Q2 2026 HusCompagniet AS Earnings Call

August 28, 2026

Speaker #2: The host has connected you to the call. Line muted.

Operator 1: The host has connected you to the call. Line muted.

Speaker #3: Welcome to HusCompagniet Holding's first half 2026 conference call. Today's call is being recorded. If you have any objections, please disconnect at this time.

Operator 2: Welcome to HusCompagniet Holdings H1 2026 conference call. Today's call is being recorded. If you have any objections, please disconnect at this time. All participants will be in a listen-only mode throughout the presentation, and afterwards, there will be a question and answer session. I will now turn the call over to speakers. Please begin.

Operator: Welcome to HusCompagniet Holdings H1 2026 conference call. Today's call is being recorded. If you have any objections, please disconnect at this time. All participants will be in a listen-only mode throughout the presentation, and afterwards, there will be a question and answer session. I will now turn the call over to speakers. Please begin.

Speaker #3: All participants will be in listen-only mode throughout the presentation, and afterwards there will be a question-and-answer session. I will now turn the call over to the speakers.

Speaker #3: Please begin.

Speaker #4: Thank you so much, and welcome to the presentation of HusCompagniet's results for the second quarter of '26. I'm Mads Nørgaard, CEO of the company, and with me today...

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Thank you so much, and welcome to the presentation of HusCompagniet results for Q2 2026. I am Martin Ravn-Nielsen, CEO of the company, and with me today, I have CFO Allan Auning-Hansen. Today, we will begin with a brief update on some of our key strategic priorities before we turn to the market condition. Please go to slide.

Speaker #4: I have CFO Ellen Auning Hansen. Today, we will begin with a brief update on some of our key strategic priorities before we turn to the market conditions.

Speaker #4: Please go to the next slide. Ellen, can you please unmute your telephone so we can hear you? Ellen, if you can hear me, please unmute your telephone so we can hear you.

Operator 2: Allan, can you please unmute your telephone, and then we can hear you speakers again? Allan, if you can hear me, can you please unmute your telephone so we can hear you?

Operator: Allan, can you please unmute your telephone, and then we can hear you speakers again? Allan, if you can hear me, can you please unmute your telephone so we can hear you?

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Deliver on this point as well. Finally, we are pleased that the three challenges projects progressed as planned in the quarter. One project was delivered in July, and we still expect to deliver the other two projects in H1 2027. All in all, we are back on the right track. We have become more asset light with the sale of the factory, and we will engage as developer in selected low complexity projects only, and we are very selective and focused on low risk projects, execution frameworks, and counterparties. In addition, we will look for opportunities to build more on own land, and we will only offer our own standardized building concept going forward on the consumer's own land plots. Please turn to slide 3 for an overview on the current market conditions.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Deliver on this point as well. Finally, we are pleased that the three challenged projects progressed as planned in the quarter. One project was delivered in July, and we still expect to deliver the other two projects in H1 2027. All in all, we are back on the right track. We have become more asset-light with the sale of the factory, and we will engage as developer in selected low-complexity projects only, and we are very selective and focused on low-risk projects, execution frameworks, and counterparties. In addition, we will look for opportunities to build more on own land, and we will only offer our own standardized building concept going forward on the consumers' own land plots. Please turn to slide three for an overview on the current market conditions.

Speaker #5: Deliver on this point as well. Finally, we are pleased that this three challenges project progressed as planned in the quarter. One project was delivered in July.

Speaker #5: And we still expect to deliver the other two projects in the first half of 2027. All in all, we are back on the right track.

Speaker #5: We have become more asset-light with the sale of the factory. And we will engage as developer in selected, low-complexity projects only. We are very selective and focused on low-risk projects, execution frameworks, and counterparts.

Speaker #5: In addition, we will look for opportunities to build more on our own land. And we will only offer our own standardized building concept going forward on consumers' own land plots.

Speaker #5: Please turn to slide three for an overview of the current market conditions. The economic indicators for the Danish market remain strong, with low unemployment and inflation rates.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: The economic indicators for the Danish market remain strong with low unemployment and inflation rates. This is, of course, positive for the development in the house building market. Still, we continue to see volatility in consumer confidence. This is illustrated by our detached sales, which dampened in the first 2 months of the year. This was followed by a positive trend with higher lead generation and sales in March and April. The end of the period and July then came in slower again. It is safe to say that consumer remain cautious. We remain focused on maintaining a good dialogue and staying top of mind when they are ready to decide for a new house. This include that we have improved the customer experience for private house builders with several things, including the opening of new showrooms.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: The economic indicators for the Danish market remain strong with low unemployment and inflation rates. This is, of course, positive for the development in the house building market. Still, we continue to see volatility in consumer confidence. This is illustrated by our detached sales, which dampened in the first two months of the year. This was followed by a positive trend with higher lead generation and sales in March and April. The end of the period and July then came in slower again. It is safe to say that consumers remain cautious. We remain focused on maintaining a good dialogue and staying top of mind when they are ready to decide for a new house. This includes that we have improved the customer experience for private house builders with several things, including the opening of new showrooms.

Speaker #5: This is, of course, positive for the development in the house building market. Still, we continue to see volatility in consumer confidence. This is illustrated by our detached sales, which slumped in the first two months of the year.

Speaker #5: This was followed by a positive trend, with higher lead generation and sales in March and April. The end of the period and July then came in slower again.

Speaker #5: It is safe to say that consumers remain cautious. We remain focused on maintaining a good dialogue and staying top of mind when they are ready to decide on a new house.

Speaker #5: This includes that we have improved the customer experience for private house builders with several things, including the opening of new showrooms. We managed to secure largely stable material prices in the first half of the year, which was impacted by the situation in the Middle East.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: We managed to secure largely stable material prices in H1, which was impacted by the situation in the Middle East. We are focused on that and prepared to take any necessary commercial steps if the situation escalates.

Speaker #5: We are focused on that and prepared to take any necessary commercial steps if the situation escalates.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Sorry to interrupt you. I just got a message that the people on the conference call might not be able to hear us from the beginning. Could you please have a feedback on that?

Speaker #6: Sorry to interrupt here. I just got a message that the people on the conference call might not have been able to hear from the beginning.

Speaker #6: Could you please provide feedback on that?

Speaker #4: It is correct that, right at the very beginning of your presentation, on slide one.

Operator 2: It is correct that right at the very beginning of your presentation on slide 1.

Operator: It is correct that right at the very beginning of your presentation on slide one.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Captivate, are you online?

Speaker #6: Absolutely. Are you online?

Speaker #4: Yes, captured is here. Lars, can you hear me?

Operator 2: Yes. Captivate is here. Lars, can you hear me?

Operator: Yes. Captivate is here. Lars, can you hear me?

Allan Auning-Hansen: Can you please test the line for a second if you can hear us. We are just trying to sort out the technical issues. Okay. I suggest that we start all over because there were some initial issues. Sorry for the inconvenience, and let's start over again.

Speaker #6: If you can hear us, we are just trying to sort out the technical issues. Okay? Okay. I suggest that we start all over because there was an initial issue.

Speaker #6: So sorry for the inconvenience, and let's start over again.

Speaker #5: So then, please, let's start and go to slide two again. We continue to execute on our strategic priorities in the second quarter, and I'm pleased that we made really good progress on the efforts to recalibrate our semi-detached business.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Please, let's start and go to slide 2 again. We continue to execute on our strategic priorities in Q2, and I'm pleased that we made really good progress on the efforts to recalibrate our Semidetached business. We have ticked several important boxes at this point. We signed a deal to divest the factory in Aalborg in April. This was a key element in our reversed strategy to get back to the core activities in Semidetached and focus on improving performance and profitability ahead of growth. We have completed a full reorganization of the business unit in the past month. This includes full implementation of new processes we introduced in the autumn last year. It also reflects that we have added experienced leadership resource with a solid track record and deep market and business insights.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Please, let's start and go to slide two again. We continue to execute on our strategic priorities in Q2, and I'm pleased that we made really good progress on the efforts to recalibrate our semi-detached business. We have ticked several important boxes at this point. We signed a deal to divest the factory in Aalborg in April. This was a key element in our reversed strategy to get back to the core activities in semi-detached and focus on improving performance and profitability ahead of growth. We have completed a full reorganization of the business unit in the past month. This includes full implementation of new processes we introduced in the autumn last year. It also reflects that we have added experienced leadership resource with a solid track record and deep market and business insights.

Speaker #5: We have ticked several important boxes at this point. We signed a deal to divest the factory in Uzbek in April. This was a key element in our revised strategy to get back to the core activities in semi-detached and focus on improving performance and profitability ahead of growth.

Speaker #5: We have completed a full reorganization of the business units in the past month. This includes the full implementation of new processes we introduced in the autumn of last year.

Speaker #5: It also reflects that we have added experienced leadership resources with a solid track record and deep market and business insights. In addition, we are focused on building stronger project management and procurement.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: In addition, we are focused on building stronger project management and procurement, and we have hired skilled people to deliver on this point as well. Finally, we are pleased that the three challenged projects progressed as planned in the quarter. One project was delivered in July as planned, and we still expect to deliver the other two projects in H1 2027. All in all, we are on the right track. We have become more asset light with the sale of the factory, and we will engage as a developer in selected low complexity projects only. We are very selective and focused on low risk projects, execution frameworks, and counterparties. In addition, we will look for opportunities to build more on own land. We will only offer our own standardized building concepts going forward on consumers own land plots.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: In addition, we are focused on building stronger project management and procurement, and we have hired skilled people to deliver on this point as well. Finally, we are pleased that the three challenged projects progressed as planned in the quarter. One project was delivered in July as planned, and we still expect to deliver the other two projects in H1 2027. All in all, we are on the right track. We have become more asset-light with the sale of the factory, and we will engage as a developer in selected low complexity projects only. We are very selective and focused on low risk projects, execution frameworks, and counterparties. In addition, we will look for opportunities to build more on own land. We will only offer our own standardized building concepts going forward on consumers own land plots.

Speaker #5: And we have higher-skilled people to deliver on this point as well. And finally, we are pleased that the three challenge projects progressed as planned in the quarter.

Speaker #5: One project was delivered in July as planned, and we still expect to deliver the other two projects in the first half of '27. All in all, we are on the right track.

Speaker #5: We have become more asset-light with the sale of the factory. And we will engage as a developer in selected projects only.

Speaker #5: We are very selective and focused on low-risk projects, execution frameworks, and counterparts. In addition, we will look for opportunities to build more on our own land.

Speaker #5: And we will only offer our own standardized building concepts going forward on consumers' own land plots. Please turn to slide three for an overview of the current market conditions.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Please turn to slide 3 for an overview on the current market conditions. The economy indicators for the Danish market remain strong, with low unemployment and inflation rates. This is, of course, positive for the development in the house building market. Still, we continue to see volatility in consumer confidence. This is illustrated by our detached sales, which dampened in the first 2 months of the year. This was followed by a positive trend with higher lead generation and sales in March and April. The end of the period of July then came in slower again. It is safe to say that consumers remain cautious. We remain focused on maintaining a good dialogue and staying top of mind when they are ready to decide for a new house. This includes that we have improved the consumer experience for private house builders with several things, including opening of new showrooms.

Speaker #5: The economic indicators for the Danish market remain strong, with low unemployment and inflation rates. This is, of course, positive for the development in the housebuilding market.

Speaker #5: Still, we continue to see volatility in consumer confidence. This is illustrated by our detached sales, which slumped in the first two months of the year.

Speaker #5: This was followed by a positive trend, with higher lead generation and sales in March and April. The end of the period in July then came in slower again.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: This was followed by a positive trend with higher lead generation and sales in March and April. The end of the period of July then came in slower again. It is safe to say that consumers remain cautious. We remain focused on maintaining a good dialogue and staying top of mind when they are ready to decide for a new house. This includes that we have improved the consumer experience for private house builders with several things, including opening of new showrooms.

Speaker #5: It is safe to say that consumers remain cautious. We remain focused on maintaining a good dialogue and staying top of mind for when they are ready to decide on a new house.

Speaker #5: We improved the consumer experience for private house builders with several initiatives, including the opening of new showrooms. We managed to secure largely stable material prices in the first half of the year, despite impacts from the situation in the Middle East.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: We managed to secure largely stable material prices in the H1 of the year, which was impacted by the situation in the Middle East. We are focused on that and prepared to take any necessary commercial steps in the situation if the situation escalates. I am ending on a positive note in Sweden, where new mortgage regulations came into effect in April. The initiatives are expected to support activity in the housing market and have a positive effect on Sweden's new build market. For our part, we already now have seen and noted a pickup in the number of leads in the H1 of the year. I now pass the baton to Allan for financial guidance and highlights on slide 4.

Speaker #5: We are focused on that and prepared to take any necessary commercial steps if the situation escalates. I am ending on a positive note in Sweden, where new market regulations came into effect in April.

Speaker #5: The initiatives are expected to support activity in the housing market and have a positive effect on the Swedish new build market. For our part, we have already now seen and noted a pickup in the number of leads in the first half of the year.

Speaker #5: And now, I'll pass the pattern to Alan for financing, financial guidance, and highlights on slide four.

Speaker #6: Thank you, Martin. Overall, we made good progress in Q2 with revenue growth of 16% across segments after good execution on our order backlog. The detached business contributed with higher average selling prices, based on increased pricing and customer demand for larger houses compared to last year.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Thank you, Martin. Overall, we made good progress in Q2 with revenue growth of 16% across segments after good execution on our order backlog. The detached business contributed with higher average selling prices based on increased pricing and customer demand for larger houses compared to last year. In the semi-detached business, progress was driven by delivery of 40 housing units against none in Q2 last year, and increased work in progress. In Sweden, the market was stable and growth was modest. Gross profit amounted to DKK 125 million, compared to DKK 136 million in the comparison period. The development reflected progress in semi-detached after a comparison period, which was impacted by unsatisfactory low margins on a few projects. The improvement could not fully compensate for the impact of the unusually cold winter on detached, which continued into Q2, as mentioned on the Q1 conference call.

Speaker #6: In the semi-detached business, progress was driven by the delivery of 40 housing units against none in Q2 last year, and by increased work in progress. In Sweden, the market was stable and growth was modest.

Speaker #6: Gross profit amounted to €125 million, compared to €136 million in the comparison period. The development reflected progress in semi-detached after a comparison period, which was impacted by unsatisfactorily low margins on a few projects.

Speaker #6: The improvement could not fully compensate for the impact of the unusually cold winter on detached, which continued into Q2, as mentioned on the Q1 conference call.

Speaker #6: In addition, there was a slight decline in wooden houses, where the comparison period was positively impacted by reversal of provisions from two projects. All in all, the gross margin declined from 18.4% to 14.6%.

Allan Auning-Hansen: In addition, there was a slight decline in wooden houses, where the comparison period was positively impacted by reversal of provisions from 2 projects. All in all, the gross margin declined from 18.4% to 14.6%. After the divestment of our prefabrication plant, we are reporting on EBITDA before loss from divestment of subsidiaries, which came in at DKK 12 million against DKK 23 million last year, and a margin of 1.4% compared to 3.1%. The decline reflects the lower gross profit. This is also the case for EBIT before loss from divestment of subsidiaries, which amounted to DKK 1 million, down from DKK 12 million in the same quarter last year. The divestment of the factory entails a preliminary accounting loss of DKK 71 million, which was recognized in the Q2 and largely on par with the DKK 68 million expectation restated when the transaction was disclosed back in April.

Speaker #6: After the divestment of our prefabrication plant, we are reporting on EBITDA before loss from divestment of subsidiaries, which came in at 12 million against 23 million last year, and a margin of 1.4% compared to 3.1%.

Speaker #6: The decline reflects the lower gross profit. This is also the case for EBIT before loss from divestment of subsidiaries, which amounted to 1 million, down from 12 million in the same quarter last year.

Speaker #6: The divestment of the factory entails a preliminary accounting loss of €71 million, which was recognized in the second quarter and is largely on par with the €68 million expectation we stated when the transaction was disclosed back in April.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Free cash flow came to DKK 36 million compared to an outflow of DKK 12 million last year. The development reflected that working capital was negatively impacted by delayed deliveries in detached due to the cold winter, while the divestment of the factory had a positive impact. Let's go to slide 5 for the financial highlights for the first 6 months of 2026. Revenue grew by 20% to DKK 1.645 billion in the H1, driven by all segments executing on the order backlog. We saw a positive contribution from higher sales prices in detached, as well as more deliveries and higher work in progress in the semi-detached segment. Gross profit decreased by 2% to DKK 255 million for a margin of 15.5% against DKK 260 million and 18.9% last year. The drivers were the same as for Q2.

Speaker #6: Free cash flow came to €36 million compared to an outflow of €12 million last year. The development reflected that working capital was negatively impacted by delayed deliveries in detached due to the cold winter, while the divestment of the factory had a positive impact.

Speaker #6: Let's go to slide five for the financial highlights for the first six months of 2026. Revenue grew by 20% to 1.645 billion in the half year.

Speaker #6: Driven by all segments, executing on the order backlog. We saw a positive contribution from higher sales prices in detached, as well as more deliveries and higher work in progress in the semi-detached segment.

Speaker #6: Gross profit decreased by 2% to 255 million, for a margin of 15.5%, compared to 260 million and 18.9% last year. The drivers were the same as for the second quarter.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Improved performance in semi-detached could not fully compensate for the decline in detached after the cold winter. The underlying performance in the wooden houses segment was stable. EBITDA before loss from divestment of subsidiaries amounted to DKK 30 million for a margin of 1.8% compared to DKK 39 million and 2.9% in the same period last year. The decrease was mainly due to the lower gross profit. EBIT before loss from divestment of subsidiaries came to DKK 6 million against DKK 18 million in the comparison period. Free cash flow came to an outflow of DKK 61 million against an outflow of DKK 26 million in the H1 of 2025. As mentioned on the previous slide, this was primarily due to working capital changes and the factory divestment. At end June, our net debt was DKK 283 million for a leverage ratio of 5.4 compared to DKK 304 million and 3.2 at the end of June 2025.

Speaker #6: Improved performance in semi-detached could not fully compensate for the decline in detached after the cold winter. The underlying performance in the wooden houses segment was stable.

Speaker #6: EBITDA before loss from divestment of subsidiaries amounted to €30 million for a margin of 1.8%, compared to €39 million and 2.9% in the same period last year.

Speaker #6: The decrease was mainly due to the lower gross profit. EBIT before loss from divestment of subsidiaries came to 6 million, against 18 million in the comparison period.

Speaker #6: Free cash flow came to an outflow of €61 million, compared to an outflow of €26 million in the first half of 2025. As mentioned on the previous slide, this was primarily due to working capital changes and the factory divestment.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Free cash flow came to an outflow of DKK 61 million against an outflow of DKK 26 million in the H1 of 2025. As mentioned on the previous slide, this was primarily due to working capital changes and the factory divestment. At end June, our net debt was DKK 283 million for a leverage ratio of 5.4 compared to DKK 304 million and 3.2 at the end of June 2025.

Speaker #6: At the end of June, our net debt was €283 million, for a leverage ratio of 5.4, compared to €304 million and 3.2 at the end of June 2025.

Speaker #6: The decline in net debt was mainly due to the divestment of the factory, which offset the changes in working capital that I have already covered.

Allan Auning-Hansen: The decline in net debt was mainly due to the divestment of the factory, which offset the changes in working capital that I have already covered. Let's go to slide 6 for an update from Martin on sales.

Speaker #6: Let's go to slide six for an update from Martin on sales.

Speaker #7: Thanks, Alan. Sales in our Danish business were lower than last year. The test sold 203 units against 228 last year, which were positively affected by a temporary increase in consumer confidence.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Thanks, Allan. Sales in our Danish business were lower than last year. Detached sold 203 units against 228 last year, which were positively affected by a temporary increase in consumer confidence. We still pursue opportunities to build on own land, and we have secured 2 attractive land plots for the future development of our private housing areas. This is fully in line with our strategy, and we look forward to pursuing these good opportunities. Semi-detached sales declined 17% to 77 units. This was in line with the revised strategy, which is seen to entail fewer contract signing for a period. In July, we signed an unconditional turnkey contract for the construction of 21 semi-detached houses units in Stenløse on Zealand. Sales increased by 5 units and 21% in wooden houses.

Speaker #7: We still pursue opportunities to build on our own land, and we have secured two attractive land plots for the future development of our private housing areas.

Speaker #7: This is fully in line with our strategy, and we look forward to pursuing these good opportunities. Semi-detached sales declined 17% to 77 units. This was in line with the revised strategy, which is seen to entail fewer contract signings for a period.

Speaker #7: In July, we signed an unconditional turnkey contract for the construction of 21 semi-detached house units in Stenløse on Zealand. Sales increased by 5%, by five units, and by 21% in wooden houses. We see an increase in activity level after the implementation of the political incentives to boost new private houses, as mentioned earlier.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: We see an increased activity level after the implementation of the political incentives to boost new private houses, as mentioned earlier. More consumers have already acquired a land plot when contacting us. These are good signs from the Swedish market. Let's flip to slide seven for an update on deliveries. The number of deliveries increased 17% in Q2. The positive trend was driven by semidetached, with delivery on 40 against zero in the comparison period. Detached deliveries declined 4%, which was mainly related to timing as the segment remaining impact by the effect of the extraordinary cold winter. In wooden houses, the number of deliveries remained stable. Let's turn to slide eight and our order backlog. Our net order backlog amounted to DKK 1.8 billion at end June 26, down from DKK 2.1 billion in the same period last year.

Speaker #7: And more consumers have already acquired a land plot when contacting us. These are good signs from the Swedish market. So, let's flip to slide seven for an update on deliveries. The number of deliveries increased 17% in Q2.

Speaker #7: The positive trend was driven by semi-detached, with delivery on 40 against zero in the comparison period. In the test, deliveries declined 4%, which was mainly related to timing, as the segment remained impacted by the effect of the extraordinary cold winter.

Speaker #7: In wooden houses, the number of deliveries remained stable. Let's turn to slide eight and our order backlog. Our net order backlog amounted to €1.8 billion at end-June 2026, down from €2.1 billion in the same period last year.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: The decline reflected the lower sales in the Danish business in the second quarter of 2026. Detached accounted for 64% of the total order backlog, semidetached for 31%, and wooden houses for the remaining 5%. On slide nine, Allan will end the presentation with a few comments on the outlook.

Speaker #7: The decline reflected the lower sales in the Danish business in the second quarter of Q2. The test accounted for 64% of the total order backlog.

Speaker #7: Semi-detached for 31%, and wooden houses for the remaining 5%. On slide nine, Alan will end the presentation with a few comments on the outlook.

Speaker #7: Thank you, Martin. Based on the developments here to date, we have maintained the 2026 guidance and expect revenue in the range of 3 to 3.3 billion.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Thank you, Martin. Based on the developments year to date, we maintain the 2026 guidance and expect revenue in the range of DKK 3 billion to DKK 3.3 billion, assuming that we deliver between 1,000 and 1,300 houses. EBITDA is expected to reach DKK 70 million to DKK 130 million and EBIT DKK 15 million to DKK 75 million. The earnings outlook is provided before loss from divestment of subsidiaries, which is currently seen to come to an expense of DKK 71 million. We continue to see the midpoint as the best representation of our current expectations, but there are still some timing and execution variables that can move the outcome within the existing range. In addition, please note that our guidance is based on no severe deterioration of the situation in the Middle East causing disruption of supply chains or significantly increased raw material prices from the level seen in Q2.

Speaker #7: Assuming that we deliver between 1,000 and 1,300 houses, EBITDA is expected to reach 70 to 130 million, and EBIT 15 to 75 million. The earnings outlook is provided before loss from divestment of subsidiaries, which is currently seen to come to an expense of 71 million.

Speaker #7: We continue to see the midpoint as the best representation of our current expectations, but there are still some timing and execution variables that can move the outcome within the existing range.

Allan Auning-Hansen: We continue to see the midpoint as the best representation of our current expectations, but there are still some timing and execution variables that can move the outcome within the existing range. In addition, please note that our guidance is based on no severe deterioration of the situation in the Middle East causing disruption of supply chains or significantly increased raw material prices from the level seen in Q2.

Speaker #7: In addition, please note that our guidance is based on there being no severe deterioration of the situation in the Middle East causing disruption of supply chains or significantly increased raw material prices from the level seen in Q2.

Speaker #7: We continue to see reasonable macro trends, and we remain cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the housebuilding market. Still, we are operating with low visibility and are impacted by continued volatility.

Allan Auning-Hansen: We continue to see reasonable macro trends, and we remain cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the house building market. Still, we are operating with low visibility and impacted by continued volatility and a higher price sensitivity. Thank you for listening in. Now, please turn to the next slide for the Q&A session.

Speaker #7: And a higher price sensitivity. Thank you for listening in. Now, please turn to the next slide for the Q&A session.

Operator 2: To ask a question, please press 5 star on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, you may do so by pressing 5 star again. The first question we have is from the line of Sebastian Garbe from Nordea. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Operator: To ask a question, please press 5 star on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, you may do so by pressing 5 star again. The first question we have is from the line of Sebastian Grave from Nordea. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Speaker #1: To ask a question, please press five star on your telephone keypad. To withdraw your question, you may do so by pressing five star again.

Speaker #1: The first question we have is from Sebastian Garve from Nordea. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Sebastian Garbe: Hi, Martin and Allan. Thank you for taking my questions and good call to redo the first part of the web presentation here. I think we all got the message. For starter, I would like to talk about the activity levels. Can you talk us a bit through the activity levels you see in the detached segment in particular? As you mentioned, it has been quite lumpy over the recent months, starting the year on a soft note, then improving in March and April just to damp again, it seems in May, June, and July where you are trending below last year despite investments in showrooms. I guess what I am fishing for here is, has anything structurally changed in the market from last year or has anything moved the needle here? I noticed that the number of building plots available in the market is near record low.

Sebastian Grave: Hi, Martin and Allan. Thank you for taking my questions and good call to redo the first part of the web presentation here. I think we all got the message. For starter, I would like to talk about the activity levels. Can you talk us a bit through the activity levels you see in the detached segment in particular? As you mentioned, it has been quite lumpy over the recent months, starting the year on a soft note, then improving in March and April just to damp again, it seems in May, June, and July where you are trending below last year despite investments in showrooms. I guess what I am fishing for here is, has anything structurally changed in the market from last year or has anything moved the needle here? I noticed that the number of building plots available in the market is near record low.

Speaker #8: Hi, Martin and Alan. Thank you for taking my questions, and good call to redo the first part of the web presentation here. I think we all got the message.

Speaker #8: For starters, I would like to talk about the activity levels. Can you talk a bit about the activity levels you see in the detached segment in particular?

Speaker #8: I mean, as you mentioned, it's been quite lumpy over the recent months—starting the year on a soft note, then improving in March and April, just to dampen again, it seems, in May, June, and July, where you are trending below last year despite investments in showrooms.

Speaker #8: I guess what I'm fishing for here is, has anything structurally changed in the market from last year? Or, I mean, has anything—yeah, yeah.

Speaker #8: Has anything moved the needle here? I noticed that the number of building plots available in the market is near a record low. Is this an increasing constraint on activity levels, or how do you see it?

Sebastian Garbe: Is this an increasing constraint on the activity levels, or how do you see it?

Sebastian Grave: Is this an increasing constraint on the activity levels, or how do you see it?

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Thank you for your question, Sebastian. As you said, the sales in the H1 is lower than last year, and I think what we had not expected this year was the impact from the war in the Middle East, which we can see has an impact on consumer confidence. So we have seen fluctuating leads and sales throughout the H1 and into July. The way that we look at it now is that we are slightly more optimistic in our H2 than what we have seen in our H1. So I would say it is a very volatile market that we are operating in right now. Clearly, as you can see, deliveries from own land is non-existing in this quarter. So own land is currently also impacting the total number of sales compared to where we have been historically.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Thank you for your question, Sebastian. As you said, the sales in the H1 is lower than last year, and I think what we had not expected this year was the impact from the war in the Middle East, which we can see has an impact on consumer confidence. So we have seen fluctuating leads and sales throughout the H1 and into July. The way that we look at it now is that we are slightly more optimistic in our H2 than what we have seen in our H1. So I would say it is a very volatile market that we are operating in right now. Clearly, as you can see, deliveries from own land is non-existing in this quarter. So own land is currently also impacting the total number of sales compared to where we have been historically.

Speaker #7: So thank you for your question, Sebastian. As you said, sales in the first half are lower than last year, and I think what we hadn't expected this year was the impact from the war in the Middle East, which we can see as an impact on consumer confidence.

Speaker #7: So we have seen fluctuating leads and sales throughout the first half-year and into July. And the way that we look at it now is that we are slightly more optimistic in our second half than we were—than what we have seen in our first half.

Speaker #7: So, I would say it is a very volatile market that we are operating in right now. And clearly, as you can see, deliveries from own land are non-existent in this quarter.

Speaker #7: So, own land is currently also impacting the total number of sales compared to where we have been historically.

Sebastian Garbe: And it appears when I look at public statistics available, the number of plots in the market remains very low as well. So I guess, customers coming to you with their own building plots may also be restricted due to this. Is this something you see or any observations here?

Sebastian Grave: And it appears when I look at public statistics available, the number of plots in the market remains very low as well. So I guess, customers coming to you with their own building plots may also be restricted due to this. Is this something you see or any observations here?

Speaker #8: And it appears, when I look at public statistics available, the number of plots in the market remains very low as well. So I guess customers coming to you with their own building plots may also be restricted due to this.

Speaker #8: Is this something you see, or—yeah, any observations here?

Speaker #7: Yeah, hi Sebastian. Of course, the very low number of plots for sale, of course, has an impact. We still see that the percentage of tear-down and build-new projects in our business is higher now than we have seen in past years.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Yeah. Hi, Sebastian. Of course, the very low number of plots for sale, of course it has an impact. We still see that percentage that we have more tear down and build new in our business now than we have seen in the past year. So of course, when the municipalities and so on don't secure that there will be new plots for sales to private customers, it has an impact. But there's a lot of new plans going forward to 2031 for the municipalities all over the countries that have secured that we will see that I think that will be a peak up in plots for sales going forward.

Speaker #7: So of course, when the municipality is and so on, don't assume that there will be new plots for sales to private customers. It has an impact.

Speaker #7: But there are a lot of new plans going forward to 2031 for the municipalities all over the countries that have secured, so we will see that. I think there will be a pickup in plots for sales going forward.

Speaker #8: Okay, no, thank you both. And I guess, on that note—you state in the report that you have received two attractive plots in central Jutland for future development.

Sebastian Garbe: Okay. Thank you both. And I guess on that note, you stated in the report that you have received two attractive plots in Central Jutland for future development. Can you talk around the timing and the dynamics of this deal, the size as well, and how does it impact cash flows?

Sebastian Grave: Okay. Thank you both. And I guess on that note, you stated in the report that you have received two attractive plots in Central Jutland for future development. Can you talk around the timing and the dynamics of this deal, the size as well, and how does it impact cash flows?

Speaker #8: Can you talk about the timing and dynamics of this deal, as well as the size? And how does it impact cash flows?

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: I would say all these are some very interesting land plots that does have a positive effect, or we expect a positive effect on going forward. And from a cash flow perspective, I think it's difficult to comment further on, but I think it's a deal that supports our growth in the market in Jutland where we are focusing very much.

Allan Auning-Hansen: I would say all these are some very interesting land plots that does have a positive effect, or we expect a positive effect on going forward. And from a cash flow perspective, I think it's difficult to comment further on, but I think it's a deal that supports our growth in the market in Jutland where we are focusing very much.

Speaker #7: I would say all these are some very interesting land plots that do have a positive effect, or we expect a positive effect, going forward.

Speaker #7: And from a cash flow perspective, I think it's difficult to comment further on. But I think it's a deal that supports our growth in the market in Jutland, where we are focusing very much.

Speaker #8: Okay, no, that's fair enough. Thank you. And Alan, let me just—maybe a last question and then I will jump back in the queue. The gross margin performance in Q2 in the detached segment: 16%, down from 20% in Q2 last year.

Sebastian Garbe: Okay. That's fair enough. Thank you. Let me just, maybe a last question, and I will jump back in the queue. The gross margin performance in Q2 in the detached segment, 16% down from 20% in Q2 last year. How much of this margin decline is winter headwinds and how much is pricing or lack of own land deliveries roughly speaking?

Sebastian Grave: Okay. That's fair enough. Thank you. Let me just, maybe a last question, and I will jump back in the queue. The gross margin performance in Q2 in the detached segment, 16% down from 20% in Q2 last year. How much of this margin decline is winter headwinds and how much is pricing or lack of own land deliveries roughly speaking?

Speaker #8: How much of this margin decline is window headwinds and how much is pricing or lack of own land deliveries roughly speaking?

Speaker #7: So I would say, without getting into the exact details of that, margin is lower than what we have seen historically, and it has been impacted by the very harsh winter conditions.

Allan Auning-Hansen: I would say, without getting into the exact details of that, margin is lower than what we have seen historically, and has been impacted by the very harsh winter conditions. We do expect margins to pick up during H2 as the impact from the winter conditions will decline gradually. We do expect margin pick up in H2, but as we also commented on the Q1, the harsh winter conditions would have an economic impact on us in the year.

Speaker #7: We do expect margins to pick up during second half year as the impact from the winter conditions will decline gradually. So we do expect margin pickup in second half, but as we also commented on the first quarter, there were harsh winter conditions would have an economic impact on us in the year.

Speaker #8: But is the margin decline here, is the majority from winter impacts, or is it roughly half, or?

Sebastian Garbe: But is the margin decline here, is the majority from winter impacts, or is it roughly half or?

Sebastian Grave: But is the margin decline here, is the majority from winter impacts, or is it roughly half or?

Allan Auning-Hansen: The majority is from winter impacts, yes.

Speaker #7: The majority. The majority is from winter impacts, yes.

Speaker #8: Okay, no, that's very clear. Thank you for taking my questions, guys.

Sebastian Garbe: Okay. That's very clear. Thank you for taking my questions, guys.

Sebastian Grave: Okay. That's very clear. Thank you for taking my questions, guys.

Speaker #7: Thank you for your questions.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Thank you very much.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: You're welcome.

Operator 2: The next questions are from Christian Torner from SEB. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Operator: The next questions are from Kristian Tornøe from SEB. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Speaker #1: The next questions are from Christian Torner from SEB. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Speaker #8: Thank you. I have two questions. The first is on the land plots you have and where you have some projects lined up. Could you please give an update on the building permit process and, hence, the probability of these land plots coming to the market?

Christian Torner: Thank you. Two questions from me. First one is on the land plots you have and where you have some projects lined up. Just if you could give an update on the building permit process and hence the probability of these land plots coming to the market.

Kristian Tornøe: Thank you. Two questions from me. First one is on the land plots you have and where you have some projects lined up. Just if you could give an update on the building permit process and hence the probability of these land plots coming to the market.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Yeah. Hi, Christian. We are working, of course, with a bunch of municipalities, but often it is rather difficult to say when it will hit the market. We hope that in the coming period of the next H1, that we will see that we can go to the market with the plots.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Yeah. Hi, Kristian. We are working, of course, with a bunch of municipalities, but often it is rather difficult to say when it will hit the market. We hope that in the coming period of the next H1, that we will see that we can go to the market with the plots.

Speaker #7: Yeah, hi Christian. We are working, of course, with the municipalities, but often it is rather difficult to say when it will hit the market.

Speaker #7: But we hope that in the coming period, over the next half year, we will see that we can go to the market with the plots.

Speaker #8: So maybe phrase it slightly differently, because I know the exact timing of when the permit will be there is obviously difficult. But since we spoke last time in May, how would you describe the progress of these land plots?

Christian Torner: So maybe phrasing it slightly different, because I know the exact timing of when the permit will be there is obviously difficult. But since we spoke last time in May, how would you describe the progress of these land plots? Is it as expected, or better, or worse?

Kristian Tornøe: So maybe phrasing it slightly different, because I know the exact timing of when the permit will be there is obviously difficult. But since we spoke last time in May, how would you describe the progress of these land plots? Is it as expected, or better, or worse?

Speaker #8: Is it as expected, or is it better or worse?

Speaker #7: It is as expected. And it is not—you can see the permits are more about the local plans that the municipalities will allow, the local plans.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: It is as expected. You can see the permits is more the local plans that the municipalities will allow the local plans. After that, there will be a period also for the permits. But we have more than one or two projects that we are looking into for now. So it will be over the coming year that you will see that we expect more from that side.

Speaker #7: And after that, there will be a period also for the permits. But we have more than one or two projects that we are looking into for now.

Speaker #7: So it will be over the coming year that you will see that we expect more from that side.

Speaker #8: Okay, understood. Then my second question is on financial leverage. You report 5.4 times net debt to EBITDA in Q2, and then you also highlight that your covenant goes down to 3.5 times by Q4.

Christian Torner: Okay. Understood. My second question is on financial leverage. You report 5.4x net debt to EBITDA in Q2. You also highlight that your covenant goes down to 3.5x by Q4. Doing a bit of math, simply just taking your EBITDA guidance for the year and assuming the net debt remains the same, that would bring down your leverage to between 2.2 and 4.0. Hence, hitting the low end of your EBITDA guidance without lowering your debt would be too high, essentially. In the lower end of your guidance, can you just elaborate a bit on how you should reduce your net debt to avoid a covenant breach?

Kristian Tornøe: Okay. Understood. My second question is on financial leverage. You report 5.4x net debt to EBITDA in Q2. You also highlight that your covenant goes down to 3.5x by Q4. Doing a bit of math, simply just taking your EBITDA guidance for the year and assuming the net debt remains the same, that would bring down your leverage to between 2.2 and 4.0. Hence, hitting the low end of your EBITDA guidance without lowering your debt would be too high, essentially. In the lower end of your guidance, can you just elaborate a bit on how you should reduce your net debt to avoid a covenant breach?

Speaker #8: Doing a bit of math, simply by taking your EBITDA guidance for the year and assuming the net debt remains the same, that would bring down your leverage to between 2.2 and 4.0.

Speaker #8: So, hence, hitting the lower end of your EBITDA guidance without lowering your debt would be too high, essentially. So, at the lower end of your guidance, can you just elaborate a bit on how you should reduce your net debt to avoid covenant breach?

Speaker #7: I would say that we have a higher leverage in Q2, which was expected, and therefore also in line with the agreement that we have with the banks.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Well, I would say that we have a higher leverage in Q2, which was expected, and therefore also in line with the agreement that we have with the banks. In terms of full year, we are confident that we are going to reach or to be covenant compliant. Based on the cash flow and the expectations and deliveries, combined with our expectations in EBITDA, we do expect to be well within our covenant thresholds.

Speaker #7: And in terms of the full year, we are confident that we are going to reach or be covenant compliant. So, based on the cash flow and the expectations in deliveries, combined with our expectations in EBITDA, we do expect to be well within our covenant thresholds.

Speaker #8: Okay. So you're confident in improving the net working capital as well in the second half?

Christian Torner: Okay. So you are confident in improving the net working capital as well in the H2?

Kristian Tornøe: Okay. So you are confident in improving the net working capital as well in the H2?

Speaker #7: Yes, we are confident in our—we are confident in all that we are going to—that we are going to be covenant compliant, and we are going to go towards those 3.5.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Yes. We are confident in all that we are going to be covenant compliant, and we are going to go towards those 3.5.

Speaker #8: Very clear then. Great. That was all from me. Thank you.

Christian Torner: Very clear then. Great. That was all from me. Thank you.

Kristian Tornøe: Very clear then. Great. That was all from me. Thank you.

Speaker #7: Thank you. Thank you, Christian.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Thank you.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Thank you, Christian.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Thank you, Kristian.

Operator 2: Let me just remind you, if you wish to ask a question, please press five star on your telephone keypad. We have a follow-up from Sebastian Garbe from Nordea. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Speaker #1: And let me just remind you, if you wish to ask a question, please press five star on your telephone keypad. We have a follow-up from Sebastian Garvey from Nordea.

Operator: Let me just remind you, if you wish to ask a question, please press five star on your telephone keypad. We have a follow-up from Sebastian Grave from Nordea. Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead. Your line will now be unmuted.

Speaker #8: Hi again, guys. On the conversation around the leverage and your balance sheet, it looks like you received 35 million in cash related to the factory divestment here in the quarter.

Sebastian Garbe: Hi again, guys. On the conversation around the leverage and your balance sheet. It looks like you received DKK 35 million cash related to the factory divestment here in the quarter. As I recall, you previously guided that the deal should entail a DKK 56 million reduction in net interest debt. So I was just wondering if we should expect more to come here in Q3, or how does that work?

Sebastian Grave: Hi again, guys. On the conversation around the leverage and your balance sheet. It looks like you received DKK 35 million cash related to the factory divestment here in the quarter. As I recall, you previously guided that the deal should entail a DKK 56 million reduction in net interest debt. So I was just wondering if we should expect more to come here in Q3, or how does that work?

Speaker #8: As I recall, you previously guided that the deal should entail a DKK 56 million reduction in net interest debt. So I was just wondering if we should expect more to come here in Q3, or how does that work?

Speaker #7: Okay. Thank you for your question, Sebastian. So, when we look at net debt, it's a combination of leasing debt and bank debt. So, if you take the overall, or the total of those two, it's very close to the 55 that we have previously communicated.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Okay. Thank you for your question, Sebastian. So when we look at net debt, it is a combination of leasing debt and bank debt. So if you take the overall or the total of those two, it is very close to the 55 that we have previously communicated. So I would say we are on par.

Speaker #7: So, I would say we are on par.

Speaker #8: Okay, I suspect so. So, no more tailwinds from the factory divestment.

Sebastian Garbe: Okay. I suspected so. So no more tailwinds from the factory divestment?

Sebastian Grave: Okay. I suspected so. So no more tailwinds from the factory divestment?

Speaker #7: No. And in line with what we have previously communicated, that's correct. Yes.

Allan Auning-Hansen: No, and in line with what we have previously communicated. That is correct, yes.

Speaker #8: Yeah, no, that's pretty clear. Thank you so much.

Sebastian Garbe: Yeah, no, that's pretty clear. Thank you so much.

Sebastian Grave: Yeah, no, that's pretty clear. Thank you so much.

Speaker #7: Thank you.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Thank you.

Operator 2: As there are no further questions from the telephone, I will hand it back to the speakers.

Operator: As there are no further questions from the telephone, I will hand it back to the speakers.

Speaker #1: As there are no further questions from the telephone, I will hand it back to the speakers.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Allan and I will say thank you all for listening in. If you have any follow-up question, please reach out to us, and have a nice day.

Speaker #7: Then Alan and I will say thank you all for listening in. If you have any follow-up questions, please reach out to us, and have a nice day.

Martin Ravn-Nielsen: Allan and I will say thank you all for listening in. If you have any follow-up question, please reach out to us, and have a nice day.

Allan Auning-Hansen: Thank you. Bye.

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Q2 2026 HusCompagniet AS Earnings Call

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