Press release - Regulated information - Inside inforrmation
La Hulpe, Belgium - February 27, 2025, 7:00 a.m. CET - [REGULATED INFORMATION] Unifiedpost Group SA (Euronext: UPG) (Unifiedpost), a leading provider of integrated business communications solutions, presents its results for FY 2024. Unifedpost has executed its strategic priorities, including portfolio rationalisation, while improving its balance sheet strength and operational efficiencies.
Strategic & Operational Highlights
FY 2024 Financial Highlights - Continuing operations
FY 2025 Guidance (based on current reporting structure)
Commenting on the FY 2024 results, Nicolas de Beco, CEO, remarked: "2024 was marked by strategic refocusing and important structural changes. We have streamlined our business with the completed divestments of FitekIN/ONEA and the Wholesale Identify Access Business, the reduction of complexity and the de-risking of our balance sheet. While our financial performance reflects these necessary adjustments, this marks a key turning point - we have established a solid framework which allows us to move forward with greater clarity and direction. There is strong engagement from our customers, teams, and stakeholders.
Looking to 2025, we have a clear roadmap and a strong commitment to execution. Our focus will be on selected geographies where e-invoicing regulations are expected to come into force within the next 12-18 months, strengthening strategic partnerships, and embedding payment solutions as a key upselling driver. At the same time, we remain committed to disciplined cost and cash management. As a SaaS business, accelerating growth remains a priority. We have set clear subscription revenue targets for the next 12 months, and with continued discipline, collaboration, and focus, we are well-placed to make progress on our objectives."
Key financial figures - Continuing operations (unless otherwise stated)
Portfolio rationalisation and value crystallisation
Throughout 2024, Unifiedpost executed several strategic divestments of non-core assets that substantially strengthened its financial position while maintaining valuable commercial partnerships.
In July, Unifiedpost completed the divestment of FitekIN/ONEA for €7,2m and announced the sale of 21 Grams to PostNord Strålfors, which remains subject to regulatory approval from the Swedish Competition Authority.
In December, Unifiedpost completed the sale of its Wholesale Identity Access Business to Your.World B.V. for an aggregate equity purchase price projected between € 108,4m and € 116,1m, subject to the realisation of the earn-out condition. Unifiedpost has utilised part of the proceeds from the sale of the Wholesale Identity Access business to reduce its debt obligations to Francisco Partners Credit. Upon completion of the transaction, Unifiedpost repaid a principal amount of €75 million, along with accrued and due interest, bringing the total repayment to €94,8 million. The remaining balance is expected to be paid back within 2025.
Looking ahead, Unifiedpost will continue to evaluate opportunities for divesting non-digital services as part of its strategic focus on core digital offerings and platform development.
Digital services business
Both subscription and transaction revenue reported steady growth of 8,2% and 9,3% y/y, respectively. Meanwhile, other revenue decreased from € 18,5m to € 12,5m, reflecting a higher base effect from one-off deals in Q4 2023, and the ending of low margin professional service contracts.
The gross margin percentage increased by 1,7% pts y/y to 59,7%, driven by two key factors: (i) improvement in cost efficiencies, and (ii) income from client money.
The income from client money, results from leveraging our network and upselling embedded payment services. Income from client money amounted to € 0,7m in 2024, with momentum building in the fourth quarter.
Moving forward, Unifiedpost will focus on accelerating subscription revenue growth as a key performance indicator. This growth will primarily be driven by opportunities in core European geographies where regulatory requirements for e-invoicing and digital business communications are expected to come into force within the next 12-18 months. Unifiedpost is positioned to capitalise on these regulatory catalysts, particularly in Benelux, France and Germany, where mandatory e-invoicing requirements will create market opportunities.
Furthermore, the European Commission's VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) initiative represents a shift in digital reporting and e-invoicing requirements across the EU, creating additional momentum for digital adoption. This regulatory framework will require businesses to implement digital solutions for real-time transaction reporting and e-invoicing, aligning with Unifiedpost's platform capabilities and market positioning.
Traditional communication services business
Traditional communication services revenue decreased as expected (€ 37,1m in FY 2024 compared to € 43,8m in FY 2023), driven by a continued shift towards digital solutions and a decrease in managed service volumes. This led to a corresponding reduction in gross profit of € 2,9m. Additionally, the gross margin percentage decreased by 3,0%pts to 23,9%.
Execution of cost-saving plan 2023-2024
Unifiedpost launched a cost-saving plan in 2023, resulting in an overall cost decrease of € 5,9m y/y and a decrease in cash outflows of € 6,9m y/y.
Significantly reduced net debt position by ~€73m at year end
As at December 31, 2024, the net debt position amounts to € 29,5m, a decrease of € 72,9m compared to December 31, 2023.
At the end of 2024, Unifiedpost reported a financial position with cash and cash equivalents totalling € 14,5m, including € 1,2m of restricted cash.
Management remains committed to achieving a positive free cash flow position by the end of 2025.
Statement from the external auditor
We are currently finalising the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Our independent auditor has confirmed that its audit procedures in relation to the financial information for the year ended 31 December 2024 as included in this press release are substantially completed and have not revealed any material corrections required to be made to the financial information included in this press release. Should any material changes arise during the audit's finalisation, an additional press release will be issued.
Investors & Media webcast
Management will host a live video webcast for analysts, investors and media today at 11:00 a.m. CET.
To register and attend the webcast, please click here:
https://unifiedpost-group-full-year-2024-financial-results.open-exchange.net/registration
A full replay will be available after the webcast at: https://investors.unifiedpostgroup.com/
Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (unaudited)
(*) The comparative figures for period ended 31 December 2023 have been restated to reflect the restatement of the profit and loss related to the discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5
Unifiedpost is a leading SaaS company for SME business services built on "Documents", "Identity" and "Payments". Unifiedpost operates and develops a 100% SaaS-based platform for administrative and financial services that allows real-time and seamless connections between Unifiedpost's customers, their suppliers, their customers, and other parties along the financial value chain. With its one-stop-shop solutions, Unifiedpost's mission is to make administrative and financial processes simple and smart for its customers. For more information about Unifiedpost Group and its offerings, please visit our website: Unifiedpost Group | Global leaders in digital solutions
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: The statements contained herein may include prospects, statements of future expectations, opinions, and other forward-looking statements in relation to the expected future performance of Unifiedpost Group and the markets in which it is active. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and assumptions regarding future events. By nature, they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that appear justified at the time at which they are made but may not turn out to be accurate. Actual results, performance or events may, therefore, differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, Unifiedpost Group does not undertake any obligation to update, clarify or correct any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in light of new information, future events or otherwise and disclaims any liability in respect hereto. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Excludes discontinued operations: Wholesale Identity Access Business and 21 Grams
Money a company receives from or holds for, or on behalf of, a client (application IAS 7)
Income from client money is a result of e-payment services and is included in digital services transaction revenue
Free cash flow is defined as net income (i) plus non-cash items in the income statement, (ii) minus cash out for IFRS 16 adjustments, (iii) minus capital expenditure, (iv) minus reimbursement on loans and leasing for the reporting period
Including capital gains from divested transactions
Excluding restricted cash related to client money
Free cash flow is defined as net income (i) plus non-cash items in the income statement, (ii) minus cash out for IFRS 16 adjustments, (iii) minus capital expenditure, (iv) minus reimbursement on loans and leasing for the reporting period
The comparative figures 2023 have been restated to demonstrate the accounting policy related to client money.