Asklepios: Increase in patient numbers and revenue in first half of 2019

In the first half of 2019, Asklepios Kliniken GmbH & Co. KGaA generated revenue growth of 3.2% to EUR 1,755.4 million and increased its investments from own funds by 22.0%. Operating performance and the development of our EAT margin did not meet our expectations.

From January to June 2019, Asklepios’s revenue totalled EUR 1,755.4 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.2% (6M 2018: EUR 1,700.8 million) and thus also exceeding the company’s own forecast for its revenue development in the current financial year of between 2.5% and 3.0%. At EUR 174.8 million, EBITDA was higher than in the previous year (6M 2018: EUR 159.0 million), while the operating EBITDA margin came to 10.0% (6M 2018: 9.4%). The cost of materials ratio was 21.1% (6M 2018: 21.4%), while the staff costs ratio increased to 66.5% (6M 2018: 65.4%) due to pay rises and an increase in staff numbers, particularly in nursing. In the first half of 2019, consolidated net income (EAT) amounted to EUR 41.9 million (6M 2018: EUR 60.7 million), corresponding to an EAT margin of 2.4% (6M 2018: 3.6%).

A total of 1,227,556 patients were treated at Asklepios’s healthcare facilities in the period from January to June 2019, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.8% (6M 2018: 1,182,742). The trend toward outpatient care continued. The number of cost weights – the key figure used to bill medical services in hospitals – declined by 3.2% to 289,875 (6M 2018: 299,433).

“We are delighted that over 44,000 more patients than in the previous year chose to place their trust in us in the first six months of 2019. This is also reflected in our stable revenue growth. Although this puts us ahead of our full-year forecast, operating performance and the development of our EAT margin in particular are failing to meet our expectations,” says Kai Hankeln, CEO of Asklepios. “We pressed ahead with the establishment of new digital business models in the first half of 2019. In June, we acquired an 80% stake in Belgian company Pulso Europe BV. On 1 July 2019, our hospital group also acquired an 80% stake in Fürstenberg Institut GmbH, Germany’s largest EAP provider and an expert in the provision of services that promote health and performance in the workplace.”

These acquisitions will bolster Asklepios’s newly established “corporate health” business segment. Both companies are perfect additions to the existing portfolio of companies including INSITE Interventions, TALINGO EAP and Asklepios Connecting Health.

In the first half of 2019, cash flow from operating activities totalled EUR 68.8 million (6M 2018: EUR 135.3 million). Capital expenditure amounted to EUR 126.1 million (6M 2018: EUR 114.7 million), including EUR 93.1 million (6M 2018: EUR 76.3 million) from own funds. This corresponds to an increased own funds ratio of 73.9% (6M 2018: 66.5%). “We will continue to enhance patient well-being in line with our corporate strategy “Digital HealthyNear”. As well as investing in digital applications, we continuously invested in training for our employees and medical equipment for our hospitals with a view to providing the best possible level of care to our patients and constantly improving medical quality,” says Hafid Rifi, CFO of Asklepios.

As at 30 June 2019, the company’s net debt totalled EUR 1,111.2 million (31 December 2018: EUR 1,027.0 million). The ratio of net debt to EBITDA for the past 12 months was 2.7x (31 December 2018: 2.6x). The equity ratio was 32.9% (31 December 2018: 36.9%), while cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 267.2 million (31 December 2018: EUR 351.6 million).

Forecast

For the 2019 financial year, we anticipate organic revenue growth that lies above our previous forecast of 2.5% to 3.0%. Consolidated net income (EAT) is falling short of our expectations to date. At this time, we are reiterating our forecast of a slight year-on-year increase in EAT. Although our equity has increased by 1,6% compared with the end of 2018, the equity ratio as at 30 June 2019 was 32,9%, and thus lower than the figure as at 31 December 2018 (36,9%). We put this down to balance sheet extension as a result of IFRS 16 effects. Taking into account the effects of IFRS 16, we expect our equity ratio to remain stable as against the previous year.