The Lisbon Region Wholesale Market (MARL) recorded an increase in its turnover in the second quarter, compared to the same period last year, of 255,3 thousand euros (+3,9%).
According to the Budget Execution Report now approved, in the same period, the net financial debt was reduced by 3.405 thousand euros (-8,8%), compared to the value recorded on December 31, 2018, now standing at 35.418,5 thousand euros.
The financial results expressed in the quarterly document show a favorable deviation, compared to the same period in 2018 and the plan for this second quarter, respectively, of 23,9 thousand euros (+13,5%) and 19,5 thousand euros (+11,3%), reflecting the reduction in bank liabilities and the achievement of more favorable pricing conditions.
Equity amounted to €66.465,8 thousand in the quarter under review, representing 53% of the total capital invested in the company (assets), compared to 51% in 2018.
The net debt/equity ratio (including subsidies) stood at 0,53, below the same period last year (0,60) and lower than projected in the plan for this year (0,54).
The net profit for the period under review amounted to €2.097,8 thousand, up €17,4 thousand (+0,8%) from the second quarter of 2018.
In this second quarter, EBITDA amounted to €4.793,6 thousand, although it should be noted that this evolution is impacted by the recognition of impairments in accounts receivable from customers. Excluding this impact, EBITDA would have registered an increase, compared to the same period of the previous year, of €222,7 thousand (+4,6%). As for EBIT, it amounted to €2,888.5 thousand.
Thus, MARB, SA presents positive operating margins of 70% and 39%, respectively at the EBITDA and EBIT levels. As for operating expenses, they are below the planned amount by €104,5 thousand (-5,3%).
The first half of the year was marked by a significant set of public and private investments which, following the good performance of the economy, allow, on the one hand, the rehabilitation of spaces with almost two decades of continuous use and, on the other hand, the growth of businesses already located there. Private investments in the agri-food and transport and logistics sectors stand out, exemplified by the new product processing and supply facilities of Frutorbel, currently under construction, and the new logistics warehouse of Torrestir, already contracted and with construction to begin soon.
In addition to these two private projects, which represent an investment of over six million euros, there are several interventions by MARL, SA, namely in the repair of pavements, cold storage chambers and technical areas, and the repair of the sealing bellows of the Fish Pavilion, improvement of roofs, with complete replacement of the membranes, in three more pavilions intended for agri-food products, and also planned investments in waste collection, the requalification of green spaces and parking.
According to Rui Paulo Figueiredo, CEO of the SIMAB Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of MARL, SA, the current investment dynamics are largely a result of strategic planning defined in due course, which allowed for the identification of growth areas from the outset. “ The public network of wholesale markets is experiencing a positive period in terms of revenue growth; as is the case with MARL, new investments have also been contracted in Faro and Évora, and just a few months ago, in Braga, we built and granted a concession for a large space for a national priority project by Rangel and Bosch ,” he concludes.
