2009 results: Strong cash flow in challenging markets
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
February 18, 2010
* 2009 revenue declined 10 percent to ?13,893 million
* 2009 EBITDA before incidentals 8 percent lower at ?1,768 million; EBITDA
margin at 12.7 percent (2008: 12.5 percent)
* Operating working capital reduced to 13.7 percent of revenue (2008: 16.5
percent)
* Net cash from operating activities ?1,240 million (2008: ?91 million)
* Q4 revenue down 7 percent, EBITDA up 4 percent to ?396 million, margin at
11.9 percent
* Ongoing restructuring costs and other incidental items resulted in a Q4 net
loss
* Final dividend of ?1.05 per share proposed, making a total dividend of ?1.35
(2008:1.80), representing a 57 percent pay-out (2008: 48 percent)
* On track to achieve 14 percent EBITDA margin target by end of 2011
Financial highlights
? million
Q4 2008 Q4 2009 % FY 2008 FY 2009 %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,549 3,314 (7) Revenue 15,415 13,893 (10)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
381 396 4 EBITDA* 1,927 1,768 (8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.7 11.9 EBITDA margin (in %) 12.5 12.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
232 248 7 EBIT* 1,315 1,151 (12)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.5 7.5 EBIT margin (in %) 8.5 8.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1,330) 101 Operating income** (577) 870
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1,486) (56) Net income from continuing operations (1,109) 278
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1,522) (60) Net income from total operations (1,086) 285
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Continuing operations before incidentals
** After incidentals
Akzo Nobel N.V. (AkzoNobel) today announced its 2009 Q4 and full-year results.
The company reported 2009 revenue of ?13,893 million, 10 percent below the
previous year.
Commenting on the results, CEO Hans Wijers said: "The fact that we can report an
EBITDA margin close to 13 percent in such challenging markets is a good
indication of both the underlying strength of our company, and the successful
implementation of the ongoing restructuring and cost reduction programs. Our
ability to adapt early and quickly to the new economic reality was crucial and
we are now well placed to take advantage of the upturn when it comes."
He went on: "Our volume development per quarter confirms that the stabilization
we reported at the end of the third quarter has continued. However, we believe
the recovery is fragile and will be slow. We continue to focus on customers,
cost reduction and cash generation, but investments to capture growth will
remain a priority - particularly in high growth markets. The management actions
we have taken, and continue to implement, underpin our confidence that AkzoNobel
will achieve its 2011 target of an EBITDA margin of 14 percent."
Revenue per Business Area:
? million FY
Q4 2008 Q4 2009 % 2008 FY 2009 %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,089 1,043 (4) Decorative Paints 5,006 4,677 (7)
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1,081 999 (8) Performance Coatings 4,575 4,038 (12)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,399 1,279 (9) Specialty Chemicals 5,687 5,209 (8)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(20) (7) Other activities 147 (31)
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3,549 3,314 (7) Total 15,415 13,893 (10)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA* per Business Area:
? million FY
Q4 2008 Q4 2009 % 2008 FY 2009 %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
93 71 (24) Decorative Paints 598 492 (18)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
118 153 30 Performance Coatings 566 587 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
187 217 16 Specialty Chemicals 909 814 (10)
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(17) (45) Other activities (146) (125)
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381 396 4 Total 1,927 1,768 (8)
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* Before incidentals
2009 volume development per quarter:
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Decorative Paints (16) (10) (9) - (9)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Coatings (20) (19) (11) (2) (13)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Specialty Chemicals (16) (18) (6) 4 (9)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (17) (16) (8) 1 (10)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Decorative Paints: Multi-year restructuring program on track
For the full year, volumes were down 9 percent while revenue dropped 7 percent.
Volumes stabilized in Europe during Q4, whereas the high growth markets
outperformed the relatively weak final quarter of 2008. Commercial markets
continued to be weak, particularly in the mature markets. This was the main
reason for the EBITDA margin of 10.5 percent, compared with 11.9 percent in
2008. Latin America and Asia delivered strong performances, with Asian revenue
slightly below 2008, while Latin American revenue in constant currencies was
slightly ahead of the previous year.
A multi-year restructuring program to eliminate or reduce complexity and
duplication is underway. The program is geared towards leveraging regional scale
through increased standardization and investments in people and brands. There
has been significant investment in the restructuring of the US business and in
the re-launch of the Glidden brand in the US.
Since the start of the integration, 29 sites have been closed, 13 of which were
in Europe. While AkzoNobel remains focused on delivering the ICI synergies, the
company is also committed to delivering on the promise of growth in high growth
markets and will invest accordingly.
Performance Coatings: EBITDA up 4 percent, strong 14.5 percent margin
Although 2009 revenue for Performance Coatings decreased by 12 percent, all
businesses benefited from cost reduction and margin management programs, with
Industrial Activities closing six sites during the year. This resulted in an
EBITDA margin of 14.5 percent, 2.1 percent ahead of 2008. EBITDA was up 4
percent from 2008 at ?587 million.
After a difficult first quarter - which saw a large reduction in volume for most
of our businesses - there was some recovery in the second half of the year.
Marine and Protective Coatings and Packaging Coatings had a good year.
Industrial Activities achieved a strong fourth quarter, with demand levels
surpassing the previous year. However, activity remains below pre-recessionary
levels. A small number of investments were completed during the year. The
acquisition of the powder coatings activities of the Dow Chemical Company is
expected to close in Q2 2010.
Specialty Chemicals - 2009 EBITDA margin of 15.6 percent
Revenue for the full-year was down 8 percent, driven by weak demand across all
businesses, with volumes down 9 percent. Lower volumes led to EBITDA being down
10 percent, although the performance of Functional Chemicals and Pulp and Paper
Chemicals improved over 2008. Management action to address the impact of the
economic downturn included the closure of four production sites.
While the demand in specialty chemical markets remained below the 2008 level for
the first three quarters of the year, pockets of strengthening demand emerged,
particularly in those markets unfavorably impacted early in the cycle. As a
result, volumes in the fourth quarter were up 4 percent compared with 2008, due
to stronger demand from Asia and a modest recovery in the Americas. The
customers, cost and cash focus favorably impacted the cost base and, as a
result, EBITDA was ?217 million in the quarter, 16 percent above 2008. The
contribution from acquisitions was offset by the divestment of the PTA business
in Pakistan. Towards the end of 2009, chelates production started up at the new
site in Ningbo, China.
Restructuring
Restructuring costs for the year were ?353 million (2008: ?275 million), with Q4
costs totaling ?119 million (2008: ?205 million). At year-end, the continuing
businesses had 2,980 employees less than in 2008. Apart from restructuring
costs, Q4 incidental charges included a fine imposed by the European Commission.
2008 and 2009 ICI synergies Additional restructuring Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net FTE reductions 2,017 2,625 4,642
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Cash cost in ? million 174 195 369
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Annualized savings in ? million 292 350 642
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Balance sheet, cash flow and dividend
During 2009, AkzoNobel refinanced part of its debt portfolio and extended its
debt maturities. The balance sheet remains robust, with a reduction of net debt
from
?2.1 billion to ?1.7 billion. There are no material refinancing requirements in
2010.
The pension plans net deficit was ?1.9 billion (2008: ?1.0 billion) at the end
of the year. The movement is due to lower discount rates and higher inflation
expectations, both increasing the pension obligations despite the improved
investment return on assets. The company expects to contribute cash of ?490
million (2009: ?414 million) to its defined benefit pension plans in 2010, which
includes an increase of ?115 million in additional "top-up" payments (2010: ?355
million; 2009: ?240 million).
Net cash from operating activities amounted to ?1,240 million (2008: ?91
million). AkzoNobel's focus on operating working capital released ?533 million.
Expressed as a percentage of revenue, operating working capital declined to
13.7 percent (year-end 2008: 16.5 percent).
A final dividend of ?1.05 per share will be proposed to the Annual General
Meeting of shareholders on April 28, 2010, making a total dividend for the year
of ?1.35 per share (2009: ?1.80 per share). This will represent a 57 percent
pay-out under the dividend policy (2008: 48 percent). AkzoNobel's dividend
policy is based on an annual pay-out ratio of at least 45 percent of net income
before incidentals and fair value adjustment for the ICI acquisition.
Outlook and medium-term targets
The economic recovery remains uncertain, particularly in mature markets.
However, AkzoNobel remains on track to achieve its medium-term target of an
EBITDA margin of 14 percent by the end of 2011. The results of the actions
AkzoNobel has taken, and will continue to take, underpin the company's
confidence in achieving this target.
The focus on customers, cost reduction and cash generation will continue, but
investments to capture growth will remain a priority, particularly in high
growth markets.
The Report for 2009 and the fourth quarter can be read on
www.akzonobel.com/quarterlyresults
Note to editors - not for publication
AkzoNobel is proud to be one of the world's leading industrial companies. Based
in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we make and supply a wide range of paints,
coatings and specialty chemicals - 2009 revenue totaled ?13.9 billion. In fact,
we are the largest global paints and coatings company. As a major producer of
specialty chemicals we supply industries worldwide with quality ingredients for
life's essentials. We think about the future, but act in the present. We're
passionate about introducing new ideas and developing sustainable answers for
our customers. That's why our 57,000 employees - who are based in more than 80
countries - are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers
Today(TM).
Not for publication - for more information
Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7833
Contact: Tim van der Zanden
Corporate Investor Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7854
Contacts: Huib Wurfbain and Ivar Smits
[HUG#1385765]
AkzoNobel report for 2009 and the 4th quarter: http://hugin.info/130660/R/1385765/344477.pdf
Pdf file AkzoNobel Q4 and FYR 2009 press release: http://hugin.info/130660/R/1385765/344476.pdf
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Datum: 18.02.2010 - 01:01 Uhr
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