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Afarak Group — Management Reports 2014
Aug 14, 2014
3302_rns_2014-08-14_4c7405e8-d9d6-4016-b5b0-b261b7a7b6c9.html
Management Reports
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AFARAK UPDATES ITS OUTLOOK
AFARAK UPDATES ITS OUTLOOK
07:00 London, 09:00 Helsinki, 14 August 2014 - Afarak Group Plc, Stock Exchange
Release
AFARAK UPDATES ITS OUTLOOK
The Board of Afarak Group Plc ("Afarak" or the "Company") (LSE: AFRK, OMX:
AFAGR) has updated the outlook for the Company's financial performance for 2014
The new updated outlook of the Company:
Afarak still expects its financial performance to be better than 2013 but EBITDA
will be lower as Q3 2014 is expected to be weaker as compared to Q3 2013. The
global economic outlook continues showing signs of recovery with western
industrial nations issuing positive economic indicators. Demand for commodities
is also showing recovery with increase in demand for speciality alloys in the
United States. The ferroalloy market is expected to continue the positive trend
of 2013 during which consumption reached record levels. To date, however,
pricing has not responded to the increased demand. The Group continues to be
prepared for significant price fluctuations and will continue to adapt its
production levels accordingly. At Mogale Alloys, part of the FerroAlloys
division, the Company expects to start production of medium carbon ferrochrome
during the fourth quarter of 2014, which is expected to have a positive impact
on our profit margins. In the Speciality Alloys division we are expecting to see
an increase in our raw materials cost due to current market conditions. As a
result the full year revenue and EBIT are expected to be higher but EBITDA lower
as compared to 2013.
Fluctuations of exchange rates between the Euro, the South African Rand, the
Turkish Lira and the US Dollar can significantly impact the Company's financial
performance.
The previous outlook, published in the first quarter interim results on 8 May
2014, was:
The global economic outlook is showing signs of recovery with western industrial
nations issuing positive economic indicators. Demand for commodities is also
showing recovery with increase in demand for speciality alloys in United States.
The ferroalloy market is expected to continue the positive trend of 2013 during
which consumption reached record levels. To date, however, pricing has not
responded to the increased demand. The Group continues to be prepared for
significant price fluctuations and will continue to adapt its production levels
accordingly. At Mogale Alloys, part of the FerroAlloys division, the Company
expects to start production of medium carbon ferrochrome during the third
quarter of 2014, which is expected to have a positive impact on our profit
margins. In the Speciality Alloys division we are expecting to see an increase
in our raw materials cost due to current market conditions. As a result the
Group expects its financial performance for the full year 2014 to marginally
improve compared to 2013.
Fluctuations of exchange rates between the Euro, the South African Rand, the
Turkish Lira and the US Dollar can significantly impact the Company's financial
performance.
AFARAK GROUP PLC
Danko Koncar
CEO
For additional information, please contact:
Afarak Group Plc
Danko Koncar, CEO, +44 (0)20 7376 1175, [email protected]
Afarak Group is a chrome mining and minerals producer focused on delivering
sustainable growth with a speciality alloys business in southern Europe and a
ferro alloys business in southern Africa. The Company is listed on NASDAQ OMX
Helsinki (AFAGR) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (AFRK).
www.afarakgroup.com
Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
London Stock Exchange
main media
www.afarakgroup.com
[HUG#1848702]