Both Parcels and Mail in the Netherlands reported results well above market estimates, with normalised EBIT around €90 million and around €60 million respectively.

Highlights

1. Total revenue at around €960 million (Q1 2020: €701 million)
2. Normalised EBIT Q1 2021 at around €130 million (Q1 2020: €15 million) and free cash flow around €160 million
3. Outlook FY 2021 for normalised EBIT increased to at least €250 million with free cash flow expected to be above €225 million

The Covid-19 lockdown continued through-out the first quarter of 2021 and resulted in extremely strong volume growth at Parcels. Although PostNL estimates that a significant part of this extra volume will be non-recurring, the underlying strong growth trend in e-commerce looks set.

At Mail in the Netherlands, volume development was supported by non-recurring items related to voting by mail and invites for the vaccination programme. In addition, the price/mix impact showed a positive development.

Based on the strong performance over the first quarter, PostNL is raising its FY 2021 outlook for normalised EBIT to at least €250 million (from its previous estimate of between €205 million and €225 million). Free cash flow is expected to come in at a minimum €225 million. The exact consequences of changes in the lockdown, like the further reopening of the non-essential stores in the Netherlands as of 28 April, remain uncertain.

Herna Verhagen, CEO of PostNL, commented: “We had a very good start of the year and continued the momentum that we’ve seen since the second quarter of last year. Our results once again prove our collective resilience and flexibility during ongoing unprecedented circumstances.”

Publication of Q1 2021 results

Full details for Q1 2021 will be disclosed as planned on 10 May 2021.

Source: PostNL