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Swiss Post achieves good result in difficult environment

In the first nine months of 2017, Swiss Post achieved Group profit of 516 million francs, which represents an increase of 50 million francs year-on-year. The operating profit of 699 million francs was 106 million francs up on the prior-year figure. The improved result was principally due to one-off effects at PostFinance. Pressure remains high on the core operating business.

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The volume of addressed letters decreased once again, while over-the-counter logistics products and payment transactions also suffered a further decline. In addition, the ongoing low interest rate situation in the financial services market is having a negative impact on interest income.  For Swiss Post, this means that it must push ahead with its transformation in order to remain competitive in the future and to be able to finance a high-quality universal service from its own resources.

The PostalNetwork business unit improved its operating result by 26 million francs year-on-year to -130 million francs thanks to changes in the branch network.

Operating profit at PostMail was up 9 million francs to 244 million francs thanks to optimized process and cost structures. In doing so, PostMail once again made a substantial contribution to the Group result.

Swiss Post Solutions also increased its contribution to results by 6 million to 21 million francs.

PostLogistics recorded an operating profit of 84 million francs (previous year: 73 million francs). This positive trend is mainly due to a 6.3 percent rise in domestic parcel volumes (previous year: +5.1 percent) and acquisitions of companies in the international transport and customs clearance sector. The logistics market, which has been fully deregulated since 2004, remains highly competitive. The Swiss domestic market in particular is increasingly seeing foreign service providers and competitors from the digital field. 

PostBus increased its operating profit by one million francs to 31 million francs. This was primarily due to higher transport revenue and transport-related remuneration following the expansion of services in Switzerland.

Higher operating profit at PostFinance

In the first nine months of the year, PostFinance generated operating profit of 533 million francs, 123 million more than in the previous year. This rise was essentially attributable to reversals of impairment on financial assets after impairment losses were incurred the previous year (effect: +109 million francs). The higher level of net trading income (+28 million francs) and declining personnel expenses (+17 million francs) also contributed to the improved result. PostFinance continues to face a difficult market environment, particularly due to its competitive disadvantage in loans and mortgage lending. Net income from the interest differential business alone, the most important pillar, was down 89 million francs due to a lack of profitable investment opportunities.

Only solid profits lead to investments

Swiss Post relies on financial stability to be able to guarantee the universal service, to continually develop its core business, and to tap into growth areas. To be fit for the future, annual investments of between 400 and 500 million francs are needed in the modernization of its infrastructure and services, as well as consistent cost management and efficient processes.

Three major challenges, which Swiss Post has faced for some time now, remain in the background at all times: the decline in letter volumes, falling margins in the logistics business as a result of growing competition as well as the ban on issuing its own loans and the ongoing low interest rate situation. 

Information:
Oliver Flüeler, Swiss Post Media Unit, 058 341 21 95, presse@swisspost.ch

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Group key figures

Key figures Unit Full year 2016 Q3 2016 Q3 2017
Operating income CHF million
8 188 6 039 5 963
Operating profit (EBIT)[1] CHF million
704 593 699
as % of operating income % 8,6 9,8 11,7
Group profit CHF million
558 466 516
Total assets CHF million
126 609 128 943 126 838
Equity CHF million
4 881 4 409 6 558
Cash flow from investing activities CHF million
-509 -434 -464
Headcount at Swiss Post Group FTEs[2] 43 485 43 600 42 394

1 The operating profit corresponds to the result before net non-operating financial income and taxes (EBIT).
2 FTEs = Full-time equivalents. Average expressed in terms of full-time equivalents, excluding trainees.

PostFinance Ltd key figures

Key figures Unit Full year 2016 Q3 2016 Q3 2017
Number of customers in thousands
2 952 2 951 2 898
Number of customer accounts in thousands
4 845 4 850 4 815
Customer assets CHF million
119 436 120 381 118 810
Customer assets in partner solutions CHF million
8 246 7 956 9 402
Mortgages[1] CHF million
5 361 5 243 5 588
Loans to business customers CHF million
9 894 9 372 10 103
E-finance users in thousands
1 743 1 736 1 744
Headcount FTEs[2] 3 599 3 612 3 491
Transactions processed in millions 1 044 768 754

1 In cooperation with partner banks.
2 FTEs = Full-time equivalents. Average expressed in terms of full-time equivalents. Headcount at PostFinance parent company.

Selected key figures per segment

30.09.2017 Segment Operating income
(CHF million)
Operating profit
(CHF million)[1]
Communication market PostMail 2 076 244
Communication market Swiss Post Solutions 402 21
Communication market PostalNetwork 767 -130
Logistics market PostLogistics 1 175 84
Financial services market PostFinance 1 599 533
Passenger transport market PostBus 697 31
30.09.2016 Segment Operating income
(CHF million)
Operating profit
(CHF million)[1]
Communication market PostMail 2 149 235
Communication market Swiss Post Solutions 416 15
Communication market PostalNetwork 828 -156
Logistics market PostLogistics 1 144 73
Financial services market PostFinance 1 638 410
Passenger transport market PostBus 684 30

1 The operating profit corresponds to the result before net non-operating financial income and taxes (EBIT).

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