ABB second-quarter net income rises 43%

RNS Number : 7894K

ABB Ltd

21 July 2011

 



ABB second-quarter net income rises 43% amid steady top line growth

§ Orders up 18% (10% organic); 17% revenue growth (9% organic)

§ Strong top line and business execution boost bottom line

§ Operational EBITDA³ up 22% to $1.5 billion

§ Solid contribution to results from acquisitions

Zurich, Switzerland, July 21, 2011 - ABB reported a 43-percent increase in second-quarter net income to $893 million amid strong industrial growth, higher earnings in the Power Systems division and the contribution from recent acquisitions, especially Baldor Electric.

Revenues rose 17 percent and orders increased 18 percent from the second quarter of last year, with growth in both mature and emerging markets.

Customer investments aimed at increasing operational efficiency translated into strong demand for robots, energy-efficient motors and low-voltage systems in the second quarter, while capacity expansions and the need for service drove higher orders in the oil and gas, pulp and paper, metals and marine sectors.

Increasing requirements for electricity in industry and general economic growth, especially in the emerging markets, drove demand for power distribution solutions. Transmission-related investments, which generally come later in the economic cycle, remained at low levels.

A key measure of profitability - operational EBITDA - increased 22 percent on the strong revenue growth. The operational EBITDA margin declined on a combination of higher investments in sales and R&D, price erosion in the power business that was not fully offset by cost savings, and a less favorable revenue mix in the automation segments. Cash from operations rose significantly.

"This was a strong quarter where we continued to execute well, driving further revenue growth, cash generation and a solid increase in shareholder returns," said Joe Hogan, ABB's CEO. "We're pleased with the growth and results in the quarter and for the first half of the year."

"Looking ahead, it's clear that macroeconomic concerns around public debt and inflation have increased recently. However, based on what we know today, we continue to expect strong demand for productivity and energy efficiency solutions in industry and a recovery in power transmission demand in the second half of the year."

2011 Q2 key figures  Key figures	Q2 11	Q2 10	Change
$ millions unless otherwise indicated			US$	Local
Orders	9,867	7,665	29%	18%
Order backlog (end June)	29,983	24,437	23%	9%
Revenues	9,680	7,573	28%	17%
EBIT	1,337	975	37%
as % of revenues	13.8%	12.9%
Operational EBITDA3	1,547	1,264	22%
as % of operational revenues3	16.0%	16.6%
Net income	893	623	43%
Basic net income per share ($)	0.39	0.27	44%
Cash flow from operating activities	891	649

_______________ 

1  Management discussion of orders and revenues focuses on local currency changes. US dollar changes are shown in the tables.

2 Organic changes exclude the impact of acquisitions (Ventyx and Baldor Electric).

3 Operational EBITDA represents earnings before interest and taxes, and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for restructuring-related charges, the mark-to-market treatment of hedging transactions along with unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables, and non-recurring charges related to acquisitions (Ventyx and Baldor Electric)—see reconciliation of non-GAAP measures in Appendix 1.

 

Summary of Q2 2011 results

Orders received and revenues

Demand for ABB products that boost energy efficiency, industrial productivity and power reliability continued to grow in the second quarter, resulting in higher orders received in all divisions compared to the same quarter in 2010.

The Discrete Automation and Motion division recorded the strongest growth, up more than 60 percent in local currencies on strong orders from Baldor Electric-acquired in the first quarter of 2011-and also reflecting good growth in the robotics and drives businesses. Excluding Baldor Electric, the division recorded a 25-percent increase in orders. Orders were higher in Low Voltage Products, mainly on increased demand for low-voltage systems to improve electrical efficiency in industry. The Process Automation division saw orders up 15 percent as increasing commodity prices continued to drive customer investments in new capacity and services to improve the productivity of existing assets, especially in the oil and gas, pulp and paper and marine sectors.

Orders rose 4 percent in Power Products, with both utility and industrial demand improving. Continuing investments by utilities to expand and upgrade their power grids fuelled an 11-percent order increase in the Power Systems division.

Orders grew most in the Americas, mainly reflecting the acquisition of Baldor Electric, but also the result of strong growth in South America. Orders were also higher in both eastern and western Europe, while Asian growth was led by India (up almost 40 percent). Orders in China grew 4 percent compared to the same quarter in 2010.

On an organic basis (excluding the recent acquisitions of U.S.-based Ventyx and Baldor Electric), orders grew in both mature and emerging economies, up 6 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

Base orders (below $15 million) increased 18 percent (8 percent organic) and were up in all divisions. Base orders in Power Products increased for the third consecutive quarter and were 6 percent higher than the first quarter of 2011. Large orders (above $15 million) increased 19 percent in the quarter and represented 12 percent of total orders, roughly the same as in the year-earlier period.

The order backlog at the end of June reached $30 billion, a local-currency increase of 9 percent (8 percent organic) compared to the year-earlier period and flat versus the end of the first quarter of 2011.

Revenues continued growing and were higher in all divisions. The growth reflects the execution of the very strong order backlog, higher sales of short cycle products and services as well as a contribution of approximately $600 million from acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions⁴, revenues rose by 9 percent.

___________________

4 Acquisitions comprise Ventyx and Baldor Electric.

Earnings and net income

EBIT in the second quarter of 2011 amounted to $1.3 billion, a 37-percent increase compared to the same quarter a year earlier. Revenue growth, including the impact from acquisitions, was the main contributor to the improvement.

As part of the company's previously-announced $1-billion cost savings initiative for 2011, savings of approximately $270 million were achieved in the quarter, of which about 50 percent were derived from optimized sourcing. For the first six months of 2011, savings amounted to approximately $480 million. Costs associated with the program in the second quarter amounted to approximately $30 million and were immaterial in the first quarter.

Operational EBITDA in the second quarter of 2011 amounted to $1.5 billion, an increase of 22 percent over the year-earlier period. Acquisitions contributed approximately $115 million to operational EBITDA.

The operational EBITDA margin decline partly reflects an increase of almost $90 million in investment in research and development and selling expenses to tap growth opportunities and secure the company's technology advantage. The operational EBITDA margin in Power Products was also lower compared to the very high level in the second quarter of 2010. In addition, the operational EBITDA margin in Low Voltage Products decreased as a result of rapid increases in silver prices that could not immediately be compensated by higher prices initiated during the quarter along with a higher proportion of systems revenues in the total revenue mix.

Net income for the quarter grew 43 percent to almost $900 million and resulted in basic earnings per share of $0.39 compared to $0.27 in the year-earlier period.

Balance sheet and cash flow

Net cash at the end of the second quarter was $1.2 billion, down from $2.2 billion at the end of the previous quarter. The decline primarily reflects the dividend payment in May of approximately $1.6 billion.

Cash from operating activities increased significantly compared to the same quarter of 2010, mainly the result of higher net earnings as well as higher customer advances that offset higher inventories needed to support growth.

ABB issued two U.S.-dollar denominated bonds during the second quarter, one of $600 million with a 2.50-percent coupon maturing in 2016 and the second of $650 million with a 4.00 percent coupon maturing in 2021.

The credit rating agency Moody's in June lifted the rating on ABB's long-term corporate debt to A2 from A3 with a stable outlook.

Acquisitions

During the second quarter, ABB acquired Netherlands-based Epyon B.V., a supplier of direct current fast-charging stations for electrical vehicles. ABB also announced an agreement to acquire Brisbane, Australia-based software company Mincom to expand its presence in enterprise asset management software and services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Mincom transaction, subject to customary approvals, has not yet closed and had no impact on ABB's second-quarter results.

Earlier this month, ABB announced the acquisition of Sweden-based pulp and paper systems and equipment supplier Lorentzen & Wettre, and Switzerland-based specialty transformer manufacturer Trasfor Group. Both transactions are expected to close in the second half of 2011.

Outlook

While macroeconomic concerns have increased recently, particularly around public debt in the U.S. and Europe and inflation in China, the long-term global outlook in ABB's major end markets remains favorable. High commodity prices are driving increased customer capital expenditures, while simultaneously supporting spending on efficiency and productivity improvements, including service. Utility spending on power transmission to integrate renewable energy into existing grids and to interconnect national and regional power grids continues to gain momentum. The potential shift away from nuclear power and high oil prices are expected to further increase the need for energy-efficient power and automation technologies.

Emerging markets will remain the principal drivers of growth in the medium term but demand in the mature economies across all of ABB's portfolio is also expected to continue growing over the coming quarters.

While overcapacity remains in some later-cycle infrastructure-related businesses, prices have stabilized in many sectors and ABB has initiated price increases in selected businesses in 2011, partly to offset increasing raw material costs.

Therefore, over the rest of 2011, management will continue to focus on adjusting costs while seeking profitable growth opportunities, both organic and inorganic, based on its leading technology, broad global presence, competitive cost base and strong balance sheet.

Divisional performance Q2 2011

Power Products	Q2 11	Q2 10	Change
$ millions unless otherwise indicated			US$	Local
Orders	2,810	2,480	13%	4%
Order backlog (end June)	8,955	7,796	15%	3%
Revenues	2,783	2,528	10%	1%
EBIT	417	421	-1%
as % of revenues	15.0%	16.7%
Operational EBITDA1	454	515
as % of operational revenues	16.5%	20.3%
Cash flow from operating activities	158	384
1 Earnings before interest and taxes, and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for restructuring-related charges and the mark-to-market treatment of hedging transactions along with unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables-see reconciliation of non-GAAP measures in Appendix 1

The order growth in the quarter was driven primarily by demand from utilities and industry for power distribution solutions. Orders for equipment used to integrate renewable power into the grid and service orders also increased. Customer investments in the power transmission sector have yet to pick up. Both base and large orders increased in the quarter.

Regionally, orders were higher in the Americas, mainly as a result of grid refurbishment and power distribution investments in the U.S. and infrastructure expansion in Brazil driven by sustained economic growth. Continuing grid expansions and a large order in Saudi Arabia drove an increase in the Middle East and Africa. Orders grew in Asia and decreased in Europe, with base orders steady in the region.

Revenues were stable in the quarter as growth in the power distribution and service businesses compensated for lower levels in the later-cycle power transmission equipment business.

The lower operational EBITDA versus the very high levels of the second quarter a year earlier was due to price pressure from transmission-related orders in the backlog that was only partially offset by cost savings.

Power Systems	Q2 11	Q2 10	Change
$ millions unless otherwise indicated			US$	Local
Orders	1,654	1,354	22%	11%
Order backlog (end June)	11,310	9,128	24%	9%
Revenues	2,025	1,635	24%	12%
EBIT	194	17	n.a.
as % of revenues	9.6%	1.0%
Operational EBITDA1	189	59
as % of operational revenues	9.4%	3.6%
Cash flow from operating activities	112	-65
1 Earnings before interest and taxes, and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for restructuring-related charges, the mark-to-market treatment of hedging transactions along with unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables and non-recurring charges related to acquisitions (Ventyx)-see reconciliation of non-GAAP measures in Appendix 1

Order growth in the quarter was driven by the need for power infrastructure to support growth in sectors such as mining and oil and gas as well as related investments in power generation, transmission links, substations and distribution solutions. Base orders grew at a double-digit pace and were higher in all businesses. Base order growth also partly reflects increased service orders.

Revenues improved on the execution of the strong order backlog, especially in the power generation, HVDC (high-voltage direct current) and offshore wind sectors. The increase in base orders taken in recent quarters, which are executed faster than longer-cycle large orders, also positively affected revenues. The order and tender backlogs remained at a high level.

Operational EBITDA and operational EBITDA margin improved significantly compared to the same quarter a year earlier on a combination of higher revenues as well as a return to profitability in the cables business.

Discrete Automation and Motion	Q2 11	Q2 10	Change
$ millions unless otherwise indicated			US$	Local
Orders	2,615	1,476	77%	63%
Order backlog (end June)	4,595	3,223	43%	25%
Revenues	2,248	1,287	75%	61%
EBIT	349	200	75%
as % of revenues	15.5%	15.5%
Operational EBITDA1	419	243
as % of operational revenues	18.7%	18.9%
Cash flow from operating activities	303	154
1 Earnings before interest and taxes, and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for restructuring-related charges, the mark-to-market treatment of hedging transactions along with unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables and non-recurring charges related to acquisitions (Baldor Electric)-see reconciliation of non-GAAP measures in Appendix 1

Orders continued to grow strongly in the second quarter, reflecting both increased demand for energy-efficient automation solutions in all regions of the world as well as the contribution from U.S.-based industrial motor manufacturer Baldor Electric, acquired by ABB in the first quarter of 2011. Orders increased across all businesses, led by robotics and motors and generators. Excluding the impact of the Baldor Electric acquisition, orders increased by 25 percent in local currencies compared to the same quarter in 2010.

Regionally, orders grew strongest in the Americas-more than tripling-due mainly to the Baldor Electric acquisition. Excluding Baldor Electric, orders in the Americas grew 46 percent. Orders were also strongly higher in Europe and Asia, led mainly by demand growth in emerging markets.

Revenues increased at a similar pace to orders on solid execution of the strong order backlog.

The operational EBITDA rose on the increase in revenues while the operational EBITDA margin was roughly unchanged compared to the same quarter in 2010.

Low Voltage Products	Q2 11	Q2 10	Change
$ millions unless otherwise indicated			US$	Local
Orders	1,417	1,219	16%	6%
Order backlog (end June)	1,141	879	30%	18%
Revenues	1,397	1,102	27%	16%
EBIT	234	205	14%
as % of revenues	16.8%	18.6%
Operational EBITDA1	268	236
as % of operational revenues	19.2%	21.4%
Cash flow from operating activities	67	121
1 Earnings before interest and taxes, and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for restructuring-related charges and the mark-to-market treatment of hedging transactions along with unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables-see reconciliation of non-GAAP measures in Appendix 1

Order growth in the quarter was driven primarily by increased demand for low-voltage systems. Orders in most other businesses also increased, although at a slower pace than in the past several quarters, reflecting more challenging comparisons with the strong quarters of 2010. Orders for control products declined as a result of weaker demand from the renewable energy sector.

Revenues increased in all businesses in the second quarter. Revenues grew faster than orders, reflecting the combination of product sales in the current quarter plus execution of the growing backlog of system orders won in previous quarters.

Operational EBITDA increased on higher revenues. Operational EBITDA margin declined, however, reflecting the increased share of total revenues from the lower-margin systems business and the rapid increase in silver costs that could not immediately be compensated by higher prices.

Process Automation	Q2 11	Q2 10	Change
$ millions unless otherwise indicated			US$	Local
Orders	2,340	1,825	28%	15%
Order backlog (end June)	6,829	5,585	22%	7%
Revenues	2,095	1,737	21%	9%
EBIT	223	189	18%
as % of revenues	10.6%	10.9%
Operational EBITDA1	249	228
as % of operational revenues	11.8%	13.0%
Cash flow from operating activities	222	143
1 Earnings before interest and taxes, and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for restructuring-related charges and the mark-to-market treatment of hedging transactions along with unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables-see reconciliation of non-GAAP measures in Appendix 1

Orders increased in the quarter on continued demand growth mainly in the marine and oil and gas sectors. Orders were also higher in pulp and paper, metals and turbochargers. Orders were lower in the minerals sector compared to the high levels of the year-earlier period. Lifecycle service orders rose more than 20 percent in the quarter.

Regionally, order growth was highest in Asia-up more than 50 percent-as a result of strong marine orders in South Korea, Singapore and Japan. Orders were almost 40 percent higher in the Americas, driven by pulp and paper and minerals orders in South America and higher service orders in the U.S. Orders declined in the Middle East and Africa as large orders valued at more than $250 million in the second quarter of 2010 were not repeated.

The revenue increase reflects execution of the stronger order backlog as well as the recent growth in service orders. Operational EBITDA increased on higher revenues. The operational EBITDA margin declined reflecting revenues from some lower-margin system orders executed from the backlog.

More information

The 2011 Q2 results press release is available from July 21, 2011, on the ABB News Center at www.abb.com/news and on the Investor Relations homepage at www.abb.com/investorrelations, where a presentation for investors will also be published.

A video from Chief Executive Officer Joe Hogan on ABB's second-quarter 2011 results will be available at 07:00 am today at www.youtube.com/abb.

ABB will host a media conference call starting at 10:00 a.m. Central European Time (CET). U.K. callers should dial [phone]. From Sweden, [phone], and from the rest of Europe, [phone]. Lines will be open 15 minutes before the start of the conference. Audio playback of the call will start one hour after the call ends and will be available for 24 hours: Playback numbers: [phone] (U.K.), [phone] (rest of Europe) or [phone] (U.S./Canada). The code is 12925, followed by the # key. The recorded session will also be available as a podcast one hour after the end of the conference call and can be downloaded from www.abb.com/news.

A conference call for analysts and investors is scheduled to begin today at 4:00 p.m. CET (3:00 p.m. in the UK, 10:00 a.m. EDT). Callers should dial [phone] from the U.S./Canada (toll-free), [phone] from the U.K., or [phone] from the rest of the world. Callers are requested to phone in 15 minutes before the start of the call. The recorded session will be available as a podcast one hour after the end of the conference call and can be downloaded from our website. You will find the link to access the podcast at www.abb.com.

Investor calendar 2011
Q3 2011 results	Oct. 27, 2011
ABB Capital Markets Day 2011	Nov. 4, 2011

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 130,000 people.

Zurich, July 21, 2011

Joe Hogan, CEO

Important notice about forward-looking information

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements as well as other statements concerning the outlook for our business. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the factors that may affect our future performance, including global economic conditions, the economic conditions of the regions and industries that are major markets for ABB Ltd. These expectations, estimates and projections are generally identifiable by statements containing words such as "expects," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "plans" or similar expressions. However, there are many risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information and statements made in this press release and which could affect our ability to achieve any or all of our stated targets. The important factors that could cause such differences include, among others, business risks associated with the volatile global economic environment and political conditions, costs associated with compliance activities, raw materials availability and prices, market acceptance of new products and services, changes in governmental regulations and currency exchange rates and such other factors as may be discussed from time to time in ABB Ltd's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on Form 20-F. Although ABB Ltd believes that its expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statement are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that those expectations will be achieved.

For more information please contact:

 

Media Relations:

Thomas Schmidt, Antonio Ligi

(Zurich, Switzerland)

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

 

Investor Relations:

Switzerland: Tel. [phone]

USA: Tel. [phone]

[e-mail]

 

ABB Ltd

Affolternstrasse 44

CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland

ABB Q2 and half-year 2011 key figures

$ millions unless otherwise indicated		Q2 11	Q2 10	Change		H1 11	H1 10	Change
				US$	Local			US$	Local
Orders	Group	9,867	7,665	29%	18%	20,224	15,732	29%	21%
	Power Products	2,810	2,480	13%	4%	5,670	4,881	16%	9%
	Power Systems	1,654	1,354	22%	11%	3,591	3,112	15%	8%
	Discrete Automation & Motion	2,615	1,476	77%	63%	4,959	2,884	72%	63%
	Low Voltage Products	1,417	1,219	16%	6%	2,826	2,325	22%	15%
	Process Automation	2,340	1,825	28%	15%	4,946	3,940	26%	18%
	Corporate and other (inter-division eliminations)	-969	-689			-1,768	-1,410
Revenues	Group	9,680	7,573	28%	17%	18,082	14,507	25%	17%
	Power Products	2,783	2,528	10%	1%	5,110	4,847	5%	-1%
	Power Systems	2,025	1,635	24%	12%	3,858	3,019	28%	19%
	Discrete Automation & Motion	2,248	1,287	75%	61%	4,128	2,500	65%	57%
	Low Voltage Products	1,397	1,102	27%	16%	2,592	2,113	23%	16%
	Process Automation	2,095	1,737	21%	9%	3,995	3,472	15%	7%
	Corporate and other (inter-division eliminations)	-868	-716			-1,601	-1,444
EBIT	Group	1,337	975	37%		2,350	1,684	40%
	Power Products	417	421	-1%		767	776	-1%
	Power Systems	194	17	n.a.		299	10	n.a.
	Discrete Automation & Motion	349	200	75%		574	361	59%
	Low Voltage Products	234	205	14%		469	347	35%
	Process Automation	223	189	18%		474	347	37%
	Corporate and other (inter-division eliminations)	-80	-57			-233	-157
EBIT %	Group	13.8%	12.9%			13.0%	11.6%
	Power Products	15.0%	16.7%			15.0%	16.0%
	Power Systems	9.6%	1.0%			7.8%	0.3%
	Discrete Automation & Motion	15.5%	15.5%			13.9%	14.4%
	Low Voltage Products	16.8%	18.6%			18.1%	16.4%
	Process Automation	10.6%	10.9%			11.9%	10.0%
Operational EBITDA*	Group	1,547	1,264	22%		2,866	2,226	29%
	Power Products	454	515	-12%		858	923	-7%
	Power Systems	189	59	220%		321	121	165%
	Discrete Automation & Motion	419	243	72%		797	439	82%
	Low Voltage Products	268	236	14%		530	406	31%
	Process Automation	249	228	9%		495	408	21%
Operational EBITDA %	Group	16.0%	16.6%			15.9%	15.3%
	Power Products	16.5%	20.3%			16.8%	19.0%
	Power Systems	9.4%	3.6%			8.4%	4.0%
	Discrete Automation & Motion	18.7%	18.9%			19.3%	17.5%
	Low Voltage Products	19.2%	21.4%			20.5%	19.2%
	Process Automation	11.8%	13.0%			12.4%	11.8%

* Operational EBITDA represents earnings before interest and taxes, and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for restructuring-related charges, the mark-to-market treatment of hedging transactions along with unrealized foreign exchange movements on receivables/payables, and non-recurring charges related to acquisitions (Ventyx and Baldor Electric)-see reconciliation of non-GAAP measures in Appendix 1.

Q2 2011 orders received and revenues by region

$ millions	Orders received		Change		Revenues		Change
	Q2 11	Q2 10	US$	Local	Q2 11	Q2 10	US$	Local
Europe	3'490	2'866	22%	6%	3'779	2'872	32%	15%
Americas	2'564	1'462	75%	68%	2'228	1'481	50%	44%
Asia	2'902	2'165	34%	24%	2'579	2'175	19%	10%
Middle East and Africa	911	1'172	-22%	-27%	1'094	1'045	5%	-2%
Group total	9'867	7'665	29%	18%	9'680	7'573	28%	17%

Half-year 2011 orders received and revenues by region

$ millions	Orders received		Change		Revenues		Change
	H1 11	H1 10	US$	Local	H1 11	H1 10	US$	Local
Europe	7'580	6'299	20%	12%	7'070	5'647	25%	15%
Americas	4'728	2'959	60%	54%	4'236	2'795	52%	46%
Asia	5'999	4'266	41%	32%	4'692	4'085	15%	8%
Middle East and Africa	1'917	2'208	-13%	-17%	2'084	1'980	5%	1%
Group total	20'224	15'732	29%	21%	18'082	14'507	25%	17%

Operational EBIT and operational EBITDA by division Q2 2011 vs Q2 2010

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Appendix I

Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures

($ millions, unaudited)

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END

 

 

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