Europe Movers: Aker BP, Antofagasta, Bahnhoff AB, Capgemini, Intercontinental Hotels, Ratos, Sparebank

Inga Muller
18 Feb, 2025
Frankfurt

European markets traded around recent highs despite lingering economic uncertainties. 

The UK jobless rate held steady at 4.4% in the fourth quarter. France's inflation accelerated to a five-month high in January.

The DAX index decreased by 0.1% to 22,769.19, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.3% to 8,165.08, and the FTSE 100 index declined by 0.02% to 8,765.87.

The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.50%, French bonds increased to 3.18%, the UK gilts moved up to 4.57%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.55%.

Aker BP ASA dropped 1.1% to €20.38 after the Norwegian industrial investment company reported results for the fourth quarter ending in December.

Revenue decreased to $3.07 billion from $3.56 billion, and net profit from continued operations increased to $562 million from $164 million a year ago.

Profit before tax in the quarter rose to NOK 4.93 billion from NOK 584 million a year ago.

For fiscal 2025, the company estimated revenues between NOK 50 billion and NOK 55 billion, with EBITDA margins of 7.0% to 7.5%, excluding net income from OneSubsea.

OneSubsea, where Aker Solutions owns 20%, plans to distribute dividends of more than $250 million to its shareholders in 2025.

Sparebank ASA traded down 1.5% to €13.30 after the Norwegian bank reported higher net income in the fourth quarter ended in December.

Fourth-quarter net income increased to NOK 3.21 billion from NOK 2.66 billion, and pre-tax profit dropped to NOK 1.74 billion from NOK 1.81 billion a year ago.

Full-year net income increased to NOK 10.74 billion from NOK 8.74 billion, and profit before tax rose to NOK 6.41 billion from NOK 5.68 billion a year ago.

Ratos AB surged 5.6% to 39.70 krona despite the Swedish private equity company reporting slower revenue for the fourth quarter ended in December.

Net sales decreased to SEK 7.73 billion from SEK 7.96 billion, net income swung to a loss of SEK 144 million from a profit of SEK 980 million, and loss per diluted share was 71 cents compared to a positive SEK 1.45 a year ago.

The company’s Board of Directors proposed an ordinary dividend for 2024 of SEK 1.35 per class A and class B share, payable on April 2 to shareholders on record as of March 28.

Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc. gained 0.7% to 10,593 pence after the British-American luxury hotel operator reported revenue growth in fiscal 2024 ending in December.

Revenue increased 6.5% to $4.92 billion from $4.62 billion, profit declined to $628 million from $750 million, and earnings per diluted share dropped to 385.3 cents from 441.2 cents a year ago.

The company raised its dividend per share by 10% to 167.6 cents from 152.3 cents a year ago.

In addition, InterContinental Hotels plans to repurchase up to $900 million of its own shares.

Antofagasta Plc. gained 1.9% to 1,871 pence after the mining company reported revenue growth in fiscal 2024.

Revenue increased to $6.61 billion from $6.32 billion, profit declined to $829.4 million from $835.1 million, and earnings per basic share dropped to 84.1 cents from 84.7 cents a year ago.

Total dividends to ordinary shareholders dropped to 31.4 cents per share from 36.0 cents a year ago.

Dividends paid to equity holders of the company were $317.4 million, compared to $613.2 million in 2023.

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling shareholders were $240.0 million, compared to $388.0 million in 2023.

The company proposed a final dividend of 23.5 cents per ordinary share, or $231.7 million in total, compared to 24.3 cents per ordinary share, or $239.6 million in total, a year earlier.

Bahnhoff AB dropped 6.8% to 54.50 krona after the Swedish Internet service provider reported lower earnings in the fourth quarter ending in December.

Net turnover increased 6.3% to SEK 515.1 million from SEK 484.8 million, net income declined 13.6% to SEK 50.3 million from SEK 58.2 million, and earnings per share dropped 13% to 47 cents from 54 cents a year ago.

The proposed ordinary dividend is unchanged at SEK 2.0 per share.

For the full year 2025, the broadband company estimated a turnover of SEK 2.2 billion, compared to SEK 2.12 billion a year ago, and an operating margin of 12%, compared to 13.3% in 2024.

Capgemini SE plunged 7.5% to €171.50 after the French information technology services and consulting company reported a 1.9% revenue decline for fiscal year 2024.

Revenue decreased to €22.10 billion from €22.52 billion, profit inched up 0.5% to €1.67 billion from €1.66 billion, and earnings per diluted share rose 1.1% to €9.47 from €9.37 a year ago.

The company proposed a dividend of €3.40 per share for approval at the shareholders’ meeting on May 7, and the corresponding payout ratio is 35% of net profit.