Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BAMXF -0.19%), better known as German automaker BMW, released a preliminary "ad-hoc" summary of its first-quarter results on April 20.
The results showed a 27% year-over-year jump in pre-tax profit. Here's what investors need to know.
BMW earnings: The raw numbers
BMW won't release its full, audited first-quarter results until May 4. The results released on April 20 are preliminary and incomplete, and could change a bit before the final report.
But here's what BMW told us. All results are shown in euros; as of April 20, 1 euro = $1.07.
| Metric | Q1 2017 | Q1 2016 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 23.448 billion | 20.853 billion | 12.4% |
| Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) | 2.646 billion | 2.457 billion | 7.7% |
| - Automotive EBIT | 1.871 billion | 1.763 billion | 6.1% |
| - Automotive EBIT margin | 9% | 9.4% | (0.4 ppt) |
| - Motorcycles EBIT | 125 million | 94 million | 32.9% |
| - Financial services EBIT | 604 million | 591 million | 2.2% |
| Pre-tax profit (EBT) | 3.005 billion | 2.368 billion | 26.9% |
Data source: BMW AG. Figures (except percentages) are in euros; "ppt" = percentage points.
BMW's world headquarters in Munich. Image source: BMW AG.
What drove the 27% jump in pre-tax profit
In its preliminary statement, BMW said that the fat year-over-year increase in pre-tax profit was largely due to three factors:
- A jump in the valuation of HERE, a mapping service jointly owned by BMW and several other companies working on self-driving vehicles. BMW's stake in HERE increased in value (on paper) by 183 million euros after Intel (INTC -1.24%) bought 15% of the company in January.
- Year-over-year profit growth at BMW's joint venture with Chinese automaker Brilliance China Automotive Holdings.
- Other "valuation effects" (not detailed) that were worth 122 million euros.
Another key factor driving the year-over-year increase in profit: Sales were up in the first quarter.
- Sales at BMW's automotive unit rose 5.3% in the first quarter, to 587,237, with increases in all regions and for all three of BMW's automotive brands (BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce).
- Sales at BMW Motorrad, the company's motorcycle arm, rose 5.5% in the first quarter, to 35,636 units.
BMW reiterated its cautious guidance
BMW reiterated the conservative guidance it gave earlier in the year. It still expects a "slight increase" in full-year pre-tax profit versus its 2016 result, and an EBIT margin for its automotive unit in the range of 8% to 10% for the year.
