ASUR Reports 1Q24 Financial Results

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) reported a 3.9% YoY increase in total passenger traffic in 1Q24, with revenues up by 15.3% and an increase in EBITDA by 13.1%. ASUR also published its Sustainability Report 2023 and filed its Annual Report 2023. Mexico saw a 3.8% increase in passenger traffic, while Puerto Rico had a 12.2% increase. Colombia, however, experienced a 2.1% decrease due to the suspension of operations of two airlines. Consolidated commercial revenue per passenger increased to Ps.124.9, with a cash and equivalents balance of Ps.16,822.9 million and a Net Debt to EBITDA LTM at negative 0.3x.

Positive

• Total passenger traffic increased by 3.9% YoY in 1Q24.
• Revenues increased by 15.3% YoY to Ps.7,434.9 million.
• Consolidated commercial revenue per passenger increased to Ps.124.9.
• Consolidated EBITDA increased by 13.1% YoY to Ps.5,122.9 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin stood at 71.4%.
• Cash and equivalents at year-end were Ps.16,822.9 million with Net Debt to EBITDA LTM at negative 0.3x.
• Mexico saw a 3.8% increase in passenger traffic, while Puerto Rico had a 12.2% increase.
• Colombia experienced a 2.1% decrease due to the suspension of operations of two airlines.
• ASUR published its Sustainability Report 2023 and filed its Annual Report 2023.
• Commercial revenue per passenger increased to Ps.124.9.

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste's (ASUR) first quarter results for 2024 reveal a robust year-over-year revenue increase of 15.3%, attributed to growth in both passenger traffic and commercial revenue per passenger. The company displayed resilience particularly in its Puerto Rico operations, where a significant 12.2% growth in passenger traffic was noted. Despite a decrease in Colombian domestic traffic, international numbers there soared, which could indicate a strategic pivot in ASUR's operations to capitalize on global travel trends.

From an investment perspective, the substantial 22.5% surge in net income is noteworthy. Earnings per share followed suit, which typically signifies a company's profitability and efficiency gains. Additionally, the reported negative Net Debt to EBITDA LTM ratio conveys a strong balance sheet position. Investors might see this as a hedge against market volatility and a foundation for sustainable growth.

However, the slight dip in Adjusted EBITDA margin, although marginal, could suggest a need to monitor cost structures and pricing strategies moving forward, especially considering their capital expenditures rose by 27.7%. The company's strategic investments in infrastructure and services must be weighed against these margins to evaluate the long-term return on investment.

Market Research Analyst

Analyzing ASUR's financials indicates a healthy recovery trajectory in the aviation sector. The diversified geographical portfolio seems to be mitigating risks and aiding growth, which is pivotal for investor confidence. The impressive growth in commercial revenues per passenger in Colombia, which saw an 18.7% increase, demonstrates ASUR's ability to monetize its services effectively amidst varying market conditions.

From a market trend perspective, the uptick in international traffic across ASUR's network mirrors global economic reopening and revival of travel demand post-pandemic. Long-term investors might find ASUR's performance indicative of the sector's resilience and potential for rebound, especially considering the company's strategic positioning in emerging markets like Colombia and established markets like Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Total passenger traffic in 1Q24 increased 3.9% YoY

MEXICO CITY, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: ASR; BMV: ASUR) (ASUR), a leading international airport group with operations in Mexico, the U.S., and Colombia, today announced results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. 

1Q24 Highlights¹

• Total passenger traffic increased 3.9% year-over-year. By country of operations, passenger traffic showed the following YoY variations:
  • Mexico: increased by 3.8%, reflecting growth of 9.4% in international traffic partially offset by a decline of 3.5% in domestic traffic.
  • Puerto Rico (Aerostar): increased by 12.2%, resulting from increases of 11.1% and 23.0% in domestic and international traffic, respectively.
  • Colombia (Airplan): decreased 2.1%, a 6.7% decline in domestic traffic mainly driven by the suspension of operations of Viva Air and Ultra Air in 1Q23, partially offset by an 18.6% increase in international traffic.
• Revenues increased 15.3% YoY to Ps.7,434.9 million. Excluding construction revenue, revenues increased 13.9% compared to 1Q23.
• Consolidated commercial revenue per passenger increased YoY to Ps.124.9.
• Consolidated EBITDA increased 13.1% YoY to Ps.5,122.9 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin (excluding the effect of IFRIC 12) at 71.4% from 71.9% in 1Q23.
• Cash and equivalents at year-end of Ps.16,822.9 million with Net Debt to EBITDA LTM at negative 0.3x.
• On April 15, 2024, ASUR published its Sustainability Report 2023, filed its Annual Report 2023 in Form 20-F with the US S.E.C and the Circular Unica 2023 with the Mexican Stock Exchange and regulator.

Table 1: Financial & Operational Highlights 1
	First Quarter		% Chg
	2023	2024
Financial Highlights
Total Revenue	6,449,409	7,434,907	15.3
Mexico	4,775,146	5,646,112	18.2
San Juan	1,010,943	1,033,582	2.2
Colombia	663,320	755,213	13.9
Commercial Revenues per PAX	123.2	124.9	1.4
Mexico	147.0	145.3	(1.2)
San Juan	144.7	141.8	(2.0)
Colombia	42.3	50.2	18.7
EBITDA	4,530,402	5,122,940	13.1
Net Income	2,602,245	3,186,754	22.5
Majority Net Income	2,512,362	3,082,091	22.7
Earnings per Share (in pesos)	8.3745	10.2736	22.7
Earnings per ADS (in US$)	5.0656	6.2143	22.7
Capex	142,994	182,584	27.7
Cash & Cash Equivalents	15,108,235	16,822,986	11.3
Net Debt	(1,593,945)	(5,073,921)	218.3
Net Debt/ LTM EBITDA	(0.1)	(0.3)	207.7
Operational Highlights
Passenger Traffic
Mexico	11,073,291	11,496,410	3.8
San Juan	2,907,038	3,261,896	12.2
Colombia	3,885,317	3,804,230	(2.1)

1 Unless otherwise stated, all financial figures discussed in this press release are unaudited, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and represent comparisons between the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, and the equivalent three-month period ended March 31, 2023. All figures in this report are expressed in Mexican pesos, unless otherwise noted. Tables state figures in thousands of Mexican pesos, unless otherwise noted. Passenger figures for Mexico and Colombia exclude transit and general aviation passengers, unless otherwise noted. Commercial revenues include revenues from non-permanent ground transportation and parking lots. All U.S. dollar figures are calculated at the exchange rate of US$1.00 = Mexican Ps. 16.5323 (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación de México), while Colombian peso figures are calculated at the exchange rate of COP.232.6400 = Mexican Ps.1.00 (source: Investing). Definitions for EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Majority Net Income can be found on page 18 of this report.

1Q24 Earnings Call

Day: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET; 8:00 AM Mexico City time            

Dial-in: 1-877-407-4018 (Toll-Free) and 1-201-689-8471 (International)

Access Code: 13745942

Replay: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET, ending at 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Dial-in: 1-844-512-2921 (Toll-Free); 1-412-317-6671 (International). Access Code: 13745942

For a full version of ASUR's First Quarter 2024 Earnings Release, please visit: https://www.asur.com.mx/informacion-financiera-page-0

Definitions

Concession Services Agreements (IFRIC 12 interpretation). In Mexico and Puerto Rico, ASUR is required by IFRIC 12 to include in its income statement an income line, "Construction Revenues," reflecting the revenue from construction of, or improvements to concessioned assets made during the relevant period. The same amount is recognized under the expense line "Construction Costs" because ASUR hires third parties to provide construction services. Because equal amounts of Construction Revenues and Construction Costs have been included in ASUR's income statement as a result of the application of IFRIC 12, the amount of Construction Revenues does not have an impact on EBITDA, but it does have an impact on EBITDA Margin. In Colombia, "Construction Revenues" include the recognition of the revenue to which the concessionaire is entitled for carrying out the infrastructure works in the development of the concession, while "Construction Costs" represents the actual costs incurred in the execution of such additions or improvements to the concessioned assets. 

Majority Net Income reflects ASUR's equity interests in each of its subsidiaries and therefore excludes the 40% interest in Aerostar that is owned by other shareholders. Other than Aerostar, ASUR owns (directly or indirectly) 100% of its subsidiaries.

EBITDA means net income before provision for taxes, deferred taxes, profit sharing, non-ordinary items, participation in the results of associates, comprehensive financing cost, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as an indicator of our operating performance, as an alternative to cash flow or as an indicator of liquidity. Our management believes that EBITDA provides a useful measure that is widely used by investors and analysts to evaluate our performance and compare it with other companies. EBITDA is not defined under U.S. GAAP or IFRS and may be calculated differently by different companies.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by total revenues excluding construction services revenues for Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia and excludes the effect of IFRIC 12 with respect to the construction of, or improvements to concessioned assets. ASUR is required by IFRIC 12 to include in its income statement an income line reflecting the revenue from construction of, or improvements to concessioned assets made during the relevant period. The same amount is recognized under the expense line "Construction Costs" because ASUR hires third parties to provide construction services. In Mexico and Puerto Rico, because equal amounts of Construction Revenues and Construction Costs have been included in ASUR's income statement as a result of the application of IFRIC 12, the amount of Construction Revenues does not have an impact on EBITDA, but it does have an impact on EBITDA Margin, as the increase in revenues that relates to Construction Revenues does not result in a corresponding increase in EBITDA. In Colombia, construction revenues do have an impact on EBITDA, as construction revenues include a reasonable margin over the actual cost of construction. Like EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be considered as an indicator of our operating performance, as an alternative to cash flow or as an indicator of liquidity and is not defined under U.S. GAAP or IFRS and may be calculated differently by different companies.

About ASUR
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (ASUR) is a leading international airport operator with a portfolio of concessions to operate, maintain, and develop 16 airports in the Americas. These comprise nine airports in southeast Mexico, including Cancun Airport, the most important tourist destination in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and six airports in northern Colombia, including José María Córdova International Airport (Rionegro), the second busiest airport in Colombia. ASUR is also a 60% JV partner in Aerostar Airport Holdings, LLC, operator of the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport serving the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan. San Juan's Airport is the island's primary gateway for international and mainland-US destinations and was the first and currently the only major airport in the US to have successfully completed a public–private partnership under the FAA Pilot Program. Headquartered in Mexico, ASUR is listed both on the Mexican Bolsa, where it trades under the symbol ASUR, and on the NYSE in the U.S., where it trades under the symbol ASR. One ADS represents ten (10) series B shares. For more information, visit www.asur.com.mx

Analyst Coverage
In accordance with Article 4.033.01 of the Mexican Stock Exchange Internal Rules, ASUR reports that the stock is covered by the following broker-dealers: Actinver, Banorte, Barclays, BBVA, Bradesco, BTG Pactual, Citi Global Markets, GBM Grupo Bursatil, Goldman Sachs, HSBC Securities, Insight Investment Research, Intercam, Itau BBA Securities, Jefferies, JP Morgan, Punto Research, Santander, Scotiabank, Signum Research, UBS Casa de Bolsa and Vector.

Please note that any opinions, estimates or forecasts with respect to the performance of ASUR issued by these analysts reflect their own views, and therefore do not represent the opinions, estimates or forecasts of ASUR or its management. Although ASUR may refer to or distribute such statements, this does not imply that ASUR agrees with or endorses any information, conclusions or recommendations included therein.

Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this press release discuss future expectations or state other forward-looking information. Those statements are subject to risks identified in this press release and in ASUR's filings with the SEC. Actual developments could differ significantly from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required by applicable law, we do not have an obligation to update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future or otherwise.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/asur-reports-1q24-financial-results-302123650.html

SOURCE Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V.

FAQ

What was the YoY increase in total passenger traffic for ASUR in 1Q24?

ASUR reported a 3.9% YoY increase in total passenger traffic in 1Q24.

How much did revenues increase by in 1Q24 for ASUR?

Revenues increased by 15.3% YoY to Ps.7,434.9 million.

What was the consolidated commercial revenue per passenger in 1Q24 for ASUR?

The consolidated commercial revenue per passenger increased to Ps.124.9.

What was the percentage increase in EBITDA for ASUR in 1Q24?

Consolidated EBITDA increased by 13.1% YoY to Ps.5,122.9 million.

What was the adjusted EBITDA margin in 1Q24 for ASUR?

Adjusted EBITDA margin stood at 71.4%.

What was the cash and equivalents balance at year-end in 1Q24 for ASUR?

Cash and equivalents at year-end were Ps.16,822.9 million with Net Debt to EBITDA LTM at negative 0.3x.

How did passenger traffic vary by country in 1Q24 for ASUR?

Mexico saw a 3.8% increase in passenger traffic, while Puerto Rico had a 12.2% increase. Colombia experienced a 2.1% decrease due to the suspension of operations of two airlines.

What reports did ASUR publish in 1Q24?

ASUR published its Sustainability Report 2023 and filed its Annual Report 2023.