Europe Movers: Alcon, Danone, Saipem, Stellantis, Wolters Kluwer

Inga Muller
26 Feb, 2025
Frankfurt

Alcon AG dropped 0.6% to CHF 80.16 after the eye products maker reported sales growth in the fourth quarter ending in December.

Net sales increased to $2.48 billion from $2.33 billion, net income declined to $284 million from $427 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to 57 cents from 86 cents a year ago.

The company proposed a dividend of 28 Swiss cents per share, to be approved at the annual general meeting on May 6.

For fiscal 2025, Alcon estimated net sales between $10.2 billion to $10.4 billion, compared to $9.84 billion in 2024, and earnings per share between $3.15 and $3.25, compared to $2.05 in 2024.

Wolters Kluwer NV traded flat at €172.35 after the Dutch technical information services company reported revenue growth in fiscal 2024 ending in December.

Revenue increased to €5.92 billion from €5.58 billion, profit edged up to €1.08 billion from €1.01 billion, and earnings per diluted share rose to €4.52 from €4.09 a year ago.

The company proposed a final cash dividend of €1.50 per share, resulting in a total dividend  in fiscal 2024 of €2.33 per share, an increase of 12%.

In addition, the company plans to repurchase shares for up to €1 billion in 2025.

For fiscal 2025, Wolter Kluwer estimated adjusted operating profit margin between 27.1% and 27.5%, return on invested capital between 18% and 19%, and adjusted earnings per diluted share to grow at mid-single-digits.

The company’s health segment expanded by 6% in 2024, and the projection for the current year is "in-line with this growth or slightly below it," with the first year-half facing challenging comparisons across the division.

The tax and accounting, financial and corporate compliance, and legal regulatory segments are also expected to sustain prior-year growth rates, while the corporate performance and environmental, social and governance division is estimated to grow at faster rates than in the previous year.  

Danone SA gained 0.7% to €70.00 after the French dairy food products company reported muted sales in fiscal 2024 ending in December.

Sales decreased to €27.38 billion from €27.62 billion, net income surged to €2.10 billion from €953 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to €3.14 from €1.36 a year ago.

Comparable sales in 2024 rose 4.3%, and in the fourth quarter advanced 1.8%.

For fiscal 2025, Danone estimated comparable sales growth between 3% and 5%, with recurring operating income growing faster than sales.

The company proposed a dividend of €2.15 per share, up 2.4% compared to the previous year, with the ex-dividend date on May 3, and payable on May 7.

In addition, Danone plans to buy back 2.7 million of shares, in one or more tranches in 2025.

Stellantis NV plunged 5.5% to €12.75 after the Italian automobile maker reported a 70% drop full-year 2024 profit.

Revenue decreased 17% to €156.88 billion from €189.54 billion, net profit plunged 70% to €5.52 billion from €18.62 billion, and earnings per diluted share fell 69% to €1.84 from €5.94 a year ago.

The company guided fiscal 2025 positive net revenue growth and adjusted operating income margin in the mid-single digits percentage.

Stellantis plans to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer within the first half of 2025.

Saipem S.p.A. gained 5.9% to €2.40 after the Italian oilfield services company reported full-year 2024 results.

Revenue increased to €14.55 billion from €11.87 billion, net income surged to €306 million from €179 million, and EBITDA climbed to €1.33 billion from €926 million a year ago.

For fiscal 2025, the company estimated revenue of about €15 billion, and EBITDA at €1.6 billion.

Saipem agreed on a possible merger with Subsea7, a Luxembourg-registered company involved in subsea engineering and construction serving the offshore oil and gas industry.