In a challenging market environment dominated by inflation and rising interest rates, SIX continues its positive operational trend and expects a revenue growth of approximately 3% at constant currencies for the full year 2023. Profitability at EBITDA level is expected to increase by 6%-7% at constant currencies, underlining the successful strategy and diversified business model of SIX.
On the back of the share price decline at Worldline, SIX will recognize a non-cash value adjustment of approximately CHF 860mn in the fourth quarter 2023 on its 10.5% stake in the European payments provider. The participation in Worldline is a strategic investment for SIX, with Worldline being a key partner in its payments offering for Swiss banks in particular. In 2018, the sale of SIX Payment Services to Worldline resulted in a positive one-off effect of CHF 2.7bn for SIX whilst significantly strengthening its equity capital.
Furthermore, as a result of increased discount rates as well as lower trading volumes in Spain and in Europe, SIX will recognize a non-cash charge in the fourth quarter 2023 of approximately CHF 340mn relating to an impairment of goodwill attributed to the BME group. BME contributes significantly to the operational and financial success of SIX and remains critical to the growth strategy and competitive position of the group.
Continued strong capital position
As a result of the above factors, SIX expects to report a negative group net result in the range of CHF 1.0-1.1bn for 2023. The value adjustments will not affect the strong free cash flow generation in 2023, and the capital position of SIX remains strong. The company’s projected equity ratio at year-end after value adjustments will remain above 60%, with a net leverage ratio of approximately 1.5x EBITDA.
For the financial year 2023, the SIX Board of Directors expects to propose a slightly higher dividend than the CHF 5.10 per share paid out in 2023 for the year 2022.
SIX will announce its 2023 full-year results on 13 March 2024.
Disclaimer
This media release of SIX Group Ltd ("the Company") includes statements that reflect the Company's intentions, beliefs or current expectations and projections about future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, strategies, opportunities and the business environment in which the Company and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "Group") operate. Such forward-looking statements include opinions and events that are not historical facts. The Company has attempted to identify these statements by the use of words such as "may", "will", "should", "expects", "intends", "estimates" and similar expressions. Such statements are made on the basis of estimates and expectations that may prove to be incorrect and could cause the actual results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects and opportunities of the Company or the Group or the markets that the Group serves or intends to serve to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.
In light of these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements in making investment decisions. The Company and the Group, its directors, officers, employees and advisors expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this media release or to announce any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such forward-looking statement is based or relied upon, except as required by applicable law or regulation.