Despite a geopolitical and macroeconomic context that continues to be critical, in 2023 the Mercedes Group saw revenues grow by 2%, reaching 153.2 billion euros.
But a number of factors, including the 21% increase in research and development expenses - it was explained today at the annual financial results conference in Stuttgart - led to a 4% reduction in earnings before interest and taxes ( Ebit) of the Group fell to 19.7 billion (in 2022 it had been 20.5).
This prediction - it should be remembered - had already been highlighted in the 2023 conference on the 2022 results by Ola Kaellenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group.
The decline in the adjusted return on sales (RoS) of Mercedes-Benz Cars (12.6% versus 14.6% in 2022) is contrasted by the 15.1% obtained by Mercedes-Benz Vans (11.2% in 2022) .
Overall, sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans increased by 1.5% to 2,491,800 vehicles, with the percentage of electric models increasing by +61% to 240,700 units.
In light of these results, the management board and the supervisory board will propose to the annual general meeting (scheduled for 8 May 2024) a dividend of 5.30 euros per share (it had been 5.20 in 2022).
This proposal - it was underlined - also reflects the effect of increasing earnings per share (EPS) of the current share buyback programme.
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