Naturhouse increases its Net Income to €22.9 million in 2015, of which €19m will be allocated to dividends, following the Board’s proposal to distribute €4.95m on 4 May 2016. The proposed payment places the dividend yield at 9,4% based on yesterday’s closing price
Barcelona, 26 February 2016.- Naturhouse, a company specialising in the sale of diet products and dietary re-education, has improved all financial figures in 2015, due to the boost in its international business and the significant growth in net centre openings. Specifically, Naturhouse ended 2015 with 2,123 centres after registering 169 net openings (almost three times the amount registered in 2014), completing 70% of the guidance for 2015-16.
The group’s total sales climbed to €95.8 million in 2015, while EBITDA grew by 0.3% in 12 months to €33.8 million. With this, Naturhouse registers an EBITDA margin of 35.3%, which is above the upper threshold for the group’s targets for 2015 and 2016 (30%/35%), while also being the highest in the industry. Net income has increased by 1.3% over the financial year to reach €22.9 million.
In terms of geographic areas, the international market’s positive growth stands out, with sales and EBITDA increasing by 2.8% and 7%, respectively, alongside a slowdown in the weakening of the Spanish and Italian markets.
Naturhouse ended 2015 with a net cash position of €15m, after distributing interim dividends for a total of €14.05m and reducing its financial debt by €4m (-45%).
Meanwhile, the Board of Directors has proposed the payment of a dividend of €4.95m on 4 May. With this, the total amount paid as shareholder remuneration against 2015 results comes to €19 million, a payout (percentage of profits allocated to dividends) of 83.1%. This figure is higher than the guidance for 2015-2016 and once again highlights the company’s considerable cash generation abilities and its interest in maximising shareholder remuneration. The dividend will be presented to the forthcoming General Shareholders’ Meeting for approval.
International growth
Over the last financial year, Naturhouse increased its international presence to 29 countries, opening centres in new markets like Switzerland, Lithuania and the United States. In fact, the number of clients that have used the Naturhouse Method during the slimming process since 1992 has now reached 5.5 million.
With the opening of its first franchise in the United Kingdom, specifically in Walsall, north-east of Birmingham (alongside the 1 directly-operated store the group already had in the UK), the company now plans to increase its presence in this market.
According to Félix Revuelta, Chairman of Naturhouse, “Continued growth in the main figures on our balance sheet is a clear sign of the Group’s growth potential and efficient management. All together, this has meant we have been able to exceed our predictions in terms of shareholder remuneration, reaching a payout of 83% and a dividend yield that tops the Spanish Stock Exchange.”
For the new financial year, Naturhouse plans to open at least 71 new centres in order to fulfil its guidance and continue to increase its presence in markets outside Spain. Furthermore, the business is moving in the right direction in terms of meeting its expectations for the EBITDA margin, which, at the end of 2015, was higher than predicted (35.3% vs a 30%-35% target), and its commitment to the dividend, as it calculates it will distribute at least 80% of the company’s profit among shareholders.
About Naturhouse
Naturhouse is a Spanish business group listed on the Spanish stock exchange that works in the diet and nutrition sector, with a proprietary and distinctive business model based on the “Naturhouse Method”. The method combines the sale of food supplements with free, personalised advice and monitoring from a qualified specialist. Since it opened its first shop in the Spanish city of Vitoria in 1992, Naturhouse has provided advice to more than 5,500,000 people. The company, which operates in 29 countries, had 2,123 centres at 31 December 2015, both directly operated and franchises. Naturhouse is the only diet food business to be present throughout the whole value chain, from product development and manufacturing to sales and customer assessment. This, alongside the business’ low investment requirements and an attractive return for franchisees, has meant the company has received numerous awards. For seven consecutive years, it has been selected as one of the top 100 franchises worldwide by Franchise Direct.
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