Profit improvement for Orkla Brands - accounting writedowns in the Share Portfolio

"Several of the Orkla businesses are experiencing an extraordinary market situation that will be countered with vigorous measures. These will include capacity drawdowns, workforce reductions and tight management of investments and working capital," states President and CEO Dag J. Opedal.

 

"The financial markets are challenging, but Orkla has a solid balance sheet and a comfortable financing structure, where committed credit facilities more than cover loan instalments through the end of 2010. We also have a good cash flow from Orkla Brands and the energy business at Orkla Materials, which are less affected by the market turbulence. This gives the Group financial flexibility and manoeuvrability," says Opedal.

Operating revenues: 16 559 (17 795)
EBITA: 1 003 (1 232)
Profit before taxes: -955 (2 234)
Earnings per share diluted (NOK): -1.2 (1.7)
Cash flow from operations: 202 (1 313)

 

As of Q3-08 (as of Q3-07):
Net interest-bearing debt: 25 244 (16 969)
Equity (%): 51.2 (57.6)
Net gearing: 0.50 (0.32)

 

1) Operating profit (EBITA): Before amortisation, restructuring and significant impairments

 

 

 Orkla's operating profit (EBITA) for the third quarter came to NOK 1,003 million (NOK 1,232 million)1, whereas EBITA so far this year amounted to NOK 3,295 million (NOK 3,893 million)1.

 Orkla Brands had a good quarter and the positive profit trend from the first and second quarters continued with a growth in EBITA of 19 % in the quarter. Year-to-date EBITA is 17 % better than last year.

 The profit for Orkla Aluminium Solutions is affected by weak markets with a decline in volume of extrusions in both the USA and Europe. Heat Transfer and Building System had a satisfactory profit and has been less affected by the financial crisis and lower economic growth.

 Orkla Materials had an EBITA in the third quarter that was NOK 78 million weaker than in the third quarter a year ago. Losses in energy trading and poor results in primary aluminium were only partly counteracted by continued high prices and profit growth for its silicon business.

 Within Orkla Associates, REC had an increase in EBITDA in the third quarter of 11 % to NOK 711 million, while Jotun had an increase in EBITA of 15 % to NOK 807 million per the second four-month period.

 So far in 2008, the Share Portfolio had a return of -27.6 % compared with -31.7 % for Morgan Stanley Nordic Index (Oslo Børs Benchmark Index -35.1 %). Orkla Financial Investments had a net book loss in the Share Portfolio of NOK -2,323 million (NOK 1,398 million)1 in the third quarter, of which accounting writedowns as a result of impairment losses in portfolio investments amounted to NOK 2,170 million. This is the main explanation why the Group's results before tax came to NOK -955 million in the third quarter (NOK 2,234 million)1.

 The Group has a strong balance sheet with an equity ratio of 51.2 % and net gearing of 0.5. The Group also has a robust financing structure with long-term committed drawing facilities that more than adequately cover the refinancing needs for 2009 and 2010.

 

THE GROUP
Orkla's operating revenues came to NOK 16,559 million (NOK 17,795 million)1 in the third quarter. After correcting for the consolidation of four months of Alcoa's former extrusion operations effective in the third quarter of 2007, the operating revenues was at approximately the same level as last year. So far this year, the operating revenues has come to NOK 51,072 million (NOK 45,732 million)1. This growth is primarily due to the consolidation of Alcoa's former extrusion operations in Orkla Aluminium Solutions effective from 1 June 2007.

 

Both Orkla Brands and Orkla Materials had an underlying2 growth in operating revenues during the quarter. Also in the third quarter, the Norwegian kroner was substantially stronger measured against USD than last year, whereas it was somewhat weaker measured against the Euro. Net currency translation effects lifted operating revenues by NOK 19 million during the quarter, whereas the effect at the close of the third quarter was NOK -1,328 million.

 

The Group's EBITA for the third quarter came to NOK 1,003 million (NOK 1,232 million)1, whereas year-to-date EBITA amounted to NOK 3,295 million (NOK 3,893 million)1. Orkla Brands is relatively less exposed to the international financial crisis and lower economic growth, and this business also had very good profit growth in the third quarter. Among the remaining businesses, Sapa Profiles and Orkla Financial Investments in particular have been negatively affected by this crisis during the quarter, and these had EBITAs that were NOK 142 million and NOK 76 million lower respectively than in the same period last year. EBITA in Sapa Profiles were diminished by NOK -40 million in non-recurring costs related to the unrealised acquisition project Kam Kiu in China. Naturally, the profit/loss from financial power trading may fluctuate considerably, and even be negative at times. In the third quarter, EBITA from this power trading in Elkem came to NOK -44 million compared with a profit of NOK 76 million last year. Elkem Aluminium had a poor result caused by a weak USD and increased prices on input factors. In addition, a higher percentage of hedge contracts were realised at lower prices in the second half of 2008 than in the first half. There is still a good market for silicon and ferrosilicon metal, and the silicon business had profit growth of NOK 92 million during the quarter. Borregaard had a profit at the same level as last year, but also here it was noted that demand is declining in some market segments. Demanding markets and reduced activity for Orkla Finans caused that Orkla Financial Investments had EBITA in the third quarter that was NOK 76 million lower than a good third quarter in 2007. The Group's EBITA was negatively affected by currency translation effects of NOK -55 million so far this year, whereas the effects in the quarter have been positive with a gain of NOK 10 million.

 

Orkla's stakes in REC (39.73 %) and Jotun (42.5 %) are presented according to the equity method on the line for associates. The contribution from associates to Group profit so far this year amounted to a total of NOK 1,905 million (NOK 843 million)1, whereas the contribution in the quarter came to NOK 573 million (NOK 197 million)1. Of this, the year-to-date contribution from REC to Orkla's profit amounted to NOK 776 million (NOK 610 million)1, of which NOK 496 million (NOK 123 million)1 was the contribution in the third quarter.

 

At the close of the third quarter, the Share Portfolio had a return of -27.6 % compared with -31.7 % for the Morgan Stanley Nordic Index (-35.1 % for Oslo Børs Benchmark Index). Gross portfolio gains of NOK 38 million were realised in the quarter, but due to impairment charges of NOK -2,170 million under IFRS, net realised portfolio gains and changes in the fair value of associates amounted to NOK -2,323 million (NOK 1,398 million)1. Dividends received in the third quarter amounted to NOK 58 million (NOK 65 million)1.

 

So far this year, Orkla's profit per share (diluted) was NOK 1.3. The key figure has been negatively affected by NOK -3.2 from impairment charges on portfolio investments. At the same time, there were high portfolio gains in 2007, which caused that the profit per share (diluted) in the same period last year amounted to NOK 7.1.

 

The Group's overall tax charge is considerably affected by the Financial Investments division's share of the profit/loss before tax. The most substantial part of the profit/loss from the Financial Investments division is exempt from taxation. In 2008, the Financial Investments division had a large accounting loss, which will therefore not be deductible either. In such a case, the Group's tax charge will appear to be especially high and based on the situation after the third quarter a tax charge of about 40 % for the year in total is estimated.

 

 

1) Figures in brackets are for the corresponding period in the previous year.
2) Excluding acquisitions, divestments and currency translation effects.

 

 

Orkla ASA
Oslo, 31 October 2008

 

Ref.:
CFO
Terje Andersen
Tlf.: +47 2254 4419

 

Direktør Investor Relations
Rune Helland
Tlf.: +47 2254 4411

 

Kommunikasjonsdirektør
Ole Kristian Lunde
Tlf.: +47 2254 4431

 

Investor Relations
Lars Røsæg
Tlf.: +47 2254 4426