BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The strong euro and weaker demand due to the vacation season have given the cooking box mail order company Hellofresh a lukewarm third quarter. Total sales in the three months to the end of September slipped three percent year-on-year to around 1.8 billion euros, the MDax company announced in Berlin on Thursday. However, at constant exchange rates - i.e. excluding translation effects due to the strength of the euro in the third quarter compared with the previous year - sales rose by 3.5 percent to more than 1.9 billion euros.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) adjusted for special items decreased by just under four percent to 69 million euros. In terms of both currency-adjusted sales and operating profit, Hellofresh thus fell slightly short of average expectations.

As in the previous year, Hellofresh had to make cutbacks in its two business units North America - that is the USA and Canada - and the rest of the world (International). Because customers are either on vacation or prefer to eat out during the summer months, the number of active customers as well as the number of orders decreased significantly.

The Management Board nevertheless confirmed the targets for the year. Sales for the year are expected to increase by two to eight percent after adjusting for foreign exchange. Adjusted for special effects, this should leave 450 to 540 million euros as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. In 2022, Hellofresh had reported a consolidated net loss of 7.6 billion euros and an adjusted operating profit of 477 million euros.

The company had already announced on Wednesday evening that it would spend up to 150 million euros to buy back its own shares and convertible bonds. The program will end no later than December 31, 2024./ngu/zb