The year in brief
- Net sales increased by 10% to SEK 4,803 M (4,348), of which 4% organic tonnage growth.
- The underlying operating result increased to SEK 117 M (82).
- The operating result increased to SEK 132 M (57), including inventory gains of SEK 27 M (27).
- Result after tax increased to SEK 80 M (24).
- Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 86 M (95).
- Earnings per share increased to SEK 6.13 (1.87).
- During 2018, the Group delivered the highest underlying operating result since 2011.
- The decision was taken to exit the remaining operations in Prerov, Czech Republic.
- An agreement was reached with the landlord regarding maintenance of the warehouse in Malmö and a new rental agreement was signed.
- The Board of Directors proposes dividend of SEK 1.75 per share (-) for the financial year of 2018.
Net sales
Underlying operating result 1)
1) Operating result (EBIT) before items affecting comparability (see Note 7 and 8) and adjusted for inventory gains and losses (deductions for gains and additions for losses).
| Key data | 2018 | 2017 | Change | |
| Nyckeltal | 2018 | 2017 | Förändring | |
| Tonnage, thousands of tonnes | Tonnage, tusental | 377 | 363 | 4% |
| Net sales, SEK M | Nettoomsättning, MSEK | 4,803 | 4,348 | 10% |
| Operating result, SEK M 1) | Rörelseresultat, MSEK 1) | 132 | 57 | 130% |
| Operating margin, % | Rörelsemarginal, % | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.5% |
| Underlying operating result 2) | Underliggande rörelseresultat 2) | 117 | 82 | 43% |
| Result after tax, SEK M | Resultat efter skatt, MSEK | 80 | 24 | 229% |
| Result per share, SEK | Resultat per aktie, SEK | 6.13 | 1.87 | 229% |
| Return on capital employed, % | Avkastning på sysselsatt kapital, % | 9.4 | 4.2 | 5.2% |
| Net debt, SEK M | Nettoskuld, MSEK | 440 | 478 | -8.4% |
| Net debt/equity ratio, % 2) | Nettoskuldsättningsgrad, % 2) | 49 | 60 | -11% |
| Cash flow from operating activities, SEK M | Kassaflöde från löpande verksamheten, MSEK | 86 | 95 | -10% |
| Average number of employees | Medeltal anställda | 668 | 700 | -5% |
1) The operating result has been impacted by items affecting comparability of SEK -12 M (-52), of which, SEK 4 M is attributable to the release of part of the provision related to maintenance of the warehouse in Malmö and SEK -16 M is attributable to the exit from the operations in Czech Republic.
2) Part of BE Group´s alternative performance measures which you can read more about in Alternative performance measures and Financial definitions.
2) Part of BE Group´s alternative performance measures which you can read more about in Alternative performance measures and Financial definitions.
| Sales by business solution, SEK M | Försäljning per affärslösning, MSEK | 2018 | 2017 | % |
| Inventory sales | Lagerförsäljning | 2,047 | 1,872 | 9% |
| Production service sales | Produktionsserviceförsäljning | 2,151 | 1,864 | 15% |
| Direct sales | Direktförsäljning | 605 | 612 | -1% |
| Total | Totalt | 4,803 | 4,348 | 10% |
| Sales by product area, SEK M | Försäljning per produktområde, MSEK | 2018 | 2017 | % |
| Long steel products | Långa produkter | 1,683 | 1,436 | 17% |
| Flat steel products | Platta produkter | 1,869 | 1,673 | 12% |
| Stainless steel | Rostfritt stål | 872 | 801 | 9% |
| Aluminium | Aluminium | 229 | 212 | 8% |
| Other | Övrigt | 150 | 226 | -34% |
| Total | Totalt | 4,803 | 4,348 | 10% |