Havas Presents Strategy and Growth Ambitions at Capital Markets Day

Nov. 19, 2024

Today, Havas, a world leader in communications and marketing, is hosting its Capital Markets Day. Chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré, alongside members of Havas’ executive leadership team, will outline the Group’s growth strategy and financial targets in the context of its contemplated listing on the regulated market of Euronext in Amsterdam (“Euronext Amsterdam”).

The live webcast of this event can be accessed by following this link.

Beginning at 10:30am CET, Chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré will outline his vision for the future of Havas. Together with members of his executive team, he will lay out the Group’s recently launched Converged strategy, detailing how it places Havas in the best possible position for success. He will discuss megatrends set to drive industry growth, the outlook for Havas’ key areas of expertise and markets of operation, and the points of differentiation that make Havas a formidable challenger in the sector.

Yannick Bollore, Chairman and CEO of Havas, stated:

“I am delighted to be here today with our potential future investors and financial analysts. The decision to seek an independent listing for Havas marks an exciting new chapter for our Group. This milestone underscores our commitment to long-term growth and value creation and would provide added flexibility to support the implementation of our Converged strategy. It would also allow the Group to more swiftly pursue innovation efforts and targeted acquisitions thanks to increased agility. Today, we present our vision to continue evolving as a world leader in the communications and marketing sector, supported by a robust financial foundation and a talented team.”

 

Havas is set to become an independent, publicly traded entity following the spin-off from Vivendi, with shares distributed to Vivendi shareholders on a one-for-one basis. Trading is expected to begin on December 16, 2024, contingent on shareholder approval at Vivendi’s Combined General Shareholders’ Meeting on December 9, 2024.

Havas: A Global Leader in Communications

In 2023, Havas reported consolidated revenues of €2.872 billion, with net revenues of €2.695 billion. This robust financial performance reflects the Group’s ability to drive steady growth through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. 

With the recent implementation of its Converged strategy, Havas is further strengthening collaboration between its networks and agencies worldwide. Converged leverages a group-wide operating system supercharged by data, technology and AI that fuses all Havas’ global expertise, tools and capabilities. With inspired creative ideas at its heart, Converged is designed to leverage and better integrate creative, media, customer experience, and production, with the best technology and AI, to drive growth for its clients and the Group.

Financial and Strategic Outlooks

Havas is aiming to achieve an Adjusted EBIT margin ranging between 14.0% and 15.0% by no later than the financial year ended December 31, 2028. Havas is also aiming to generate contributions to net revenue from new acquisitions averaging between €40 million and €50 million per year over the medium term, driven by the execution of the Group’s acquisition strategy. 

Havas believes it can achieve the following as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024: 

• A change in net revenue on an organic basis ranging between a decrease of 1.0% and no change, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023; 
• Adjusted EBIT in excess of €330 million, reflecting management of operating expenses (such as personnel and travel expenses); 
• Net cash and cash equivalents (excluding lease liabilities and earn-out and buy-out obligations) of around €150 million. 

For the year ended December 31, 2025, Havas believes it can achieve the following: 

• Net revenue on an organic basis growth in excess of 2.0%, compared to the year ended 31 December 2024; 
• Adjusted EBIT margin ranging between 12.5% and 13.5%. 

Regarding its dividend policy, Havas intends to provide a regular return on capital to its shareholders through an annual dividend payment. This payment is expected to represent around 40% of the net income (Group share) for the relevant financial year, starting in 2025 for the financial year ending December 31, 2024.

With its contemplated listing on Euronext Amsterdam, Havas expects to gain enhanced strategic flexibility to pursue growth in high-potential sectors and further solidify its position as a leader in the global communications landscape. This increased agility is also expected to allow the Group to facilitate its strategy of investments in AI, data, and advanced technologies, with the goal of enhancing campaign effectiveness and delivering even more personalized and impactful client solutions. The Group also intends to leverage strategic acquisitions and continue evolving to meet the changing demands of clients worldwide through its Converged strategy.