The carmaker has really done well this year despite the market headwinds. Demand for their products grew throughout 2022 and the company posted excellent results. The share price has also risen over the last period, so let's take a look at what contributed to the positive development and what direction the carmaker could be heading in 2023.

Results for 2022

Rolls-Royce boasted good results in 2022. It sold a record number of vehicles and consumers showed strong demand for the luxury brand with cars averaging $500,000, despite fears of a recession and rising inflation.  Compared to 2021, the brand increased its sales by approximately 8% and sold more than 6,000 cars.

The company especially delighted its customers with its Bespoke program, which allows them to design and customize their own Rolls-Royce vehicles with luxury extras. In addition, it has also tried to get closer to its discerning consumers by opening a private, invitation-only branch in Dubai. Here, it provides VIP services precisely because the Middle East is a leading region for premium customised 'High Bespoke' vehicles.

How are the shares doing?

The value of Rolls-Royce's shares started to rise mainly after China began to end its zero-Covid policy. The price has also moved up over the past two months as investors have adjusted their expectations. The shares were trading at £93.2 at the end of 2022, the highest point since July 22. Their value thus increased by more than 43%.*

Rolls-Royce's share performance over the last 5 years. (Source: Investing)

Future developments

Of course, no one can say for sure that this year will also be profitable for the company. Nevertheless, strong demand in civil aviation could ensure favourable results for Rolls-Royce. This industrial giant operates as an oligopoly in some sectors. In the wide-body aircraft sector, for example, only one company competes with it, and therefore, with its 58% market share, the next period could be more than successful for Roll-Royce.

Within the U.S., the carmaker covered nearly 35 percent of its global sales in 2022, while in China it notched 25 percent of global sales, marking the second strongest year for the company. The company is showing strong demand in the luxury segment and it is believed that China could be a crucial region for the carmaker. [1]

Adam Austera, analyst at Ozios

* Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

[1] Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and current expectations, which may be inaccurate, or the current economic environment, which may change. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance. They involve risks and other uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.