EANS-News: Semperit AG Holding
Very weak operating Q1 2017 result expected /
Semperit suspends outlook
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings Forecast The operating business development of the Semperit Group is expected to lead to a very weak result in the first quarter of 2017. This was largely impacted by the adverse trend of raw materials prices, which we managed to pass on to customers only partially and with a time lag. The Management Board of Semperit came today to the conclusion that out of this market development a considerable negative impact on operating earnings compared with the previous year can also be expected for the next months to come. The adjusted EBIT for the 2017 financial year (without one-off effects from the joint venture transaction) will therefore be significantly below the adjusted EBIT of 2016 (EUR 41 million after deduction of the earnings contribution from the Thai SSC / Siam Sempermed Corporation Ltd.). CFO Frank Gumbinger: "Over the last few weeks, we have done a thorough analysis of the current business development and the segments. During this process, we have identified a number of construction sites, which are now on top of our agenda." In the course of the current revision of the planning process for 2017, the Management Board has come to the conclusion today that the long-term earnings outlook forthe Sempermed segment (Medical Sector) must be subjected to a critical review compared with the previous assessment. This might result in a significant impairment in the Sempermed segment. While the Semperit Group continues to pursue organic growth in future, the focus will be increasingly on enhancing profitability. A lot of work has to be done for this, which includes measures to increase efficiency and a review of the IT strategy. This might lead to significant one-off charges in the next quarters. These developments have prompted the Management Board to change the outlook for 2017. Due to limited visibility and the number of issues mentioned above, the outlook for 2017 has been suspended. Therefore, a specific guidance range cannot be provided. As communicated on 10 March 2017, Semperit is expecting unchanged significant positive effects from the joint venture transaction, which will affect earnings in the first quarter of 2017.Due to the high inflow of cash from the joint venture transaction, net debt was reduced by more than EUR 150 million by the end of March 2017 (compared with the end of December 2016). In addition, after the closing of the joint venture transaction a dividend of EUR 0.70 per share can also be proposed to the Annual General Meeting. CFO Frank Gumbinger: "We would like to use the next few months to identify further potentials to make the Group profitable on a sustainable basis. As soon as there is better visibility after our current review we will inform about further progress." About Semperit The publicly listed company Semperit AG Holding is an internationally-oriented group that develops, produces, and sells highly specialised rubber and plastic products in more than 100 countries for the medical and industrial sectors: examination and surgical gloves, hydraulic and industrial hoses, conveyor belts, escalator handrails, construction profiles, cable car rings, and products for railway superstructures. The headquarters of this traditional Austrian company, which was founded in 1824, are located in Vienna. The Semperit Group employs around 7,000 people worldwide, including close to 3,900 in Asia and more than 800 in Austria (Vienna and production site in Wimpassing, Lower Austria). The group has 22 manufacturing facilities worldwide and numerous sales offices in Europe, Asia, Australia and America. In 2016, the group generated sales of EUR 852 million and EBITDA of EUR 78 million. Further inquiry note: Martina Büchele Group Communications Manager Tel.: +43 676 8715 8621 martina.buechele@semperitgroup.com Stefan Marin Head of Investor Relations Tel.: +43 676 8715 8210 stefan.marin@semperitgroup.com end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- company: Semperit AG Holding Modecenterstrasse 22 A-1030 Wien phone: +43 1 79 777-210 FAX: +43 1 79 777-602 WWW: www.semperitgroup.com sector: Synthetics & Plastics ISIN: AT0000785555 indexes: WBI, ATX Prime, ViDX, Prime Market, ATX GP stockmarkets: official market: Wien language: English
Original content of: Semperit AG Holding, transmitted by news aktuell