Earnings Release • May 8, 2013
Earnings Release
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EBITDA in Q2 2013 is expected to slightly improve compared to Q1 2013 and net debt to remain under control
ipmayan, CEO of Aperam, commented:
"The first quarter has been marked by important industrial and commercial challenges but Aperam has succeeded to improve its EBITDA and to keep its net debt under control.
Looking forward, the environment is expected to be more challenging, mainly because of the significant deterioration of the nickel price. However we are confident we will be able to improve our performance again due in particular to the successful progress of our Leadership Journey®[4]."
| (USDm) unless otherwise stated | Q1 '13 | Q4'12[5] | Q1 '12[5] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 1,269 | 1,294 | 1,409 |
| EBITDA | 65 | 43 | 65 |
| Operating loss | (11) | (45) | (12) |
| Net loss | (28) | (53) | (12) |
| Steel shipments (000t) | 401 | 407 | 433 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EBITDA/tonne (USD) | 162 | 106 | 150 |
| Basic loss per share (USD) | 0.36 | 0.69 | 0.15 |
Health and Safety performance based on Aperam personnel figures and contractors lost time injury frequency rate2, was 1.1x in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 1.9x in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Sales in the first quarter of 2013 decreased by 2% to USD 1,269 million compared to USD 1,294 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Shipments in the first quarter of 2013 decreased by 1% at 401 thousand tonnes compared to 407 thousand tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2012.
EBITDA was USD 65 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to EBITDA of USD 43 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Despite industrial and commercial challenges, EBITDA increased quarter on quarter driven by an improvement in prices and a positive costs squeeze. The Leadership Journey® has continued to progress over the quarter and has contributed a total amount of USD 299 million to EBITDA since the beginning of 2011.
Depreciation and impairment expense in the first quarter of 2013 was USD 76 million.
Aperam had an operating loss in the first quarter of USD 11 million compared to an operating loss of USD 45 million in the previous quarter.
Net interest expense and other financing costs in the first quarter of 2013 were USD 27 million, primarily related to financing costs of USD 20 million. Realized and unrealized foreign exchange and derivative losses were USD 9 million in Q1 2013.
The Company recorded a net loss of USD 28 million, inclusive of an income tax benefit of USD 19 million, in the first quarter of 2013.
Cash flows from operations in the first quarter was negatively impacted by the reduction of the utilisation of the TSR program of USD 75 million but still remained positive at USD 10 million, with a working capital decrease of USD 19 million. CAPEX in the first quarter was USD 34 million.
As of March 31, 2013, shareholders' equity was USD 3,078 million and net financial debt was USD 842 million (gross financial debt as of March 31, 2013 was USD 1,113 million and cash & cash equivalents were USD 271 million).
The Company had liquidity of USD 646 million as of March 31, 2013, consisting of cash and cash equivalents (including short-term investments) of USD 271 million and undrawn credit lines[6] of USD 375 million.
Stainless & Electrical Steel
The Stainless & Electrical Steel segment had sales of USD 1,007 million in the first quarter of 2013. This represents a decrease of 1% compared to sales of USD 1,020 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Shipments during the first quarter were 388 thousand tonnes, including 250 thousand tonnes in Europe and 138 thousand tonnes in South America. This is a decrease of 3% compared to shipments of 400 thousand tonnes in the previous quarter (249 thousand tonnes in Europe and 151 thousand tonnes in South America). Despite reconstruction of the new hot annealing and pickling line in Gueugnon plant in France, volumes have been flat in Europe in Q1 2013 compared to Q4 2012. Volumes in South America were reduced due to production problems. Overall, average steel selling prices for the Stainless & Electrical Steel segment were slightly higher for the quarter.
The segment had EBITDA of USD 47 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to USD 35 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. EBITDA from South America remained flat in the first quarter of 2013 at USD 24 million. The lower volumes were compensated by improved margins through product mix optimization. EBITDA from Europe increased from USD 11 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 to USD 23 million in the first quarter of 2013. The improvement in EBITDA in Europe was primarily driven by Aperam's value strategy and the continuing progress of the Leadership Journey®.
The Stainless & Electrical Steel segment had an operating loss of 13 million during the first quarter of 2013 compared to an operating loss of USD 42 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Depreciation and amortization expense was USD 60 million in the first quarter of 2013.
The Services & Solutions segment had a 13% increase in sales during the quarter, from USD 504 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 to USD 572 million in the first quarter of 2013. In the first quarter of 2013, shipments were 171 thousand tonnes compared to 158 thousand tonnes in the previous quarter. The Services & Solutions segment had higher average selling prices for the period.
The segment had positive EBITDA in the first quarter of 2013 of USD 8 million compared to negative EBITDA of USD 4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The improvement in EBITDA was driven by increase in volumes, more limited negative stock effects related to the nickel price and some operational improvements.
Depreciation and impairment expense in the first quarter of 2013 was USD 7 million.
The Services & Solutions segment had an operating income of USD 1 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to an operating loss of USD 11 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The Alloys & Specialties segment had sales in the first quarter of 2013 of USD 163 million, representing a decrease of 4% compared to USD 170 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Shipments were higher in the first quarter of 2013 at 10 thousand tonnes compared to 9 thousand tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2012, while average selling prices decreased quarter over quarter.
The Alloys & Specialties segment achieved EBITDA of USD 12 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to USD 13 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Despite higher volumes, EBITDA was stable in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily as a result of the mix deterioration.
Depreciation and impairment expense in the first quarter of 2013 was USD 5 million.
The Alloys & Specialties segment had operating income of USD 7 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to operating income of USD 11 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Aperam management will host a conference call for members of the investment community to discuss the first quarter 2013 financial performance at the following time:
| Date | New York | London | Luxembourg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 7, 2013 | 12:30 pm | 5:30 pm | 6:30 pm |
The dial-in numbers for the call are: France (+33(0)1 70 99 42 70); USA (+1646 254 3361); and international +44(0)20 3478 5300). The participant access code is: 1543674#.
A replay of the conference call will be available until May 14, 2013: France (+33 (0) 1 74 20 28 00); USA (+1 347 366 9565) and international (+44 (0) 20 3427 0598). The participant access code is 1543674#.
Corporate Communications / Jean Lasar: +352 27 36 27 27 Investor Relations / Romain Grandsart: +352 27 36 27 36
Aperam is a global player in stainless, electrical and specialty steel, with operations in more than 30 countries. The business is organized in three divisions: Stainless & Electrical Steel, Services & Solutions and Alloys & Specialties.
Aperam has 2.5 million tonnes of flat stainless steel capacity in Brazil and Europe and is a leader in high value added niches - alloys and specialties. Aperam has a highly integrated distribution, processing and services network and a unique capability to produce stainless and specialty from low cost biomass (charcoal). Its industrial network is concentrated in six main plants located in Brazil, Belgium and France. Aperam has about 9,800 employees.
Aperam commits to operate in a responsible way with respect to health, safety and the well-being of its employees, contractors and the communities in which it operates. It is also committed to the sustainable management of the environment and of finite resources. In 2012, Aperam had revenues of USD 5.3 billion and shipments of 1.68 million tonnes.
For further information, please refer to our website at www.aperam.com
This document may contain forward-looking information and statements about Aperam and its subsidiaries. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "target" or similar expressions. Although Aperam's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Aperam's securities are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Aperam, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in Aperam's filings with the Luxembourg Stock Market Authority for the Financial Markets (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). For more information about these risks and uncertainties, the reader is encouraged to refer to page 35 and pages 142 to 146 of Aperam's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 7, 2013. Aperam undertakes no obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
| (in million of U.S. dollars) | March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012[5] |
March 31, 2012 [5] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non current assets | 3,916 | 4,006 | 4,271 |
| Intangible assets | 845 | 859 | 924 |
| Property, plant and equipments | 2,539 | 2,609 | 2,873 |
| Investments & Other | 532 | 538 | 474 |
| Current assets & working capital | 1,006 | 967 | 1,108 |
| Inventories, trade receivables & trade payables |
566 | 607 | 801 |
| Other assets | 169 | 134 | 140 |
| Cash & cash equivalents | 271 | 226 | 167 |
| Shareholders' equity | 3,078 | 3,162 | 3,541 |
| Group share | 3,074 | 3,158 | 3,535 |
| Non-controlling interests | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Non current liabilities | 1,023 | 1,043 | 1,020 |
| Interest bearing liabilities | 600 | 607 | 581 |
| Deferred employee benefits | 204 | 211 | 183 |
| Provisions and other | 219 | 225 | 256 |
| Current liabilities (excluding trade payables) |
821 | 768 | 818 |
| Interest bearing liabilities | 513 | 435 | 443 |
| Other | 308 | 333 | 375 |
| Three Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in million of U.S. dollars) | March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 [5] |
March 31, 2012 [5] |
|
| Sales | 1,269 | 1,294 | 1,409 | |
| EBITDA | 65 | 43 | 65 | |
| Depreciation & impairment | 76 | 88 | 77 | |
| Operating loss | (11) | (45) | (12) | |
| Income from other investments | - | 1 | - | |
| Net interest expense and other net financing costs |
(27) | (22) | (19) | |
| Foreign exchange and derivative gains / (losses) |
(9) | (3) | 5 | |
| Loss before taxes | (47) | (69) | (26) | |
| Income tax benefit | 19 | 16 | 14 | |
| Net loss | (28) | (53) | (12) |
| Three Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in million of U.S. dollars) | March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 [5] |
March 31, 2012 [5] |
|
| Net loss | (28) | (53) | (12) | |
| Depreciation and impairment | 76 | 88 | 77 | |
| Change in working capital | 19 | 213 | 27 | |
| Other | (57) | (27) | (13) | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 10 | 221 | 79 | |
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment (CAPEX) |
(34) | (37) | (40) | |
| Other investing activities (net) | 2 | - | (3) | |
| Net Cash used in investing activities | (32) | (37) | (43) | |
| Proceeds (payments) from payable to banks and long term debt |
72 | (176) | (105) | |
| Dividends paid | - | (15) | (15) | |
| Other financing activities (net) | (1) | - | (1) | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
71 | (191) | (121) |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
49 | (7) | (85) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (4) | 5 | 5 |
| Change in cash and cash equivalent | 45 | (2) | (80) |
Appendix 1a - Health & Safety statistics
| Health & Safety Statistics | Three Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 | March 31, 2012 |
|||
| Frequency Rate | 1.1 | 1.9 | 1.0 |
Lost time injury frequency rate equals lost time injuries per 1,000,000 worked hours, based on own personnel and contractors
| Quarter Ended March 31, 2013 |
Stainless & Electrical Steel1,2 |
Services & Solutions |
Alloys & Specialties |
Others & Eliminations |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operational information |
|||||
| Steel Shipment (000t) | 388 | 171 | 10 | (168) | 401 |
| Steel selling price (USD/t) |
2,493 | 3,176 | 15,830 | 3,022 | |
| Financial information |
|||||
| Sales (USDm) | 1,007 | 572 | 163 | (473) | 1,269 |
| EBITDA (USDm) | 47 | 8 | 12 | (2) | 65 |
| Depreciation & Impairment (USDm) |
60 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 76 |
| Operating (loss) / income (USDm) |
(13) | 1 | 7 | (6) | (11) |
Note 1: Stainless & Electrical Steel shipments of 388kt of which 138kt were from South America and 250kt were from Europe
Note 2: Stainless & Electrical Steel EBITDA of USD 47m of which USD 24m were from South America and USD 23m were from Europe
| Quarter Ended December 31, 2012Error: Reference source not found |
Stainless & Electrical Steel1,2 |
Services & Solutions |
Alloys & Specialties |
Others & Eliminations |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operational |
| information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Shipment (000t) | 400 | 158 | 9 | (160) | 407 |
| Steel selling price (USD/t) |
2,417 | 3,066 | 18,436 | 3,009 | |
| Financial information | |||||
| Sales (USDm) | 1,020 | 504 | 170 | (400) | 1,294 |
| EBITDA (USDm) | 35 | (4) | 13 | (1) | 43 |
| Depreciation & Impairment (USDm) |
77 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 88 |
| Operating (loss) / income (USDm) |
(42) | (11) | 11 | (3) | (45) |
Note 1: Stainless & Electrical Steel Shipments of 400kt of which 151kt were from South America and 249kt were from Europe
Note 2: Stainless & Electrical Steel EBITDA of USD 35m of which USD 24m were from South America and USD 11m were from Europe
[1] The financial information in this press release and Appendix 1 has been prepared in accordance with the measurement and recognition criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted in the European Union. While the interim financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with IFRS applicable to interim periods, this announcement does not contain sufficient information to constitute an interim financial report as defined in International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting". Unless otherwise noted the numbers and information in the press release have not been audited. The financial information and certain other information presented in a number of tables in this press release have been rounded to the nearest whole number or the nearest decimal. Therefore, the sum of the numbers in a column may not conform exactly to the total figure given for that column. In addition, certain percentages presented in the tables in this press release reflect calculations based upon the underlying information prior to rounding and, accordingly, may not conform exactly to the percentages that would be derived if the relevant calculations were based upon the rounded numbers.
[2] Lost time injury frequency rate equals lost time injuries per 1,000,000 worked hours, based on own personnel and contractors.
[3] EBITDA is defined as operating income plus depreciation and impairment expenses.
[4] The Leadership Journey® is an initiative launched on December 16, 2010, and subsequently accelerated and increased, to target management gains and profit enhancement of USD 350 million by 2013. On February 4, 2013, Aperam announced an expansion of the Leadership Journey® to 2014 with USD 150 million targeted over the next 2 years.
[5] Figures for 2012 have been restated due to change in accounting principle of defined benefit plans and other long-term employee benefits, and adoption of revised IAS 19 standard.
[6] Subject to eligible collateral available.
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