RNS Number : 7868F
Integrated Diagnostics Holdings PLC
19 November 2020
 

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings Plc

9M 2020 Results Update

Thursday, 19 November 2020

 

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings Plc delivers impressive top- and bottom-line growth in 3Q 2020 of 23% and 39%, respectively, supported by a broad-based recovery in the Group's operations

 

 

(London) Integrated Diagnostics Holdings ("IDH," "the Group," or "the Company"), a leading consumer healthcare company with operations in Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Nigeria, released today unaudited highlights of its financial and operational performance for the quarter and nine-month periods ended 30 September 20201, recording revenue of EGP 720 million and a net profit of EGP 201 million in 3Q 2020. On a year-to-date basis, revenue recorded EGP 1,670 million with a net profit of EGP 375 million for 9M 2020.

 

[1] By the terms regulating the company's listing on the LSE, IDH is required to release its audited financials at the full-year mark. Management and the Board of Directors have committed to providing the company's reviewed financials at the half-year mark and performance updates in the first and third quarters as an outgrowth of the Company's commitment to transparency. All figures in this update are accordingly unaudited and provided from Management accounts.

 

Results*

(EGP mn)

 

9M2020

9M2019

 change

Revenues**

 1,670

1,649

1%

Cost of Sales

 (840)

 (856)

-2%

Gross Profit

 830

793

5%

Gross Profit Margin

50%

48%

2 pts

Operating Profit

 575

573

-

EBITDA2

 710

686

4%

EBITDA Margin

43%

42%

1 pts

Net Profit

 375

361

4%

Net Profit Margin

22%

22%

-

Cash Balance

 465

 432

8%

*The results for 9M 2019 and 9M 2020 reflect the adoption of IFRS 16.

**Excluding the 100 Million Healthy Lives Campaign from 9M 2019 figures, consolidated revenues would have expanded 4% year-on-year. The 100 Million Healthy Lives campaign ran from November 2018 through June 2019. In the six months to 30 June 2019 IDH served 224 thousand patients under the campaign's umbrella and performed 2.4 million tests. Total campaign-related revenue in 9M 2019 reached EGP 47 million.

2 EBITDA is calculated as operating profit plus depreciation and amortization.

 

Financial Highlights

 

·    Revenue for the third quarter of the year recorded EGP 720 million, up an impressive 23% versus 3Q 2019 and 60% versus 2Q 2020, with the Group recording one of the fastest year-on-year growth rates for a single quarter on record. Top-line growth was supported by the gradual lifting of restrictive measures, which saw the reopening of all branches during 3Q 2020, and IDH's ability to adapt its service offering to the changing dynamics by ramping up its house call service and offering Covid-19-related testing3 in Egypt and Jordan. On a nine-month basis, revenue reached EGP 1,670 million, up 1% versus 9M 2019 (a 4% year-on-year rise when excluding contributions from the 100 Million Healthy Lives campaign ("the campaign") in 9M 2019).

·    Gross profit expanded 30% year-on-year in 3Q 2020 to EGP 384 million, with an associated margin of 53% versus 50% in 3Q 2019 and 45% in 2Q 2020. Gross profit growth for the quarter came on the back of the remarkable top-line growth recorded by the Group. In 9M 2020, gross profit expanded 5% year-on-year to EGP 830 million, with an associated margin of 50% versus 48% in 9M 2019. Gross profit growth was supported by lower raw material costs as well as lower wages and salaries for 9M 2020.

·    Operating profit expanded 45% year-on-year in 3Q 2020 to reach EGP 299 million. On a year-to-date basis, operating profit was largely unchanged versus 9M 2019 at EGP 575 million in 9M 2020, as IDH booked EGP 35 million in cautionary provisions to account for elongated cash collection cycles during the period. It is important to note that in 3Q 2020, IDH booked an additional EGP 7 million in provisions, compared to the EGP 28 million booked in the first half of the year as cash collection cycles improved.

·    EBITDA2 in 3Q 2020 was up 40% year-on-year to EGP 343 million, supported by improved gross profitability for the quarter. EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 48% versus 42% and 36% in 3Q 2019 and 2Q 2020, respectively. For 9M 2020, EBITDA recorded EGP 710 million, up 4% year-on-year with an associated margin of 43% compared to 42% in the same period last year, despite the higher provisions booked during the period.

·    Net profit expanded an impressive 39% year-on-year in 3Q 2020 to EGP 201 million, as revenue growth for the period trickled down to the Group's bottom-line. Net profit margin recorded 28% in the third quarter of the year compared to 25% in the same three months of last year. Net profit was up 4% year-on-year to EGP 375 million in 9M 2020, with a net profit margin of 22%, unchanged versus last year.

·    Net cash flow from operating activities was EGP 370 million in 9M 2020, with the Group's total cash balances decreasing to EGP 465 million as at 30 September 2020 from EGP 631 million as at year-end 2019, reflecting the distribution of USD 28 million (EGP 451 million) in dividends for FY 2019 paid in September of this year. The Group reported net cash4 amounting to EGP 304 million as at 30 September 2020 compared to EGP 447 million at year-end 2019.

 

3 Covid-19-related tests include PCR and antibody testing as well as a bundle of inflammatory and clotting markers such as Complete Blood Picture, ESR, D-Dimer, Ferritin and CRP, among others.

4Net debt is calculated as cash and cash equivalent balances less interest-bearing debt (medium term loans) and finance lease. Please note that the net debt calculation excludes liabilities due to IFRS 16).

 

Operational Highlights

 

·    IDH's branch network included 471 branches as at 30 September 2020, up from 452 branches as at 31 December 2019, as IDH resumed its branch rollout plan for the year. The Group added 9 branches to its Egyptian network during the third quarter of the year.

·   IDH served 4.8 million total patients in 9M 2020, a 14% year-on-year decline (down 11% excluding the campaign's contribution to 9M 2019) on the back of the impact of Covid-19 on operations during the months of March, April, and May. Total patients served in 3Q 2020 was largely in line with the figure recorded in the same quarter a year ago supported by a wide-spread recovery of activity across the Group's countries of operation. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the number of patients served witnessed a recovery of 43% in 3Q 2020 versus the previous quarter.

·    Total number of tests performed was down 19% year-on-year (a 9% drop when factoring out the campaign's contribution to 9M 2019) to 18.8 million in 9M 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19 earlier in the year. However, during 3Q 2020 tests performed were up an impressive 46% quarter-on-quarter as operations continued their steady recovery across the Group's territories.

·    Average revenue per test expanded 25% year-on-year to EGP 89 for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2020, partially due to the low base effect of the campaign in 9M 2019. Controlling for the campaign's effect, average revenue per test would have still increased 15% year-on-year in 9M 2020, on the back of the annual price hikes at the start of the year combined with the generally higher-priced Covid-19-related tests offered by the Group during the period.

·    IDH's average test per patient declined 5% year-on-year to 3.9 in 9M 2020. However, excluding the campaign, average test per patient would have increased 2% versus the same nine-month period of 2019.

·    Following a wide-spread easing of restrictive measures across the Group's countries of operation during the third quarter of the year, IDH was able to reopen its entire branch network during the quarter and return to normal operating hours across all territories by late July of this year.

·    In Egypt volumes were supported by a ramp up of the house calls service (20% of Egypt's 9M 2020 revenue) and by increased demand for Covid-19-related testing (13% of total revenue for Egypt in 9M 2020).

·    In Jordan, the Group continued to be at the forefront of PCR testing for Covid-19 during the third quarter of 2020, with Covid-19 testing contributing to around 32% and 24% of IDH's revenue in Jordan during 3Q 2020 and 9M 2020, respectively. Starting in October, the government has reinstituted a night-time curfew from 10pm to 6am from Saturday to Thursday, with a full 24-hour lockdown on Fridays. This is, however, not expected to have material impacts on Biolab's operations. Thus far, all of Biolab's 19 branches are operating normally with the Company also providing a house call service for its patients.

·    In Nigeria, tests performed in 9M 2020 were up 26% versus 9M 2019 with revenue in local currency up 39% year-on-year as IDH continued to capitalize on the increased brand awareness and demand for Echo-Lab's high-quality services. During 3Q 2020, IDH's Nigerian operations turned EBITDA-positive supported by a strong ramp up in sales during the quarter.

·    Al-Borg Scan continues to ramp up its operations as revenues expanded 62% year-on-year in 9M 2020. In February 2020, the company launched a second branch in Cairo and is continuing to make good progress towards the launch of a third branch.

 

Commenting on the Group's performance for the nine-month period, IDH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Hend El-Sherbini said: "Throughout the third quarter of 2020, we observed a strong and broad-based recovery across our territories, with the Group posting one of its strongest year-on-year growth rates for a single quarter at 23%. The robust growth for the quarter filtered down to our bottom-line which expanded 39% year-on-year in the three months to 30 September 2020. Top-line growth for the quarter was supported by the gradual lifting of restrictive measures related to Covid-19, which allowed for the reopening of all our branches, combined with our continued ability to adapt our service offering to cater to patient needs during these uncertain times.

 

The impressive third quarter performance lessened the impact of the first half of the year and helped drive top- and bottom-line growth on a year-to-date basis as well, a commendable achievement in light of the unprecedented global crisis. The Group's revenue and net profit for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2020 expanded 1% and 4% year-on-year, respectively.

 

In our home market of Egypt, we continued to ramp up our house call services and in June began offering PCR testing for Covid-19, further expanding our roster of Covid-19 indicative tests. This helped IDH build on the upward momentum witnessed in June and supported the Group's third quarter performance. We also experienced robust contributions coming from Al Borg Scan, which now operates out of two branches having kicked off operations of its second branch in February of this year. Over the last nine months, our radiology venture reported an impressive 76% year-on-year rise in patients served and a 62% year-on-year increase in revenue. On this front, we are actively working towards the roll out of the venture's third branch, which we expect to launch in the first quarter of next year. We are also in the process of completing the necessary modules to obtain ACR (American College of Radiology) accreditation for Al Borg Scan's branches, a process we expect to conclude by next year.

 

In Nigeria, our operations turned EBITDA positive for the first time during the third quarter of the year, following a surge in sales for the period as we continued to capitalize on the increased brand awareness and demand for Echo-Lab's high-quality services. EBITDA for the quarter was supported by our cost control efforts and service mix optimisation strategy in the country, which has seen the Group focus increasingly on pushing its radiology and pathology services.

 

In Jordan, where Biolab has been at the forefront of PCR testing for Covid-19 since the very start of the crisis, we continued to record strong demand for both PCR testing and for all our services in general. This helped drive a 21% year-on-year revenue expansion in local currency terms for 9M 2020, with PCR testing making up nearly one fourth of the country's top-line for the nine-month period.

 

Finally, in Sudan, the progressive lifting of government-imposed restrictive measure during the third quarter of 2020, saw the reopening of all 21 branches in late July, with revenues in SDG terms expanding 8% year-on-year in the quarter. While high inflation and a weak SDG continue to pose challenges for the Group, the lifting of sanctions has opened up important growth opportunities for our operations in the coming years. With the country now open to international suppliers; the Group will be able to directly import test kits and in turn improve its operational efficiency and profitability.

 

While there is still no clear visibility on the magnitude of a second wave of Covid-19 infections in our countries of operation, management is confident that the Group has the adequate safety and business continuity safeguards in place to weather possible disruptions to operations while guaranteeing the safety of our staff and patients. Under the oversight of a dedicated team, the Group has implemented a strict health and safety protocol which can be further tightened were the number of daily new cases to increase over the coming weeks. With IDH now offering PCR testing for Covid-19 in both Egypt and Jordan, the Group is well positioned to help local authorities contain a possible second wave. IDH has also further improved its inventory management frameworks since the start of the crisis back in March, and now has measures in place to ensure an ample supply of kits at all times, shielding the Group from potential supply chain disruptions. On the collection front, despite the Group booking EGP 35 million in cautionary provisions to account for elongated cash collection cycles during the first nine months of the year, IDH enjoys a solid relationship with insurers and management expects cash collection cycles to normalise going forward.

 

Overall, our Group maintains a strong financial position, with a liquid balance sheet thanks to a strong cash generation profile and over EGP 304 million in net cash balances. The Group's confidence in the fundamental strength and sustainability of its financial position has seen IDH distribute USD 28 million in dividends in September of this year, an important accomplishment given the difficulties faced globally during 2020.

 

Heading into the final weeks of the year, we expect the robust recovery witnessed in the third quarter to carry through to the end of 2020. This leaves management confident that despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the global pandemic, and at a time when businesses across the world are facing existential threats, IDH will still be able to deliver full-year top line growth in 2020 with an EBITDA margin in excess of 40%."

 

Analyst and Investor Call Details

An analyst and investor call will be hosted at 1pm (UK) | 3pm (Egypt) on Thursday, 19 November 2020. You may register for the conference call at this link. Once the registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email containing your personal Zoom meeting details.

 

 

If you experience any issues while registering for the call or connecting to it, please contact Anna Smirnova at ASmirnova4@rencap.com.

 

About Integrated Diagnostics Holdings (IDH)

IDH is a leading consumer healthcare company in the Middle East and Africa with operations in Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Nigeria. The Group's core brands include Al Borg, Al Borg Scan and Al Mokhtabar in Egypt, as well as Biolab (Jordan), Ultralab and Al Mokhtabar Sudan (both in Sudan) and Echo-Lab (Nigeria). A long track record for quality and safety has earned the Company a trusted reputation, as well as internationally recognised accreditations for its portfolio of over 1,400 diagnostics tests. From its base of 471 branches as of 30 September 2020, IDH will continue to add laboratories through a Hub, Spoke and Spike business model that provides a scalable platform for efficient expansion. Beyond organic growth, the Group's expansion plans include acquisitions in new Middle Eastern and African markets where its model is well-suited to capitalise on similar healthcare and consumer trends and capture a significant share of fragmented markets. IDH has been a Jersey-registered entity with a Standard Listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (ticker: IDHC) since May 2015.

 

IDH's forward-looking strategy rests on leveraging its established business model to achieve four key strategic goals, namely: (1) continue to expand customer reach; (2) increase the number of tests per patient; (3) expand into new geographic markets through selective, value-accretive acquisitions; and (4) introduce new medical services by leveraging the Group's network and reputable brand position. Learn more at idhcorp.com.

 

Shareholder Information

LSE: IDHC.L

Bloomberg: IDHC:LN

Listed: May 2015

Shares Outstanding: 150 million

 

Contact

Nancy Fahmy

Investor Relations Director

T: +20 (0)2 3345 5530 | M: +20 (0)12 2255 7445 | nancy.fahmy@idhcorp.com

 

Forward-Looking Statements

These results for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2020 have been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the group's performance in relation to its operations and growth potential. These nine-month results should not be relied upon by any other party or for any other reason. This communication contains certain forward-looking statements. A forward-looking statement is any statement that does not relate to historical facts and events, and can be identified by the use of such words and phrases as "according to estimates", "aims", "anticipates", "assumes", "believes", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "is of the opinion", "may", "plans", "potential", "predicts", "projects", "should", "to the knowledge of", "will", "would" or, in each case their negatives or other similar expressions, which are intended to identify a statement as forward-looking. This applies, in particular, to statements containing information on future financial results, plans, or expectations regarding business and management, future growth or profitability and general economic and regulatory conditions and other matters affecting the Group.

 

Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Group's management ("Management") on future events, which are based on the assumptions of the Management and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Group's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The occurrence or non-occurrence of an assumption could cause the Group's actual financial condition and results of operations to differ materially from, or fail to meet expectations expressed or implied by, such forward-looking statements.

 

The Group's business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could also cause a forward-looking statement, estimate or prediction to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. The information, opinions and forward-looking statements contained in this communication speak only as at its date and are subject to change without notice. The Group does not undertake any obligation to review, update, confirm or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise in relation to the content of this communication.

 

Operational & Financial Review

Revenue

IDH reported revenue of EGP 1,670 million in the first nine months of the year, up 1% versus the same period of 2019. The year-to-date performance was supported by a strong third quarter, which saw the Group close up 23% versus 3Q 2019, one of its strongest year-on-year revenue growth rates for a single quarter. IDH's strong and broad-based recovery was driven by the easing of Covid-19 containment measures across its territories, the continued ramp up of its house call services in Egypt, and the increased demand for Covid-19-related testing5 in Egypt and Jordan. Covid-19-related testing made up around 14% of consolidated revenue for the nine-month period to 30 September 2020.

 

Controlling for the revenue generated by the campaign during the comparable period of 2019, IDH would have recorded a 4% year-on-year expansion in revenue for 9M 2020.

 

5 Covid-19-related tests include PCR and antibody testing as well as a bundle of inflammatory and clotting markers such as Complete Blood Picture, ESR, D-Dimer, Ferritin and CRP, among others.

 

Revenue Analysis: Contribution by Patient Segment

 

Contract Segment

At the Group's contract segment, revenue declined 5% year-on-year in 9M 2020, with the segment contributing to 55% of consolidated revenue versus 59% in the same period of last year. The year-on-year decline came on the back of a 22% fall in tests performed versus 9M 2019. The decrease in tests performed reflects the impact of Covid-19-related restrictions, which weighed down on volumes during the second quarter of 2020, and the normalisation in contract volumes following the end of the campaign in Egypt. The campaign had contributed 224 thousand patients and 2.4 million tests to the contract segment during the comparable period of last year.

 

Additionally, during 2019 management had analysed the segmentation of Egypt's patient base leading to a reclassification between walk-ins and contract volumes. Factoring out campaign-related tests from 9M 2019 figures and controlling for the reclassification, contract revenue would record a 9% year-on-year rise supported by Covid-19-related testing, which contributed to around 15% of contract revenues for the period.

 

Walk-in Segment

Revenue from IDH's walk-in segment increased 10% year-on-year in 9M 2020, contributing to 45% of IDH's consolidated top-line in 9M 2020 up from the 41% contribution this time last year. When controlling for the 2019 reclassifications, walk-in revenue would record a marginal 1% year-on-year decline in 9M 2020 owing to a 17% year-on-year decrease in tests performed. It should be noted that Covid-19-related testing contributed to approximately 14% of walk-in revenues in 9M 2020.

 

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

Contract Segment

Walk-in Segment

Total

 

 

9M20

9M19

Change

9M20

9M19

Change

9M20

9M19

Change

 

Revenue

(EGP mn)

921

968

-5%

749

681

10%

1,670

1,649

1%

 

% of Revenue

55%

59%

 

45%

41%

 

100%

100%

 

 

Patients ('000)

3,261

4,025

-19%

1,531

1,562

-2%

4,792

5,587

-14%

 

% of Patients

68%

72%

 

32%

28%

 

100%

100%

 

 

Revenue per Patient (EGP)

282

240

17%

489

436

12%

348

295

18%

 

Tests ('000)

13,780

17,780

-22%

4,984

5,298

-6%

18,765

23,078

-19%

 

% of Tests

73%

77%

 

27%

23%

 

100%

100%

 

 

Revenue per Test (EGP)

67

54

23%

150

129

17%

89

71

25%

 

Test per Patient

4.2

4.4

-4%

3.3

3.4

-4%

3.9

4.1

-5%

 

KPIs Adjusted for the Campaign and Reclassifications*

 

Revenue

(EGP mn)

921

848

9%

749

754

-1%

1,670

1,602

4%

% of Revenue

55%

53%

 

45%

47%

 

100%

100%

 

Tests

13,780

14,636

-6%

4,984

6,000

-17%

18,765

20,635

-9%

% of Tests

73%

71%

 

27%

29%

 

100%

100%

 

Revenue per Test (EGP)

67

58

15%

150

126

20%

89

78

15%

                           

* Adjustments related to the 100 Million Healthy Lives campaign include subtracting 224 thousand patients, 2.4 million tests and revenue of EGP 47 million for the 9M 2019 contract segment's KPIs. Additionally, reclassification adjustments include the transfer of 702 thousand tests in 9M 2019 and associated revenue of EGP 73 million from the contact segment to walk-ins.

 

Revenue Analysis: Contribution by Geography

 

Egypt

Revenue from Egypt came in largely flat in 9M 2020 at EGP 1,407 million. Controlling for the high base effect due to the campaign in 9M 2019, revenue from Egypt would have increased by 3% year-on-year in 9M 2020 supported by the ramp up of IDH's home call service and increased demand for Covid-19-related testing, which helped offset a decline in branch traffic earlier in the year. The performance was supported by a 21% year-on-year rise in revenue during 3Q 2020.

 

In 9M 2020, IDH's house call service contributed to 20% of Egypt's revenues versus just 10% in 9M 2019, while Covid-19-related testing made up around 13% of the country's revenue. Egypt's revenues were further supported by contributions from Al-Borg Scan, IDH radiology venture, which generated revenue of EGP 16 million in 9M 2020, up 62% year-on-year. Al Borg Scan's two branches served 24 thousand patients in the first nine months of the year, up 76% year-on-year, and performed more than 30 thousand tests during the period, up 69% versus 9M 2019.

 

IDH served 4.3 million patients in Egypt and performed 17.0 million tests, down by 16% and 20% year-on-year, respectively. When controlling for the campaign, patients served and test performed in 9M 2020 would have declined 12% and 10% year-on-year, respectively. During 3Q 2020, the Group recorded a 42% and 46% quarter-on-quarter increase in patients served and tests performed versus 2Q 2020, respectively. The recovery in patients served and test performed witnessed since June has been supported by the progressive lifting of restrictive measure and the subsequent normalisation in activity across the country, combined with the ramp up of the Group's house call services and Covid-19-related tests offering.

 

Jordan

In Jordan, revenue recorded EGP 218 million in 9M 2020, up 13% versus the same period of last year and contributing to 13% of total consolidated revenue for the period. In JOD terms, revenue expanded 21% year-on-year in 9M 2020 as restrictive measures were progressively lifted and all branches returned to normal operating hours starting in May of this year. IDH's Jordanian operations recorded a 47% year-on-year revenue expansion in JOD terms for 3Q 2020 as patients served increased 47% versus 3Q 2019.

 

Biolab has been administering PCR testing for Covid-19 in Jordan since the onset of the outbreak, with Covid-19-related tests making up around 24% of total revenues generated by the Group's operations in Jordan in the nine months to 30 September 2020.

 

Nigeria

At the Group's Nigerian subsidiary, revenue increased 18% year-on-year to EGP 25 million in 9M 2020. Year-on-year revenue growth in local currency terms came in at 39% for 9M 2020, supported by growing volumes as IDH continues to leverage increased brand awareness and demand for its services. In 9M 2020, patients served and tests performed were up 24% and 26% year-on-year, respectively. This is especially impressive in light of the Covid-19-related disruptions experienced earlier in the year, including a complete lockdown and limited traffic as people adhered to shelter-in-place orders. In 3Q 2020, revenues in NGN terms witnessed a 58% increase versus 3Q 2019.

 

Sudan

The Group's Sudanese operations recorded a 17% year-on-year fall in revenue to EGP 21 million in 9M 2020 largely due to SDG devaluation. However, in SDG terms, revenue reported a 2% year-on-year rise in 9M 2020 despite a 26% year-on-year decline in patients served during the period. During the third quarter of 2020, government-imposed restrictions were progressively lifted, with all 21 branches allowed to reopen in late July of this year. This saw revenues in SDG terms expand 8% year-on-year in 3Q 2020, versus the 61% year-on-year contraction recorded in 2Q 2020.

 

Revenue Contribution by Country

 

9M 2020

9M 2019

Change

Egypt Revenue (EGP mn)

1,407

1,410

N/A

Egypt Contribution

84.2%

85.5%

 

Jordan Revenue (EGP mn)

218

193

13%

Jordan Revenue (JOD mn)

9.8

8.1

21%

Jordan Contribution

13.0%

11.7%

 

Nigeria Revenue (EGP mn)

25

21

18%

Nigeria Revenue (NGN mn)

620

446

39%

Nigeria Contribution

1.5%

1.3%

 

Sudan Revenue (EGP mn)

21

25

-17%

Sudan Revenue (SDG mn)

69

68

2%

Sudan Contribution

1.2%

1.5%

 

---

 

Branches by Country

 

30 September 2020

31 December 2019

Change

Egypt

399

20

Jordan

19

-

Nigeria

13

-1

Sudan

21

-

Total Branches

471

452

19

 

Cost of Goods Sold

IDH's cost of goods sold declined 2% year-on-year to EGP 840 million in 9M 2020. Consequently, IDH's gross profit expanded 5% year-on-year to EGP 830 million in 9M 2020, with an associated margin of 50% versus 48% in the same period a year ago.

 

COGS Breakdown as a Percentage of Revenue

 

9M 2020

9M 2019

Raw Materials

16.4%

18.5%

Wages & Salaries

16.0%

17.7%

Depreciation & Amortisation

7.1%

6.1%

Other Expenses

10.8%

9.6%

Total

50.3%

51.9%

 

Raw material costs decreased 10% year-on-year to EGP 273 million in 9M 2020, reflecting a one-off discount granted by suppliers earlier in the year. Raw material outlays as a percentage of sales declined to 16.4% in 9M 2020 from last year's 18.5%, partially due to the impact of the campaign on IDH's revenue per test during the comparable period of last year. Raw material costs made up the largest share of total consolidated COGS during the period at 32.5%.

 

Direct salaries and wages made up the second largest share of total COGS in 9M 2020 at 31.8%, having declined 9% year-on-year to reach EGP 267 million for the period. Salaries and wages also declined as a percentage of sales to 16.0% in the nine months to 30 September 2020 versus 17.7% in the same period of 2019. The decline came on the back of the previous recognition of EGP 20 million in profit shares during the comparable period of 2019, and lower salaries in Nigeria following the restructuring that took place during the second half of 2019. Additionally, IDH incurred lower bonuses, incentive, and overtime payments during the curfew periods.

 

Direct depreciation and amortisation was up 18% year-on-year in 9M 2020 to EGP 119 million, largely due to a rise in depreciation following the addition of new equipment at Al Borg-Scan and Nigeria, as well as the incremental amortisation of additional branches (IFRS 16 right-of-use assets). Direct depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenues increased to 7.1% in the first nine months of the year from 6.1% in 9M 2019.

 

EBITDA

IDH's consolidated EBITDA expanded 4% year-on-year to EGP 710 million in 9M 2020, with an associated margin of 43% versus 42% in 9M 2019. EBITDA growth was supported by stronger gross profit which offset higher SG&A outlays for the period and a doubtful accounts provision of EGP 35 million for elongated cash collection cycles booked in 9M 2020. It is important to note that in 3Q 2020, IDH booked EGP 7 million in provisions compared to the EGP 28 million booked in the first six months of the year, testament to the steady normalisation in the Group's collection rates. In the third quarter of the year, IDH recorded a 40% year-on-year expansion in EBITDA to EGP 343 million, with an associated margin of 48% versus 42% in the same quarter of 2019.

 

In Egypt, EBITDA recorded EGP 636 million in 9M 2020, flat versus the same nine-month period of 2019. EBITDA margin stood unchanged at 45% in 9M 2020 as lower salary expenses for the period and strong 3Q 2020 revenues offset the aforementioned doubtful accounts provision and the impact of Covid-19 on the country's operations earlier in the year.

 

IDH's Jordanian operations recorded a 10% year-on-year rise in EBITDA to EGP 77 million in 9M 2020, as operations in the country continued to recover following the Covid-19-related disruptions earlier in the year. In local currency terms, EBITDA grew 18% year-on-year during the period. EBITDA margin recorded 35% in 9M 2020 versus 36% in the same period of 2019.

 

In Nigeria, EBITDA losses continued to narrow to EGP 4 million in 9M 2020 from the negative EGP 26 million recorded in 9M 2019. Decreased losses came on the back of an 18% year-on-year rise in revenues (39% in NGN terms) and an 30% year-on-year decrease in salary expenses during the period.

 

It is worth highlighting that IDH's Nigerian operations posted a positive EBITDA during 3Q 2020 on the back of a solid ramp up in sales during the period.

 

Finally, Sudan's EBITDA recorded EGP 1 million in 9M 2020, down 76% year-on-year with an EBITDA margin of 6% compared to 22% in the same period of last year. EBITDA was impacted by branch closures on account of Covid-19, with most branches in the country only allowed to reopen in late July of this year.

 

Regional EBITDA in Local Currency

mn

 

 

9M 2020

9M 2019

Change

Egypt

 

EGP

636

636

-

Jordan

 

JOD

3.5

2.9

18%

Nigeria

 

NGN

(94)

(545)

-83%

Sudan

 

SDG

4

15

-70%

 

Interest Income / Expense

IDH recorded interest income of EGP 44 million in 9M 2020, up 55% year-on-year. Interest income increased due to higher cash balances as the Group had postponed to September 2020 the distribution of USD 28 million (EGP 451 million) in dividends for FY 2019.

 

Interest expense recorded EGP 53 million in 9M 2020 versus EGP 49 million in the same period of 2019. The increase in interest expenses is due to higher interest of right-of-use assets following the addition of new branches. This offset the decrease in interest expenses on borrowings which benefitted from the lower interest rate environment following a cumulative 350 basis point cut in interest rates by the CBE between January and September 2020.

 

Interest Expense Breakdown

 

9M 2020

9M 2019

Change

Interest of 'Right-of-Use' Assets (IFRS 16)

38.4

25.6

50%

Interest Expenses on Borrowings6

11.8

16.0

-26%

Interest Expenses on Leases

3.0

6.9

-57%

Total Interest Expense

53.1

48.5

10%

6 Related to medium-terms loans for the Al Borg Scan expansion (EGP 4.5 million) and the Group's new headquarters in Cairo's Smart Village (EGP 5.3 million).

 

Foreign Exchange

IDH recorded a net foreign exchange loss of EGP 10 million in 9M 2020 compared to EGP 13 million in the comparable period of 2019. The figure is primarily related to FX losses on the back of the SDG devaluation versus the EGP.

 

Taxation

Tax expenses recorded in the first nine months of the year were EGP 182 million compared to EGP 180 million in 9M 2019. The effective tax rate stood unchanged at 33% in 9M 2020. There is no tax payable for IDH's two companies at the holding level, while tax was paid on profits generated by operating subsidiaries.

 

Net Profit

IDH's consolidated net profit was EGP 375 million in 9M 2020, up 4% year-on-year as revenue growth for the period trickled down to the Group's bottom-line. Net profit margin stood at 22% in 9M 2020, remaining stable from the same period of last year.

 

Balance Sheet

On the assets side of the balance sheet, IDH held gross property, plant and equipment (PPE) of EGP 1,232 million as at 30 September 2020, an increase from EGP 1,181 million as at 31 December 2019. The increase reflects regular CAPEX outlays during the period.

 

Accounts receivable recorded EGP 284 million as at 30 September 2020 compared to EGP 261 million at year-end 2019. Accounts receivables' Days on Hand (DOH) stood at 147 days, versus 129 days as at 31 December 2019 due to lower collection in 2Q 2020 following the imposition of Covid-19-related measures. It should be noted that accounts receivables DOH is calculated based on credit revenues amounting to EGP 529 million in 9M 2020, representing 57% of contract revenues for the period.

 

The Group's Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) increased to 97 days as at 30 September 2020, up from 82 days as at 31 December 2019. The increase follows the Group's strategy of increasing its inventory coverage period to mitigate for potential supply disruptions due to Covid-19. More specifically, during the period, IDH significantly increased its stock of PCR test kits in anticipation of a rise in demand for PCR tests in the coming months. However, this is down from the 130 days recorded as at the end of the second quarter of 2020, reflecting a gradual normalisation in the Group's inventory turnover cycle.

 

IDH's cash balances decreased to EGP 465 million as at 30 September 2020 compared to EGP 631 million as at 31 December 2019, reflecting the distribution of EGP 451 million in dividends for FY 2019 paid in September 2020. As at 30 September 2020, IDH recorded a net cash position7 amounting to EGP 304 million.

 

On the liabilities side, accounts payable stood at EGP 141 million at 30 September 2020 versus EGP 145 million at year-end 2019. The Group's days payable outstanding (DPO) stood at 151 days compared to 141 days at 31 December 2019.

 

7Net debt is calculated as cash and cash equivalent balances less interest-bearing debt (medium term loans) and finance lease. Please note that the net debt calculation excludes liabilities due to IFRS 16).

 

- Ends --

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