Group result

A solid result for Swiss Post

With a Group profit of 638 million francs and an operating profit (EBIT) of 803 million francs, Swiss Post once again generated a solid result in 2014. It is increasingly gearing its services to changing customer needs, and invested 443 million francs last year in the quality of the universal service and forward-looking services.

Swiss Post recorded a Group profit of 638 million francs in 2014 (previous year normalized: 626 million francs). All four markets contributed to this positive result. The increase of 12 million francs in Group profit is attributable to lower financial and tax expenses.

With economic value added of 207 million francs, Swiss Post met the Federal Council's financial goal. The increase year-on-year is primarily due to lower capital costs arising from interest rates in the past financial year.

Operating profit (EBIT) fell by 11.9 percent to 803 million francs (previous year normalized: 911 million francs). This decline is mainly due to higher portfolio impairment charges on financial assets. Operating income fell slightly to 8,457 million francs (previous year normalized: 8,575 million francs). The operating profit margin dropped from 10.6 to 9.5 percent. Operating expenses declined by 10 million francs year-on-year to 7,654 million francs (previous year normalized: 7,664 million francs). Staff costs in relation to total operating expenses remained stable and stood at around 54 percent in 2014.

Total assets now stand at 125 billion francs (previous year: 120 billion francs). At the General Meeting, the Board of Directors will propose paying a dividend of 200 million francs to the Confederation. As at 31 December 2014, total equity stood at 5 billion francs (before appropriation of profit).

Maintaining and developing the universal service

In the past year, Swiss Post has invested 443 million francs in measures for improving the efficiency and assuring the quality of the universal service as well as in new products and services. Thanks to the expansion of automatic sequencing and the procurement of new handheld scanners, it was able to continue improving efficiency in delivery services. Continued growth in online retail is another focus for Swiss Post. To this end, sorting capacity has been increased in the parcel centers and the network of My Post 24 terminals has been expanded. The YellowCube logistics solution was brought on stream to meet the requirements of business customers. The new system allows Swiss Post to handle entire logistics processes for online retailers.

Overcoming the challenges ahead

Swiss Post is meeting the challenges that lie ahead by following a strategy of long-term, gradual growth, by further optimizing costs in a socially responsible manner, and by pursuing market-driven pricing policies. Swiss Post depends on increases in profitability in all its markets and on solid profits.