Maersk Profit Beats Views Despite Higher Fuel Costs and Disappointing Volumes
14 November 2018 - 7:26PM
Dow Jones News
By Dominic Chopping
A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S (MAERSK-B.KO) reported net profit above
estimates in the third quarter after benefiting from higher freight
rates and synergies, but a sharp rise in fuel prices weighed and
volumes were lower than hoped.
The shipping firm posted a third-quarter net profit of $347
million, from a $1.56 billion loss in the same period last year,
sailing above an average analyst forecast from FactSet of $298
million. Revenue rose 31% to $10.08 billion against expectations
for $9.92 billion.
Maersk, which moves about 18% of all containers world-wide and
is considered a barometer of global trade, narrowed its guidance
for core profit this year to between $3.6 billion and $4 billion,
from a previous estimate of $3.5 billion to $4.2 billion. It still
expects a positive underlying profit.
The organic volume growth in its main ocean unit is now expected
to be in line with an increased estimated average market growth of
3%-4% for 2018, having previously seen slightly below-estimated
average market growth of 2%-4%.
Average freight rates increased by 5.5% in the quarter, while
the average bunker price increased by 47% compared with last year,
it said. Global volumes increased compared with last year; however,
the demand was weaker than expected, which led to volumes being
lower than anticipated.
The Asia-Europe trade disappointed the most due to lower import
from Asia to U.K., Turkey and Mediterranean, but lower than
expected volumes were realized on most trades.
"Our profitability and cash flow is improving, positively
impacted by the emergency-bunker surcharge announced due to the
significant increase in bunker price, synergies from Hamburg Sud
and strong collaboration between Ocean and our terminal
activities," said Chief Executive Soren Skou."
-Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com; Twitter:
@domchopping @WSJNordics
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 14, 2018 03:11 ET (08:11 GMT)
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