Earnings Release • Feb 26, 2019
Earnings Release
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Amsterdam, The Netherlands / 25 February 2019
"We ended 2018 with a robust quarter. We more than doubled our Adjusted EBITDA compared to the same quarter a year ago and generated strong free cash flow which delivered a significant reduction of \$295 million in net debt during the fourth quarter and excellent progress on our deleveraging priority.
This growth demonstrates that our previous investments in new capacities are starting to pay off with a solid performance at Iowa Fertilizer Company and the ramp-up and first cash dividend from Natgasoline. We achieved this volume and earnings growth despite a shutdown at Natgasoline during the fourth quarter due to utilities supply issues that have now been resolved, coupled with low water levels in the Rhine which affected despatches of CAN in Europe.
As a company we view selling forward large quantities of product to wholesalers during the low season at low prices as value destructive, as it creates an unnecessary overhang in the market when distributors become competitors during the peak season. We believe that our approach, combined with our strategic locations, and the strong execution of our operational teams has allowed us to capture the benefits of a rising pricing environment during the third and fourth quarters of 2018, maximize netback prices and outperform the industry in North America.
Our positioning in the Upper Midwest of the United States is unique and gives us significant freight and logistical advantages. This becomes even more prominent in the spring season, when the availability of river barges and other logistical challenges (such as congestion on the rivers and railroads) become a bottleneck for product that is to be transported into the Midwest originating from New Orleans (NOLA).
We expect our low-cost operations in the United States to be a key source of growth in 2019. Towards the end of 2018, IFCo reached record production levels of 115% of nameplate capacity as a result of both optimization work and an increase in our permitted production levels as described last quarter. This has resulted in a significant improvement in EBITDA performance at IFCo during the fourth quarter. We expect continued improvement at IFCo in 2019 due to several factors, including consistent production performance, the full effect of the increase in allowable operating rates, and a significant increase in diesel exhaust fluid volumes.
We also expect our methanol business to grow in 2019 to reach 2.95 million metric tons of proportionate production capacity. Natgasoline will have its first full year of operations, BioMCN's second line is due to start up this spring and we expect to finalize the c.13% methanol capacity increase at OCI Beaumont this summer."
Our diversified portfolio of nitrogen products consists of fertilizer, diesel exhaust fluid and melamine:
Fundamentals of methanol markets are unchanged:
Our cost position is looking favourable with a low blended average natural gas cost. We have a mix of long-term contracts with fixed gas prices in Egypt and Algeria, and spot prices in Europe and the Unites States.
Gas prices have moderated in both Europe and the United States since the levels reached in 2018. We expect to see the full benefit of the lower gas prices from the second quarter onwards as our European winter exposure hedges expire. In the United States, we continue to benefit from the hedges of \$2.42 per mmBtu at IFCo for the majority of our gas needs in Q1 and have secured prices below \$2.30 per mmBtu for Q2.
Despite US sanctions, Iran has continued to export significant volumes at heavily discounted prices in recent months, negatively impacting methanol and fertilizer markets. With export volumes of more than 4 million tons each of urea and methanol in 2018, Iran is one of the largest exporters of both these products globally. However, as sanctions are now being fully implemented and export opportunities for the country diminish, Iranian exports are likely to decline in 2019.
We are well-positioned to benefit from improving end markets through the unique strategic positioning of our assets in key regions, our globally competitive low-cost asset base and best-in-class free cash flow conversion.
We expect continued growth in EBITDA and improvement of our leverage metrics in 2019. Net interest and capital expenditures are expected to decrease in 2019, which should contribute positively to our cash flows:
We remain committed to our financial policy to prioritise these expected strong free cash flows towards deleveraging to 2x through the cycle.
| Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | % Δ | 2018 | 2017 | % Δ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 941.5 | 642.0 | 47% | 3,252.5 | 2,251.5 | 44% |
| Gross Profit | 155.5 | 63.2 | 146% | 622.1 | 320.4 | 94% |
| Gross profit margin | 16.5% | 9.8% | 19.1% | 14.2% | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA2) | 269.0 | 133.2 | 102% | 937.5 | 634.3 | 48% |
| EBITDA2) | 248.8 | 122.7 | 103% | 929.2 | 479.2 | 94% |
| EBITDA margin | 26.4% | 19.1% | 28.6% | 21.3% | ||
| Adj. net income (loss) attributable to shareholders | 17.1 | (53.0) | nm | 17.1 | (27.3) | nm |
| Net loss attributable to shareholders | (18.7) | (56.1) | nm | (48.7) | (103.6) | nm |
| Earnings / (loss) per share (\$) | ||||||
| Basic earnings per share | (0.089) | (0.269) | nm | (0.233) | (0.495) | nm |
| Diluted earnings per share | (0.089) | (0.269) | nm | (0.233) | (0.495) | nm |
| 31-Dec-18 | 31-Dec-17 | % Δ | ||||
| Total Assets | 7,320.0 | 7,143.6 | 2% | |||
| Gross Interest-Bearing Debt | 4,580.3 | 4,677.6 | (2%) | |||
| Net Debt | 4,119.6 | 4,446.6 | (7%) | |||
| Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | % Δ | 2018 | 2017 | % Δ | |
| Free cash flow2) | 304.5 | 98.1 | 210% | 620.4 | 114.8 | 440% |
| Capital Expenditure | 65.6 | 40.4 | 62% | 293.0 | 147.3 | 99% |
| Of which: maintenance capital expenditure | 21.1 | 22.8 | (7%) | 136.1 | 61.4 | 122% |
| Sales volumes ('000 metric tons)3) | ||||||
| OCI Product | 2,465.7 | 2,056.5 | 20% | 9,402.1 | 7,382.8 | 27% |
| Third Party Traded | 574.4 | 393.4 | 46% | 1,751.8 | 1,293.9 | 35% |
2) OCI N.V. uses Alternative Performance Measures ('APM') to provide a better understanding of the underlying developments of the performance of the business. The APMs are not defined in IFRS and should be used as supplementary information in conjunction with the most directly comparable IFRS measures. A detailed reconciliation between APM and the most directly comparable IFRS measure can be found in this report
3) Fully consolidated, not adjusted for OCI ownership stake in plant, except 50% OCI's share of Natgasoline volumes
| Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | % Δ | 2018 | 2017 | % Δ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Own Product | ||||||
| Ammonia | 450.7 | 358.8 | 26% | 2,013.1 | 1,477.8 | 36% |
| Urea | 749.4 | 696.0 | 8% | 2,960.8 | 2,517.9 | 18% |
| Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) | 253.5 | 232.6 | 9% | 1,063.8 | 1,189.3 | (11%) |
| Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) | 464.7 | 371.4 | 25% | 1,538.4 | 752.4 | 104% |
| Total Fertilizer | 1,918.3 | 1,658.8 | 16% | 7,576.1 | 5,937.4 | 28% |
| Methanol1) | 421.9 | 357.1 | 18% | 1,415.7 | 1,285.5 | 10% |
| Melamine | 42.7 | 33.6 | 27% | 149.3 | 152.6 | (2%) |
| Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) | 82.8 | 7.0 | nm | 261.0 | 7.3 | nm |
| Total Industrial Chemicals | 547.4 | 397.7 | 38% | 1,826.0 | 1,445.4 | 26% |
| Total Own Product Sold | 2,465.7 | 2,056.5 | 20% | 9,402.1 | 7,382.8 | 27% |
| Traded Third Party | ||||||
| Ammonia | 120.3 | 95.5 | 26% | 394.4 | 249.9 | 58% |
| Urea | 128.4 | 31.1 | 313% | 328.1 | 102.3 | 221% |
| UAN | 24.4 | 51.1 | (52%) | 90.1 | 157.6 | (43%) |
| Methanol | 85.7 | - | nm | 252.1 | - | nm |
| Ammonium Sulphate (AS) | 202.1 | 215.7 | (6%) | 673.6 | 784.1 | (14%) |
| DEF | 13.5 | - | nm | 13.5 | - | nm |
| Total Traded Third Party | 574.4 | 393.4 | 46% | 1,751.8 | 1,293.9 | 35% |
| Total Own Product and Traded Third Party | 3,040.1 | 2,449.9 | 24% | 11,153.9 | 8,676.7 | 29% |
1) Including OCI's 50% share of Natgasoline volumes
Total own-produced fertilizer volumes improved 16% during the quarter compared to the same period last year. This was the result of growth across all regions, but especially IFCo's volumes increased strongly both compared to the same quarter in 2017 and compared to the third quarter of 2018.
Following a shutdown in July 2018 and after receiving a permit to take the plant's maximum allowable front-end gas feed rate from the previous permit of 110% to 118% of nameplate capacity, IFCo reached unprecedented production levels of 115% on ammonia in the fourth quarter. At the end of 2018, IFCo received a permit to further increase operating rates on a permanent basis and we believe IFCo should be able to approach 120% this year.
OCI's industrial chemicals portfolio continued to ramp up volumes with an increase of 38% in own-produced volumes in Q4 2018 compared to Q4 2017. In particular diesel exhaust fluid volumes increased strongly.
Own-produced methanol volumes improved 18% in Q4 2018 compared to Q4 2017 as Natgasoline's contribution to volumes more than offset lower volumes at both OCI Beaumont due to a short shutdown in December and at BioMCN, which extended a shutdown that started in Q3 into Q4.
Melamine sales volumes increased 27% in Q4 2018 compared to the same quarter last year.
| 2018 | 2017 | % Δ | Q4 '18 | Q4 '17 | % Δ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | NW Europe, FOB | \$/mt | 337 | 312 | 8% | 388 | 328 | 18% |
| Ammonia | US Gulf Tampa contract | \$/mt | 313 | 281 | 11% | 345 | 299 | 15% |
| Granular Urea | Egypt, FOB | \$/mt | 277 | 241 | 15% | 315 | 271 | 16% |
| CAN | Germany, CIF | €/mt | 202 | 193 | 5% | 229 | 200 | 15% |
| UAN | France, FOT | €/mt | 179 | 154 | 16% | 228 | 159 | 43% |
| UAN | US Midwest, FOB | \$/mt | 237 | 208 | 14% | 280 | 204 | 37% |
| Melamine | Europe contract | €m/t | 1,640 | 1,513 | 8% | 1,625 | 1,575 | 3% |
| Methanol | USGC Contract, FOB | \$/mt | 492 | 402 | 22% | 493 | 393 | 25% |
| Methanol | Rotterdam FOB Contract | €/mt | 402 | 348 | 16% | 428 | 318 | 35% |
Source: CRU, Argus
Consolidated revenue increased 47% to \$942 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to the same quarter in 2017, as our own-produced and traded volumes increased and selling prices were on average higher. Our revenues also increased compared to the third quarter of 2018.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 102% to \$269 million in Q4 2018 compared to \$133 million in Q4 2017. This was the result of the higher revenues, as well as the realization of higher margins. EBITDA increased 103% to \$249 million in Q4 2018 compared to \$123 million in Q4 2017. The EBITDA margin improved from 19.1% in Q4 2017 to 26.4% in Q4 2018.
Adjusted net profit was \$17 million in Q4 2018 compared to a net loss of \$53 million in Q4 2017. The reported net loss (after non-controlling interest) stood at \$19 million in Q4 2018 compared to a net loss of \$56 million in Q4 2017.
| \$ million | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net revenue | 941.5 | 641.9 | 3,252.5 | 2,251.5 |
| Cost of Sales | (786.0) | (578.7) | (2,630.4) | (1,931.1) |
| Gross profit | 155.5 | 63.2 | 622.1 | 320.4 |
| Gross profit % of revenues | 16.5% | 9.8% | 19.1% | 14.2% |
| SG&A | (51.1) | (41.8) | (177.6) | (160.9) |
| Other Income | 36.5 | 2.6 | 62.6 | 8.2 |
| Other expense | 0.5 | (6.4) | (2.8) | (19.4) |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 269.0 | 133.2 | 937.5 | 634.3 |
| EBITDA | 248.8 | 122.7 | 929.2 | 479.2 |
| EBITDA % of revenues | 26.4% | 19.1% | 28.6% | 21.3% |
| Depreciation & amortization | (107.4) | (105.1) | (424.9) | (330.9) |
| Operating profit | 141.4 | 17.6 | 504.3 | 148.3 |
| Interest income | 2.8 | 1.7 | 8.7 | 5.3 |
| Interest expense | (80.1) | (73.9) | (340.7) | (222.0) |
| Net FX gain / (loss) and fair value gain / loss on derivatives | (13.5) | 9.4 | (32.6) | (31.4) |
| Net financing costs | (90.8) | (62.8) | (364.6) | (248.1) |
| Investment income | (15.5) | (2.8) | (30.8) | (6.1) |
| Net income before tax | 35.1 | (48.0) | 108.9 | (105.9) |
| Income tax expense | (13.4) | (12.7) | (9.4) | 3.1 |
| Net profit | 21.7 | (60.7) | 99.5 | (102.8) |
| Non-Controlling Interest | (40.4) | 4.6 | (148.2) | (0.8) |
| Net loss attributable to shareholders | (18.7) | (56.1) | (48.7) | (103.6) |
* Unaudited
Due to changes in organizational structure and internal reporting, OCI has renamed and realigned its segments by moving trading activities from OCI Nitrogen & Trading to the previous North Africa segment and including Natgasoline in the previous OCI Partners & Trading segment.
| \$ million | Chemicals US |
Chemicals Europe |
Fertilizers US |
Fertilizers Europe |
Fertilizer MENA |
Other | Eliminatio n |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment revenues | 549.5 | 238.2 | 489.1 | 906.8 | 1,237.6 | 3.7 | - | 3,424.9 |
| Inter-segment revenues | (77.8) | (1.1) | - | (0.4) | (93.1) | - | - | (172.4) |
| Total revenues | 471.7 | 237.1 | 489.1 | 906.4 | 1,144.5 | 3.7 | - | 3,252.5 |
| Gross profit | 139.6 | (18.3) | 55.2 | 81.5 | 370.6 | (1.4) | (5.1) | 622.1 |
| Operating profit | 94.0 | (18.0) | 39.3 | 48.9 | 388.3 | (69.1) | 20.9 | 504.3 |
| Depreciation & amortization | (86.5) | (8.3) | (117.1) | (62.8) | (174.6) | (1.0) | 25.4 | (424.9) |
| EBITDA | 180.5 | (9.7) | 156.4 | 111.7 | 562.9 | (68.1) | (4.5) | 929.2 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 233.8 | (7.7) | 157.2 | 113.4 | 501.2 | (55.9) | (4.5) | 937.5 |
| \$ million | Chemicals US |
Chemicals Europe |
Fertilizers US |
Fertilizers Europe |
Fertilizer MENA |
Other | Eliminatio n |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment revenues | 343.3 | 184.4 | 193.3 | 908.6 | 732.4 | 3.7 | - | 2,365.7 |
| Inter-segment revenues | (18.4) | - | (0.1) | (0.3) | (93.2) | (2.2) | - | (114.2) |
| Total revenues | 324.9 | 184.4 | 193.2 | 908.3 | 639.2 | 1.5 | - | 2,251.5 |
| Gross profit | 82.9 | 37.4 | (17.0) | 142.3 | 74.8 | - | - | 320.4 |
| Operating profit | 59.6 | 33.3 | (53.5) | 117.0 | 37.0 | (54.9) | 9.8 | 148.3 |
| Depreciation & amortization | (60.4) | (10.4) | (29.1) | (52.9) | (177.1) | (1.1) | 0.1 | (330.9) |
| EBITDA | 120.0 | 43.7 | (24.4) | 169.9 | 214.1 | (53.8) | 9.7 | 479.2 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 123.2 | 43.7 | 4.6 | 169.9 | 335.6 | (52.4) | 9.7 | 634.3 |
Adjusted EBITDA is an Alternative Performance Measure (APM) that intends to give a clear reflection of underlying performance of OCI's operations. The main APM adjustments in 2018 and 2017 relate to:
| \$ million | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | Adjustment in P&L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating profit as reported | 141.4 | 17.6 | 504.3 | 148.3 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 107.4 | 105.1 | 424.9 | 330.9 | |
| EBITDA | 248.8 | 122.7 | 929.2 | 479.2 | |
| APM adjustments for: | |||||
| Expenses related to expansion projects | 4.3 | (21.2) | 5.8 | 28.0 | SG&A / other expenses |
| Sorfert insurance income / loss of revenue | (26.9) | 30.3 | (57.7) | 95.5 | Revenue / other income |
| Unrealised result on natural gas hedging | 8.8 | 0.2 | 8.8 | 0.2 | COGS |
| EBIC impact of unavailability of export jetty | - | - | - | 15.4 | Revenue / COGS |
| Other adjustments | 6.8 | 1.2 | 6.5 | 16.0 | Other income and expenses |
| Natgasoline | 27.2 | - | 44.9 | - | |
| Total APM adjustments | 20.2 | 10.5 | 8.3 | 155.1 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 269.0 | 133.2 | 937.5 | 634.3 |
At the net income level, the main APM adjustments in 2018 and 2017 relate to Natgasoline (costs associated with the construction until start-up), expenses related to refinancing and non-cash foreign exchange gains or losses on US\$ exposure.
| \$ million | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | Adjustment in P&L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reported net income attributable to shareholders | (18.7) | (56.1) | (48.7) | (103.6) | |
| Adjustments for: | |||||
| Adjustments at EBITDA level | 20.2 | 10.5 | 8.3 | 155.1 | |
| Add back: Natgasoline EBITDA adjustment | (27.2) | - | (44.9) | - | |
| Expenses related to expansion projects | - | 3.7 | 20.0 | 9.7 | Income from equity accounted investees |
| Expenses related to refinancing | 15.4 | - | 31.4 | - | Finance expenses |
| Forex gain/loss on USD exposure | 15.4 | (16.7) | 34.3 | 4.9 | Finance income and expense |
| Recognition of previously unused tax losses BioMCN / Other |
3.0 | (0.5) | 3.0 | (32.8) | Income tax |
| Non-controlling interest adjustment | 14.2 | (11.9) | 32.7 | (55.0) | Minorities |
| Tax effect of adjustments | (5.2) | 18.1 | (19.1) | (5.6) | Income tax |
| Total adjustments at net income level | 35.8 | 3.2 | 65.7 | 76.3 | |
| Adjusted net income attributable to shareholders | 17.1 | (53.0) | 17.0 | (27.3) |
OCI reported a robust free cash flow of \$305 million during the fourth quarter of 2018, bringing the total for the year to \$620 million. This represents a significant increase compared to free cash flow of \$98 million in Q4 2017 and \$115 million in the full year 2017.
The positive free cash flow was primarily due to a higher operational performance, working capital optimization, low maintenance capital expenditure, partly offset by cash interest of \$105 million which is mostly paid out in the second and fourth quarters of the year. We also received a dividend and repayment of shareholder loans from Natgasoline to the amount of \$58 million.
Total capital expenditures stood at \$66 million in Q4 2018, compared to \$40 million in Q4 2017:
Free cash flow of \$620 million in 2018 was primarily used to reduce net debt by \$327 million, growth capital expenditure of \$157 million and buy out of the minority shareholders of OCI Partners in July 2018 at a cost of c.\$118 million.
Net debt stood at \$4,120 million as at 31 December 2018, down \$295 million from \$4,415 million as at 30 September 2018 and down from \$4,447 million as at 31 December 2017.
The improvement in leverage metrics this year continued with a trailing net debt / adjusted EBITDA of 4.4x at 31 December 2018, down from 7.0x at 31 December 2017 and 5.5x at 30 September 2018.
| \$ million | Q4 2018 | Q4 2017 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBITDA | 248.8 | 122.7 | 929.2 | 479.2 |
| Working capital | 145.0 | 76.1 | 83.9 | (60.5) |
| Maintenance capital expenditure | (21.1) | (22.8) | (136.1) | (61.4) |
| Tax paid | (1.2) | (1.9) | (34.3) | (28.9) |
| Interest / net dividends paid/received | (79.2) | (76.6) | (262.2) | (217.8) |
| Adjustment non-cash expenses | 12.2 | 0.6 | 39.9 | 4.2 |
| Free Cash Flow | 304.5 | 98.1 | 620.4 | 114.8 |
| Reconciliation to change in net debt: | ||||
| Growth capital expenditure | (44.5) | (17.6) | (156.9) | (85.9) |
| Acquisition non-controlling interest OCI Partners | - | (61.1) | (117.6) | (61.1) |
| Other non-operating items | 34.3 | (4.4) | (25.2) | (47.7) |
| Non-operating working capital | (3.6) | (0.9) | (0.8) | 20.6 |
| Net effect of movement in exchange rates on net debt | 9.8 | (24.2) | 51.8 | (170.7) |
| Other non-cash items | (5.5) | (9.3) | (44.7) | (22.8) |
| Net Cash Flow / Decrease (Increase) in Net Debt | 295.0 | (19.4) | 327.0 | (252.8) |
| (\$ million) | Short term | Long term | Total gross debt | Total gross debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2017 | |
| EFC | 35.4 | 341.8 | 377.2 | 405.7 |
| EBIC | - | - | - | 37.0 |
| Sorfert | 81.0 | 525.9 | 606.9 | 713.3 |
| OCI Nitrogen | - | - | - | 533.4 |
| BioMCN | - | - | - | - |
| Trading | 38.2 | - | 38.2 | 42.8 |
| OCI Beaumont | 4.2 | 440.2 | 444.4 | 243.9 |
| IFCO | 51.0 | 1,100.5 | 1,151.5 | 1,206.1 |
| OCI NV | 73.7 | 1,888.4 | 1,962.1 | 1,495.4 |
| Total OCI NV Gross Debt | 283.5 | 4,296.8 | 4,580.3 | 4,677.6 |
| Cash | 460.7 | 231.0 | ||
| Total OCI NV Net Debt | 4,119.6 | 4,446.6 |
This report contains unaudited fourth quarter and full year consolidated financial highlights of OCI N.V. ('OCI', 'the Group' or 'the Company'), a public limited liability company incorporated under Dutch law, with its head office located at Honthorststraat 19, 1071 DC Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
OCI N.V. is registered in the Dutch commercial register under No. 56821166 dated 2 January 2013. The Group is primarily involved in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers and industrial chemicals.
This report has been authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 February 2019.
The financial highlights and the reported data in this report have not been audited by an external auditor.
On 26 February 2019, at 15:30 CET, OCI N.V. will host a conference call for investors and analysts. Details on how to access the call can be found on the OCI N.V. website.
OCI N.V. (Euronext: OCI) is a global producer and distributor of natural gas-based fertilizers & industrial chemicals based in the Netherlands. OCI produces nitrogen fertilizers, methanol and other natural gas-based products, serving agricultural and industrial customers from the Americas to Asia. OCI is a leading global nitrogen fertilizer producer with almost 10 million metric tons of capacity. OCI is also on track to become one of the world's largest methanol producers with almost 3 million tons of proportionate capacity. OCI is listed on Euronext in Amsterdam.
Hans Zayed Director Email: [email protected]
Tel: +31 (0) 6 18 251 367
For additional information on OCI:
OCI stock symbols: OCI / OCI.NA / OCI.AS / OCINY
Honthorststraat 19 1071 DC Amsterdam The Netherlands
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