Technology

Securitas AB Interim Report Q2 2024 | January-June

Published

5 months ago

July 30, 2024

STOCKHOLM, July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —

April–June 2024

Total sales MSEK 40 638 (39 909) Organic sales growth 5 percent (11) Real sales growth within technology and solutions 7 percent (73) Operating income before amortization MSEK 2 801 (2 620) Operating margin 6.9 percent (6.6) Earnings per share SEK 2.28 (2.05) Earnings per share before IAC, SEK 2.60 (2.46) Cash flow from operating activities 60 percent (46)

January–June 2024

Total sales MSEK 79 898 (77 660) Organic sales growth 6 percent (11) Real sales growth within technology and solutions 7 percent (75) Operating income before amortization MSEK 5 158 (4 800) Operating margin 6.5 percent (6.2) Earnings per share SEK 4.12 (3.71) Earnings per share before IAC, SEK 4.72 (4.49) Net debt/EBITDA ratio 2.9 (3.3*) Cash flow from operating activities 26 percent (29)

* The comparative is adjusted and includes STANLEY Security’s 12 months adjusted estimated EBITDA.

Comments from the President and CEO

Solid performance in all business segments

We delivered good performance throughout the business with an operating margin of 6.9 percent (6.6) in the second quarter, with an improved margin development in our European operations. In accordance with our strategy, the Group’s operating margin was supported by strong improvement both in security services and in technology and solutions.

Organic sales growth was 5 percent. Real sales growth in our technology and solutions business was good at 8 percent excluding the impact from the divestment of Securitas Argentina, supporting the mix change into higher margin business lines.

Operating cash flow in the second quarter improved compared to last year in line with our expectations after the weaker first quarter. We are in a solid position to deliver a strong full-year 2024 outcome.

SHAPING SECURITAS FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE SHAREHOLDER VALUE

We are shaping Securitas for long-term sustainable shareholder value, and the core of that execution is operational value creation through growth in technology and solutions, portfolio profitability in security services, cost efficiency and digital innovation.

Our portfolio management activities are generating good traction, as evidenced by the profitability development of our security services portfolio. New business continue to come in at higher margins. The recovery in the airport security business in Europe also supported.

Two years after the acquisition of STANLEY Security our global Technology business is stronger than ever before. Based on our leading global market position and our unique client offering, we delivered healthy organic sales growth of 8 percent in Technology in the second quarter. Today, we have more than BSEK 1.25 of recurring monthly revenue in the strategically important and high-margin monitoring and maintenance business which, together with effectively driving best practices and executing cost synergies, have supported a significantly increased operating margin since the closing of the acquisition.

With the majority of the integration activities completed in North America and with good progress in Europe we can accelerate our focus on commercial activities to continue growing the business going forward.

UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION PARTNERING WITH OUR CLIENTS

We are driving a client-centric transformation of Securitas to provide the most compelling value proposition in the security industry. With elevated global uncertainty and an increased threat environment, clients are looking for a future-oriented partner with deep security expertise who can support in shaping their security programs for the years to come. Our long-term partnership approach combined with our presence, technology and digital capabilities are important differentiators that make us the partner of choice for our clients.

Last month, we signed the first global vested contract in the industry with a technology company where we together will develop their security program leveraging our full offering.

To sharpen our performance and competitive position further we also continue to assess our business mix and presence.

Our performance in the second quarter and the confidence from our clients confirm that we are on the right path, and we remain committed to achieve the target of 8 percent operating margin by the end of 2025.

Magnus Ahlqvist
President and CEO

PRESENTATION OF THE INTERIM REPORT

Analysts and media are invited to participate in a telephone conference on July 30, 2024, at 2.30 p.m. (CEST) where President and CEO Magnus Ahlqvist and CFO Andreas Lindback will present the report and answer questions. The telephone conference will also be audio cast live via Securitas’ website www.securitas.com

To follow the audio cast of the telephone conference via the web, please follow the link
www.securitas.com/en/investors/financial-reports-and-presentations/

A recorded version of the audio cast will be available at
www.securitas.com/en/investors/financial-reports-and-presentations/ after the telephone conference.

For further information, please contact:
Micaela Sjökvist, Vice President, Investor Relations +46 76 116 7443

ABOUT SECURITAS

Securitas is a world-leading safety and security solutions partner that helps make your world a safer place. Nine decades of deep experience means we see what others miss. By leveraging technology in partnership with our clients, combined with an innovative, holistic approach, we’re transforming the security industry. With approximately 341 000 employees in 44 markets, we see a different world and create sustainable value for our clients by protecting what matters most – their people and assets.

Group financial targets

Securitas has four financial targets:

8–10 percent technology and solutions annual average real sales growth 8 percent Group operating margin by year-end 2025, with a >10 percent long-term operating margin ambition A net debt to EBITDA ratio below 3.0x An operating cash flow of 70–80 percent of operating income before amortization

Securitas AB (publ.)
P.O. Box 12307, SE-102 28 Stockholm, Sweden

Visiting address:
Lindhagensplan 70
Telephone: +46 10 470 30 00
Corporate registration number: 556302–7241

www.securitas.com

This is information that Securitas AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation.
The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above,
at 1.00 p.m. (CEST) on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/securitas/r/securitas-ab-interim-report-q2-2024—january-june,c4019624

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1062/4019624/2929185.pdf

Q22024_eng_final

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/securitas-ab-interim-report-q2-2024–januaryjune-302209783.html

Technology

Acer Debuts on Dow Jones Sustainability World Index 2024

Published

9 minutes ago

December 24, 2024

Representing Top 10% of the largest 2,500 Companies in S&P BMI on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria

TAIPEI, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Acer Inc. (TWSE: 2353) announced its debut on the Dow Jones Sustainability (DJSI) World Index 2024, which comprises of the global sustainability leaders identified by S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). The DJSI World Index represents the top 10% of the largest 2,500 companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index (BMI) based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria.

At the same time, Acer was listed on DSJI’s Emerging Markets Index for the 11th consecutive year in 2024, ranking among the top companies in the THQ (Computers & Peripherals and Office Electronics) industry and scoring in the 100th percentile with full marks across various components: Transparency & Reporting, Materiality, and Customer Relationship Management.

Acer’s commitment to making a positive impact on environmental sustainability includes joining the RE100 initiative, setting the goals to source 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In 2023 the Acer Group sourced 48% renewable electricity worldwide, with 100% renewable electricity sourced in multiple countries. Acer’s efforts have been recognized in growing capacity by global sustainability accolades and indices throughout 2024:

Listed among TIME’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies.Listed in the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes for the 11th consecutive year, garnering the best rating of “AAA”[1] that represents the top 15% in the category of technology hardware, storage and peripherals industry.Awarded Platinum medal for EcoVadis’ Sustainability Ratings for the third straight year, the highest tier of recognition representing the top 1% of rated companies[2] evaluated on sustainability across global supply chains based on four key themes: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.A constituent of the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the ninth consecutive year.In the subcategory FTSE4Good TIP Taiwan ESG Index[3] supported by the Taiwan Stock Exchange, which integrates ESG management practices and financial performances of companies, for the seventh year.

Acer continues to research and design climate-conscious solutions that serve both humanity and the planet, providing greener choices for a brighter future. Its eco-conscious offering includes computers and display products built with recycled materials and energy-efficient solutions, lifestyle products such e-bikes and e-scooters, energy storage solutions, along with award-winning packaging designs to contribute to the industry.

[1] MSCI ESG AAA Rating as of November 26, 2021, updated on December 10, 2024

[2] Ecovadis rating, August 2024

[3] First Taiwan domestic benchmark developed using FTSE ESG Ratings and data model, developed in partnership with Taiwan Stock Exchange’s (TWSE) wholly-owned subsidiary, Taiwan Index Plus Corp. (TIP)

About Acer

Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world’s top ICT companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. As Acer evolves with the industry and changing lifestyles, it is focused on enabling a world where hardware, software and services will fuse with one another, creating ecosystems and opening up new possibilities for consumers and businesses alike. Acer’s 7,700 employees are dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of products and solutions that break barriers between people and technology. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.

© 2024 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by location. Applicable sales tax extra.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acer-debuts-on-dow-jones-sustainability-world-index-2024-302338272.html

SOURCE Acer

Technology

LG ACHIEVES 13TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN DOW JONES SUSTAINABILITY WORLD INDEX

Published

9 minutes ago

December 24, 2024

Only South Korean Company Recognized in Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics Category for 13 Years

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) has once again secured its position in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the thirteenth consecutive year. The DJSI World ranks the top 10 percent of the largest 2,500 global companies based on their economic, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, serving as a critical benchmark for investors assessing corporate sustainability.

Notably, LG earned the highest overall score in the Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics industry category. Furthermore, it remains the only South Korean company to be included in this category for 13 years running.

Additionally, LG has been included in the DJSI Asia Pacific (top 20 percent of the 600 largest companies in the Asia-Pacific region) and DJSI Korea (top 30 percent of the 200 largest companies in Korea) for 15 and 16 consecutive years, respectively.

LG received high evaluations across various ESG areas, including environmental policy and management, human rights management, human resource management, customer relations, supply chain management and product responsibility management.

Under the ESG management vision of Better Life for All, LG is carrying out various activities with the strategy of 3C for the planet (Carbon neutrality, Circularity, and Clean technology) and 3D for people (Decent workplace, Diversity & inclusion, and Design for all).

To achieve its 3C goals for the planet, LG has set ambitious targets, including reaching carbon neutrality in its product manufacturing process by 2030 and transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

Specifically, LG plans to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1) and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 2) in the product production stage by 54.6 percent compared to 2017 levels. This will be accomplished through process improvements, the introduction of energy-saving technologies and the use of renewable energy. Notably, LG was the first company in the home appliance industry to obtain UN carbon credits in 2015.

In addition, LG is focused on reducing the unit greenhouse gas emissions of its seven major product groups (TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, home and system air conditioners, and monitors) by 20 percent compared to 2020 levels during the product use stage (Scope 3). This commitment involves various activities aimed at improving the energy efficiency of individual products, thereby reducing overall carbon emissions.

As a member of the UN Global Compact and the Responsible Business Alliance, LG complies with international human rights and labor standards and is enhancing its human rights management processes to respond to strengthening global ESG-related legislation.

In the ESG evaluation and rating announcement results published by the Korea Corporate Governance Service this year, LG received an overall A grade for four consecutive years. LG also received an A grade for five consecutive years in the ESG evaluation conducted by the global ESG evaluation agency Morgan Stanley Capital International, gaining recognition for its ESG management performance from credible domestic and international institutions.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $68 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. The company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its “Life’s Good” marketing theme encompass how LG is dedicated to people’s happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.LG.com.

Media Contacts:

LG Electronics USA

JL Lavina
jl.lavina@lge.com
www.LG.com

Jennifer Tayebi
Jennifer.tayebi@lg-one.com
LGHAUS@lg-one.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lg-achieves-13th-consecutive-year-in-dow-jones-sustainability-world-index-302338609.html

SOURCE LG Electronics USA

Technology

CAS and PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute announce a collaboration to accelerate new materials discovery and innovation

Published

9 minutes ago

December 24, 2024

SHANGHAI and COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 23, 2024 /CNW/ — CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society specializing in scientific knowledge management, and PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of the world’s third largest oil company, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), are collaborating for use of the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform™ to accelerate research and discovery of new chemical materials.

PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute Co., Ltd. was founded in 2021 to address key technological challenges in advanced chemical materials and drive a transformation of CNPC from a traditional refinery and petrochemical product provider to a more advanced and sustainable material provider. Its research focus includes high-performance engineering materials, high-performance polyolefin and elastomers, special catalysts, advanced membranes, fibers and composites, etc.

CAS, the creator of the world’s most comprehensive and authoritative curated scientific information resource, the CAS Content Collection™, which covers over 150 years of discoveries, provides content and knowledge management solutions and services that accelerate innovation. The CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform, an authoritative scientific technology solution, will enable the institute research scientists to discover more relevant information faster, identify and optimize synthetic routes through a full retrosynthetic analysis of known and undisclosed substances, and locate, compare, and understand scientific methods via the CAS Content Collection.

“We’re excited that PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute will harness the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform to accelerate their research and discovery initiatives. Combining the capabilities of this industry-leading CAS solution with the Research Institute’s expertise in material research will result in breakthroughs that bring advanced sustainable materials to the marketplace,” said Manuel Guzman, President of CAS.

PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute, as a newly established innovation hub, aims to grow into a world-leading, multi-capabilities research institute that drives cutting-edge innovations, pilots industrial-scale technologies, provides technical services, and facilitates academic and value chain collaborations.

“We are very pleased to cooperate with CAS, who will be a strong partner in bringing their sophisticated scientific information solutions to facilitate and speed up our approach to advanced sciences and technologies in novel materials. We are looking forward to exploring more innovative ideas through our engagement with CAS,” said Xudong Huang, Vice President of PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute.

About CAS

CAS connects the world’s scientific knowledge to accelerate breakthroughs that improve lives. We empower global innovators to efficiently navigate today’s complex data landscape and make confident decisions in each phase of the innovation journey. As a specialist in scientific knowledge management, our team builds the largest authoritative collection of human-curated scientific data in the world and provides essential information solutions, services, and expertise. Scientists, patent professionals, and business leaders across industries rely on CAS to help them uncover opportunities, mitigate risks, and unlock shared knowledge so they can get from inspiration to innovation faster. CAS is a division of the American Chemical Society. Connect with us at cas.org.

About PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute

PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute, located in the Lingang Shanghai, was established in December 2021. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) with innovation functions in fundamental research, product development, industrial-scale piloting, technical service and academic collaborations. The research areas cover a broad spectrum of novel chemical materials for the markets of electronics, medical, transportation and new energy.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2586993/CAS_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cas-and-petrochina-shanghai-advanced-materials-research-institute-announce-a-collaboration-to-accelerate-new-materials-discovery-and-innovation-302338522.html

SOURCE CAS