EANS-Adhoc: Lenzing AG Lenzing Group: Second Best Nine-Month Results Despite
Headwinds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ad-hoc disclosure transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide
distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this
announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quarterly report
15.11.2012
-New record fiber shipment volumes
-Lower average fiber selling prices as expected
-Guidance confirmed for the entire year 2012
In spite of economic headwinds, the Lenzing Group succeeded in achieving the
second best business results in its history. However, as expected, the company
could not match the record performance of the previous year. Fiber shipment
volumes rose by 12% year-on-year, whereas average selling prices for Lenzing
fibers fell by about 11%, as anticipated.
Consolidated sales of the Lenzing Group in the first nine months of 2012
amounted to EUR 1,567.5 mn, a drop of 1.5% from the prior-year level of EUR
1,592.2 mn. Consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and
amortization) in the first three quarters was the second highest in the
company's history, totaling EUR 281.5 mn, down 22.4% from EUR 362.9 mn in Q1-3
2011. The EBITDA margin remained at an attractive double-digit level of 18.0%
(Q1-3 2011: 22.8%). Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were also at a
gratifying level of EUR 203.4 mn (Q1-3 2011: EUR 289.7 mn). This corresponded to
an EBIT margin of 13.0% for the Lenzing Group in the first nine months of 2012,
compared to 18.2% in the prior-year period.
"In spite of the difficult market conditions, we were able to achieve record
sales of 590,000 tons of fibers in the first three quarters of 2012 against the
backdrop of the full utilization of our production capacities. This underlines
the world market leadership of the Lenzing Group based on quality, innovation, a
global presence and optimal service", says Lenzing's Chief Executive Officer
Peter Untersperger.
Adjusted Group equity totaled EUR 1,152.0 mn as at the end of September 2012, a
rise of 9.9% from the comparable figure of EUR 1,048.1 mn at the end of 2011.
The adjusted equity ratio was 48.5% as at September 30, 2012 (December 31, 2011:
44.8%). As a result of the lively investment activity within the Group, net
financial debt increased to EUR 295.3 mn at the end of the third quarter
(December 31, 2011: EUR 159.1 mn). Accordingly, net gearing continued to be a
very low level of 25.6% (December 31, 2011: 15.2%).
Outlook
Lenzing confirms its guidance for the entire year 2012, which was published as
part of the half-year results. As a consequence, Lenzing is well on track to
achieve the second best business results in the company's history in 2012 as a
whole. However, due to the current market developments, a decline of average
fiber selling prices to about EUR 1.85 per kilogram is expected. Accordingly,
Lenzing now expects that it will likely reach the lower end of the targeted
range with respect to its performance indicators for the entire year 2012. This
means consolidated sales are anticipated to be within a range of EUR 2.1-2.15
bn, whereas EBITDA will amount to EUR 350-400 mn and EBIT will total somewhere
between EUR 240-290 mn. Capital expenditure for 2012 is budgeted to be about EUR
325 mn.
Long-term megatrends such as population growth, increasing per capita fiber
consumption in the emerging markets and growing demand for resource-saving,
environmentally compatible fibers remain intact, and are good arguments in favor
of man-made cellulose fibers. However, this long-term growth trend does not
exclude the possibility of repeated phases of delayed or accelerated economic
growth. Lenzing remains committed to its long-term growth strategy.
Key Group indicators (IFRS) in EUR mn
1-9/2012 1-9/2011
Consolidated sales 1,567.5 1,592.2
EBITDA 281.5 362.9
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 203.4 289.7
Earnings before tax and minority interest (EBT) 199.8 277.0
Profit for the period 155.1 217.9
EBITDA margin in % 18.0 22.8
EBIT margin in % 13.0 18.2
Gross cash flow 198.5 317.4
Investments in intangible assets and property,
plant and equipment 213.7 130.5
30/09/2012 31/12/2011
Adjusted equity ratio* in % 48.5 44.8
Employees at the end of the period 6,958 6,593
*Equity incl. government grants less prop. deferred taxes
Segment reporting in EUR mn 1-9/2012 1-9/2011
Segment Fibers
Sales 1,414.3 1,436.1
EBITDA 262.1 345.0
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 187.3 275.9
Segment Plastics Products
Sales 126.0 135.5
EBITDA 11.2 13.3
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 6.8 8.3
Segment Engineering
Sales 89.3 79.8
EBITDA 6.1 7.0
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 4.8 5.9
Further inquiry note:
Lenzing AG
Mag. Angelika Guldt
Tel.: +43 (0) 7672-701-2713
Fax: +43 (0) 7672-918-2713
mailto:a.guldt@lenzing.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
issuer: Lenzing AG
A-A-4860 Lenzing
phone: +43 7672-701-0
FAX: +43 7672-96301
mail: a.guldt@lenzing.com
WWW: http://www.lenzing.com
sector: Chemicals
ISIN: AT0000644505
indexes: WBI, ATX, Prime Market
stockmarkets: free trade: Berlin, official market: Wien
language: English