[ad_1]
Here is a point-by-point summary of the report:
Results and orders below expectations. Elekta’s profit at the EBIT level was SEK 664 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020/2021 (648). According to the Infront compilation, 696 million were expected. Sales reached 3,581 million SEK (3,656), here 3,505 million were expected. Order bookings amounted to SEK 3,954 million (4,276), which was expected to be 4,110 million.
Higher costs in the supply chain drove margins. Elekta’s gross margin in the third quarter of 38.7 (42.0) ended clearly below expectations. The company saw pressure on margins during the quarter and is aiming, among other things, for higher logistics costs. “What we have seen is that there are higher logistics costs. We can still have access to customers, but there are higher costs in both logistics and supplier costs, ”says Gustaf Salford, CEO of Elekta. The more expensive logistics costs are expected to persist in the fourth quarter.
Growth exceeded expectations in fixed currency. In fixed currency, Elekta’s sales grew 7 percent, more than analysts’ expectations of 3.1 percent. “We had more activity in sales and marketing after almost a year of working remotely,” says the Elekta manager. The company expects lower costs in the future for travel and conferences thanks to digitization and new ways of working.
Continuous impact Forward of the pandemic. Elekta’s fourth quarter will also be affected by the covid-19 pandemic. “Especially then in emerging countries and parts of Europe, but I am still very optimistic about the future and next year when we see that the vaccine has taken effect. I can also see that we have had a very good trip in China when the situation has normalized. I also think we will see it in many other regions over the next year and beyond, ”says Gustaf Salford.
Underlying cancer care needs. Elekta has also drawn attention to the fact that many cancer patients have not received care during the pandemic, creating an underlying need for radiation therapy treatments.
No forecast for the full year 2020/2021. Elekta still chooses not to provide a forecast due to the current uncertainty related to the pandemic. “We expect the pandemic to continue to impact and disrupt cancer care globally, but we are confident that long-term trends will support continued investment by clients in advanced radiation therapy equipment,” said CEO Gustaf Salford.
