25.02.2015 – REVENUE +0.2% AND EBIT +5.9%; EARNINGS DEVELOPMENT IMPACTED BY SPECIAL EFFECTS
Austrian Post achieved solid business results in the 2014 financial year, according to preliminary figures. In line with the existing outlook, the company reported a stable revenue development. On balance, Group revenue in 2014 amounted to EUR 2,371m, a rise of 0.2% from EUR 2,367m in the previous year. The revenue trends of the first three quarters 2014 continued in the fourth quarter. The Mail & Branch Network Division registered a 1.5% revenue decline during the year to EUR 1,488m, down from EUR 1,510m in the previous year. This was more than compensated by the Parcel & Logistics Division, which generated a revenue increase of 3.1% to EUR 882m in 2014, up from the prior-year level of EUR 856m. The decrease in the mail business was due to the ongoing trend towards electronic substitution of letters and declining direct mail volumes. At the same time, revenue from branch network services also fell in 2014. From a regional perspective, the Parcel & Logistics Division showed a slight revenue drop in the highly competitive German market. In contrast, a significant top-line increase was achieved in Austria and in South East and Eastern Europe.
The announced earnings objective of further improving Group EBIT was also achieved. According to preliminary figures, EBIT rose 5.9% in the 2014 financial year to EUR 197m (2013: EUR 186m). However, whereas the operational development of the mail and parcel businesses showed a continuation of the trends prevailing in previous quarters, earnings in 2014 were also impacted by various special effects.
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