18th Nov 2008 07:00
18 November 2008
Good nine months results
Strong management actions to address challenging new market conditions
Financial Results for the nine months ended 30 September, 2008 ($ million unless otherwise stated)
|
9m 2008 |
9m 20074 |
Change, y-o-y |
|
|
Revenue |
18,152 |
11,303 |
60.6% |
|
Profit from operations |
4,179 |
2,313 |
80.7% |
|
EBITDA1 |
4,981 |
2,941 |
69.4% |
|
Net profit2 |
3,243 |
1,526 |
112.5% |
|
EPS, $ |
3.22 |
1.51 |
112.5% |
|
DPS3, $ |
1.23 |
0.59 |
108.5% |
Notes:
1 EBITDA represents profit from operations plus depreciation and amortisation adjusted for gain (loss) on disposals of property plant and equipment
2 Net profit attributable to shareholders
3 Dividends announced on the basis of respective period results, translated at the exchange rate as of the date of recommendation by Board of Directors
4 9m 2007 numbers have been restated to reflect the consolidation of Severstal Columbus (formerly SeverCorr) as of 1 January, 2007 and to reflect the change in the accounting policy for property, plant and equipment from the revaluation model to the cost model
OAO Severstal (LSE: SVST; RTS: CHMF), today reports results for the nine months to 30 September 2008.
Nine months 2008 Highlights:
Net profit up 112.5% to $3,243 million including $620 million of one-off gains
EPS up 112.5% to $3.22 from $1.51 year-on-year
Q3 dividend per share of $0.26, or 7.17 rubles
Outlook and management actions
Uncertain global economic outlook impacting steel consuming industries
Operating cash flow and committed facilities in place to meet debt requirements
Strong management actions taken to address tougher market environment:
2008 capex reduced by 20%; majority of the planned 2009-2011 $8bn investment programme deferred until market visibility and conditions improve
Production is being reduced further, reflecting market conditions
Headcount reduction programme underway across the group
Alexey Mordashov, Chief Executive of Severstal, said, "Severstal achieved strong results for the first nine months of 2008, with significant growth in all our markets driven by price increases, volume growth and margin improvement.
"However, in light of the uncertain global economic outlook and its impact on the world's steel consuming industries, we have put in place a series of strong management actions to allow the group to continue to operate profitably in a tougher environment.
"We have reduced production and cut back our planned capital investment programme.
"In light of the current tougher market conditions, we now expect EBITDA for the current year to be in the range of $5.1-$5.3 billion"
Chief Executive's Review of the nine months ended 30th September 2008
Severstal Russian Steel
In the first nine months of 2008, Russian Steel benefited from favourable prices, a strong domestic market, increased export prices and growth in production volumes. This resulted in a 44.1% increase in EBITDA for the division year-on-year from $2,071 million to $2,985 million. Revenues were up by 48.5% to $9,172 million in 9m 2008 compared with $6,177 million in 9m 2007. EBITDA margin was 32.5% for the first nine months of the year, compared to 33.5% for the same period last year, although it increased to 39.3% in the third quarter due to higher selling prices.
Izhora Pipe Mill demonstrated significant year-on-year growth, with EBITDA increasing 170.8% to $241 million in 9m 2008 from $89 million in 9m 2007. EBITDA margin increased from 28.5% in 9m 2007 to 30.5% in 9m 2008. Pipe production was higher year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter due to strong demand and significant price increases.
Severstal Resources
Severstal Resources saw an 110.8% rise in EBITDA year-on-year from $390 million to $822 million, benefiting from increases in coal and iron ore prices. EBITDA margin increased to 40.8% from 29.1% in the same period last year. The production of iron products (pellets and concentrate) increased by 6% year-on-year. Coal production was down, reflecting sale of Kuzbassugol in Q2. At the same time production in Vorkutaugol saw continued steady growth in Q2 and Q3.
We acquired PBS Coals, a Pennsylvania-based coal company, in November. This acquisition is an important step in the implementation of our vertically integrated strategy, increasing our self-sufficiency in coking coal in US. The total cash consideration was CAD 1,006 million (US$ 829.5 million at the transaction date exchange rate).
Severstal International
In Severstal International, our North American operations showed $449 million of EBITDA, including $156 m of one-off events, in 9m 2008 compared with $5 million of negative EBITDA in the same period of 2007. This increase and the growth in revenues from $1,303 million to $3,966 million reflect the changing scale and efficiency of the business after consolidation of newly acquired steel making capacities in Q3 2008 and successful ramp-up of Severstal Columbus plant. EBITDA margin was 11.3%, compared to -0.4% in the same period last year. Production of crude steel was 174% higher at 4.1 million tonnes, with hot metal production up 114% at 2.6 million tonnes.
In our European operations, Lucchini's EBITDA in 9m 2008 increased by 19.7% compared with the same period last year to $431 million. This was due to price increases for finished goods, while production of rolled products was 1% up and semi-finished products 12% down year-on-year. Revenues were up by 19.2%. EBITDA margin remained stable at 13.0% in 9m 2008 and 12.9% in 9m 2007.
Financial Summary for nine months ended 30 September 2008
Severstal's revenues increased by 60.6% to $18,152 million in nine months of 2008 compared with $11,303 million in 9m 2007. Strong price increases and volume growth were the main drivers of this growth, as well as consolidation of new US assets in Q2 and Q3.
Cost of sales were $12,382 million in 9m 2008 compared with $7,689 million for the same period of 2007, an increase of 61.0%, caused primarily by increases in the costs of raw materials. Cost of sales as a percentage of consolidated revenues increased to 68.2% in 9m 2008 compared with 68.0% in 9m 2007.
Profit from operations increased by 80.7% to $4,179 million in 9m 2008. This increase was due to strong prices, higher production volumes and efficient control over COGS, SG&A and distribution costs. Group operating margin increased to 23.0% in 9m 2008 from 20.5% in 9m 2007. The additional operating income (mainly one-offs in North America) improves operating margin in 9m 2008.
EBITDA increased by 69.4% to $4,981 million in nine months of 2008 from $2,941 million in 9m 2007. In nine months of 2008, Severstal reported an increase in consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders of 112.5% to $3,243 million from $1,526 million in 9m 2007. Net profit attributable to shareholders for 9m 2008 includes negative goodwill gain of $219 million from acquisition of Sparrows Point, $12 million from acquisition of Wheeling and $33 million from acquisition of WCI. We also saw a net gain after tax of $255 million from the disposal of Kuzbassugol, and a $101 million net gain after tax from the termination of a long-term electricity supply contract at SNA.
EPS increased to $3.22 in 9m 2008 from $1.51 in 9m 2007.
Net cash from operating activities was $2,137 million in 9m 2008 compared with $1,996 million in 9m 2007. Increase in cash flow attributable to significant increase in revenues partially offset by increase in a working capital related to the expansion of our operations as well as a significant growth in costs.
Net debt, calculated as total indebtedness less cash and cash equivalents, less short-term bank deposits, increased from $1,500 million as at 31 December 2007 to $3,568 million as at 30 September 2008. Total indebtedness increased from $3,786 million as at 31 December 2007 to $6,784 million as at 30 September 2008. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits increased from $2,286 million as at 31 December 2007 to $3,216 million as at 30 September 2008.
In light of the current turmoil in world financial markets, Severstal has suspended its share buy back programme. The company will keep the situation under close and constant review and will inform the market once it resumes the buy back programme.
Dividend
The board of Severstal is recommending a dividend of $0.26, or 7.17 rubles, per share for Q3 2008. This represents a 20% payout ratio for the Q3 and a payout ratio of 38.2% on a nine months basis.
Approval of the dividend is expected at the EGM which will take place on 26 December 2008.
Outlook
The financial turmoil over recent months has affected economic growth prospects across global markets, resulting in weakening demand for steel. In light of these more difficult market conditions, the Board of Severstal now expects EBITDA for the full year to be in the range of $5.1-$5.3 billion.
For further information:
Severstal
Dmitry Druzhinin, Investor Relations
Olga Antonova, Public Relations
+7 495 540 7766
Tulchan Communications
Dominic Fry/Tom Murray
+44 207 353 4200
Severstal would like to invite you to participate in a conference call with Sergei Kuznetsov, Chief Financial Officer of Severstal. The call will be held on Tuesday, 18 November 2008 at 19.00pm (Moscow Time), 16.00pm (London Time), 11.00am (East Coast Time).
Russia dial-in: 8108 002 097 2044
UK dial-in: 0800 694 0257
US dial-in: 1866 966 9439
International dial-in for other countries: +44 (0) 1452 555 566
Participant code: 73226260
The call will be recorded and there will be a replay facility available for 14 days as follows:
Tel: +44 (0) 1452 550 000
Replay access number: 73226260
Further information on Severstal can be found on its website at HYPERLINK "http://www.severstal.com" www.severstal.com
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3517I_-2008-11-18.pdf
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3517I_1-2008-11-18.pdf
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