7th May 2021 06:02
Aperam S.A. / Key word(s): Quarter Results First quarter 2021 results 07-May-2021 / 07:00 CET/CEST
"Record earnings"
Luxembourg, May 7, 2021 (07:00 CET) - Aperam (referred to as "Aperam" or the "Company") (Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Paris, Brussels: APAM, NYRS: APEMY), announced today results for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Highlights
Strategic initiatives
Prospects
Financial Highlights (on the basis of financial information prepared under IFRS)
Health & Safety results
Health and Safety performance based on Aperam personnel figures and contractors' lost time injury frequency rate was 2.6x in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 1.4x in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Financial results analysis for the three-month period ending March 31, 2021 Sales for the first quarter of 2021 increased by 28% to EUR 1,177 million compared to EUR 916 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Steel shipments increased from 431 thousand tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2020, to 493 thousand tonnes in the first quarter of 2021.
EBITDA increased during the quarter to EUR 175 million from EUR 159 million (including net exceptional gains of EUR 50 million made of PIS/Cofins tax credits related to prior periods recognised in Brazil for EUR 65 million, partly offset by social costs and restructuring charges related to asset optimization in Europe for EUR (15) million)3 for the fourth quarter of 2020. Europe benefited from seasonally higher volumes while Brazil remained at a comparable level due to seasonal factors. Prices continued to recover from their 2020 lows. Higher raw material prices generated positive inventory valuation effects.
Depreciation and amortisation was EUR (35) million for the first quarter of 2021.
Aperam had an operating income for the first quarter of 2021 of EUR 140 million compared to an operating income of EUR 118 million for the previous quarter.
Financing income (costs), net including the FX and derivatives result for the first quarter of 2021 were positive at EUR 4 million, including cash cost of financing of EUR (3) million.
Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2021 was EUR (28) million.
The Company recorded a net income of EUR 116 million for the first quarter of 2021. Cash flows from operations for the first quarter of 2021 were positive at EUR 106 million, despite a working capital increase of EUR 121 million. CAPEX for the first quarter was EUR (46) million.
Free cash flow before dividend for the first quarter of 2021 amounted to EUR 58 million.
During the first quarter of 2021, the cash returns to shareholders amounted to EUR 35 million, consisting fully of dividend.
Operating segment results analysis
Stainless & Electrical Steel (1)
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Stainless & Electrical Steel segment had sales of EUR 977 million for the first quarter of 2021. This represents a 26% increase compared to sales of EUR 774 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Steel shipments during the first quarter were 483 thousand tonnes, an increase of 12% compared to shipments of 432 thousand tonnes during the previous quarter. Volumes in Europe increased seasonally and also benefited from refilling of the industrial value chains. Brazil shipments remained at a comparable level despite Q1 being a seasonal trough quarter. Average steel selling prices for the Stainless & Electrical Steel segment increased by 14% compared to the previous quarter.
The segment generated EBITDA of EUR 140 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to EUR 139 million (including EUR 64 million due to PIS/Cofins tax credits related to prior periods recognised in Brazil and EUR (14) million of social costs) for the fourth quarter of 2020. Profitability was supported by higher volumes and prices and a low double-digit inventory valuation gain in Europe and a record adjusted EBITDA in Brazil due to higher prices and a stronger mix.
Depreciation and amortisation expense was EUR (30) million for the first quarter of 2021. The Stainless & Electrical Steel segment had an operating income of EUR 110 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to an operating income of EUR 105 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
Services & Solutions(1)
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Services & Solutions segment had sales of EUR 531 million for the first quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 39% compared to sales of EUR 381 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. For the first quarter of 2021, steel shipments were 208 thousand tonnes compared to 163 thousand tonnes during the previous quarter. The Services & Solutions segment had higher average steel selling prices during the period compared to the previous period.
The segment generated EBITDA of EUR 45 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to EBITDA of EUR 15 million, including EUR 1 million in Brazil due to PIS/Cofins tax credits related to prior periods for the fourth quarter of 2020. EBITDA increased versus Q4 2020 due to higher volumes, higher prices and an inventory valuation gain.
Depreciation and amortisation was EUR (3) million for the first quarter of 2021.
The Services & Solutions segment had an operating income of EUR 42 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to an operating income of EUR 12 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
Alloys & Specialties(1)
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Alloys & Specialties segment had sales of EUR 125 million for the first quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 21% compared to EUR 103 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Steel shipments were stable during the first quarter of 2021 at 7 thousand tonnes. Average steel selling prices were higher during the quarter.
The Alloys & Specialties segment achieved EBITDA of EUR 12 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to EUR 15 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The decrease in EBITDA was due to a price/cost squeeze and lower inventory valuation gains.
Depreciation and amortisation expense for the first quarter of 2021 was EUR (2) million.
The Alloys & Specialties segment had an operating income of EUR 10 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to an operating income of EUR 13 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
Recent developments On February 24, 2021, Aperam announced the publication of its Annual Report 2020 (Link). On February 25 and March 15, 2021, Aperam announced shareholding notifications by M&G plc for respectively crossing downwards and upwards the 5% voting rights threshold with reference to Transparency Law. On April 29, 2021, Aperam announced the publication of its "made for life" report for 2020, which constitutes Aperam's sustainability report (Link). On May 6, 2021, Aperam announced a strategic transaction to further strengthen its cost and ESG leadership position with the signature of a Share Purchase Agreement with Franz Haniel & Cie. Gmbh to acquire ELG. The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to be completed during the second half of 2021.
New developments On May 7, 2021, Aperam announced the publication of the convening notice for its Annual General Meeting of shareholders, to be held on June 8, 2021 without physical presence as permitted by Luxembourg law in context of the Covid-19 outbreak. Arrangements are made to provide for the opportunity for shareholders to vote electronically and by proxy voting and attend a virtual questions & answers session.
Investor conference call / webcast
Aperam management will host a conference call / webcast for members of the investment community to discuss the first quarter 2021 financial performance at the following time:
Link to the webcast: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/aperam/20210507_1/
The dial-in numbers for the call are: France : +33 (0) 1 7037 7166; USA: +1 212 999 6659; UK: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200
The conference password is Aperam.
Contacts
Corporate Communications / Laurent Beauloye: +352 27 36 27 103; [email protected] Investor Relations / Thorsten Zimmermann: +352 27 36 27 304; [email protected]
About Aperam
Aperam is a global player in stainless, electrical and specialty steel, with customers in over 40 countries. The business is organised in three primary operating segments: Stainless & Electrical Steel, Services & Solutions and Alloys & Specialties.
Aperam has a flat Stainless and Electrical steel capacity of 2.5 million tonnes in Brazil and Europe and is a leader in high value specialty products. In addition to its industrial network, spread over six production facilities in Brazil, Belgium and France, Aperam has a highly integrated distribution, processing and services network and a unique capability to produce stainless and special steels from low cost biomass (charcoal made from its own FSC-certified forestry).
In 2020, Aperam had sales of EUR 3,624 million and steel shipments of 1.68 million tonnes.
For further information, please refer to our website at www.aperam.com.
Forward-looking statements
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). 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 particular, the length and severity of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, including its impacts in the sector, macroeconomic conditions and in Aperam's principal local markets may cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements.
APERAM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
APERAM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
APERAM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Appendix 1a - Health & Safety statistics
Lost time injury frequency rate equals lost time injuries per 1,000,000 worked hours, based on own personnel and contractors.
Appendix 1b - Key operational and financial information
Appendix 2 - Terms and definitions
Unless indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this earnings release report to the following terms have the meanings set out next to them below:
Adjusted EBITDA: operating income before depreciation, amortisation and impairment expenses and exceptional items. Adjusted EBITDA/tonne: calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total steel shipments. Average steel selling prices: calculated as steel sales divided by steel shipments. Cash and cash equivalents: represents cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments. CAPEX: relates to capital expenditures and is defined as purchase of tangible assets, intangible assets and biological assets. EBITDA: operating income before depreciation, amortisation and impairment expenses. EBITDA/tonne: calculated as EBITDA divided by total steel shipments. Exceptional items: consists of (i) inventory write-downs equal to or exceeding 10% of total related inventories values before write-down at the considered quarter end (ii) restructuring (charges)/gains equal to or exceeding EUR 10 million for the considered quarter, (iii) capital (loss)/gain on asset disposals equal to or exceeding EUR 10 million for the considered quarter or (iv) other non-recurring items equal to or exceeding EUR 10 million for the considered quarter. Financing income (costs): Net interest expense, other net financing costs and foreign exchange and derivative results. Free cash flow before dividend and share buy-back: net cash provided by operating activities less net cash used in investing activities. Gross financial debt: long-term debt plus short-term debt. Liquidity: Cash and cash equivalent and undrawn credit lines. LTI frequency rate: Lost time injury frequency rate equals lost time injuries per 1,000,000 worked hours, based on own personnel and contractors. Net financial debt: long-term debt, plus short-term debt less cash and cash equivalents. Net financial debt/EBITDA or Gearing: Refers to Net financial debt divided by last twelve months EBITDA calculation. Shipments: information at segment and group level eliminates inter-segment shipments (which are primarily between Stainless & Electrical Steel and Services & Solutions) and intra-segment shipments, respectively. Working capital: trade accounts receivable plus inventories less trade accounts payable.
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. This press release also includes Alternative Performance Measures ("APM" hereafter). The Company believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance the understanding of its financial position and provides additional information to investors and management with respect to the Company's financial performance, capital structure and credit assessment. These non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with and not as an alternative for, Aperam's financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Such non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures applied by other companies. The APM's used are defined under Appendix 2 "Terms & definitions". 2 The Leadership Journey(R) is an initiative launched on December 16, 2010, and subsequently accelerated and increased, to target management gains and profit enhancement. The fourth phase of the Leadership Journey(R) is targeting EUR 150 million gains for the period 2021 - 2023 via a combination of cost, growth and mix improvement measures. 3 Net exceptional gain of EUR 50 million in Q4 2020 related to PIS/Cofins tax credits related to prior periods recognised in Brazil for EUR 65 million, partly offset by social costs and restructuring charges related to asset optimization in Europe for EUR (15) million.
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1193691 07-May-2021 CET/CEST
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