- Total growth of 0.9% relative to Q3 2023
- Revenue remained stable at constant scope and exchange
rates
- Full-year targets confirmed for organic growth, operating
margin and free cash flow
Regulatory News:
Sopra Steria Group (Paris:SOP) generated consolidated revenue
of €1,356.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, representing
total growth of 0.9%.
Sopra Steria: Consolidated revenue – Q3 2024
Q3 2024
Q3 2023 restated*
Q3 2023 reported
Organic growth
Total growth
Sopra Steria Group
1,356.9
1,357.5
1,345.4
0.0%
+0.9%
* Revenue at 2024 scope, exchange rates and accounting policies
(IFRS 5 & 15)
Cyril Malargé, Chief Executive Officer of Sopra Steria Group,
commented:
“The European market overall was held back by a wait-and-see
attitude and weak momentum, with the exception of certain countries
including Spain, Italy and Norway.
In this unfavourable context, we renewed several of our very
substantial positions in transport, aeronautics, the public sector
and defence.
The past three months’ performance confirms our outlook of a
relatively stable level of full-year revenue, as indicated in
July.
During the quarter, we finalised the sale of Sopra Banking
Software activities. This major decision clarifies Sopra Steria’s
positioning as a European consulting and digital services firm. It
also reinforces our balance sheet and financial flexibility.
In addition, I am pleased to share that Sopra Steria has been
recognised as a leader in cloud infrastructure services by
NelsonHall and received a ’Best in Class’ rating among AI and
generative AI service providers ranked by PAC.
Lastly, on 16 October 2024 the Group’s employees were especially
proud to have received the AGEFI award for the year’s most
sustainable business in the ‘Environment’ category.”
Presentation of quarterly revenue
The sale of Sopra Banking Software, announced on 21 February
2024 as part of Sopra Steria’s process of refocusing its activities
on digital services and solutions, was finalised on 2 September
2024. Revenue for Q3 2024 was consolidated excluding the activities
sold. As a reminder, these accounted for €336.3 million in revenue
in 2023. They were already recognised as discontinued operations
(under IFRS 5) in the H1 2024 accounts released on 24 July
2024.
In addition, as announced upon the release of the H1 results,
since 1 January 2024 revenue generated by Ordina through the sale
of external expertise has been standardised. It is now recognised
as net earnings in the Netherlands and Belgium, under the agent
principle.1
Comments on Q3 2024 business activity
Sopra Steria posted revenue of €1,356.9 million, up 0.9%
compared with Q3 2023. Changes in scope had a €10.9 million
positive impact. This comprised the positive €86.9 million impact
of the consolidation of Ordina (after the negative €20.0 million
impact of restating “agent” revenue) and the negative €76.0 million
impact of the disposal of Sopra Banking Software activities.
Currency fluctuations had a positive impact of €1.1 million. At
constant exchange rates, scope and accounting standards, revenue
remained stable.
In France (42% of the Group total), revenue fell by 1.2%
on an organic basis to €571.2 million. In a more uncertain
environment, the French market was held back by a prevailing
wait-and-see attitude. The Hybrid Cloud & Technology Services
business was highly resilient, achieving 3.3% growth. Consulting
& Systems Integration contracted by 0.3%. The Product Lifecycle
Management business was down 12.8%. In terms of vertical markets,
growth was positive in the public sector and defence, while it was
negative in aeronautics, financial services, energy and
telecommunications.
Revenue for the United Kingdom (18% of the Group total)
was €240.2 million, representing organic growth of 2.3%. The
best-performing vertical markets were financial services,
government & transport and the NHS SBS platform. The SSCL
platform’s business continued to be affected by the snap election
context and the arrival of a new government.
The Europe reporting unit (34% of the Group total)
generated revenue of €467.7 million. At constant scope, exchange
rates and accounting standards, revenue contracted very slightly
(0.5%). The most buoyant growth was in Spain, Italy and
Scandinavia. Revenue contracted slightly in Benelux and decreased
in Germany.
The Solutions reporting unit (6% of the Group total)
posted revenue of €77.8 million, representing organic growth of
3.9%. The Human Resources Solutions business grew by 7.5%. The
Property Management Solutions business was down 2.7%.
Workforce
The Group’s net headcount stood at 51,866 employees at 30
September 2024 (compared with 49,190 employees at 30 September
2023, restated for the Sopra Banking Software scope sold). The
consolidation of Ordina added 2,676 people. A total of 7,901 staff
were employed at international service centres (India, Poland,
Spain, etc.).
The workforce attrition rate was 13.2% (vs 15.1% at 30
September 2023).
Change in scope
Since the end of H1 2024, Sopra Steria has received a total of
€410.5 million arising from the finalised refocusing of the Group’s
activities on digital services and solutions. Following these
transactions, Sopra Steria has retained an 11.1% stake in Axway’s
share capital.
Share buyback programme
Confident in its outlook and its ability to create value over
the long term, on 2 October 2024 Sopra Steria announced the launch
of a €150 million share buyback programme, with the shares bought
back under this programme to be retired. An investment services
provider has been entrusted with carrying out the buyback during
the period from 2 October 2024 to 20 May 2025.
Recap of targets for 2024
- Revenue relatively stable on an organic basis
- Operating margin on business activity of at least 9.7%
- Free cash flow of around €350 million
Presentation meeting
Revenue for the third quarter of 2024 will be presented to
financial analysts and investors via a bilingual (French and
English) conference call to be held on Thursday, 31 October 2024 at
8:30 a.m. CET (Paris time).
- French-language phone number: +33 (0)1 70 37 71 66
- English-language phone number: +44 (0)33 0551 0200
Practical information about this presentation can be found in
the ‘Investors’ section of the Group’s website:
https://www.soprasteria.com/investors
Upcoming financial releases
Thursday, 12 December 2024 (9:00 a.m.): Capital Market Day
Thursday, 27 February 2025 (8:30 a.m.): Meeting to report 2024
annual results
Wednesday, 30 April 2025 (8:30 a.m.): Meeting to report Q1 2025
revenue
Wednesday, 21 May 2025 (2:30 p.m.): General Meeting of
Shareholders
Friday, 25 July 2025 (8:30 a.m.): Meeting to report 2025
half-year results
Wednesday, 29 October 2025 (8:30 a.m.): Meeting to report Q3
2025 revenue
Glossary
- Restated revenue: Revenue
for the prior year, expressed on the basis of the scope and
exchange rates for the current year.
- Organic revenue growth:
Increase in revenue between the period under review and restated
revenue for the same period in the prior financial year.
- EBITDA: This measure, as
defined in the Universal Registration Document, is equal to
consolidated operating profit on business activity after adding
back depreciation, amortisation and provisions included in
operating profit on business activity.
- Operating profit on business
activity: This measure, as defined in the Universal
Registration Document, is equal to profit from recurring operations
adjusted to exclude the share-based payment expense for stock
options and free shares and charges to amortisation of allocated
intangible assets.
- Profit from recurring
operations: This measure is equal to operating profit
before other operating income and expenses, which includes any
particularly significant items of operating income and expense that
are unusual, abnormal, infrequent or not foreseeable, presented
separately in order to give a clearer picture of performance based
on ordinary activities.
- Basic recurring earnings per
share: This measure is equal to basic earnings per share
before other operating income and expenses net of tax.
- Free cash flow: Free cash
flow is defined as the net cash from operations; less investments
(net of disposals) in property, plant and equipment, and intangible
assets; less lease payments; less net interest paid; and less
additional contributions to address any deficits in defined-benefit
pension plans.
- Downtime: Number of days
between two contracts (excluding training, sick leave, other leave
and pre-sales) divided by the total number of business days.
Disclaimer
This document contains forward-looking information subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that may affect the Group’s future
growth and financial results. Readers are reminded that licence
agreements, which often represent investments for clients, are
signed in greater numbers in the second half of the year, with
varying impacts on end-of-year performance. Actual outcomes and
results may differ from those described in this document due to
operational risks and uncertainties. More detailed information on
the potential risks that may affect the Group’s financial results
can be found in the 2023 Universal Registration Document filed with
the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on 15 March 2024 (see
pages 40 to 46 in particular). Sopra Steria does not undertake any
obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in
this document beyond what is required by current laws and
regulations. The distribution of this document in certain countries
may be subject to the laws and regulations in force. Persons
physically present in countries where this document is released,
published or distributed should enquire as to any applicable
restrictions and should comply with those restrictions.
About Sopra Steria
Sopra Steria, a major tech player in Europe with 52,000*
employees in nearly 30 countries, is recognised for its consulting,
digital services and solutions. It helps its clients drive their
digital transformation and obtain tangible and sustainable
benefits. The Group provides end-to-end solutions to make large
companies and organisations more competitive by combining in-depth
knowledge of a wide range of business sectors and technologies with
a collaborative approach. Sopra Steria places people at the heart
of everything it does and is committed to putting digital to work
for its clients in order to build a positive future for all. In
2023, the Group generated revenue of €5.8 billion.
* Headcount reassessed following the sale of Sopra Banking
Software activities in September 2024.
The world is how we shape it. Sopra Steria (SOP) is
listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) – ISIN: FR0000050809 For
more information, visit us at www.soprasteria.com
Annexes
Sopra Steria: Impact on revenue of changes in scope and exchange
rates – 9M 2024 €m
9M 2024
9M 2023
Growth
Revenue
4,306.3
4,185.5
+2.9% Changes in exchange rates
9.3
Revenue at constant exchange rates
4,306.3
4,194.9
+2.7% Changes in scope
102.3
Revenue at constant exchange rates, scope and accounting
standards
4,306.3
4,297.2
+0.2% Sopra Steria: Changes in exchange rates – 9M
2024 For €1 / % Average rate9M 2024 Average
rate9M 2023 Change Pound sterling
0.8514
0.8707
+ 2.3% Norwegian krone
11.5854
11.3483
- 2.0%
Swedish krona
11.4120
11.4789
+ 0.6% Danish krone
7.4589
7.4486
- 0.1%
Swiss franc
0.9581
0.9774
+ 2.0%
Sopra Steria: Revenue by reporting unit – 9M 2024
9M 2024
9M 2023restated* 9M 2023reported Organic
growth Totalgrowth France
1,822.5
1,849.9
1,766.8
-1.5%
+3.2% United Kingdom
727.5
707.4
691.8
+2.8% +5.2% Europe
1,518.2
1,504.7
1,198.0
+0.9% +26.7% Solutions
238.1
235.2
208.6
+1.2% +14.2% Sopra Banking Software
-
-
320.3
-
-
Sopra Steria Group
4,306.3
4,297.2
4,185.5
+0.2% +2.9% * Revenue at 2024 scope, exchange rates
and accounting policies (IFRS 5 & 15)
Sopra Steria: Revenue
by reporting unit – Q3 2024 Q3 2024 Q3
2023restated* Q3 2023reported Organic growth
Totalgrowth France
571.2
577.8
567.9
-1.2%
+0.6% United Kingdom
240.2
234.9
230.8
+2.3% +4.1% Europe
467.7
469.9
378.2
-0.5%
+23.7% Solutions
77.8
74.9
66.2
+3.9% +17.5% Sopra Banking Software
-
-
102.3
-
-
Sopra Steria Group
1,356.9
1,357.5
1,345.4
0.0%
+0.9% * Revenue at 2024 scope, exchange rates and accounting
policies (IFRS 5 & 15)
Sopra Steria: Workforce breakdown –
30/09/2024 9/30/2024 9/30/2023 France
20,282
21,681
United Kingdom
7,199
7,767
Europe
16,244
14,102
Rest of the World
240
552
X-Shore
7,901
9,328
Total (continuing operations)
51,866
53,430
Activities classified as assets held for sale
∼ 4,000
1 For a negative €82.1 million impact on full-year revenue
(baseline: 2023)
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030571573/en/
Investor Relations Olivier Psaume
olivier.psaume@soprasteria.com +33 (0)1 40 67 68 16
Press Relations Caroline Simon (Image 7)
caroline.simon@image7.fr +33 (0)1 53 70 74 65
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