Solvay S.A.: Solvay 2018 first half results: Strong volume growth counters forex headwinds

Access the full press release (https://www.solvay.com/en/investors/financial-reporting/solvay-earningsEarnings-material) & financial report (https://www.solvay.com/en/investors/financial-reporting/solvay-earningsEarnings-material)

Details to connect to the 2:30pm (https://www.solvay.com/en/investors/financial-reporting/solvay-earningsFirst-Half-2018-Earnings)analysts & investors call (https://www.solvay.com/en/investors/financial-reporting/solvay-earningsFirst-Half-2018-Earnings)

Underlying EBITDA: €1,150 million -3% (+6% organically [1])

• Solid volume increase across Advanced Materials and Advanced Formulations led to organic sales and EBITDA growth of 6%
• Underlying EBITDA fell 3%, mainly due to significant forex conversion impact of 7%, principally as a result of the US dollar
• EBITDA margin remained at a record 23%

• Advanced Materials: €630 million -3% (+5% organically [1])
  • Sustained demand for high-performance polymers across applications, particularly in automotive, led to strong volume growth
  • Increased demand for aerospace composites, including commercial, rotorcraft and military, supported solid volume growth

• Advanced Formulations: €262 million +2% (+17% organically [1])
  • Volume growth was strong across end-markets and especially in the North American oil & gas market
  • Pricing power more than compensating for higher raw material price

• Performance Chemicals: €365 million -9% (-3% organically [1])
  • Solid demand for soda ash continued in a context of limited margin erosion
  • Peroxides volume and price increased on solid demand

Underlying EPS from continuing operations: €4.65 +9%

• The €43 million reduction of net financial charges, a 21% drop, reflects the deleveraging and optimization of Solvay's capital structure
• The tax rate of 25% was down from 29% in 2017

Free cash flow from continuing operations: €123 million vs €251 million in 2017

• Sustained cash generation led to €218 million of free cash flow, including €123 million from continuing operations, but this was lower than in 2017 due to working capital fluctuations
• Free cash flow to Solvay shareholders increased to €77 million from €33 million in 2017, thanks to the strong contribution from discontinued operations and lower financial payments

2018 outlook confirmed

• EBITDA growth of 5% to 7%, excluding scope and forex effects
• Free cash flow from continuing operations above the 2017 level

CEO Jean-Pierre Clamadieu: Solvay's sales and EBITDA grew 6% organically in the first half of 2018 driven again by volume growth from our growth segments. Advanced Formulations benefited in particular from the continued rise in activity of North American shale oil & gas, while Advanced Materials growth was supported by automotive and aerospace. These strong results are a clear manifestation of the portfolio transformation of the past years. Internally, we are now focused on putting in place a simpler and more agile organization to better serve our customers.

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All comparisons are made with the equivalent period of the year before, except where mentioned explicitly otherwise.

[1] Excluding forex conversion and scope effects

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Solvay is an advanced materials and specialty chemicals company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers worldwide in many diverse end markets. Its products are used in planes, cars, batteries, smart and medical devices, as well as in mineral and oil and gas extraction, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Its lightweighting materials promote cleaner mobility, its formulations optimize the use of resources and its performance chemicals improve air and water quality. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with around 26,800 employees in 61 countries. Net sales were €10.1 billion in 2017, with 90% from activities where Solvay ranks among the world's top 3 leaders, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 22%. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR) and in the United States its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a level-1 ADR program.

Financial figures take into account the planned divestment of Polyamides.

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Read the full version of the press release (http://hugin.info/133981/R/2207903/858770.pdf)

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Source: Solvay S.A. via Globenewswire