ZF Cuts Profit Outlook on Auto Sector Slowdown
In the first half of 2019, ZF’s sales
performance reached around €18.4 bln, while the operating earnings run at
approximately €650 mln. On the basis of current financial situation in the
company and unfavorable economic situation in the automobile industry, ZF had
to lower its sales and earnings predictions for 2019. Financial analysts of the
company expect that the sales volume in the 2-nd half of the year will range
between €36 - €37 bln and adjusted EBIT margin between 4-5% for the year.
According to ZF’s CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider,
the company has recently received 3 major orders (2 from BMW and FCA for the
latest hybrid automatic 8HP gearbox and 1 from Daimler for major powertrain
elements for the latest electric drive SUV Mercedes EQC). It shows that the
company’s efforts focused on introduction of new environmentally-friendly
technologies match expectations of potential customers.
But at the same time, Mr. Scheider pointed out
that ZF is not immune from the unstable economic circumstances in the industry,
which manifests itself worldwide, therefore the company has to adjust its
economic forecasts in accordance with deteriorating situations on the
automobile market.
Despite the fact that the segment of heavy-duty
trucks and the industrial vehicles initially remained quite enduring, ZF’s
sales became worse in the first half of this year because of the slump in sales
at the main market, especially in China. Previously, ZF expected a bit more
positive results in sales turnover. In addition to the economic downfall in the
industry, there are several political causes that have a negative impact on
financial results of automakers and manufacturers of automobile components: unclear
situation around Brexit and trade wars between China and the US, and associated
currency fluctuation. As a consequence, the company sales dropped by 1.7 % to
€18.4 bln.
ZF sales in the 1-st
half of 2019 by regions and by divisions
ZF’s adjusted EBIT rate of €646 mln fell short
compared to the predicted range in the 1-st half of this year. The main
incentives for such statistics turned out to be the abovementioned plummeting
car sales, significant investment in R&D operations and opening of new
facilities.
Despite the fact that the officials of the company is not happy with these numbers, ZF won’t give up its investment projects related to the technologies of the future (E-mobility and self-driving technologies). The company plans to adjust its capacities and to put on hold or decrease financial support in established areas where the economic slowdown is apparent. Moreover, the company has to consider the upcoming expenditures related with the acquisition of WABCO. For this purpose, ZF considers issuing a bonded loan and a Eurobond.
It is very unlikely that the global economy will go through any progress in 2019, thus ZF had to lower its financial expectations for 2019. The sales estimations for this year were based on the conditions of stiff markets and invariable rates of exchange.
