Earnings Release • May 5, 2022
Earnings Release
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January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022
At 1.3 million tons in the first quarter of 2022, shipments were slightly down (by 2.3%) on the prior-year quarter. Despite consistent application of the margin-over-volume strategy, however, shipments showed a significant seasonal increase on the preceding quarter (Q4 2021: 1.1 million tons, an increase of 13.4%). The positive price development - especially in Europe, but also in the USA - in connection with the renewed supply tightness caused sales to rise from €1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2021 to €2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022.
Operating income (EBITDA) adjusted for material special effects, at €201 million in the first quarter, was very considerably higher than in the comparable prior-year period (Q1 2021: €130 million) and also higher than in the preceding quarter (Q4 2021: €171 million). Due to the renewed supply tightness, steel prices rose significantly again in our core markets of Europe and the USA, with the result that – mainly due to prices but also in connection with a consistent margin-over-volume strategy and disciplined net working capital management gross profit increased from €388 million in the prior-year period to €482 million in the first quarter of 2022 (gross profit margin: 19.8%). Including material special effects of €53 million - primarily from the sale of properties at closed sites in Switzerland and France – EBITDA came to €254 million (Q1 2021: €141 million).
Net income was extremely strong in the first quarter at €172 million, compared with €86 million in the first three months of 2021. Earnings per share consequently came to €1.68 (Q1 2021. €0.85).
Adjusted operating income in the Kloeckner Metals EU segment has developed in a particularly positive way, increasing from €52 million to €101 million. With shipments constant, we benefited in this segment from dis proportionately large price increases. While our biggest earnings increase was at the German country organizations, EBITDA at the remaining country organizations was also higher than in the prior year. Including the proceeds from the sale of a site, EBITDA after special effects was €105 million.
EBITDA before material special effects in the Kloeckner Metals US segment, at €72 million in the first quarter of 2022, was at a similar level to the prior-year figure of €75 million. The slight decrease resulted from customers temporarily postponing purchases in view of falling prices on the American market at the beginning of the year. With the renewed supply tightness, this price trend reversed and steel prices went up sharply. After negative material special effects in the amount of €1 million, EBITDA came to €71 million.
Operating income in the Kloeckner Metals Non-EU segment developed very positively, too. EBITDA before material special effects increased from €15 million in the prior-year period to €29 million. Demand for rebar in particular and higher prices overall led to a slight rise in shipments and substantial sales growth in this segment. The sale of a property in Switzerland resulted in a material special effect of €50 million, putting EBITDA after special effects at €79 million.
Mainly driven by prices, net working capital increased relative to the 2021 year-end by €445 million to €2,258 million. Due to the cash outflows from operating activities, net financial debt increased from €762 million to €999 million and was thus higher than at the end of the prior-year quarter (€363 million).
Equity went up as a result of the net income from €1,827 million as of December 31, 2021 to €1,963 million, thus reflecting the solid balance sheet. Due to higher net working capital, the equity ratio of 44.4% was below the figure as of December 31, 2021 (47.1%).
Due to the price-driven increase in net working capital, the first quarter of 2022 saw a net cash outflow from operating activities of €261 million, compared with a net cash inflow of €18 million in the prior-year period. Taking into account the cash inflow from investing activities (€39 million), free cash flow was €- 222 million (Q1 2021: €7 million).
The Klöckner & Co Group continues to possess a diversified financing portfolio with a total volume of €1.3 billion (excluding leases). In March 2022, together with our core US banks, we increased the US ABL facility by USD 120 million to USD 450 million. After the end of the reporting period, we additionally expanded the European ABS program by €80 million. The remaining contractual terms for the facilities continue to apply unaltered in both cases. As a result of these two measures, Klöckner & Co has increased its financing volume by around €190 million and created additional leeway for the sharp global rise in steel and metal prices. The core instruments have a volume-weighted remaining term of over two years.
In the same way as it already leads in digitalization, Klöckner & Co is also leading the way in the establishment of sustainable business models in the steel industry. During the quarter under review, we became the first company in the world to have net zero carbon reduction targets that have been recognized by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), in the standard validation process, as science-based and valid targets. This means that we take responsibility for our emissions along our entire value chain. However, we primarily recognize business opportunities in the establishment of sustainable supply chains. In the quarter under review, we therefore introduced a rating scale for green and low-carbon steel to provide customers with a means of assessing and comparing the carbon footprint of green steel. So that our customers can already start building sustainable value chains during 2022, we have entered into further partnerships in the first quarter for the procurement of lowcarbon steel.
We also continued to systematically implement the digitalization and automation of our internal value chain. In total, the percentage of sales generated via digital channels, at more than 46%, is slightly higher than in the comparable prior-year period (Q1 2021: 45%). Kloeckner Assistant processed sales of some €390 million in the reporting period, almost double the figure for the same period of the prior year (01 2021: €200 million). This brings the total sales volume handled by Kloeckner Assistant to around €1.8 billion since its launch.
The sale of the Wettingen site in Switzerland, comprising a building and land, was completed for €50 million in the reporting period. The operating business was transferred to other sites ahead of the transaction. A site in France, likewise consisting of a building and land, was also sold for €4 million. Primarily as a result of sales of sites, material special effects were generated in a total amount of €53 million.
Despite the challenging economic environment, we are optimistic about the operating business. We expect stable to slightly increasing development in shipments in the second quarter compared with the first quarter of 2022. Based on the steel price dynamics and significantly supported by our consistently executed margin-over volume strategy and our disciplined inventory management, we anticipate a considerable increase in sales in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the previous quarter. In addition, we forecast EBITDA of €180 million to €240 million before material special effects for the current second quarter as well as a strong and significantly positive cash flow from operating activities.
| Shipments and income statement | Q1 2022 | 01 2021 | Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shipments | Tto | 1,257 | 1,287 | - 30 |
| Sales | € million | 2,438 | 1,525 | 912 |
| Gross profit | € million | 482 | 388 | 94 |
| Gross profit margin | 0/0 | 19.8 | 25.4 | 5.6%p |
| Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) |
€ million | 254 | 141 | 113 |
| EBITDA before material special effects | € million | 201 | 130 | 71 |
| EBITDA margin | % | 10.4 | 9.2 | 1.2%p |
| EBITDA margin before material special effects |
0/0 | 8.2 | 8.5 | - 0.3%p |
| Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) | € million | 223 | 111 | 113 |
| Earnings before taxes (EBT) | € million | 216 | 105 | 111 |
| EBT before material special effects | € million | 163 | 94 | ed |
| Net income | € million | 172 | 86 | 86 |
| Net income attributable to shareholders of Klöckner & Co SE |
€ million | 168 | 85 | 83 |
| Earnings per share (basic) | € | 1.68 | 0.85 | 0.83 |
| Earnings per share (diluted) | € | 1.53 | 0.78 | 0.75 |
| Cash flow statement | Q1 2022 | 01 2021 | Variance |
| Cash flow from operating activities | € million | -261 | 18 | -278 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash flow from investing activities | € million | ടുറ | - 11 | 50 |
| Free cash flow | € million | -277 | - 278 |
| Mar. 31, | Variance Mar. 31, 2022 vs. |
Variance Mar. 31, 2022 vs. |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance sheet | 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 |
Mar. 31, 2021 |
Dec. 31, 2021 |
Dec. 31, 2021 |
|
| Net Working Capital®" | € million | 2,258 | 1,813 | 1,107 | 445 | 1,151 |
| Net financial debt | € million | ਰੇਰੇ ਹੋ | 762 | 363 | 237 | ર્દિકેટ |
| Gearing "1 | % | 51.4 | 421 | 31.2 | 9.3%p | 20.2%p |
| Equity | € million | 1,963 | 1,827 | 1,170 | 136 | 793 |
| Equity ratio | % | 44 4 | 471 | 40.1 | -2.8%p | 4.2%p |
| Total assets | € million | 4,426 | 3,878 | 2,916 | 548 | 1,510 |
| Employees | Mar. 31, 2022 |
Dec. 31. 2021 |
Mar. 31. 2021 |
Variance Mar. 31, 2022 vs. Dec. 31. 2021 |
Variance Mar. 31. 2022 vs. Dec. 31, 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employees as of the end of the reporting period |
7,180 | 7,153 | 7,113 | 27 | 67 |
*) Free cash flow from operating activities plus cash flow from inesting activities . . contract libilities ./ . contract libilities ./ . contract libilities ./. contract payments received.
***) Gearing = Net financial debt / (Equity ./. non-controlling interests ./. goodwill resulting from acquisitions subsequent to May 23, 2019).
for the three-month period ending March 31, 2022
| (€ thousand) | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Sales | 2,437,548 | 1,525,434 |
| Changes in inventory | 18,997 | 6,627 |
| Own work capitalized | 398 | |
| Other operating income | 62,552 | 17,342 |
| Cost of materials | - 1,974,909 | - 1,144,396 |
| Personnel expenses | -151,386 | - 149,117 |
| Depreciation and amortization | - 30,373 | - 30,245 |
| Other operating expenses | - 138,967 | - 115,315 |
| Operating result | 223,462 | 110,728 |
| Income from investments | 31 | |
| Finance income | 442 | 16 |
| Finance expenses | -7,801 | - 5,985 |
| Financial result | -7,359 | - 5,969 |
| Income before taxes | 216,134 | 104,759 |
| Income taxes | -43,856 | - 18,581 |
| Net income | 172,278 | 86,179 |
| thereof attributable to | ||
| -shareholders of Klöckner & Co SE | 167,981 | 85,012 |
| - non-controlling interests | 4,297 | 1,167 |
| Earnings per share (€/share) | ||
| - basic | 1.68 | 0.85 |
| - diluted | 1.53 | 0.78 |
for the three-month period ending March 31, 2022
| (€ thousand) | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Net income | 172,278 | 86,179 |
| Other comprehensive income not reclassifiable | ||
| Actuarial gains and losses (IAS 19) | -68,712 | 43,691 |
| Related income tax | 15,129 | - 7,506 |
| Total | -53,583 | 36,185 |
| Other comprehensive income reclassifiable | ||
| Foreign currency translation | 17,418 | 4,481 |
| Total | 17,418 | 4,481 |
| Other comprehensive income | - 36,165 | 40,666 |
| Total comprehensive income | 136,113 | 126,845 |
| thereof attributable to | ||
| -shareholders of Klöckner & Co SE | 131,804 | 125,677 |
| -non-controlling interests | 4,309 | 1,168 |
as of March 31, 2022
Assets
| (€ thousand) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-current assets | ||
| Intangible assets | 96,077 | 97,389 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 765,753 | 760,354 |
| Other financial assets | 28,487 | 27,622 |
| Other non-financial assets | 92,521 | 172,917 |
| Current income tax receivable | 5,429 | |
| Deferred tax assets | 25,150 | 35,578 |
| Total non-current assets | 1,007,988 | 1,099,287 |
| Current assets | ||
| Inventories | 1,929,628 | 1,715,723 |
| Trade receivables | 1,243,619 | 843,284 |
| Contract assets | 52,904 | 41,861 |
| Commissions, discounts and rebate receivables | 25,084 | 55,543 |
| Current income tax receivable | 6,095 | 1,225 |
| Other financial assets | 26,172 | 20,875 |
| Other non-financial assets | 52,051 | 38,182 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 81,663 | 57,628 |
| Assets held for sale | 534 | 4,154 |
| Total current assets | 3,417,750 | 2,778,475 |
4,425,738
3,877,762
| (€ thousand) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity | |||
| Subscribed capital | 249,375 | 249,375 | |
| Capital reserves | 568,729 | 568,729 | |
| Retained earnings | 1,022,808 | 854,894 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 102,507 | 138,619 | |
| Equity attributable to shareholders of Klöckner & Co SE | 1,943,419 | 1,811,616 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 20,040 | 15,731 | |
| Total equity | 1,963,460 | 1,827,348 | |
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Provisions for pensions and similar obligations | 42,174 | 50,024 | |
| Other provisions and accrued liabilities | 17,843 | 17,352 | |
| Non-current financial liabilities | 763,713 | 556,446 | |
| Other financial liabilities | 624 | 137 | |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 43,173 | 63,140 | |
| Total non-current liabilities | 867,528 | 687,099 | |
| Current liabilities | |||
| Other provisions and accrued liabilities | 125,867 | 148,022 | |
| Income tax liabilities | 37,076 | 29,690 | |
| Current financial liabilities | 314,074 | 260,649 | |
| Trade payables | 985,587 | 838,149 | |
| Other financial liabilities | 33,243 | 32,625 | |
| Contract liabilities | 6,196 | 5,099 | |
| Advance payments received | 1,286 | ਰੇਤਰੇ | |
| Other non-financial liabilities | 91,423 | 48,141 | |
| Total current liabilities | 1,594,751 | 1,363,315 | |
| Total liabilities | 2,462,279 | 2,050,414 | |
| Total equity and liabilities | 4,425,738 | 3,877,762 | |
for the three-month period ending March 31, 2022
| (€ thousand) | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Net income | 172,278 | 86,179 |
| Income taxes | 43,856 | 18,581 |
| Financial result | 7,359 | 5,969 |
| Income from investments | - 31 | |
| Depreciation and amortization of non-current assets | 30,373 | 30,245 |
| Other non-cash income/expenses | - 455 | - 3 |
| Gain on disposal of non-current assets | - 54,298 | - 11,539 |
| Change in net working capital | ||
| Inventories | - 193,711 | - 77,547 |
| Trade receivables incl. contract assets and commissions, discounts and rebates receivables |
- 368,732 | -223,173 |
| Trade payables incl. contract liabilities and advance payments | 136,998 | 174,261 |
| Change in other operating assets and liabilities | 2,528 | 21,532 |
| Interest paid | - 7,158 | -5,234 |
| Interest received | 1,362 | 61 |
| Income taxes paid | - 31,114 | - 1,757 |
| Cash flow from operating activities | -260,745 | 17,575 |
| Proceeds from the sale of non-current assets and assets held for sale | 63,144 | 5,717 |
| Dividends received | 23 | |
| Payments for intangible assets, property, plant and equipment (incl. financial assets) |
-20,593 | - 16,473 |
| Acquisition of subsidiaries | -3,387 | |
| Cash flow from investing activities | 39,187 | - 10,756 |
| Net change of financial liabilities | 243,923 | - 47,571 |
| Cash flow from financing activities | 243,923 | - 47,571 |
| Changes in cash and cash equivalents | 22,365 | - 40,752 |
| Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | 1,670 | 1,669 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 57,628 | 172,566 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period as per statement of financial position |
81,663 | 133,483 |
| Kloeckner Metals US |
Kloeckner Metals EU |
Kloeckner Metals Non-EU |
Holding and other Group companies" |
Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | Q1 2022 |
Q1 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
Q1 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
Q1 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
Q1 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
Q1 2021 |
| Shipments (Tto) | 586 | 619 | 482 | 486 | 190 | 182 | - | 1,257 | 1,287 | |
| External sales | 1,148 | 662 | 895 | 585 | 394 | 278 | - | 2,438 | 1,525 | |
| Gross profit | 182 | 166 | 196 | 138 | 103 | 84 | 482 | 388 | ||
| Gross profit margin (%) |
15.9 | 251 | 21.9 | 23.6 | 26.2 | 30.0 | 19.8 | 25.4 | ||
| Segment result (EBITDA)**) |
71 | 75 | 105 | 62 | 79 | 15 | - 1 | - 11 | 254 | 141 |
| EBITDA before material special effects |
72 | 75 | 101 | 52 | 29 | 15 | - 1 | - 11 | 201 | 130 |
| Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) |
ਦਰੇ | 63 | 97 | 54 | 70 | 6 | -2 | - 13 | 223 | 111 |
| Cash flow from operating activities |
-65 | 25 | – 148 | 22 | - 33 | - 15 | - 14 | - 14 | - 261 | 18 |
*) Including consolidation.
** J BITDA = Earnings before interest, taxes, depeciation and reversals of impairments on intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.
| Kloeckner Metals ાડ |
Kloeckner Metals EU |
Kloeckner Metals Non-EU |
Holding and other Group companies 1 |
Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (€ million) | 01 2022 |
FY 2021 |
01 2022 |
FY 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
FY 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
FY 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
FY 2021 |
| Net working capital as of closing date**) |
941 | 831 | 910 | 645 | 402 | 341 | 5 | - 5 | 2,258 | 1,813 |
| Employees as of closing date |
2,219 | 2,198 | 2,496 | 2,517 | 2,199 | 2,178 | 266 | 260 | 7,180 | 7,153 |
*) Including consolidation.
**) Net Working Capital = Inventories + trade receivables + contract assets + supplier bonus receivables ./ . contract liabilities ./ . ontract liabilities ./ . advance payments received.
| lune 1, 2022 | Annual General Meeting 2022 (virtual) |
|---|---|
| August 3, 2022 | Half-yearly financial report 2022 Conference call with journalists Conference call with analysts |
| November 3, 2022 | Q3 quarterly statement 2022 Conference call with journalists Conference call with analysts |
Subject to subsequent changes.
Felix Schmitz Head of Investor Relations | Head of Strategic Sustainability
Telephone: +49 203 307-2295 Email: [email protected]
Christian Pokropp Head of External Communications | Head of Group HR
Telephone: Email:
+49 203 307-2050 [email protected]
This statement contains forward-looking statements which reflect the current views of the management of Klöckner & Co SE with respect to future events. They generally are designated by the words "expect", "assume", "intend", "strive for", "aim for", "plan", "will", "endeavor", "outlook" and comparable expressions and generally contain information that relates to expecta tions or goals for economic conditions, sales proceeds or other yardsticks for the enterprise. Forward-looking statements are based on currently valid plans, estimates and expectations and are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. You therefore should consider them with caution. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and factors of uncertainty (e. g. those described in publications) most of which to assess and which generally are outside of the control of Klöckner & Co SE. The relevant factors include the effects of reasonable strategic and operational initiatives, including the acquisition or disposal of companies or other assets. If these or other risks and factors of uncertainty occur or if the statements are based turn out to be incorrect, the actual results of Klöckner & Co SE can deviate significantly from those that are expressed or implied in these statements. Klöckner & Co SE cannot give any guarantee that the expectations or goals will be attained. Klöckner & Co SE – notwithstanding existing legal obligations – rejects any responsibility for updating statements through taking into consideration new information or future events or other things. In addition to the kev figures oreaared in accordance with IFRS and German GAAP respectively, Klöckner & Co SE is presenting non-GAAP key figures such as EBITDA, EBIT, Net Working Capital and net financial liabilities that are not a component of the accounting regulations. These key figures are to be viewed as supplementary to, but not as a substitute for data prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-GAAP key figures are not subject to IFRS or any other generally applicable accounting regulations. In assessing the net assets, financial position and results of Klöckner & Co SE, these supplementary figures should not be used in isolation or as an alternative to the key figures presented in the consolidated financial statements and calculated in accordance with the relevant accounting principles. Other companies may base these concepts upon other definitions. Please refer to the definitions in the annual report 2021. For other terms not defined in the annual report 2021, please refer to the glossary on our website at https://www.kloeckner.com/en/glossary.html.
Rounding differences may occur with respect to percentages and figures.
Variances may arise for technical reasons (e.g., conversion of electronic formats) between the accounting documents contained in this quarterly statement and the format submitted to the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger). In this case, the version submitted to the Federal Gazette shall be binding.
The English translation of the quarterly statement are also available, in case of deviations the German versions shall prevail.
Evaluating statements are unified and are presented as follows:
| +/-0-1% | +/->1-5% | +/->5% |
|---|---|---|
constant slight considerable

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