|
DGAP-News: Befesa S.A.
/ Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement/Dividend
/ PRESS AND INVESTOR ANNOUNCEMENT First quarter 2021 results Befesa delivers best quarter in history and announces strong FY 2021 outlook - Q1 2021 EBITDA of €48.8m, up 46% from Q1 2020 at €33.6m, delivering strongest quarter in the company's history - Volumes at pre-COVID-19 levels with strong plant utilization levels at >= 90% - High cash flows continued in Q1, leverage reduced back to x2.8 from x3.1 at year end - China expansion on track: construction of first plant completed; commissioning in process; second plant on schedule for ramp-up in H2 2021 - Dividend distribution of €40m (€1.17 per share) proposed for 2021, equal to 84% of 2020 net profit - Outlook: FY 2021 EBITDA expected to be between €165m and €190m, equal to 30 to 50% yoy growth Luxembourg, 27 April 2021 - Befesa S.A. ("Befesa"), the leading provider of hazardous waste recycling services enabling the circular economy within the steel and aluminium industries, has delivered its strongest quarterly results in the company's history, with Q1 EBITDA of €48.8m, up 46% versus Q1 2020, supporting a positive business outlook for the rest of the year. Befesa delivered high pre-COVID-19 plant utilization levels and benefited from a favorable market price environment in Q1 2021. Zinc LME prices averaged at €2,279/t in Q1 (up 18% yoy) and zinc reference treatment charges settled at $159/t for full year 2021 ($300/t in 2020), resulting in a combined price effect of ca. 41% yoy. Aluminum alloy FMB prices also recovered and were up 38% over the same period at €1,982/t. In Q1 2021, Befesa extended its hedging book further up to January 2024. Operating cash flow increased by €18m yoy to €27m in Q1 2021. Befesa closed the quarter with cash on hand of €164m, up €9m from year end. Together with the entirely undrawn Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) of €75.0m, Befesa maintains a strong financial position of around €240m liquidity. Befesa's leverage ratio improved from x3.1 at year end back to pre-COVID levels of x2.8 on a L12M basis and x2.2 on a L6M basis. Expansion in China has continued to progress on schedule and on budget. The construction of the first state-of-the-art EAF steel dust recycling plant in the Jiangsu province is complete, with commissioning in process. The construction of the second plant in the province of Henan is also progressing on schedule and expected to be completed after the summer of 2021, with ramp-up in H2 2021. Looking ahead, Befesa expects to see continued recovery and growth in 2021, supported by the resilience of its business, robust cash management, and the execution of its expansion projects. More specifically: - Befesa expects FY 2021 EBITDA to be between €165m and €190m, equal to 30 to 50% yoy growth - Assumes volumes will continue to increase on the back of a moderate to a strong recovery from COVID-19 and corresponding capacity utilization levels of 85-95% - Expects metal prices to be moderately lower or remain at the currently favorable Q1 2021 levels in H2 of this year - China expansion expected to complete on schedule delivering commercial output in H2 2021 - Continued focus on cash management, expected to decrease net debt/EBITDA leverage from x3.1 at year end 2020 to c. x2.1 to x2.5 at year end 2021 - Board proposing a €40m dividend (€1.17 per share) at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), equal to 84% of 2020 net profit of €47.6m, equal to 50% on a two-year basis, at the upper end of Befesa's dividend policy. Javier Molina, CEO of Befesa, said: "Today's quarterly results are our strongest ever, and give us confidence in the outlook for the rest of the year. Befesa is fully back on track and we remain very positive about our ability to deliver against our commitments, strategically and financially. Our focus for 2021 remains on excellent cash management while investing in organic growth and ramping up our new plants in China, the largest steel market globally. We are excited to continue contributing to the protection of the environment and delivering accelerated volume and earnings growth for our shareholders." Key figures
Webcast About Befesa Media Relations
27.04.2021 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. |
| Language: | English |
| Company: | Befesa S.A. |
| 46 Boulevard Grande-Duchesse Charlotte | |
| 1330 Luxembourg | |
| Luxemburg | |
| E-mail: | |
| Internet: | |
| ISIN: | LU1704650164 |
| WKN: | A2H5Z1 |
| Indices: | SDAX |
| Listed: | Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange; London |
| EQS News ID: | 1188388 |
| End of News | DGAP News Service |
|
|
1188388 27.04.2021
