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URW presents ‘A Platform for Growth’ 2025-28 business plan
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 06:15
Core Viewpoint - URW has unveiled its 2025-28 business plan titled 'A Platform for Growth', targeting annual EBITDA growth of 5.80-6.60% during this period [1][2]. Financial Targets - The company aims for a Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of approximately 8.0x and a Loan-to-Value ratio of around 40% by 2028 [2][23]. - URW plans to distribute at least €3.1 billion in cumulative shareholder distributions from fiscal years 2025 to 2028, with a proposed distribution of €4.50 per share for fiscal year 2025, representing a 30% increase from 2024 [2][26]. Growth Drivers - The growth strategy is supported by dominant flagship retail assets in high-income markets in Europe and the US, which are expected to drive strong organic growth above indexation [3][10]. - Retail media expansion through Westfield Rise is anticipated to contribute significantly, with net income projected to reach €180 million by 2028, a 56% increase compared to 2024 [5][13]. - New licensing business revenues are expected to reach €25-35 million in annualized EBITDA by 2028, enhancing the Westfield brand's international presence [4][16]. Capital Allocation and Project Deliveries - URW has planned disposals of €2.2 billion in 2025 and early 2026, with €1 billion already secured, which will support disciplined capital allocation and cover capex requirements [5][17]. - Annual capex is projected to normalize at approximately €600 million from 2026 onwards, funded through organic cash flow generation [5][18]. Rental Income and Market Position - The company targets like-for-like Net Rental Income (NRI) growth of 260-330 basis points above indexation from 2025 to 2028, driven by increased footfall, sales intensity, and market share gains [8][10]. - URW's flagship Westfield destinations outperform peers in sales intensity by 26%, benefiting from prime locations and high customer traffic of over 900 million visits annually [9][28]. Deleveraging Strategy - By 2028, URW aims to reduce its Net Debt/EBITDA ratio to approximately 8.0x from 9.5x in 2024, supported by planned disposals and disciplined capital allocation [23][24].
FirstCash to Acquire H&T Group, the Leading Operator of Pawnshops in the United Kingdom
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 06:15
Core Viewpoint - FirstCash is strategically entering the UK market by acquiring H&T Group plc, enhancing its geographic diversification and growth opportunities while strengthening its position as a global leader in pawn operations [1][2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - FirstCash will pay 650 pence per share for H&T, totaling approximately £297 million or $394 million USD, including a final dividend of 11 pence per share [1]. - The acquisition has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is subject to H&T's shareholder approval and regulatory approvals in the UK [5]. Group 2: Strategic and Financial Benefits - The acquisition expands FirstCash's geographic footprint into the UK, creating the largest publicly traded pawn platform across the U.S., Latin America, and the UK [2][6]. - H&T's established brand and network of 285 stores will enhance FirstCash's scale and operational efficiencies, unlocking further growth opportunities in the UK and potentially other European markets [6]. - The transaction is expected to be meaningfully accretive to EBITDA and EPS, strengthening FirstCash's financial profile and long-term shareholder value [6]. Group 3: Leadership and Management - H&T's experienced management team will provide local expertise, positioning FirstCash to drive strong execution and continued momentum in the UK market [6].
AB “Ignitis grupė” Strategic Plan 2025–2028: paving the way towards 100% green and secure energy ecosystem
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 06:03
Core Viewpoint - Ignitis Group has published its Strategic Plan for 2025–2028, focusing on creating a 100% green and secure energy ecosystem for future generations [1] Group's Green Capacities Portfolio - The Group aims to expand its Green Capacities Portfolio to 4–5 GW by 2030, enhancing energy security and contributing to surplus green energy production [2] - The target is to double installed Green Capacities to 2.6–3.0 GW by 2028, up from 1.4 GW in 2024, with a current total of 8.4 GW, including 3.1 GW of Secured Capacity [3] Electricity Supply and EV Charging Network - The Group plans to increase electricity supply from 6.7 TWh in 2024 to 9.0–11.0 TWh by 2028, while also developing a leading EV fast-charging network in the Baltics [4] Financial Investments and Targets - Planned investments for 2025–2028 range from EUR 3.0–4.0 billion, with 85–90% aligned with EU Taxonomy [6] - Approximately 59% of these investments (EUR 1.7–2.4 billion) will focus on developing Green Capacities, while 36% (EUR 1.2–1.3 billion) will be directed towards electricity distribution network expansion [7] Financial Performance Expectations - Investments are expected to generate EUR 600–680 million in Adjusted EBITDA by 2028, an increase from EUR 527.9 million in 2024, with a target of 70–75% sustainable Adjusted EBITDA share [8] - The average Adjusted ROCE is projected to be between 6.5–7.5% during 2025–2028 [8] Credit Rating and Dividend Policy - The Group aims to maintain a credit rating of 'BBB' or above, with a commitment to a minimum of 3% annual dividend growth, resulting in a projected dividend yield of 6.4%–7.0% for the 2025–2028 period [9] Sustainability Goals - The Group targets net zero emissions by 2040–2050, with a focus on reducing carbon intensity of Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions to 190 g CO2-eq/kWh by 2028, representing a 5% reduction from 2024 [10]
Changes to the Agenda and Draft Resolutions of the Annual General Meeting of AS Ekspress Grupp on 23 May 2025
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 06:00
Core Points - AS Ekspress Grupp is convening its Annual General Meeting on 23 May 2025, with an amended agenda due to the resignation of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board [1][2] - Shareholders have submitted additional draft resolutions regarding the election, remuneration, and recall of Supervisory Board members [1][2] Agenda Items - Approval of the 2024 annual report for the financial year from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 [3] - Approval of the profit distribution proposal for 2024, distributing EUR 3.25 million, with dividends of 6 euro cents per share, payable on 12 June 2025 [4][9] - Election of Mr. Ülar Maapalu and Mr. Argo Virkebau as members of the Supervisory Board for a five-year term until 23 May 2030 [5] - Setting the monthly fee for Supervisory Board members at EUR 2000 (gross) and for the Chairman at EUR 4500 (gross) [6] - Recall of Triin Hertmann and Hans Luik from the Supervisory Board [10] Comments and Strategic Insights - Hans H. Luik, the founder and majority shareholder, emphasized the need for media companies to negotiate rights agreements with major international players due to emerging opportunities in content distribution [8] - Luik expressed gratitude to outgoing Chairman Priit Rohumaa and member Triin Hertmann for their contributions [12] - AS Ekspress Grupp is a leading Baltic media group involved in web media content production, publishing, and ticket sales, employing nearly 1,100 people [12]
Report on Payments to Governments
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 06:00
Core Viewpoint - Kenmare Resources plc has published its Report on Payments to Governments for the financial year ended 31 December 2024, detailing payments made to the Government of Mozambique related to its mining operations at the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine [2][3]. Company Overview - Kenmare Resources plc is a leading global producer of titanium minerals and zircon, operating the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine in northern Mozambique, which accounts for approximately 6% of global titanium feedstocks [5][22]. - The company is incorporated in Ireland and has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange, with a secondary listing on Euronext Dublin [5]. Regulatory Compliance - The report complies with the Transparency Regulations, Companies Act 2014, and UK Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, ensuring transparency in payments made to governments [4]. Payment Analysis - The report categorizes payments made to the Government of Mozambique, including taxes, royalties, and fees, with a total payment of $20,323,000 for the year 2024 [21]. - Specific payments include $9,921,000 in taxes, $10,087,000 in royalties, and $315,000 in fees [21]. Operational Structure - The mining operations at the Moma Mine are conducted by Kenmare Moma Mining (Mauritius) Limited and processing by Kenmare Moma Processing (Mauritius) Limited, both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Kenmare [6][9]. - The Group's corporate costs are recorded by the parent company, which does not engage in direct exploration or mining activities [7]. Financial Metrics - For the fiscal year ending 31 December 2024, the margin applied to cash costs of mining was 50.5%, as stipulated in the Mineral Licensing Contract with the Government of Mozambique [12]. - KMML is subject to a mining royalty of 3% based on HMC sold to KMPL, while KMPL pays a revenue royalty of 1% on recognized revenue [13][16]. Community Contributions - The report highlights the Group's contributions to local communities, although specific payments for infrastructure improvements are excluded from the report [10][17].
Com4 selects Nokia 5G Standalone Core to power global IoT services
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 06:00
Core Insights - Com4 has selected Nokia as the main supplier for its new 5G Standalone Core to enhance global IoT services, addressing the increasing demand for low-latency and high-bandwidth connectivity [1][6] - Nokia's 5G Core solution supports all radio access technologies from 2G to 5G SA, ensuring backward compatibility and enabling next-generation capabilities [2][3] - The deployment of Nokia's full-stack Core strengthens Com4's ability to serve enterprise customers and reinforces Nokia's role as a key technology partner in the evolution of IoT connectivity [4] Company Overview - Com4 is a full MVNO and part of the Wireless Logic Group, focusing on providing IoT connectivity solutions across various industries, including energy, transport, health, and security [1][9] - Com4 aims to deliver secure, reliable, and scalable IoT services globally, leveraging Nokia's technology to meet the growing demand for connected devices [6][9] Technological Features - Nokia's 5G Standalone Core includes advanced features such as support for LPWA technologies (LTE-M, NB-IoT, and RedCap), SIM-level service control, and multi-IMSI functionality for network redundancy [7] - The platform offers appliance-based edge gateways for localized deployment, advanced MPLS support for scalable IP/MPLS integration, and full API support for automation and orchestration of advanced B2B services [7][8]
First three months 2025 interim report: strong performance and strategic plan execution marked by the launch of Kelmė wind farm I. Full-year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA and Investments guidance reiterated
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 06:00
Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was EUR 188.5 million, reflecting a 3.7% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by the Green Capacities and Networks segments [2][11] - Investments in Q1 2025 totaled EUR 146.5 million, a decrease of 30.1% year-over-year, with 48.7% allocated to Green Capacities [3][11] - The FFO LTM/Net Debt ratio decreased by 0.9 percentage points to 28.8% compared to the end of 2024, indicating strong leverage metrics [3][11] Business Development - The Green Capacities portfolio increased to 8.4 GW, with secured capacity at 3.1 GW and installed capacity at 1.4 GW [4] - Key milestones included the completion of Kelmė WF I (114.1 MW) and the acquisition of a hybrid development project (285 MW) in Lithuania [4] - The Networks segment saw investments of EUR 3.5 billion, a 40% increase, with over 1.1 million smart meters installed [5] Sustainability - The Green Share of Generation was 60.7%, a decrease of 19.3 percentage points year-over-year, attributed to higher generation from CCGT [6] - Total GHG emissions in Q1 2025 were 1.43 million t CO2-eq, a 22.8% increase year-over-year, with Scope 1 emissions rising significantly due to new services [7][8] Shareholder Returns and Outlook - A dividend of EUR 0.663 per share was paid for H2 2024, totaling EUR 48.0 million [9] - The company maintains its full-year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of EUR 500–540 million and investment guidance of EUR 700–900 million [10]
From "Manufacturing Overseas" to "Cultural Voyage": STARAY Breaks Boundaries
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 05:57
Core Insights - STARAY is redefining the global perception of Chinese brands through its innovative 3D-printed shoes, showcased in Japan and at the Cannes Film Festival [1][12][11] Company Expansion - STARAY opened its second store in Japan at NambaParks, Osaka, on May 15, 2025, following the debut of a pop-up store and participation in major expos [1][4] - The flagship store in Kitahorie, Osaka, features smart screens displaying real-time operations of 3D printers, enhancing consumer experience [5] Product Innovation - STARAY's shoes utilize a fully lattice hollow structure, providing comfort and functionality for various activities, appealing to both outdoor enthusiasts and office workers [7][8] - The shoes weigh only 190 grams, alleviating foot pressure for commuters who walk an average of 20,000 steps daily [6] Cultural Influence - STARAY's participation as a supporting partner at the "China Night" event during the Cannes Film Festival signifies a shift from product export to cultural dialogue [12][14] - The brand aims to bridge the gap between commerce and civilization by integrating technology with cultural narratives [14][15] Market Strategy - The Japanese market serves as a strategic pivot for STARAY, focusing on building consumer trust through physical store presence [10][11] - The collaboration with the Japanese team reflects a commitment to long-term brand development and cultural resonance [10][14]
Green Notes of AKROPOLIS GROUP, UAB are planned to be listed on Euronext Dublin and Nasdaq Vilnius stock exchanges
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 05:55
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO, OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, THE UNITED STATES OR TO ANY U.S. PERSON, OR IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE THIS DOCUMENT.Following the successful placement of a EUR 350 million green notes issuance with a maturity of 5 years (hereinafter – the Notes) by AKROPOLIS GROUP, UAB (hereinafter – Akropolis Group), the leading shopping and entertainment centre development and management company, th ...
The Agfa-Gevaert Group in Q1 2025: adjusted EBITDA stable versus Q1 2024 – improved mix and good cost control compensated for film market decline
GlobeNewswire· 2025-05-14 05:45
Regulated information May 14, 2025 - 7:45 a.m. CET The Agfa-Gevaert Group in Q1 2025: adjusted EBITDA stable versus Q1 2024 – improved mix and good cost control compensated for film market decline Group performance: continued success of the strategic transformation Improved sales mix between growth engines and mature businesses and good cost control compensated for the negative impact of the market decline for traditional filmAdjusted EBITDA stable versus last year at 2 million euro in a seasonally wea ...