Half-year Report

RNS Number : 7883G

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

25 July 2019

 

PRESS RELEASE

Paris, July 25, 2019

First-half 2019 results: solid performance

Organic sales growth at 3.5%

Operating income¹ up 8.3%

Recurring earnings per share up 17.6%

·    Organic growth at 3.5%, with prices up 2.3% in a less inflationary environment and volumes up 1.2% despite a negative calendar impact

·    Operating income at €1,638 million, up 8.2% as reported and up 8.3% like-for-like. Gain of 30 basis points in the operating margin² to 7.6%

·    Recurring net income up 16.7%

·    Swift deployment of the "Transform & Grow" program: (1) strong momentum in portfolio optimization, with divestments already completed or signed representing over €2.8 billion in sales and (2) the cost savings target for 2019 raised from over €50 million to more than €80 million

·    Objectives for full-year 2019 confirmed

(€m)	H1 2018	H1 2019	Change	Change
	Restated3			like-for-like
Sales	20,787	21,677	4.3%	3.5%
Operating income	1,514	1,638	8.2%	8.3%
EBITDA4	2,230	2,417	8.4%
Recurring net income5	809	944	16.7%
Free cash flow6	492	690	40.2%

1.    Like-for-like.

2.    Operating margin = Operating income divided by sales.

3.    Figures for the first half of 2018 have been restated for IFRS 16 with retroactive effect from January 1, 2018 (see the press release dated
July 1, 2019).

4.    EBITDA = operating income, plus operating depreciation and amortization, less non-operating costs excluding Sika.

5.    Recurring net income: net attributable income excluding capital gains and losses on disposals, asset write-downs, material non-recurring provisions and Sika income.

 

6.    Free cash flow = EBITDA less depreciation of right-of-use assets, plus net financial expense excluding Sika, plus income tax, less investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets excluding additional capacity investments, plus changes in working capital requirement.

Pierre-André de Chalendar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain, commented:

"The Group's first-half results progressed significantly, driven by continued upbeat trends on our main markets, a positive price-cost spread, and excellent advances in our transformation plan, which is delivering expected results faster than initially planned. The acceleration of our portfolio rotation program announced a year ago continues apace and we will exceed €3.0 billion in sales divested by the end of 2019. The Group is confirming its objectives for full-year 2019 and for the second half, in a less supportive market overall, expects a like-for-like increase in operating income versus second-half 2018."

Benoit Bazin, Chief Operating Officer of Saint-Gobain, commented:

"Thanks to our new organization, in place since January 1, the commitment of our teams on the ground is reaping rewards. Our portfolio optimization program and measures to unlock €250 million in additional cost savings are being put into place with agility and determination, as illustrated by the accelerated timetable, with the cost savings target for 2019 raised from over €50 million to more than €80 million. Going forward, we are very confident in the capacity of "Transform & Grow" to give new impetus to our growth and profitability."

Operating performance

First-half consolidated sales were €21,677 million, a year-on-year increase of 4.3% on a reported basis and of 3.5% like-for-like. Organic growth was driven both by prices (up 2.3%) in a slightly less inflationary environment, and by volumes (up 1.2%). The growth in our main markets was mitigated by a negative 1% calendar effect in the second quarter against a high prior-year comparison basis.

The Group structure impact added a slight 0.2% to overall growth, with acquisitions more than compensating for divestments in the first half given their respective transaction dates: in particular the Pipe business in Xuzhou, China, the silicon carbide business, glazing installation operations in the UK and glass processing in Sweden and Norway. Acquisitions reflect the consolidation of companies in new niche technologies and services (Kaimann in technical insulation), in Asia and emerging countries (Join Leader in adhesives) and to consolidate our strong positions (Hunter Douglas in specialty ceilings).

Sales growth also benefited from a 0.6% positive currency impact, mainly due to the appreciation of the US dollar against the euro, despite the depreciation of the Brazilian real, Nordic krona and other Asian and emerging country currencies.

The Group's operating income rose by 8.3% like-for-like. Its operating margin moved up 30 basis points to 7.6%.

Acceleration in the Group's transformation continues apace:

-   Divestments completed or signed to date represent sales of over €2.8 billion, already close to the target of more than €3.0 billion by the end of 2019. The full-year operating margin impact stands at more than 40 basis points, already reaching the target of the "Transform & Grow" program of a gain of 40 basis points in the operating margin.

-   The program to unlock €250 million in additional cost savings by 2021 thanks to the new organization is producing results faster than initially expected, with an accelerated timetable now envisaged: over €80 million in cost savings for 2019 (versus an initial target of over €50 million), of which €35 million in first-half 2019, and overall savings of €150 million in 2020 (versus €120 million initially).

 

Segment performance (like-for-like sales)

High Performance Solutions (HPS) sales rose 1.0% like-for-like, driven by the good progression in prices. Volumes were down slightly, affected by the sharp contraction in the automotive market since the summer of 2018 and by the decline in Ceramics against a high first-half 2018 comparison basis. The operating margin came in at 13.0% versus 14.4% in first-half 2018, which was marked by a still upbeat automotive market and a strong level of activity in Ceramics. The margin is significantly up on the second-half 2018 figure of 12.4%.

-  Mobility sales were stable in a difficult automotive market environment. The differentiating strategy focused on high value-added products continues to pay off. Despite the ongoing contraction in Europe and China, business was up in the Americas, led particularly by gains in market share. Our activities in the aerospace market advanced significantly.

-  Activities serving Industry reported satisfactory sales overall, held back by a high first-half 2018 comparison basis for Ceramics.

-  Activities serving the Construction industry progressed sharply on both the Americas and European markets, buoyed by gains in market share, upbeat trends in external thermal insulation solutions (ETICS) and recent acquisitions.

-  Life Sciences continued to enjoy a strong growth dynamic in the pharmaceutical and medical sector for single-use components.

Northern Europe maintained the good momentum of 2018, advancing 3.6% despite a more negative calendar effect than for the Group as a whole and a high comparison basis in second-quarter 2018 which was marked by a sales catch-up after harsh weather conditions at the start of that year. Distribution reported a good first-half and Industry was up, particularly in Gypsum and Insulation.

Sales in Nordic countries were bullish at the start of the year in all major businesses and countries, particularly for Distribution, benefiting from its exposure to the renovation market which remained upbeat. The UK deteriorated amid an uncertain economic environment, with a decline in the second quarter, particularly pronounced in Distribution. Sales in Germany progressed. Eastern Europe continued to advance in all of its main countries, also benefiting from a weak comparison basis in the first-half 2018 period, which had seen the repair of two floats in Poland and Romania.

The operating margin for the region rose sharply to 6.0% from 5.2% in the same prior-year period, fueled by a good start to the year in terms of volumes, a positive raw material and energy price-cost spread and a good industrial performance.

Southern Europe - Middle East & Africa was up 4.3%, an improvement on the trends observed for full-year 2018. Growth was powered by Distribution; industrial businesses progressed, particularly Insulation, Gypsum and Mortars. Pipe reported a slight increase in sales and continued its successful efforts to improve competitiveness.

France reported a very good first half, buoyed by a construction market where renovation remained supportive and by a weak first-half 2018 comparison basis. By business, Distribution enjoyed strong momentum and gains in market share, along with Insulation which delivered double-digit growth on the back of strong demand for energy-efficiency renovation. Among other countries in the region, Spain posted robust growth, while Benelux and Italy recorded slower advances. The Middle East and Africa were down over the first half, especially in Turkey which is experiencing an extremely tough environment.

The operating margin for the region increased significantly, up to 5.0% from 4.4% in first-half 2018, lifted by a sharp improvement in France.

 

The Americas reported 2.6% organic growth.

North America continued to benefit from a satisfactory price effect amid continued inflation in certain raw material costs, at the expense of volumes against a high second-quarter 2018 comparison basis. Exterior Products stabilized despite a significant price effect. The pricing environment was favorable in Insulation but more challenging in Gypsum; volumes remained hesitant overall. Latin America enjoyed continued growth momentum, particularly in Building Glass and Mortars; in a slightly more uncertain macroeconomic environment, Brazil posted vigorous growth, outperforming market trends in the period thanks to sales team synergies linked to the new organization.

The operating margin for the region came in at 9.0% compared to 9.1% in first-half 2018.

Asia-Pacific delivered 6.0% organic growth, spurred by continued strong momentum in Gypsum and Mortars in particular.

India was boosted by additional sales following the start-up of its fifth float line, and Gypsum delivered further double-digit growth. Elsewhere in Asia, China had a good first half, with the start-up of a new plaster plant and bullish growth in Mortars. South-East Asia faced a fiercely competitive environment which put pressure on sales prices.

The operating margin for the region was up to 9.5% from 9.3% in first-half 2018.

Analysis of the consolidated financial statements for first-half 2019                                     

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for first-half 2019 were subject to a limited review by the statutory auditors and were approved and adopted by the Board of Directors on July 25, 2019. Figures for first-half 2018 have been restated for IFRS 16 with retroactive effect from January 1, 2018 (see the press release dated July 1, 2019).

 

	H1 2018 Restated	H1 2019	% change		H1 2018 Published
€m	(A)	(B)	(B)/(A)
Sales and ancillary revenue	20,787	21,677	4.3%		20,787
Operating income	1,514	1,638	8.2%		1,469
Operating depreciation and amortization	949	947	-0.2%		601
Non-operating costs (excl. Sika)	(233)	(168)	n.s.		(234)
EBITDA	2,230	2,417	8.4%		1,836
Sika non-operating costs	180				180
Capital gains and losses on disposals, asset write-downs, corporate acquisition fees and earn-out payments	(295)	(217)	n.s.		(296)
Business income	1,166	1,253	7.5%		1,119
Net financial income (expense)	354	(250)	n.s.		392
Sika dividends	0	28	n.s.		0
Income tax	(266)	(318)	19.5%		(265)
Share in net income (loss) of associates	0	1	n.s.		0
Net income before minority interests	1,254	714	-43.1%		1,246
Minority interests	27	25	-7.4%		27
Net attributable income	1,227	689	-43.8%		1,219
Earnings per share2 (in €)	2.24	1.27	-43.3%		2.23
Recurring net income1	809	944	16.7%		802
Recurring1 earnings per share2 (in €)	1.48	1.74	17.6%		1.47
Cash flow from operations3	1,766	1,895	7.3%		1,410
Cash flow from operations (excluding capital gains tax)4	1,754	1,883	7.4%		1,398
EBITDA	2,230	2,417	8.4%		1,836
Depreciation of right-of-use assets	357	340	-4.8%		0
Net financial expense (excluding Sika)	(247)	(250)	n.s.		(247)
Income tax	(266)	(318)	19.5%		(265)
Investments in property, plant and equipment	561	610	8.7%		561
o/w additional capacity investments	211	220	4.3%		257
Investments in intangible assets	76	72	-5.3%		76
Change in working capital requirement5	(442)	(357)	-19.2%		(442)
Free cash flow6	492	690	40.2%		502
Free cash flow conversion7	26.3%	33.2%	n.s.		27.3%
Lease investments	430	353	-17.9%		0
Investments in securities8	1,289	158	n.s.		1,289
Consolidated net debt	12,380	12,617	1.9%		9,294

1.   Recurring net income: net attributable income excluding capital gains and losses on disposals, asset write-downs, material non-recurring provisions and Sika income.                     

2.   Calculated based on the number of shares outstanding at June 30 (543,444,874 shares in 2019, versus 546,918,263 shares in 2018).

3.   Cash flow from operations = operating cash flow excluding material non-recurring provisions.

4.   Cash flow from operations excluding capital gains tax = (3) less the tax impact of capital gains and losses on disposals, asset write-downs and material non-recurring provisions.

5.   Change in working capital requirement: over a 12-month period (cf. appendix 4 at the bottom of consolidated cash flow statement).

6.   Free cash flow = EBITDA less depreciation of right-of-use assets, plus net financial expense excluding Sika, plus income tax, less investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets excluding additional capacity investments, plus changes in working capital requirement.

7.   Free cash flow conversion = free cash flow divided by EBITDA less depreciation of right-of-use assets.

 

8.   Investments in securities: €158 million in first-half 2019, of which €145 million of consolidated entities.

Consolidated sales advanced 3.5%, led by both prices (up 2.3%) and by volumes (up 1.2%). On a reported basis, sales were 4.3% higher, with a positive 0.6% currency impact resulting mainly from the appreciation of the US dollar against the euro despite the depreciation of the Brazilian real, Nordic krona and other emerging country currencies. The Group structure impact was a positive 0.2%, with acquisitions more than compensating for divestments. Acquisitions reflect the consolidation of companies in new niche technologies and services, in Asia and emerging countries and to consolidate our strong positions.

Consolidated operating income was up 8.2% on a reported basis and 8.3% like-for-like. The Group's operating margin moved up 30 basis points to 7.6%. EBITDA rose 8.4% to €2,417 million, while the EBITDA margin climbed to 11.2% of sales versus 10.7% of sales in first-half 2018.

Non-operating costs totaled €168 million compared to €53 million in first-half 2018 which included a gain of €180 million on the Sika transaction (non-operating costs of €233 million excluding this one-off gain). Non-operating costs in first-half 2019 therefore improved sharply on a normalized basis, despite factoring in €51 million of restructuring costs associated with the execution of the "Transform & Grow" program. The €45 million accrual to the provision for asbestos-related litigation involving CertainTeed in the US remained unchanged compared to the last few half-year periods.

The net balance of capital gains and losses on disposals, asset write-downs and corporate acquisition fees represented an expense of €217 million compared to an expense of €295 million in first-half 2018. In the first six months of 2019, this item mainly includes write-downs of businesses held for sale. Business income was up 7.5% to €1,253 million.

Net financial expense excluding Sika remained virtually stable at €250 million (€247 million in first-half 2018). Dividends received from Sika totaled €28 million in the period; the comparative period in 2018 had benefited from a €601 million gain relating to the Sika transaction.

The income tax rate on recurring net income remained stable at 25%. Income tax totaled €318 million (€266 million in first-half 2018).

Recurring net income (excluding capital gains and losses, asset write-downs, material non-recurring provisions and Sika income) rose 16.7% to €944 million.

Net attributable income fell 43.8% to €689 million owing to the gain relating to the Sika transaction in first-half 2018 (€781 million).

Cash flow from operations increased 7.3% to €1,895 million (€1,766 million in first-half 2018); before the tax impact of capital gains and losses on disposals, asset write-downs and material non-recurring provisions, cash flow from operations was 7.4% higher at €1,883 million (€1,754 million in first-half 2018).

Free cash flow jumped 40.2% to €690 million (3.2% of sales versus 2.4% of sales in first-half 2018), buoyed by improved cash generation and a lower increase in working capital requirement over a 12-month period.

Investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets totaled €682 million (including €220 million in additional capacity investments for organic growth) and remained stable as a percentage of sales, at 3.1%.

Investments in securities totaled €158 million (€1,289 million in first-half 2018 which included Sika for €933 million) and were made to develop innovative niches (American Seal) and the Group's presence in emerging countries (plasterboard in Mexico). Net debt edged up to €12.6 billion at end-June 2019 from €12.4 billion as restated at end-June 2018, with acquisitions over the past 12 months representing €568 million and divestments €311 million. Net debt represents 68% of consolidated equity compared to 65% as restated at end-June 2018. The net debt to EBITDA ratio over the last 12-month rolling period stands at 2.6 at end-June 2019 compared to 2.7 as restated at end-June 2018.

 

Update on asbestos claims in the US                   

Some 1,300 new claims were filed against CertainTeed in first-half 2019, stable compared to the first six months of 2018.

At the same time, around 1,200 claims were settled (versus 1,500 claims in first-half 2018), bringing the total number of outstanding claims to around 32,700 at June 30, 2019, close to the 32,600 outstanding claims at December 31, 2018.

A total of USD 69 million in indemnity payments were made in the US in the 12 months to June 30, 2019, compared to USD 67 million in the 12 months to December 31, 2018.

Strategic priorities and outlook for 2019

The Group continued to implement its strategic priorities in first-half 2019:

-  €155 million in cost savings (excluding "Transform & Grow") versus first-half 2018;

-  10 acquisitions for €145 million, representing €108 million in sales and €19 million in EBITDA on a full-year basis;

-  Divestments completed or signed to date for over €2.8 billion in sales: in the first half of 2019, disposal of silicon carbide and glass processing businesses in Sweden and Norway, and signing of agreements to sell Distribution in Germany, Optimera Denmark and DMTP in France. In 2018, disposal of Pipe at Xuzhou, China, the EPS insulating foam business in Germany and glazing installation operations in the UK;

-  Strategic review of the business portfolio in progress in the context of the new organization, which will lead to an additional dynamic of divestments and acquisitions;

-  6.5 million shares bought back for €212 million, contributing to a reduction in the number of shares outstanding to 543.4 million at June 30, 2019 (546.9 million at June 30, 2018).

The Group confirms its outlook for 2019 as a whole:

-  High Performance Solutions: industrial markets should remain satisfactory, particularly in the US, despite the contraction in the automotive market in Europe and China;

-  Northern Europe: should progress despite a tougher environment in the UK;

-  Southern Europe - Middle East & Africa: overall growth expected for the region, with for the second half a lower contribution from new construction and a solid renovation market, in particular in France;

-  Americas: stabilization in North America and a more uncertain environment in Latin America;

-  Asia-Pacific: further growth.

The Group's action priorities as defined in February remain:

-  its focus on sales prices;

-  its cost savings program with the aim of unlocking additional savings of around €300 million (calculated on the 2018 cost base), in addition to more than €80 million in 2019 as part of the "Transform & Grow" program;

-  its property, plant and equipment and intangible assets investments program close to the 2018 level, with a focus on growth capex outside Western Europe and also on productivity and continued digital transformation;

-  its commitment to invest in R&D to support its differentiated, high value-added strategy;

-  its focus on high levels of free cash flow generation.

Saint-Gobain confirms its objectives for full-year 2019 and for the second half expects a like-for-like increase in operating income compared to second-half 2018.

 

Financial calendar

- An information meeting for analysts and investors will be held at 8:30am (GMT+1) on July 26, 2019 and will be broadcast live on:

www.saint-gobain.com/

- Sales for the first nine months of 2019: October 24, 2019, after close of trading on the Paris Bourse.

Analyst/Investor relations		Press relations
Vivien Dardel Floriana Michalowska Christelle Gannage	[phone] [phone] [phone]	Laurence Pernot Patricia Marie Susanne Trabitzsch	[phone] [phone] [phone]

Indicators of organic growth and like-for-like changes in sales/operating income reflect the Group's underlying performance excluding the impact of:

·          changes in Group structure, by calculating indicators for the year under review based on the scope of consolidation of the previous year (Group structure impact);

·          changes in foreign exchange rates, by calculating the indicators for the year under review and those for the previous year based on identical foreign exchange rates for the previous year (currency impact);

·          changes in applicable accounting policies.

All indicators contained in this press release (not defined in the footnote) are explained in the notes to the financial statements in the interim financial report, available by clicking here: https://www.saint-gobain.com/fr/finance/information-reglementee/rapport-financier-semestriel

The glossary below shows the notes of the interim financial report in which you can find an explanation of each indicator.

Glossary:

Cash flow from operations                                                                    Note 4

Net debt                                                                                               Note 9 

EBITDA                                                                                                 Note 4

Non-operating costs                                                                            Note 4  

Operating income                                                                                 Note 4  

Net financial income (expense)                                                            Note 9 

Recurring net income                                                                           Note 4 

Business income                                                                                  Note 4

Working capital requirement                                                                 Note 4 

Important disclaimer - forward-looking statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to Saint-Gobain's financial condition, results, business, strategy, plans and outlook. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of the words "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "plan" and similar expressions. Although Saint-Gobain believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as at the time of publishing this document, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of its future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of Saint-Gobain, including but not limited to the risks described in Saint-Gobain's registration document available on its website (www.saint-gobain.com). Accordingly, readers of this document are cautioned against relying on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document. Saint-Gobain disclaims any intention or obligation to complete, update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release does not constitute any offer to purchase or exchange, nor any solicitation of an offer to sell or exchange securities of Saint-Gobain. 

For further information, please visit www.saint-gobain.com.

            Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document.

            http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/7883G_1-2019-7-25.pdf 

 

END

 

 

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