Universal Express
Open bankruptcyFinancials · financial year 2024, full format
Turnover
€5.5m▼ 30.3%
2023 · €7.9m
EBIT margin
-32.2%▲ 16.7pp
2023 · -48.9%
Net result
-€1.8m▲ 54.6%
2023 · -€3.9m
Working capital
-€10.3m▼ 21.1%
2023 · -€8.5m
Trend over the years
2020 to 2024, 5 financial years 2018 to 2024, 7 financial years
The operating result stays negative: a loss of €1.8m in 2024 against €3.8m in 2023; the loss shrinks.
What the company sold each financial year and what was left of it. A loss stands below the zero line.
Turnover€5.5m
2024
Operating result-€1.8m
2024
Net result-€1.8m
2024
What the company owns (total assets), how much of it is its own (equity) and how much it owes.
Total assets€9.8m
2024
Equity-€2.8m
2024
Debt€12.5m
2024
Short-term assets minus short-term debts. Above zero the company can pay its bills in the short term.
Working capital-€10.3m
2024
How much of each euro of turnover is left from operations (EBIT margin) and what the assets earn (return on assets).
EBIT margin-32.2%
2024
Return on assets (ROA)-18.3%
2024
The share of the company financed with its own means. The higher it is, the better it absorbs a shock.
Solvency-28.4%
2024
Short-term assets per euro of short-term debt. Above 1 the short-term debts are covered.
Current ratio0.16
2024
Average staff in full-time equivalents (FTE).
Staff (FTE)10.7
2024
Use the arrow keys on the chart for the figures per year.
Sector: the middle half of NACE 49, Land transport and transport via pipelines: a quarter of companies sit below it, a quarter above. Each year compared with accounts in the same format, and only where there are at least 30. Dashed line: the median. Available for Net result, Equity, Total assets, Working capital, Solvency, Current ratio, Return on assets (ROA), Staff (FTE).
Every figure with its change against the financial year before
favourable
unfavourable
Line2018201920202021202220232024
Turnover€21.6m-€19.5m▼ 9.8%€15.7m▼ 19.6%€16.1m▲ 2.4%€18.5m▲ 15.4%€7.9m▼ 57.5%€5.5m▼ 30.3%
Operating result€0.06m--€0.04m-€1.1m▼ 2,498%-€0.9m▲ 19.7%-€0.9m▼ 7.9%-€3.8m▼ 309%-€1.8m▲ 54.2%
Net result€0.02m-€0.06m▲ 190%-€1.1mbelow the sector's middle half-€0.9mbelow the sector's middle half▲ 9.8%-€1.0mbelow the sector's middle half▼ 3.4%-€3.9mbelow the sector's middle half▼ 302%-€1.8mbelow the sector's middle half▲ 54.6%
EBIT margin0.3%--0.2%▼ 0.5pp-6.9%▼ 6.7pp-5.4%▲ 1.5pp-5.1%▲ 0.4pp-48.9%▼ 43.8pp-32.2%▲ 16.7pp
Equity€5.9m-€5.9m▲ 1.1%€4.9mabove the sector's middle half▼ 17.7%€3.9mabove the sector's middle half▼ 19.4%€3.0mabove the sector's middle half▼ 24.9%-€1.0mbelow the sector's middle half-€2.8mbelow the sector's middle half▼ 181%
Total assets€16.3m-€16.2m▼ 0.1%€15.8mabove the sector's middle half▼ 2.9%€13.1mabove the sector's middle half▼ 17.0%€11.6mabove the sector's middle half▼ 11.7%€9.9mabove the sector's middle half▼ 14.1%€9.8mabove the sector's middle half▼ 1.6%
Debt€10.4m-€10.3m▼ 0.8%€10.9m▲ 5.7%€9.2m▼ 15.9%€8.6m▼ 6.0%€10.9m▲ 26.8%€12.5m▲ 14.9%
Working capital-€5.1m--€2.1m▲ 60.0%-€3.0mbelow the sector's middle half▼ 47.2%-€3.9mbelow the sector's middle half▼ 29.2%-€4.8mbelow the sector's middle half▼ 22.6%-€8.5mbelow the sector's middle half▼ 77.0%-€10.3mbelow the sector's middle half▼ 21.1%
Solvency36.1%-36.5%▲ 0.4pp30.9%within the sector's middle half▼ 5.6pp30.0%within the sector's middle half▼ 0.9pp25.5%within the sector's middle half▼ 4.5pp-9.9%below the sector's middle half▼ 35.5pp-28.4%below the sector's middle half▼ 18.5pp
Current ratio0.49-0.80▲ 0.310.72below the sector's middle half▼ 0.080.57below the sector's middle half▼ 0.150.44below the sector's middle half▼ 0.130.20below the sector's middle half▼ 0.240.16below the sector's middle half▼ 0.04
Return on assets (ROA)0.1%-0.4%▲ 0.3pp-6.7%below the sector's middle half▼ 7.1pp-7.2%below the sector's middle half▼ 0.6pp-8.5%below the sector's middle half▼ 1.2pp-39.7%below the sector's middle half▼ 31.2pp-18.3%below the sector's middle half▲ 21.3pp
Staff (FTE)41.6-40▼ 3.8%34.4within the sector's middle half▼ 14.0%37.7within the sector's middle half▲ 9.6%43.4within the sector's middle half▲ 15.1%31within the sector's middle half▼ 28.6%10.7within the sector's middle half▼ 65.5%
above
within
below
the middle half of NACE 49, Land transport and transport via pipelines: a quarter of companies sit below it, a quarter above. Each year compared with accounts in the same format, and only where there are at least 30.
Balance-sheet composition
2024 in colour, 2023 as the grey bar beneath
Assets €9.8m
Fixed assets
€7.8m ▼ 0.1%
Current assets
€2.0m ▼ 7.2%
Equity and liabilities
Equity-€2.8m
Debt€12.5m
Equity is negative: debt (€12.5m) exceeds the balance-sheet total (€9.8m).
Key figures and ratios
EBITDA
-€1.7m▲
2023 · -€3.8m
Cash flow
-€1.8m▲
2023 · -€3.9m
Quick ratio
0.16▼
2023 · 0.20
Interest coverage
-141.94▼
2023 · -61.37
Debt ≤ 1 year
€12.3m▲
2023 · €10.6m
Debt > 1 year
€7,050=
2023 · €7,050
Income taxes
€2,784▼
2023 · €3,230
Staff costs
€773,616▼
2023 · €2.0m
No debt to equity: equity is negative, so debt divided by equity means nothing.
Green means a favourable move, even when the figure itself falls: as with debt or debt to equity.
Annual accounts
| Line | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating income70/76A | - | - | - | €16.3m | €19.0m | €8.0m | €5.7m | ▼ 28.8% |
| Turnover70 | €21.6m | €19.5m | €15.7m | €16.1m | €18.5m | €7.9m | €5.5m | ▼ 30.3% |
| Other operating income74 | - | - | - | €0.2m | €0.3m | €0.1m | €0.2m | ▲ 79.7% |
| Non-recurring operating income76A | - | - | - | €0.001m | €0.08m | €0.001m | - | - |
| Operating charges60/66A | - | - | - | €17.2m | €19.9m | €11.8m | €7.4m | ▼ 37.1% |
| Goods for resale, raw materials and consumables60 | - | - | - | €11.8m | €13.5m | €6.6m | €4.1m | ▼ 37.6% |
| Purchases600/8 | - | - | - | €11.8m | €13.5m | €6.6m | €4.1m | ▼ 37.6% |
| Change in stocks: decrease (increase)609 | - | - | - | €0.02m | - | - | - | - |
| Services and other goods61 | - | - | - | €2.9m | €3.6m | €3.0m | €2.4m | ▼ 20.1% |
| Remuneration, social security and pensions62 | - | - | - | €2.3m | €2.6m | €2.0m | €0.8m | ▼ 61.4% |
| Depreciation of and write-downs on formation expenses, intangible and tangible fixed assets630 | €0.08m | €0.07m | €0.06m | €0.04m | €0.03m | €0.02m | €0.03m | ▲ 5.2% |
| Write-downs on stocks, contracts in progress and trade receivables: additions (reversals)631/4 | - | - | - | €0.002m | €425 | €0.001m | €0.008m | ▲ 886% |
| Other operating charges640/8 | - | - | - | €0.09m | €0.1m | €0.2m | €0.1m | ▼ 37.6% |
| Non-recurring operating charges66A | - | - | - | - | - | - | €128 | - |
| Operating profit (loss)9901 | €0.06m | -€0.04m | -€1.1m | -€0.9m | -€0.9m | -€3.8m | -€1.8m | ▲ 54.2% |
| Financial income75/76B | - | - | - | €0.01m | €0.01m | €0.01m | €0.01m | ▲ 44.6% |
| Recurring financial income75 | €0.03m | €0.04m | €0.03m | €0.01m | €0.01m | €0.01m | €0.01m | ▲ 44.6% |
| Income from current assets751 | - | - | - | €0.002m | - | - | - | - |
| Other financial income752/9 | - | - | - | €0.008m | €0.01m | €0.01m | €0.01m | ▲ 44.6% |
| Financial charges65/66B | - | - | - | €0.09m | €0.05m | €0.1m | €0.04m | ▼ 62.9% |
| Recurring financial charges65 | €0.07m | €0.05m | €0.04m | €0.04m | €0.05m | €0.1m | €0.04m | ▼ 62.9% |
| Debt charges650 | €0.03m | €0.02m | €0.02m | €0.009m | €0.008m | €0.06m | €0.01m | ▼ 80.3% |
| Other financial charges652/9 | - | - | - | €0.03m | €0.04m | €0.04m | €0.02m | ▼ 32.2% |
| Non-recurring financial charges66B | - | - | - | €0.05m | - | - | - | - |
| Profit (loss) for the period before taxes9903 | €0.02m | -€0.06m | -€1.0m | -€0.9m | -€1.0m | -€3.9m | -€1.8m | ▲ 54.6% |
| Income taxes67/77 | €7 | -€0.1m | €0.004m | - | €0.003m | €0.003m | €0.003m | ▼ 13.8% |
| Taxes670/3 | - | - | - | - | €0.003m | €0.003m | €0.003m | ▼ 13.8% |
| Profit (loss) for the period9904 | €0.02m | €0.06m | -€1.1m | -€0.9m | -€1.0m | -€3.9m | -€1.8m | ▲ 54.6% |
| Profit (loss) for the period to be appropriated9905 | €0.02m | €0.06m | -€1.1m | -€0.9m | -€1.0m | -€3.9m | -€1.8m | ▲ 54.6% |
| Line | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||||||||
| Total assets20/58 | €16.3m | €16.2m | €15.8m | €13.1m | €11.6m | €9.9m | €9.8m | ▼ 1.6% |
| Fixed assets21/28 | €11.3m | €8.1m | €8.0m | €7.9m | €7.8m | €7.8m | €7.8m | ▼ 0.1% |
| Tangible fixed assets22/27 | €0.3m | €0.2m | €0.2m | €0.2m | €0.1m | €0.07m | €0.06m | ▼ 15.6% |
| Land and buildings22 | - | - | - | €0.07m | - | - | - | - |
| Plant, machinery and equipment23 | - | - | - | €0.1m | €0.08m | €0.06m | €0.05m | ▼ 21.8% |
| Furniture and vehicles24 | - | - | - | €0.005m | €0.02m | €0.01m | €0.01m | ▲ 24.5% |
| Other tangible fixed assets26 | - | - | - | €0.005m | €389 | €0 | - | - |
| Financial fixed assets28 | €11.0m | €7.8m | €7.8m | €7.7m | €7.7m | €7.7m | €7.7m | = |
| Affiliated companies280/1 | - | - | - | €7.7m | €7.7m | €7.7m | €7.7m | = |
| Participating interests280 | - | - | - | €7.7m | €1.6m | €7.7m | €7.7m | = |
| Amounts receivable281 | - | - | - | - | €6.1m | €0 | - | - |
| Other financial fixed assets284/8 | - | - | - | €0.003m | €37 | €37 | €37 | = |
| Amounts receivable and cash guarantees285/8 | - | - | - | €0.003m | €37 | €37 | €37 | = |
| Current assets29/58 | €4.9m | €8.2m | €7.8m | €5.2m | €3.7m | €2.1m | €2.0m | ▼ 7.2% |
| Stocks and contracts in progress3 | €0.01m | €0.02m | €0.02m | €0.004m | €128 | €128 | €128 | = |
| Stocks30/36 | - | - | - | €0.004m | €128 | €128 | €128 | = |
| Raw materials and consumables30/31 | - | - | - | €0.004m | €128 | €128 | €128 | = |
| Amounts receivable within one year40/41 | €4.0m | €7.8m | €7.4m | €4.3m | €3.5m | €1.8m | €1.8m | ▲ 0.2% |
| Trade receivables40 | - | - | - | €4.3m | €3.5m | €1.6m | €1.5m | ▼ 7.1% |
| Other amounts receivable41 | - | - | - | €0.03m | €0.02m | €0.2m | €0.3m | ▲ 72.5% |
| Cash at bank and in hand54/58 | €0.09m | €0.06m | €0.1m | €0.3m | €0.09m | €0.1m | €0.04m | ▼ 72.9% |
| Deferred charges and accrued income490/1 | - | - | - | €0.6m | €0.1m | €0.2m | €0.2m | ▼ 26.2% |
| Equity and liabilities | ||||||||
| Total equity and liabilities10/49 | €16.3m | €16.2m | €15.8m | €13.1m | €11.6m | €9.9m | €9.8m | ▼ 1.6% |
| Equity10/15 | €5.9m | €5.9m | €4.9m | €3.9m | €3.0m | -€1.0m | -€2.8m | ▼ 181% |
| Contributions10/11 | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | = |
| Capital10 | - | - | - | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | = |
| Issued capital100 | - | - | - | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | €4.5m | = |
| Reserves13 | €3.1m | €3.1m | €3.1m | €3.1m | €3.1m | €3.1m | €3.1m | = |
| Non-distributable reserves130/1 | - | - | - | €0.2m | €0.2m | €0.2m | €0.2m | = |
| Legal reserve130 | - | - | - | €0.2m | €0.2m | €0.2m | €0.2m | = |
| Distributable reserves133 | - | - | - | €3.0m | €3.0m | €3.0m | €3.0m | = |
| Profit (loss) carried forward14 | -€1.7m | -€1.7m | -€2.7m | -€3.7m | -€4.6m | -€8.6m | -€10.4m | ▼ 20.9% |
| Amounts payable17/49 | €10.4m | €10.3m | €10.9m | €9.2m | €8.6m | €10.9m | €12.5m | ▲ 14.9% |
| Amounts payable after more than one year17 | €0.2m | €0.007m | €0.007m | €0.007m | €0.007m | €0.007m | €0.007m | = |
| Other amounts payable178/9 | - | - | - | €0.007m | €0.007m | €0.007m | €0.007m | = |
| Amounts payable within one year42/48 | €10.1m | €10.2m | €10.8m | €9.1m | €8.5m | €10.6m | €12.3m | ▲ 15.4% |
| Current portion of amounts payable after more than one year42 | - | - | - | €0.2m | €0.2m | €0.3m | €0.2m | ▼ 49.2% |
| Financial debts43 | - | - | - | €0.7m | €0.6m | €0.3m | €0.1m | ▼ 51.9% |
| Credit institutions430/8 | - | - | - | €0.7m | €0.6m | €0.3m | €0.1m | ▼ 51.9% |
| Trade debts44 | €7.9m | €7.8m | €3.0m | €3.1m | €2.6m | €1.3m | €1.5m | ▲ 12.9% |
| Suppliers440/4 | - | - | - | €3.1m | €2.6m | €1.3m | €1.5m | ▲ 12.9% |
| Taxes, remuneration and social security45 | - | - | - | €0.8m | €0.6m | €0.6m | €0.6m | ▼ 9.8% |
| Taxes450/3 | - | - | - | €0.2m | €0.2m | €0.1m | €0.3m | ▲ 83.3% |
| Remuneration and social security454/9 | - | - | - | €0.5m | €0.5m | €0.5m | €0.3m | ▼ 35.8% |
| Other amounts payable47/48 | - | - | - | €4.3m | €4.5m | €8.0m | €9.9m | ▲ 23.0% |
| Accrued charges and deferred income492/3 | - | - | - | €0.06m | €0.07m | €0.3m | €0.3m | ▼ 5.5% |
| Line | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit (loss) for the period9904 | €0.02m | €0.06m | -€1.1m | -€0.9m | -€1.0m | -€3.9m | -€1.8m | ▲ 54.6% |
| + Depreciation and write-downs630 | €0.08m | €0.07m | €0.06m | €0.04m | €0.03m | €0.02m | €0.03m | ▲ 5.2% |
| Operating cash flow (approximation) | €0.1m | €0.1m | -€1.0m | -€0.9m | -€1.0m | -€3.9m | -€1.8m | ▲ 55.0% |
| Investment in fixed assets (approximation) | - | €3.2m | €0.03m | €0.02m | €0.06m | €0.001m | -€0.01m | - |
| Change in cash | - | -€0.02m | €0.05m | €0.2m | -€0.2m | €0.04m | -€0.1m | - |
Simplified and derived: a Belgian filing has no cash-flow statement, so these rows come from the income statement and the balance-sheet moves.
Latest 10 of 48 filings with the National Bank
| Financial year | Type | Filed | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31-12-2024 | full format | 11-07-2025 | 2025-00277341 |
| 31-12-2023 | full format | 10-07-2024 | 2024-00250581 |
| 31-12-2022 | full format | 17-07-2023 | 2023-00250408 |
| 31-12-2021 | full format | 01-07-2022 | 2022-20140678 |
| 31-12-2020 | full format | 07-07-2021 | 2021-33100043 |
| 31-12-2019 | full format | 07-09-2020 | 2020-52100335 |
| 31-12-2018 | full format | 28-06-2019 | 2019-26500106 |
| 31-12-2017 | full format | 25-06-2018 | 2018-23100318 |
| 31-12-2016 | full format | 14-08-2017 | 2017-43600544 |
| 31-12-2015 | full format | 22-06-2016 | 2016-21300185 |
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Of the 12,348 active companies whose main activity is freight transport by road (NACE 49410), figures are known for 8,229. 2,514 are within a factor 10 of this headcount. These 5 are the closest to it. See the whole sector
Public contracts: No European public contracts awarded found since October 2016. Contracts below the EU thresholds are not in TED.