$3.73—Stale · unknown old
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$3.73—Stale · unknown old
Ana Fuentes : Good evening, and thank you for joining Gestamp first half 2026 results presentation. Thank you for joining, especially in this very busy evening for you. This call will be led by our Executive Chairman, Mr. Francisco J. Riberas. I am delighted to join him today and honored to participate in my first earnings call as CFO of the company. As usual, let me refer you to the disclaimer on slide number two of this presentation. Also as usual, at the end of the call, we will open the floor for our Q&A session. Let me hand over the call to our Executive Chairman.
Francisco J. Riberas : Good afternoon, and thanks for attending our call in which we will be presenting our first half results. First of all, again, in a very challenging scenario, Gestamp has been able to deliver a very solid result in the first half of 2026. With auto manufacturing decreasing from H1 2025, especially in China, our revenues at FX constant have increased by 2.9% in Q2 versus Q2 2025 and by 1.3% in H1 versus H1 2025. During the first half of the year, our EBITDA has reached EUR 651 million, improving our EBITDA margin and reaching, excluding Phoenix Plan costs, an 11.6% margin in Q2 and an 11.2% in H1, better than in H1 2025. Our free cash flow generation in the period has reached, excluding Phoenix, EUR 86 million with a very solid cash flow conversion. A strong result which is supporting our full year 2026 visibility. If we go to the market, as already stated, the light vehicle production has suffered during this first half of the year. In fact, in H1 2026, in Gestamp footprint, the light vehicle manufacturing has reached 41.1 million units, which is 0.9% lower than previous year and close to the production level in H1 2019 before COVID. During last month, the main negative impact has been in China, with -5.3% reduction compared with H1 2025. China manufacturing in this half of the year has been very much impacted by weak domestic demand, which has been partially offset by increasing exports. Moving to slide six. In a market declining by 0.9%, Gestamp revenues at FX constant have been able to improve by 1.3%, which means an outperformance of 2.1 percentage points versus the market. In Western Europe and North America, we have registered a moderate outperformance. In Eastern Europe, in line with previous year, we have a relevant outperformance of 9.3 percentage points, while some underperformance in Mercosur due to some specific programs, and also a limited underperformance in Asia, driven by China, but with a very solid performance in other Asian countries such as India. Very solid revenues in H1 of close to EUR 5.8 billion, which have been supported by a healthy organic growth in our auto sales, outperforming the market, and also a good recovery of sales in Gescrap. Still impacted by FX. In this sense, in H1 2026, our revenues have been impacted negatively by EUR 157 million. In the second half, we expect that impact to be lower. Gestamp is very focused in enhancing our profitability in a market with low volumes. In H1 2026, our EBITDA margin in the auto business has reached 11.4%, with lower sales than in H1 2025. A relevant margin increase from H1 2024 EBITDA margin of 10.8%, and the same EBITDA margin as our record H1 in 2023 with EUR 445 million lower sales. We have been able to deliver those good results due to all efforts that we are deploying in different kind of cost reduction initiatives, implementing flexibility and restructuring measures with all kind of constructive customer negotiations, and with a very good execution on our Phoenix Plan in North America. H1 results, which is showing that Gestamp is on track to reach at our full year 2026 guidance of more than 11.9% EBITDA margin. In terms of Phoenix, we are already in the third and last year of our plan. Even if the market environment in terms of volumes is worse than the one considered when we elaborate the plan, we are clearly on track to achieve the target of more than 10% EBITDA margin in full year 2026. In H1 2026, light vehicle production volumes in North America have been flat compared with previous year, with a negative performance in the Mexican market. In H1 2026, we have incurred in around 50% of the total extraordinary impact forecasted for the year, in Q2, we have been able to improve our EBITDA margin from Q1 and already reaching 8.8%. In Gescrap, following a difficult second half of 2025, during H1, Gescrap performance has improved substantially. Part of this improvement comes from a scrap crisis recovery in 2026 in the different global markets, also thanks to an increase of the amount of tons processed. Gestamp revenues in Q2 have reached EUR 161 million, 2.4% increase from Q1 revenues. In terms of profitability, EBIT in Q2 reaching already EUR 12.2 million, a 7.6% EBIT margin, improving the 6.4% margin in Q1. Very solid figures in H1, which provide also a very good visibility to being able to achieve full year target. Now with this, I hand it over to Ana.
Ana Fuentes : Thank you, Paco. As we have previously explained, this first half have been affected by a negative Forex evolution, particularly during Q1, also a tough comparison base coming from Q2 2025, which was particularly struck. We have achieved revenues of EUR 5,794 million, EBITDA of EUR 640 million, leading to a margin of 11.1%. This is a 10 basis points improvement on a reported basis. Excluding the EUR 11 million of Phoenix cost, EBITDA will be standing at EUR 651 million, which is pretty much flat to last year, with a profitability of 11.2%, already improving 10 basis points, again, providing good visibility to achieve the guidance provided for full year. EBIT has reached EUR 265 million, showing some margin deterioration year-on-year, explained by the Forex impact, the write-downs book in Q1, as we will recall later. Net profit for the first half is back to over EUR 100 million, reaching EUR 110 million, and free cash flow generation has reached EUR 65 million or EUR 86 million if excluding extraordinary Phoenix costs. As a result, net debt is falling below EUR 2 billion, standing at EUR 1,771,000,000. Turning into slide number 13, this half one has been affected by two extraordinary impacts at net profit levels: the EUR 15 million assets write-down related to the EV realignment strategy that the group started in fourth quarter last year, and EUR 23 million positive impact coming from IFRS 9 accounting on our financial expenses related to the extension of the EUR 1.7 billion syndicated loan facility agreed in January this year. This has a net EUR 6 million impact at net profit. By excluding this extraordinary cost, we will have a net profit of around EUR 104 million, which is more in line with the net profit levels achieved in previous years and representing a 40% increase on a year-on-year basis. Looking at the different regions on slide 14, the key contributors to revenue performance this first half has been Eastern Europe, Mercosur, and Gestamp, with EBITDA also supported by our North America performance. In Western Europe, revenue excluding a negative Forex evolution from U.K. would have dropped by less than the 1.3% we are reporting. Performance in the region is pretty much affected by a weak market momentum in key countries such as Germany or France. Within this context, Gestamp continued to be focused on cost control and improving efficiency to offset the limited revenue growth while preserving margins. As a result, we are reaching a profitability which is standing in those levels of 10%, which is only 30 basis points below last year, which is a good proof of the success of our strategy. Eastern Europe revenues remains a solid region for Gestamp with flat organic growth but preserving best-in-class profitability with an EBITDA margin above 15%. Not much to add in North America, as Paco has already give you the details on Phoenix. As you should be already aware, improvement in this region is one of our key levers to delivering our guidance for the year. As for Mercosur, revenues have grown 2% with Brazil growing above, but Argentina a bit weaker. Thanks to the restructuring done last year, as we said, the improved leverage in Brazil, and thanks also to an easier comparison facing in Brazil, profitability is back to more normalized levels in the region of 13%. Lastly, in the Auto business in Asia, revenues performance has been affected by a weak China market and Forex, essentially. Markets like India are conversely growing above, at almost pretty much a double digit. Despite a lack of revenue growth and similar to what we are doing in other regions, is we are continuing to be focused on cost competitiveness. To this end, we have implemented different measures in this region to remain with a profitability above 14%, which is the second best in class for the group despite the tough market momentum. Lastly, on Gestamp, as we have previously seen, this first half has been affected by the integration of Industrias López Soriano, coupled with sustained price increases as well as some volume growth as our Chairman has previously explained. All this has led to double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth, which shows good visibility to achieve the target we have given for full-year. Overall, half one delivered very solid results, demonstrating the company's ability to remain cost competitive and preserve a strong financial position despite a challenging market environment. Moving to our free cash flow generation on slide 15, net debt has dropped by almost EUR 50 million, thanks to a EUR 65 million of free cash flow generation in the period. Despite limited EBITDA growth, lower CapEx, and a positive working capital evolution after some extraordinary impact, a negative impact that we have during Q1, this has allowed Gestamp to deliver a very solid free cash flow generation in the period. Excluding the EUR 20 million of Phoenix costs invested in the period, which more or less are 50% OpEx and 50% CapEx, free cash flow would have amounted to EUR 86 million. It is important to say that group operating cash flow conversion has stood at 36% in first half, which as I said, is the result of also a lower CapEx invested on absolute terms, which is providing good visibility to achieve the target and our market commitments of being less capital intensive going forward. Lastly, net debt has stood at EUR 1,771 million, the lowest net debt figure for our first half, and below full-year 2025, as we have previously seen. This reduction in terms of net debt, despite the limited EBITDA growth, has driven us to report a leverage of 1.4x, a healthy balance sheet, which gives us flexibility and optionality with a market of limited visibility as of today. This is all on my side, I will hand over the call to our Chairman.
Francisco J. Riberas : Thank you, Ana. Assuming the latest S&P forecast for full-year 2026, this is now showing a manufacturing of 91.1 million light vehicles, which is representing a decrease of 2.1% compared with full-year 2025. In fact, since February, the market contest has been continuously worsening, impacted by different geopolitical issues, as you know. In terms of geographies, the main impact is coming from China, where now we are assuming 31.3 million vehicles manufactured this year, which is 1.1 million less than the volumes that we were expecting some months ago. Moving to slide number 19, in a market which is not growing, globally, Gestamp is clearly adapting a differentiated geographical strategy for the future. That means that in the low growth markets, we are very much focused in improving profitability and right-sizing, and pushing for reducing fixed expenses, and also increasing flexibility. In the case of high growing regions, we are still adding capacity to capture growth and leveraging our technology advantages, increasing customer diversification, and also building strong local teams. Good examples are Brazil, where light vehicle manufacturing is expected to grow from 2.5 million units in 2025 to 3.1 million units in 2029. In Brazil, we have just opened a new plant in Piracicaba. In India, where light vehicle manufacturing is expected to grow from 6.1 million units in 2025 to 7.4 million units in 2029. In September, we will be opening our fifth plant. Moving to slide 20, following H1 solid results and the expected positive dynamics of our operations for the rest of the year, we are reiterating our guidance for full year 2026, which means that we are expecting that our group EBITDA margin will be more than 11.7% in full year 2026. It will be more in terms of our auto business of a margin of more than 11.9%, and in the case of scrap, an EBITDA margin of more than 7.4%. Also that we are going to be able to have a group operating cash flow conversion in the range of 35% at the end of 2026. With this, and just to conclude, basically very solid set of results in H1, which has given us a very good visibility to achieve the targets for the full year 2026 guidance. Phoenix Plan is still a very important priority for us, and we are in the last year of the plan, and we have a very good visibility to achieve the target of more than 10% EBITDA margin. Of course, due to our profitability and the effort in looking for our financial, we have a very solid financial position, which is giving us an optionality to capture future opportunities. Now with this, we are open to your questions. Thank you.
Operator : Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the Q&A session. If you'd like to ask a question, please press star five on your telephone keypad. If you change your mind, please press star five again. Please ensure that your devices are muted locally before proceeding with your question. Our first question comes from Mira Wiegratz from Deutsche Bank. Your line is now open. Please go ahead.
Mira Wiegratz : Hi, this is Mira Wiegratz from Deutsche Bank. Thanks for taking my questions. I have two, if I may. The first one would be as North American EBITDA margin, excluding Phoenix, improved sequentially from 7.1% in Q1 to 8.8% in Q2. Could you bridge that 170 basis points improvement and indicate how much came from structural cost savings, customer negotiation mix, and normal seasonality? Also regarding North America, the Q2 margin at 8.8%, what needs to improve in H2 to deliver the above 10% full year target? How much of that step up is already secured through completed Phoenix actions? Thank you.
Francisco J. Riberas : Okay, thank you for your questions. If I understood well, it's true that we have improved our EBITDA margin in North American operations from 7.1% in the first quarter to 8.8% in the second one. Of course, it's very difficult now to provide you with a clear bridge. What is true is that most of this improvement is coming from actions which are very sustainable. It's true that during the last two years, we had all different kind of negotiations with customers, with suppliers. We have been able also to do some restructuring of operations. We have been working also with our labor force. To be honest, right now, most of all the achievements that we have been able to do in the last two years now are sustainable. During the second quarter, we had quite reasonable volumes in some plants which are performing well, and some of the plants that still have lower margins are already moving to a better margin. This is basically what is happening, something which is sustainable and is not any kind of one-off. That's why we feel very comfortable in order to be able to reach this 10%, because basically, all the volumes, all the orders that we have are already booked. We know that we are in control of all the different expenses, and of course, always anything can happen. We are quite convinced that we are going to be able to reach this more than 10% EBITDA margin by the end of the year.
Operator : Our next question comes from Robert Jackson from Santander. Your line is now open. Please go ahead.
Robert Jackson : Yeah. Hi, good evening. I've got a few questions. I'll ask them one by one. Starting off with Brazil or Mercosur. Brazil has done very well, or Mercosur has done very well. What about the persistent risks or weakness in Argentina? Can that have an effect in the coming quarters or semesters? That will be my first question.
Francisco J. Riberas : Okay. If we focus in Mercosur, it's true that whenever we refer to the figures for Mercosur, we are including Brazil, which is our main area and main focus in the area, but also we have some operations in Argentina. In Argentina, during the first half of the year, our volumes have been lower than the ones expected because we had a large program in Argentina, which now is phasing out, and we are already launching the new successor vehicle. Everything is more or less under control, but it's true that volumes in Argentina during the first half of the year have been lower than expected. To be honest, after following difficult years, we now have a little bit better expectations for Argentina, not only for this new program, but for other programs of some of our customers.
Robert Jackson : Okay. The second question is related to India. You mentioned that you're going to ramp up your fifth plant in India. Can you give us more details in terms of the timing, how long it will take and how relevant it is in terms of your setup in India?
Francisco J. Riberas : Well, it is true that we are going to do the opening of this plant, which is a plant that is already starting and doing a ramp-up. We will do that in September. This plant is a further step in our strategy to grow in India. We have already done a very important increase of our footprint in India in the last years, especially in some specific technologies, like in hot stamping, that we are the absolute leaders in that market. A market that some years ago were not using this kind of, let's say, more expensive technologies. Now, as far as they are looking for more requirements in terms of safety and lightweight, now is more and more used. We have a good opportunity to grow in this kind of technology. This fifth plant is already doing a ramp-up. We are expecting the full ramp-up to happen in the beginning of 2027. Again, it's a step towards our strategy in India, which is still aggressive, and we are expecting to do more in the future.
Robert Jackson : India is still not that relevant to compensate any weakness that we've seen in Asia yet.
Ana Fuentes : Sorry, Robert, we did not catch up that question. Can you repeat it?
Robert Jackson : India's growing, but we see that Asia's sales and revenues and EBITDA fell. India's still not relevant enough to compensate weakness in China.
Francisco J. Riberas : Yeah. Still not. Even though the Indian market is growing, and now it is already the third largest market in the world, still our volumes in India, even if they are growing in percentage terms a lot, I think we are still not able to compensate what we are doing in China. Even if this is the case, we are still doing not so bad in China, even though the market, as mentioned, is very much impacted by a low domestic demand. Still our sales in India are lower than the ones we have in China, so it is not so easy to compensate that impact.
Robert Jackson : Final question. I just wanted your thoughts on the agreement between Geely and Ford to join forces to build vehicles in Spain. What sort of impact, or in looking mid to longer term, how do you see that panning out for Gestamp, those type of agreements?
Francisco J. Riberas : Well, I think theoretically, we are talking about good news because we are talking about increasing capacity utilization in a market like the Spanish one, which is relevant for us. Far, we are starting already to receive a request for quotation for programs of Geely and the additional vehicle from Ford. That is going to be good news, but still we need to understand a little bit more details. As you know, when it refers to any kind of new vehicles to be produced in Europe, what we are all aiming that the rate of localization of these new vehicles to be manufactured in Spain should be high. We still need to understand a little bit more whether it is going to be the case or not. In any case, good news for us because there is a potential opportunity to load a plant like an Almussafes one of Ford in Valencia, which is a very good plant.
Robert Jackson : Okay. Thank you very much.
Francisco J. Riberas : Thank you.
Operator : Ladies and gentlemen, please be reminded that if you'd like to ask a question, you should press star five on your telephone keypad. There are no further questions at this time. I will now hand the line back to the Gestamp team. Please go ahead.
Ana Fuentes : Well, thank you very much for having joined us today. As usual, if there is any pending questions, the IR team remains at your disposal. We wish you a very good summer for those of you who are going to enjoy it. Okay? Thank you.
Francisco J. Riberas : Thank you very much. Bye-bye.