YIT
Financial Statement Release

YIT’s financial statements bulletin for 2013: Actions according to demanding market – Sales and cash flow in focus

Helsinki, 2014-02-06 07:00 CET -- YIT CORPORATION                   STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE        FEBRUARY 6, 2014 AT 8:00 AM

YIT’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BULLETIN FOR 2013:
Actions according to demanding market – Sales and cash flow in focus

Except where otherwise noted, the explanatory statement of the financial statements describes the construction business, i.e. the continuing operations after the partial demerger. The demerger of Caverion Corporation from YIT was registered on June 30, 2013. The results of Building Services for January–June 2013 are reported under discontinued operations, along with the demerger costs (tables section). Unless otherwise noted, the figures in brackets refer to the corresponding period in the year before.

October–December 2013 (segment reporting, POC)

• Revenue decreased by 6% to EUR 521.3 (555.4) million, Construction Services Finland
  -5% and International Construction Services -6%. At comparable exchange rates, revenue decreased by 4%.
• Operating profit decreased by 39% to EUR 41.2 (68.0) million, Construction Services Finland -43% and International Construction Services -29%. Operating profit includes a non-recurring cost of EUR 1.2 million related to restructuring measures.
• Operating profit excluding non-recurring items fell by 38% to EUR 42.4 (68.0) million.
• Order backlog decreased by 2% to EUR 2,713.7 (2,765.1) million. Compared to the end of September, the order backlog fell by 4%.
• Profit before taxes declined by 45% to EUR 32.5 (59.1) million.
• Earnings per share decreased by 46% to EUR 0.19 (0.35).

January–December 2013 (segment reporting, POC)

• Revenue declined by 5% to EUR 1,858.8 (1,959.0) million, Construction Services Finland -8% and International Construction Services +4%. At comparable exchange rates, revenue decreased by 4%.
• Operating profit decreased by 24% to EUR 152.8 (201.1) million. Operating profit includes a non-recurring cost of EUR 1.2 million related to restructuring measures.
• Operating profit excluding non-recurring items fell by 21% to EUR 154.0 (194.1) million.
• Profit before taxes declined by 28% to EUR 122.8 (169.6) million.
• Earnings per share decreased by 28% to EUR 0.75 (1.04).
• The partial demerger was completed successfully on June 30, 2013.

GUIDANCE FOR 2014: The Group revenue based on segment reporting is estimated to grow by 0-10% at comparable exchange rates. The operating profit margin based on segment reporting is estimated to be in the range of 7.5-8.5% excluding non-recurring items.

Continuing uncertainty over the general macroeconomic development impacts YIT’s business operations and customers.

DIVIDEND PROPOSAL: According to the proposal of the Board of Directors, a divided of EUR 0.38 per share will be paid, representing 51% of the Group’s net profit for the period based on segment reporting.

Kari Kauniskangas, President and CEO: Actions to improve sales, cash flow and capital efficiency started to bear fruit

I am in many respects satisfied with our achievements in the challenging market environment of 2013. Housing sales in Russia continued to grow, and in the Baltic countries and Central Eastern Europe the favorable development continued while the focus of operations turned to own-developed residential production. In Infra Services, the progress was positive as a whole, and the E18 Koskenkylä–Kotka project was selected as the “Construction Site of the Year” in Finland. We also achieved significant progress in strategically important projects. However, the weakness of the business premises market and the caution of consumers in the Finnish housing market had a negative impact on our results and balance sheet. As a result, towards the end of the year, we focused on improving sales, cash flow and cost and capital efficiency. In the fourth quarter we succeeded among other things in selling business premises projects and reducing the inventory of completed unsold apartments. This was seen as good cash flow and a downturn of the trend in net debt and invested capital. In addition, we have adjusted our cost structure according to the current market environment, particularly in Finland.

The uncertainty of the business environment seems to continue in 2014, and we will continue our efforts to promote sales, cash flow and a more efficient business model. At the same time, our solid plot reserve and flexible resources secure the opportunity to quickly react to any recovery in demand. 2014 is also the first year in our three-year strategy period. According to our strategy, we seek growth in all our business areas through own-developed projects, increased capital efficiency and improved resistance to economic cycles. I would also like to thank YIT’s entire personnel for the valuable contribution in 2013.

Key figures

Segment reporting, POC

^{1) Attributable to equity holders of the parent company}

Group reporting, IFRS

¹⁾ Attributable to equity holders of the parent company

Outlook for 2014

YIT changed its business segment structure from the beginning of 2014 to better correspond to the company’s new management structure and business areas. As of January 1, 2014, the company’s two reporting segments are the Housing segment and the Business Premises and Infrastructure segment. Reporting under the new segment structure will begin from the January–March 2014 interim report.

Housing

In the long term, residential demand in Finland will be supported by migration to growth centres. Furthermore, the population and the number of households will increase with continued migration and the increasing number of one-person households. YIT estimates that the demand for small apartments, in particular, will remain good.

According to Euroconstruct’s November 2013 estimate, the construction of 25,000 apartments will start in Finland during 2014. According to a report published by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in January 2012, the annual need for the production of new apartments amounts to 24,000–29,000 apartments. YIT’s goal is to strengthen its position as the leading housing developer in Finland.

YIT estimates that housing prices in Finland will remain stable in 2014. Construction costs are estimated to increase, mainly due to new energy norms, but the increase is expected to be moderate in 2014. The interest rates of mortgages are forecasted to remain low, and slight improvement in consumers’ access to financing is expected. There are plans for legislation on a binding debt ceiling for mortgages in Finland. However, planned terms for the debt ceiling are largely in line with current market practices.

Residential demand in the Baltic countries is expected to receive support from economic growth. Furthermore, the poor condition of residential buildings creates a need for new high-quality apartments. The volume of residential construction is estimated to grow in the Baltic countries (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, December 2013). Euroconstruct estimated in November 2013 that residential start-ups will decline slightly in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2014. In the Baltic countries and Central Eastern Europe, the prices of apartments are expected to increase slightly. 

The volume of housing construction is estimated to continue growing in Russia in 2014, but the growth is expected to slow down somewhat from the level of the previous years (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, December 2013). YIT expects housing prices to be stable in 2014. Residential demand has been supported by low unemployment rates and favourable development in the mortgage market. Moreover, the increase in the interest rates on mortgages has levelled off in recent times. Forecasts of economic growth in Russia have been lowered recently and Russian ruble has weakened significantly against euro.

The long-term outlook for Russian residential construction is good. Living space per person is still clearly lower than in Western Europe and existing buildings are in poor condition, which creates the need for new, high-quality apartments. Furthermore, the middle class is expected to grow in proportion to the population and the number of households is expected to increase. The development of the mortgage market in Russia has also contributed to the expansion of the potential buyer base. YIT has promoted the availability of mortgages to consumers through extensive cooperation with partner banks.

Business Premises and Infrastructure

The business premises market is expected to continue to be weak in Finland in 2014. Real estate investors are still cautious due to the general economic situation and, in order to control risks, the Helsinki metropolitan area and good tenants are appreciated. The low level of long-term interest rates increases investors’ interest in high-yield properties. Vacancy rates for offices are still high, with vacant building stock also including relatively old office premises in poor condition. YIT believes that the demand will focus on modern and energy-efficient offices. Commercial construction is supported by investments of retail segment and the expansion of foreign retail chains in the Finnish market. Vacancy rates for commercial premises are quite low.

In the Baltic countries, non-residential construction is estimated to increase by 5% in 2014 (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, December 2013). In Slovakia, non-residential construction is expected to decrease by 8% in 2014 (Euroconstruct, November 2013).

Infrastructure construction is estimated to decrease slightly in comparison with 2013 (Euroconstruct, November 2013). The competition especially for smaller contracts has increased.

Board of Directors’ proposal for the distribution of distributable equity

The distributable equity of the parent company YIT Corporation on December 31, 2013 is:

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that the distributable equity be disposed of as follows:

No significant changes have taken place in the company’s financial position after the end of the financial year. The company’s liquidity is good and, in the view of the Board of Directors, the proposed dividend payout does not jeopardise the company’s solvency.

News conference for investors and media

YIT will arrange a news conference on February 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Finnish time (EEST) at YIT's head office, Panuntie 11, 00620 Helsinki, Finland. The event is in English and targeted for analysts, portfolio managers and the media.

The news conference and presentation by the President and CEO of YIT Corporation Kari Kauniskangas can also be followed through a live webcast at www.yitgroup.com/webcast. The live webcast starts at 10:00 a.m. (EEST) and a recording of the webcast will be available at approximately 12:00 p.m. (EEST) at the same address.

The news conference can be participated also through a conference call. Conference call participants are requested to dial in at least five minutes prior to the start of the conference, at 9:55 a.m. (EEST), to number +442076602078.

During the webcast and conference call, all questions should be presented in English. At the end of the event the media has the possibility to ask questions also in Finnish.

Schedule in different time zones

Annual Report and Financial Statements

YIT Corporation's Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2013 will be published on the company's website on February 24, 2014, at the latest.

YIT CORPORATION

Kari Kauniskangas:

President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Timo Lehtinen, Chief Financial Officer, YIT Corporation, tel. +358 45 670 0626, timo.lehtinen@yit.fi

Sanna Kaje, Vice President, Investor Relations, YIT Corporation, tel. +358 50 390 6750, sanna.kaje@yit.fi

Distribution: NASDAQ OMX, principal media, www.yitgroup.com

YIT is a construction industry leader. We create better living environments in Finland, Russia, the Baltic countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Over 100 years of experience have secured for us a strong market position: We are the largest housing developer and one of the largest business premises and infrastructure developers in Finland, and the most significant foreign housing and area developer in Russia.  Our vision is to stay one step ahead – while caring for our customers, partners and personnel. We have more than 6,000 employees in seven countries. In 2012, our revenue amounted to approximately EUR 2 billion. Our share is listed on Nasdaq OMX Helsinki. www.yitgroup.com.