Valeo - Résultats du 1er semestre 2025

Core Insights - Valeo demonstrated improved profitability in the first half of 2025, achieving an operating margin of 4.5% and free cash flow of 252 million euros, aligning with its profitability and cash generation objectives for the year [1][34][61] - The company reported a 30% increase in order intake, reaching 11.8 billion euros, reflecting strong demand and effective price management [5][54] - Cost-cutting measures contributed significantly to financial performance, with reductions in administrative costs by 5%, investments by 23%, and gross R&D expenditure by 11% [3][36] Financial Performance - Sales totaled 10,660 million euros, a decrease of 4.1% compared to the first half of 2024, with a gross margin of 19.6%, up 1.1 percentage points year-on-year [6][35] - EBITDA reached 1,472 million euros, representing 13.8% of sales, an increase of 1.4 percentage points from the previous year [39][35] - Net attributable income was 104 million euros, down 26% from 141 million euros in the prior year, reflecting challenges in certain segments [45][35] Operational Highlights - The company experienced a significant shift in its customer mix, with Chinese automakers accounting for a growing share of order intake, which accelerated to nearly three times Valeo's sales [4][23] - Valeo was recognized as a Supplier of the Year by General Motors and Volkswagen, highlighting its operational performance and innovation in the automotive sector [5][59][60] - The POWER Division faced challenges but showed solid performance in thermal systems and transmission systems, particularly in China [28][30] R&D and Cost Management - Gross R&D expenditure decreased by 11% to 1.25 billion euros, with R&D recognized in the income statement at 10.5% of sales, up 0.8 percentage points year-on-year [36][38] - The company implemented a restructuring plan that optimized its industrial and R&D footprint, contributing to improved margins across divisions [31][32] Market Position and Future Outlook - Valeo adjusted its sales objective for 2025 to around 20.5 billion euros, primarily due to adverse currency effects, while maintaining its margin and free cash flow targets [61][62] - The automotive production environment remains challenging, with Valeo's original equipment sales underperforming compared to overall automotive production growth [20][22]