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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
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- Completed divestments of FitekIN/ONEA and Wholesale Identity Access Business
- De-risked balance sheet through partial repayment of Francisco Partners' senior facility loan by €95m
- Significantly reduced net debt position by ~€ 73m at year-end
- Enhanced governance structure with a strengthened Board and new CEO
- Strategic partnerships delivering value creation across key markets
FY 2024 Financial Highlights - Continuing operations1
- Reported first contributions from income from client money2 amounting to €0,7m
- Steady growth in Subscription and Transaction3 revenue of 8,2% y/y and 9,3% y/y, respectively
- Digital service gross margin (incl. net income from client money) increased by 1,7%pts y/y to 59,7%
- EBITDA (incl. net income from client money) improved to € -9,2m from € -11,0m in FY 2024
FY 2025 Guidance (based on current reporting structure)
- ~25% increase in Subscription revenue, with a gradual improvement expected throughout the year
- FCF4 positive by year-end
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 operations1 (unless otherwise stated)
| (EUR thousands) | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | Change (%) |
| Group revenue and income from client money | 84.273 | 94.169 | -10,5% |
| Digital service revenue | 47.132 | 50.336 | -6,4% |
| Subscription | 14.435 | 13.343 | +8,2% |
| Transaction | 20.192 | 18.472 | +9,3% |
| 723 | - | N/A |
| Other | 12.505 | 18.521 | -32,5% |
| Traditional communication service revenue | 37.141 | 43.833 | -15,3% |
| Gross profit digital services (incl. net income from client money) | 28.119 | 29.207 | -3,7% |
| Gross margin digital services | 59,7% | 58,0% | +1,7%pts |
| EBITDA (incl. net income from client money) | (9.204) | (11.032) | 16,6% |
| Profit/(loss) for the period (continuing and discontinuing operations)5 | 71.195 | (83.146) | N/A |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period6 | 14.525 | 22.534 | -35,5% |
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.
- R&D expenses decreased from € 18,4m y/y to € 17,0m. The cash component within these costs decreased by € 3,2m, while non-cash expenses (amortisation) rose by € 1,8m.
- G&A expenses decreased from € 34,0m y/y to € 30,9m. Expenses for 2024 included € 0,7m in non-recurring costs directly associated with legal and consultancy costs.
- S&M expenses decreased from € 21,1m y/y to € 19,6m.
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 flow7 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/
Financial Calendar:
- 17 April 2025: Publication of the Annual Report for 2024
- 20 May 2025: General Shareholder Meeting
- 23 May 2025: Publication of the Q1 2025 business update
- 26 August 2025: Publication of the H1 2025 results (webcast)
Contact
Alex Nicoll
Investor Relations
Unifiedpost Group
Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (unaudited)
| Thousands of Euro, except per share data | For the period ended 31 December | ||
| 2024 | 2023 (*) | ||
| Digital services revenues | 46.409 | 50.336 | |
| Digital services cost of services | (18.874) | (21,129) | |
| Digital services gross profit | 27,535 | 29.207 | |
| Traditional communication services revenues | 37.141 | 43.833 | |
| Traditional communication services cost of services | (28.282) | (32,075) | |
| Traditional communication services gross profit | 8.859 | 11.758 | |
| Research and development expenses | (17.022) | (18.414) | |
| General and administrative expenses | (30.924) | (33.961) | |
| Selling and marketing expenses | (19.592) | (21.074) | |
| Other income / (expenses) - net | (1.160) | (72) | |
| Net impairment losses | - | (39.000) | |
| Loss from operations | (32.305) | (71.556) | |
| Net financial income from client money | 584 | - | |
| Financial income | 268 | 62 | |
| Financial expenses | (22.998) | (15.441) | |
| Share of profit / (loss) of associates and joint ventures | 146 | (573) | |
| Gain upon losing control over a subsidiary | 3,972 | - | |
| Loss before tax | (50.333) | (87.508) | |
| Corporate income tax | (846) | (745) | |
| Deferred tax | 152 | 243 | |
| LOSS FOR THE PERIOD FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | (51.027) | (88.011) | |
| Net profit from discontinued operations | 122.222 | 4.865 | |
| PROFIT / (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD | 71.195 | (83.146) | |
| Other comprehensive income / (loss): | (656) | (15) | |
| Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, net of tax: | |||
| Remeasurements of defined benefit pension obligations | (37) | 123 | |
| Items that will or may be reclassified to profit or loss, net of tax: | |||
| Exchange gains arising on translation of foreign operations | 104 | 36 | |
| Exchange losses arising on translation of foreign operations related to discontinued operations | (723) | (174) | |
| TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE PROFIT / (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD | 70.539 | (83.161) |
| Total loss for the period is attributable to: | |||
| Owners of the parent | 71,031 | (83,899) | |
| Continuing operations | (51,191) | (88,764) | |
| Discontinued operations | 122,222 | 4,865 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 164 | 753 | |
| Total comprehensive loss for the period is attributable to: | |||
| Owners of the parent | 70,375 | (83,914) | |
| Continuing operations | (51,124) | (88,604) | |
| Discontinued operations | 121,499 | 4,690 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 164 | 753 | |
| Profit/(loss) per share attributable to the equity holders of the parent: | |||
| Basic | 1,94 | (2,32) | |
| Diluted | 1,94 | (2,32) | |
| Loss from continuing operations per share attributable to the equity holders of the parent: | |||
| Basic | (1,41) | (2,46) | |
| Diluted | (1,41) | (2,46) |
(*) 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
Consolidated statement of financial position (unaudited)
| Thousands of Euro | As at 31 December | As at 31 December | |
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| ASSETS | |||
| Goodwill | 92.048 | 113.069 | |
| Other intangible assets | 66.725 | 82.856 | |
| Property and equipment | 1.486 | 7.420 | |
| Right-of-use-assets | 9.391 | 9.734 | |
| Investments in associates | 2.400 | 1.493 | |
| Deferred tax assets | 39 | 776 | |
| Other non-current assets | 3.036 | 2.561 | |
| Non-current assets | 175.125 | 217.909 | |
| Inventories | 544 | 612 | |
| Trade and other receivables | 16.494 | 25.318 | |
| Contingent consideration receivable | 7.774 | - | |
| Current tax assets | 291 | 770 | |
| Prepaid expenses | 1.483 | 1.901 | |
| Restricted cash related to client money8 | 75.798 | 3.789 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 14.525 | 22.534 | |
| Current assets from continuing operations | 116.909 | 54.924 | |
| Assets classified as held for sale | 31.250 | 5.145 | |
| Current assets | 148.159 | 60.069 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 323.284 | 277.978 | |
| SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | |||
| Share capital | 329.238 | 326.806 | |
| Costs related to equity issuance | (16.029) | (16.029) | |
| Share premium reserve | 492 | 492 | |
| Accumulated deficit | (164.603) | (232.257) | |
| Reserve for share-based payments | 175 | 1.831 | |
| Other reserve | 2.697 | (1.581) | |
| Cumulative translation adjustment reserve | (4.470) | (3.851) | |
| Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent | 147.500 | 75.411 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 758 | 499 | |
| Total shareholders' equity | 148.258 | 75.910 | |
| Non-current loans and borrowings | 29.010 | 110.517 | |
| Liabilities associated with puttable non-controlling interests | 200 | ||
| Non-current lease liabilities | 6.376 | 6.193 | |
| Non-current contract liabilities | 387 | 4.430 | |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 1.463 | 4.636 | |
| Non-current liabilities | 37.236 | 125.976 | |
| Current loans and borrowings | 5.698 | 5.059 | |
| Current liabilities associated with puttable non-controlling interests |
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