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Rapala VMC Corporation’s Half Year Report H1/2025: Sales and Profitability Improved
Globenewswire· 2025-07-23 12:00
Core Insights - The company reported a 4% increase in net sales for H1 2025, reaching 125.5 MEUR compared to 120.5 MEUR in H1 2024, with comparable exchange rates indicating a 5% organic growth [9][12] - Operating profit decreased by 19% to 9.1 MEUR from 11.2 MEUR in the previous year, while comparable operating profit increased by 39% to 8.6 MEUR [27][23] - Cash flow from operations significantly declined by 66% to 6.2 MEUR from 18.2 MEUR in H1 2024, although cash flow excluding working capital impact improved to 11.0 MEUR [30][38] Financial Performance - The company’s net profit for H1 2025 was 2.2 MEUR, down 53% from 4.7 MEUR in H1 2024, with earnings per share dropping to 0.02 EUR from 0.07 EUR [26][27] - The comparable operating profit margin improved to 6.9% from 5.1% in the previous year, driven by increased sales in winter fishing and open water markets [24][27] - Total financial expenses increased to 4.9 MEUR from 4.3 MEUR, with net interest and other financing expenses at 3.5 MEUR [26] Market Environment - North American sales increased by 12% to 69.0 MEUR, supported by stable consumer demand and successful product launches, while Nordic sales decreased by 4% and Rest of Europe sales fell by 6% [22][13][17] - The Asian market faced challenges due to global trade disputes, impacting consumer sentiment and increasing competition from local manufacturers [20][11] - The overall operating environment varied significantly across regions, with North America showing resilience while Europe and Asia experienced increased uncertainty [11] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focused on strengthening brand organizations and enhancing accountability through dedicated management teams [5][40] - A strategic vision aims to position the company as a market leader in sport fishing, emphasizing brand and innovation [40][41] - The company plans to maximize the use of existing assets and extend the flagship Rapala brand into new categories [43][42] Product Development - The product development pipeline remains strong, with successful launches such as the CrushCity soft bait range and new hardbaits like the Precision Xtreme Jowler 127 [48][49] - The company continues to innovate with new products that align with market demands, ensuring strong sell-through rates [53] Personnel and Organization - The average number of personnel increased to 1,424 from 1,345 in the previous year, indicating growth in operational capacity [54] - Organizational stabilization efforts are ongoing under the new leadership of President and CEO Cyrille Viellard [56]