Al Ezz Gds Regs Regulatory News (AEZD)

ezzsteel REPORTS CONSOLIDATED FY 2013 RESULTS

Cairo, 14 May 2014 - ezzsteel (EGX: ESRS; London Stock Exchange: AEZD), the largest independent producer of steel in the MENA region and market leader in Egypt, today announced its consolidated results for the period ending 31 December 2013. The audited results have been prepared in accordance with Egyptian Accounting Standards.

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Key highlights

*EBITDA = sales - cost of goods sold - selling & marketing expense - G&A expense + depreciation and amortisation

** EPS = Net profit after tax & Minority Interest / No. of shares at the end of the period 

Comment

Commenting on the results, Mr Paul Chekaiban, Chairman and Managing Director of ezzsteel, said:

"In 2013, we have experienced a third consecutive year of political disruption and economic slowdown in Egypt, coupled with global weakness in the international steel market. Despite these adverse conditions, we were able to achieve excellent operational performance; improve our profitability; and secure the financing for the restart of our investment plan. We are continuing to implement the strategic industrial vision that has been the key for our success over the past 20 years."

For further information:

ezzsteel

About ezzsteel

ezzsteel (formerly: Al Ezz Steel Rebars) is the largest independent steel producer in the Middle East and North Africa, and the Egyptian market leader, with a total actual capacity of 5.8million tonnes of finished steel.

In 2013, the Company produced 3.7 million tonnes of long products (typically used in construction) and 990 thousand tonnes of flat products (typically used in consumer / industrial goods). ezzsteel deploys the latest in modern steel-making technology and is committed to further increasing vertical integration across its plants, boosting operational flexibility.

Operational Review

All of the below financial breakdowns are based on ezzsteel's consolidated financials, which include the financial performance of ESR/ERM, EZDK and EFS.

Sales

Consolidated net sales for 2013 were EGP 21.3 billion, representing an increase of 8 per cent year on year. This increase in sales is due to stronger prices for both long and flat products in the domestic market -with long product prices increasing by 10per cent and flat products prices by 6 per cent year on year. International flat steel prices were up by 5 per cent, while long product prices were stable.

Long steel products accounted for EGP 16.6 billion or 78 per cent of sales in 2013, while flat steel products represented 21 per cent of sales at EGP 4.4 billion. The domestic market continued to remain strong, with private house building rebounding following the impact of the curfew in Q3 2013.

Long product exports accounted for 9per cent of total long sales value. Flat product exports accounted for 45per cent of total flat sales, marginally higher than the 44 per cent recorded in 2012. The domestic market continued to witness a reasonable level of demand, accounting for 55 per cent of sales by value.

Long steel sales volumes reached 3.74 million tonnes during 2013, a decrease of 4% compared to the same period of 2012. While the local market declined 10 per cent year on year, due to the market disruption earlier in the year, on a quarter on quarter basis, sales volumes rebounded by 7 per cent to 834 thousand tonnes in Q4. Long product export sales volumes were up by 181 per cent year on year.

While flat steel sales volumes increased by 12 per cent to 999 thousand tonnes in 2013, this is still low from a historical perspective, due to the switching of production at EFS to long products, to meet higher local and international demand and to secure more commercial pricing. Once the DRI facility at EFS is completed, it is expected that full flat production at EFS will recommence on much more sustainable margins than are currently achievable.

The group's consolidated sales volume reached a total of 4.74 million tonnes in 2013, essentially flat on the 4.77 million tonnes sold in 2012, with a small fall in domestic sales volumes offset by increased export demand.

The contributions of ESR/ERM, EZDK and EFS to the consolidated net sales for the period ending 31 December 2013 were 28 per cent, 65 per cent, and 7 per cent respectively.

Production

Long steel production volumes reached 3.7 million tonnes during 2013, a 5 per cent decrease from the 3.9 million tonnes in 2012, while flat production grew by 11 per cent to 990 thousand tonnes. However, on a quarter on quarter basis, long steel production actually grew by 4 per cent to 892 thousand tonnes, while flat production grew by 12 per cent to 256 thousand tonnes. Long capacity utilisation was 83 per cent, while flat was 99 percent throughout 2013.

Cost of Goods Sold

Consolidated Cost of Goods Sold for the year ending 31 December 2013 were 89 per cent of sales, reflecting an improvement in gross profit margin. Raw material costs per tonne, the most significant portion of COGs, only increased by 4 per cent, largely due to the high level of vertical integration at EZDK. At EFS, which is currently reliant on scrap inputs, raw material costs were still too high to restart commercial production of the flat rolling mill. This will be addressed once the DRI facility comes on stream later in the year.

Gross profit

Gross profit of EGP 2.3 billion was recorded for FY 2013, an increase of 38 per cent from the EGP 1.7 billion recorded in the previous year.

EBITDA

EBITDA for the year ending 31 December 2013 amounted to EGP 2.3 billion, representing an increase of 24 per cent from EGP 1.9 billion recorded in 2012. This reflects the company's strong operational cash flows.

Tax

Commensurate with the company's greater profitability, the company's tax charge increased by 68 per cent from EGP 270 million for 2012 to EGP 452 million in 2013.

Net profit after tax and minority interests

Net profit after tax and minority interests was EGP 134million for FY2013, in comparison to a profit of EGP8 million for FY 2012.

Liquidity and capital resources

At the end of the period, ezzsteel had cash on hand of EGP 2.2 billion and net debt of EGP 8.4 billion. The company has a gearing of Net Debt / Equity of 1.29 times.

Outlook

The gradual return of political stability in Egypt; the sustained demand for steel products in the local housing sector; the increase of spending on infrastructure projects announced by the Egyptian Government; and the constant progress in the construction of our DRI plant are all factors which will positively contribute to our improved performance going forward.

Standalone Performance Divisional Overview

- Ends -

Disclaimer:

This press release is issued by ezzsteel (formerly: Al Ezz Steel RebarsS.A.E.) the "Company", in connection with the disclosure of the Company's financial results for the 12 month period ending31 December 2013.This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. In particular, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, the expected strength of demand for long and flat products in Egypt and in regional and international markets, and other future events or prospects are forward-looking statements. Recipients of this document should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are in many cases beyond the control of the Company. 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. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the Company's actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which the Company operates may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this document. The cautionary statements set forth above should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that the Company, or persons acting on its behalf, may issue. Various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this document including worldwide economic trends, global and regional trends in the steel industry, the economic and political climate of Egypt and the Middle East and changes in the business strategy of the Company and various other factors. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's judgment at the date of this document and are not intended to give any assurances as to future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and it will not publicly release any revisions it may make to these forward-looking statements that may result from events or circumstances arising after the date of this document. None of ezzsteel, any of its directors, officers or employees or any other person can give any assurance regarding the future accuracy of the information set forth herein or as to the actual occurrence of any predicted developments. Furthermore, none of such parties shall assume, and each of them expressly disclaims, any obligation (except as required by law or the rules of the ESE, the LSE or the FSA) to update any forward-looking statements or to conform these forward-looking statements to ezzsteel's actual results.