The Board of Directors of Capgemini SE, chaired by Paul Hermelin, convened today in Paris to review and adopt the accounts[1] of the Capgemini Group for the year-ended December 31, 2020.
Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer of the Capgemini Group, said: “Capgemini’s 2020 performance was strong. We bounced back in the third quarter as we had anticipated and continued to improve throughout the fourth quarter, attaining the high end of our target revenue range for the year. We also exceeded our operating margin and organic cash flow generation targets. In 2020, the Group demonstrated both its resilience and agility.
I would like to thank the Group’s 270,000 team members, who rapidly adapted to extensive work from home, while ensuring the quality of services delivered to our clients. I am extremely proud of the unprecedented mobilization of our teams, who showed solidarity and initiative in fighting the pandemic.
This health crisis has clearly accelerated the digital transformation needs of companies across all sectors. In this context, we have successfully positioned ourselves as one of their partners of choice. Our digital and cloud services continued to expand at a strong pace, growing 15% in 2020.
In 2021, we will draw on our fundamentals, benefiting fully from the value contributed by Altran in the field of Intelligent Industry, while developing our intimacy with clients’ CxOs across their business transformation needs. In addition to our target of “net zero emissions” by 2030, we will propose concrete offers to our clients to help them attain their own carbon emission reduction targets. I firmly believe that technology is pivotal to delivering tangible solutions in this area and my ambition is to make our Group a key player in ecological transition.”
KEY FIGURES
Capgemini demonstrated remarkable agility in 2020, rapidly adapting to an unprecedented crisis and completing the acquisition and integration of Altran, while delivering results in line with or exceeding objectives announced during the publication of the H1 2020 results.
The Group completed the acquisition of Altran Technologies (“Altran”), consolidated from April 1, 2020, making Capgemini the partner of choice for the digital transformation of industrial and technology companies. Also, Capgemini successfully dealt with the consequences of the pandemic crisis, with its results demonstrating the strong resilience of its operations and financial model.
Capgemini therefore reported revenues of €15,848 million in 2020, up 12.2% on 2019 published figures. Constant currency growth* was 13.7%, at the upper end of the +12.5% to +14.0% target range. Organic growth* (i.e. excluding the impact of currency fluctuations and changes in Group scope) reported a measured contraction of -3.2% for the full year.
The clear improvement in the Group’s activities from Q3 2020 continued in the fourth quarter in the Group’s main sectors and regions, both for constant currency (+20.8% in Q4) and organic growth (-2.4% in Q4).
This performance demonstrates how the sector and geographic diversification of Capgemini’s client base, combined with the high quality of the offer portfolio developed in recent years, have considerably strengthened the resilience of the Group’s activities. Digital and Cloud[1] services remained dynamic with constant currency growth of around 15% for the full year, in a crisis context that encouraged clients to prioritize critical digital transformation projects. Digital and Cloud services thus represented around 65% of Group activities in Q4 2020.
Bookings totaled €16,892 million in 2020, an increase of +13% at constant exchange rates year-on-year. At 107%, the book-to-bill ratio reflects the strength of commercial activity in the context of the pandemic. In Q4, bookings increased +15% at constant exchange rates to €5,155 million. The Q4 book-to-bill ratio of 121% reflects a promising level of client demand for the coming quarters.
The operating margin* increased by +8% in value to €1,879 million, representing 11.9% of revenues. The contraction in the operating margin rate year-on-year was therefore limited to 40 bps, a better than expected performance compared to the Group target contraction of 60 to 90 bps. This shows how the Group has substantially improved the resilience of its operating model since the 2008-2009 crisis.
Other operating income and expenses represent a net expense of €377 million, up €69 million year-on-year. This increase is due to the consolidation of other operating expenses specific to Altran, as well as related acquisition and integration costs, only partially offset by the capital gain realized on the divestment of Odigo at the end of the year.
Capgemini operating profit is therefore up +5% at €1,502 million, or 9.5% of revenues.
The financial expense is €147 million, compared with €79 million in 2019. This increase is due to the cost of financing the Altran acquisition and outstanding debt.
The income tax expense is €400 million, an effective tax rate of 29.5%. Adjusted for exceptional items, the effective tax rate is 33.0%, compared with 32.6% in 2019.
Net profit (Group share) grew 12% year-on-year to €957 million. Basic earnings per share rose by 11% year-on-year to €5.71, while normalized earnings per share* increased 14% to €7.28. Normalized earnings per share adjusted for the transitional impact of the US tax reform increased 7% to €7.23.
Organic free cash flow* generation reached the remarkable level of €1,119 million, largely exceeding the €900 million target for 2020. Restated for the €225 million impact of unwinding the Altran factoring program, organic free cash flow generation exceeded the 2019 record level of €1,288 million, demonstrating the strength of the Group’s business model.
In 2020, Capgemini invested €2,999 million net in external growth transactions. This primarily reflects outflows in 2020 to acquire Altran (see specific section below), less net amounts received on the divestment of Odigo. The 7th employee share ownership plan led to a gross share capital increase of €279 million. In addition, the Group paid €226 million in dividends (equal to €1.35 per share, following a 29% reduction in the initial proposal decided by the Board of Directors as part of solidarity measures) and allocated €519 million to share buybacks.
The Board of Directors has decided to recommend the payment of a dividend of €1.95 per share at the Shareholders’ Meeting on May 20, 2021. The corresponding payout ratio is 35% of net profit (Group share), in line with the Group’s distribution policy.
OPERATIONS BY REGION
- Q4 2020:
Q4 revenues total €4,259 million, up +20.8% at constant exchange rates year-on-year, primarily reflecting the integration of Altran in the consolidation scope.
In line with its expectations, Capgemini reports a further sequential increase in the constant currency annual growth rate. Regional trends in constant currency growth rates, as presented in the above table, reflect underlying organic momentum (i.e. at constant scope and exchange rates).
In Q4 2020, the United Kingdom and Ireland (10% of Group revenues in Q4 2020) reported a return to organic growth year-on-year. The North America region (29% of Group revenues) continued its recovery, with now only a modest contraction in activity. France (23% of Group revenues) reported the largest organic contraction, but continued the improvement begun in the previous quarter. Finally, the Rest of Europe region (31% of Group revenues) remained virtually stable, while the Asia-Pacific and Latin America region (7% of Group revenues) reported further robust organic growth, albeit down on Q3.
While sector performance remained contrasted, most sectors recorded a further sequential improvement in activity in Q4. Accordingly, on an organic basis: growth in Financial Services (24% of Group revenues in Q4 2020) accelerated on Q3. The TMT sector (Telecom, Media and Technology, 13% of Group revenues) also continued to recover, posting slightly positive growth in Q4, while the Public Sector (13% of Group revenue) again grew at a sustained pace. The Q4 decline reported by the Consumer Goods (12% of Group revenues) and Energy & Utilities (10% of Group revenues) sectors was an improvement on the previous two quarters. Finally, the Manufacturing (22% of Group revenues) and Services (6% of Group revenues, including transportation and tourism) sectors continued to contract in Q4.
- For the full year:
Revenues in North America grew by +7.9% at constant exchange rates. This increase was driven by Altran’s contribution to revenues, mainly visible in the TMT sector. Financial Services enjoyed strong momentum at the year end and reported organic growth for the full year. The operating margin rate improved further to 14.8%, compared with 13.9% in 2019.
The United Kingdom and Ireland region reported +6.7% constant currency growth in revenues, supported by Altran’s consolidation (mainly in the Manufacturing and TMT sectors) and robust Public Sector momentum throughout the year on an organic basis. The operating margin increased to 15.5% from 15.2% a year earlier.
France reported revenue growth of +14.2% at constant exchange rates for the period, with the Manufacturing, TMT and Energy & Utilities sectors significantly enhanced by the consolidation of Altran revenues. On a like-for-like basis, the Manufacturing sector was most heavily affected by the activity slowdown in the past year, while the Public Sector maintained robust growth throughout the year. Within the Group, France was the hardest hit by the pandemic, notably due to an unfavorable mix of sectors and business lines. Both revenues at constant scope and operating margin contracted visibly, with the latter declining 3.4 points year-on-year to 8.7%.
The Rest of Europe region grew +23.7% at constant exchange rates, including Altran revenues. Activity remained almost stable in 2020 on an organic basis, supported by the buoyant Public Sector and TMT sector. The region reported a slightly lower operating margin of 11.4%, compared with 11.8% a year earlier.
Finally, momentum remained strong in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America region, with revenues increasing +12.2% at constant exchange rates. This performance is particularly noteworthy as Altran’s consolidation had a more limited impact in this region. Organic growth was again sustained, boosted particularly by Financial Services and, to a lesser extent, the Services and TMT sectors. The operating margin rate increased significantly to 13.0%, from 11.2% in 2019.
OPERATIONS BY BUSINESS
- Q4 2020:
All of the Group’s businesses reported further sequential improvements in annual organic growth rates in Q4, that is at constant scope and exchange rates.
Accordingly, on an organic basis: Strategy & Transformation consulting services (7% of Group revenues in Q4 2020) reported a smaller decline in total revenues* than in the two previous quarters. Applications & Technology services (60% of Group revenues), the Group’s core business, reported a further sequential improvement with almost stable activity levels. Operations & Engineering services (33% of Group revenues) also continued their recovery, visible in Operations (infrastructure and cloud services and Business Services) but also in Engineering services where the contraction is gradually reducing.
- For the full year:
Strategy & Transformation consulting services benefited from the integration of high value-added consulting services developed by Altran in recent years, recording +11.0% growth in total revenues at constant exchange rates.
Applications & Technology services reported a slight -0.2% decline in total revenues at constant exchange rates. The Altran acquisition had only a limited impact on growth at constant exchange rates in this service line.
Finally, Operations & Engineering total revenues grew +55.5% at constant exchange rates with the consolidation of Altran, which primarily delivers Engineering services.
HEADCOUNT
At December 31, 2020, the Group’s total headcount stood at 269,800, up +23% year-on-year, mainly following the integration of Altran team members. Over 145,000 employees work in offshore centers, some 54% of the total headcount.
After a slight dip in employee numbers in the second and third quarters, the Group returned to positive net hiring in Q4 2020.
BALANCE SHEET
Capgemini’s balance sheet structure changed significantly in the past year with the acquisition of Altran for an enterprise value of €5.2 billion.
As the Altran securities were purchased in two distinct steps (before and after the takeover became effective on March 13, 2020), in 2020 this transaction contributed a €2.6 billion increase in goodwill (€9.8 billion at the closing date compared with €7.7 billion at the opening date), new intangible assets for €0.5 billion (€1.1 billion at the closing date compared with €0.6 billion at the opening date), and a €2.1 billion decrease in equity (€6.1 billion at the closing date compared with €8.4 billion at the opening date).
The Altran acquisition was financed in line with the financing plan presented in June 2019 (€5.4 billion, encompassing €3.7 billion for the purchase of securities and €1.7 billion of gross debt carried by Altran). Capgemini used available cash of approximately €1.0 billion (including €0.4 billion for the purchase of a share block in 2019) and issued bonds for the balance.
In April 2020, the Group therefore performed a €3.5 billion multi-tranche bond issue, €2.8 billion of which was used to finance the acquisition[1]. The Altran term loans were then refinanced in June 2020 through a second multi-tranche bond issue of €1.6 billion. These refinancing transactions extended the average maturity of the Group’s bond debt to 6 years, with a low average cost of 1.8%.
At December 31, 2020, the Group had cash and cash equivalents and cash management assets of €3.2 billion. After accounting for borrowings of €8.1 billion and derivative instruments, Group net debt* is €4.9 billion at December 31, 2020, compared with €0.6 billion at December 31, 2019. The higher than expected organic free cash flow generation, combined with the proceeds from the sale of Odigo, helped to reduce the impact of the Altran acquisition on the Group’s net debt.
ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION OF ALTRAN TECHNOLOGIES
Following the effective takeover of Altran on March 13, 2020, Capgemini reopened the friendly tender offer. The success of this reopening enabled the implementation, in April 2020, of a squeeze-out on the remaining Altran shares not yet held. After this procedure, Capgemini held 100% of the share capital and voting rights of Altran Technologies, which is fully consolidated in the Capgemini scope from April 1, 2020.
The integration process was launched following the effective takeover of Altran and is progressing in line with Group expectations. It notably led to the implementation of an integrated operating structure on January 1, 2021. In the second half of 2020, Capgemini also launched its first three Intelligent Industry offerings focusing on 5G and Edge computing, driving automation systems validation and verification and data driven R&D for Life Sciences.
As announced on the publication of the H1 2020 results, Capgemini expects to reach, by June 2021, a run-rate of two-thirds of full-year cost and operating model synergies estimated at between €70 million and €100 million, before tax. Similarly, the Group is confident it can achieve the commercial synergies announced on acquisition, which represent additional annual revenues of between €200 million and €350 million within three years.
CORPORATE, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
In an unprecedented economic and health context, Capgemini was determined to strengthen its corporate, social and environmental responsibility ambitions and initiatives.
More than ever aware of the need to take action on climate change, in July 2020 the Group announced its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality for its operations no later than 2025 and its ambition to be net zero by 2030. These objectives were approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative as being in line with the scenario limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2050. Capgemini’s previous target, set in 2015, of reducing carbon emissions by 30% per employee by 2030, was achieved by January 2020, nearly a decade early. Capgemini also set an objective of reducing the carbon emissions of its clients by 10 million carbon metric tons by 2030, over 20 times the Group’s own emissions.
In addition, the Group sought to protect its employees, both by implementing precautionary health measures and through initiatives demonstrating its support and solidarity. Capgemini notably maintained promotion measures and salary adjustments decided prior to the pandemic and did not make any significant changes to its onshore or offshore workforce. The Group also stepped up initiatives to build employee engagement through Pulse, its continuous listening platform, which includes frequent questions on physical and psychological wellbeing. This approach was accompanied by the implementation of a Connected Managers program aimed at sharing best practices, notably with regards to supporting employees and maintaining social contact, as well as strengthening individual and local management of psychosocial risks.
In June 2020, Capgemini also joined forces with Coursera, a global leader in on-line learning, to launch NEXT, a digital learning platform providing employees with access to over 4,000 courses delivered by the best universities and training bodies. This major training initiative – a fundamental pillar in the Group’s human capital management strategy – will enable all employees to not only strengthen their skills in a constantly changing environment, but also build their own professional and personal learning journey.
Finally, Capgemini made further progress in 2020 with respect to the other pillars of its corporate social responsibility strategy: the proportion of women in its global workforce stood at 33.7% at the end of 2020 (34.9% excluding Altran, an increase of nearly 2 points compared to 2019), and 28% at the Executive Committee level (up 4 points since 2018). Also, more than 300,000 people benefited last year from the Group’s digital inclusion initiatives.
OUTLOOK
In an improving but still uncertain environment, the Group targets for 2021:
- A constant currency growth of +7.0% to +9.0%;
- An operating margin of 12.2% to 12.4%, i.e. at 2019 level;
- An organic free cash flow above €1,300 million.
The inorganic contribution to growth is anticipated at c. 4.5 points.
CONFERENCE CALL
Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer and Carole Ferrand, Chief Financial Officer, will present this press release during a conference call in English to be held today at 6.45 p.m. Paris time (CET). You can follow this conference call live via webcast. A replay will also be available for a period of one year.
All documents relating to this publication will be placed online on the Capgemini investor website.
