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Mon 2 Aug 2010, 9:15 SAP - Sappi Limited - 3rd Quarter results for the period ended June 2010
SAP
SAVVI                                                                           
SAP - Sappi Limited - 3rd Quarter results for the period ended June 2010        
Sappi Limited                                                                   
(Registration number 1936/008963/06)                                            
Issuer Code: SAVVI                                                              
JSE Code: SAP                                                                   
ISIN: ZAE000006284                                                              
3rd Quarter results for the period ended June 2010                              
3rd Quarter results                                                             
Financial summary for the quarter                                               
EPS of 12 US cents (favourably impacted by 10 US cents special items); Q3       
 2009: loss of 12 US cents per share (unfavourably impacted by 2 US cents       
special items)                                                                 
Operating profit excluding special items US$75 million; Q3 2009:                
 US$13 million loss                                                             
Demand continued to improve                                                     
Prices for coated woodfree paper increased                                      
Prices of raw material inputs increased                                         
Liquidity strong                                                                
                                                  Quarter ended                 
Jun 2010     Mar 2010     Jun 2009      
Key figures: (US$ million)                                                      
Sales                                       1,602        1,576        1,316     
Operating profit (loss)                       154           28          (7)     
Special items - (gains) losses 1             (79)           26          (6)     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items 2                                75           54         (13)     
EBITDA excluding special items 3              176          156           93     
Basic earnings (loss) per share                                                 
(US cents)                                     12          (6)         (12)     
Net debt 4                                  2,337        2,429        2,770     
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit (loss) to sales              9.6          1.8        (0.5)     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items to sales                        4.7          3.4        (1.0)     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items to                                                                
Capital Employed (ROCE)                       7.3          5.1        (1.1)     
EBITDA excluding special                                                        
items to sales                               11.0          9.9          7.1     
Return on average equity (ROE) 5             15.0        (7.3)       (12.7)     
Net debt to total capitalisation 5           57.6         59.1         57.5     
                                                        Nine months ended       
                                                     Jun 2010     Jun 2009      
Key figures: (US$ million)                                                      
Sales                                                    4,798        3,816     
Operating profit (loss)                                    183           56     
Special items - (gains) losses 1                            27         (61)     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items 2                                            210          (5)     
EBITDA excluding special items 3                           525          281     
Basic earnings (loss) per share                                                 
(US cents)                                                 (3)         (16)     
Net debt 4                                               2,337        2,770     
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit (loss) to sales                           3.8          1.5     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items to sales                                     4.4        (0.1)     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items to                                                                
Capital Employed (ROCE)                                    6.6        (0.2)     
EBITDA excluding special                                                        
items to sales                                            10.9          7.4     
Return on average equity (ROE) 5                         (1.4)        (5.4)     
Net debt to total capitalisation 5                        57.6         57.5     
1 Refer to details on special items.                                            
2 Refer to note 9 to the group results for the reconciliation of                
operating profit excluding special items to operating profit (loss).            
3 Refer to note 9 to the group results for the reconciliation of                
EBITDA excluding special items to profit (loss) before taxation.                
4 Refer to  Supplemental Information for the reconciliation of net debt         
to interest-bearing borrowings.                                                 
5 Refer to Supplemental Information for the definition of the term.             
The table above has not been audited or reviewed.                               
Commentary on the quarter                                                       
Demand for our products continued to grow during the quarter and the financial  
performance of the group improved significantly compared to a year ago and also 
improved compared to the previous quarter. The North American business          
performed strongly during the quarter and there was a significant improvement   
in the southern African results. Despite increasing prices for coated fine      
paper, the performance of our European business has been constrained by an 18%  
increase in variable costs compared to a year ago, largely due to pulp price    
increases.                                                                      
Sales increased to US$1.6 billion, up 22% compared to a year earlier and up 2%  
compared to the March quarter.                                                  
Average prices realised by the group were 4% higher than a year ago in US       
dollar terms. Coated woodfree paper prices increased in Europe during the       
quarter. In addition, the southern African and North American businesses were   
favourably impacted by higher pulp prices. As an example, the NBSK pulp price   
increased to US$976 per ton at the end of June, an increase of US$87 per ton    
since March.                                                                    
Variable costs for the group increased as a result of higher input prices,      
particularly pulp and wood costs in both Europe and North America. Fixed costs, 
however, were 5% lower than the prior quarter.                                  
The synergies achieved from the European Acquisition have reached our announced 
level of EUR120 million of synergies per annum, ahead of the target date of     
2011.                                                                           
Special items for the quarter amounted to a gain of US$79 million, which mainly 
comprised a plantation fair value gain of US$108 million and a charge of US$23  
million in respect of the Black Economic Empowerment transaction approved by    
shareholders in April. Although the plantation fair value adjustment is large   
for the quarter, it is only US$2 million for the year to date. With effect from 
this quarter we have applied a refined estimate of fair value which we expect to
more accurately reflect the long-term value of the plantations (see Note 3).    
Operating profit excluding special items was US$75 million for the quarter, a   
substantial improvement compared to the US$13 million loss a year ago and an    
improvement on the March quarter. Including special items, operating profit was 
US$154 million, compared to a loss of US$7 million in the equivalent quarter    
last year.                                                                      
Net finance costs of US$57 million were US$5 million lower than in the prior    
quarter as a result of foreign currency exchange movements and the repayment of 
US$235 million of long-term debt out of cash in the last two quarters.          
Earnings per share for the quarter were 12 US cents (including a gain of 10 US  
cents in respect of special items), compared to a loss of 12 US cents           
(including a loss of 2 US cents in respect of special items) a year ago.        
Cash flow and debt                                                              
Cash generated from operations was US$188 million for the quarter, which was    
higher than the US$77 million a year ago largely due to improved profitability. 
Net cash generated (after investing activities) for the quarter was US$24       
million, which was lower than the US$106 million a year ago, primarily as a     
result of the working capital movements reflecting sales growth and finance     
costs paid, which had been much lower in the equivalent period last year.       
Finance costs paid in the equivalent period last year were reduced by the US$55 
million benefit of unwinding fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps. Capital     
expenditure for the quarter was US$41 million and year to date was US$130       
million. This is in line with our aim to limit capital expenditure for the full 
year to approximately US$200 million.                                           
Net debt decreased to US$2.3 billion for the quarter as a result of cash        
generated and currency movements. An early repayment of EUR80 million           
(US$99 million), comprising the December 2010 instalment of the EUR400          
million OekB loan was made during the quarter. Liquidity remains strong         
and cash and cash equivalents were US$534 million at the end of the quarter.    
The EUR209 million (US$259 million) revolving credit facility remains undrawn.  
Operating Review for the Quarter                                                
Sappi Fine Paper                                                                
                        Quarter         Quarter                    Quarter      
ended           ended                      ended      
                      June 2010       June 2009          %      March 2010      
                    US$ million     US$ million     change     US$ million      
Sales                      1,220           1,020         20           1,208     
Operating profit              36              24         50              50     
Operating profit to                                                             
sales (%)                    3.0             2.4         25             4.1     
Special items -                                                                 
losses (gains)                 1            (33)          -             (7)     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items                 37             (9)          -              43     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items to sales (%)   3.0           (0.9)          -             3.6     
EBITDA excluding                                                                
special items                110              75         47             120     
EBITDA excluding special                                                        
items to sales (%)           9.0             7.4         23             9.9     
RONOA pa (%)                 4.8           (1.0)          -             5.3     
The Fine Paper business achieved an operating profit excluding special items of 
US$37 million for the quarter compared to a loss of US$9 million a year ago,    
due to a continued good performance from North America and a gradual            
improvement of the European business as a result of higher sales volumes and    
prices, largely offset, however, by the increase in pulp and other input costs. 
Europe                                                                          
                                        Quarter         Quarter                 
                                          ended           ended          %      
June 2010       June 2009     change      
                                    US$ million     US$ million      (US$)      
Sales                                        873             729         20     
Operating profit                              11               -          -     
Operating profit to sales (%)                1.3               -          -     
Special items - losses (gains)                 2               4          -     
Operating profit excluding special items      13               4        225     
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales (%)                   1.5             0.5        171     
EBITDA excluding special items                68              62         10     
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)  7.8             8.5          -     
RONOA pa (%)                                 2.5             0.7        276     
Quarter      
                                                         %           ended      
                                                    change      March 2010      
                                                    (Euro)     US$ million      
Sales                                                    26             866     
Operating profit                                          -               9     
Operating profit to sales (%)                             -             1.0     
Special items - losses (gains)                            -             (5)     
Operating profit excluding special items                241               4     
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales (%)                              170             0.5     
EBITDA excluding special items                           17              64     
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)               -             7.4     
RONOA pa (%)                                            272             0.7     
The European business` coated paper shipments continued to grow during the      
quarter. European industry coated woodfree paper shipments increased by 18%,    
comprising a 10% increase in shipments to Europe and a 55% increase in exports  
from Europe compared to a year ago.                                             
Our prices for coated woodfree paper were increased in April, and again in      
June, but to date these increases have only partly offset the effect of the     
increase in pulp prices and other input cost increases on our margins. Prices   
for coated mechanical paper did not increase during the quarter. Further        
selling price increases are required in order to achieve reasonable margins.    
Average prices realised in Euro for the quarter were flat compared to the       
equivalent quarter last year and 6% up compared to the prior quarter in Euro    
terms.                                                                          
North America                                                                   
                        Quarter         Quarter                    Quarter      
ended           ended                      ended      
                      June 2010       June 2009          %      March 2010      
                    US$ million     US$ million     change     US$ million      
Sales                        347             291         19             342     
Operating profit              25              24          4              41     
Operating profit to                                                             
sales (%)                    7.2             8.2          -            12.0     
Special items - (gains)      (1)            (37)          -             (2)     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items                 24            (13)          -              39     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items to sales (%)   6.9           (4.5)          -            11.4     
EBITDA excluding                                                                
special items                 42              13        223              56     
EBITDA excluding special                                                        
items to sales (%)          12.1             4.5        171            16.4     
RONOA pa (%)                10.0           (4.9)          -            16.0     
The North American business continued to improve its performance as a result of 
strengthening demand, good operating rates and improving pulp prices. Demand    
levels continued to improve and US industry shipments of coated woodfree paper  
for the quarter increased by 31% compared to a year ago.                        
After more than a year of declining coated paper prices in the North American   
market, prices started to rise during the quarter. Prices realised for coated   
paper were 7% below a year ago, and were flat compared to the prior quarter. We 
announced price increases on coated woodfree paper reels and certain sheet      
grades during the quarter. Pulp prices continued to increase during the         
quarter.                                                                        
Well controlled cost levels, a strong performance in the speciality business    
and strong market pulp results continued in the quarter. The decline in         
operating profit compared to the March quarter was driven by the timing of      
major planned maintenance.                                                      
Southern Africa - Forest and Paper Products                                     
                                        Quarter         Quarter                 
                                          ended           ended          %      
June 2010       June 2009     change      
                                    US$ million     US$ million      (US$)      
Sales                                        382             296         29     
Operating profit (loss)                      118            (31)          -     
Operating profit (loss) to sales (%)        30.9          (10.5)          -     
Special items - (gains) losses              (83)              20          -     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items                                 35            (11)          -     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items to sales (%)                   9.2           (3.7)          -     
EBITDA excluding special items                62              11        464     
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%) 16.2             3.7        337     
RONOA pa (%)                                 7.9           (2.4)          -     
                                                                   Quarter      
                                                         %           ended      
                                                    change      March 2010      
(Rand)     US$ million      
Sales                                                    14             368     
Operating profit (loss)                                   -             (4)     
Operating profit (loss) to sales (%)                      -           (1.1)     
Special items - (gains) losses                            -              16     
Operating profit (loss) excluding special items           -              12     
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items to sales (%)                                -             3.3     
EBITDA excluding special items                          396              37     
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)             337            10.1     
RONOA pa (%)                                              -             2.7     
The performance of the southern African business improved significantly in the  
quarter compared to the equivalent quarter last year and the prior quarter      
driven partly by improved pulp prices. Average NBSK pulp prices in the quarter  
were 60% higher than the equivalent quarter last year and 12% higher than the   
prior quarter. An eighteen day harbours and railways strike during the quarter  
resulted in delayed shipments, unfavourably impacting sales volumes by 15,000   
tons.                                                                           
The chemical cellulose business achieved higher output from the Saiccor Mill    
and benefited from increased product prices. In the domestic market demand for  
packaging paper was strong, as it was in the international markets where prices 
were also increasing. However, although demand for coated paper improved,       
demand for other fine paper and newsprint was weak.                             
Directorate                                                                     
Mr Valli Moosa, a Director of Sappi`s Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment    
Partner, Lereko Limited, has been appointed a non-executive director of Sappi   
Limited with effect from 1 August 2010.                                         
Outlook                                                                         
Although demand in most of our markets has continued growing, our outlook       
remains cautious in light of ongoing uncertainty in global economies and demand 
levels.                                                                         
In Europe, prices for coated woodfree paper have risen twice since April 2010   
and we have announced further increases of at least 7% from September 2010,     
which we believe are necessary to start restoring margins. Prices for coated    
mechanical paper started to rise in July 2010 but remain low. North American    
prices for coated paper are also increasing gradually.                          
The rate of increase of pulp prices started flattening in the latter part of the
quarter and we expect a period of softer pulp prices over the next few months.  
Demand for our products in Europe is expected to further accelerate in the      
fourth financial quarter, and our European order books are firm. Order books in 
our other businesses have lengthened.                                           
The costs of our non-pulp raw material inputs have started increasing and we    
are actively managing our processes to minimise the impact of such increases.   
We expect that pulp input costs will continue to affect the performance of our  
European business.                                                              
Under current market conditions, we expect operating profit (excluding special  
items) as well as net cash generation to continue to improve in our fourth      
financial quarter.                                                              
On behalf of the board                                                          
R J Boettger                                   M R Thompson                     
Director                                       Director           2 August 2010 
sappi limited                                                                   
(Registration number 1936/008963/06)                                            
Issuer Code: SAVVI                                                              
JSE Code: SAP                                                                   
ISIN: ZAE000006284                                                              
Forward-looking statements                                                      
Certain statements in this release that are neither reported financial results  
nor other historical information, are forward-looking statements, including but 
not limited to statements that are predictions of or indicate future earnings,  
savings, synergies, events, trends, plans or objectives. The words `believe`,   
`anticipate`, `expect`, `intend`, `estimate`, `plan`, `assume`, `positioned`,   
`will`, `may`, `should`, `risk` and other similar expressions, which are        
predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, which do not relate 
to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. Undue reliance      
should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are      
subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by     
other factors that could cause actual results and company plans and objectives  
to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking     
statements (or from past results). Such risks, uncertainties and factors        
include, but are not limited to, the impact of the global economic downturn,    
the risk that the European Acquisition ("Acquisition") will not be integrated   
successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or       
costly than expected, expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the      
Acquisition may not be fully realised or realised within the expected           
time-frame, revenues following the Acquisition may be lower than expected, any  
anticipated benefits from the consolidation of the European paper business may  
not be achieved, the highly cyclical nature of the pulp and paper industry (and 
the factors that contribute to such cyclicality, such as levels of demand,      
production capacity, production, input costs including raw material, energy and 
employee costs, and pricing), adverse changes in the markets for the group`s    
products, consequences of substantial leverage, including as a result of        
adverse changes in credit markets that affect our ability to raise capital when 
needed, changing regulatory requirements, possible early termination of         
alternative fuel tax credits, unanticipated production disruptions (including   
as a result of planned or unexpected power outages), economic and political     
conditions in international markets, the impact of investments, acquisitions    
and dispositions (including related financing), any delays, unexpected costs or 
other problems experienced with integrating acquisitions and achieving expected 
savings and synergies and currency fluctuations. We undertake no obligation to  
publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to   
reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.         
We have included in this announcement an estimate of total synergies from the   
Acquisition and the integration of the acquired business into our existing      
business. The estimate of synergies is based on assumptions which in the view   
of our management were prepared on a reasonable basis, reflect the best         
currently available estimates and judgements, and present, to the best of our   
management`s knowledge and belief, the expected course of action and the        
expected future financial impact on our performance due to the Acquisition.     
However, the assumptions about these expected synergies are inherently          
uncertain and, though considered reasonable by management as of the date of     
preparation, are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic    
and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to      
differ materially from those contained in this estimate of synergies. There can 
be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement the strategic or 
operational initiatives that are intended, or realise the estimated synergies.  
This synergy estimate is not a profit forecast or a profit estimate and should  
not be treated as such or relied on by shareholders or prospective investors to 
calculate the likely level of profits or losses for Sappi.                      
Group income statement                                                          
                                                                  Reviewed      
                                                   Quarter         Quarter      
ended           ended      
                                                  Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
                                      Note     US$ million     US$ million      
Sales                                                 1,602           1,316     
Cost of sales                                         1,314           1,272     
Gross profit                                            288              44     
Selling, general and administrative expenses            108              90     
Other operating expense (income)                         29            (31)     
Share of profit from                                                            
associates and joint ventures                           (3)             (8)     
Operating profit (loss) 3                               154             (7)     
Net finance costs                                        57              70     
Net interest                                             68              44     
Net foreign exchange gains                              (7)             (1)     
Net fair value (gain) loss on financial instruments     (4)              27     
Profit (loss) before taxation                            97            (77)     
Taxation                                                 33            (15)     
Current                                                 (2)               3     
Deferred                                                 35            (18)     
Profit (loss) for the period                             64            (62)     
Basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents)               12            (12)     
Weighted average number of                                                      
shares in issue (millions)                            516.0           515.8     
Diluted basic earnings (loss)                                                   
per share (US cents)                                     12            (12)     
Weighted average number of shares on fully                                      
diluted basis (millions)                              529.4           515.8     
                                                                  Reviewed      
Nine months     Nine months      
                                                     ended           ended      
                                                  Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
                                               US$ million     US$ million      
Sales                                                 4,798           3,816     
Cost of sales                                         4,288           3,510     
Gross profit                                            510             306     
Selling, general and administrative expenses            329             273     
Other operating expense (income)                          9            (17)     
Share of profit from                                                            
associates and joint ventures                          (11)             (6)     
Operating profit (loss) 3                               183              56     
Net finance costs                                       192             131     
Net interest                                            226             116     
Net foreign exchange gains                             (16)            (12)     
Net fair value (gain) loss on                                                   
financial instruments                                  (18)              27     
Profit (loss) before taxation                           (9)            (75)     
Taxation                                                  9             (1)     
Current                                                   1               7     
Deferred                                                  8             (8)     
Profit (loss) for the period                           (18)            (74)     
Basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents)              (3)            (16)     
Weighted average number of                                                      
shares in issue (millions)                            515.7           471.5     
Diluted basic earnings (loss)                                                   
per share (US cents)                                    (3)            (16)     
Weighted average number of shares on fully                                      
diluted basis (millions)                              515.7           471.5     
Group statement of comprehensive income                                         
                                  Reviewed                        Reviewed      
                   Quarter         Quarter     Nine months     Nine months      
ended           ended           ended           ended      
                  Jun 2010        Jun 2009        Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
               US$ million     US$ million     US$ million     US$ million      
Profit (loss)                                                                   
for the period           64            (62)            (18)            (74)     
Other comprehensive                                                             
(loss) income,                                                                  
net of tax             (54)             244            (78)            (43)     
Exchange differences                                                            
on translation of                                                               
foreign operations     (43)             243            (69)            (44)     
Movements in                                                                    
hedging reserves       (11)               -             (9)               -     
Movement on                                                                     
available for                                                                   
sale financial assets     -               1               -               1     
Deferred tax effects                                                            
on above                  -               -               -               -     
Total comprehensive                                                             
income (loss)                                                                   
for the period           10             182            (96)           (117)     
Group balance sheet                                                             
                                                                  Reviewed      
                                                  Jun 2010       Sept 2009      
US$ million     US$ million      
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                    4,310           4,867     
Property, plant and equipment                         3,424           3,934     
Plantations                                             550             611     
Deferred taxation                                        49              56     
Other non-current assets                                287             266     
Current assets                                        2,250           2,430     
Inventories                                             795             792     
Trade and other receivables                             846             868     
Cash and cash equivalents                               534             770     
Assets held for sale                                     75               -     
Total assets                                          6,560           7,297     
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Shareholders` equity                                                            
Ordinary shareholders` interest                       1,719           1,794     
Non-current liabilities                               3,099           3,662     
Interest-bearing borrowings                           2,253           2,726     
Deferred taxation                                       348             355     
Other non-current liabilities                           498             581     
Current liabilities                                   1,742           1,841     
Interest-bearing borrowings                             597             601     
Bank overdraft                                           21              19     
Other current liabilities                             1,062           1,165     
Taxation payable                                         43              56     
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale         19               -     
Total equity and liabilities                          6,560           7,297     
Number of shares in issue at balance sheet date                                 
(millions)                                            519.5           515.7     
Group cash flow statement                                                       
                                                                  Reviewed      
                                                   Quarter         Quarter      
ended           ended      
                                                  Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
                                               US$ million     US$ million      
Profit (loss) for the period                             64            (62)     
Adjustment for:                                                                 
Depreciation, fellings and amortisation                 116             125     
Taxation                                                 33            (15)     
Net finance costs                                        57              70     
Post-employment benefits                               (15)            (13)     
Plantation fair value adjustment                      (108)              25     
Other non-cash items                                     41            (53)     
Cash generated from operations                          188              77     
Movement in working capital                            (84)              93     
Net finance costs                                      (35)               -     
Taxation paid                                           (4)             (3)     
Dividends paid                                            -               -     
Cash retained from operating activities                 65              167     
Cash utilised in investing activities                  (41)            (61)     
Capital expenditure and other                                                   
non-current assets                                     (41)            (59)     
Acquisition                                               -             (2)     
Net cash generated (utilised)                            24             106     
Cash effects of financing activities                  (179)            (57)     
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents             (155)              49     
Reviewed      
                                               Nine months     Nine months      
                                                     ended           ended      
                                                  Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
US$ million     US$ million      
Profit (loss) for the period                           (18)            (74)     
Adjustment for:                                                                 
Depreciation, fellings and amortisation                 365             336     
Taxation                                                  9             (1)     
Net finance costs                                       192             131     
Post-employment benefits                               (48)            (32)     
Plantation fair value adjustment                        (2)            (44)     
Other non-cash items                                     57            (45)     
Cash generated from operations                          555             271     
Movement in working capital                           (186)              25     
Net finance costs                                     (128)            (54)     
Taxation paid                                           (8)             (5)     
Dividends paid                                            -            (37)     
Cash retained from operating activities                233              200     
Cash utilised in investing activities                 (130)           (726)     
Capital expenditure and other                                                   
non-current assets                                    (130)           (138)     
Acquisition                                               -           (588)     
Net cash generated (utilised)                           103           (526)     
Cash effects of financing activities                  (244)             979     
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents             (141)             453     
Group statement of changes in equity                                            
                                                                  Reviewed      
Nine months     Nine months      
                                                     ended           ended      
                                                  Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
                                               US$ million     US$ million      
Balance - beginning of period                         1,794           1,605     
Total comprehensive loss for the period                (96)           (117)     
Dividends paid                                            -            (37)     
Rights offer                                              -             575     
Costs directly attributable to the rights offer         (5)            (31)     
Issue of new shares                                      19              45     
Transfers (to) from the share purchase trust            (6)               2     
Share-based payment reserve                              13               7     
Balance - end of period                               1,719           2,049     
Notes to the group results                                                      
1. Basis of preparation                                                         
The condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with        
International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting and the AC    
500 standards as issued by the Accounting Practices Board in South Africa.      
Apart from the adoption of IFRS 8 "Operating Segments", the accounting policies 
and methods of computation used in the preparation of the results are           
consistent, in all material respects, with those used in the annual financial   
statements for September 2009 which are compliant with International Financial  
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards  
Board. The results are unaudited.                                               
2. Adoption of IFRS 8 "Operating Segments"                                      
The adoption of IFRS 8 "Operating Segments" did not have an impact on the       
group`s reported results or financial position.                                 
IFRS 8 requires an entity to report financial and descriptive information about 
its reportable segments. Reportable segments are components of an entity for    
which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly   
by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding how to allocate resources and 
assessing performance. Prior year segment disclosure has been restated as       
reflected in note 9.                                                            
                                                                  Reviewed      
                                                   Quarter         Quarter      
                                                     ended           ended      
Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
                                               US$ million     US$ million      
3. Operating profit                                                             
Included in operating profit are                                                
the following non-cash items:                                                   
Depreciation and amortisation                           101             106     
Fair value adjustment on plantations                                            
(included in cost of sales)                                                     
Changes in volume                                                               
Fellings                                                 15              19     
Growth                                                 (15)            (20)     
                                                         -             (1)      
Plantation price fair value                                                     
adjustment (1)                                        (108)              25     
                                                    (108)               24      
Included in other operating expense (income)                                    
are the following:                                                              
Asset impairments (impairment reversals)                  1               1     
Loss (profit) on disposal of property,                                          
plant and equipment                                       -               -     
Profit on disposal of investment                          -               -     
Restructuring provisions raised                           5               2     
Integration costs                                         -               3     
BEE charge                                               23               -     
Fuel tax credit                                           -            (37)     
                                                                  Reviewed      
                                               Nine months     Nine months      
                                                     ended           ended      
Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
                                               US$ million     US$ million      
3. Operating profit                                                             
Included in operating profit are                                                
the following non-cash items:                                                   
Depreciation and amortisation                           315             286     
Fair value adjustment on plantations                                            
(included in cost of sales)                                                     
Changes in volume                                                               
Fellings                                                 50              50     
Growth                                                 (48)            (52)     
                                                         2             (2)      
Plantation price fair value                                                     
adjustment (1)                                          (2)            (44)     
                                                        -             (46)      
Included in other operating expense (income)                                    
are the following:                                                              
Asset impairments (impairment reversals)               (12)               6     
Loss (profit) on disposal of property,                                          
plant and equipment                                       1             (1)     
Profit on disposal of investment                        (1)               -     
Restructuring provisions raised                          46              10     
Integration costs                                         -               3     
BEE charge                                               23               -     
Fuel tax credit                                        (51)            (37)     
(1) In the third quarter of fiscal 2010 the group changed the estimates used to 
derive the prices of timber that are used to calculate the fair value of its    
plantations. The change impacts the estimate of the expected future cash flows  
that are used in calculating the present value of mature and immature timber    
except for the timber that is expected to be felled in the next 12 months from  
balance sheet date. Before the change, Sappi used period end spot prices to     
estimate the fair value of the above timber; the group now uses a 12 quarter    
rolling average price, as this reflects the fair value of the plantations more  
accurately. This change has increased the value of plantations by US$28         
million.                                                                        
                                  Reviewed                        Reviewed      
Quarter         Quarter     Nine months     Nine months      
                     ended           ended           ended           ended      
                  Jun 2010        Jun 2009        Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
               US$ million     US$ million     US$ million     US$ million      
4. Headline  earnings                                                           
(loss) per share *                                                              
Headline earnings                                                               
(loss) per share                                                                
(US cents)               13            (12)             (6)            (15)     
Weighted average                                                                
number of shares                                                                
in issue (millions)   516.0           515.8           515.7           471.5     
Diluted  headline                                                               
earnings (loss)                                                                 
per share (US cents)     12            (12)             (6)            (15)     
Weighted average                                                                
number of shares on                                                             
fully diluted basis                                                             
(millions)            529.4           515.8           515.7           471.5     
Calculation of headline                                                         
earnings (loss)*                                                                
Profit (loss)                                                                   
for the period           64            (62)            (18)            (74)     
Asset impairments                                                               
(impairment reversals)    1               1            (12)               6     
Loss (profit) on                                                                
disposal of property,                                                           
plant and equipment       -               -               1             (1)     
Profit on disposal                                                              
of investment             -               -             (1)               -     
Tax effect of                                                                   
above items               -               -               -               -     
Headline earnings (loss) 65            (61)            (30)            (69)     
*Headline earnings                                                              
disclosure is required                                                          
by the JSE Limited.                                                             
5. Capital expenditure                                                          
Property, plant                                                                 
and equipment            42              54             120             147     
                                                  Jun 2010       Sept 2009      
US$ million     US$ million      
6. Capital commitments                                                          
Contracted                                               62              62     
Approved but not contracted                             135             126     
197             188      
7. Contingent liabilities                                                       
Guarantees and suretyships                               43              44     
Other contingent liabilities                             8                8     
51              52      
With the cessation of production at the Usutu Pulp Mill, Sappi is undertaking   
an environmental assessment to determine whether there are any potential        
environmental obligations at the site. The nature and amount of any such        
obligations cannot be measured reliably until the assessments have been         
completed.                                                                      
8. Material balance sheet movements year on year                                
Transfers to assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held   
for sale                                                                        
With the cessation of production at the Usutu Pulp Mill, the assets             
and the liabilities forming part of this disposal group, consisting mainly of   
plantations, have been classified as held for sale.                             
Early repayment of interest-bearing borrowings                                  
An early repayment of the first instalment on a syndicated loan with            
Osterreichische Kontrollbank of EUR80 million (US$99 million), due in December  
2010, was made in June 2010.                                                    
An amount of US$29 million of our 7.5% Guaranteed Notes due 2032 was            
repurchased in the open market during the quarter for US$24 million.            
9. Segment information                                                          
Restatement of prior year disclosures                                           
Sappi Fine Paper South Africa is now reported as part of the Forest and Paper   
Products segment in accordance with the geographical management of our          
business. The table below shows the effect of this change for the quarter and   
nine months ended June 2009:                                                    
Restated                   
                                                  Quarter ended                 
                                                    Jun 2009                    
                                                  US$ million                   
As previously                                  
                                      reported     Adjustment     Restated      
Fine Paper                                                                      
Sales                                     1,098           (78)        1,020     
Operating profit                             19              5           24     
Net operating assets                      3,715          (205)        3,510     
Forest and Paper Products - Pulp                                                
and paper operations                                                            
Sales                                       204             78          282     
Operating profit                           (26)            (5)         (31)     
Net operating assets                      1,790            205        1,995     
                                                     Restated                   
Nine months ended               
                                                     Jun 2009                   
                                                   US$ million                  
                                 As previously                                  
reported     Adjustment     Restated      
Fine Paper                                                                      
Sales                                     3,208          (226)        2,982     
Operating profit                           (16)              1         (15)     
Net operating assets                      3,715          (205)        3,510     
Forest and Paper Products - Pulp                                                
and paper operations                                                            
Sales                                       567            226          793     
Operating profit                             71            (1)           70     
Net operating assets                      1,790            205        1,995     
The information below is presented in the way that it is reviewed by the chief  
operating decision-maker as required by IFRS 8 "Operating Segments".            
Restated                        Restated      
                                  Reviewed                        Reviewed      
                 Quarter           Quarter     Nine months     Nine months      
                   ended             ended           ended           ended      
Jun 2010          Jun 2009        Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
             Metric tons       Metric tons     Metric tons     Metric tons      
                 (000`s)           (000`s)         (000`s)         (000`s)      
Sales volume                                                                    
Fine Paper -                                                                    
North America         335               300           1,002             919     
Europe                939               746           2,802           2,061     
Total               1,274             1,046           3,804           2,980     
Forest and                                                                      
Paper                                                                           
Products -                                                                      
Pulp and paper                                                                  
operations            416               425           1,291           1,190     
Forestry operations   292               218             704             649     
Total               1,982             1,689           5,799           4,819     
             US$ million       US$ million     US$ million     US$ million      
Sales                                                                           
Fine Paper -                                                                    
North America         347               291           1,009             955     
Europe                873               729           2,675           2,027     
Total               1,220             1,020           3,684           2,982     
Forest and Paper                                                                
Products -                                                                      
Pulp and paper                                                                  
operations            361               282           1,062             793     
Forestry operations    21                14              52              41     
Total               1,602             1,316           4,798           3,816     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items                                                                   
Fine Paper -                                                                    
North America          24              (13)              82            (36)     
Europe                 13                 4              42             (4)     
Total                  37               (9)             124            (40)     
Forest and Paper                                                                
Products               35              (11)              76              27     
Corporate and other     3                 7              10               8     
Total                  75              (13)             210             (5)     
Special items                                                                   
- (gains) losses                                                                
Fine Paper -                                                                    
North America         (1)              (37)            (51)            (29)     
Europe                  2                 4              10               4     
Total                   1              (33)            (41)            (25)     
Forest and Paper                                                                
Products             (83)                20              48            (43)     
Corporate and other     3                 7              20               7     
Total                 (79)               (6)              27            (61)    
Operating profit                                                                
(loss)                                                                          
Fine Paper -                                                                    
North America          25                24             133             (7)     
Europe                 11                 -              32             (8)     
Total                  36                24             165            (15)     
Forest and Paper                                                                
Products              118              (31)              28              70     
Corporate and other     -                 -            (10)               1     
Total                 154               (7)             183              56     
EBITDA                                                                          
excluding                                                                       
special items                                                                   
Fine Paper -                                                                    
North America          42                13             140              40     
Europe                 68                62             220             146     
Total                 110                75             360             186     
Forest and Paper                                                                
Products               62                11             154              86     
Corporate and other     4                 7              11               9     
Total                 176                93             525             281     
                                  Restated                        Restated      
                                  Reviewed                        Reviewed      
                   Quarter         Quarter     Nine months     Nine months      
ended           ended           ended           ended      
                  Jun 2010        Jun 2009        Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
               US$ million     US$ million     US$ million     US$ million      
Net operating assets                                                            
Fine Paper -                                                                    
North America           949           1,035             949           1,035     
Europe                2,070           2,475           2,070           2,475     
Total                 3,019           3,510           3,019           3,510     
Forest and                                                                      
Paper Products        1,785           1,995           1,785           1,995     
Corporate and other      49              72              49              72     
Total                 4,853           5,577           4,853           5,577     
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) excluding special items to operating  
profit (loss)                                                                   
Special items cover those items which management believe are material by nature 
or amount to the operating results and require separate disclosure.             
Such items would generally include profit or loss on disposal of property,      
investments and businesses, asset impairments, restructuring charges,           
non-recurring integration costs related to acquisitions, financial impacts of   
natural disasters, non-cash gains or losses on the price fair value adjustment  
of plantations and alternative fuel tax credits receivable in cash.             
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items            75            (13)             210             (5)     
Special items            79               6            (27)              61     
Plantation price fair                                                           
value adjustment        108            (25)               2              44     
Restructuring                                                                   
provisions raised       (5)             (2)            (46)            (10)     
(Loss) profit                                                                   
on disposal of                                                                  
property, plant and                                                             
equipment                 -               -             (1)               1     
Profit on disposal                                                              
of investment             -               -               1               -     
Asset (impairments)                                                             
impairment                                                                      
reversals               (1)             (1)              12             (6)     
Fuel tax credit           -              37              51              37     
Integration                                                                     
costs                     -             (3)               -             (3)     
BEE charge             (23)               -            (23)               -     
Insurance                                                                       
proceeds                  1               -               1               -     
Fire, flood,                                                                    
storm and                                                                       
related events          (1)               -            (24)             (2)     
Operating                                                                       
profit (loss)           154             (7)             183              56     
Reconciliation of EBITDA excluding special items and operating profit (loss)    
excluding special items to profit (loss) before taxation                        
EBITDA excluding                                                                
special items           176              93             525             281     
Depreciation and                                                                
amortisation          (101)           (106)           (315)           (286)     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items            75            (13)             210             (5)     
Special items -                                                                 
gains (losses)           79               6            (27)              61     
Net finance costs      (57)            (70)           (192)           (131)     
Profit (loss)                                                                   
before taxation          97            (77)             (9)            (75)     
Reconciliation                                                                  
of net operating                                                                
assets to total assets                                                          
Net operating assets  4,853           5,577           4,853           5,577     
Deferred tax             49              38              49              38     
Cash and cash                                                                   
equivalents             534             796             534             796     
Other current                                                                   
liabilities           1,062           1,017           1,062           1,017     
Taxation payable         43              58              43              58     
Liabilities                                                                     
associated with                                                                 
assets held for sale     19               -              19               -     
Total assets          6,560           7,486           6,560           7,486     
Supplemental Information (this information has not been reviewed)               
General definitions                                                             
Average - averages are calculated as the sum of the opening and closing         
balances for the relevant period divided by two                                 
BEE charge - Represents the IFRS 2 non-cash charge associated with the Black    
Economic Empowerment (BEE) transaction implemented as envisaged in the BEE      
legislation in South Africa                                                     
Fellings - the amount charged against the income statement representing the     
standing value of the plantations harvested                                     
NBSK - Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp. One of the main varieties of      
market pulp, produced from coniferous trees (i.e. spruce, pine) in Scandinavia, 
Canada and northern USA. The price of NBSK is a benchmark widely used in the    
pulp and paper industry for comparative purposes                                
SG&A - selling, general and administrative expenses                             
Non-GAAP measures                                                               
The group believes that it is useful to report certain non-GAAP measures for    
the following reasons:                                                          
- these measures are used by the group for internal performance analysis;       
- the presentation by the group`s reported business segments of these measures  
facilitates comparability with other companies in our industry, although the    
group`s measures may not be comparable with similarly titled profit             
measurements reported by other companies; and                                   
- it is useful in connection with discussion with the investment analyst        
community and debt rating agencies                                              
These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as   
a substitute for GAAP measures in accordance with IFRS                          
Capital employed - shareholders` equity plus net debt                           
EBITDA excluding special items - earnings before interest (net finance costs),  
taxation, depreciation, amortisation and special items                          
Headline earnings - as defined in circular 3/2009 issued by the South African   
Institute of Chartered Accountants, separates from earnings all separately      
identifiable re-measurements. It is not necessarily a measure of sustainable    
earnings. It is a listing requirement of the JSE Limited to disclose headline   
earnings per share                                                              
Net assets - total assets less total liabilities                                
Net asset value per share - net assets divided by the number of shares in issue 
at balance sheet date                                                           
Net debt - current and non-current interest-bearing borrowings and bank         
overdraft (net of cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits)               
Net debt to total capitalisation - net debt divided by capital employed         
Net operating assets - total assets (excluding deferred taxation and cash and   
cash equivalents) less current liabilities (excluding interest-bearing          
borrowings and bank overdraft)                                                  
ROCE - return on average capital employed. Operating profit excluding special   
items divided by average capital employed                                       
ROE - return on average equity. Profit for the period divided by average        
shareholders` equity                                                            
RONOA - return on average net operating assets. Operating profit excluding      
special items divided by average net operating assets                           
Special items - special items cover those items which management believe are    
material by nature or amount to the operating results and require separate      
disclosure. Such items would generally include profit or loss on disposal of    
property, investments and businesses, asset impairments, restructuring charges, 
non-recurring integration costs related to acquisitions, financial impacts of   
natural disasters, non-cash gains or losses on the price fair value adjustment  
of plantations and alternative fuel tax credits receivable in cash              
The above financial measures are presented to assist our shareholders and the   
investment community in interpreting our financial results.                     
These financial measures are regularly used and compared between companies in   
our industry.                                                                   
Supplemental Information  (this information has not been reviewed)              
Summary rand convenience translation                                            
                      Quarter      Quarter     Nine months     Nine months      
ended        ended           ended           ended      
                     Jun 2010     Jun 2009        Jun 2010        Jun 2009      
Key figures:                                                                    
(ZAR million)                                                                   
Sales                   12,147       11,344          36,278          35,949     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss)                   1,168         (60)           1,384             528     
Special items -                                                                 
(gains) losses *         (599)         (52)             204           (575)     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items *            569        (112)           1,588            (47)     
EBITDA excluding                                                                
special items *          1,334          802           3,970           2,647     
Basic earnings (loss)                                                           
per share (SA cents)        91        (103)            (23)           (151)     
Net debt *              17,820       21,880          17,820          21,880     
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) to sales            9.6        (0.5)             3.8             1.5     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items to sales     4.7        (1.0)             4.4           (0.1)     
Operating profit                                                                
(loss) excluding                                                                
special items to                                                                
Capital Employed                                                                
(ROCE) *                   7.4        (1.1)             6.7           (0.2)     
EBITDA excluding                                                                
special items to sales    11.0          7.1            10.9             7.4     
Return on average                                                               
equity (ROE)              15.1       (12.5)           (1.4)           (6.4)     
Net debt to total                                                               
capitalisation *          57.6         57.5            57.6            57.5     
* Refer to Supplemental Information for the definition of the term.             
The above financial results have been translated into ZAR from US Dollars as    
follows:                                                                        
- Assets and liabilities at rates of exchange ruling at period end; and         
- Income, expenditure and cash flow items at average exchange rates.            
Reconciliation of net debt to interest-bearing borrowings                       
Jun 2010       Sept 2009      
                                               US$ million     US$ million      
Interest-bearing borrowings                           2,871           3,346     
Non-current interest-bearing borrowings               2,253           2,726     
Current interest-bearing borrowings                     597             601     
Bank overdraft                                           21              19     
Cash and cash equivalents                             (534)           (770)     
Net debt                                              2,337           2,576     
Exchange rates                                                                  
                                                 Jun        Mar        Dec      
                                                2010       2010       2009      
Exchange rates:                                                                 
Period end rate: US$1 = ZAR                    7.6250     7.4298     7.5315     
Average rate for the Quarter: US$1 = ZAR       7.5821     7.5597     7.5009     
Average rate for the YTD: US$1 = ZAR           7.5610     7.5302     7.5009     
Period end rate: EUR 1 = US$                   1.2377     1.3413     1.4397     
Average rate for the Quarter: EUR 1 = US$      1.2937     1.3891     1.4737     
Average rate for the YTD: EUR 1 = US$          1.3845     1.4302     1.4737     
                                                           Sept        Jun      
                                                           2009       2009      
Exchange rates:                                                                 
Period end rate: US$1 = ZAR                               7.4112     7.8990     
Average rate for the Quarter: US$1 = ZAR                  7.7174     8.6197     
Average rate for the YTD: US$1 = ZAR                      9.0135     9.4205     
Period end rate: EUR 1 = US$                              1.4688     1.4054     
Average rate for the Quarter: EUR 1 = US$                 1.4317     1.3651     
Average rate for the YTD: EUR 1 = US$                     1.3657     1.3432     
The financial results of entities with reporting currencies other than the US   
Dollar are translated into US Dollars as follows:                               
- Assets and liabilities at rates of exchange ruling at period end; and         
- Income, expenditure and cash flow items at average exchange rates.            
Other interested parties can obtain printed copies of this report from:         
South Africa:                                      United States:               
                                                  ADR Depositary:               
Computershare Investor                                                          
Services (Proprietary) Limited                     The Bank of New York Mellon  
70 Marshall Street                                 Investor Relations           
Johannesburg 2001                                  PO Box 11258                 
PO Box 61051                                       Church Street Station        
Marshalltown 2107                                  New York, NY 10286-1258      
Tel +27 (0)11 370 5000                             Tel +1 610 382 7836          
Sappi has a primary listing on the JSE Limited and a secondary listing on       
the New York Stock Exchange                                                     
this report is available on the Sappi website                                   
www.sappi.com                                                                   
www.sappi.com                                                                   
Date: 02/08/2010 09:15:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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