EDENRED : Third-quarter 2021 revenue - Full-year 2021 outlook upgraded, supported by double-digit like-for-like growth in the third quarter

Press release
October 21, 2021

Third-quarter 2021 revenue

Full-year 2021 outlook upgraded, supported by double-digit like-for-like growth in the third quarter

On the back of the success of its innovative solutions and the strong momentum in its direct and indirect sales channels, Edenred’s operating revenue in the third quarter was 13% higher than its 2019 pre-health-crisis baseline year on a like-for-like basis: Operating revenue at €393 million in the third quarter, up 13.6% (+12.7% like-for-like) on third-quarter 2020, and up 13.0% like-for-like on third-quarter 20191 Acceleration in like-for-like growth in the third quarter versus third-quarter 2019 in the Group’s three main regions, after the good performance already reported in first-half 2021 Double-digit like-for-like growth in all business lines compared to third quarter 2019 For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Edenred recorded operating revenue of €1,130 million, up 14% like-for-like on the same period in 2020 and up 11% on the first nine months of 2019 In light of its year-to-date performance and growth momentum, Edenred is confident in its ability to generate full-year 2021 EBITDA in the upper half of its target range (between €620 million and €670 million2, press release dated July 27, 2021), providing there are no new major restrictions as a result of the health crisis. Lastly, assuming no major pandemic surge, Edenred is reinstating the objectives set in its “Next Frontier” 2019-2022 strategic plan: Like-for-like annual operating revenue growth of more than 8% Like-for-like annual EBITDA growth of more than 10% Annual free cash flow/EBITDA conversion rate of more than 65%3 *** Bertrand Dumazy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Edenred, said: “After a good first half, the Group’s strong performance in the third quarter demonstrates the pertinence of our solutions as well as the strength of our sales strategy. Global leader in earmarked funds, the Group’s unrivaled human, commercial, technological and financial strengths will enable it to continue delivering sustainable and profitable growth going forward. Thanks to its investments, Edenred is at the forefront of the sweeping changes affecting the world of work, improving the customer experience and making its products more efficient and user-friendly. For instance, the deployment of our fully digital, plasticless solutions, is in step with the changes in our society and the shift towards a more digital and responsible world. Building on this momentum, we are upgrading our outlook for full-year 2021 and are now expecting EBITDA in the upper half of the target range announced in July. Further, provided there is no major resurgence of Covid-19 resulting in fresh restrictions on our main markets, for 2022 we are reinstating the growth, profitability and cash generation objectives set out in our “Next Frontier” 2019-2022 strategic plan.”

THIRD QUARTER AND NINE-MONTH 2021 TOTAL REVENUE

(in € millions)	Third-quarter 2021	Third-quarter 2020	% change (like-for-like)	% change (reported)
Operating revenue	393	346	+12.7%	+13.6%
Other revenue	11	11	+9.0%	+8.2%
Total revenue	405	357	+12.6%	+13.4%

(in € millions)	First nine months 2021	First nine months 2020	% change (like-for-like)	% change (reported)
Operating revenue	1,130	1,021	+14.4%	+10.7%
Other revenue	32	32	+10.0%	+0.4%
Total revenue	1,162	1,053	+14.3%	+10.4%

• Total revenue
  
  

For the third quarter of 2021, total revenue amounted to €405 million, up 12.6% like-for-like compared with third-quarter 2020. The reported increase was 13.4% and included a favorable currency effect (+1.2%) and a slightly negative scope effect (-0.4%) for the period.

For the first nine months of 2021, total revenue amounted to €1,162 million, a rise of 14.3% like-for-like versus the same period in 2020, and of 10.4% as reported, including a negative exchange rate impact (-3.6%) and a slightly negative currency effect (-0.3%).

• Operating revenue

Operating revenue for third-quarter 2021 came to €393 million, up by 12.7% like-for-like and by 13.6% as reported versus the third quarter of 2020. Compared with third-quarter 2019, Edenred generated double-digit organic growth in each of its business lines and in each of its regions except Hispanic Latin America, which continues to be affected by a challenging health situation.

Posting a like-for-like increase of 13.0% on its 2019 baseline year, Edenred accelerated its growth in third-quarter 2021, after a like-for-like growth of almost 10% in first-half 2021 versus first-half 2019. This performance reflects the dynamism of Edenred’s sales teams as well as the Group’s ability to continuously enhance its portfolio and offer its clients innovative digital solutions.

Operating revenue for the first nine months of 2021 was up by 14.4% like-for-like and by 10.7% as reported compared with the same period in 2020, including a negative exchange rate impact (-3.5%) and a slightly negative currency effect (-0.3%).

• Operating revenue by business line

(in € millions)	Third-quarter 2021	Third-quarter 2020	% change (like-for-like)	% change (reported)
Employee Benefits	233	207	+12.2%	+12.9%
Fleet & Mobility Solutions	110	89	+22.2%	+24.0%
Complementary Solutions	50	51	-1.6%	-1.7%
Total	393	346	+12.7%	+13.6%

(in € millions)	First nine months 2021	First nine months 2020	% change (like-for-like)	% change (reported)
Employee Benefits	682	619	+13.0%	+10.2%
Fleet & Mobility Solutions	300	262	+20.8%	+14.8%
Complementary Solutions	148	140	+8.9%	+5.4%
Total	1,130	1,021	+14.4%	+10.7%

Revenue for the Employee Benefits business line, which accounts for 59% of the Group’s total operating revenue, was €233 million in third-quarter 2021, a 12.2% like-for-like increase year on year (+12.9% as reported).

Revenue for the business line accelerated sharply compared to the third quarter of 2019, up 10.1% like-for-like (+3.3% in the first half). This acceleration was driven by the strong appeal of the virtual canteen solution, as well as by new client wins in the small- and medium-sized business segment. Amidst a more stable health situation in Europe and an improving situation in Brazil, reopenings of partner merchants – and particularly restaurants – also contributed to this performance.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating revenue for the business came to €682 million, up 13.0% like-for-like (+10.2% as reported) compared to the same period in 2020.

In the Fleet & Mobility Solutions business line, which accounts for 28% of the Group’s total operating revenue, operating revenue for third-quarter 2021 amounted to €110 million, up 22.2% like-for-like (+24.0% as reported) compared to third-quarter 2020.

Compared to the third quarter of 2019, the business reported further strong double-digit growth in operating revenue on a like-for-like basis (+18.1%), on a par with first-half 2021 (+17.3% versus first-half 2019). This performance was driven by a robust sales momentum and by the success of the “Beyond Fuel” strategy, integrating services such as maintenance and toll management solutions. The extended coverage of the single European toll box UTA One, which now provides a toll payment solution for 15 countries, illustrates the continuing deployment of this strategy.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating revenue for the business came to €300 million, up 20.8% like-for-like (+14.8% as reported) compared to the same period in 2020.

The Complementary Solutions business line, which includes Corporate Payment Services, Incentive & Rewards Solutions and Public Social Programs, generated operating revenue of €50 million in the third quarter of 2021, up 15.9% like-for-like compared to third-quarter 2019, reflecting the strong momentum in this business line. Development continued apace in Corporate Payment Services, driven in particular by the distribution partnerships signed in North America with several banks (including Citi) and accounting software suppliers (such as Sage for its Sage Intacct solution). However, the volume of transactions remains down on third-quarter 2019 in certain sectors worst affected by the health situation, particularly Hotels.

Compared to the third quarter of 2020, operating revenue for the business was down 1.6% like-for-like (-1.7% as reported), attributable to the fact that in the third quarter of 2020, Edenred had set up several earmarked fund programs to support those worst affected by the pandemic. However, with the end of lockdown periods, some of these programs were terminated, such as those supporting pupils from low-income families in the United Kingdom.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating revenue for the business line came to €148 million, up 8.9% like-for-like (+5.4% as reported) compared to the same period in 2020.

• Operating revenue by region

(in € millions)	Third-quarter 2021	Third-quarter 2020	% change (like-for-like)	% change (reported)
Europe	241	224	+7.0%	+7.5%
Latin America	120	95	+22.0%	+26.2%
Rest of the World	33	27	+27.6%	+19.7%
Total	393	346	+12.7%	+13.6%

(in € millions)	First nine months 2021	First nine months 2020	% change (like-for-like)	% change (reported)
Europe	716	635	+12.3%	+12.6%
Latin America	324	298	+18.7%	+8.9%
Rest of the World	90	88	+15.7%	+2.9%
Total	1,130	1,021	+14.4%	+10.7%

In Europe, operating revenue amounted to €241 million in the third quarter, an increase of 14.8% like-for-like on the third quarter of 2019, and an acceleration after the 11.2% growth recorded in first-half 2021. The increase came to 7.0% like-for-like (+7.5% as reported) versus third-quarter 2020, which represented a high basis of comparison during which Edenred saw a sharp pick-up in business following the strict lockdowns in spring 2020, especially in France, as well as the roll-out of specific Covid-related programs.

Over the nine months to September 30, 2021, Europe accounted for 63% of the Group’s total operating revenue. The region saw operating revenue increase by 12.3% like-for-like (+12.6% as reported) on the first nine months of 2020, and by 12.4% like-for-like on the first nine months of 2019.

In France, operating revenue was up 11.8% like-for-like in the third quarter 2021 on the same period in 2019, a sharp acceleration on the like-for-like growth recorded in first-half 2021. This performance reflects the solid sales momentum of Edenred’s solutions, particularly its Ticket Restaurant, the leading digital solution on the market. Business in France also benefited from users spending the funds they had accumulated during previous lockdowns and/or while restaurants and certain retailers were shut. The introduction of the Covid certificate in France in August had little impact on operating revenue. Compared to third-quarter 2020, operating revenue rose by 2.1% like-for-like and as reported, owing to a particularly tough basis for comparison resulting from the sharp pick-up in business recorded in 2020 (+9.5% versus third-quarter 2019).

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Edenred reported operating revenue of €200 million, up 14.2% like-for-like (+14.2% as reported) compared to the same period in 2020, and up 7.0% like-for-like compared to the first nine months of 2019.

Third-quarter 2021 operating revenue in Europe excluding France was 9.0% higher like-for-like (+9.7% as reported) versus third-quarter 2020. Like-for-like growth compared to the third quarter of 2019 accelerated to 16.0%. This excellent performance was notably driven by the success of the “Beyond Fuel” strategy – a good illustration of which is the single European toll box, UTA One, and by dynamic sales in the small- and medium-sized company segment. The Employee Benefits business also benefited from the easing of health restrictions and the reopening of restaurants.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating revenue for Europe excluding France came to €516 million, up 11.6% like-for-like (+12.0% as reported) compared to the same period in 2020, and up 14.7% like-for-like compared to the first nine months of 2019.

Operating revenue in Latin America came to €120 million for the third quarter, a rise of 22.0% like-for-like and of 26.2% as reported compared to the same period in 2020. This represents a like-for-like increase of 8.7% on the third quarter of 2019, and is an improvement on the growth reported in the first half 2021 versus first-half 2019 (+6.0%).

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating revenue came to €324 million, or 29% of the Group’s total operating revenue, 18.7% higher like-for-like (+8.9% as reported) versus the same period in 2020, and 6.9% higher like-for-like compared to the first nine months of 2019.

In Brazil, operating revenue rose by 22.0% like-for-like in third-quarter 2021 versus third-quarter 2020.

Compared to the third quarter of 2019, Brazil saw double-digit like-for-like growth in operating revenue of 12.1%, a sharp acceleration on the growth recorded in first-half 2021 versus first-half 2019. This performance reflects robust growth in the Fleet & Mobility Solutions, driven notably by the ongoing deployment of maintenance and toll management solutions, along with the promising ramp-up of the partnership with Itaú Unibanco in Employee Benefits. These developments took place amid a gradually improving health situation during the quarter.

Thanks to the acceleration in the third quarter, like-for-like growth in operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 came to 20.3% compared to the first nine months of 2020, and to 9.3% compared to the first nine months of 2019.

In Hispanic Latin America, operating revenue was up 21.9% like-for-like versus third-quarter 2020, reaching its pre-health-crisis level (+0.4% like-for-like versus third-quarter 2019), despite the ongoing challenging health situation in a region where in Mexico for example, schools only reopened in September after being closed for 18 months. In the Fleet & Mobility Solutions, Edenred continued to gradually roll out its “Beyond Fuel” solutions and delivered a solid sales performance.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating revenue for the region rose by 15.2% like-for-like compared to the same period in 2020, and by 1.2% like-for-like compared to the first nine months of 2019.

In the Rest of the World, operating revenue came to €33 million for the third quarter, up 27.6% like-for-like and up 19.7% as reported.

Operating revenue for this region was 19.3% higher like-for-like compared to third-quarter 2019, an acceleration on the growth reported in first-half 2021 versus first-half 2019 (+13.9%). This performance was spurred by the success of fully digital solutions available in Taiwan. In North America, CSI (Corporate Spending Innovations) continued to recover, driven mainly by the ramp-up of its commercial partnerships with several banks, capitalizing on the quality and integration of its corporate payments automation platform, and despite continuing subdued volumes in the Hotels segment.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating revenue came to €90 million, an increase of 15.7% like-for-like (2.9% as reported) versus the same period in 2020, and of 15.8% like-for-like compared to the first nine months of 2019.

• Other revenue

Other revenue totaled €11 million in third-quarter 2021, up 9.0% like-for-like and up 8.2% as reported, benefiting from a slight rise in interest rates in some countries outside Europe. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, other revenue came to €32 million, representing an increase of 10.0% like-for-like (+0.4% as reported).

OUTLOOK

Thanks to its strong sales momentum and the attractiveness of its solutions, in third-quarter 2021 Edenred delivered an acceleration in like-for-like growth versus 2019 in its three main regions, after an already robust growth performance achieved in first-half 2021 versus first-half 2019.

On the strength of this good performance, Edenred is upgrading its outlook for full-year 2021. Edenred is confident in its ability to generate full-year 2021 EBITDA in the upper half of its target range of between €620 million and €670 million (as indicated on July 27, 2021), providing there are no new major restrictions as a result of the health crisis.

Edenred intends to leverage its solid fundamentals in order to continue delivering sustainable and profitable growth beyond 2021. Assuming no further major waves of the pandemic, for 2022 Edenred is reinstating the objectives set in its “Next Frontier” 2019-2022 strategic plan, namely:

• Like-for-like annual operating revenue growth of more than 8%

• Like-for-like annual EBITDA growth of more than 10%

• Annual free cash flow/EBTIDA⁴ conversion rate of more than 65%
  
  

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER

• Edenred and Gecina working to transform the lunch-break experience with the “virtual canteen”

Gecina, Europe’s leading office real estate company, and Edenred, the world leader in
specific-purpose payment solutions, are joining forces to make the lunchtime experience
more flexible for YouFirst brand clients, thanks to its Ticket Restaurant®.

Edenred’s digital solution enables users to eat what they want for lunch, when and where they want, be it in the office, in a restaurant, or at home. Users can make contactless payments using their smartphone in any of the 220,000 Ticket Restaurant^® member establishments, or have their food delivered thanks to Edenred’s partnerships with over 70 meal delivery platforms in France. The ultimate goal of this alliance between the two companies is to provide the 100,000 users of Gecina’s YouFirst brand living spaces with special access to these digital services.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 22, 2022: Full-year 2021 results
April 21, 2022: First-quarter 2022 revenue
May 11, 2022: 2022 General Meeting

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About Edenred

Edenred is a leading digital platform for services and payments and the everyday companion for people at work, connecting over 50 million users and 2 million partner merchants in 46 countries via more than 850,000 corporate clients.

Edenred offers specific-purpose payment solutions for food (such as meal benefits), mobility (such as multi-energy, maintenance, toll, parking and commuter solutions), incentives (such as gift cards, employee engagement platforms) and corporate payments (such as virtual cards).

True to the Group’s purpose, “Enrich connections. For good.”, these solutions enhance users’ well-being and purchasing power. They improve companies’ attractiveness and efficiency, and vitalize the employment market and the local economy. They also foster access to healthier food, more environmentally friendly products and softer mobility.

Edenred’s 10,000 employees are committed to making the world of work a connected ecosystem that is safer, more efficient and more responsible every day.

In 2020, thanks to its global technology assets, the Group managed close to €30 billion in business volume, primarily carried out via mobile applications, online platforms and cards.

Edenred is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and included in the following indices: CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good and MSCI Europe.

The logos and other trademarks mentioned and featured in this press release are registered trademarks of Edenred S.E., its subsidiaries or third parties. They may not be used for commercial purposes without prior written consent from their owners.

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CONTACTS

Communications Department Emmanuelle Châtelain +33 (0)1 86 67 24 36 emmanuelle.chatelain@edenred.com Media Relations Matthieu Santalucia +33 (0)1 86 67 22 63 matthieu.santalucia@edenred.com

Investor Relations Cédric Appert +33 (0)1 86 67 24 99 cedric.appert@edenred.com Loïc Da Silva +33 (0)1 86 67 20 67 loic.dasilva@edenred.com

APPENDICES

Operating revenue

	Q1		Q2		Q3			Year to date
	2021	2020	2021	2020	2021	2020		2021	2020
(in € millions)
Europe	237	228	238	183	241	224		716	635
France	69	70	66	41	65	64		200	175
Rest of Europe	168	158	172	142	176	160		516	460
Latin America	97	121	107	82	120	95		324	298
Rest of the world	29	34	28	27	33	27		90	88
Total	363	383	373	292	393	346		1,130	1,021
	Q1		Q2		Q3			Year to date
	Change reported	Change L/L	Change reported	Change L/L	Change reported	Change L/L		Change reported	Change L/L
In %
Europe	+4.2%	+4.2%	+29.3%	+28.7%	+7.5%	+7.0%		+12.6%	+12.3%
France	-1.4%	-1.4%	+59.6%	+59.6%	+2.1%	+2.1%		+14.2%	+14.2%
Rest of Europe	+6.7%	+6.6%	+20.6%	+19.9%	+9.7%	+9.0%		+12.0%	+11.6%
Latin America	-20.1%	+3.4%	+31.9%	+37.8%	+26.2%	+22.0%		+8.9%	+18.7%
Rest of the World	-13.4%	+0.8%	+6.3%	+22.1%	+19.7%	+27.6%		+2.9%	+15.7%
Total	-5.1%	+3.6%	+27.9%	+30.6%	+13.6%	+12.7%		+10.7%	+14.4%

Other revenue

	Q1		Q2		Q3			Year to date
(in € millions)	2021	2020	2021	2020	2021	2020		2021	2020
Europe	3	4	3	4	3	4		10	12
France	1	2	1	1	1	2		4	5
Rest of Europe	2	2	2	3	2	2		6	7
Latin America	6	7	6	4	6	6		18	17
Rest of the world	1	1	1	1	1	1		4	3
Total	10	12	10	9	11	11		32	32
	Q1		Q2		Q3			Year to date
	Change reported	Change L/L	Change reported	Change L/L	Change reported	Change L/L		Change reported	Change L/L
In %
Europe	-18.2%	-17.6%	-8.2%	-8.8%	-8.6%	-9.6%		-11.9%	-12.2%
France	-10.7%	-10.7%	-6.8%	-6.8%	-7.3%	-7.3%		-8.3%	-8.3%
Rest of Europe	-22.9%	-22.0%	-9.2%	-10.2%	-9.4%	-11.2%		-14.3%	-14.8%
Latin America	-14.9%	+9.5%	+8.6%	+12.7%	+8.4%	+6.3%		-0.1%	+9.4%
Rest of the World	+19.0%	+70.5%	+80.0%	+155.9%	+87.5%	+119.5%		+56.2%	+108.9%
Total	-12.8%	+6.0%	+7.9%	+15.9%	+8.2%	+9.0%		+0.4%	+10.0%

Total revenue

	Q1		Q2		Q3			Year to date
(in € millions)	2021	2020	2021	2020	2021	2020		2021	2020
Europe	240	232	241	187	244	228		726	647
France	70	72	67	42	67	66		204	180
Rest of Europe	170	160	174	145	178	162		522	467
Latin America	103	128	113	86	126	101		342	315
Rest of the world	30	35	30	28	34	28		95	91
Total	373	395	384	301	405	357		1,162	1,053
	Q1		Q2		Q3			Year to date
	Change reported	Change L/L	Change reported	Change L/L	Change reported	Change L/L		Change reported	Change L/L
In %
Europe	+3.8%	+3.8%	+28.6%	+28.0%	+7.3%	+6.8%		+12.2%	+11.9%
France	-1.6%	-1.6%	+57.2%	+57.2%	+1.9%	+1.9%		+13.6%	+13.6%
Rest of Europe	+6.2%	+6.2%	+20.1%	+19.4%	+9.5%	+8.7%		+11.7%	+11.2%
Latin America	-19.8%	+3.7%	+30.5%	+36.3%	+25.1%	+21.0%		+8.3%	+18.2%
Rest of the World	-12.3%	+3.1%	+8.3%	+25.8%	+21.5%	+30.1%		+4.5%	+18.4%
Total	-5.3%	+3.7%	+27.3%	+30.2%	+13.4%	+12.6%		+10.4%	+14.3%

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¹ Like-for-like comparisons with 2019, the pre-health-crisis baseline year, correspond to the sum in euros of growth for the period in 2020 and 2021 based on constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation.
² Based on the assumption of an average Brazilian real/euro exchange rate for 2021 equal to 6.35.
³ Based on constant regulations and methods.
⁴ At constant regulations and methodologies.

Attachment

• 2021 10 21 - Edenred Q3 Revenue PR ENG