Blockchain Press Releases

Securitas AB Interim Report Q2 2023 | January-June 2023

Published

1 year ago

July 28, 2023

CISION (PR Newswire)

STOCKHOLM, July 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ —

April-June 2023

Total sales MSEK 39 909 (30 535)
Organic sales growth 11 percent (6)
Operating income before amortization MSEK 2 620 (1 760)
Operating margin 6.6 percent (5.8)
Items affecting comparability (IAC) MSEK –311 (–226), relating to the previously announced transformation programs and the acquisition of STANLEY Security
Earnings per share before and after dilution SEK 2.05 (2.32)*
Earnings per share before and after dilution, before IAC, SEK 2.46 (2.77)*
Cash flow from operating activities 46 percent (53)

January-June 2023

Total sales MSEK 77 660 (59 133)
Organic sales growth 11 percent (5)
Operating income before amortization MSEK 4 800 (3 212)
Operating margin 6.2 percent (5.4)
Items affecting comparability (IAC) MSEK –592 (–360), relating to the previously announced transformation programs and the acquisition of STANLEY Security
Earnings per share before and after dilution SEK 3.71 (4.24)*
Earnings per share before and after dilution, before IAC, SEK 4.49 (4.91)*
Reported net debt/EBITDA 3.7 (2.2), adjusted net debt/EBITDA 3.7**
Cash flow from operating activities 29 percent (25)

^{* Number of shares outstanding has been adjusted for the rights issue completed on October 11, 2022.}
^{For further information refer to Data per share on page 21.}
^{** Includes STANLEY Security’s 12 months adjusted estimated EBITDA.}

Comments from the President and CEO

“Strong margin development in North America and Europe“

In a period of global macroeconomic uncertainty, we delivered yet another strong quarter with 11 percent (6) organic sales growth and an operating margin of 6.6 percent (5.8). We recorded 12 percent real sales growth in our technology and solutions business, excluding STANLEY Security, demonstrating that we are on the right track. Overall, organic sales growth in the Group continued to be driven primarily by price increases, although volume growth was good within technology and solutions and in the airport security business.

The operating margin improved to 6.6 percent (5.8), driven by North America and Europe with the contribution from the STANLEY Security acquisition and related cost benefits, together with strong growth and margin development in our technology and solutions business.

Our integration and value creation processes with STANLEY Security are progressing according to plan. We have realized substantial cost benefits in our Technology business primarily in North America, and expect further benefits over the coming quarters. We see significant client interest in our strengthened offering and have material commercial synergy opportunities in our sales pipeline.

Within our security services business we maintain sharp focus on quality and actively managing contracts with lower profitability. These efforts are progressing well throughout the Group, and especially in Europe the profitability improved as a result. In Europe, we saw strong margin development, also compared to the first quarter of 2023, as start-up costs in the airport security business were reduced and cost control improved. Furthermore, we were on par with price increases and wage costs in the Group in the first half year.

During the summer we were glad to announce that we have extended and expanded our global security services contract and partnership with a leading global technology company.

The Group’s operating cash flow was 46 percent (53) of the operating result in the second quarter. The first half year is normally weaker from a seasonality perspective, and we continue to have a high cash flow focus across the business to ensure a healthy full-year outcome.

TRANSFORMING IN LINE WITH OUR STRATEGY

Leadership in technology and solutions as well as in digital capabilities are core to the execution of our strategy. With STANLEY Security we are number two in the global security technology market and the combined solutions offering is truly unique. The transformation programs we have implemented in North America and are implementing in Europe and Ibero-America fundamentally shift our digital capabilities as a company, di-gitalizing our clients, people, operational and financial processes end-to-end.

A central part of the transformation program in Europe is the creation of a specialized solutions organization that is now in place, delivering solutions sales and profit growth. As communicated earlier, we have decided to delay parts of the program that relate to systems integration with the STANLEY integration to maximize cost efficiency and benefits. We expect to conclude these activities during 2024.

On July 25, we divested our entire operation in Argentina due to the weak macroeconomic prospects and challenging business environment in combination with a limited opportunity to execute our long-term strategy with healthy financial performance. As part of our strategy we continue to assess our business mix and presence to further sharpen our performance and position as the leading security solutions and technology company.

We are executing according to plan while at the same time going through a period of extensive transformation – with modernization and digitalization of our business, integration of STANLEY Security and further sharpening the business. We still have a lot of work ahead of us but with our new capabilities, we are very well positioned to deliver superior value as the new Securitas.

Magnus Ahlqvist
President and CEO

FINANCIAL INFORMATION CALENDAR

November 7, 2023, app. 1.00 p.m. (CET)
Interim Report
January–September 2023

February 7, 2024, 8 a.m. (CET)
Full-Year Report
January–December 2023

For further information regarding Securitas’ IR activities, refer to
www.securitas.com/en/investors/ financial-calendar/

PRESENTATION OF THE INTERIM REPORT

Analysts and media are invited to participate in a telephone conference on July 28, 2023, at 2.30 p.m. (CEST) where President and CEO Magnus Ahlqvist and CFO Andreas Lindback will present the report and answer questions. The telephone conference will also be audio cast live via Securitas’ website www.securitas.com

To follow the audio cast of the telephone conference via the web, please follow the link www.securitas.com/en/investors/webcasts-and-audiocasts/

A recorded version of the audio cast will be available at www.securitas.com/en/investors/webcasts-and-audiocasts/ after the telephone conference.

For further information, please contact:
Micaela Sjökvist, Vice President, Investor Relations +46 76 116 7443

ABOUT SECURITAS

Securitas is a world-leading safety and security solutions partner that helps make your world a safer place. Almost nine decades of deep experience means we see what others miss. By leveraging technology in partnership with our clients, combined with an innovative, holistic approach, we’re transforming the security industry. With 358 000 employees in 45 markets, we see a different world and create sustainable value for our clients by protecting what matters most – their people and assets.

Group financial targets
Securitas has four financial targets:

8–10 percent technology and solutions annual average real sales growth
8 percent Group operating margin by year-end 2025, with a >10 percent long-term operating margin ambit-ion
A net debt to EBITDA ratio below 3.0x
An operating cash flow of 70–80 percent of operating income before amortization

Securitas AB (publ.)
P.O. Box 12307, SE-102 28 Stockholm, Sweden

Visiting address:
Lindhagensplan 70

Telephone: +46 10 470 30 00

Corporate registration number: 556302–7241

www.securitas.com

This is information that Securitas AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation.
The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above,
at 1.00 p.m. (CEST) on Friday, July 28, 2023.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1062/3810931/2208582.pdf

Q22023_eng_final_230728

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Blockchain Press Releases

Market Eyes “Crypto President” Inauguration as BTC Tumbles at $100K: Bybit and Block Scholes Analysis

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

CISION (PR Newswire)

market-eyes-“crypto-president”-inauguration-as-btc-tumbles-at-$100k:-bybit-and-block-scholes-analysis

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has released the latest crypto derivatives report, published weekly with Blocks Scholes. Noting BTC’s retreat from the $100k mark a week into the new year, the analysis showed on-risk assets including crypto bore the brunt of broader macro factors. Past week’s data indicates heightened uncertainty in market dynamics ahead of Trump’s anticipated Jan. 21 inauguration, highlighting shifting investor sentiment during this significant political transition.

Key Insights:

Perpetuals Took a Winter Break: The perpetual swap market experienced a notable decline in liquidity over the holidays, with trading volumes winding down throughout Dec. 2024, leading to decreased realized volatility across the market. Notably, open interest maintained stability compared to levels preceding the great expiration of options contracts in Dec. 2024, indicating conservative positioning and limited hedging activity in perpetual swap markets.

Wide Disparity Between 30-Day Implied Volatility and 7-Day Realized Volatility: ETH’s options markets signalled an unmistakable preference for call options. In contrast, BTC’s open interest is rebalancing after the expiration in Dec. 2024. Both ETH and BTC have experienced notable changes in their term structures heading into the new year. The sharp divergence between implied and realized volatility is at its largest since the U.S. elections, suggesting that options traders are paying a premium to price in a higher level of risk or volatility despite the calm at the surface.

ETH Calls Gaining Traction

There has been a reshuffling in ETH open interest. While put options still hold sway in terms of total volume, call contracts have seen an uptick after Dec. However, the optimism comes with a caveat—the decline in realized volatility in the year so far has given options traders pause. The volatility term structure has steepened further, with short-term volatility (measured at a 30-day tenor) still sitting more than 15 points above its realized counterpart. This gap is the widest since the pre-election period of 2024, when geopolitical uncertainty fueled volatility premiums. Today, however, the premium seems driven more by general speculation than by any specific event. Even as the market settles, investors remain cautious, signaling looming uncertainty.

Access the Full Report here.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk /#BybitResearch

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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Blockchain Press Releases

HTX 2025 Outlook: Five Sectors to Look Forward to, and How Trump’s Policy Will Affect Crypto Industry

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

CISION (PR Newswire)

htx-2025-outlook:-five-sectors-to-look-forward-to,-and-how-trump’s-policy-will-affect-crypto-industry

SINGAPORE, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The year 2024 marks a significant chapter in the history of the crypto industry, where we witnessed continuous breakthroughs in blockchain technology, surges in Bitcoin price, and a gradually more open regulatory environment, with cryptocurrencies gaining increasing recognition from the mainstream. As 2025 unfolds, HTX, the world’s leading digital asset exchange, has released its latest report, HTX 2024 Global Web3 Blockchain Ecosystem Review and 2025 Outlook, which provides forward-looking insights into the development prospects of the crypto industry.

Key Sectors for 2025

In the report, HTX highlighted five key sectors that showed encouraging progress last year, and will continue to closely monitor these areas in 2025.

Bitcoin Ecosystem

In 2024, Bitcoin’s market dominance kept increasing, solidifying its position as the core asset, with spot ETFs acting as liquidity channels, and U.S. listed companies such as MicroStrategy (MSTR) serving as the vehicles to absorb unlimited dollar liquidity.

As a result, it is increasingly essential to further develop Bitcoin’s ecosystem and enhance capital utilization efficiency. With strong support from macro markets and infrastructure support, a further surge in Bitcoin demand over the next two years is well-anticipated.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure remained a cornerstone in 2024’s crypto investments and funding. The synergy between capital and technology has driven the rapid development of Layer 1, Layer 2, and middleware projects, among others.

Layer 1 solutions, in particular, now represent the focal point of technical development and exploration within the crypto space, and it is expected to remain a priority for development resources and capital investment in the future.

Meme Coins

The Meme coin sector emerged as a hotspot in 2024, fostering community consensus while integrating with fields like DeFi and GameFi to create new use cases. As the crypto market environment grows increasingly favorable, more retail investors are expected to enter the market, positioning Meme projects as vital channels for capital inflows.

In 2024, the intersection of Crypto and AI sector has been driving the exploration of several segmented fields, the hottest one of which is AI agents. In the future, AI agents will gradually become personal butlers and assistants for users, serving them with comprehensive capabilities. Over time, they may develop unique cultures and religions.

This deep integration of AI and encryption technology is a groundbreaking evolution that is unattainable within Web2 and cannot be achieved by Web3 relying solely on encryption technology.

TON Ecosystem

Attributable to Telegram’s hundreds of millions of users and robust technical support, the TON ecosystem achieved significant milestones in various fields, pioneering the monetization of Web2 social applications through crypto. Moving into 2025, it needs to explore and find new business models to improve user retention and identify its next growth curve.

Donald Trump Effect: Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Worth Anticipating

The report also discusses the potential impact of crypto-friendly policies that could arise after Donald Trump takes office. Two important bills, the FIT21 Act and the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, are likely to pass more quickly thanks to him.

The FIT21 Act aims to create a clear legal framework for token issuance and trading by classifying tokens as digital assets or digital commodities, transferring the regulatory responsibilities of many blockchain projects from the SEC to the CFTC, and introducing a safe harbor mechanism. This would help standardize and promote the healthy growth of the entire industry.

The Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises, if passed, would mark Bitcoin’s transition from a niche asset to a nationally recognized reserve asset, greatly enhancing its legitimacy and recognition. It may also prompt other countries to adopt similar measures to further advance Bitcoin’s global recognition and application.

The Act was submitted to Congress for deliberation on August 4, 2024, and referred to the Senate Banking Committee for review. Trump is well-positioned to push this bill through. Meanwhile, several U.S. states have already proposed their own Bitcoin Strategic Reserve bills. By 2025, Bitcoin as a strategic reserve may become a reality.

Additionally, under Trump’s presidency, the SAB121 Act is likely to be repealed, allowing traditional financial institutions to hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets, further accelerating the institutionalization of crypto assets and contributing to the overall maturity of the crypto market. The SEC’s application criteria of the Howey Test may also be relaxed, increasing the likelihood of more spot crypto ETFs being approved and more public listings of crypto companies.

Meanwhile, the report also provides a comprehensive summary of 2024, looking back on the key events that had a major impact on the crypto industry while summing up what HTX had achieved over the last year.

To learn more, please visit: https://square.htx.com/htx-2024-global-web3-blockchain-ecosystem-review-and-2025-outlook/

About HTX

Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

As a world-leading gateway to Web3, we harbor global capabilities that enable us to provide users with safe and reliable services.

Our growth strategy – “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance”, underpins our commitment to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

Contact Details

Ruder Finn Asia
[email protected]

Company Website
https://www.htx.com

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Blockchain Press Releases

Vietnam’s Youth Rally Behind Blockchain: KuCoin Reveals Groundbreaking Insights at VTIS 2024

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

CISION (PR Newswire)

vietnam’s-youth-rally-behind-blockchain:-kucoin-reveals-groundbreaking-insights-at-vtis-2024

HANOI, Vietnam, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to share the findings from its second edition of the KuCoin Campus Survey, conducted during the Vietnam Technology & Investment Summit (VTIS) 2024. With 926 participants surveyed from December 3rd to December 4th, 2024, the results underscore the vibrant interest in blockchain technologies among Vietnam’s youth, reinforcing KuCoin’s commitment to nurturing this vital market.

The survey, a key initiative under KuCoin Campus, highlights a strong, positive sentiment towards cryptocurrencies, with 92% of participants optimistic about the future of digital assets. Remarkably, 82% of respondents are considering blockchain-related careers, signaling a burgeoning talent pool eager for development and opportunities within the industry.

Vietnam’s strategic importance to both KuCoin and the broader crypto community is evident as 68% of participants expressed a “very high interest” in blockchain, making it a critical hub for crypto innovations and community engagement. Additionally, 73% of respondents currently hold cryptocurrencies, demonstrating a mature market ready for further expansion and adoption.

The survey also uncovered a significant inclination towards diverse blockchain roles, with data analysis (24%), marketing (22%), and business development (21%) being the most coveted. These insights are invaluable as they highlight the areas of highest potential and interest among the future workforce.

“Vietnam has been and will continue to be a key market for us,” said Alicia Kao, the Managing Director of KuCoin. “As the People’s Exchange, we are committed to empowering and equipping this new generation with the tools they need to succeed in the evolving digital landscape.”

View the full report here (EN version, VN Version), or visit KuCoin’s official website for further information.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is one of the pioneering and most globally recognized technology platforms supporting digital economies, built on a robust foundation of cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure, liquidity solutions, and an exceptional user experience. With a connected user base exceeding 37 million worldwide, KuCoin offers comprehensive digital asset solutions across wallets, trading, wealth management, payments, research, ventures, and AI-powered bots. KuCoin has garnered accolades such as “Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges” by Forbes and has been recognized among the “Top 50 Global Unicorns” by Hurun in 2024. These recognitions reflect its commitment to user-centric principles and core values, which include integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

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