Hera Shareholders Meeting: 2023 financial statements approved and dividend increased to 14 cents

Hera's Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting, chaired by Executive Chairman Cristian Fabbri, was held this morning in Bologna to approve the 2023 financial statements and the payment of a dividend increasing to 14 cents per share, in line with what was previously announced during the presentation of the 2027 Business Plan and based on the significant results achieved.

The 2023 Sustainability Report (consolidated non-financial statement prepared pursuant to Legislative Decree 254/2016) was also presented during the Meeting.

2023 financial statements approved with record results

The Shareholders Meeting approved the 2023 financial statements, which showed strong growth in the main operating and financial indicators compared to both the previous year and to pre-crisis levels (FY2021).

Among the main results: adjusted Ebitda rose to 1,494.7 million euro (+15.4%) and adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders amounted to 375.2 million euro (+16.5%). Gross operating investments reached 815.8 million euro (+15.0%) and were mainly allocated to innovation and resilience of the assets managed, the circular economy and the energy transition, with concrete projects consistent with the foremost national and international policies. Net debt fell to 3,827.7 million euro, as against 4,249.8 million euro at 31 December 2022. The financial structure thus improved significantly, with the net debt to adjusted Ebitda ratio dropping to 2.56x, compared to 3.28x for the previous year, well below the Group's prudential parameters.

These results confirm, once again, the sound management strategy implemented by the Group, whose financial strength and flexibility have enabled it to continue along its path of industrial growth, increasing investments, successfully seizing market opportunities and continuing to generate value benefitting all stakeholders.

Dividend payment confirmed, rising to 14 cents per share

The Shareholders Meeting approved the Board of Directors' proposal to distribute a dividend coming to 14 cents per share, up 1.5 cents over the last dividend paid (+12%). The ex-dividend date was set at 24 June 2024, with payment as of 26 June 2024. The dividend will be paid to the shares recorded on 25 June 2024.

The dividend paid, based on the Hera share price at 31/12/2023, corresponds to an annual return of 4.7%.

A strong focus on generating value for shareholders was thus confirmed. This increase is indeed consistent with the remuneration policy set out in the Business Plan, which foresees an increase in dividends coming to 16 cents per share by 2027, with net earnings per share growing by an average of 7% per year.

Sustainability Report: shared-value Ebitda and investments rise

The 2023 Sustainability Report was also presented during the Shareholders Meeting, showing that improvement in operating and financial indicators goes hand in hand with the Group's focus on sustainability and creating value in the served areas. In 2023, shared-value Ebitda, which refers to business activities that also respond to the targets on the Global Agenda, rose to 776.0 million euro, up 16% compared to the 670.3 million euro seen in 2022 and corresponding to 52% of overall Ebitda. This result is in line with the path set out in the Business Plan and the goal of reaching over 1 billion euro in 2027 (equivalent to 64% of total Ebitda), along a path that generates concrete benefits for the communities served, alongside the company's own development. This is also confirmed by the economic value distributed to stakeholders in the areas in which the Group operates, which in 2023 amounted to 2.3 billion euro, up 36%. Shared-value investments also increased, amounting to 558.4 million euro in 2023, equivalent to roughly 69% of total gross operating investments. Moreover, approximately 92% of the investments eligible for the Taxonomy are already aligned with the criteria set out by the European Regulation and thus contributing to environmental objectives including climate change mitigation, circular economy, water resource protection and pollution prevention.

Other resolutions approved

The Shareholders Meeting also approved a renewed authorisation for the Board of Directors to purchase treasury shares (and the procedures for their management) having a value of up to 240 million euro for 18 months, at the same time revoking the previous year's resolution for the non-executed portion. The renewal of the authorisation to use treasury shares was requested in order to pursue the purposes permitted by law and accepted market practices, in order to increase value creation in transactions carried out by Group companies as well, for whom investment opportunities may arise, and for transactions involving the issue of financial instruments.

Lastly, the Shareholders Meeting approved the Report on remuneration policy and compensation paid, in line with international best practices.

Two new directors appointed

The Shareholders Meeting also resolved to reappoint Director Enrico Di Stasi for the remainder of the term of office of the Board of Directors. Di Stasi had in fact been appointed by co-optation by the Board of Directors on 27 September 2023, following the resignation of Director Lorenzo Minganti. Director Di Stasi confirmed that he did not meet the independence requirements of current regulations. The Shareholders Meeting also appointed Director Tommaso Rotella to replace Gabriele Giacobazzi, who passed away on March 3, 2024. Director Rotella has declared that he meets the independence requirements of current regulations and the next Board of Directors will appoint him as Vice Chairman.

Both Di Stasi and Rotella, appointed to replace Directors representing the majority list, will remain in office until the Shareholders' Meeting held to approve the 2025 financial statements.

Their CVs can be consulted at
https://eng.gruppohera.it/group_eng/corporate-governance/board-of-directors