The Board of Directors of HiQ International AB has decided to withdraw the previously communicated proposal to the Annual General Meeting 2020 regarding a share split and share redemption procedure of SEK 3.40 per share.

As a consequence of the global outbreak of COVID-19 the Board of Directors prioritizes to maintain the company’s strong financial position – and to create freedom of action in the changed market situation.

This information is information that HiQ International AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 09:00 a.m. CET on March 24, 2020.

Ann Hellenius, Director of the Board of HiQ International AB, has announced that she will be leaving the company’s Board with immediate effect, and that she will not be at disposal for re-election. The reason is that Ann has accepted an assignment in a to HiQ competing business.

“Ann Hellenius has been a member of HiQ’s Board of Directors since 2019 and has through her experience in digitalisation provided valuable knowledge and know-hows to HiQ’s operations. We send thanks for Ann’s commitment to HiQ and wish her all the best for the future”, says Gunnel Duveblad, Chairman of HiQ International AB.

This year, the gates to Malmö’s new major tourist attraction are opening – the children’s cultural centre Funnys Äventyr at the Mobilia shopping centre. They are choosing HiQ as their digital agency for the launch. “This collaboration is dear to our hearts. With our strong local presence in Malmö, we’re thrilled to get the chance to promote the development and appeal of the city in this way,” says Anna Kleine, Managing Director of HiQ Skåne.

As digital agency for Funnys Äventyr, HiQ will provide all the digital production as well as campaigns on social media and other digital channels. The collaboration will kick off with the development of Funnys Äventyr’s new website. In addition to online ticket sales, the website will offer a sneak preview of the children’s characters that visitors will encounter at the centre, such as Alfie Atkins, Pettson and Findus, Moomin, Halvdan and Meia, and Funny herself.

To build a long-term, smart and sustainable IT infrastructure, Funnys Äventyr is also opting to use HiQ’s Frends integration platform as an integration solution for both their own and external IT systems.

“HiQ has brought great insight into how they can bring the various storybook characters to life digitally. The digital experiences should breathe the same magic that the centre’s visitors will encounter – and we have faith that they can deliver. That’s why we’re choosing HiQ,” says Staffan Götestam, the creative mind behind Funnys Äventyr.

“In our discussions, we soon realised that we were on the same page concerning what we want to achieve together. The goals for Funnys Äventyr go hand in hand with our own, too. We both want to help make our communities better – but by using different means. For Funnys Äventyr, it’s by encouraging children to read. And for HiQ, it’s through technology, design and communication,” says Johannes Arnkvist, Head of Design at HiQ Skåne.

Net sales during the year amounts to SEK 1 847.1 million. Operating profit for the same period increase by 15 per cent to SEK 226.1 (196.5) million. During the fourth quarter net sales amounts to SEK 491.3 (507.1) million, operating profit increases by 1 per cent to SEK 61.5 (61.2) million and operating margin increases to 12.5 (12.1) per cent. Cash flow for the fourth quarter of the year amounts to SEK 49.3 million and liquid assets total SEK 188.1 million. At the end of the quarter we are 1 560 employees at HiQ. The Board of HiQ proposes a dividend of SEK 3.40 per share, totalling SEK 190 million. During the second quarter, as announced earlier, we divested our holding in Westend Affärscentrum Oy, which is our former office space in Finland. The divestiture generated a profit of SEK 22.8 million.

“During 2019 we increase the profit and margin and deliver a continuous strong cash flow. Also during the fourth quarter we increase profit, margin and cash flow. We have a strong cash position and more employees during Q4 compared to Q3. Including our real estate disposal in Finland, we pass SEK 225.9 million in profit for the whole year – thus more than we ever did before”, says Lars Stugemo, President and CEO of HiQ.

JANUARY – DECEMBER 2019

Net sales amounts to SEK 1,847.1 (1,852.7) million
Operating profit (EBIT) increases to SEK 226.0 (196.5) million – an operating margin of SEK 12.2 (10.6) per cent
EBIT includes realisation gain from the divestment of shares in Westend Affärscentrum with SEK 22.8 million
Pre-tax profit increases to SEK 224.1 (197.4) million
Profit after tax increases to SEK 176.3 (151.9) million
Earnings per share, before dilution increases to SEK 3.16 (2.73)
Cash flow from operations increases to SEK 232.2 (167.4) million
Liquid assets increases to SEK 188.1 (183.5) million
The Board proposes a dividend of SEK 3.40 per share, totalling 190 million.
OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2019

Net sales total SEK 491.3 (507.1) million
Operating profit (EBIT) increases to SEK 61.5 (61.2) million – an operating margin of SEK 12.5 (12.1) per cent
Pre-tax profit increases to SEK 60.4 (61.1) million
Profit after tax increases to SEK 46.6 (46.9) million
Earnings per share, before dilution increases to SEK 0.83 (0.84)
Cash flow from operations increases to SEK 49.3 (61.1) million
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS DURING THE YEAR
Q4

Saab broaden its collaboration with HiQ and signs new framework agreement for IT services
SVT signs framework agreement with HiQ for IT consultancy services within system development
HiQ wins framework agreement with Telenor Connexion
HiQ simplifies local referendum in Helsingborg, by creating digital support for printing poll cards on site
HiQ develops platform for influencer marketing for the company Valuefication
HiQ is announced as one of Sweden’s Career companies for the year 2020
Q1, Q2 & Q3

The Swedish Tax Agency names HiQ as the winner in its procurement of contracted IT Application services
Orkla Foods chooses HiQ as digital partner to develop future digital solutions
The Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) names HiQ as a winner in the procurement for consultant services within the area of digital channels
HiQ and Scania develop a mobile solution that gives Scania customers faster assistance during unscheduled downtime
HiQ develops a mobile solution for ST1-owned service station chain Shell in Norway for coffee subscriptions
Lähitaksi chooses HiQ to simplify taxi travel in Finland
Taxi Stockholm partners with HiQ to develop new digital services
AWA enhances partnership with HiQ and choose HiQ’s integrations platform Frends
HiQ helps SKL make healthcare services more efficient by using AI
Procurator choose HiQ and Frends for system integration
Swedish Automobile Sports Federation chooses HiQ as digital partner
HiQ helps Sixt to launch a completely new service for corporate customer’s long-term car rental
HiQ develops software for tech start-up InviSense’s smart moisture scanners
The Annual General Meeting approves a shareholder’s dividend of SEK 3.35 per share, corresponding to a total pay-out of approximately SEK 187 million
Helena Forsmark is new managing director of HiQ’s subsidiary HiQ Stockholm from 5 April 2019
Ann Hellenius is appointed as a new member of the Board of Directors of HiQ
HiQ moves to a new head office at Katarinavägen 15 at Södermalm in Stockholm
HiQ divests holding in Westend Affärscentrum Oy in Finland
HiQ Sailing Team wins the 2019 ÅF Offshore Race and sets a new epic course record
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD

HiQ lands new contract and ramps up partnership with Epiroc
HiQ, as employer, is ranked best in industry among IT consulting companies by market insight company Universum

For detailed information on the outcome for the period, please see the year-end report attached to this press release.

This information is information that HiQ International AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person above, at 07.30 CET on 29 January 2020.