Industria
Vallourec Second Quarter 2023 Results
Meudon (France), July 28, 2023
Vallourec, a world leader in premium tubular solutions, announces today its results for the second quarter 2023. The Board of Directors of Vallourec SA, meeting on July 27 2023, approved the Group's second quarter 2023 results.
Second Quarter 202 3 Results
HIGHLIGHTS
Solid Q2 202 3 Performance
Confirming Strong FY 2023 Outlook
Philippe Guillemot, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer, declared:
“ Our results in Q2 2023 continued the excellent performance we have produced over the last several quarters . Favorable pricing and solid execution across the Group and especially in the Eastern Hemisphere drove robust profitability . In addition, efficient working capital management allowed us to continue to reduce our net debt, which now stands €5 2 1 million lower year-over-year. Net debt reduction remains a key focal point for Vallourec .
“ O ur major capability enhancement program is progressing well in Brazi l. W e expect to drive meaningful improvements in th is operation in 2024 as we exit this transformative period .
“ As we look into the second half of the year , US tubes pricing has been on a downward trend, though it remains at healthy levels. We expect our volumes will trough in the third quarter as distributor inventories normalize, before improving again in the fourth quarter . We expect pricing will stabilize at healthy levels as market headwinds slow in the second half.
“ Outside of the US , demand for our tubular products remains strong, and pricing has continued to show an upward trend. We are capitalizing on this via our premium production hubs in Brazil and Asia, while continuing to wind down our tube production activities in Germany.
“ Our Pau Branco iron ore mine has ramped up activity following the release of the Cachoeirinha waste pile, though we expect it will operate below its full potential in the second half of 2023. We have a plan in place to move our extraction activities towards already identified higher-quality reserves. Permitting is currently underway to execute this plan .
“ We recently provided a n update to our full-year EBITDA objective . We expect to generate €950 million to €1.1 billion of EBITDA in 2023 . While EBITDA in the second half of the year is expected to be lower than the first half, the New Vallourec plan is on track . We continue to expect that, compared to 2021, the full €230 million annualized recurring benefit of this plan will be effective in Q 2 2024.
Finally , we inten d to further reduce our n et d ebt in the second half of this year. We reiterate our target to reach zero n et d ebt by year-end 2025 at the latest , a key step in cycle-proofing our business. ”
Key Data
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS ANALYSIS
Second Quarter Results Analysis
In the Second Q uarter of 20 2 3 , Vallourec recorded revenues of € 1 , 358 million , up 19 % year-on-year ( + 21 % a t constant exchange rates ) . The increase in Group revenues reflect s :
In the Second Quarter of 202 3 , EBITDA amounted to €3 7 4 million compared to €160 million in Q2 2022 ; the Group EBITDA margin reached 27 . 5 % of revenues versus 14.0% in Q2 2022. For the Group, the EBITDA increase reflects:
Operating income was positive at € 258 million . In Q2 2022, operating income was negative at (€358) million resulting mainly from the provisions related to the adaptation measures (European social plans and associated fees) and, to a lesser extent, provisions for non-recurring costs related to the incident at the mine.
Financial income (loss) was negative at ( € 24 ) million , compared to (€8) million in Q2 2022; net interest expense in Q2 2023 stood at (€28) million compared to (€22) million in Q2 2022.
Income tax amounted to ( € 70 ) million compared to (€48) million in Q2 2022.
This resulted in positive net income, Group share, of € 1 59 million, compared to (€415) million in Q2 2022.
First Half Results Analysis
For the first half of 2023 , Vallourec recorded revenues of € 2 , 696 million, up 31 % year-on-year ( +30 % at constant exchange rates). The increase in Group revenues reflects:
For the first half of 2023 , EBITDA increased by €489 million to reach € 69 4 million compared to €205 million in H1 2022 ; the Group EBITDA margin reached 25 . 7 % of revenues versus 10.0% in H1 2022. For the Group, the EBITDA increase reflects:
Operating income was positive at € 51 5 million, while it was negative at (€375) million in H1 2022 mainly due to provisions recorded in Q2 2022.
Financial income (loss) was negative at (€ 70 ) million , compared to (€21) million in H1 2022; net interest expenses in H1 2023 stood at (€54) million compared to (€45) million in H1 2022.
Income tax amounted to (€ 1 23 ) million compared to (€51) million in H1 2022.
This resulted in positive net income, Group share, of € 3 15 million, representing a margin of 11.7%, compared to (€450) million in H1 2022.
RESULTS ANALYSIS BY SEGMENT
Tubes
In Q2 202 3 , Tubes revenues were up 17 % due to higher pricing. Tubes EBITDA rose significantly from € 129 million in Q2 2022 to € 330 million with a 27% increase in the average selling price per tonne more than offsetting the (8%) decrease in volumes.
For the first half of 2023 , Tubes revenues were up 27 % due to higher pricing. Tubes EBITDA more than tripled to reach € 609 million based on flattish volumes, coupled with a 27% increase in the average selling price per tonne.
Mine & Forest
In Q2 202 3 , the iron ore mine production sold reached 1 . 9 million tonnes , compared to 1 million tonnes in Q2 2022. The low result in Q2 2022 was a consequence of the waste pile slippage incident at the beginning of 2022. Consequently, iron ore mine production sold f or the first half of 2023 amounted to 3.4 million tonnes .
Mine & Forest revenues in Q2 2023 reached € 93 million , increasing meaningfully year-on-year (€68 million in Q2 2022). In Q2 2023 , Mine & Forest EBITDA reached € 50 million, leading to an EBITDA margin of 54 %.
Mine & Forest revenue s for the first half of 2023 reached € 186 million , compared to €92 million in H1 2022. For the first half of 2023 , Mine & Forest EBITDA reached € 98 million , leading to an EBITDA margin o f 53 %.
CASH FLOW AND FINANCIAL POSITION
Cash Flow Results Analysis
In Q2 20 2 3 , a djusted operating cash flow improved to € 232 million , compared to €73 million in Q2 2022. The significant increase in EBITDA more than offset the higher income tax payments and financial cash out. F or the first half of 2023 , adjusted operating cash flow significantly increased by €418 million to reach € 531 million , mainly driven by higher EBITDA.
In Q2 20 2 3 , the operating working capital requirement slightly de creased by € 8 million , versus an increase of €187 million in Q2 2022. The net working capital requirement stood at 92 days of sales , compared to 117 days in Q2 2022. For the first half of 2023 , the operating working capital requirement in creased by € 44 million , versus a substantial increase of €403 million in H1 2022.
Gross capital expenditure was € 66 million in Q2 2023 (compared to €25 million in Q2 2022) and amounted to €119 million over the first half of 2023 in comparison with €59 million in H1 2022.
For the full year , g ross capital expenditure is expected to be around € 22 0 million , including approximately €70 million of capital expenditure related to the transfer of Oil & Gas volumes from Germany to Brazil.
In Q2 2023 , a djusted f ree c ash f low was positive at € 1 7 4 million , while it was negative at (€139) million in Q2 2022. For the first half of 2023 , adjusted free cash flow stood at €368 million driven by improved EBITDA as well as efficient working capital management (compared to a negative (€349) million in H1 2022).
In Q2 202 3 , t otal c ash g eneration stood at €11 8 million , which includes the negative impact of €59 million restructuring charges and other non-recurring items as well as a positive €3 million of asset disposals and other cash items. For the first half of 2023 , total cash generation amounted to €269 million , compared to a negative (€430) million in H1 2022.
In Q2 2023, f ree cash flow, as previously defined, was €1 15 million , compared to (€172) million in Q2 2022, and it was €262 million for the first half of 2023 compared to (€401) million in H1 2022.
Net Debt and Liquidity
As of June 3 0 , 2023 , n et d ebt stood at € 868 m illion , compared to € 1 .1 b illion on December 31 , 202 2 . Gross debt amounted to €1.7 billion including €60 million of fair value adjustment under IFRS 9 (which will be reversed over the life of the debt). Long-term debt amounted to €1.4 billion and short-term debt totaled €367 million.
As of June 30, 2023, lease debt stood at €65 million following the application of IFRS 16 standards, compared to €71 million on December 31, 2022.
As of June 3 0 , 202 3 , the liquidity position was strong at € 1 . 5 b illion, with cash amounting to €855 million, availability on our revolving credit facility (RCF) of €462 million, and availability on an asset-backed loan (ABL) of €181 million . T he Group has no long-term debt repayment s scheduled before June 2026.
UPDATE ON THE PAU BRANCO IRON ORE MINE
The Pau Branco mine returned to higher production levels at the end of the second quarter of 2023 following the release of the Cachoeirinha waste pile. Production sold in the second half of 2023 is currently expected to be approximately 3.6 million tonnes, and production costs are expected to remain at the high end of the recent range for the time being. We are currently executing a plan to move our extraction activities to already identified higher-quality reserves over the next few quarters. Vallourec management is currently engaging with state and national regulators to obtain the required production and environmental permits.
N EW VALLOUREC PLAN UPDATES
The New Vallourec plan, announced in May 2022, remains fully on track. The plan aims to generate €230 million of recurring EBITDA uplift versus 2021 and an approximately €20 million capex reduction with the full impact starting in Q2 2024. These actions will contribute to making the Group cycle-proof and generating positive free cash flow , before the change in working capital, even at the bottom of the cycle.
The closure of sites in Europe is slightly ahead of schedule, and we expect our German tube production operations will stop in Q4 2023. Employees at the sites to be closed in Europe began to leave the company in Q1 2023. The last wave of departures is expected in 2024, including those colleagues in Germany who are supporting the dismantling operation in that year. The Brazil capacity enhancement program, which will expand the capabilities of our South America Tubes operations, is on-track.
FULL YEAR 2023 OUTLOOK
For the third quarter of the year, based on our assumptions and current market conditions, the Group expects :
The Group additionally reiterates and supplements the Full Year 2023 Outloo k provided on July 13, 2023 :
Information and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “may”, “assume”, “plan”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “estimate”, “risk” and or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts and include statements regarding the Company's intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, Vallourec's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industries in which they operate. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that Vallourec's or any of its affiliates' actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industries in which they operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation. In addition, even if Vallourec's or any of its affiliates' results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industries in which they operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. These risks include those developed or identified in the public documents filed by Vallourec with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des marches financiers, or “AMF”), including those listed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on April 17, 2023, under filing number n° D.23-0293.
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. Vallourec 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, except as required by applicable laws and regulations. This press release does not constitute any offer to purchase or exchange, nor any solicitation of an offer to sell or exchange securities of Vallourec. or further information, please refer to the website www.vallourec.com.
Presentation of Q2 2023 Results
Conference call / audio webcast on July 28 at 9:30 am CET
https://www.vallourec.com/en/investors
About Vallourec
Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, new generation power plants, challenging architectural projects, and high-performance mechanical equipment. Vallourec's pioneering spirit and cutting edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With close to 16,000 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: Vallourec delivers innovative, safe, competitive and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible.
Listed on Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013506730, Ticker VK), Vallourec is part of the CAC Mid 60, SBF 120 and Next 150 indices and is eligible for Deferred Settlement Service.
In the United States, Vallourec has established a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program (ISIN code: US92023R4074, Ticker: VLOWY). Parity between ADR and a Vallourec ordinary share has been set at 5:1.
Financial Calendar
For further information, please contact:
APPENDICES
Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this and other documents may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.
Documents accompanying this release:
Tubes Sales Volume
Mine Sales Volume
Foreign Exchange Rates
Tubes Revenues by Geographic Region
Tubes Revenues by Market
Segment KPIs
Summary Consolidated Income Statement
Summary C onsolidated B alance S heet
C ash F low Generation
Indebtedness
Refers to ACC (Advances on Foreign Exchange Contract) and ACE (Advances on Export Shipment Documents) program in
Brazil
Liquidity
(a) This $210m committed ABL is subject to a borrowing base calculation based on
eligible accounts receivable and inventories, among other items. The borrowing base is currently
in excess of the committed amount. Availability is shown net of
approximately $14m of letters of credit and other items.
Reconciliation of New Cash Metrics
DEFINITIONS OF N ON-GAAP F INANCIAL D ATA
Adjusted free cash flow is defined as adjusted operating cash flow +/- change in operating working capital and gross capital expenditures. It corresponds to net cash used in operating activities less restructuring and non-recurring items +/- gross capital expenditure.
Adjusted operating cash flow is defined as EBITDA adjusted for non-cash benefits and expenses, financial cash out and tax payments.
Asset disposals and other cash items includes cash inflows from asset sales as well as other investing and financing cash flows (e.g. loan reimbursements).
Change in working capital refers to the change in the operating working capital requirement.
Data at constant exchange rates: The data presented “at constant exchange rates” is calculated by eliminating the translation effect into euros for the revenue of the Group's entities whose functional currency is not the euro. The translation effect is eliminated by applying Year N-1 exchange rates to Year N revenue of the contemplated entities.
EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization is calculated by taking operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, and excluding certain operating revenues and expenses that are unusual in nature or occur rarely, such as:
Financial cash out includes interest payments on financial and lease debt, interest income and other financial costs.
Free cash flow , as previously defined, may continue to be derived as follows: total cash generation - asset disposals & other cash items. This is also defined as EBITDA adjusted for changes in provisions, less interest and tax payments, changes in working capital, less gross capital expenditures, and less restructuring/other cash outflows.
Gross capital expenditure: gross capital expenditure is defined as the sum of cash outflows for acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and cash outflows for acquisitions of biological assets.
(Increase) decrease in net debt (alternatively, “change in net debt”) is defined as total cash generation +/- non-cash adjustments to net debt.
Industrial margin: The industrial margin is defined as the difference between revenue and cost of sales (i.e. after allocation of industrial variable costs and industrial fixed costs), before depreciation.
Lease debt is defined as the present value of unavoidable future lease payments.
Net debt: Consolidated net debt (or “net financial debt”) is defined as bank loans and other borrowings plus overdrafts and other short-term borrowings minus cash and cash equivalents. Net debt excludes lease debt.
Net working capital requirement is defined as working capital requirement net of provisions for inventories and trade receivables; net working capital requirement days are computed on an annualized quarterly sales basis.
Non-cash adjustments to net debt includes non-cash foreign exchange impacts on debt balances, IFRS-defined fair value adjustments on debt balances, and other non-cash items.
Non-cash items in EBITDA includes provisions and other non-cash items in EBITDA.
Operating working capital requirement includes working capital requirement as well as other receivables and payables.
Restructuring charges and non-recurring items consists primarily of the cash costs of executing the New Vallourec plan, including severance costs and other facility closure costs.
Total cash generation is defined as adjusted free cash flow +/- restructuring charges and non-recurring items and asset disposals & other cash items. It corresponds to net cash used in operating activities +/- gross capital expenditure and asset disposals & other cash items.
Working capital requirement is defined as trade receivables plus inventories minus trade payables (excluding provisions).
a As provided on July 13, 2023
b See market assumptions in “Full Year 2023 Outlook”
c $9 million letter of credit and other commitments issued as
of June 3 0 , 2023
d Free cash flow aligned with prior definition. See “Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Data” for more information.
e Market pricing is defined as the PipeLogix price index (average of all seamless indicators), as shown in Vallourec's Quarterly Results presentations.
f The Platts 62% Fe CFR China Index averaged approximately $118 per tonne in the first half of 2023.
Attachment
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