Benedetto Vigna
Analyst · BNPP
Nicoletta. Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. I would like to start by thanking all the women, all the men in Ferrari for their passion and dedication, which has been essential to navigate the first months of this year. All of them contributed with their tireless effort in achieving the strong results that we are going to present today. Before addressing our results for the first quarter of '22, I would like to spend a few words on the current international scenario and ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While opening for a rapid return to dialogue and the peaceful resolution, our thoughts and support go out to those affected. Ferrari is playing its small part alongside the institution to bring relief to this situation. In relation to this ongoing crisis and its implication, our supply chain has continued to prove its resilience, guaranteeing a smooth production at our facilities. We have no doubt the current macroeconomic scenario is causing new challenge. However, our team in Ferrari, also with the support of our partners, have been able to manage this situation properly. That said, while we continue to monitor the current scenario on our supply chain, we have not been immune to inflation. However, this is limited to a portion of our cost base. In fact, we have seen some increase in energy and certain raw material cost, mainly aluminum and precious metals. But in light of this, we immediately took 2 actions to preserve our profitability: the first, in fall of last year, we apply a price increase across our current product range; the second, we just set the price positioning of our new models to adequately reflect our estimates on cost inflation. At the beginning of the year, we announced the new organizational structures achieved through both the promotion of homegrown talent and a number of key strategic externalize. The new organization is designed to further foster innovation, optimize processes, enhance agility and increase collaboration, being open and more horizontal. And I'm very much delighted to see that we are on the right transformation path. Moving to the first quarter result. I'm very pleased to highlight the following 4 record quarterly data: the first, the revenues at €1.2 billion, up 17% versus the prior year; EBITDA at €423 million; industrial free cash flow generation was approximately €300 million, almost twice compared to what we achieved a year ago, sustained by the strong profitability in the advances collected on the Daytona SP3. Our order book continues to be very strong, much stronger than ever, and it covers very well into 2023. I'm proud to state that most of our models are already sold out, and this is not just for the limited series. All of this was made possible, thanks to the following 3 elements: number one, our product offer is truly astonishing, it now includes V8 and V12 thermal engine as well as V8 and V6 hybrid solution, further enriched by the recent unveil of the 296 GTS; number two, the strength of our net order intake that continued over the quarter; number three, the exceptionally strong performance of the preowned business sustained by the economic climate. As part of our recent activities, I would also like to underline the following 3 key facts. Let's start with the signatures of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development Invitalia and the Emilia-Romagna region. This agreement will focus on industrial projects and research and development activities for new technologies aimed at bringing tangible benefit from an environmental perspective as well as increasing digitalization. Such projects will further foster our competitive advantage since they will ensure the vertical integration of key components to be end crafted here in Maranello. The plant will lead to the employment of 250 new hires, further boosting the territory of Maranello in Modena as a hub for excellence and increasingly attractive to new skill sets required by the automotive industry. Secondly, the Daytona SP3 was awarded with the Red Dot: Best of the Best. This international award, once again, is a testament to the passionate work of all the Ferrari team. And finally, the Annual General Meeting approved a dividend distribution of approximately €250 million, representing a 57% increase of the dividend paid per share compared to the prior year. This is combined with our ongoing multiyear share repurchase program to reward our shareholders. Now let's move to the product excellence and customers' activities. In the last few months, we have continued our engagement activities with clients and the media with the 296 GTB, a model that is receiving unanimous praise, giving the utmost level of fun-to-drive experience, coupled with our innovative V6 hybrid engine. Evidence of such success is the robust order collection, a record level in a quarter if compared to any other model, and it paves the way for the recently unveiled 296 GTS, it's Spider version. The 296 GTS marks a further step in our electrification journey and reached our hybrid offering, now made up of 4 different models and covering differentiated needs of our customer base. This latest product launch is the fifth cornerstone on our electrification path after LaFerrari, SF90 Stradale, SF90 Spider and 296 GTB. Moreover, with the launch of the 296 GTS, we are just one step away from completing the 15 models promised at the 2018 Capital Market Day. And this leads me to the last but not least, launch, the highly coveted and much anticipated Purosangue, a unique and uncompromising Ferrari. At this earth beats the most iconic Ferrari engine of all time, our naturally aspirated V12, celebrating the blood line of performance, innovation and excellence. I can testify to its outstanding driving experience, while I was driving it on the years -- here close to Maranello. It has agility and the fun to drive typical of our sport car, believe me. What also thrills me is seeing the Formula 1 racing team competing back at the top, thanks to our current drivers and F1-75, which has proved itself to be reliable and up for the highest challenge. It is mine and the whole team greater satisfaction to see our hard work starting to pay off. In GT racing, we are consolidating the great performance of last year, with several victories already achieved. Important to underline that the motor sport season have just begun, and we will continue to fight race by race with ambition and humility. Attention to details, focus and continuous learning will be key as the season unfolds. We are also on track for our return in WEC Top Class from 2023 that will have its highlight in the Le Mans 24 hours, a race where so many great chapters in our motor racing history have been played out. It is a competition that represents another opportunity for us to fight at highest level while pushing the boundaries of technology on the track to then transfer it to the next generation of Ferrari road car. Moving to the brand diversification activities. In February, we hosted the second fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week, presented our new Ferrari fall winter collection, which received international acclaim. Lastly, I look forward to meeting you in person here in Maranello on June 16 when we will open the doors of our company to analysts, investors and journalists to present the industrial plan for the coming years. The Capital Market Day will allow us the opportunity to articulate our constant drive for innovation, for exclusivity and for excellence. In June, we will share with all attendance, our future strategy well grounded in a solid plan. I will now hand over to Antonio, who will receive -- review the Q1 '22 results.