Profit and sales were in line with what the company flagged in a profit warning this summer - net sales increased by 10.6 percent to SEK 5.7 billion, and adjusted operating profit rose 16 percent to SEK 552 million.
However, the school group does not propose a dividend for the financial year in the financial statements.
The simple answer is that the board wants all doors open, says Strömberg.
“The board's proposal for the distribution of profits will be published in connection with the notice of the annual general meeting,” Academedia writes in the report. The annual general meeting will take place in December, after the election.
"We are in a very expansive phase. We have made eight acquisitions and have a lot in the pipeline and a lot of opportunities ahead. The board wants a little more time to evaluate the acquisition pipeline," he says.
The choice does not affect
There are parliamentary elections coming up soon, does that affect the decision to wait with the dividend?
No, no.
Last year, the dividend was SEK 2.25 per share or SEK 223 million.
Ahead of the election, there is debate about whether for-profit companies should be allowed to run schools in Sweden.
We think it's sad that this is being debated, but there are many other issues being debated as well, so it might be good if some of the reds come to power and get involved in the issue. You get a lot of problems as opponents of freedom of choice when you face reality, because people today want to choose.
At the same time, Academedia is investing more internationally. The school group's goal is for half of its turnover to come from outside the Swedish school system.
Now we are at 44 percent, and if you look at including the mergers and acquisitions we make, it is another few percent, says Strömberg.
“Worried about everything”
The question is how Academedia would cope if politicians limited the profit opportunities for Swedish school groups.
It must be remembered that there are nearly a million parents who have their children in independent schools. We are faced with choices every year - and people continue to choose us with the best and most important thing they have.
Are you worried that there will be a change of government?
As a CEO, you're always worried about everything. But we've previously lived with a red government for eight years.
