Earnings Release • Oct 27, 2016
Earnings Release
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PARIS, OCTOBER 27, 2016
Chairman & CEO Gilles Michel commented,
"Current operating income grew + 8.0% during the first nine months of the year, in a market environment that was still contrasted. This good performance results from the enhancement of our specialty product offering, the rampup of synergies from acquisitions and our effective cost measures. On the basis of the results for the first nine months, Imerys therefore confirms that it is targeting growth in full year net income from current operations to be comparable to that of the 1st half, assuming unchanged market conditions and environment."
| Consolidated results Unaudited - € millions |
9 months 2015 |
9 months 2016 |
Change (reported) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3,084.5 | 3,126.5 | + 1.4 % |
| Current operating income (1) | 409.0 | 441.5 | + 8.0 % |
| Operating margin | 13.3 % | 14.1 % | + 0.8 pt |
| Net income from current operations, Group's share (1) | 259.9 | 274.5 | + 5.6 % |
| Net income from current operations, Group's share, per share (in euros) (2) | 3.28 € | 3.48 € | + 6.2 % |
| Net income, Group share | 218.5 | 219.0 | + 0.2 % |
(1) Throughout this press release, "current" means " before other operating rev enue and ex penses" as defined in the notes to the financial statements on the consolidated income statement
(2)The w eighted av erage number of outstanding shares: 78,774,246 in the first nine months of 2016 (79,204,998 in the first nine months of 2015)
| Unaudited quarterly data (€ millions) |
2015 Revenue |
2016 Revenue |
Change | Like-for-like change |
o/w volume effect |
o/w Price/Mix effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | 973.6 | 1,038.1 | + 6.6 % | - 1.8 % | - 2.6 % | + 0.8 % |
| 2nd quarter | 1,083.7 | 1,058.6 | - 2.3 % | - 2.6 % | - 3.3 % | + 0.8 % |
| 1st half | 2,057.3 | 2,096.7 | + 1,9 % | - 2.2 % | - 3.0 % | + 0.8 % |
| 3rd quarter | 1,027.2 | 1,029.8 | + 0.3 % | - 2.5 % | - 3.2 % | + 0.7 % |
| Cumulative 9 months | 3,084.5 | 3,126.5 | + 1.4 % | - 2.3 % | - 3.0 % | + 0.7 % |
Revenue for the first 9 months of 2016 totaled €3,126.5 million. The + 1.4% rise on a reported basis compared with the same period in the prior year takes the following items into account:
At comparable Group structure and exchange rates, revenue decreased - 2.3% compared with the first 9 months of 2015. This was due to a poor demand on certain markets, including steelmaking and paper, which was partly offset by a positive price-mix effect of + 0.7%, supported by new products.
| Non-audited quarterly data (€ millions) |
2015 | 2016 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | 123.2 | 135.4 | + 9.9% |
| Operating margin | 12,7 % | 13,0 % | + 0.3 point |
| 2nd quarter | 150.8 | 157.7 | + 4.5 % |
| Operating margin | 13,9 % | 14,9 % | + 1.0 point |
| 1st half | 274.0 | 293.0 | + 6.9 % |
| Operating margin | 13,3 % | 14,0 % | + 0.7 point |
| 3rd quarter | 135.0 | 148.5 | + 10.0 % |
| Operating margin | 13.1% | 14.4% | + 1.3 point |
| Cumulative 9 months ended September 30 | 409.0 | 441.5 | + 8.0 % |
| Operating margin | 13.3% | 14.1% | + 0.8 point |
Current operating income totaled €441.5 million to September 30, 2016, a + 8.0% rise from the same period in 2015. It includes a Group structure effect of + €14.2 million relating to S&B and the other acquisitions completed in late 2015. It also includes a favorable exchange rate impact of + €29.8 million, resulting from the devaluation of the Brazilian real in particular. This aspect should be seen in the context of the €13.4 million negative impact on costs due to high inflation in Brazil, from where the Group exports.
Current operating income improved thanks to the enhanced specialty product offering, to the ramp-up of synergies from acquisitions and to the improvement in fixed and variable costs, driven by operating excellence programs and procurement efficiencies.
In this context, the Group's operating margin, which also benefited from a favorable trend in the activity mix, improved by + 80 basis points to 14.1% (13.3% as of September 30, 2015).
Net income from current operations rose + 5.6% to €274.5 million (€259.9 million as of September 30, 2015). It factors in - €47.5 million of financial expense. This figure is higher compared with the one of the first 9 months of 2015 (- €39.5 million) due to a lower contribution from foreign exchange and financial instruments (- €2.0 million vs. + €10.6 million). On the contrary, interest expense decreased slightly to - €37.8 million compared with - €38.9 million for the first 9 months of 2015. In addition, the - €117.2 million tax charge (- €107.9 million in the first 9 months of 2015) reflects an effective tax rate of 29.7% (29.2% for the first 9 months of 2015).
Net income from current operations per share, which benefited from share buybacks, improved + 6.2% to €3.48.
Group's share of net income was €219.0 million (€218.5 million for the first 9 months of 2015), after taking other operating income and expenses, net of tax, into account.
Other operating income and expenses, net of tax, amounted to - €55.5 million compared with- €41.4 million as of September 30, 2015. This concerns several restructuring projects, mainly in Monolithic Refractories and Refractory Minerals (particularly through €23 million depreciation in China in the 3rd quarter).
The Group's net financial debt, totaling €1.5 billion as of September 30, 2016, was stable compared with June 30, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, the Group's ratio of net financial debt to EBITDA on a rolling twelve-month basis was 1.9x.
| Unaudited data (€ millions) |
9 months 2015 |
9 months 2016 |
Change reported |
Group structure |
Exchange rates |
Change Like for-like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Solutions & Specialties |
950.2 | 936.6 | - 1.4 % | + 4.3 % | - 1.4 % | - 4.3 % |
| Filtration & Performance Additives |
809.6 | 852.3 | + 5.3 % | + 6.6 % | - 1.1 % | - 0.2 % |
| Ceramic Materials | 878.1 | 928.4 | + 5.7 % | + 6.2 % | + 0.0 % | - 0.6 % |
| High Resistance Minerals |
486.2 | 446.4 | - 8.2 % | - 2.6 % | - 0.2 % | - 5.4 % |
| Holding & Eliminations | (39.6) | (37.2) | - | - | - | - |
| Total revenue | 3,084.5 | 3,126.5 | + 1.4 % | + 4.4 % | - 0.7 % | - 2.3 % |
(30% of consolidated revenue to September 30, 2016)
| Unaudited quarterly data (€ millions) | 2015 | 2016 | Change (reported) |
Change (like-for-like) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter revenue | 312.5 | 300.8 | - 3,7 % | - 6,8 % |
| 2nd quarter revenue | 323.5 | 316.2 | - 2,3 % | - 2,9 % |
| 1st half revenue | 636.0 | 617.0 | - 3.0 % | - 4,8 % |
| 3rd quarter revenue | 314.1 | 319.6 | + 1.7 % | - 3.2 % |
| Cumulative 9 months | 950.2 | 936.6 | - 1.4 % | - 4.3 % |
The Energy Solutions & Specialties business group's revenue totaled €936.6 million in the first 9 months of 2016 (- 1.4% on a reported basis). This decrease factors in a positive structure effect of + €40.6 million relating to the acquisition of Solvay's European precipitated calcium carbonate activities (November 2015), integration of which is on track with plan, and an unfavorable exchange rate effect of - €13.4 million.
At comparable structure and exchange rates, revenue decreased - 4.3% compared with the same period in 2015, mainly because of the decline in the refractories market.
The Carbonates division's sales benefited from a vibrant North American and South-East Asian markets and from the development of specialty products, while the paper market continued to decline. In addition, in the 1st half of 2016, Imerys set up FiberLean TM Technologies, a technological joint venture held 50/50 with Omya, to promote research & development on microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) across multiple applications and sectors.
In the Monolithic Refractories division, Europe was penalized by low numbers of industrial maintenance projects, unlike India and Southeast Asia which remained buoyant. In this context, on September 1, the Group enhanced its geographic positioning by acquiring SPAR, a North American producer of monolithic refractories that mainly serves the petrochemicals, power generation, cement and incineration markets. In addition, as of October 3, it developed its service offering by integrating Fagersta Eldfasta, a Swedish company specializing in refractory products.
The increase in the Graphite & Carbon division's sales was driven by high market growth in lithium-ion batteries for mobile energy. To meet robust demand, the Group launched multi-year investment program to enhance research & development, expand geographic coverage, but also to increase industrial capacities and mining resources (particularly through the joint-venture with Gecko in Namibia).
In the Oilfield Solutions division, the Group maintained an active industrial and commercial presence on a market that remained weak. For the year as a whole, assuming unchanged market conditions, the Group confirms that the division's negative contribution to the Group's operating income should not be higher than in 2015 (- €27 million).
(27% of consolidated revenue to September 30, 2016)
| Unaudited quarterly data (€ millions) | 2015 | 2016 | Change (reported) |
Change (like-for-like) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter revenue | 218.9 | 278.2 | + 27,1 % | + 2,3 % |
| 2nd quarter revenue | 306.2 | 292.1 | - 4,6 % | - 1,7 % |
| 1st half revenue | 525.1 | 570.3 | + 8,6 % | + 0,0 % |
| 3rd quarter revenue | 284.5 | 282.0 | - 0.9 % | - 0.5 % |
| Cumulative 9 months | 809.6 | 852.3 | + 5.3 % | - 0.2 % |
The Filtration & Performance Additives business group's revenue totaled €852.3 million for the first 9 months of 2016, a + 5.3% increase. It includes a foreign exchange impact of - €9.3 million and a + €53.4 million structure effect, mainly from the acquisition of S&B (as from March 2015), for which synergy plan is progressing well.
The increase in revenue at comparable structure and exchange rates for the first 9 months of 2016 results from the fast development of new products, which is offset by slack conditions on some of the business group's markets (steel and certain areas of the foundry market).
Sales of Performance Additives division were driven by the development of applications of wollastonite (from S&B) and talc, particularly for automotive polymers. In addition, in cosmetics the Group won the Industrial Minerals Association (IMA) innovation award for ImerCare, a perlite-based product that can replace the plastic microbeads used in body scrubs.
The Filtration division benefited from firm consumer goods and medical therapeutics sectors, as well as the development of new segments.
The Metallurgy division, which serves the foundry and steel industries, improved its cost structure and enriched its product offering.
(29% of consolidated revenue to September 30, 2016)
| Unaudited quarterly data (€ millions) | 2015 | 2016 | Change (reported) |
Change (like-for-like) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter revenue | 291.0 | 323.2 | + 11,1 % | + 2,8 % |
| 2nd quarter revenue | 301.4 | 311.4 | + 3,3 % | - 2,3 % |
| 1st half revenue | 592.4 | 634.6 | + 7,1 % | + 0,2 % |
| 3rd quarter revenue | 285.8 | 293.8 | + 2.8 % | - 2.1 % |
| Cumulative 9 months | 878.1 | 928.4 | + 5.7 % | - 0.6 % |
The Ceramic Materials business group's revenue totaled €928.4 million. The + 5.7% reported change from the first 9 months of 2015 takes into account a + €54.9 million structure impact, mainly relating to the acquisition of BASF's hydrous kaolin activity in the Unites States and that of Matisco's roofing accessories in the Roofing division in November 2015. It takes into account a + €0.2 million exchange rate effect.
At comparable structure and exchange rates, revenue decreased slightly compared with the first 9 months of 2015.
In the Roofing division, the upturn in the French roof tiles market didn't materialize (market down - 0.5% for the first 9 months of 2016(1) ). New single-family housing starts increased very slightly and the renovation market remained lackluster over the period.
The Kaolin division's sales continued to be impacted by the erosion of the paper market, which was partly offset by its developments in specialty applications (rubber, plastics, paints, sealants and adhesives, etc.).
The Ceramics division's activity was healthy, thanks to further geographic repositioning towards faster growth regions. During the third quarter, the Group sold two Spanish plants to Samca, a Spanish industrial group, and with whom it also signed exclusive distribution agreements in Spain and abroad (July 2016).
1 Source: French roof tiles & bricks federation (FFTB): September 2016 newsflash
(14% of consolidated revenue to September 30, 2016)
| Unaudited quarterly data (€ millions) | 2015 | 2016 | Change (reported) |
Change (like-for-like) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter revenue | 165.3 | 148.3 | - 10,3 % | - 6,4 % |
| 2nd quarter revenue | 165.0 | 151.5 | - 8,1 % | - 4,4 % |
| 1st half revenue | 330.3 | 299.8 | - 9,2 % | - 5,4 % |
| 3rd quarter revenue | 156.0 | 146.5 | - 6.0 % | - 5.5 % |
| Cumulative 9 months | 486.2 | 446.4 | - 8.2 % | - 5.4 % |
The High Resistance Minerals business group's revenue totaled €446.4 million. On a reported basis, it decreased - 8.2% compared with the first 9 months of 2015 and includes a - €12.7 million structure effect relating mostly to the divestment of a minerals trading activity in the United States at the end of June 2015. At comparable structure and exchange rates, the - 5.4%, sales decrease can be primarily attributed to the refractories market.
In this context, the Group continued to restructure its industrial asset base in Refractory Minerals, particularly in China.
In the Fused Minerals division, specialty zirconia and fused alumina products held out well and the ramp-up of the Bahrain plant enabled the Group to extend its geographic coverage.
Imerys should receive tomorrow the European Commission's agreement for the acquisition of specialty alumina production activities from the Alteo group, providing Imerys commits to disposing of the activities of the La Bâthie plant (France). The operations that would be ultimately retained by Imerys achieve annual revenue of approximately €50 million with a workforce of 150. This transaction, which should enable Imerys to broaden and optimize its product offering, is subject to personnel representative information and consultation procedures, and should be closed by the end of the year.
| February 16 | 2016 results |
|---|---|
| April 28 | 1st quarter 2017 results |
| May 3 at 11am | Shareholders' General Meeting |
| July 28 | 1st half 2017 results |
| October 31 | 3rd quarter 2017 results |
These dates are tentative and may change. Updates are available on the Group's website at www.imerys.com, in the Investors & Analysts/Financial Agenda section
The press release is available from the Group's website www.imerys.com with access via the homepage in the News section. The results for the first 9 months of 2016 will be commented upon in a conference call on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 10am (Paris time). The call will be webcast live on the Group's website at www.imerys.com.
The world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions for industry, with €4 billion revenue and 16,000 employees, Imerys delivers high value-added, functional solutions to a great number of sectors, from processing industries to consumer goods and building products. The Group draws on its knowledge of applications, scientific expertise and technological know-how to beneficiate its mineral resources, develop formulations and produce synthetic minerals. These contribute essential properties to customers' products and performance, including refractoriness, hardness, conductivity, opacity, durability, purity, lightness, filtration, absorption and repellency. Imerys is determined to develop responsibly, in particular by fostering the emergence of environmentally-friendly products and processes.
More comprehensive information about Imerys may be obtained from its website (www.imerys.com) under Regulated Information, particularly in its Registration Document filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers on March 17, 2016 under number D. 16-0153 (also available from the Autorité des marchés financiers website, www.amf-france.org). Imerys draws the attention of investors to chapter 4, "Risk Factors and Internal Control", of its Registration Document.
Disclaimer: This document contains projections and other forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such projections and forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Imerys) that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied.
The present document is a translation of the French language version for information purposes only. In the event of any discrepancies, ambiguity or conflict between the French text and this translation, the French text will prevail. Only the French language version is binding.
| Analyst/Investor Relations: | Press Contacts: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent Gouley - + 33 (0)1 4955 6469 | Vincent Gouley - + 33 (0)1 4955 6469 | ||
| [email protected] | Philémon Tassel - + 33 (0)6 3010 9611 | ||
| Sarah Fornier - + 33 (0)7 8740 8350 |
(Non-audited quarterly data)
| Revenue by business group (€ millions) |
Q1 2015 | Q2 2015 | Q3 2015 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2016 | Q2 2016 | Q3 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Solutions & Specialties |
312.5 | 323.5 | 314.1 | 303.0 | 300.8 | 316.2 | 319.6 |
| Filtration & Performance Additives |
218.9 | 306.2 | 284.5 | 271.9 | 278.2 | 292.1 | 282.0 |
| Ceramic Materials | 291.0 | 301.4 | 285.8 | 294.2 | 323.2 | 311.4 | 293.8 |
| High Resistance Minerals |
165.3 | 165.0 | 156.0 | 143.1 | 148.3 | 151.5 | 146.5 |
| Holding & Eliminations | (14.1) | (12.4) | (13.2) | (10.2) | (12.4) | (12.6) | (12.1) |
| Total | 973.6 | 1,083.7 | 1,027.2 | 1,002.2 | 1,038.1 | 1,058.6 | 1,029.8 |
| Revenue by business group (€ millions) |
Q3 2015 | Q3 2016 | Change (reported) |
Group Structure |
Foreign Exchange |
Change (like-for-like) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Solutions & Specialties |
314.1 | 319.6 | + 1.7 % | + 4.5 % | + 0.5 % | - 3.2 % |
| Filtration & Performance Additives |
284.5 | 282.0 | - 0.9 % | + 0.1 % | - 0.5 % | - 0.5 % |
| Ceramic Materials | 285.8 | 293.8 | + 2.8 % | + 3.7 % | + 1.2 % | - 2.1 % |
| High Resistance Minerals |
156.0 | 146.5 | - 6.0 % | - 0.7 % | + 0.1 % | - 5.5 % |
| Holding & Eliminations | (13.2) | (12.1) | n.s. | n.s. | n.s. | n.s. |
| Total | 1,027.2 | 1,029.8 | + 0.3 % | + 2.3 % | + 0.4 % | - 2.5 % |
| Revenue by region (€ millions) | 9 months 2016 revenue |
Change 9 months '16 vs. 9 months '15 (reported) |
% total revenue 9 months '15 |
% total revenue 9 months '16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | 1,361.2 | + 0,6% | 44% | 44% |
| o/w France | 363.5 | + 2,9 % | 11% | 12% |
| USA / Canada | 771.3 | + 1,0% | 25% | 25% |
| Emerging markets | 830.2 | + 1,2 % | 27% | 26% |
| Japan / Australia | 163.8 | + 11,6 % | 4% | 5% |
| Total | 3,126.5 | + 1.4 % | 100% | 100% |
| (€ millions) | Q3 2015 | Q3 2016 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,027.2 | 1,029.8 | + 0.3 % |
| Current operating income | 135.0 | 148.5 | + 10.0 % |
| Current financial expense | (16.0) | (18.4) | |
| Current taxes | (33.8) | (39.1) | |
| Minority interest | - | (0.4) | |
| Net income from current operations | 85.2 | 90.6 | + 6.3 % |
| Other operating income and expenses, net | (11.9) | (29.7) | |
| Net income | 73.3 | 60.9 | - 16.9 % |
| (€ millions) | 9 months 2015 | 9 months 2016 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3,084.5 | 3,126.5 | + 1.4 % |
| Current operating income | 409.0 | 441.5 | + 8.0 % |
| Current financial expense | (39.5) | (47.5) | |
| Current taxes | (107.9) | (117.2) | |
| Minority interest | (1.7) | (2.3) | |
| Net income from current operations | 259.9 | 274.5 | + 5.6 % |
| Other operating income and expenses, net | (41.4) | (55.5) | |
| Net income | 218.5 | 219.0 | + 0.2 % |
Throughout this press release:
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