For full year 2019, revenue amounted to EUR 12.1bn, the EBIT margin before special items was 8.3 percent, and total investments* were EUR 729m, all in line with the expectations. Compared to 2018, revenue and earnings increased while free cash flow decreased. Order intake increased in 2019 compared to 2018, and the value of the combined order backlog increased to EUR 34bn.
The wind turbine order intake increased year-on-year by 3,663 MW to 17,877 MW in 2019 and the value of the service order backlog increased by EUR 3.5bn to EUR 17.8bn.
For 2020, Vestas expects revenue to range between EUR 14bn and 15bn, including service revenue, which is expected to grow by approx. 7 percent. Vestas expects to achieve an EBIT margin before special items of 7-9 percent, with a service EBIT margin of approx. 25 percent. Total investments** are expected to amount to approx. EUR 700m in 2020.
As a result of the performance during the year, the Board of Directors of Vestas Wind Systems A/S proposes to the Annual General Meeting that a dividend of DKK 7.93 per share be distributed to the shareholders, compared to DKK 7.44 last year, and equivalent to 30.0 percent of the net profit for the year.
*) Excl. the acquisition of SoWiTec Group GmbH., any investments in marketable securities, and short-term financial investments.
**) Excl. any investments in marketable securities and short-term financial investments.