Steppe Cement Limited

Interim / Quarterly Report • Sep 13, 2016

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RNS Number : 6305J

Steppe Cement Limited

13 September 2016

Steppe Cement Ltd

Interim Results for the Half Year ended 30 June 2016

and General Market Update

1. Interim Results

Steppe Cement Ltd ("Steppe Cement" and "the Company") posted a consolidated loss after tax of USD1.5 million for the six months ended 30 June 2016.

	6 months ended 30 June 16	6 months ended 30 June 15	% of change
Sales (Tonnes)	761,771	717,654	6%
Consolidated turnover KZT million	8,190	8,279	(1%)
Consolidated turnover (USD Million)	23.7	44.7	(47%)
Consolidated loss after tax (USD Million)	(1.5)	(2.2)
Loss per share (Cents)	(0.7)	(1.0)
Average exchange rate (USD/KZT)	345	185

·     The Company's operating cash flows are in Tenge ("KZT") but as it reports in USD, the results for the period have been significantly impacted by the substantial devaluation of the KZT between August 2015 and January 2016.

·     Sales increased by 6% in volume but decreased by 1% in KZT.

·     The average ex-factory price decreased from 9,665 KZT /tonne to 8,781 KZT /tonne or 9% during the period. This is against a background of a reduction in domestic cement consumption.

·     Steppe Cement's gross margin decreased from 30% to 22.5% mostly due to the lower selling prices.

·     Selling expenses and administrative expenses decreased by 47% and 49% in USD but remained constant as a % of sales due to strong cost containment.

·     The company booked foreign exchange gains of USD0.4 million in the first half compared with losses of USD1.5 million in 1H 2015.

·     In the context of the lower exchange rate and pricing environment, the Company generated operating profit before working capital of USD 2.8 million in 1H 2016 against USD7.3 million in 2015.

·     The Kazakhstan economy is expected to remain flat in 2016.

·     Reported inflation has been 5.4% until the end of August 2016. For the full 2015 inflation was 13.8%.

·     The USD/KZT exchange rate has been fluctuating between 330 and 390 in 2016 and the RUB/KZT from 4.6 to 5.3.

2. Production costs

·     Cement production costs per tonne increased by 4% in KZT despite the 13.8% inflation because of the efforts to optimize utilities (water, heating, compressed air and electricity) as well as general expenses (headquarter, headcount and security).

3. Update on the Kazakh cement market

·     The Kazakh cement market decreased by 10% during the first half of the year. Steppe Cement expects a market of about 9 million tonnes for the full year 2016 down from 9.6 million in 2015.

·     Steppe Cement increased its market share from 16% in 1H2015 to 18% in 1H2016. We expect to achieve 19% for the full year. Export represented 4% of the volumes in the 1H2016 from none last year.

·     Imports into Kazakhstan have decreased by 63% in 2016 as the rouble exchange rate has returned to its historical level against the KZT. Imports represent 5% of the market down from 12% last year.

·     Overall production of all factories in Kazakhstan has remained stable at 4 million tonnes for the 1H2016.

·     Exports from Kazakhstan now represent 4% of local production up from 1.5% last year.

·    Currently 73% of production in the country is coming from dry lines up from 62% last year.

·     Prices have been increasing in the second half as the market decline is slower than expected and inflation is starting to adversely affect production costs.

·     Road building activity as well as construction in Almaty and Astana remains strong.

4. Financing

The debt position of the company as of 30 June 2016 comprised:

·     A VTB Bank loan of USD11 million at 6.2% interest p.a. A USD5.5 million principal payment was subsequently made in July 2016. The final principal repayment is due in November 2016.

·     A long term USD10.7 million loan outstanding to VTB Bank for the purchase of the wagons and repayable monthly till March 2019 at 7.2% interest p.a. and secured with the pledge of the wagons.

·     A 1.45 billion Kazakh Tenge bond outstanding for redemption in November 2017.

·     A loan of KZT2,188 million with Halyk Bank JSC subsidised by the government. The loan comes at a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum and comprises of:

o    KZT500 million for 5 years working capital on revolving basis;

o    KZT1,688 million for capital investment of which:

§  KZT1,188 million have 2 years' grace for principal and 8 years' repayment; and

§  KZT500 million with no grace period and 10 years' repayment.

·     We have maintained KZT3.9 billion of available working capital lines from Halyk Bank and Altyn Bank including the KZT500 million previously mentioned. The current interest rates are 6% p.a. in USD and 14% p.a. in KZT.

·     As of 10 September 2016, total bank debt net of cash amounts to USD28 million of which 64% is denominated in USD and the balance in KZT. 

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

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

Nominated Adviser: Contact Stephen Allen or Oliver Morse at +61 8 9480 2500.

Broker: Contact Charlie Cryer at +44 20 3440 6800

SUMMARY OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2016 (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 2016 (UNAUDITED)

		The Group				The Company
		6 months ended				6 months ended
		30 June 2016		30 June 2015		30 June 2016		30 June 2015
		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
Revenue		23,722		44,698		50		50
Cost of sales		(18,388)		(31,426)		-		-
Gross profit		5,334		13,272		50		50
Selling expenses		(3,891)		(7,398)		-		-
General and administrative
expenses		(2,200)		(4,326)		(114)		(235)
Operating (loss)/income		(757)		1,548		(64)		(185)
Interest income		5		1		-		-
Finance costs		(1,468)		(2,469)		-		-
Net foreign exchange gain/(loss)		368		(1,494)		97		(11)
Other expense, net		150		122		-		-
(Loss)/Profit before income tax		(1,702)		(2,292)		33		(196)
Income tax credit		223		51		-		-
(Loss)/Profit for the period		(1,479)		(2,241)		33		(196)
Attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company		(1,479)		(2,241)		33		(196)
Loss per share:
Basic and diluted (cents)		(0.7)		(1.0)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2016 (UNAUDITED)

		The Group				The Company
		6 months ended				6 months ended
		30 June 2016		30 June 2015		30 June 2016		30 June 2015
		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
(Loss)/Profit for the period		(2,241)		(2,241)		33		(196)
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Item that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign subsidiary companies		46		(2,533)		-		-
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period		46		(2,533)		-		-
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period		(1,433)		(4,774)		33		(196)
Attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company		(1,433)		(4,774)		33		(196)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 JUNE 2016 (UNAUDITED)

		The Group					The Company
			Unaudited		Audited		Unaudited		Audited
			30 June 2016		31 Dec 2015		30 June 2016		31 Dec 2015
			USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
Assets
Non-Current Assets:
Property, plant and equipment			71,526		71,787		-		-
Investment in subsidiary companies			-		-		26,500		26,500
Advances and prepaid expenses			1,895		1,271		-		-
Other assets			1,895		2,442		-		-
Deferred taxes			771		550		-		-
Total Non-Current Assets			76,087		76,050		26,500		26,500
Current Assets
Inventories			12,876		13,320		-		-
Trade and other receivables			3,429		2,291		-		-
Income tax receivable			558		547
Amount owing by subsidiary companies			-		-		39,726		39,846
Advances and prepaid expenses			1,769		1,432		18		6
Cash and bank balances			2,495		2,406		108		338
Total Current Assets			21,127		19,996		39,852		40,190
Total Assets			97,214		96,046		66,352		66,690

		The Group					The Company
			Unaudited		Audited		Unaudited		Audited
			30 June 2016		31 Dec 2015		30 June 2016
			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			3,256		3,443		-		-
Translation reserve			(108,078)		(108,124)		-		-
Retained earnings/ (Accumulated loss)			86,354		87,646		(8,395)		(8,428)
Total Equity			55,293		56,726		65,366		65,333
Non-Current Liabilities
Borrowings			16,008		14,857		-		-
Deferred income			1,513		518		-		-
Provision for site restoration			54		51		-		-
Total Non-Current Liabilities			17,575		15,426		-		-
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables			5,405		4,485		-		-
Accrued and other liabilities			3,208		3,085		986		1,357
Borrowings			15,417		15,822		-		-
Taxes payable			316		502		-		-
Total Current Liabilities			24,346		23,894		1,406		1,357
Total Liabilities			41,921		39,320		1,406		1,357
Total Equity and Liabilities			97,214		96,046		66,352		66,690

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2016 (UNAUDITED)

			Non-distributable				Distributable
The Group	Share capital		Revaluation reserve		Translation reserve		Retained earnings		Total
	USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
Balance as at 1 January 2016	73,761		3,443		(108,124)		87,646		56,726
Loss for the period	-		-		-		(1,479)		(1,479)
Exchange differences arising on   translation of foreign subsidiary companies	-		-		46		-		46
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period	-		-		46		(1,479)		(1,433)
Transfer of revaluation reserve relating to the depreciation of property, plant and equipment through use	-		(187)		-		187		-
Balance as at 30 June 2016	73,761		3,256		(108,078)		86,354		55,293

			Non-distributable				Distributable
The Group	Share capital		Revaluation reserve		Translation reserve		Retained earnings		Total
	USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
Balance as at 1 January 2015	73,761		3,986		(50,559)		90,503		117,691
Loss for the period	-		-		-		(2,241)		(2,241)
Exchange differences arising on   translation of foreign subsidiary companies	-		-		(2,533)		-		(2,533)
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-		-		(2,533)		(2,241)		(4,774)
Transfer of revaluation reserve relating to the depreciation of property, plant and equipment through use	-		(544)		-		544		-
Balance as at 30 June 2015	73,761		3,442		(53,092)		88,806		112,917

The Company	Share capital		Accumulated losses		Total
	USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
Balance as at 1 January 2016	73,761		(8,428)		65,333
Total comprehensive income for the period	-		33		33
Balance as at 30 June 2016	73,761		(8,395)		65,366
Balance as at 1 January 2015	73,761		(4,216)		69,545
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-		(196)		(196)
Balance as at 30 June 2015	73,761		(4,412)		69,348

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2016 (UNAUDITED)

			The Group				The Company
			6 months ended				6 months ended
			30 June 2016		30 June 2015		30 June 2016		30 June 2015
			USD'000		USD'000		USD'000		USD'000
#### OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(Loss)/Profit before income tax			(1,702)		(2,292)		33		(196)
Adjustments for non-cash items			4,509		9,609		(93)		-
Operating Profit/(Loss) Before Working Capital Changes			2,807		7,317		(60)		(196)
(Increase)/ Decrease in:
Inventories			301		(767)		-		-
Trade and other receivables,			(838)		(4,702)		(12)		(12)
advances and prepaid expenses
Amount owing by subsidiary companies			-		-		119		167
Increase in:
Trade and other payables,			5,381		5,381		(278)		65
accrued and other liabilities
Cash Generated From/(Used In) Operations			3,229		7,229		(230)		24
Income tax paid			(80)		(94)		-		-
Interest paid			(1,389)		(2,432)		-		-
Net Cash Generated From/(Used In) Operating Activities			1,760		4,703		(230)		24
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(3,410)		(669)		-		-
Purchase of non-current assets			(34)		(33)		-		-
Interest received			5		1		-		-
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities			(3,439)		(701)		-		-
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from borrowings			13,618		14,588		-		-
Repayment from borrowings			(11,854)		(21,829)		-		-
Net Cash Generated From/(Used In) Financing Activities			1,764		(7,241)		-		-
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			85		(3,239)		(230)		24
EFFECTS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES			4		(186)		-		-
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD			2,406		9,295		338		2
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD			2,495		5,870		108		26

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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