SINGAPORE, Feb. 1, 2019 -- Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, reveals that the Lunar New Year holiday has prompted more people to travel in 2019, than in previous years.
With close to 1 million people travelling outside of the country between 2nd and 10th of February, Sabre data demonstrates that the number of airplane seats from Singapore over this festive period have increased by more than 5 percent, in comparison to last year.
With so many destinations to choose from in Asia Pacific for a long week-end, or quick getaway, the top 3 destinations over the holiday are Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Hong Kong.
"As Sabre continues to transform the business of travel, we are pleased to share some of our observations on travel trends. While the travel industry continues to grow, external factors, such as timing, may have contributed to the increase in outbound travel from Singapore. With Lunar New Year falling on a Tuesday and Wednesday, it's highly likely that those passionate for travel took the opportunity to take extended holidays outside of The Red Dot this year," said Rakesh Narayanan, Vice President, Air Line of Business, Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific.
In Singapore, Chinese New Year Rhymes with Travel
About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is the leading technology provider to the global travel industry. Sabre's software, data, mobile and distribution solutions are used by hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotel properties to manage critical operations, including passenger and guest reservations, revenue management, flight, network and crew management. Sabre also operates a leading global travel marketplace, which processes more than US$120 billion of global travel spend annually by connecting travel buyers and suppliers. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.
2363404-1Electrolux Q4 2018 Interim Report: Good Progress in a Challenging Environment
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --
Highlights of the fourth quarter of 2018
- Net sales amounted to SEK 34,425m (32,580). Sales growth was 2.5%, driven by price increases and mix improvements across most business areas.
- Operating income amounted to SEK 1,963m (2,065), corresponding to a margin of 5.7% (6.3). Four business areas achieved above 6% margin.
- Excluding a non-recurring item of SEK +71m relating to the completion of the French antitrust proceeding, operating income amounted to SEK 1,892m, corresponding to a margin of 5.5% (6.3).
- Positive earnings contribution from volume/price/mix across all business areas partly offset higher input costs and currency headwinds.
- Major Appliances North America faced higher cost inflation from tariffs and a decline in sales to private label.
- Operating cash flow after investments amounted to SEK 3,163m (2,078).
- Income for the period decreased to SEK 1,575m (2,002), and earnings per share was SEK 5.48 (6.97).
- The Board proposes a dividend for 2018 of SEK 8.50 (8.30) per share, to be paid in two installments.
- The Board has announced the intention to prepare a separation and listing of the Professional Products business area.
President and CEO Jonas Samuelson's comment
I am pleased with our performance in 2018 in the face of challenging conditions. Our focus on innovation to improve the consumer experience and our high cost efficiency are key competitive assets. Combined with price increases, these factors had a positive impact on our earnings, but could not fully compensate for strong headwinds, primarily from raw materials and currency. Underlying operating income in 2018 was SEK 6,653m, corresponding to a margin of 5.4%. Sales growth was 1.7%, driven mainly by price increases and mix improvements across most business areas.
In 2018, EMEA reported strong organic sales growth and solid underlying earnings, fueled by innovative products under premium brands. Our North American operation was significantly impacted by increased raw material costs and U.S. trade tariffs as well as lower private label volumes, partly mitigated by cost-based price increases. Latin America showed high organic sales growth and improved earnings. Asia/Pacific had strong growth in Southeast Asia, while Home Care & SDA was in a product transition phase. Finally, Professional Products continued its profitable growth journey.
In the fourth quarter sales growth was 2.5%, supported by most business areas. Underlying operating margin was 5.5% and four business areas had a margin above 6%.
The overall demand trend across most markets in 2018 is expected to continue in 2019 but the visibility is impacted by increased uncertainties in the world. We anticipate market demand for appliances in Europe to be slightly positive, while in North America and Latin America to be flat to slightly negative. The positive demand trend is expected to continue in Southeast Asia and be flat in Australia.
In addition to the price increases achieved in 2018, we have started 2019 by implementing already announced price increases in key markets. This is expected to offset the significant external headwinds we face, despite the recent positive development on raw materials. We estimate the negative year-over-year impact from raw materials, tariffs and currency to be approximately SEK 2.0-2.4 bn in 2019. We are continuing to invest in product innovations and automation to support further profitable growth and expect capital expenditures to be about SEK 7 billion in 2019.
In 2019, Electrolux turns 100 and we are now taking the next step to accelerate profitable growth. We will do this by becoming sharper and even more focused on developing our consumer value proposition in terms of experience innovation, ownership solutions and the way we go to market. By transferring Home Care & SDA into our four regional business areas, we are ensuring a more unified approach to our interactions with consumers in each market, with brand storytelling and product design. As announced yesterday, the intention is to prepare a separation of Professional Products. This would allow our professional operation to focus on its own distinct opportunities and continue its profitable growth journey as a standalone, listed company.
I am confident that we are well positioned with the right business focus in this challenging cost environment to continue to deliver shareholder value. Electrolux financial targets will remain unchanged following a separation of Professional Products. Our journey towards profitable growth continues in 2019 and beyond.
