Steppe Cement Limited

Interim / Quarterly Report • Sep 16, 2013

National Storage Mechanism | Additional information

You don't have Javascript enabled. For full functionality this page requires javascript to be enabled.

RNS Number : 0394O

Steppe Cement Limited

16 September 2013

Steppe Cement Limited

16 September 2013

Steppe Cement Ltd

Interim Results for the Half Year 30 June 2013

and General Market Update

1. Interim Results

Steppe Cement Ltd ("Steppe Cement") posted a consolidated profit after tax of USD 2.2 million for the six months ended 30 June 2013.

	6 months ended  30 June 13	6 months ended 30 June 12	% of change
Sales (Tonnes)	564,440	615,838	(8.3%)
Consolidated turnover (USD Million)	54.3	52.1	4%
Consolidated profit/(loss) after tax (USD Million)	2.2	(0.1)
Earnings/(loss) per share (Cent)	1	(0.1)
Average exchange rate (USD/KZT)	150	148

·     Sales increased by 4% while volumes decreased by 8%. The average sales price increased from USD 85/tonne to USD 96/tonne or 13% during the period.

·     Production costs per tonne increased by 9% in USD due to general inflation, change in product mix, and increased expenses related to quarries.

·     Selling expenses have risen on a per tonne basis by 3% due to increase in railway tariff on cement transportation to customers.

·     General and administrative expenses decreased by 3% during the period.

·     Steppe Cement generated USD 7.4 million from operations in the 1H 2013 while managing to increase inventories of work in progress and finished product by USD 2.7 m that will be sold in the second half of 2013.

·     The Kazakhstan tenge has depreciated during the last 12 months and currently stands at 153 (USD/KZT).

·     The Kazakhstan economy is expected to grow at 5-6% per annum in 2013.

2. Update on the Kazakh cement market

·     The Kazakhstan cement market increased by 11% during the first half of the year. Steppe Cement expects a market of 8 million tonnes for the full year 2013, an increase of 11% compared to the 7.2 million tonnes in 2012.

·     Previously unknown statistical information shows imports from Iran to West Kazakhstan at 140,000 tonnes in 2012 and estimated 370,000 tonnes in 2013. Steppe Cement has factored in the import data into the revised estimates of market size and share for 2013 and adjusted the actual market data for 2012.

·     Cement prices in 2H 2013 are expected to be comparable to the 1H 2013.

·     Overall production of all factories in Kazakhstan has increased by 10% in the first half of 2013 compared to 2012 while the share of the imported cement increased as well from 14% to 18%.

·     Steppe Cement's market share decreased from 19% in 1H2012 to 15% in 1H2013.

·     The Kazakhstan Government has continued its road building plan as well as significant infrastructure projects in most cities.

·     A new cement factory was commissioned in East Kazakhstan called Kazakh Cement which sold 170,000 tonnes in the first half of 2013 and it is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of 800,000 tonnes next year.

·     In 2014 two new cement production lines will be commissioned:

- Our line 5 with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes; and

- Caspi Cement belonging to Heidelberg Cement Group in West Kazakhstan with an annual production capacity of 800,000 tonnes. The later is expected to replace cement imports from Russian and Iran.

3. Production and refurbishment progress

·     In 2013, contribution to production from dry and wet lines remains similar to 2012 with approximately 55% of production coming from the dry line number 6.

·     The refurbishment work on line 5 is near completion as we are starting the commissioning of various sections in the autumn. Photographs of the work progress and site are posted monthly on our website.

·     We expect cost savings of 5% to 10% on the original project budget of USD 40 million.

·     At the time of this announcement, USD 29.5 million has been spent on line 5 project with a total commitment of USD 35.6 million.

·     We have completed the electricity distribution line and substation that will allow Central Asia Services JSC, our fully owned subsidiary, to transmit electricity directly from the national grid company, KEGOC. We expect significant production cost savings for the dry lines upon its commissioning in the final quarter of 2013.

4. Financing

·     Steppe Cement made USD 6.1 million of principal repayments to EBRD and HSBC during the first half of 2013 and will repay the same amount in the second half.

·     The company has the funds to both complete the remaining line 5 works and make scheduled loan repayments to EBRD and HSBC until the end of the year. Currently our short-term credit line of USD 20 million remains unutilized.

A pdf copy of the announcement and the full interim financial statements are available on the company's website at www.steppecement.com.

Steppe Cement's AIM nominated adviser is RFC Ambrian Limited.

Contact Stephen Allen or Trinity McIntyre at +61 8 94802500.

SUMMARY OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2013 (UNAUDITED)

(In United States Dollars)

The Notes to the Interim Financial Statements form an integral part of the Condensed Financial Statements. Please visit the Company's website at www.steppecement.com to view the full interim financial statements.

STEPPE CEMENT LTD

(Incorporated in Labuan FT, Malaysia under the Labuan Companies Act, 1990)

AND ITS SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2013 (UNAUDITED)

		The Group				The Company
		6 months ended				6 months ended
		30 June 2013		30 June 2012		30 June 2013		30 June 2012
		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
Revenue		54,347		52,155		50		50
Cost of sales		(33,978)		(34,099)		-		-
Gross profit		20,369		18,056		50		50
Selling expenses		(9,101)		(9,653)		-		-
General and administrative
expenses		(5,100)		(5,242)		(266)		(264)
Operating income/ (loss)		6,168		3,161		(216)		(214)
Interest income		30		-		-		-
Finance costs		(1,598)		(2,268)		-		-
Other (expense)/income, net		(781)		(502)		63		(9)
Profit/(Loss) before income tax		3,819		391		(153)		(223)
Income tax expense		(1,599)		(500)		-		-
Profit/(Loss) for the period		2,220		(109)		(153)		(223)
Attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company		2,220		(109)		(153)		(223)
Earnings/(Loss) per share:
Basic (cent)		1.0		(0.1)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2013 (UNAUDITED)

		The Group				The Company
		6 months ended				6 months ended
		30 June 2013		30 June 2012		30 June 2013		30 June 2012
		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
Profit/(Loss) for the period		2,220		(109)		(153)		(223)
Other comprehensive loss:
Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign subsidiary companies		(1,160)		(899)		-		-
Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period		1,060		(1,008)		(153)		(223)
Attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company		1,060		(1,008)		(153)		(223)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 JUNE 2013 (UNAUDITED)

		The Group					The Company
			Unaudited		Audited		Unaudited		Audited
			30 June 2013		31 Dec 2012		30 June 2013		31 Dec 2012
			USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
Assets
Non-Current Assets:
Property, plant and equipment			160,643		135,442		-		-
Investment in subsidiary companies			-		-		30,500		30,500
Advances and prepaid expenses			1,437		2,385		-		-
Other assets			23,372		40,575		-		-
Total Non-Current Assets			185,452		178,402		30,500		30,500
Current Assets
Inventories			21,782		18,248		-		-
Trade and other receivables			9,074		6,779		-		-
Amount owing by subsidiary companies			-		-		39,060		37,510
Advances and prepaid expenses			4,990		4,934		13		6
Short-term investments			-		5,998		-		-
Cash and bank balances			5,135		14,016		1,244		2,923
Total Current Assets			40,981		49,975		40,317		40,439
Total Assets			226,433		228,377		70,817		70,939

		The Group					The Company
			Unaudited		Audited		Unaudited				Audited
			30 June 2013		31 Dec 2012		30 June 2013			31 Dec 2012
			USD'000		USD'000		USD'000				USD'000
Equity and Liabilities
Capital and Reserves
Share capital			73,761		73,761		73,761				73,761
###### Revaluation reserve			7,318		8,034		-				-
Translation reserve			(22,805)		(21,645)		-				-
Retained earnings/ (Accumulated loss)			91,960		89,024		(4,093)				(3,940)
Total Equity			150,234		149,174		69,668				69,821
Non-Current Liabilities
Borrowings			33,892		40,663		-				-
Deferred tax liabilities			10,025		8,519		-				-
Total Non-Current Liabilities			43,917		49,182		-				-
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables			8,336		8,026		-				-
Accrued and other liabilities			10,449		7,080		1,149				1,118
Borrowings			13,063		14,527		-				-
Taxes payable			434		388		-				-
Total Current Liabilities			32,282		30,021		1,149				1,118
Total Liabilities			76,199		79,203		1,149				1,118
Total Equity and Liabilities			226,433		228,377		70,817				70,939

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2013 (UNAUDITED)

			Non-distributable				Distributable
The Group	Share capital		Revaluation reserve		Translation reserve		Retained earnings				Total/Net
	USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000				USD'000
Balance as at 1 January 2012	58,298		9,477		(20,009)		79,221				126,987
Loss for the period	-		-		-		(109)				(109)
Exchange differences arising on   translation of foreign subsidiary companies	-		-		(899)		-				(899)
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-		-		(899)		(109)				(1,008)
Transfer of revaluation reserve relating to depreciation of property, plant and equipment	-		(726)		-		726				-
Balance as at 30 June 2012	58,298		8,751		(20,908)		79,838				125,979

			Non-distributable						Distributable
The Group	Share capital		Revaluation reserve		Translation reserve				Retained earnings			Total/Net
	USD'000		USD'000		USD'000				USD'000			USD'000
Balance as at 1 January 2013	73,761		8,034		(21,645)			89,024				149,174
Profit for the period	-		-		-			2,220				2,220
Exchange differences arising on   translation of foreign subsidiary companies	-		-		(1,160)			-				(1,160)
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-		-		(1,160)			2,220				(1,060)
Transfer of revaluation reserve relating to the depreciation of property, plant and equipment	-		(716)		-			716				-
Balance as at 30 June 2013	73,761		7,318		(22,805)			91,960				150,234

			Distributable
The Company	Share capital		Retained earnings				Total/Net
	USD'000		USD'000				USD'000
Balance as at 1 January 2012	58,298			(3,436)				54,862
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-			(223)				(223)
Balance as at 30 June 2012	58,298			(3,659)				54,639
Balance as at 1 January 2013	73,761			(3,940)				69,821
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-			(153)				(153)
Balance as at 30 June 2013	73,761			(4,093)				69,668

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2013 (UNAUDITED)

					The Group					The Company
					6 months ended					6 months ended
					30 June 2013		30 June 2012			30 June 2013			30 June 2012
					USD'000		USD'000			USD'000			USD'000
#### OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Profit/(Loss) before tax				3,819			391			(153)			(223)
Adjustments for non-cash items				6,819			7,612			(62)			7
Operating Profit/(Loss) Before Working Capital Changes				10,638			8,003			(215)			(216)
(Increase)/ Decrease in:
Inventories				(5,352)			2,038		-			-
Trade and other receivables,				1,229			(3,844)		(7)			-
advances and prepaid expenses
Amount owing by subsidiary companies				-			-		(1,550)			213
Increase in:
Trade and other payables,				3,807			4,714		93			59
accrued and other liabilities
Cash Generated From/(Used In) Operations				10,322			10,911			(1,679)			56
Income tax paid				(687)			(518)			-			-
Interest paid				(2,267)			(1,784)			-			-
Net Cash Generated From/(Used In) Operating Activities				7,368			8,609			(1,679)			56
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment				(4,766)			(1,755)			-			-
Purchase of non-current assets				(9,690)			(3,139)			-			-
Proceeds from short-term investment				5,998			-			-			-
Interest received				30			-			-			-
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities				(8,428)			(4,894)			-			-
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from borrowings				15,876			8,223			-			-
Repayment from borrowings				(23,600)			(4,107)			-			-
Net Cash (Used In)/From by Financing Activities				(7,724)			4,116			-			-
NET (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS				(8,784)			7,831			(1,679)			56
EFFECTS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES				(97)			(3)			-			-
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD				14,016			494			2,923			103
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD				5,135			8,322			1,244			159

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR NKADQNBKKPCD