Deutsche Post World Net: 2007 meets business expectations – write-down on Americas EXPRESS unit
- Full-year underlying EBIT in line with guidance of 3.7 billion euros
- Non-cash write-down of around 600 million euros on EXPRESS Americas to be taken in 2007 accounts
- Capital markets program "Roadmap to Value" delivering first results: Group pushes ahead with real estate sales; to announce IT outsourcing agreement
Bonn: Deutsche Post World Net, the world's leading provider of logistics services, announced today that 2007 results were in line with its expectations and guidance of around 3.7 billion euros EBIT before non-recurring effects. All divisions have met their targets with a sound finish to the year. "Overall, we saw good progress on an operating level in our business last year, with full-year underlying EBIT of 3.7 billion euros. In 2008, we will make further good progress, targeting around 4.2 billion euros EBIT," said Chief Executive Officer Klaus Zumwinkel.
Work continues to identify the optimal solution to performance improvements in the U.S. EXPRESS business. Following an impairment review, a non-cash write-down on EXPRESS Americas fixed assets of around 600 million euros will be recognized in the 2007 accounts. Deutsche Post World Net still expects the EXPRESS division to make consistent progress in underlying profit and to reach an EBIT of between 900 million euros and 1.1 billion euros in 2009.
"The U.S. Express business is a key management priority and we are looking at a variety of options to improve performance. In doing so, we are committed to maintaining a significant presence in the U.S. market, which remains of strategic importance to the Group," said Chief Financial Officer John Allan.
The Group is heavily focused on the implementation of its "Roadmap to Value" capital markets program. Real Estate disposals agreed on since the program was announced on Nov. 8, 2007 will generate more than 350 million euros in cash, representing good progress toward the target of at least 1 billion euros in proceeds over two years.
As a further measure to increase shareholder value, Deutsche Post World Net intends to partner with a third-party service provider for parts of its global IT infrastructure, generating long-term savings for the Group of at least 1 billion euros. Details of this plan are scheduled to be released tomorrow morning, Jan. 24, at 8 a.m. CET.
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