Interim Results

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain 29 July 2005 July 28, 2005 press release FIRST-HALF 2005 RESULTS: O SALES up 7.0% to €16,877 million (up 7.4% at constant exchange rates*) O OPERATING INCOME up 4.6% to €1,372 million (up 4.9% at constant exchange rates*) O NET INCOME up 13.9% to €632 million CONFIRMATION OF 2005 TARGET: > 6% GROWTH IN OPERATING INCOME at constant exchange rates (average exchange rates for 2004) * based on average exchange rates for first-half 2004 Consolidated first-half sales for the Saint-Gobain Group (six months ended June 30, 2005) came in at €16,877 million, up 7.0%, or 7.4% at constant exchange rates*. The contribution of the Group's acquisitions to the growth figure, net of disposals, amounted to €848 million during the period, accounting for a rise of 5.4% in net sales. Like-for-like growth (constant structure and exchange rates) for the period was 2.0%, with 4.1% growth in the second quarter. * based on average exchange rates for first-half 2004 Consolidated net income for first-half 2005 advanced 13.9% over the year-earlier period, at €632 million. Excluding capital gains, consolidated net income climbed 10.9% to €642 million, fueled mainly by the improvement in business income. - Performances of the Group's business sectors: Overall, despite a difficult first quarter, the Group's five sectors saw a rise in like-for-like sales over first-half 2005, with most businesses reporting a significant rise in sales prices and, in the second quarter, robust organic growth. Like-for-like second-quarter sales were up 4.1%, on the back of a 0.7% dip in the first quarter. Like-for-like sales for the Group's Flat Glass and Building Distribution Sectors - hard hit by the severe late-winter weather in the first quarter - rebounded strongly in the second quarter. Overall, the Group's first-half sales advanced 2.0% on a like-for-like basis (including a +2.4% price impact and a -0.4% volume effect). Operating income for the Group gained 4.6%, driven by a further improvement in the Building Distribution and High-Performance Materials Sectors. On an actual structure and exchange rate basis, the Building Distribution Sector reported a strong 13.7% rise in sales, thanks to the first-half contribution of its recent acquisitions, particularly Dahl (consolidated as from May 1, 2004) and Sanitas-Troesch (consolidated as from March 1, 2005). A strong upswing in the second quarter of the year (up 5.0% like-for-like), after a slow first quarter due to bad weather conditions, fueled a 2.3% rise in sales. French and Scandinavian markets were the main growth drivers, while Germany and, to a lesser extent, the UK, remained on a downward trend. Operating margin for the Building Distribution Sector continued to improve, coming in at 4.9% compared with 4.8% for the same period in 2004. The High-Performance Materials Sector reported a 1.4% increase in sales on a comparable structure and exchange rate basis, with growth in volumes and sales prices in the Ceramics & Abrasives Division partially dampened by the drop in sales volumes reported by the Reinforcements Division. The profitability of the High-Performance Materials Sector has further advanced, with operating margin accounting for 11.2% of sales, compared with 10.4% for H1 2004. First-half sales for the Flat Glass Sector inched up slightly on a constant structure and exchange rate basis, thanks to the upturn in the second quarter. However, increased start-up costs due to the fast expansion of the Flat Glass Sector in emerging countries and Asia in particular, dented profitability. The Packaging Sector reported a slight rise in like-for-like sales, with price rises across the sector offsetting the contraction in sales volumes in the United States and in Germany, while the European wine market is stabilizing. However, the profitability of the Group's Packaging business was trimmed by rising energy costs, particularly in the US. The Construction Products (CP) Sector posted the Group's strongest organic growth, up 3.9% despite the 3.9% drop in like-for-like sales for the Pipe Division following the last delivery under the Abu Dhabi contract at the end of first-quarter 2004. Higher prices across the Pipe business helped to offset the impact of spiraling raw materials costs on the division's operating income. Building Materials and Insulation Divisions posted organic growth of more than 6.0%, as benefits from a buoyant US and European (excluding Germany) construction market continued to filter through. Operating margin for these divisions also advanced, fuelling the improvement in operating margin for the sector as a whole. * * * - Detailed review of interim consolidated financial statements: The Group's interim consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, which were reviewed by the Board of Directors on July 28, 2005, are summarized below: H1 2004 H1 2005 % change (IFRS) (IFRS) € millions € millions (1) (2) (2)/(1) Net sales* 15,768* 16,877* +7.0% Operating income 1,312 1,372 +4.6% Non-operating costs (133) (108) -18.8% Other business income and expenses (31) 4 n.m. Business income 1,148 1,268 +10.5% Financial income (expense) (261) (266) +1.9% Income taxes (316) (359) +13.6% Share in net income of equity investees 3 5 +66.7% Income before minority interests 574 648 +12.9% Minority interests (19) (16) -15.8% Net income 555 632 +13.9% Earnings per share (in €) 1.61 1.83 +13.7% Net income excluding profit (loss) on sales of non-current assets 579 642 +10.9% Earnings per share excluding profit (loss) on sales of non-current assets (in €) 1.68 1.86 +10.7% Cash flow from operations 1,263 1,355 +7.3% Cash flow from operations excluding capital gains tax 1,252 1,360 +8.6% Capital expenditure 554 598 +7.9% Investments in securities 534 563 +5.4% Net debt 7,431 7,463 +0.4% * including ancillary revenue for €118 million for first-half 2005, compared with €91 million for first-half 2004 Consolidated first-half sales climbed 7.0% on an actual structure basis and 1.5% based on a comparable structure. At constant exchange rates*, sales were up 7.4% on an actual structure basis and 2.0% on a comparable structure basis. Sales prices rose 2.4% on average, while volumes dipped slightly by 0.4%. France accounted for 32.7% of total sales, with other western European countries contributing 40.1%, North America 16.1% and emerging countries and the Asia-Pacific region, 11.1%. Business remained buoyant, on a like-for-like basis, in each of these areas, with the exception of western Europe, hampered by the slowdown in Germany and the UK. First-half operating income advanced 4.6%, and by 4.9% stripping out the currency effects. Operating income represents 8.1% of sales, compared with 8.3% of sales over the same period in 2004. In accordance with IFRS, operating income now includes the cost of stock option programs and the Group Savings Plan, representing a total of €26 million, compared with €23 million for first-half 2004. This slight dip in operating margin reflects the increased relative weight of the Building Distribution Sector in the Group (despite the further advance in the sector's profitability, to 4.9% compared with 4.8% for first-half 2004), as well as higher start-up costs due to the fast expansion of the Group in emerging countries. Excluding Building Distribution, the Group's operating margin slipped to 10.4% from 10.5% in first-half 2004. The Group's operations in the US and western Europe reported an improvement in profitability, with the exception of France, where it remained flat. In emerging countries and Asia, first-half profitability was dented by the large-scale investments made over the period. * based on average exchange rates for first-half 2004 First-half business income jumped 10.5%, mainly thanks to the increase in operating income and in profit on sales of non-current assets during the period, coupled with the fall in non-operating costs. Non-operating costs were scaled back slightly, to €108 million from €133 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. Non-operating costs include a €54 million charge in respect of asbestos-related claims against CertainTeed (compared with a charge of €50 million in the year-earlier period). Financial expense remained virtually flat at €266 million, against €261 million in first-half 2004, reflecting the stability of net debt at June 30, 2005 compared with June 30, 2004. Minority interests slipped slightly to €16 million, from €19 million in the prior-year period. Consolidated first-half net income came in at €632 million, a rise of 13.9% over first-half 2004. Based on the 345,255,470 shares outstanding at June 30, 2005, earnings per share jumped 13.7% to €1.83, compared with €1.61 in first-half 2004 (based on 345,124,327 shares). Excluding profit and loss on sales of non-current assets, net income climbed 10.9% to €642 million, compared with €579 million for first-half 2004. Based on the 345,255,470 shares outstanding at June 30, 2005, earnings per share rose 10.7% to €1.86, compared with €1.68 in the prior-year period. Cash flow from operations totaled €1,355 million, up 7.3% on first-half 2004. Excluding the tax effect of capital gains and losses, cash flow from operations advanced 8.6% to €1,360 million, compared with €1,252 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. Capital expenditure increased 7.9% to €598 million, compared with €554 million in first-half 2004. The rise in capital spending was fueled by the ramp-up of the capital expenditure program in emerging countries and in particular Asia (up 30.7% over the same period in 2004). Investments in securities totaled €563 million, including €336 million in the Building Distribution Sector. Net debt after payment of the 2004 dividend remained virtually stable in comparison with the year-earlier period, at €7,463 million compared with €7,431 million at June 30, 2004. The gearing ratio - based on consolidated shareholders' equity - was 62.2%, compared with 69.1% at June 30, 2004. * * * - Update on asbestos claims in the United States: some 10,000 new claims were filed against CertainTeed in the six months to June 30, 2005, on a par with the last two half-yearly periods. Approximately 3,000 mass claims were filed in the State of Kentucky, for which no proof of medical impairment has been provided. During the same period, some 13,000 claims were resolved (compared with 11,000 over first-half 2004), and 3,000 claims were transferred to an 'inactive docket'. Therefore, the number of pending claims at June 30, 2005 continued on a downward trend, standing at 100,000 at June 30, 2005, compared with 106,000 at December 31, 2004. The average cost of claims settled over the last twelve months was approximately US$ 2,500 per claim, lower than the average cost of settlement at March 31 (approximately US$ 3,000 per claim), due to a more favorable claims mix than the earlier period. On the legislative front, the bipartisan vote by the US Senate Judiciary Committee on May 26, 2005 concerning the Asbestos Trust Fund Bill has since prompted much debate between the Bill's advocates and its opponents. The Bill may be put before the full Senate as from the Fall. * * * - Outlook and targets: The Group expects the recovery observed in the second quarter of 2005 to pick up pace over the next six months, and therefore confirms, for the full year, its target of 6% growth in operating income at constant exchange rates (average rates for 2004). Forthcoming results announcements: - Sales for the first nine months of 2005: October 25, 2005, after close of trading on the Paris Bourse. * * * Investor Relations Department Florence Triou-Teixeira Tel.: +33 1 47 62 45 19 Alexandre Etuy Tel.: +33 1 47 62 37 15 Fax: +33 1 47 62 50 62 Appendix 1: Results by Business Sector and Geographic Area Change on Change on a Change on a H1 H1 an actual comparable comparable I. SALES 2004 2005 structure structure structure and (in € m) (in € m) basis basis currency basis by Sector and Division: Building Distribution 6,474 7,364 +13.7% +2.2% +2.3% High-Performance Materials (1) 2,383 2,415 +1.3% +0.1% +1.4% Ceramics and Plastics & Abrasives 1,752 1,788 +2.1% +1.6% +3.3% Reinforcements 644 638 -0.9% -4.3% -4.2% Flat Glass 2,236 2,329 +4.2% +2.1% +0.8% Packaging 1,978 1,977 -0.1% -0.5% +0.9% Construction Products (1) 2,973 3,096 +4.1% +2.6% +3.9% Building Materials 1,293 1,361 +5.3% +4.2% +6.4% Insulation 964 1,045 +8.4% +5.2% +6.1% Pipe 726 700 -3.6% -3.8% -3.9% Internal sales and misc. (276) (304) n.m. n.m. n.m. Group Total 15,768 16,877 +7.0% +1.5% +2.0% by geographic area: France 5,506 5,826 +5.8% +3.6% +3.6% Other Western European Countries 6,580 7,135 +8.4% -1.7% -1.3% North America 2,851 2,876 +0.9% +0.6% +5.1% Emerging countries and Asia 1,672 1,978 +18.3% +11.3% +6.0% Internal sales (841) (938) n.m. n.m. n.m. Group Total 15,768 16,877 +7.0% +1.5% +2.0% (1) including intra-sector eliminations H1 H1 Change on H1 H1 II. OPERATING INCOME 2004 2005 an actual 2004 2005 (in € m) (in € m) structure (in % of sales) (in % of sales) basis by Sector and Division: Building Distribution 311 363 +16.7% 4.8% 4.9% High-Performance Materials 249 271 +8.8% 10.4% 11.2% Ceramics and Plastics & Abrasives 207 240 +15.9% 11.8% 13.4% Reinforcements 42 31 -26.2% 6.5% 4.9% Flat Glass 240 233 -2.9% 10.7% 10.0% Packaging 246 221 -10.2% 12.4% 11.2% Construction Products 267 283 +6.0% 9.0% 9.1% Building Materials 97 103 +6.2% 7.5% 7.6% Insulation 110 121 +10.0% 11.4% 11.6% Pipe 60 59 -1.7% 8.3% 8.4% Miscellaneous (1) 1 n.m. Group Total 1,312 1,372 +4.6% 8.3% 8.1% by geographic area: France 417 440 +5.5% 7.6% 7.6% Other Western European Countries 436 490 +12.4% 6.6% 6.9% North America 259 269 +3.9% 9.1% 9.4% Emerging countries and Asia 200 173 -13.5% 12.0% 8.7% Group Total 1,312 1,372 +4.6% 8.3% 8.1% H1 H1 Change on H1 H1 III. BUSINESS INCOME 2004 2005 an actual 2004 2005 (in € m) (in € m) structure (in % of sales) (in % of sales) basis by Sector and Division: Building Distribution 307 358 +16.6% 4.7% 4.9% High-Performance Materials 223 242 +8.5% 9.4% 10.0% Ceramics and Plastics & Abrasives 189 216 +14.3% 10.8% 12.1% Reinforcements 34 26 -23.5% 5.3% 4.1% Flat Glass 215 229 +6.5% 9.6% 9.8% Packaging 236 233 -1.3% 11.9% 11.8% Construction Products 218 267 +22.5% 7.3% 8.6% Building Materials 86 99 +15.1% 6.7% 7.3% Insulation 94 122 +29.8% 9.8% 11.7% Pipe 38 46 +21.1% 5.2% 6.6% Miscellaneous (51)* (61)* n.m. Group Total 1,148 1,268 +10.5% 7.3% 7.5% by geographic area: France 389 435 +11.8% 7.1% 7.5% Other Western European Countries 368 490 +33.2% 5.6% 6.9% North America 195* 174* -10.8% 6.8% 6.1% Emerging countries and Asia 196 169 -13.8% 11.7% 8.5% Group Total 1,148 1,268 +10.5% 7.3% 7.5% * after asbestos-related charge (before tax) of €54m in H1 2005 and €50m in H1 2004 H1 H1 Change on H1 H1 IV. CASH FLOW 2004 2005 an actual 2004 2005 (in € m) (in € m) structure (in % of sales) (in % of sales) basis by Sector and Division: Building Distribution 214 258 +20.6% 3.3% 3.5% High-Performance Materials 240 254 +5.8% 10.1% 10.5% Ceramics and Plastics & Abrasives 173 195 +12.7% 9.9% 10.9% Reinforcements 67 59 -11.9% 10.4% 9.2% Flat Glass 256 260 +1.6% 11.4% 11.2% Packaging 263 233 -11.4% 13.3% 11.8% Construction Products 258 274 +6.2% 8.7% 8.9% Building Materials 96 97 +1.0% 7.4% 7.1% Insulation 114 122 +7.0% 11.8% 11.7% Pipe 48 55 +14.6% 6.6% 7.9% Miscellaneous 32* 76* n.m. Group Total 1,263 1,355 +7.3% 8.0% 8.0% by geographic area: France 424 480 +13.2% 7.7% 8.2% Other Western European Countries 395 448 +13.4% 6.0% 6.3% North America 225* 224* -0.4% 7.9% 7.8% Emerging countries and Asia 219 203 -7.3% 13.1% 10.3% Group Total 1,263 1,355 +7.3% 8.0% 8.0% * after asbestos-related charge (after tax) of €36m in H1 2005 and €34m in H1 2004 H1 H1 Change on H1 H1 V. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 2004 2005 an actual 2004 2005 (in € m) (in € m) structure (in % of sales) (in % of sales) basis by Sector and Division: Building Distribution 107 131 +22.4% 1.7% 1.8% High-Performance Materials 90 106 +17.8% 3.8% 4.4% Ceramics and Plastics & Abrasives 44 61 +38.6% 2.5% 3.4% Reinforcements 46 45 -2.2% 7.1% 7.1% Flat Glass 148 164 +10.8% 6.6% 7.0% Packaging 101 89 -11.9% 5.1% 4.5% Construction Products 106 104 -1.9% 3.6% 3.4% Building Materials 40 38 -5.0% 3.1% 2.8% Insulation 48 50 +4.2% 5.0% 4.8% Pipe 18 16 -11.1% 2.5% 2.3% Miscellaneous 2 4 n.m. Group Total 554 598 +7.9% 3.5% 3.5% by geographic area: France 115 125 +8.7% 2.1% 2.1% Other Western European Countries 183 184 +0.5% 2.8% 2.6% North America 106 93 -12.3% 3.7% 3.2% Emerging countries and Asia 150 196 +30.7% 9.0% 9.9% Group Total 554 598 +7.9% 3.5% 3.5% Appendix 2: CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (in € millions) ASSETS June 30, 2005 Dec. 31, 2004 Goodwill 5,402 5,203 Other intangible assets, net 2,200 1,804 Property, plant and equipment, net 10,016 9,367 Investments in associates 54 64 Available-for-sale and other securities 100 92 Other non-current assets 316 321 Non-current assets 18,088 16,851 Inventories 5,426 4,817 Trade accounts receivable 6,107 4,789 Current income tax receivable 31 155 Other accounts receivable 1,116 915 Assets held for sale 143 0 Cash and cash equivalents 1,684 2,898 Current assets 14,507 13,574 Total assets 32,595 30,425 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY June 30, 2005 Dec. 31, 2004 Capital stock 1,381 1,364 (made up of 345,255,470 €4 par value shares at 06/30/2005, and 340,988,000 €4 par value shares at 12/31/2004) Additional paid-in capital and legal reserve 2,261 2,123 Retained earnings and net income for the year 7,654 7,415 Cumulative translation adjustments 535 (80) Fair value reserves 11 3 Treasury stock (140) (152) Shareholders' equity 11,702 10,673 Minority interests 292 237 Net equity of consolidated entities 11,994 10,910 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits 2,708 2,750 Deferred tax liability 361 238 Provisions for long-term contingencies and charges 607 548 Long-term debt 5,392 5,629 Non-current liabilities 9,068 9,165 Current portion of provisions for contingencies and charges 359 353 Current portion of long-term debt 1,155 1,338 Trade accounts payable 4,647 3,954 Current income tax payable 126 249 Other payables and accrued expenses 2,578 2,307 Liabilities held for sale 68 0 Short-term debt and bank overdrafts 2,600 2,149 Current liabilities 11,533 10,350 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 32,595 30,425 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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