DJ 4Q and FY 2020 Financial Results: Free Cash Flow Increases 1.5x Year-on-Year to a Historical Record RUB 42.5 Billion
OJSC PhosAgro (PHOR) 4Q and FY 2020 Financial Results: Free Cash Flow Increases 1.5x Year-on-Year to a Historical Record RUB 42.5 Billion 19-Feb-2021 / 12:30 MSK Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement that contains inside information according to REGULATION (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR), transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. =---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release 19 January 2021
4Q and FY 2020 Financial Results:
Free Cash Flow Increases 1.5x Year-on-Year to a Historical Record RUB 42.5 Billion
Moscow - PhosAgro ("the Company") (Moscow Exchange and LSE: PHOR), one of the world's leading vertically integrated phosphate-based fertilizer producers, today announces its consolidated IFRS financial results for 4Q and FY 2020.
4Q and FY 2020 highlights
PhosAgro's revenue for 4Q 2020 increased by 10.8% year-on-year to RUB 58.9 billion (USD 773 million), driven by changes in the pricing environment and the FX rate.
Revenue for FY 2020 increased by 2.3% year-on-year to RUB 253.9 billion (USD 3.5 billion). Revenue growth was fuelled by increased fertilizer sales volumes throughout the year.
In 4Q 2020, the Company's EBITDA increased by 64.3% year-on-year to RUB 18.4 billion (USD 241 million) thanks to an increase in fertilizer prices while global prices for raw materials remained low. The EBITDA margin for the quarter increased by 10.2 p.p. to 31.2%.
EBITDA for FY 2020 increased by 11.5% year-on-year to RUB 84.3 billion (USD 1,168 million). The EBITDA margin was 33.2%.
The Company's free cash flow in 4Q 2020 amounted to RUB 2.9 billion (USD 37 million) thanks to continued strong sales and more efficient management of working capital.
Free cash flow for FY 2020 increased 1.5x year-on-year to a record RUB 42.5 billion (USD 582 million).
Adjusted net income for FY 2020 was RUB 46.8 billion (USD 649 million), an increase of 26.3% year-on-year.
Net debt as of 31 December 2020 was RUB 156.9 billion (USD 2.1 billion), and the net debt/EBITDA ratio as of the end of 4Q 2020 had decreased from the previous quarter to 1.86x.
Financial and operating highlights
Financial highlights
RUB million FY FY Change, % 4Q 4Q Change, %
2020 2019 2020 2019
Revenue 253,879 248,125 2.3% 58,891 53,142 10.8%
EBITDA* 84,280 75,582 11.5% 18,383 11,186 64.3%
EBITDA margin 33.2% 30.5% 2.7 p.p. 31.2% 21.0% 10.2 p.p.
Net income 16,921 49,408 -65.8% 12,963 6,701 93.4%
Adj. net income** 46,791 37,062 26.3% 7,480 2,528 195.9%
Free cash flow 42,517 28,272 50.4% 2,852 -4,292 n/a
31.12.2020 31.12.2019
Net debt 156,875 131,583
ND/LTM EBITDA 1.86x 1.74x
Sales, ths tonnes FY FY Change, % 4Q 4Q Change, %
2020 2019 2020 2019
Phosphate-based fertilizers 7,669 7,255 5.7% 1,545 1,738 -11.1%
Nitrogen-based fertilizers 2,286 2,197 4.0% 500 537 -7.0%
Total sales 9,955 9,452 5.3% 2,045 2,275 -10.1%
The average RUB/USD exchange rate in 4Q 2020 was 76.22, compared with 63.7 in 4Q 2019; the exchange rate was 73.9 as of 31 December 2020, compared with 61.9 as of 31 December 2019.
*EBITDA is calculated as operating profit adjusted for depreciation and amortisation.
**Net profit as reported minus FX gain or loss and other non-cash items.
Commenting on the Company's performance, Jim Rogers, an Independent Director on PhosAgro's Board of Directors, said:
"I have been a member of PhosAgro's Board of Directors for several years now, and we have interacted closely with the Company's management team this entire time. Therefore, I am especially pleased to see PhosAgro's production and financial performance rising, which is driven largely by implementation of a long-term strategy aimed at sustainable growth, a professional management team and the ability to take advantage of favourable market conditions.
"Separately, I would like to note that the achievements of several Company executives team were recently recognised at the 15th national Director of the Year competition, where the Expert Council recognised five members of the Company's Board of Directors. Xavier Rolet, Chairman of PhosAgro's Board of Directors, was named one of the top 25 Board chairs. Irina Bokova, Chair of PhosAgro's Board of Directors Sustainable Development Committee, Marcus Rhodes and Andrey Sharonov, a member of three PhosAgro Board committees, were included among the top 50 independent directors. Andrey Guryev, PhosAgro's CEO and a member of the Company's Board of Directors, was announced as the winner in the category "Contribution to the Development of ESG Culture".
"Yesterday, after noting the Company's outstanding operating results in 2020, the Board of Directors approved PhosAgro's financial statements for FY 2020. At an upcoming meeting of the Board of Directors, we plan to recommend that the General Meeting of Shareholders approve dividends for 2020. Our decision on dividends will be based on the Company's performance, continued trend of price recovery on the global mineral fertilizers market and prospects for growth in demand from end consumers."
Commenting on the Company's financial results, PhosAgro CEO Andrey Guryev said:
"2020 was a record year for PhosAgro in terms of both production volumes and the Company's ability to generate cash flows. Implementation of our long-term development strategy enabled us to exceed, for the first time, 10 million tonnes of commercial production in a year, and fertilizer sales increased by more than 5% year-on-year.
"With a favourable pricing environment in global sales markets, increased fertilizer sales supported a higher EBITDA margin, enabling us to achieve record growth in free cash flow, which exceeded RUB 42 billion, an increase of more than one and a half times year-on-year.
"At the same time, the Company's net debt/EBITDA ratio remains at 1.86x, and our capital expenditures in 2020 amounted to less than 50% of EBITDA.
"At the moment, we are seeing a considerable increase in demand and prices for all the principal types of mineral fertilizers, which is driven by high prices for the main agricultural crops and the growth in seasonal demand in key sales markets: Europe, the US domestic market and China.
"In addition to these factors, support for fertilizer demand in the near term can be expected from the Indian market, where low carryover stocks may be conducive to an earlier start of major seasonal purchases."
4Q 2020 market conditions
Throughout the fourth quarter, the global market for phosphate-based fertilizers was characterised by the continuation of high residual demand in key markets in South Asia (India, Pakistan) and Latin America (Brazil), as well as continued limited exports from China.
The fourth quarter has traditionally seen an increase in seasonal demand in the markets of Western Europe.
In the US domestic market, in the absence of supplies from Russia and Morocco due to an investigation into the introduction of countervailing duties on fertilizers from these countries, there was an increased shortage and a decrease in exports from American producers, which pushed prices higher not only in the US domestic market but also in the global market as a whole.
The increase in global prices for the main types of agricultural products ensured that fertilizers remained as affordable as they have been in recent years in nearly every market.
The combination of the above factors offset the traditional low season and contributed to continued growth in demand and higher prices for fertilizers towards the end of the year.
In 4Q 2020, the average price for DAP/MAP (FOB Baltic) was USD 355 per tonne, up USD 36 (11%) from the previous quarter and USD 73 (26%) above the average price in 4Q 2019.
The average price for urea (FOB Baltic) in 4Q 2020 was USD 237 per tonne, up from an average price of USD 233 per tonne in the previous quarter and USD 219 in 4Q 2019. The global urea market was shaped by a series of large tenders in India, which, combined with growth in seasonal demand in Latin America and Southeast Asia, helped stabilise the balance of supply and demand in the market as a whole.
The average price for ammonia (FOB Baltic) in 4Q 2020 was USD 209 per tonne, up from an average price of USD 178 per tonne in 3Q 2020. The increase in ammonia prices was driven by growth in seasonal demand in the markets of Europe, North America and Asia amid maintenance shutdowns and reduced production in the Middle East, Trinidad and Southeast Asia. An additional factor behind the upward trend was the rise in global prices for natural gas.
The average price for sulphur (FOB Baltic) in 4Q 2020 was USD 63 per tonne, up from USD 53 in the previous quarter. The main factors behind the increase in global sulphur prices were the strengthening of global markets for phosphate-based fertilizers, reductions in sulphur exports from Russia and Canada due to seasonal logistics limitations and a significant decrease in China's sulphur reserves.
Potash prices (FOB Baltic) remained stable in 4Q at USD 192 per tonne, down from USD 197 per tonne in 3Q 2020. The slight price decrease was mainly due to an increase in shipping rates on the main supply routes.
4Q and FY 2020 financial performance
In 4Q 2020, the Company's revenue increased by 10.8% year-on-year to RUB 58.9 billion (USD 773 million). Growth was driven mainly by the recovery of prices for phosphate- and nitrogen-based fertilizers on the back of a weaker rouble.
Revenue for FY 2020 increased by 2.3% year-on-year to RUB 253.9 billion (USD 3.5 billion). The lower average sales prices for phosphate- and nitrogen-based fertilizers in 2020 were completely offset by a 5.3% increase in sales volumes and the 11.4% depreciation of the rouble against the US dollar.
Gross profit in 4Q 2020 increased by 35.9% year-on-year to RUB 29.3 billion (USD 384 million), with a gross profit margin of 49.7%. Gross profit in the phosphate- and nitrogen-based fertilizer segments saw the following changes: - Gross profit for phosphate-based fertilizers increased by 35.6% to RUB 23.4 billion (USD 324 million). This
improvement was driven by the recovery in prices for phosphate-based fertilizers in tandem with low feedstock
prices and the depreciation of the rouble; - Gross profit in the nitrogen-based fertilizer segment increased by 27.9% to RUB 5.6 billion
(USD 77 million).
PhosAgro's EBITDA for 4Q 2020 increased by 64.3% year-on-year and amounted to RUB 18.4 billion (USD 241 million). The main growth drivers were the recovery in global fertilizer prices and the completion of equipment upgrades and operational improvements at production facilities. Additional supporting factors were the weakening of the rouble against the US dollar and low prices for primary feedstocks.
Net profit adjusted for non-cash FX gain and other non-cash items for 4Q 2020 increased by almost three times year-on-year to RUB 7.5 billion (USD 98 million).
Free cash flow in 4Q 2020 was RUB 2.9 billion (USD 37 million), compared with a negative cash flow of RUB 4.3 billion (USD 67 million) in 4Q 2019. This considerable increase was possible because of the Company's high EBITDA margin, sales growth and efficient management of working capital.
Capital expenditure in 4Q 2020 amounted to RUB 13.5 billion (USD 177 million). In annual terms, capital expenditure amounted to RUB 40.9 billion (USD 567 million), which corresponds to 49% of EBITDA for the reporting period. The Company invested primarily in the development of its ore base in Kirovsk, upgrades to its fertilizer production assets and railway infrastructure in Cherepovets, the creation of a flexible ammonium sulphate production line in Balakovo and the construction of new capacities at its production site in Volkhov.
As of the end of the year, the net debt/EBITDA ratio was 1.86x. The increase compared to year-end 2019 was driven by the devaluation of the rouble against the US dollar, since a large part of the Company's loan portfolio is denominated in US dollars. Net debt as of 31 December 2020 amounted to RUB 156.9 billion (USD 2.1 billion).
Cost of Sales
RUB million or % FY FY Change, % 4Q 4Q Change, %
2020 2019 2020 2019
D&A 23,743 21,368 11.1% 5,022 5,242 -4.2%
Materials and services 40,973 41,221 -0.6% 9,272 9,964 -6.9%
Phosphate rock transport 8,134 8,641 -5.9% 1,452 1,956 -25.8%
Repair expenses 10,134 10,119 0.1% 2,754 2,363 16.5%
Drilling and blasting 3,168 2,323 36.4% 788 678 16.2%
Other materials and services 19,537 20,138 -3.0% 4,278 4,967 -13.9%
Raw materials 35,514 43,155 -17.7% 7,643 9,450 -19.1%
Ammonia 4,802 4,095 17.3% 1,322 1,173 12.7%
Sulphur and sulph. acid 4,360 9,165 -52.4% 901 1,313 -31.4%
Potassium 12,253 13,691 -10.5% 2,442 2,964 -17.6%
Natural gas 12,342 12,627 -2.3% 2,467 2,972 -17.0%
Ammonium sulphate 1,757 3,577 -50.9% 511 1,028 -50.3%
Salaries and social contributions 13,807 12,744 8.3% 2,897 3,170 -8.6%
Electricity 6,311 6,204 1.7% 1,392 1,439 -3.3%
Fuel 3,885 4,849 -19.9% 915 1,119 -18.2%
Products for resale 9,102 6,683 36.2% 2,472 1,216 103.3%
Total 133,335 136,224 -2.1% 29,613 31,600 -6.3%
Cost of sales decreased in 2020 by 2.1% year-on-year to RUB 133.3 billion (USD 1.8 billion). This decrease on the back of higher sales was the result of improved efficiency stemming from upgrades to production assets, increased self-sufficiency in feedstocks and low prices for raw materials.
Cost of sales in 4Q 2020 decreased by 6.3% year-on-year (in connection with a decrease in fertilizer sales and low prices for raw materials) to RUB 29.6 billion (USD 389 million). - The cost of materials and services decreased by 6.9% year-on-year to RUB 9.3 billion
(USD 122 million). This decrease was driven by savings in phosphate rock transport, as the Company used a higher
percentage of its own rail cars. - Raw material costs decreased by 19.1% year-on-year to RUB 7.6 billion (USD 100 million) due to: - A 31.4% reduction in sulphur and sulphuric acid costs to RUB 901 million (USD 12 million) due to a decrease in
sales of fertilizer brands with high sulphur content, as well as the launch of a new sulphuric acid plant in
Cherepovets in 1Q 2020. - A 17.6% decrease in potash costs to RUB 2.4 billion (USD 32 million) amid falling global prices. - A 17.0% drop in natural gas costs to RUB 2.5 billion (USD 32 million) due to lower sales of fertilizer brands with
high nitrogen content (DAP/MAP/urea). - A 50.3% reduction in the cost of ammonium sulphate to RUB 0.5 billion (USD 7 million) following the full ramp-up of
the Company's own ammonium sulphate plant. - Ammonia costs rose by 12.7% to RUB 1.3 billion (USD 17 million) due to higher consumption driven by the launch of
the Company's own ammonium sulphate production unit.
Administrative and selling expenses
RUB million FY FY Change, % 4Q 4Q Change, %
2020 2019 2020 2019
Administrative expenses 17,828 16,476 8.2% 4,887 4,658 4.9%
Salaries and social contributions 11,249 9,300 21.0% 2,873 2,365 21.5%
Professional services 1,929 1,963 -1.7% 644 696 -7.5%
D&A 1,368 1,378 -0.7% 349 342 2.0%
Other 3,282 3,835 -14.4% 1,021 1,255 -18.6%
Selling and marketing expenses 39,588 38,121 3.8% 10,610 10,324 2.8%
Freight, port and stevedoring expenses 19,208 18,372 4.6% 5,259 5,458 -3.6%
Russian Railways' tariffs and operators' fees 11,466 11,441 0.2% 2,725 2,614 4.2%
Salaries and social contributions 3,484 2,662 30.9% 1,166 708 64.7%
Material and services 2,431 2,563 -5.2% 621 692 -10.3%
Customs duties 1,484 1,898 -21.8% 447 458 -2.4%
D&A 1,515 1,185 27.8% 392 394 -0.5%
Administrative expenses increased by 4.9% year-on-year in 4Q 2020 to RUB 4.9 billion (USD 64 million). The main driver was a 21.5% increase in salaries and social security contributions to RUB 2.9 billion (USD 38 million) due to an increase in the number of employees and incentive payments.
In annual terms, administrative expenses increased by 8.2% year-on-year to RUB 17.8 billion (USD 247 million).
In 4Q 2020, selling expenses increased by 2.8% year-on-year to RUB 10.6 billion (USD 139 million). In annual terms, selling expenses increased by 3.8% year-on-year to RUB 39.6 billion (USD 54 million). The main factor behind this growth was an increase in incentive payments as a result of excellent operating performance.
Market outlook
The start of 2021 has shown a noticeable increase in prices for major agricultural crops, which, combined with the growth in seasonal demand in key sales markets (Europe, the US domestic market and China in particular), contributed to a significant increase in demand and prices for all major types of mineral fertilizers and raw materials for production.
The main benchmarks for phosphate-based fertilizers (DAP/MAP) and urea increased by more than USD 100 per tonne throughout January and in early February and continue to rise. Persistent demand in China's domestic market has limited exports from the region.
The Indian market is characterized by low carryover stocks, especially for phosphate-based fertilizers, implying an earlier start to major seasonal purchases. The US domestic market continues to face a shortage of DAP/MAP due to the lack of traditional imports from Morocco and Russia, which, at the height of the main spring demand, is acting as an additional driver pushing up prices to their highest levels in recent years.
Conference call and webcast:
PhosAgro will hold a conference call and webcast today at 14:00 London time (17:00 in Moscow; 09:00 in New York).
The call will be held in English, with simultaneous translation into Russian on a separate line.
Webcast link:
https://www.webcast-eqs.com/register/phosagro20210219/
Participant dial-in numbers:
Russian Federation Toll +7 495 213 1767 Russian Federation Toll-Free 8 800 500 9283 United Kingdom Toll +44 (0)330 336 9126 United Kingdom Toll-Free 0800 358 6377 United States Toll-Free +1 313-209-4906 United States Toll 888-254-3590
Conference ID numbers:
English conference ID: 5592368 Russian conference ID: 2118837
Contacts
PJSC PhosAgro
Andrey Serov, Head of the Investor Relations Department
+7 495 232 9689 ext. 2187
ir@phosagro.ru
Timur Belov, Press Officer
+7 495 232 9689 ext. 2652
EM
Sam VanDerlip
vanderlip@em-comms.com
+44 207 002 7859
About us
PhosAgro (www.phosagro.ru) is one of the world's leading vertically integrated phosphate-based fertilizer producers in terms of production volumes of phosphate-based fertilizers and high-grade phosphate rock with a P2O5 content of 39% and higher. PhosAgro's environmentally friendly fertilizers stand out for their high efficiency, and they do not lead to the contamination of soils with heavy metals.
The Company is the largest phosphate-based fertilizer producer in Europe (by total combined capacity for DAP/MAP/NP/ NPK/NPS), the largest producer of high-grade phosphate rock with a P2O5 content of 39%, a top-three producer of MAP/DAP globally, one of the leading producers of feed phosphates (MCP) in Europe, and the only producer in Russia, and Russia's only producer of nepheline concentrate (according to the RAFP).
2020 2019
RUB Million RUB Million
Revenues 253,879 248,125
Cost of sales (133,335) (136,224)
Gross profit 120,544 111,901
Administrative expenses (17,828) (16,476)
Selling expenses (39,588) (38,121)
Taxes, other than income tax, net (2,962) (2,384)
Other expenses, net (2,512) (3,269)
Operating profit 57,654 51,651
Finance income 975 1,458
Finance costs (5,455) (4,271)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net (25,070) 12,346
COVID-19 related expenses (1,434) -
Profit before tax 26,670 61,184
Income tax expense (9,749) (11,776)
Profit for the year 16,921 49,408
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests ^ (11) 59
Shareholders of the Parent 16,932 49,349
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss
Actuarial losses (28) (133)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Foreign currency translation difference 2,345 (1,129)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 2,317 (1,262)
Total comprehensive income for the year 19,238 48,146
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests ^ (11) 59
Shareholders of the Parent 19,249 48,087
Basic and diluted earnings per share (in RUB) 131 381
^ non-controlling interests are the minority shareholders of the subsidiaries of PJSC "PhosAgro"
31 December 2020 31 December 2019
RUB million RUB million
Assets
Property, plant and equipment 220,031 199,459
Advances issued for property, plant and equipment 7,835 13,006
Right-of-use assets 7,335 6,891
Catalysts 2,292 2,376
Intangible assets 1,621 1,567
Investments in associates 556 519
Deferred tax assets 7,462 8,214
Other non-current assets 948 1,636
Non-current assets 248,080 233,668
Other current investments 311 251
Inventories 32,636 29,405
Trade and other receivables 32,887 31,061
Cash and cash equivalents 8,460 8,236
Current assets 74,294 68,953
Total assets 322,374 302,621
Equity
Share capital 372 372
Share premium 7,494 7,494
Retained earnings 88,887 111,054
Actuarial losses (717) (689)
Foreign currency translation reserve 9,581 7,236
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Parent 105,617 125,467
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests 129 170
Total equity 105,746 125,637
Liabilities
Loans and borrowings 103,824 96,736
Lease liabilities 4,268 4,701
Defined benefit obligations 945 857
Deferred tax liabilities 11,196 10,278
Non-current liabilities 120,233 112,572
Loans and borrowings 55,316 36,839
Lease liabilities 1,927 1,543
Trade and other payables 39,152 26,030
Current liabilities 96,395 64,412
Total equity and liabilities 322,374 302,621
2020 2019
RUB million RUB million
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit 57,654 51,651
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation 26,626 23,931
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 209 611
Operating profit before changes in working capital and provisions 84,489 76,193
(Increase)/decrease in inventories and catalysts (1,843) 1,593
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (345) 2,764
Increase in trade and other payables 12,020 5,398
Cash flows from operations before income taxes and interest paid 94,321 85,948
Income tax paid (6,462) (10,550)
Finance costs paid (4,121) (3,842)
Cash flows from operating activities 83,738 71,556
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (40,878) (42,656)
Loans repaid/(issued), net 147 (84)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment 37 86
Payments for settlement of financial instruments 42 -
Finance income received 653 637
Other payments (1,220) (1,267)
Cash flows used in investing activities (41,219) (43,284)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings, net of transaction costs[1] 63,520 48,725
Repayment of borrowings (66,182) (42,698)
Early eurobond partial redemption fees (292) -
Dividends paid to shareholders of the Parent (38,852) (32,244)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (30) (84)
Leases paid (1,951) (1,937)
Other payments (249) -
Proceeds from settlement of derivatives, net - 112
Cash flows used in financing activities (44,036) (28,126)
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents (1,517) 146
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 8,236 9,320
Effect of exchange rates fluctuations 1,741 (1,230)
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 8,460 8,236 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISIN: US71922G2093
Category Code: ACS
TIDM: PHOR
LEI Code: 25340053KRUNNYUWF472
OAM Categories: 2.2. Inside information
Sequence No.: 93952
EQS News ID: 1169697
End of Announcement EQS News Service
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 19, 2021 04:31 ET (09:31 GMT)
