the year. With that said, I turned the call over to Nicoletta.