HALF-YEAR RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2015
Results summary
£ million unless otherwise stated |
H1 2015 |
H1 2014 |
Reported Change % |
Constant Currency Change % |
Business Performance Revenue |
469.2 |
448.4 |
+4.6% |
+3.1% |
Group EBITA* |
61.1 |
56.4 |
+8.3% |
+5.3% |
Group EBITA margin* |
13.0% |
12.6% |
|
|
Group underlying operating profit* |
61.1 |
54.3 |
+12.5% |
+9.7% |
Underlying PBT* |
52.8 |
43.8 |
+20.5% |
+18.7% |
Underlying EPS* (pence) Return on Operating Capital Employed* |
12.6p 29.7% |
10.6p 28.1% |
+18.9% |
|
Interim dividend (pence) |
4.0p |
3.9p |
+2.6% |
|
Cash flow from operations* |
58.1 |
42.5 |
+36.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory Reporting |
|
|
|
|
Operating profit |
57.5 |
50.0 |
+15.0% |
|
Profit before tax |
49.2 |
37.5 |
+31.2% |
|
Basic EPS (pence) |
11.4p |
8.4p |
+35.7% |
|
* Definitions of the financial measures can be found in the glossary
Financial Highlights
· Group revenue at £469.2 million (H1 2014: £448.4 million) was up 4.6% on a reported basis; on a constant currency basis, revenue was up 3.1% compared to the first half of 2014 with all operating regions achieving revenue growth.
· Overall order intake in the first half was solid with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.03x with all three operating regions above 1.00x. The order book at the end of June was 5.7% higher than at the end of June 2014.
· Group EBITA margin for the first half of the year was 13.0% (H1 2014: 12.6%). There were no one-off or restructuring charges in the first half and hence the Group underlying margin was 13.0% compared to 12.1% last year, up 90 basis points.
· Underlying EPS was up 18.9% to 12.6 pence (H1 2014: 10.6 pence).
· Significant investment continued to be made in the Group's future with R&D spend increasing to 2.7% of sales (H1 2014: 2.4%) and capital expenditure focussed on key profitable growth markets.
· Net debt at the half-year was £217.1 million (Full-year 2014: £207.0 million). Net debt to EBITDA ratio at the half-year was 1.4x (Full-year 2014: 1.4x).
· Interim dividend increased by 2.6% to 4.0 pence per share (2014: Interim 3.9 pence per share).
Regional Highlights
· In North America reported revenue was up 11.6% compared to the first half of 2014 at £191.6 million (H1 2014: £171.7 million). At constant currency, the increase was 2.6% compared to H1 2014. The Thermal Ceramics and Electrical Carbon businesses continued to grow, offset by flat trading in Technical Ceramics and a small decline in the Seals and Bearings business. The performance of the ceramic cores Certech business continues to improve from the operating issues experienced in 2014. EBITA margins improved to 15.6% (H1 2014: 15.3%).
· In Europe reported revenue was marginally down against the first half of 2014 at £157.2 million (H1 2014: £159.4 million). On an organic and constant currency basis, revenue was up 4.7% compared to the first half of 2014 with particularly good growth in the Thermal Ceramics business, offset by some softness in Technical Ceramics. EBITA margins improved to 12.3%(H1 2104: 11.2%), with Thermal Ceramics again being the main contributor to this improvement.
· In Asia/Rest of World reported revenue increased 2.6% to £120.4 million (H1 2014: £117.3 million). On an organic and constant currency basis, the revenue increase was 0.6%. This growth was achieved despite the slow-down in the Chinese industrial market that resulted in a 9.3% reduction in revenue at constant currency compared to the first half of 2014. All other major regions of the Asian business grew in the first six months of the year compared to the first half of 2014, particularly South Korea and South East Asia. EBITA margins were 12.0% (H1 2014: 12.7%) with China and South America the main areas of softness in performance.
Commenting on the results for Morgan Advanced Materials, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Dangerfield said:
"The Group has performed well through the period with improvement across all our business performance measures. Our focus in the last six months has been on driving positive mix shift, delivering cost and operational efficiencies and making continued investments in technology and differentiation.
All three operating regions continued to achieve revenue growth despite the softness in some geographies and end-markets and the profit margin changes in the regions mirrored this mixed trading landscape.
The Group's solid financial and operational platform and the investment in the business gives the Board confidence in the prospects for the Group as we enter the second half of 2015."
For further enquiries:
|
|
|
Kevin Dangerfield |
Morgan Advanced Materials |
01753 837000 |
Mike Smith |
Brunswick |
0207 404 5959 |
There will be an analyst and investor presentation at 09.30 (UK time) today at Goldman Sachs, The Auditorium, 120 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BB. A live video webcast and slide presentation of this event will be available on www.morganadvancedmaterials.com. We recommend you register at 09.00 (UK time).
Operating Review
|
Revenue |
EBITA |
EBITA Margin |
|
H1 |
|
H1 |
H1 |
|
H1 |
H1 |
|
H1 |
2015 |
|
2014 |
2015 |
|
2014 |
2015 |
|
2014 |
£m |
|
£m |
£m |
|
£m |
% |
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America |
191.6 |
|
171.7 |
29.8 |
|
26.2 |
15.6% |
|
15.3% |
Europe |
157.2 |
|
159.4 |
19.3 |
|
17.8 |
12.3% |
|
11.2% |
Asia/Rest of World |
120.4 |
|
117.3 |
14.5 |
|
14.9 |
12.0% |
|
12.7% |
|
469.2 |
|
448.4 |
63.6 |
|
58.9 |
13.6% |
|
13.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unallocated costs |
|
|
|
(2.5) |
|
(2.5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group EBITA |
|
|
|
61.1 |
|
56.4 |
13.0% |
|
12.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring costs and other one-off items |
|
|
|
- |
|
(2.1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying operating profit |
|
|
|
61.1 |
|
54.3 |
13.0% |
|
12.1% |
|
North America
Revenue for the first half of the year was £191.6 million (H1 2014: £171.7 million) representing an increase of 11.6% at reported rates. At constant currency there was an increase of 2.6%.
EBITA for the first half of the year was £29.8 million (H1 2014: £26.2 million), with EBITA margin improving to 15.6% in the first half of 2015 compared with 15.3% in H1 2014.
Thermal Ceramics achieved particularly good revenue growth in the first half of 9.1% compared to the first half of 2014. Electrical Carbon revenue grew at 3.3% while Technical Ceramics was flat and Seals and Bearings had marginal revenue decline. Thermal Ceramics continues to perform well across its business in general industrial applications, fire resistant and automotive applications. Electrical Carbon showed steady revenue growth, particularly from strength in rail business in the period. The Technical Ceramics business continues to experience mixed trading conditions in the region in relation to both customers and end-markets. A number of individual customer decisions both positive and negative in the period and end-market exposure to areas such as oil and gas have resulted in an overall flat trading period. The Certech (ceramic cores for turbine blade manufacture) business has continued to improve following the operational issues experienced in 2014. Seals and Bearings EBITA performance improved in the first half despite some softness in the oil and gas market.
The book to bill ratio in North America has remained positive year to date.
Europe
Revenue for the first half of the year was £157.2 million (H1 2014: £159.4 million) representing a decline of 1.4% at reported rates. On an organic and constant currency basis, revenue was up 4.7% compared to the first half of 2014.
EBITA for the first half of the year was £19.3 million (H1 2014: £17.8 million). EBITA margins improved to 12.3%, compared with 11.2% in H1 2014, with Thermal Ceramics the main contributor to this improvement.
The Thermal Ceramics business achieved good organic revenue growth of 9.5% at constant currency compared to the first half of 2014, with orders for export outside Europe particularly strong. Revenue growth in Seals and Bearings continued and the Electrical Carbon business had a marginal decline in the period compared to the first half of 2014. Technical Ceramics had the main decline in revenue in the period of 4.5% at constant currency, being impacted by the loss of some individual applications in our customer base and reflecting the mixed end-market conditions particularly in piezo ceramics serving the aerospace, automotive, marine and medical markets. Porextherm, the microporous business acquired in July 2014, is progressing well with new business and opportunities being realised in North America and Asia. The Composites and Defence Systems (C&DS) business is broadly achieving the revenue and performance anticipated in the first half with an expectation of improvement in the second half, indicating the business will achieve close to £40 million of annualised revenue.
The book to bill ratio in Europe has remained positive year to date.
Asia & Rest of the World
Revenue for the first half of the year was £120.4 million (H1 2014: £117.3 million) representing an increase of 2.6% at reported rates. On an organic and constant currency basis, revenue increased in the first half of the year by 0.6% compared to H1 2014.
EBITA for the first half of the year was £14.5 million (H1 2014: £14.9 million). EBITA margin was 12.0%, compared to 12.7% in the first half of 2014.
Trading conditions in Asia/ROW were mixed. China revenue fell by 9.3% compared to the first half of 2014, but all the other main geographies, including India, South Korea and the Middle East achieved revenue growth. The Chinese domestic market has been weak in the traditional industrial sectors through the period (iron and steel, chemicals etc) with larger project orders in Thermal Ceramics being particularly impacted. Our Technical Ceramics business in Asia has continued to grow and revenue now exceeds £10 million, with further expansion/projects in this business planned through 2015 and 2016. The Molten Metal Systems business, with close to 50% of its revenue from the region, continued to see soft demand in China partially offset by an improving Indian economy. The lower revenue in China and continuing poor economic conditions in South America (the combined effect of inflation, pricing and product mix) have been the main contributors to the decline in EBITA margin in the first half.
The book to bill ratio for the region has been marginally positive year to date, despite the softness in China experienced in the first half of the year.
Financial Review
Reference is made to 'Underlying operating profit' and 'Underlying EPS' below, both of which are defined in the glossary at the end of this statement. These measures of earnings are shown because the Directors consider that they give the best indication of underlying performance.
Business Performance Review
Group revenue in the first half of 2015 was £469.2 million, an increase of 4.6% compared to the first half of 2014. On a constant currency basis revenue increased by 3.1% and on an organic and constant currency basis revenue increased by 2.7% compared to the first half of 2014.
Group EBITA before restructuring charges and other one-off items was £61.1 million (H1 2014: £56.4 million) representing a margin of 13.0% (H1 2014: 12.6%).
Group underlying operating profit (EBITA after restructuring costs and other one-off items) for the first half of 2015 was £61.1 million (H1 2014: £54.3 million). Underlying operating profit margin was 13.0%, compared to 12.1% for the first half of 2014.
There were no restructuring costs and other one-off items in H1 2015 (H1 2014: £2.1 million).
The Group amortisation charge for the half-year was £3.6 million (H1 2014: £4.3 million).
The net finance charge was £8.5 million (H1 2014: £10.5 million), comprising the net bank interest and similar charges of £6.1 million (H1 2014: £7.5 million), income derived from financial instruments of £1.0 million (H1 2014: nil) and the finance charge under IAS 19 (revised), being the interest charge on pension scheme net liabilities, of £3.4 million (H1 2014: £3.0 million).
The tax charge for the period was £14.5 million (H1 2014: £11.5 million). The effective tax rate for the half-year is 29.5% (H1 2014: 29.1%).
Underlying EPS is 12.6 pence (H1 2014: 10.6 pence).
The Return on Operating Capital Employed at 30 June 2015, defined as Group underlying profit for the last 12 months divided by the sum of working capital and the net book value of tangible assets, was 29.7%, compared with 28.1% at 30 June 2014.
Employee Benefits
The Group pension deficit has decreased by £18.8 million since last year end to £193.0 million on an IAS 19 basis. Reductions in deficit were experienced in the US, UK and European defined benefit pension schemes, mainly due to higher discount rates. The US deficit decreased by £8.6 million to £50.2 million (December 2014: £58.8 million), the UK deficit decreased by £5.8 million to £113.0 million (December 2014: £118.8 million) and the European deficit decreased by £4.6 million to £27.0 million (December 2014: £31.6 million).
Cash Flow
|
|
|
|
H1 2015 |
H1 2014 |
|
|
|
|
£m |
£m |
Cashflow from operations |
58.1 |
42.5 |
Net capital expenditure |
|
|
(31.8) |
(13.6) |
Net interest paid |
|
|
(4.9) |
(7.7) |
Tax paid |
|
|
(17.4) |
(10.7) |
Restructuring costs and other one-off items |
|
|
(2.6) |
(3.7) |
|
|
|
|
|
Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends |
|
|
1.4 |
6.8 |
|
|
|
Dividends paid |
|
|
(20.0) |
(19.1) |
Cash flows from other investing and financing |
|
|
3.6 |
(1.7) |
Exchange movement |
|
|
4.9 |
6.2 |
Movement in net debt in period |
|
|
(10.1) |
(7.8) |
Opening net debt |
|
|
(207.0) |
(186.5) |
Closing net debt |
|
|
(217.1) |
(194.3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow from operations was £58.1 million (H1 2014: £42.5 million).
Net capital expenditure of £31.8 million was significantly higher than the £13.6 million in H1 2014. The Group has continued its investment in additional capability and capacity, particularly in the Asia/Rest of World region and in the insulating ceramic fibre business stream, to support future growth. In addition to this the H1 2015 capital expenditure included approximately £12 million for the acquisition of the Swansea, UK facility. The site was previously occupied on a long-term lease, running to 2034, and to most effectively allow the significant re-organisation of the Group's operations on that site a decision was made to acquire the site and this was completed in March 2015. The intent is to consolidate the remaining operations on a more efficient footprint and to then realise value from the remaining space. Provision was made in the 2014 full year financial statements to reflect the purchase price, the expected re-organisation costs and the expected realisable value.
Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends was £1.4 million (H1 2014: £6.8 million).
Net debt at the half-year end was £217.1 million (2014 year end: £207.0 million) representing a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.4x (2014 year end: 1.4x).
Foreign exchange - translation effect - illustration
For illustrative purposes, the table below provides details of the impact on H1 2015 revenue and EBITA if the actual reported results, calculated using H1 2015 average exchange rates, were restated at H1 2015 closing exchange rates.
|
H1 2015 Reported (average rates) £m |
FX impact of using H1 2015 closing rates £m |
H1 2015 at H1 2015 closing rates £m |
Revenue |
469.2 |
(14.0) |
455.2 |
EBITA before restructuring |
61.1 |
(2.5) |
58.6 |
EBITA margin % |
13.0% |
|
12.9% |
The principal exchange rates used in the translation of the results of overseas subsidiaries were as follows:
|
H1 2015 |
FY 2014 |
H1 2014 |
GBP to: |
Closing rate |
Average Rate |
Closing rate |
Average Rate |
Closing rate |
Average rate |
US dollar |
1.57 |
1.52 |
1.56 |
1.65 |
1.71 |
1.67 |
Euro |
1.41 |
1.37 |
1.29 |
1.24 |
1.25 |
1.22 |
Chinese yuan |
9.74 |
9.47 |
9.67 |
10.15 |
10.61 |
10.30 |
Interim Dividend
The Board has declared an interim dividend of 4.0 pence per ordinary share. This is an increase of 2.6% compared to the interim dividend declared in 2014. The dividend will be paid on 27 November 2015 to Ordinary shareholders on the register of members at the close of business on 6 November 2015.
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The Group has in place processes for identifying, evaluating and managing the key risks which could have an impact upon the Group's performance.
The current risks, which the Board considers could have the most serious effect on achieving the Group's strategy, and the approach to managing them, are set out in the 2014 Annual Report, which is available at the Group's website at www.morganadvancedmaterials.com The Group has reviewed these risks and concluded that they adequately represent the current principal risks and uncertainties of the Group and will continue to remain relevant for the second half of the financial year.
The principal risks comprise: technology obsolescence; recruiting, maintaining and motivating high-quality staff; treasury risks; quality of contracts; IT risks and cyber risks; product quality, safety and liability; single point exposures; environment, health and safety risks; changes to or non-compliance with laws and regulation; a changing political, economic and social environment; and pension funding.
Going Concern
As reported on page 45 of the 2014 financial statements, the Group meets its day-to-day working capital requirements through local banking arrangements and the committed £200 million unsecured five-year multi-currency revolving credit facility. The headroom on this at the half-year was £106.5 million.
The Group's forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group is able to operate within the level of its committed facilities. The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2015.
Directors' Responsibility Statement
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
· the condensed consolidated set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union;
· the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:
(a) DTR 4.2.7 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and
(b) DTR 4.2.8 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.
Information on the current directors of Morgan Advanced Materials plc responsible for providing this Statement is maintained on the Company's website at www.morganadvancedmaterials.com.
By order of the Board
Andrew Shilston
Chairman
Kevin Dangerfield
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Glossary of terms
Cash flow from operations |
Group EBITA of £61.1 million (H1 2014: £56.4 million), plus depreciation of £13.8 million (H1 2014: £13.9 million) plus loss on sale of plant and machinery of nil (H1 2014: £0.1 million), less the increase in working capital of £10.1 million (H1 2014: £21.4 million) less the decrease in provisions (excluding restructuring) and employee benefits of £6.7 million (H1 2014: £6.5 million) |
Group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA") |
Operating profit before specific adjusting items, restructuring costs and other one-off items, depreciation and amortisation of intangible assets |
Group earnings before interest, tax and amortisation ("EBITA") |
Operating profit before specific adjusting items, restructuring costs and other one-off items and amortisation of intangible assets |
|
|
Group underlying operating profit |
Operating profit of £57.5 million (H1 2014: £50.0 million) before amortisation of intangibles of £3.6 million (H1 2014: £4.3 million) |
Net debt |
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings, bank overdrafts less cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
Restructuring costs and other one-off items |
Include the costs of restructuring activity, gain on disposal of property and acquisition-related costs |
|
|
Return on operating capital employed ("ROCE") |
Group underlying operating profit for the last 12 months divided by the sum of working capital (which excludes pension liability and provisions) and the net book value of tangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets are excluded |
Unallocated costs |
Includes plc costs (e.g. Report & Accounts, AGM, Non-Executive Directors) and Group management costs (e.g. Corporate head office rent, utilities, staff etc.) |
Underlying earnings per share ("EPS") |
Basic earnings per share of 11.4 pence (H1 2014: 8.4 pence) adjusted to exclude specific adjusting items of 0 pence (H1 2014: 0.7 pence) and amortisation of 1.2 pence (H1 2014: 1.5 pence) |
Underlying profit before tax ("PBT") |
Operating profit of £57.5 million (H1 2014: £50.0 million) before amortisation of intangibles of £3.6 million (H1 2014: £4.3 million), plus share of profit from associate £0.2 million (H1 2014: nil) less net financing costs of £8.5 million (H1 2014: £10.5 million) |
Working capital (as used in the ROCE calculation) |
Working capital as used in the calculation of ROCE is the sum of inventories, £130.9 million (H1 2014: £124.1 million), trade and other receivables, £186.5 million (H1 2014: £188.4 million), net derivative financial assets, £3.1 million (H1 2014: £1.8 million), trade and other payables, £(179.9) million (H1 2014: £(168.5) million) less tax accruals £(20.7) million (H1 2014: £(22.9) million), plus the net of deferred consideration, third party dividends payable and other sundry items, £(0.6) million (H1 2014: £(1.6) million) |