The profitability of Compagnie des Alpes, operator of ski areas and owner of leisure parks, suffered during the 2022/2023 financial year from the doubling of energy costs despite a turnover which exceeds one billion euros .
(AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)
Energy costs have more than doubled, from 35.1 million to 72.1 million euros, according to a press release published on Tuesday.
As a result, from October 1, 2022 to the end of September, the group generated a net profit of 90.4 million euros, down 20.9% compared to 2021/2022. The turnover, already known, increased by 17.4% to 1.125 billion euros.
The group’s gross operating surplus (EBO), an indicator of profitability, amounts to 307.7 million euros (-1.6%).
“If we hadn’t had this ‘electric shock’, we would have had better results but in the context, we are satisfied,” Dominique Thillaud, general director of the group, told AFP.
“Excluding non-recurring and scope effects, that is to say on our existing scope as of September 30 of last year, we are growing,” he underlines.
For the next financial year, Compagnie des Alpes’ objective is a gross operating surplus (EBO) growing by at least 7% compared to EBO excluding non-recurring items for the 2022/2023 financial year, according to the press release.
The company is counting on “the expected drop in energy costs and in particular electricity, the purchase price of which has been 100% secured for the calendar year 2024”.
For next year, “we bought cheaper electricity, 15% less. There is snow and reservations are good so we are confident and optimistic. The prospects are good”, adds Dominique Thillaud.
For the 2022/2023 financial year, the turnover of the ski areas (La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes, Méribel, etc.) stands at 489 million euros (+7.6%). EBO amounted to 151 million euros, down 11.4%.
The turnover of Leisure Parks (Fururoscope, Parc Astérix, Walibi, Grévin Museum, etc.) amounted to 526 million euros (+12%) and their EBITDA to 140 million euros (down by 6.1%).
The turnover of its Distribution and Hospitality section (tour operators, real estate agencies) reached 110 million euros, inflated by the acquisition of MMV, operator of villages and residence clubs. EBITDA is 23 million euros, a very sharp increase thanks to this buyout.
Compagnie des Alpes will propose a dividend of 0.91 euros per share, up 10% compared to the previous financial year.