AI Terminal

MODULE: AI_ANALYST
Interactive Q&A, Risk Assessment, Summarization
MODULE: DATA_EXTRACT
Excel Export, XBRL Parsing, Table Digitization
MODULE: PEER_COMP
Sector Benchmarking, Sentiment Analysis
SYSTEM ACCESS LOCKED
Authenticate / Register Log In

Alro S.A.

Quarterly Report Feb 28, 2024

2283_er_2024-02-28_fc4db113-7348-4369-8aa8-b54ec40a4533.pdf

Quarterly Report

Open in Viewer

Opens in native device viewer

No.16/28.02.2024

To: Financial Supervisory Authority Bucharest Stock Exchange

Current report in compliance with the stipulations of the Law no. 24/2017 (republished) and of the FSA Regulation no.5/2018 (including the subsequent amendments) regarding the issuers of financial instruments and market operations

Date of report: 28.02.2024 Name of issuer: ALRO S.A. Headquarters: Slatina, 116 Pitesti Street, Olt County Telephone/ fax number: +40 249 431 901 / +40 249 437 500 Sole registration number at the Trade Register Office: RO 1515374 Trade Register Number: J28/8/1991 The European Unique Identifier (EUID): ROONRCJ28/8/1991 Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 5493008G6W6SORM2JG98 Subscribed and paid-in share capital: 356,889,567.5 RON Regulated market on which the issued shares are traded: Bucharest Stock ExchangePremium Tier Category (market symbol: ALR)

We hereby inform all persons who may be interested about the following important event to be reported:

Press Release

ALRO registered a preliminary consolidated turnover of RON 2.85 billion in 2023

Slatina, 28 February 2024 – ALRO S.A. (BSE: ALR, "the Company" or "ALRO"), one of the largest vertically integrated aluminium producers in Europe, measured by production capacity, announces today its Preliminary Consolidated and Separate Financial Results for the year 2023. The Group registered a turnover of RON 2.85 billion, in 2023, lower by 16% compared to the previous year, in line with the decrease of the international aluminium quotations and the slow down of the business environment.

"The international aluminium market continued to be very challenging in 2023, with lower demand for some of our products and still elevated energy prices that impacted our final result. However, once again, our investments and development plan proved to be correct and helped us partially offset the downturn," said Marian NĂSTASE, Chairman of ALRO's Board of Directors. "As a result, we increased the sales for specific processed aluminium products, while continuing to invest in technology that helps us diversify our products' portfolio and increase operational efficiency", added Marian NĂSTASE.

Market Update

The aluminium quotations on London Metal Exchange (LME) decreased by 16% in 2023, compared to 2022, with the average three months seller contracts standing at 2,285 USD/tonne, down from 2,713 USD/tonne, registered in 2022. While August brought the lowest LME quotation (2,123 USD/tonne), in Q4 the market showed slight signs of improvement, the quotations reaching 2,224 USD/tonne (still lower compared to Q4 2022 when it stood at 2,345 USD/tonne). While, in Q4 2023, the LME was 5% lower compared to the same period of

ALRO S.A. 116 Pitesti Street Phone: +(40) 249 431 901 [email protected] Slatina, Romania Fax: +(40) 249 437 500 www.alro.ro

2022, the Group's quarterly turnover was increased 4% compared to Q4 2022, thanks to its focus on increasing the sales for high added value products.

At European level, 2023 was characterised by a high offer of aluminium products due to distributors efforts to sell inventories, but also by high imports, mainly from China, on the back of a slowdown of the economy in general, that put further pressure on final prices and demand.

At local level, while the energy prices showed slight signs of decrease as a result of the authorities effors to stabilise the market, ALRO Group still faced high costs with energy coming from previous contracts.

Financial and Operational Update

While the sales for 2023 decreased compared to 2022 for both primary and processed segments, the last quarter of 2023 showed signs of improvement. Thus, the sales revenues for the Primary Segment increased in Q4 2023 by 32%, compared to Q4 2022, although for the full year 2023, it stood at the same level as that recorded in 2022. The sales for wire rod increased by almost 14,000 tonnes, in 2023 compared to 2022, in Q4 2023 being higher by 5,700 tonnes compared to Q4 2022. The Processed Segment registered higher volumes for specific products in Q4 2023 as well, the flat rolled aluminium sales increasing by 5,200 tonnes compared to Q4 2022.

Despite a weak aluminium market, the Group's investments in state-of-the-art technology paid off, further securing contracts for very sophisticated products for exclusive markets such as aerospace of engineering. Thus, last year, ALRO entered in new agreements for high and very high aluminium supply to aerospace industry, general engineering and automotive.

Moreover, the Group continued its investments programme, with another USD 15 million, aimed at decarbonizing the technological process and increasing competitiveness, in parallel with alignment with the latest requirements and recommendations in the field of environmental protection. It also inaugurated a USD 11 million investment in technology and environment protection at its Eco Recycling Facility in Slatina, aimed at reducing operational costs through using more recycled aluminium in its production process.

ALRO Group paired the investments programme in technology with its efforts to gain more customers, upgrading its sales and marketing stratey and focusing its attention on fairs and meetings with potential clients from strategic fields (aerospace, engineering, so on).

The Group also extended until 2026 the working capital credit facilities providing financial stability for the next three years.

These preliminary financial results are available in a separate document on the Company's website, Investor Relations category, Reports section:http://www.alro.ro/en/reports and at the below link:

Marian-Daniel NĂSTASE Gheorghe DOBRA

Chairman of the Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact: www.alro.ro

Florența Ghiță

Bucharest Phone: +40 744 644 004 Email: [email protected]

Notes to the Editors:

ALRO Group

The companies' part of ALRO Group are: ALRO S.A. – manufacturer of aluminium, ALUM S.A. – producer of alumina, Vimetco Extrusion S.R.L. – extrusion business line, Conef S.A. – holding and management company, Vimetco Trading – aluminium sales and until 1 September 2023 Sierra Mineral Holdings I, Ltd. – bauxite mining, Global Aluminium Ltd. – holding company and Bauxite Marketing Ltd – marketing.

ALRO

ALRO is a subsidiary of Vimetco PLC (Republic of Cyprus), a global, vertically-integrated primary and processed aluminium producer. The structure of ALRO shareholders is: Vimetco PLC (54.19%), Paval Holding (23.21%), Fondul Proprietatea (10.21%) and others (12.39%).

ALRO is one of the largest vertically integrated aluminium producers in Europe, by production capacity, with a production capacity of 265,000 tpa of electrolytic aluminium, an Eco-Recycling capacity reaching 100,000 tpa by the end of 2023, resulting in a production of recycled liquid aluminium of 94,000 tpa. The capacity of the Aluminium Cast House is 315,000 tpa and the processing capacity is 140,000 tpa of cold and hot rolled facilities and extrusion division.

The main market for ALRO products is represented by the European Union; the Company exports its products to the USA and to the Asia as well. ALRO is ISO 9001 certified for quality management and has NADCAP and EN 9100 certificates for aerospace production organizations, ALRO products adhere to the quality standards for primary aluminium on the LME, as well as international standards for flat rolled products.

Since 2020, ALRO and Vimetco Extrusion have been members of ASI (Aluminium Stewardship Initiative), an international association that contributes to enhancing sustainability in the global aluminium sector. In January 2023, ALRO achieved the first certification in Europe under ASI's Third version of Performance Standards.

ALRO AND SUBSIDIARIES

PRELIMINARY CONSOLIDATED AND SEPARATE FINANCIAL RESULTS

for the year ended 31 December 2023

Note: the preliminary financial figures presented in this document are reported in accordance with the Order of the Minister of Public Finance no. 2844/2016, with subsequent amendments, which is as per the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union, except for IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates regarding the functional currency, for the provisions of IAS 20 Accounting for Government Grants regarding the recognition of revenues from green certificates, and except for IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers regarding the revenues from the taxes related to the distribution grid connection. These exceptions do not affect the conformity with IFRS of the preliminary financial figures of the Group and the Company.

The preliminary financial figures are not audited. Consequently, the final financial statements for the year 2023 may differ from these.

The functional and the presentation currency is the Romanian leu (RON). This report is prepared in RON thousand, rounded to the nearest unit.

This is a free translation from the original Romanian binding version

Alro

Separate statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year 2023 - unaudited in RON '000, except per share data

Alro stand alone Alro stand alone
Q4 2023 Q4 2022 Note 2023 2022
565,611 523,984 Revenue from contracts with customers 1 2,533,585 3,180,972
-663,947 -607,616 Cost of goods sold 2 -2,889,882 -3,044,622
-98,336 -83,632 Gross result 3 -356,297 136,350
-72,216 -76,539 General, administrative and selling expenses -226,465 -227,441
-114,518 -133,506 Impairment of investments 4 -189,144 -133,735
100,880 806,640 Other operating income 5 324,112 815,067
-13,179 -18,665 Other operating expenses 6 -28,032 -34,820
-197,369 494,298 Operating result (EBIT) 7 -475,826 555,421
-33,687 -31,560 Interest expenses 8 -124,380 -86,890
- - Gains (losses) from derivative financial instruments, net - -2,446
3,865 4,502 Other financial income 18,851 10,395
-3,505 -5,893 Other financial costs -26,594 -28,407
24,015 58,847 Net foreign exchange gains / (losses) 9 18,045 -45,976
-206,681 520,194 Result before income taxes -589,904 402,097
22,149 -64,337 Income tax 52,044 -71,126
-184,532 455,857 Result for the period 10 -537,860 330,971
Other comprehensive income / (expense), net of tax:
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
-5,244 10,386 Remeasurements of post-employment benefit obligations -5,244 10,386
839 -1,662 Income tax on items that will not be reclassified 839 -1,662
-4,405 8,724 Other comprehensive income / (expense) for the period, net of -4,405 -
8,724
tax
-188,937 464,581 Total comprehensive income / (expense) for the period -542,265 339,695
Earnings per share
-0.259 0.639 Basic and diluted (RON) -0.754 0.464

Alro Group

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year 2023 - unaudited in RON '000, except per share data

Alro Group Alro Group
Q4 2023 Q4 2022* Note 2023 2022*
Continuing operations
608,270 583,711 Revenue from contracts with customers 1 2,849,717 3,411,745
-692,990 -634,205 Cost of goods sold 2 -3,063,736 -3,102,205
-84,720 -50,494 Gross result 3 -214,019 309,540
-93,888 -96,522 General, administrative and selling expenses -329,180 -304,824
104,220 835,893 Other operating income 5 346,058 869,306
-104,683 -51,929 Other operating expenses 6 -164,568 -91,369
-179,071 636,948 Operating result (EBIT) 7 -361,709 782,653
-34,471 -32,931 Interest expenses 8 -129,419 -91,762
- - Gains (losses) from derivative financial instruments, net - -2,446
3,813 4,515 Other financial income 19,424 9,858
-3,870 -6,163 Other financial costs -29,120 -29,454
24,455 63,168 Net foreign exchange gains / (losses) 9 -3,810 -49,253
-189,144 665,537 Result before income taxes from continuing operations -504,634 619,596
23,767 -77,153 Income tax 48,155 -95,418
-165,377 588,384 Result for the period from continuing operations -456,479 524,178
Discontinued operations
-367 -69,383 Result after tax for the period from discontinued operations -103,343 -114,699
-165,744 519,001 Result for the period 10 -559,822 409,479
Other comprehensive income / (expense), net of tax:
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit
or loss
-5,412 11,110 Remeasurements of post-employment benefit obligations -4,804 11,056
857 -1,813 Income tax on items that will not be reclassified 857 -1,813
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or
loss:
- -14,979 Translation adjustment 18,880 14,248
-4,555 -5,682 Other comprehensive income / (expense) for the period, 14,933 23,491
net of tax
-170,299 513,319 Total comprehensive income / (expense) for the period -544,889 432,970
Result attributable to:
-165,170 519,419 Shareholders of Alro SA -558,340 410,071
-574 -418 Non-controlling interest -1,482 -592
-165,744 519,001 -559,822 409,479
Total comprehensive income / (expense) attributable to:
-169,723 513,826 Shareholders of Alro S.A. -543,411 433,473
-576 -507 Non-controlling interest -1,478 -503
-170,299 513,319 Earnings per share -544,889 432,970
-0.629 0.609 Basic and diluted (RON) -0.782 0.575
-0.640 0.734 Basic and diluted (RON) for continuing operations -0.640 0.734

* Prior year figures of the consolidated statement of profit or loss have been re-presented to show the discontinued operations separately from continuing operations.

Alro

Separate statement of financial position as of 31 December 2023 - unaudited in RON '000

Note 31 December
2023
31 December
2022
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 724,656 752,559
Investment properties 4,040 3,797
Intangible assets 2,507 2,971
Investments in subsidiaries 144,178 333,322
Equity accounted investments 11 108,269 -
Right-of-use assets 4,950 4,923
Deferred tax asset 89,884 30,725
Other non-current financial assets 12 149,010 76,049
Total non-current assets 1,227,494 1,204,346
Current assets
Inventories 698,578 884,229
Trade receivables, net 69,690 104,930
Other current financial assets 5 407,309 469,914
Other current non-financial assets 106,479 59,596
Restricted cash 12 - 52,731
Cash and cash equivalents 160,281 600,090
Total current assets 1,442,337 2,171,490
Total assets 2,669,831 3,375,836
Shareholders' Equity and Liabilities
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 370,037 370,037
Share premium 86,351 86,351
Other reserves 306,191 306,191
Retained earnings 645,897 319,331
Result for the period 10 -537,860 330,971
Total shareholders' equity 870,616 1,412,881
Non-current liabilities
Bank and other loans, non-current 12 1,176,067 667,034
Leases, non-current 3,061 2,812
Provisions, non-current 2,776 2,656
Post-employment benefit obligations 26,845 22,301
Government grants, non-current portion 25,419 28,861
Other non-current financial liabilities 794 579
Total non-current liabilities 1,234,962 724,243
Current liabilities
Bank and other loans, current 12 295,741 976,572
Leases, current 1,696 2,067
Provisions, current 3,357 16,982
Trade and other payables 193,357 127,637
Contract liabilities 21,957 19,637
Current income taxes payable 6,456 65,810
Government grants, current portion 3,442 3,442
Other current liabilities 38,247 26,565
Total current liabilities
Total liabilities
564,253
1,799,215
1,238,712
1,962,955
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities 2,669,831 3,375,836

Alro Stand-alone

Alro Group

Consolidated statement of financial position as of 31 December 2023 - unaudited

in RON '000

Note 31 December
2023
31 December 2022
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 6 901,604 1,090,979
Investment properties 571 602
Intangible assets 2,877 3,479
Equity accounted investments 11 108,269 -
Goodwill 15,834 79,851
Right-of-use assets 9,690 7,092
Deferred tax asset 95,195 35,825
Other non-current financial assets 12 151,293 77,776
Total non-current assets 1,285,333 1,295,604
Current assets
Inventories 887,081 1,168,187
Trade receivables, net 56,163 69,780
Current income tax receivable 1,100 1,817
Other current financial assets 5 433,205 510,765
Other current non-financial assets 33,980 25,025
Restricted cash 12 19,814 88,688
Cash and cash equivalents 206,126 630,068
Total current assets 1,637,469 2,494,330
Total assets 2,922,802 3,789,934
Shareholders' Equity and Liabilities
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 370,037 370,037
Share premium 86,351 86,351
Other reserves 375,866 356,986
Retained earnings 730,129 324,009
Result for the period 10 -558,340 410,071
Equity attributable to shareholders of Alro S.A. 1,004,043 1,547,454
Non-controlling interest 494 1,972
Total shareholders' equity 1,004,537 1,549,426
Non-current liabilities
Bank and other loans, non-current 12 1,176,067 670,097
Leases, non-current 5,963 3,831
Provisions, non-current 27,216 43,125
Post-employment benefit obligations 29,048 27,154
Government grants, non-current portion 30,902 35,169
Other non-current financial liabilities 13,541 18,834
Total non-current liabilities 1,282,737 798,210
Current liabilities
Bank and other loans, current 12 298,728 1,015,044
Leases, current 2,782 2,465
Provisions, current 7,854 32,435
Trade and other payables 240,807 230,633
Contract liabilities 23,579 20,222
Current income taxes payable 6,617 70,056
Government grants, current portion 4,267 4,267
Other current liabilities 50,894 67,176
Total current liabilities 635,528 1,442,298
Total liabilities 1,918,265 2,240,508
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities 2,922,802 3,789,934

Alro Group

Alro Separate statement of cash flows for the year 2023 - unaudited in RON '000

Alro Stand-alone
Q4 2023 Q4 2022 2023 2022
Cash flow from operating activities
-206,681 520,194 Result before income taxes -589,904 402,097
Adjustments for:
23,510 24,586 Depreciation and amortisation 101,720 99,319
114,517 133,505 Impairment of investments 189,144 133,735
-491 - Impairment of property, plant and equipment -491 -
968 16,982 Movement in provisions -13,625 16,982
14,854 26,005 Change in allowance for impairment of inventory -21,906 72,014
-73 9,629 Change in allowance for expected credit losses of trade receivables -61 9,304
496 -93 Losses/(gains) on disposal of property, plant and equipment -68 239
-25,005 -64,369 Net foreign exchange (gains)/ losses on loans revaluation -18,177 40,787
-3,865 -4,499 Interest income -18,851 -9,314
33,687 31,560 Interest expense 124,380 86,890
- -3 Dividend income - -1,081
- - Gain/loss on derivative instruments at fair value through profit or loss - 2,446
Changes in working capital:
-8,900 26,076 Change in inventories 204,935 -210,974
-88,589 -411,142 Change in trade receivables and other assets 48,722 -416,953
42,633 -9,730 Change in trade and other payables 76,884 -187,337
- -1 Income taxes paid -65,630 -18,864
-51,439 -29,650 Interest paid -136,202 -74,995
- - Cash receipts/ (payments) from derivatives, net - -16,823
-154,378 269,050 Net cash generated by / (used in) operating activities -119,130 -72,528
Cash flow from investing activities
-13,394 -26,475 Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, net -66,944 -77,390
- 1,022 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 68 1,068
- -15,600 Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired - -15,600
-108,233 - Acquisition of associates -108,269 -
- 3 Dividends received - 3
-20,081 - Change in restricted cash -20,081 -66,234
3,865 4,499 Interest received 18,851 9,314
-137,843 -36,551 Net cash used in investing activities -176,375 -148,839
Cash flow from financing activities
79,011 14 Proceeds from loans 98,020 609,380
-71,852 145,827 Repayment of loans and leases -242,324 -93,012
- - Dividends paid - -1
7,159 145,841 Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities -144,304 516,367
-285,062 378,340 Net change in cash and cash equivalents -439,809 295,000
445,343 221,750 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 600,090 305,090
- - Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents - -
160,281 600,090 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 160,281 600,090

Alro Group Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year 2023 - unaudited in RON '000

Alro Group

Alro Group
Q4 2023 Q4 2022 2023 2022
-189,144 665,537 Cash flow from operating activities
Result before income taxes from continuing operations
-504,634 619,596
-367 -52,449 Result after tax for the period from discontinued operations -103,343 -97,793
Adjustments for:
32,887 39,570 Depreciation and amortisation 151,993 153,038
77,087 5,319 Impairment of property, plant and equipment 85,177 5,319
225 21,580 Impairment of goodwill 63,206 21,580
-5,104 26,595 Movement in provisions -21,986 30,290
21,874 31,969 Change in allowance for impairment of inventory -5,360 77,978
174 9,552 Change in allowance for expected credit losses of trade receivables 217 9,534
483 101 Losses/(gains) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 1,534 908
- - Loss on disposal of investments 529 -
-22,942 -68,739 Net foreign exchange (gains)/ losses on loans revaluation -17,598 45,167
-3,913 -4,568 Interest income -19,057 -9,537
34,671 33,517 Interest expense 130,848 93,677
- -3 Dividend income - -3
- - Gain/loss on derivative instruments at fair value through profit or loss - 2,446
Changes in working capital:
-29,496 30,508 Change in inventories 273,879 -231,303
-51,031 -396,318 Change in trade receivables and other assets 53,883 -407,476
51,748 -6 Change in trade and other payables 72,170 -102,572
-402 -4,378 Income taxes paid -74,752 -31,659
-51,821 -31,292 Interest paid -140,215 -79,325
- - Cash receipts/ (payments) from derivatives, net - -16,823
-135,071 306,495 Net cash generated by / (used in) operating activities -53,509 83,042
Cash flow from investing activities
-19,512 -37,666 Purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, net -103,296 -129,450
812 1,532 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 1,952 2,507
- - Proceeds from sale of investments 3,125 -
- -15,600 Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired - -15,600
-108,233 - Acquisition of associates -108,269 -
- 3 Dividends received - 3
-39,795 2,526 Change in restricted cash -3,938 -102,040
3,865 4,346 Interest received 18,852 9,315
-162,863 -44,859 Net cash used in investing activities -191,574 -235,265
Cash flow from financing activities
79,112 -642 Proceeds from loans 127,378 611,143
-72,740 127,166 Repayment of loans and leases -306,234 -157,472
- - Dividends paid - -1
6,372 126,524 Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities -178,856 453,670
-291,562 388,160 Net change in cash and cash equivalents -423,939 301,447
497,686 242,293 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 630,068 328,428
2 -385 Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents -3 193
206,126 630,068 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 206,126 630,068

Alro

Separate statement of changes in equity for the year 2023 - unaudited in RON '000

Share
capital
Share
premium
Other
reserves
Retained
earnings
Result for
the period
Total
Balance at 1 January 2022 370,037 86,351 306,191 275,397 35,210 1,073,186
-
Result for the period - - - - 330,971 330,971
Other comprehensive income / (expense)
Remeasurements of post-employment benefits - - - 10,386 - 10,386
Deferred tax on benefits remeasurement - - - -1,662 - -1,662
Total other comprehensive income / (expense) - - - 8,724 - 8,724
Total comprehensive income / (expense) - - - 8,724 330,971 339,695
Transactions with owners of the company recognized directly in equity
Distributions to owners of the company:
Appropriation of prior year result
Balance at 31 December 2022
-
370,037
-
86,351
-
306,191
35,210
319,331
-35,210
330,971
-
1,412,881
Balance at 1 January 2023 370,037 86,351 306,191 319,331 330,971 1,412,881
Result for the period - - - - -537,860 -537,860
Other comprehensive income / (expense)
Remeasurements of post-employment benefits - - - -5,244 - -5,244
Deferred tax on benefits remeasurement - - - 839 - 839
Total other comprehensive income / (expense) - - - -4,405 - -4,405
Total comprehensive income / (expense) - - - -4,405 -537,860 -542,265
Transactions with owners of the company recognized directly in equity
Distributions to owners of the company:
Appropriation of prior year result - - - 330,971 -330,971 -
Balance at 31 December 2023 370,037 86,351 306,191 645,897 -537,860 870,616

Alro Group

Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity for the year 2023 - unaudited in RON '000

Other reserves
Share Share Other Translation Total other Retained Result for Attributable to Non Total
capital premium reserves reserve reserves earnings the period shareholders of controlling shareholders'
Alro SA interests equity
Balance at 1 January 2022 370,037 86,351 375,866 -33,043 342,823 288,344 26,426 1,113,981 2,475 1,116,456
Result for the period - - - - - - 410,071 410,071 -592 409,479
Other comprehensive income / (expense)
Translation adjustment
- - - 14,163 14,163 - - 14,163 85 14,248
Remeasurements of post-employment benefits - - - - - 11,051 - 11,051 5 11,056
Deferred tax on benefits remeasurement - - - - - -1,812 - -1,812 -1 -1,813
Other comprehensive income / (expense) - - - 14,163 14,163 9,239 - 23,402 89 23,491
Total comprehensive income / (expense) -
-
-
-
- 14,163 14,163 9,239 410,071 433,473 -503 432,970
Transactions with owners of the company recognized
directly in equity
Distributions to owners of the company:
Appropriation of prior year result
- - - - - 26,426 -26,426 - - -
Balance at 31 December 2022 370,037 86,351 375,866 -18,880 356,986 324,009 410,071 1,547,454 1,972 1,549,426
Balance at 1 January 2023 370,037 86,351 375,866 -18,880 356,986 324,009 410,071 1,547,454 1,972 1,549,426
Result for the period - - - - - - -558,340 -558,340 -1,482 -559,822
Other comprehensive income / (expense)
Translation adjustment
- - - 18,880 18,880 - - 18,880 - 18,880
Remeasurements of post-employment benefits - - - - - -4,808 - -4,808 4 -4,804
Deferred tax on benefits remeasurement - - - - - 857 - 857 - 857
Other comprehensive income / (expense) - - - 18,880 18,880 -3,951 - 14,929 4 14,933
Total comprehensive income / (expense) - - - 18,880 18,880 -3,951 -558,340 -543,411 -1,478 -544,889
Transactions with owners of the company recognized
directly in equity
Distributions to owners of the company:
Appropriation of prior year result
- - - - - 410,071 -410,071 - - -
Balance at 31 December 2023 370,037 86,351 375,866 - 375,866 730,129 -558,340 1,004,043 494 1,004,537

Notes to the preliminary consolidated financial results - unaudited -

  1. The year 2023 was another turning point for Alro, in that it made several strategic decisions to align its activity to the new global realities. It kept on improving its portfolio sales mix in the direction of high value added products and it increased its access to the aerospace industry by pursuing new clients and qualifications. Cost wise, the Group started projects meant to reduce the electricity consumption and the dependence on external energy sourses: it invested in aluminium recycling and in energy supply facilities, such as the partnership in a power plant. These are all investments meant to streamline the activity of Alro in the near and remote future.

As far as the figures are concerned, Alro Group ended the year 2023 with a turnover of RON 2,849,717 thousand (16% lower compared to the year 2022), a negative EBIT of RON 361,709 thousand (in 2022 a positive EBIT of RON 782,653 thousand RON) and a consolidated net loss of RON 559,822 thousand as compared to a net profit of RON 409,479 thousand recorded in 2022.

Compared to the same period of last year, the aluminium quotation on the London Metal Exchange decreased by 16% in 2023 (average 3M cash seller in 2023: 2,285 USD/tonne, in 2022: 2,713 USD/tonne), with an impact on the revenues of the Group. After reaching the lowest level of 2023 of 2,123 USD/tonne, in August , in Q4 2023 the LME quotation recorded a slight upward trend reaching an average 3M cash seller of 2,224 USD/tonne, however down by 5% as compared to Q4 2022 (2,345 USD/tonne). Comparing the quarters, the decrease in aluminium prices was offset by the Group's efforts to strengthen its position on international markets, materialized in higher sales volumes, so that the Group's consolidated turnover increased by 4% in Q4 2023 as compared to the same quarter of the previous year (Q4 2023: RON 608,270 thousand; Q4 2022: RON 583,711 thousand).

In 2023, the Primary Aluminium segment reported sales revenues at the same level as in the previous year (2023: RON 850,546 thousand; 2022: RON 854,168 thousand), but higher by 32% in Q4 2023 as compared to the same quarter of the previous year (Q4 2023: RON 189,490 thousand; Q4 2022: RON 143,072 thousand). In spite of the fact that the beginning of 2023 was a weak season for the cable industry, demand for aluminium wire rod was good in 2023, but with more aggressive competition from suppliers based on Malaysia, India and Russia. The Group sold 13,900 tonnes more wire rod in 2023 as compared to 2022 and with 5,710 tonnes more wire rod in Q4 2023 as compared to Q4 2022, with this proving Alro's efforts to maintain its market share even with reduced electrolysis capacities.

Regarding the billets, after a long period of declining demand for this product, in March 2023 there were slight signs of improvement, and then, it deteriorated again starting May 2023. Stockpiles of billets at the distributors seem to have decreased, nevertheless demand for billets was weak in H2 2023, such that the billets sales were lower by almost 1,800 tonnes in 2023 as compared to the year 2022 and by 910 tonnes in Q4 2023 as compared to Q4 2022, due to the weak performance of the construction sector. Nevertheless, the Group closed processing agreements with its customers and processed 3,125 tonnes of billets in 2023 (2022: nil) and 738 tonnes of billets in Q4 2023 (Q4 2022: nil). For these agreements, the Group agreed to process metal supplied by its customers, with the related revenue being recognised only as a processing premium charged to them. As regards the slabs, the Group benefited from market opportunities and sold over 1,620 tonnes of slabs in 2023 (2022: nil), of which over 590 tonnes of slabs in Q4 2023 (Q4 2022: nil).

The revenues of the Processed Aluminium segment decreased by 21% in 2023 as compared to the previous year (2023: RON 1,965,881 thousand; 2022: RON 2,479,397 thousand). Analysing the quarterly figures, in Q4 2023, revenues from sales of processed products decreased by 5% as compared to Q4 2022 (Q4 2023: RON 411,423 thousand; Q4 2022: RON 431,812 thousand), amid lower LME and sales premiums, but were partially offset by higher sales volumes (Q4 2023: 21,663 tonnes; Q4 2022:15,504 tonnes). As a result of the investments that the Group's subsidiary, Vimetco Extrusion, made in a new press, deliveries of extruded products recorded an increase by 7,422 tonnes in 2023 as compared to 2022 and by 968 tonnes in Q4 2023 as compared to Q4 2022. Regarding the flat rolled products, in the first half of 2023, the market was characterised by low demand in almost all industrial sectors (except for the aerospace and automotive industries), abundance of metal in European warehouses among key distributors, while slow down of the economy and intense competition between European and non-European producers increased price pressure for all flat rolled products. Under these circumstances, deliveries of flat rolled products dropped by almost 5,200 tonnes in 2023 compared to the previous year. Towards the end of 2023, demand from buildings and construction sector remained unchanged as compared to the previous months and we do not expect this situation to improve in the coming period, as long as many residential and industrial projects are currently on hold. As for the automotive industry, we have signed new contracts for deliveries covering the year 2024, for a total annual volume of up to 2,500 tonnes. Demand for the general engineering sector also started to increase in December 2023, especially for the 6xxx, 2xxx and 7xxx series alloy plates. In the aerospace industry, in addition to the volumes booked under the new contract with Airbus, we continued to respond to more demands from the spot market and we entered into new partnerships for our very high value-added cut-to-size products covering deliveries in 2024 and 2025. In this context, the Group increased its sales volume of flat rolled products in Q4 2023 by almost 5,200 tonnes as compared to Q4 2022.

In context of the difficult economic environment of 2023, Alro Group signed new agreements with partners in the aerospace, automotive and general engineering industries for deliveries to the European market and destinations abroad. In October 2023, Alro signed a multi-year agreement with Airbus for the supply of aluminium plates for the aerospace industry. The production of these type of plates is a part of the Group's strategy to diversify its high and very high value-added production, and has been made possible by constant investment in state-of-the-art technologies. Also, at the end of September 2023, Alro representatives met with the representatives of the Industrial Union of Turin at an event organised with the Romanian Embassy in Italy and the Consulate General of Romania in Turin. Given the consolidation of Turin's importance as a central point for the Italian aerospace industry, it was an excellent opportunity for Alro to present vision of the company, the products and business development strategy to Italian industry leaders such as Leonardo Grup, Stellantis, Prysmian, Altec Space, Ansaldo, Brembo and Collins Aerospace. In the same context, in order to be closer to our customers and their needs, as a result of manufacturing customized products, at the end of 2022, we started the investment in a rolled plates processing line able to process products on demand (cut-to-size), according to the dimensions requested by customers, therefore with a very high added value. The investment is expected to be completed in early 2024.

  1. In terms of Cost of goods sold, the Group reported a 1% lower level in 2023 (RON 3,063,736 thousand) as compared to 2022 (RON 3,102,205 thousand), but the Cost of goods sold increased by 9% in Q4 2023 as compared to the same period of the previous year (Q4 2023: RON 692,990 thousand as compared to Q4 2022: RON 634,205 thousand), as a result of the quantitative increase in sales. Although the electricity price had a downward market trend in 2023, with the publication of the updated Government Ordinance no. 27/2022, the electricity prices stabilized. However, the Group continued to face pressure from the high cost of electricity as a result of one-year contracts signed with a nuclear power producer at much higher prices, back in June 2022. The Group's reaction to the increase in the electricity prices was the efficient recycling of both internal aluminium scrap as well as scrap and primary metal purchased from third party suppliers. The Group purchased higher quantities of aluminium scrap and ingots for its liquid aluminium production, which increased by more than 22,290 tonnes in 2023 as compared to 2022, while the increase in Q4 was 10,121 tonnes. The quantity of metal purchased from the market and used in production offset the amount of electrolytic aluminium that was no longer produced once the 3 electrolysis plants had been temporarily suspended in early 2022. The price of purchased aluminium scrap and ingots is linked to the LME quotation and recorded a decrease in 2023 as compared to 2022, in line with the downward trend in aluminium prices during this period. Starting August 2022, when its production was suspended, the Group's subsidiary, Alum, purchased alumina from the market at a lower cost than this subsidiary had for producing alumina. Even though raw material prices decreased in 2023 as compared to 2022, the consumption cost for certain raw materials remained high due to stocks purchased in 2022, when prices were higher.

  2. Although the Group seized the market opportunities and increased its quantitative sales for part of its production lines, the decrease in LME quotations, the weak demand in certain industrial sectors and the still high cost of utilities and raw materials influenced the Group's gross result which was negative, in the amount of RON 214,019 thousand as compared to a positive gross result recorded in 2022 in amount of RON 309,540 thousand. The cost of goods sold in 2023 and 2022 does not include the compensation received by the Group, which was included in Other operating income .

  3. After conducting an analysis of prevailing market conditions, following the evaluation of both internal and external factors, the Company undertook an impairment test of its financial investments as at 31 December 2023. Given the dynamic economic landscape and the unique challenges encountered within the industry, the test resulted in the recognition in the separate financial statements of an impairment expense, subject to auditor's review, totaling RON 189,144 thousand, which includes mainly additional impairment loss recognised for the investment in Alum of RON 188,639 thousand (in 2022: total impairment of RON 133,735 thousand of which RON 133,412 thousand related to investment in Alum).

  4. In 2023, other operating income totaled RON 346,058 thousand (compared to RON 869,306 thousand in 2022), primarily comprising RON 373,980 thousand of government compensations for indirect emissions included in the electricity price accrued for the year 2023. This amount was partially offset by RON 77,629 thousand representing the negative variance recognised in the current reporting period between the government compensations for the year 2022 accrued as at 31 December 2022 of RON 437,059 thousand and the amount actually received in September 2023 of RON 359,430 thousand. The main explanation for the difference between the accrued and received compensation is linked to the pro-rata allocation of the caped budget of EUR 150 million to all beneficiaries of the scheme correlated with the reduced level of 2022 production of Alro compared to 2021. The Group is entitled to government compensations for indirect emissions included in the energy price, in accordance with EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and the European Directive adopted in the Romanian legislation. The compensation scheme is part of Europe's and also Romania's plans to sustain the energyintensive companies due to the high electricity prices which embed the indirect emissions costs from energy producers.

The amount of income from compensations recorded by the Group in Q4 2022 was of RON 804,323 thousand and was attributable to the energy costs incurred in years 2022 and 2021. In September 2020, the European Commission adopted the new Guide on the emission allowance trading scheme (EU-ETS) after 2021 "Guidelines on certain supporting measures in the context of the system for GHG allowance trading post-2021", which entered into force on 1 January 2021 and applies until 2030, replacing the guide applicable until December 2020. Following the approval of this scheme for Romania by the European Commission, based on the decision no. 6586/12.09.2022, on 13 October 2022 the Emergency Ordinance no. 138/12.10.2022 was published in the Official Gazette, for the establishment of a state aid scheme granted to companies in the sectors considered to be exposed to a real risk of carbon dioxide emissions relocation because of the significant indirect costs that they actually bear as a result of the transfer of the costs of greenhouse gas emissions incurred by the energy producers, to the price of electricity. The compensation related to the year 2021 of RON 367,264 thousand was received by the Group in December 2022.

Additionally, in 2023, the category Other operating income included income from the reversal of a provision for CO2 certificates needed to be acquired for the year 2022 of RON 11,847 thousand, recognised by Alum at the end of 2022 (2022: RON 1,274 thousand). Also within the position of other operating income are included the amounts which the Group received in 2023, representing indemnities for a piece of equipment that had been damaged in a fire that occurred in 2018 at the premises of the Parent Company's Processing Division (2023: RON 8,361 thousand; 2022: nil) and indemnities received from the insurance company for fire that broke out at the Eco recycling section of the aluminium plant in Slatina in July 2022 (2023: RON 6,091 thousand; 2022: nil). In the same category mentioned above, in 2023, the Group recorded revenues from the sale of carbon dioxide emission certificates in the amount of RON 8,997 thousand (2022: RON 52,178 thousand), as the Group took advantage of the high price of these certificates.

  1. The category Other operating expenses mainly includes the depreciation of idle plants of RON 36,593 thousand (in 2022: RON 28,472 thousand) following the temporary suspension of the operation of 3 electrolysis halls and of the alumina plant in Tulcea in 2022, as well as other costs of RON 35,700 thousand (in 2022: RON 15,048 thousand) that were recognized by Alum during the subsequent period to the production capacity shutdown in August 2022. In 2022 this category included a provison for CO2 certificates needed to be acquired for the year 2022 in amount of RON 11,847 thousand recognized by Alum, no more needed in 2023 as the company does not have a production activity nowadays. Furthermore, at 31 December 2023, as a result of the impairment review of property, plant and equipment, carried out by an independent evaluator, the Group's subsidiary Alum recognized an impairment of RON 77,547 thousand (2022: nil), as the recoverable value of property, plant and equipment was below its carrying value.

  2. The Group's operating result decreased from a profit of RON 782,653 thousand in 2022 to a loss of RON 361,709 thousand in 2023. In 2022, the Group recorded income of RON 804,323 thousand as compensation for high energy costs (ETS) incurred during the years 2021 and 2022. As concerns the year 2023, an income from compensation of RON 373,980 thousand was registered on an accrual basis. Additionally, in 2023 the Group had to adjust its operating result negatively by RON 77,629 thousand due to the changes in accounting estimates of 2022 explained above, in the paragraph 4. However, the revenues from indirect emission included in the cost of energy in 2023 could not alleviate the pressure on energy and raw material costs and the Group reported a loss from operations in 2023.

  3. In 2023 interest expenses increased by 41% as compared to 2022 and by 5% in Q4 2023 versus Q4 2022 respectively, due to the increase in LIBOR, EURIBOR and ROBOR reference rates. For the period starting 1 July 2023 a new reference rate, namely, CME Term SOFR, was used instead of USD LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) in the existing facilities of the Group. CME Term SOFR means the Term SOFR reference rate administered by CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate). The replacing of the old reference rate with the new one was made according to the interest calculation algorithm stipulated by each financing contract. At the same time, the new SOFR reference rates were higher than the LIBOR reference rates used in the interest calculation in H2 2022.

  4. Net foreign exchange gains / (losses) are mainly amounts arising from the revaluation of the Group's loans and other foreign currency liabilities. While in 2023 and 2022 per year as a whole, the Group recorded a loss in the exchange rate, due to the depreciation of the Romanian Leu against the US dollar, at the level of the 4th quarter of 2023 and 2022, the Group recorded gains from exchange rate differences especially from the revaluation of loans denominated in USD on the background of the appreciation of the Romanian Leu.

  5. Although the Group seized the market opportunities and reported higher quantitative sales in 2023 as compared to 2022 for wire rod and extruded products, and in the fourth quarter of the compared periods also for flat rolled products, the unfavourable economic context in the 2023 (decreasing aluminium prices, the market characterised by intense competition which increased pressure on sales prices, demand which continued its negative trend, still high raw material and electricity prices), as well as the adjustment of indirect compensation mentioned above, negatively impacted the Group's net result in 2023, which was a loss in amount of RON 559,822 thousand as compared to a net profit in the amount of RON 409,479 thousand reported in 2022. The same trend was recorded in the fourth quarter, with the Group reporting a net loss of RON 165,744 thousand in Q4 2023 and a net profit of RON 519,001 thousand in Q4 2022.

Reconciliation of adjusted net result with the net result of Alro Group:

in RON '000
Q4 2023
in RON '000
Q4 2022*
in RON '000
2023
in RON '000
2022*
-165,744 519,001 Result for the period -559,822 409,479
77,087 5,319 Plus/(minus) charge/ (reversal) of non-current assets
impairment expense/(income)
85,177 5,319
225 21,580 Plus charge of impairment of goodwill 63,206 21,580
- - Plus/(minus) the loss/(gain) from derivative financial
instruments for which hedge accounting was not
applied
- 2,446
-29,390 23,089 Plus/(minus) deferred tax expense -58,512 15,760
-117,822 568,989 Adjusted net result -469,951 454,584
  1. Equity accounted investments: at 18 September 2023, the company CCGT Power Isalnita SA ("CCGT Power") was registered, with Complexul Energetic Oltenia holding an interest of 59.9% and Alro SA holding 40.1% of the shareholders equity. At 31 December 2023, Alro' contribution amounted to RON 108,269 thousand, financed in proportion of 15% by own funds and 85% by bank loans under a state guarantee, which were signed in November 2023. The Group's interest in CCGT Power is accounted by using the equity method in the preliminary report.

  2. Bank and other loans: in November 2023, the Parent company re-negotiated and signed the extension until November 2026 of the revolving loan agreement with a nominal value of USD 120,000 thousand with a syndicate of banks, and until February 2027 of the non-cash financing line of USD 30,000 thousand. At the same time, in November 2023 the Parent Company signed the extension until November 2026 of another revolving loan amounting to RON 180,000 thousand contracted from a commercial bank. Consequently, cash collateral of RON 36,000 thousand pledged in relation to some of the extended loans for more than one year was reclassified from Restricted cash (at 31 December 2022) to Other noncurrent financial assets (at 31 December 2023).

Also, in November 2023, the Parent Company signed two credit facilities, one in amount of EUR 22,000 thousand concluded with a syndicate of banks and one in amount of EUR 15,000 thousand concluded with a commercial bank to support the investment in the CCGT Power Isalnita SA. Both facilities have a maturity of 8 years, with a grace period of 2 years for the payment of instalments and they are collateralized with a state guarantee for 80% of the amount. At 31 December 2023 the Group had the amount of RON 108,297 thousand (equivalent of EUR 21,770 thousand) undrawn and available from these facilities. Cash collateral of RON 36,812 thousand (equivalent of EUR 7,400 thousand) pledged in relation to these loans was classified at 31 December 2023 under Other non-current financial assets.

Strategic investment / divesting

There are several investing projects started or followed in the 2023, out of which the following ones have a great weight in the Company strategy to align to the most recent standards of sustainability and good practices:

In September 2023, the company CCGT Power Isalnita SA was registered, through which a gas-fired power production capacity of a total installed power of 850 MW will be developed. The project represents an investment in the construction of a combined cycle power plant leading to the revamping of the energy systems improvement of the energy efficiency including the reduction of CO2 emissions. The project will benefit from a non-refundable financing of EUR 253 million to be granted from the Modernisation Fund.

In order to provide its own production of energy from sustainable sources, the Group started to analyse the possibility of installing its own sustainable energy production capacities and for this purpose, in H2 2023 the Group started the procedures for the construction of a photovoltaic system consisting in the installation of a 1500 KW photovoltaic power plant and two electrical charging stations. The Group will use the entire amount of energy produced, which will contribute to the increase in the percentage of green energy used in technological processes and reduction of their carbon impact, thus promoting the production of green aluminium.

Committed to its strategy of reducing dependence on electricity supply and increasing the sustainability of its business, in 2023, the Group inaugurated the investment totalling USD 11 million aimed at developing the scrap re-melting capacities in Eco recycling Facility, consisting in installation of two double-chamber furnaces, one holding furnace and the related fume collection and treatment plant (additions in 2023: RON 13,827 thousand; in 2022: RON 33,250 thousand).

On 31 May 2023, Alum publicly announced the convening of the Extraordinary General Meeting for the approval of the sale, as sole shareholder, of 100% of the share capital of Global Aluminum Ltd. (GAL group), which owns 100% in Sierra Minerals. On 10 July 2023, the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Alum SA, approved the sale of GAL. The disposal was completed on 1 September 2023.

Gheorghe Dobra Genoveva Nastase Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer

Talk to a Data Expert

Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.