Safran SA (SAFRF) (FY 2024) Earnings Call Highlights: Record Revenue and Strategic Growth ...

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15-02-2025

Revenue: EUR27.3 billion, up 18% year-over-year.
Recurring Operating Profit: EUR4.1 billion, up 30%.
Operating Margin: Expanded by 150 basis points to 15.1%.
Free Cash Flow: EUR3.2 billion.
Dividend Proposal: EUR2.90 per share, up 32% from last year.
Net Income: EUR3.1 billion, representing EUR7.37 per share, up 52%.
Propulsion Revenue: EUR13.7 billion, up 15%.
Equipment & Defense Sales: EUR10.2 billion, up 17.7%.
Aircraft Interiors Sales: EUR3 billion, up 25.2%.
Net Cash Position: EUR1.7 billion at the end of 2024.
Share Repurchase: 6.5 million shares repurchased for EUR1.3 billion.
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 2 Warning Sign with BOM:509631.
Release Date: February 14, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Safran SA (SAFRF) achieved record levels in revenues, profits, and cash flows for 2024, with a significant 18% revenue growth to EUR27.3 billion.
The company improved its operating margin by 150 basis points, reaching 15.1%, demonstrating strong operational excellence.
Safran SA (SAFRF) completed the acquisition of CRT, a US MRO leader, and divested its 50% share of Roxel, indicating strategic portfolio management.
The LEAP-1A engine achieved FAA and EASA certification for a new high-pressure turbine durability kit, enhancing its durability and profitability.
Safran SA (SAFRF) is on track with its sustainability goals, dedicating 88% of its EUR700 million research and technology budget to environmental efficiency and increasing its EcoVadis rating to 65 out of 100.
Original Equipment (OE) deliveries were down 10% due to supply chain constraints, impacting lead volumes.
Despite strong aftermarket growth, the company faces ongoing supply chain issues that are expected to persist into 2025.
The Aircraft Interiors division, although back to profitability, is still 5% below the record levels of 2019.
The company is exposed to potential tariff impacts due to its global supply chain, particularly concerning parts crossing borders between the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Safran SA (SAFRF) faces challenges in managing inventory and customer advance payments amidst a volatile market environment.
Q: Can you provide more details on the revised spares guidance and what has changed from the previous outlook? A: Olivier Andries, CEO: We have slightly revised our guidance for spare parts, increasing the volume of shop visits and engine inductions. However, our assumptions regarding scope and pricing remain unchanged.
Q: Given the strong cash flow performance in 2024, how does this affect your long-term free cash flow guidance? A: Pascal Bantegnie, CFO: We exceeded our expectations for free cash flow in 2024 and have raised our 2025 guidance. While our cumulative cash guidance of EUR15 billion to EUR17 billion may seem conservative, we prefer to proceed cautiously due to various moving parts, such as LEAP engine deliveries and supply chain constraints.
Q: Can you discuss the pricing dynamics for OE engines and the breakeven point for the LEAP engine? A: Pascal Bantegnie, CFO: We see slight improvements in OE engine pricing over time, but nothing significant for EBIT performance. The engines delivered in 2025 are based on contracts signed years ago, and the spare engine ratio is in the low teens.
Q: What are your expectations for high-thrust engine OE and aftermarket revenue growth in 2025? A: Olivier Andries, CEO: The dynamics for high-thrust engines are strong, contributing to our raised guidance for spare parts in 2025. We expect robust growth in this segment.
Q: How are supply chain constraints affecting LEAP or CFM56 spare parts, and what is the expected cadence of LEAP deliveries in 2025? A: Olivier Andries, CEO: Supply chain issues are improving but still present. We expect to deliver 15% to 20% more LEAP engines in 2025 compared to 2024, but we won't provide quarterly guidance for the ramp-up.
Q: Can you explain the discrepancy between Safran's civil aftermarket growth and GE's performance in commercial services? A: Olivier Andries, CEO: Our spare parts indicator mainly covers CFM56, while GE's includes both narrow-body and wide-body engines. Differences in accounting rules and exposure to services also contribute to the discrepancy.
Q: What is the timeline for profitability in the seats segment, and how does this relate to the revenue and profit guidance for 2025? A: Olivier Andries, CEO: We aim to improve Aircraft Interiors' profitability to double digits by 2028, starting from breakeven in 2024. For 2025, we expect increased EBIT margins and improved cash performance.
Q: How will the recognition of LEAP aftermarket profit in 2025 impact propulsion margins? A: Pascal Bantegnie, CFO: The introduction of the new HPT blade allows us to start recognizing profits on LEAP-1A RPFH contracts, but this will not materially impact the overall EBIT guidance or propulsion margins.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.