Swiss Post’s results for the first half of 2020 are significantly lower than the same period last year. Swiss Post generated Group profit of 30 million francs in the first six months, 163 million francs down on the previous year’s figure. Operating profit (EBIT) stood at 61 million francs in the first half of the year, 208 million lower than the same period in 2019. The decline in the interim results is primarily due to the fall in volumes in letter business and over-the-counter transactions, lower net interest income at PostFinance and effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic. For example, PostBus is still a long way from achieving normal passenger numbers. On the other hand, the pandemic has had a positive impact on online business, resulting in a significant rise in volumes year-on-year. However, the increase in parcels could not financially offset the negative effects on the Group result.

Coronavirus accelerates major developments in the core business

The coronavirus pandemic has shown how important Swiss Post is for the universal service in Switzerland – particularly in logistics. Alex Glanzmann, Head of Finance at Swiss Post, underlines this point: “I’ve been impressed by the huge commitment shown by our employees. They and, in turn, Swiss Post have successfully provided key services for the whole of Switzerland under challenging conditions due to the social distancing regulations in force.”

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated key trends in Swiss Post’s core markets. This is clearly illustrated by volumes in the parcel market, which rose by around 22 percent in the first six months year-on-year. From January to the end of June, Swiss Post processed just under 87 million parcels, whereas the figure stood at 71 million for the same period last year. 17 million parcels were processed in April 2020 alone – the highest figure for a single month in Swiss Post’s 170-year history. PostLogistics posted operating profit of 108 million francs for the first half of the year, which is 40 million francs higher than the previous year’s figure. This increase was mainly attributable to the rise in parcel volumes, but also the insurance benefits received and the release of provisions in relation to the attack on a van transporting cash in 2019. However, this upturn on the logistics market did not offset the negative effects on the other markets.

The coronavirus outbreak has also accelerated the trend of digitization – resulting in declines in the letter business (–7.8 percent in addressed letters). In particular, there was a sharp fall in promotional mailing volumes. This led to a decline in revenue of 72 million francs in addressed letters and unaddressed items. PostMail recorded operating profit of 110 million francs for the first half of 2020, down 84 million francs year-on-year.

Similarly, PostalNetwork experienced declines in its core business in letters (–11 percent) and payment transactions at branches (–15 percent). However, its operating result improved by one million francs because a provision of 20 million francs was set aside due to an organizational development in the previous year. PostalNetwork generated an operating result of –72 million francs in the first half of 2020.

The global impact of the coronavirus crisis also hit customers of Swiss Post Solutions. This meant the unit generated operating profit of 8 million francs, which was 9 million francs lower than the previous year’s figure. SPS acquired new customers despite the crisis.

In addition, PostBus was severely hit by negative coronavirus effects. It reduced its transport services significantly after the Federal Council’s recommendation to the Swiss people in March that public transport should be avoided as far as possible. The led to a slump in demand and revenue, which saw transport income fall by 17.8 percent year-on-year. Demand has now risen again sharply even though the Postbuses’ utilized capacity has still not returned to pre-coronavirus levels.

PostFinance’s operating profit decreased by 86 million francs year-on-year, falling to 60 million francs. The main reason for the decline is interest income, which fell by 31 million francs due to ongoing low interest rates. Given this situation, Swiss Post particularly welcomes the Federal Council’s intention to lift the ban on loans and mortgages to secure PostFinance’s business and competitiveness long-term. Revenue from cash transactions over-the-counter and at ATMs also fell sharply due to the coronavirus crisis. In addition, trading portfolio assets saw no substantial conversion gains from cash withdrawals in foreign currencies and from the use of credit cards as a result of the restrictions on travel for customers.

Pandemic has shown that Swiss Post needs to continue to evolve

The financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic on Swiss Post’s results are significant, with the interim results hit by a negative effect of around 120 million francs. “The effects of coronavirus will also have an impact in the second half of the year. Based on the current pandemic situation, we currently expect the negative financial effects of the coronavirus crisis to be lower in the second half of the year than in the first six months,” says Alex Glanzmann. “Irrespective of this, Swiss Post remains on a strong and financially stable footing,” underlines Swiss Post’s Head of Finance. “This means it can finance the investments required for the new ‘Swiss Post of tomorrow’ strategy with its own resources.” The challenges presented by the pandemic have made clear that Swiss Post must evolve rapidly to avoid reaching its limits as it faces up to future developments. Such rapid evolution is additionally required to ensure the provision of services for the Swiss people and Swiss economy in future and to finance them from its own resources.

 Here is the link to the press release on the new “Swiss Post of tomorrow” strategy from 14 May 2020.

Documents:

Key figures:

Group key figures

Key figures	Unit	Full-year 2019	1st half of 2019	1st half of 2020
Operating income	CHF million	7’164	3’589 [1]	3’385
Operating profit (EBIT) [2]	CHF million	450 [1]	269	61
Group profit	CHF million	255	193	30
Total assets	CHF million	132’544	125’592 [1]	143’402
Equity	CHF million	6’834	6’989 [1]	6’605
Investments	CHF million	471	195	160
Headcount at Swiss Post Group	FTEs [3]	39’670	39’444	39’171

 

¹ ↑ The figures have been adjusted (details are provided in the Interim Report, see notes to the 2020 Group interim financial statements, Accounting changes).
² ↑ The operating profit corresponds to the result before net non-operating financial income and taxes (EBIT).
³ ↑ FTEs = full-time equivalents. Average headcount expressed in terms of full-time equivalents, excluding trainees.

 

Selected key figures per segment

30 June 2020	Segment	Operating income (CHF million)	Operating profit (CHF million) [1]
Communication market	PostMail	1’211	110
Communication market	Swiss Post Solutions	271	8
Communication market	PostalNetwork	305	-72
Logistics market	PostLogistics	919	108
Financial services market	PostFinance	748	60
Passenger transport market	PostBus	393	-33

 

30 June 2019	Segment	Operating income (CHF million)	Operating profit (CHF million) [1]
Communication market	PostMail	1’312	194
Communication market	Swiss Post Solutions	303	17
Communication market	PostalNetwork	343	-73
Logistics market	PostLogistics	836 [2]	68
Financial services market	PostFinance	846	146
Passenger transport market	PostBus	414	-10

 

¹ ↑ The operating profit corresponds to the result before net non-operating financial income and taxes (EBIT).
² ↑ The figures have been adjusted (details are provided in the Interim Report, see notes to the 2020 Group interim financial statements, Accounting changes).

 

PostFinance Ltd key figures

Key figures	Unit	Full-year 2019	1st half of 2019	1st half of 2020
Number of customers	In thousands	2’738	2’779	2’706
Customer assets	CHF million	119’660	119’575	121’410
Non interest-sensitive customer assets	CHF million	12’808	11’910	12’981
Mortgages [1]	CHF million	5’965	5’905	6’006
Development of customer assets	CHF million	246	161	1’750
Headcount	FTEs [2]	3’243	3’233	3’238

 

¹ ↑ In cooperation with partner banks.
² ↑ FTEs = full-time equivalents. Average headcount expressed in terms of full-time equivalents. Headcount at PostFinance parent company.

 

Information:

Swiss Post Media Unit, Denise Birchler, 058 341 10 55, presse@swisspost.ch