(Finance) – SNCFa major French public company that is active in rail transport, closed on 2023 with revenues equal to 41.8 billion euros, up 5.4% compared to 2022 excluding the impact of the normalization of tariffs in the shipping sector, thanks to lively activity and a business model based on diversification. L’EBITDA reached €6.4 billion, with EBITDA/revenue at 15.4% compared to 16% in the second half of 2022. Nonetheless, performance suffered due to nationwide strikes against the French pension reform at the beginning of the year, which reduced EBITDA by 350 million euros. L’useful was 1.3 billion euros, down from 2.4 billion euros in 2022.
The free cash flow it was positive for 2.5 billion euros, in line with the commitments made with the French State, its sole shareholder, to provide financing for the modernization of the railway network. The net debt fell to 24.2 billion euros, also with the self-financing of GEODIS’ acquisition of German Trans-O-Flex, in line with strategy.
“The number of passengers is at record levelsparticularly on high-speed trains in France and Europe, which transported 156 million people in 2023, up 6% compared to 2022 – commented the CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou – In public transport, KEOLIS has been awarded major contracts both inside and outside France. At GEODIS, while freight rates have declined after two exceptional years, business development in the freight forwarding and contract logistics sector is providing momentum.”