In company announcement No. 40/2010 of 26 October 2010, Vestas informed about its considerations in relation to a potential change in accounting policies, which could have a significant effect on previous as well as future financial statements.
As illustrated in this announcement, the consequence of the new policy regarding recognition of revenue for supply-and-installation projects is that historic revenue up until 30 September 2010 has been deferred by EUR 2.9bn, which will be recognised as revenue during the coming periods. The deferral of revenue and related earnings has the effect that equity as per 30 September 2010 has been reduced by EUR 739m. Production and shipments related to this revenue have taken place, and prepayments and down payments amounting to EUR 2.2bn have also been received. Cash flow is not affected by the change in policy, which – other things being equal – means that structurally, the order backlog in future will be larger than before as supply-and-installation projects now only leave the order backlog at transfer of risk to the customers. By introducing the new accounting policy and with unchanged activity level in relation to the announcement of 26 October 2010, Vestas now expects revenue in 2010 of EUR 6.8bn and an EBIT margin of around 7 per cent before one-off costs of EUR 140-160m for the announced close-downs and lay-offs. For 2011, revenue and earnings are expected at the same level as 2010 before the above-mentioned one-off costs.
Further details:
At vestas.com/investor, Vestas’ Executive Vice President and CFO, Henrik Nørremark provides a review, by video, of the new accounting policies’ effect on Vestas’ submitted financial statements. The presentation which Henrik Nørremark will go through will also be available for download from vestas.com/investor.
Conference call:
Today, on 22 November 2010, at 1 pm (London time)/2 pm CET, a conference call will be held for analysts, investors and the press. The conference call will be held in English, and the dial-in numbers are: +45 7026 5040 (DK), +44 208 817 9301 (UK), +1 718 354 1226 (USA). Vestas will be represented by among others President and CEO, Ditlev Engel and Henrik Nørremark.
Roadshow:
Henrik Nørremark will, together with SVP of Group Treasury, Henrik Hald and SVP of Group Communications, Peter Kruse, hold roadshow for analysts and investors about the new policies in the following cities:
23 November 2010: New York and Boston
24 November 2010: London
25 November 2010: Paris and Frankfurt
26 November 2010: Stockholm and Copenhagen
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Source: vestas, November 22, 2010