The company concluded the 2024 exercise with a net loss of 79 million euros, a negative result that is explained by the situation of the Argentine market and for it in its results account. In the first half of last year, Dia agreed to transfer its subsidiary in that country for a symbolic amount of 100 euros to Mam Asset Management, an active Master Bank management fund, which entailed to assume a loss of 107 million euros.
Without this impact, and only taking into account the only two markets where it maintains the activity, Spain and Argentina, the result would have been positive for 39 million, while the total revenues would be at 5,898.9 million euros, 17.7% more than in the previous year. However, the contribution of both markets to these results is unequal.
In Argentina, the result was negative for 31 million euros for the impact of the inflationary situation, and in the midst of a “hard fall in consumption in a challenging macroeconomic environment” and a devaluation of the peso. Although the figure of net income in that country reaches 1,615 million euros, which represents an improvement of almost 70%compared to the information reported in the previous year, at the current exchange rate they go back 5.6%, already comparable level, almost 17%. The gross exploitation result (EBITDA) in that country was negative for 73 million. Day does highlight a positive evolution in the generation of cash, and an adjustment adjusted positive of 26.1 million, which is 33% worse compared to the previous year.
The Spanish market does offer better news. In it, net sales reached 4,262.8 million euros, 5.3% more, with a 5.6% rise at the comparable level. The company confirms a 7% increase in the tickets sold and a 17% rise in the number of customers, having already renewed 95% of its network of stores. At the end of the year, these were a total of 2,302, of which 1,512 were franchises. In addition, online sale reached 205 million euros, practically 5% of its sales in the country, with an year -on -year increase of 31%.
As for profitability, the net profit stood at 59 million, 23 million lower than the previous year due to extraordinary fiscal effects, while Ebitda touched 400 million euros. In the Spanish market, Día undo at the beginning of last year of its Clarel drug stores, sold to the Colombian group Trinity,
“The results of 2024 confirm the success of our transformation and simplification, consolidating our unique omnicanal value proposition in proximity,” says the CEO, Martín Tolcachir. “Spain has been the engine of this growth, and Argentina has demonstrated an extraordinary resilience in a challenging exercise marked by the fall of consumption,” he adds.
The company says it starts a new stage in 2025, starring growth. The concrete plans will be presented on March 20 in its day for investors, but already leaves some track. In Spain it will begin an expansion plan that will include “evaluating organic and inorganic strategic alternatives that can support the development of Dia and the creation of long -term value”, which opens the door to the acquisitions.
Something that will help the new closed financing in the late 2024, for a total of 885 million between all concepts and a maximum expiration of five years. The creditors have raised the limits that were established so that day you can undertake purchases or sales without the need to ask permission, something that you need for sales of Brazil, Portugal or Clarel.
