Valmet Oyj's stock exchange release on February 6, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. EET
Figures in brackets, unless otherwise stated, refer to the comparison period,
i.e. the same period of the previous year.
October-December 2017: Comparable EBITA margin increased to 8.1 percent
* Orders received decreased to EUR 727 million (EUR 857 million).
* Orders received increased in the Automation business line, remained at
the previous year's level in the Services business line and decreased in
the Pulp and Energy, and Paper business lines.
* Orders received increased in North America, remained at the previous
year's level in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and decreased in
Asia-Pacific, South America and China.
* Net sales increased to EUR 936 million (EUR 785 million).
* Net sales increased in all business lines.
* Comparable earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (Comparable
EBITA) were EUR 76 million (EUR 56 million) and the corresponding Comparable
EBITA margin was 8.1 percent (7.2%).
* Profitability improved due to higher net sales.
* Earnings per share were EUR 0.30 (EUR 0.10).
* Items affecting comparability amounted to EUR -12 million (EUR -8 million).
* Cash flow provided by operating activities was EUR 89 million (EUR 88
million).
January-December 2017: Net sales increased and profitability improved
* Orders received remained at the previous year's level and were EUR 3,272
million (EUR 3,139 million).
* Orders received increased in the Paper, Automation, and Services
business lines and decreased in the Pulp and Energy business line.
* Orders received increased in China and North America and decreased in
South America, Asia-Pacific and EMEA.
* Net sales increased to EUR 3,159 million (EUR 2,926 million).
* Net sales increased in the Paper, and Pulp and Energy business lines and
remained at the previous year's level in the Automation and Services
business lines.
* Comparable earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (Comparable
EBITA) were EUR 226 million (EUR 196 million), and the corresponding
Comparable EBITA margin was 7.2 percent (6.7%).
* Profitability improved due to higher net sales.
* Earnings per share were EUR 0.84 (EUR 0.55).
* Items affecting comparability amounted to EUR -17 million (EUR -13 million).
* Cash flow provided by operating activities was EUR 291 million (EUR 246
million).
Dividend proposal
The Board of Directors proposes for the Annual General Meeting that a dividend
of EUR 0.55 per share be paid. The proposed dividend equals to 65 percent of the
net result.
Guidance for 2018 to be announced in March 2018 at the latest
Following the adoption of the new principles of IFRS 15, effective as of January
1, 2018, Valmet's revenue recognition will change in 2018. As a result, Valmet
will publish restated figures for 2017 in March 2018 at the latest. Valmet will
announce its financial guidance for 2018 in conjunction with the restated
figures.
Short-term outlook
General economic outlook
Global economic activity continues to firm up. Global output is estimated to
have grown by 3.7 percent in 2017, while growth forecasts for 2018 and 2019 have
been revised upward to 3.9 percent. The revision reflects increased global
growth momentum and the expected impact of the recently approved U.S. tax policy
changes. Risks to the global growth forecast appear broadly balanced in the near
term, but remain skewed to the downside over the medium term. If global
sentiment remains strong and inflation muted, then financial conditions could
remain loose into the medium term, leading to a buildup of financial
vulnerabilities in advanced and emerging market economies alike. (International
Monetary Fund, January 22, 2018)
Short-term market outlook
Valmet estimates that the short-term market outlook has improved to a good level
in automation (previously satisfactory level).
Valmet reiterates the good short-term market outlook for services, board and
paper, and tissue, the satisfactory short-term market outlook for energy, and
the weak short-term market outlook for pulp.
President and CEO Pasi Laine: A strong year in the Paper business line
"In 2017, Valmet's orders received increased by EUR 132 million to EUR 3.3
billion. The market activity was exceptionally high in the Paper business line,
where orders received increased over 40 percent and exceeded EUR 1 billion.
Orders received increased also in the stable business (Services and Automation
business lines). In 2017, stable business orders received increased by 6 percent
to EUR 1.6 billion, i.e. almost half of total orders received.
During the four years as an independent company, Valmet has improved its
profitability every year. In 2017, Comparable EBITA amounted to EUR 226 million,
corresponding to a 7.2 percent margin. However, we aim higher with our target
margin range of 8-10 percent. The work with profitability and efficiency
continues, and I am convinced that we will reach our target.
In 2017, while celebrating 220 years of Valmet's industrial history, we
strengthened our Industrial Internet offering, progressed in sustainability as
well as in research and development, and made Valmet a safer workplace by
reducing the total recordable incident frequency (TRIF). This, combined with an
order backlog of EUR 2.3 billion, offers us a sound basis for 2018."
Key figures(1)
EUR million Q4/2017 Q4/2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orders received 727 857 -15% 3,272 3,139 4%
Order backlog(2) 2,292 2,283 0% 2,292 2,283 0%
Net sales 936 785 19% 3,159 2,926 8%
Comparable earnings before interest,
taxes and amortization (Comparable 76 56 34% 226 196 15%
EBITA)
% of net sales 8.1% 7.2% 7.2% 6.7%
Earnings before interest, taxes and 63 48 31% 209 183 14%
amortization (EBITA)
% of net sales 6.8% 6.1% 6.6% 6.2%
Operating profit (EBIT) 56 40 38% 178 147 21%
% of net sales 5.9% 5.1% 5.6% 5.0%
Profit before taxes 52 38 38% 165 136 22%
Profit / loss 46 14 >100% 127 82 54%
Earnings per share, EUR 0.30 0.10 >100% 0.84 0.55 53%
Earnings per share, diluted, EUR 0.30 0.10 >100% 0.84 0.55 53%
Equity per share, EUR 6.19 5.88 5% 6.19 5.88 5%
Cash flow provided by operating 89 88 0% 291 246 18%
activities
Cash flow after investments 70 72 -2% 227 188 21%
Return on equity (ROE) 14% 9%
Return on capital employed (ROCE) 15% 12%
before taxes
(1) The calculation of key figures is presented on page 42.
(2 )At the end of period
Equity to assets ratio and As at As at As at Sep 30, 2017
gearing Dec 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity to assets ratio at end 39% 37% 38%
of period
Gearing at end of period -11% 6% -3%
Orders received, EUR million Q4/2017 Q4/2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Services 282 284 -1% 1,242 1,182 5%
Automation 91 78 16% 317 299 6%
Pulp and Energy 151 247 -39% 678 939 -28%
Paper 203 246 -18% 1,035 718 44%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 727 857 -15% 3,272 3,139 4%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
As at As at Change As at
Dec 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30,
Order backlog, EUR million 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 2,292 2,283 0% 2,523
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales, EUR million Q4/2017 Q4/2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services 340 316 7% 1,178 1,163 1%
Automation 104 94 10% 296 290 2%
Pulp and Energy 260 187 39% 929 826 12%
Paper 232 188 24% 755 647 17%
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total 936 785 19% 3,159 2,926 8%
-----------------------------------------------------------------
News conference and webcast for analysts, investors and media
Valmet will arrange a news conference in English for analysts, investors, and
media on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. Finnish time (EET). The news
conference will be held at Valmet Head Office in Keilaniemi, Keilasatama
5, 02150 Espoo, Finland. The news conference can also be followed through a live
webcast at www.valmet.com/webcasts.
It is also possible to take part in the news conference through a conference
call. Conference call participants are requested to dial in at least five
minutes prior to the start of the conference, at 2:25 p.m. (EET), at
+44 1452 555566. The participants will be asked to provide the following
conference ID: 6399939.
During the webcast and the conference call, all questions should be presented in
English. After the webcast and the conference call, media has a possibility to
interview the management in Finnish.
The event can also be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/valmetir.
Further information, please contact:
Calle Loikkanen, Director, Investor Relations, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0020
Kari Saarinen, CFO, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 9603
VALMET
Kari Saarinen
CFO
Calle Loikkanen
Director, Investor Relations
Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies,
automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to
become the global champion in serving our customers.
Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper
production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced
services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our
customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and
energy.
Valmet's net sales in 2017 were approximately EUR 3.2 billion. Our 12,000
professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to
moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is
in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.
Read more www.valmet.com, www.twitter.com/valmetglobal
Follow Valmet IR on Twitter www.twitter.com/valmetir
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