Earnings Release • Apr 30, 2013
Earnings Release
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Paris, April 30th, 2013
| Turnover (€ millions) |
Q1 2012 | Q1 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| ERAMET Manganese | 374 | 388 |
| ERAMET Nickel | 236 | 181 |
| ERAMET Alloys | 271 | 231 |
| Holding company & eliminations | (4) | (3) |
| ERAMET Group | 877 | 797 |
In the 1st quarter of 2013 the Group's activity continued to be affected by the global economic crisis, as seen in growth rates that are very low or even negative in many countries, particularly in Europe. While remaining far higher than in other countries, the Chinese economy's growth continued to slow down gradually.
Moreover, the Group's turnover was penalised by very low LME nickel prices, reflecting extremely high growth in nickel ore production in Indonesia and the Philippines. The substantial increase in imports of those ores into China led to sharp growth in nickel pigiron production in the country, outpacing the increase in world stainless steel production over the same period.
Thanks to growth of 9% in China and 3% in India, and despite an average 4% decrease for the rest of the world, global production of carbon steel rose 2% in the 1st quarter of 2013 compared with the 1st quarter of 2012.
CIF China spot prices (source: CRU) for manganese ore increased 18% in the 1st quarter of 2013 compared with the 1st quarter of 2012.
Europe spot prices (source: CRU) for manganese alloys decreased 4% in the 1st quarter of 2013 compared with the 1st quarter of 2012 and were stable in relation to the 4th quarter of 2012.
ERAMET Manganese's production of manganese ore and sinter grew 82% to almost 860,000 tonnes in the 1st quarter of 2013 compared with the 1st quarter of 2012, which was impacted by a non-recurrent technical incident.
Manganese alloy production increased 12% over the same period, thanks to the gradual ramp-up of the New Guilin plant in China.
ERAMET Manganese's external shipments of manganese ore and sinter rose 55% in the 1 st quarter of 2013 compared with the 1st quarter 2012. Manganese alloy sales remained stable over the same period.
ERAMET Nickel's turnover decreased 23% in the 1st quarter of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012, because of a 12% fall in nickel prices (average LME nickel price 7.85 USD/lb. in 1st quarter 2013) and a correlating decrease in production.
Thanks to 14% growth in China and despite a 4% average decrease for the rest of the world, world stainless steel production grew 4% in the 1st quarter of 2013 compared with the 1st quarter of 2012.
Nevertheless, the physical nickel market remained in surplus in the 1st quarter of 2013, mainly due to the increase in Chinese nickel pig-iron production, made possible by ore exports from Indonesia and the Philippines.
ERAMET Alloys' turnover decreased 15% in the first quarter of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012.
This decrease reflects highly deteriorated conditions on the high speed steel and tooling markets, mainly related to the automotive sector, and on the energy and defence markets.
As part of these units' adjustment to lower activity, ERAMET Alloys continued to implement its competitiveness plan, including a project involving a 23% cut in the Firminy plant's headcount.
Aerospace turnover, which rose slightly, is at a high level and should continue to grow in the coming months.
With a sound financial situation but taking recent trends on its markets into account, the Group selectively continued its capital investment programme.
In 2013, the ERAMET Group's capital expenditure levels will be lower than in 2012.
Taking into consideration mainly the current state of the nickel market, the ERAMET Group's current operating income in the 1st half of 2013 will be significantly lower than for the 2nd half of 2012.
- ooOoo –
DIARY
ERAMET's Annual General Meeting will take place at 10:30 am on May 15th, 2013 at Salons Hoche – 9, Avenue Hoche – 75008 PARIS.
ERAMET is a leading global producer of:
ERAMET is also studying or developing major projects in new activities such as mineral sands (titanium dioxide and zircon), lithium, niobium and rare earths, as well as in recycling. The Group employs approximately 14,000 people in 20 countries. ERAMET is part of Euronext Paris Compartment A.
Vice-President Investor Relations and Economic Studies Philippe Joly Tel: +33 (0)1 45 38 42 02
Investor Relations and Economic Analyst David Fortin Tel: +33 (0)1 45 38 42 86
For more information: www.eramet.com
| Turnover (M€) | Q1 2012 | Q2 2012 | Q3 2012 | Q4 2012 | Q1 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERAMET Manganese | 374 | 379 | 380 | 427 | 388 |
| ERAMET Nickel | 236 | 224 | 196 | 242 | 181 |
| ERAMET Alloys | 271 | 255 | 220 | 251 | 231 |
| Holding company & eliminations | (4) | 0 | (3) | (1) | (3) |
| ERAMET Group | 877 | 858 | 793 | 919 | 797 |
| Metric tons | Q1 2012 | Q2 2012 | Q3 2012 | Q4 2012 | Q1 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese ore and sinter production |
471 200 | 840 600 | 838 600 | 886 400 | 859 600 |
| Manganese alloy production | 176 000 | 178 200 | 189 800 | 186 200 | 197 300 |
| Manganese alloy sales | 195 500 | 170 800 | 177 200 | 201 300 | 196 300 |
| Nickel production* | 14 220 | 13 465 | 14 578 | 14 184 | 13 128 |
| Nickel sales** | 13 602 | 14 721 | 12 551 | 15 807 | 11 707 |
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