That ended 2019 with a consolidated net sales equal to 3,186 billion, up by 158 million (+5%) compared to 2018, above all due to the increase in revenues from the integrated water service (+221 million). The EBITDA rose 12%, to 1,042 billion, more than expected, while the ebit increased by 8%, to 518 million. The net result of the group reached 284 million (+5% compared to 2018). The investments they went up to 793 million (+26% compared to 2018) e net financial debt rose to 3,063 billion (2,568 billion as at 31 December 2018).
The board of directors will propose to the shareholders' meeting the distribution of a dividend equal to 0,78 euro per share (+10%), which will be paid starting from 24 June, with coupon detachment on 22 June.
As for the new one guidance, for 2020 Acea expects an increase in Ebitda of between 6% and 8% compared to 2019, in line with the 2019-2022 business plan, investments substantially in line with last year and a net financial debt between 3,45 billion and 3,55 billion at the end of 2020.
"We recorded positive consolidated results and further growth compared to the previous 12 months, even exceeding the best guidance communicated to the market - commented the CEO of Acea, Stefano Donnarumma – The performance achieved in 2019 is part of a constant growth path recorded over the last three years. It is therefore no coincidence that the Acea group has managed to anticipate the targets of the Business Plan by over a year: thanks to this momentum, it will therefore be necessary to continue on the route traced out by the 2019-2022 business plan, guaranteeing even growing results".
As for the dividends, "I absolutely think that, as was foreseen in the plan, a minimum dividend of 0,75 euro was the starting point - the CEO continued - we could have done better because the structure of results allows us to do so and we are convinced that we could succeed to do better if there are no events that we cannot predict”.
Donnarumma then underlined that Acea's M&A process "it will continue in two directions: in the photovoltaic sector, also pushing into the primary sector, and then there are the dossiers of interest in the world of waste treatment". In particular, the manager confirmed his interest in Unieco holding ambiente, a waste management company: “We are certainly interested in the deal, accompanied by A2a, we will see developments in the coming weeks; it is a deal of some interest to us”.
Finally, regarding the coronavirus epidemic, "it is clear that it is a phenomenon that none of us could not have expected - concluded Donnarumma - To say that it does not create critical issues is unthinkable, we too are organizing ourselves with a prevention protocol and now 50% of the company works in smartworking , and with the technologies we have today there are no problems, certainly in the long term there may be some slowdown. To date, we do not foresee an impact on our company with our business”.
