Aker Asa A Shs

Good morning and welcome to the presentation of Aker's second quarter results for 2025. My name is Fredrik Berge and I am head of investor relations. We will begin today's presentation with Aker's president and CEO, Eivind Eriksen, who will take you through the quarter highlights and recent developments in the portfolio. Our CFO, Svein Oscar Stocknes, will then cover the quarterly financials in more detail. After the presentation, we will have a Q&A session. And with that, I hand it over to Eivind Eriksson.

That's appreciated, Fredrik. And thank you, everyone, for attending this presentation of the ARKR ASA second quarter and half year results. During the quarter, we announced important transactions and we outperformed the markets despite continued geopolitical uncertainty and volatility. Akers net asset value rose by 4.5 billion Norwegian kroner, reaching 66.5 billion. We returned 2 billion kroner to shareholders through dividends, and the total shareholder return for the quarter was 10% compared to a 7% increase in the Oslo Stock Exchange benchmark index and 11% decline in the Brent oil price. The first half of the year was once again an active period for Aker. It took several meaningful steps aligned with our long-term strategy to simplify our portfolio and focus on growth platforms with dividend capacity or dividend potential. Aker Property Group expanded its footprint in real estate through investments in SBB and Public Property Invest or PPI. In Aker Horizons, we took important steps to consolidate and simplify our ownership structure. In parallel, we acquired Aker Carbon Capture's 20% stake in SLB Capturi. Solstern Maritime was listed on the Euronext Oslo Stock Exchange. Philadelphia Shipyards distributed 105 million kroner in liquidation dividend and the company is now in the process of being delisted and thereafter liquidated as soon as the escrow period expires in 2028. And AMSC distributed its shares in Solstheim Maritime as a dividend in kind ahead of its IPO in May. This step returned more than 2 billion kroner to shareholders. Next is liquidation of the company with expected completion in the third quarter this year. Continuing on the theme of shareholder value creation, Across our portfolio, ARCA companies distributed more than 19 billion kroner in dividends to shareholders in the first half of 2025. While some of these were extraordinary dividends, it reflects our strategy to diversify and strengthen our sources of upstream cash flow. This level of distribution also speaks to our underlying resilience and solid financial performance. Let's now turn to real estate, already a contributor to Aker's value creation and set to play an even larger role ahead. In the second quarter, we took deliberate steps to strengthen our position in the sector. Through Aker Property Group, we invested in SBB and PPI, which together managed properties worth more than 100 billion kroner. SBB is one of Europe's largest real estate companies within social infrastructure. It has strong underlying operations, but a challenged balance sheet with excessive debt. This situation enables an attractive entry point at favorable terms. The investment also resonates with our focus on active ownership. With board representation, we are positioned to support the revitalization of SBB alongside other board members and management. The shared goal is building a more robust and sustainable platform for long-term value creation and growth. We are also prepared to contribute additional capital and utilize our capital market experience, partnerships, and long-term perspective to support a company's transformation. PPI, on the other hand, already meets our investment criteria in terms of structure and balance sheet. However, we see further potential to grow the company's portfolio of properties with long-term leases and stable cash flows, laying the foundation for attractive quarterly dividends. Together, these investments represent a compelling fit with Aker's strategic ambition to increase our exposure in the real estate sector, which contributes to further diversification of our portfolio and in creating shareholder value by deploying our financial and transactional capabilities. So, let's turn to Aker Horizons. As announced in May, we are merging Aker Horizons' business with Aker, which will enable sharper strategic focus on the company's remaining assets, Mainstream, SLB Kapturi and Powered Land in Narvik. In parallel, we acquired Aker Carbon Capture's 20% stake in SLB Kapturi. Aker ensured a significant liquidity event for ACC shareholders who have received dividends of 5.2 billion kroner during the first half of 2025. These transactions bring closure to a challenging chapter for Aker Huysens and lay the foundation for renewed value creation. One area of growing potential is digital infrastructure. previously both in Arc Horizons as operator and in ICP infrastructure as a financial sponsor. We are now in the process of consolidating ArcGIS data center initiatives under ArcGIS direct ownership. This brings clarity and long-term commitment that has already been well received by potential partners and customers. Key personnel from both ArcHorizons and ICP infrastructure continue to be part of the development projects now under ArcGIS leadership and ownership. With 230 megawatt of power, a construction-ready site and a strong partner ecosystem, we continue exploring opportunities for an AI factory in Narvik. Moving on to industrial software and Cognite. Cognite is accelerating its growth, delivering a strong second quarter. At the heart of their success is Cognite Data Fusion. More than just a data platform, it's a powerful AI-driven engine that transforms industrial operations. It empowers organizations to make smarter decisions, resolve issues faster, and operate more sustainably. The latest release of CDF introduces cutting-edge features like AI agents and ready-to-use data models, which are already driving measurable impact across global industries. with over 140 ARR customers and growing, Cognize is earning recognition as a leader in industrial data innovation. Their ability to outpace competitors is a testament to their strong technology foundation and sharp focus on delivering business value to customers. As demand for AI, robotics and automation continues to surge, Cognite is perfectly positioned to lead the next wave of industrial transformation. Let me finish my part of today's presentation with a few words about our smallest but also most symbolic investment in the quarter. a full-scale replica of the dinosaur T. rex, reminding Aker employees about the risk of becoming obsolete if we are not agile, adaptable and open for change. History tends to repeat itself. Geopolitical turbulence is no exception. Neither is ARQ's ability to adjust strategies and portfolio in response to new market realities and opportunities. Like what we continue to do in the second quarter by scaling down over green businesses and reallocating resources to real estate, industrial software and possibly AI factories. The ability to pivot has been key to our value creation over time. In fact, the vast majority of today's value comes from companies that barely existed when Killinge and I began this journey, and the second quarter is a clear continuation of this pattern. The long-term adaptability served Aker shareholders well, and I believe it will continue to do so. Well, I now hand it over to Svein Oskar, who will go through the financials for the quarter in more detail.

Thank you, Eivind, and good morning. Before we proceed, I would like to draw your attention to a change in our reporting structure. Replacing the previous industrial holdings and financial investments categories, Aker's portfolio will now be grouped as listed and unlisted equity investments. We believe this new structure will facilitate more effective monitoring of value generation and enhance the clarity of our portfolio composition and net asset value reporting. The new structure will also increase the transparency regarding the value potential within our unlisted portfolio. To begin, I will provide a brief overview of the key numbers for our listed and unlisted equity investments as well as cash and other assets, followed by a more detailed discussion of our financial results. At the end of the second quarter, Aaker's listed equity investments were valued at 55 billion kroner. This represented 72% of the company's total assets, equivalent to 736 kroner per share. The value increased by 4.7 billion compared to the previous quarter, with the main contributions from Solstam Maritime and Aaker BP. During the quarter, a dividend in kind from AMSC increased Aker's ownership in Solstam Maritime from 42% to 52%. Following Solstam Maritime's successful IPO in May, the reported investment value has been adjusted from book value to market value. Total dividends received from listed investments in the second quarter amounted to 2.3 billion kroner, with Aker BP accounting for 880 million, Aker Solutions for 640 million and Solstav Maritime for 186 million. Additionally, Aker received a dividend in kind from AMSC valued at 926 million. And of this, 572 million was recognized as dividend income and 354 million as repayment of capital. Then over to Aker's unlisted equity investments, which represented 17% of Aker's total assets at the end of the quarter and were valued at 13 billion kronor or 179 kronor per share. This represents an increase of 1.5 billion compared to the previous quarter. Of this amount, 687 million is explained by the value change in Aker Property Group following investments in SBB and Public Property Invest. During the quarter, Aaker also acquired a 20% ownership stake in SLB Capturi from Aaker Carbon Capture for 635 million kroner in cash. This holding is included under unlisted investments as of the second quarter. Additionally, now reporting the market value of CT's 754 Bitcoins contributed 319 million to the quarterly value change. These assets were previously reported at book value. And the overall value increase was partially offset by a negative value adjustment of 195 million kronor related to the investment in ICP. Finally, cash and other assets, which represented 11% of Acker's total assets at the end of the quarter, equivalent to 112 kronor per share, with the cash balance at the end of the quarter at 624 million kronor. Cash inflows totaled 4.2 billion kronor, composed of a loan drawdown of 2.5 billion and cash dividends received from Acker BP Aker Solutions and Solstam Maritime of in total 1.7 billion in the quarter. Cash outflows amounted to 4.5 billion kroner, including a dividend payment of 2 billion and an interest-bearing loan to Aker Property Group of 1.7 billion. Net investments in portfolio companies ended the quarter at 614 million, of which 635 million related to the acquisition of a 20% stake in SLB Capturi. And operating expenses and net interest totaled 224 million in the period. Then let's move to the second quarter financials for Acre ASA and holding companies, starting with the balance sheet. In accordance with our accounting principles, investments are recognized at the lower of historical cost and market value. At the end of the quarter, the book value of Akers Investments was 28.6 billion kroner, which represents an increase of 1.1 billion compared to the previous quarter. This change primarily reflects a 635 million investment in SLB Kapturi and 572 million from shares received in Solstam Maritime as a dividend in kind on the shares under the TRS agreements. The book value of equity at quarter end was 27.1 billion kroner, up 1.4 billion, mainly due to the profit before tax in the period. On a fair value adjusted basis, Aker's gross asset value was 76.3 billion. After subtracting for liabilities, the net asset value amounted to 66.5 billion, or 895 krona per share, and the value adjusted equity ratio was 87%. Of the total liabilities of 9.8 billion kroner, 9 billion is related to bond debt and bank loans. And the non-interest bearing liabilities includes 585 million negative value on the AMSC-TRS agreements, primarily as a consequence of the distribution of a 572 million dividend in kind in the period. Akers financial position remains robust with a total liquidity buffer of 6.4 billion kronor, including undrawn credit facilities and liquid funds. Net interest bearing debt was 2 billion at the end of the quarter, up from 0.8 billion in the previous quarter, and as a result of strategic investments and capital allocations made during the period. The loan-to-value ratio stood at 11%, reflecting our conservative approach to capital structure. Additionally, approximately 72% of Aker's gross asset value is held in listed assets and cash, ensuring both transparency and liquidity. At quarter end, Aker's weighted average debt maturity was 3.3 years, The company drew 2.5 billion kroner from available credit facilities, mainly to acquire a 20% stake in SLB Kapturi and to fund Aker Property Group's investments in SBB and Public Property Invest. Including available options for credit and loan extensions, the overall effective loan maturity is about 4.4 years. Moving to the income statement, Operating expenses in the second quarter were 127 million kroner, reflecting a high activity level in the period. Dividend income was 2.3 billion kroner, mainly from Aker BP, Aker Solutions, AMSC and Salmar. The net value change was negative 71 million, primarily due to negative value adjustments in ICP and Akastor, that was partially offset by gains in Solsta offshore. Net other financial items totaled negative 682 million, driven mainly by a 585 million loss on the total return swaps, as explained earlier, in addition to a 58 million non-cash net foreign exchange loss. And finally, our profit before tax was 1.4 billion kroner for the quarter. Thank you. That concludes today's presentation, and we will now proceed to Q&A.

Thank you, gentlemen. So, Eivind, starting with the real estate investments, what is Aker's strategic plan and ownership agenda, also given SBB's financial situation?

Well, this started with our strategy and plan to allocate more capital to real estate in the current market. Then we identified SBB and PPI as two attractive investment opportunities with quite different characteristics. PPI fits very well with our investment criteria and we are committed to support the company for continued growth. SVB is a completely different story and a different point of departure. It's a company which has been through a period of time with financial turbulence, a company which will need to strengthen its balance sheet and rebuild trust in the capital market. We are already engaged with the board and the management to rebuild the foundation and as a consequence, reset the company for future growth. Thank you.

And as a follow up, do you see the need to contribute more capital to solve SBB's balance sheet?

Well, we're ready to do so, provided that additional capital allocation meets our investment criteria. But how to strengthen the balance sheet is a question to be answered by the board. Killing and I, we are already board members in SBB, so we were part of that process. So let's run the process and leave it to the board to conclude what actions and measures to take in order to strengthen the balance sheet. If capital is needed, ARCA has at least the financial strength to support SBB as we do with basically any portfolio company.

The next question, given the current geopolitical volatility and the potential for new tariffs or trade restrictions, how do you view the macro situation?

Well, that's a big question. My role is to help ARCA to be well positioned to adjust its business and portfolio to different market realities. So we have been working long and hard to basically be prepared to manage the unknowns. And that has served ARCA well so far this year. Certainly a number of new external factors to understand and manage. But so far, all the market volatility and all the geopolitical uncertainties have basically not impacted our operation. We are obviously exposed to capital market volatility. But a steady course has been possible for Aker due to our robustness and due to the way we have prepared Aker for the unknown.

And then over to the Acre Horizons merger. Could you outline some of the key strategic priorities for the sub-segments? How these assets could contribute to value creation moving forward?

Well, for Acre I'd say it was important to simplify the structure. In hindsight, it was too complex to have different vehicles trying to position themselves and see the best way forward in different green industries. We decided to take Horizons private, and as a consequence, we will now consolidate organizations and continue to develop the three main remaining assets and activities in the AquaHorizons portfolio. Mainstream, in close collaboration with Mitsui. SLB Kaptur, in close collaboration with SLB as a great partner, both in carbon capture and in other parts of the Acker Group. And last but not least, Narvik Powered Land, where we started exploring opportunities in areas like green ammonia and green steel. But we learned that the need for AI factories and data centers fits even better for the sites. So now we're in advanced discussions with both data center operators and data center customers. And time will tell if we've finally managed to turn this into also a forward-looking and attractive opportunity for the ARCA group.

Thank you. Shifting focus to digital. What is the status on your software portfolio, perhaps in particular Cognite, which you touched upon in your presentation, and the data center opportunities that you also now introduced? And as a follow up, how do you foresee the need to contribute more capital in Cognite?

Well, neither Cognite nor ACE are short of capital. So for us, it's more about how we continue to develop and grow the companies supported by third parties who can bring to the respective software companies more than only capital. Overall, it's a very exciting part of the ARCA Group's portfolio and the ARCA Group's potential going forward. But the fact that we have Cognite and ACE in our ARCA family has also contributed favorably to the digital journey in other parts of the Group, ARCA BP and ARCA Solutions in particular. Industrial software is a growth engine and a value driver in the ARCA portfolio, but it's also a transformation tool for the group at large.

Thank you very much, Eivind. That was our final question. If you have any further questions after the presentation, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Thank you for joining us today.