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Mon 8 Nov 2010, 9:03 SAP - Sappi Limited - Results for the 4th quarter and year ended September 2010
SAP
SAVVI                                                                           
SAP - Sappi Limited - Results for the 4th quarter and year ended September 2010 
Sappi Limited                                                                   
(Registration number 1936/008963/06)                                            
Issuer Code: SAVVI                                                              
JSE Code: SAP                                                                   
ISIN: ZAE000006284                                                              
Results for the 4th quarter and year ended September 2010                       
Financial summary for the quarter                                               
* Operating profit US$129 million (excluding special items); Q4 2009            
US$38 million (excluding special items)                                         
* EPS 16 US cents; Q4 2009 loss per share of 20 US cents                        
* EPS 9 US cents (excluding special items); Q4 2009 loss per share 2   
         US cents (excluding special items)                                     
* Net cash generated US$238 million; Q4 2009 US$225 million                     
* Coated paper prices increasing; pulp prices high                              
* Strong Demand                                                                 
* Strong Liquidity                                                              
                                                  Quarter ended                 
                                    Sept 2010          Jun 2010     Sept 2009   
Key figures: (US$ million)                                                      
Sales                                    1,774             1,602         1,553  
Operating profit (loss)                    158               154         (129)  
Special items - (gains) losses 1          (29)              (79)           167  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items 2                            129                75            38  
EBITDA excluding special items 3           227               176           150  
Basic earnings (loss) per share                                                 
(US cents)                                  16                12          (20)  
Net debt 4                               2,221             2,337         2,576  
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit (loss) to sales           8.9               9.6         (8.3)  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales                     7.3               4.7           2.4  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to                                                                
Capital Employed (ROCE)                   12.6               7.3           3.3  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales   12.8              11.0           9.7  
Return on average equity (ROE) 5          18.6              15.0        (21.4)  
Net debt to total capitalisation 5        53.9              57.6          58.9  
Year ended          
                                                      Sept 2010     Sept 2009   
Key figures: (US$ million)                                                      
Sales                                                      6,572         5,369  
Operating profit (loss)                                      341          (73)  
Special items - (gains) losses 1                             (2)           106  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items 2                                              339            33  
EBITDA excluding special items 3                             752           431  
Basic earnings (loss) per share                                                 
(US cents)                                                    13          (37)  
Net debt 4                                                 2,221         2,576  
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit (loss) to sales                             5.2         (1.4)  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales                                       5.2           0.6  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to                                                                
Capital Employed (ROCE)                                      8.0           0.8  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales                     11.4           8.0  
Return on average equity (ROE) 5                             3.6        (10.4)  
Net debt to total capitalisation 5                          53.9          58.9  
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                                                       
The group had a much improved performance for the quarter, achieving the highest
quarterly operating profit excluding special items for a number of years and net
cash generated of US$238 million. The performance of each of the businesses     
improved, particularly those of North America and Southern Africa which are net 
sellers of pulp and therefore benefited from high pulp prices.                  
Demand conditions continued to improve gradually and almost all our mills ran at
full capacity for the quarter. In Europe, we implemented a price increase during
September (the third since March) which has started to offset the effect of the 
substantial increase in pulp input costs experienced over the past year and to  
restore reasonable margins.                                                     
Sales increased to US$1.8 billion, a 14% increase on sales in the equivalent    
quarter last year as a result of increased sales volumes and prices.            
Average prices realised by the group were 3% higher than a year ago in US Dollar
terms. In local currency, average prices increased by 11% in Europe, 8% in North
America and, largely as a result of high pulp prices, 25% in South Africa.      
Raw material input costs were up approximately US$100 million compared to the   
equivalent quarter last year, mainly as a result of higher pulp prices.         
Special items for the quarter amounted to a gain of US$29 million primarily in  
respect of the plantation price fair value adjustment.                          
Operating profit excluding special items was US$129 million for the quarter, a  
substantial improvement compared to US$38 million in the equivalent quarter last
year and compared to US$75 million in the June 2010 quarter. Including special  
items, operating profit was US$158 million compared to a loss of US$129 million 
in the equivalent quarter last year.                                            
Earnings per share for the quarter were 16 US cents (including a gain of        
7 US cents in respect of special items including financing items), compared to a
loss of 20 US cents in the equivalent quarter last year (which included a loss  
of 18 US cents in respect of special items including financing items).          
Year ended September 2010 compared to year ended September 2009                 
2010 was a much improved year for Sappi. Sales for the year were 22% higher than
the prior year as a result of improving demand, favourable currency movements   
and the inclusion of the coated paper businesses acquired from M-real for the   
full year in 2010 compared to 9 months in 2009.                                 
Operating profit excluding special items was US$339 million compared to US$33   
million in the prior year. While special items had an impact on quarterly       
results through the year the net effect for the full year was only US$2 million.
Accordingly, operating profit including special items for the year was therefore
similar at US$341 million compared to a loss of US$73 million last year.        
The group generated a net profit of US$66 million for the year and earnings per 
share of 13 US cents (favourably impacted by 4 US cents of special items        
including financing items) compared to a net loss of US$177 million and a loss  
per share of 37 US cents (including a loss of 13 US cents of special items      
including financing items) last year.                                           
Cash flow and debt                                                              
Quarter                                                                         
Net cash generated was US$238 million for the quarter reflecting improved cash  
generated by operations, and cash released from working capital of US$181       
million.                                                                        
Net debt decreased by US$116 million over the quarter to US$2,221 million as a  
result of the net cash generated, partly offset by unfavourable currency        
translation (due to the strengthening of the Euro and the Rand relative to the  
US Dollar in the quarter).                                                      
Year                                                                            
Over the financial year, we reduced our net debt by US$355 million largely as a 
result of net cash generation of US$341 million. At year end we had cash on hand
of US$792 million and had additional liquidity in the form of a EUR209 million  
(US$282 million) committed revolving credit facility. During the year, we used  
approximately US$250 million of our cash to repay debt early. Capital           
expenditure of US$188 million for the year was in line with our target of US$200
million.                                                                        
Operating Review for the Quarter                                                
Sappi Fine Paper                                                                
                           Quarter         Quarter                    Quarter   
                             ended           ended                      ended   
Sept 2010       Sept 2009          %       June 2010   
                       US$ million     US$ million     change     US$ million   
Sales                         1,327           1,208         10           1,220  
Operating profit                 87               1         -*              36  
Operating profit to sales (%)   6.6             0.1          -             3.0  
Special items - (gains)                                                         
losses                         (11)              49          -               1  
Operating profit (loss)                                                         
excluding special items          76              50         52              37  
Operating profit (loss)                                                         
excluding special items                                                         
to sales (%)                    5.7             4.1          -             3.0  
EBITDA excluding                                                                
special items                   151             138          9             110  
EBITDA excluding special                                                        
items to sales (%)             11.4            11.4          -             9.0  
RONOA pa (%)                   10.0            53.9          -             4.8  
* Comparative not meaningful.                                                   
The Fine Paper business achieved an operating profit excluding special items of 
US$76 million for the quarter, a 52% improvement compared to the equivalent     
quarter last year as a result of improved demand levels in our major markets and
improving prices.                                                               
Europe                                                                          
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
ended           ended   
                                                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                      963             868  
Operating profit (loss)                                     40            (59)  
Operating profit (loss) to sales (%)                       4.2           (6.8)  
Special items - (gains) losses                             (6)              75  
Operating profit excluding special items                    34              16  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales (%)                                 3.5             1.8  
EBITDA excluding special items                              90              80  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)                9.3             9.2  
RONOA pa (%)                                               6.5             2.7  
                                                                      Quarter   
                                                 %          %           ended   
                                            change     change       June 2010   
(US$)     (Euro)     US$ million   
Sales                                            11         23             873  
Operating profit (loss)                          -*         -*              11  
Operating profit (loss) to sales (%)              -          -             1.3  
Special items - (gains) losses                    -          -               2  
Operating profit excluding special items        113        133              13  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales (%)                        -          -             1.5  
EBITDA excluding special items                   13         25              68  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)       -          -             7.8  
RONOA pa (%)                                      -          -             2.5  
* Comparative not meaningful.                                                   
While the business performed significantly better during the quarter, it is not 
yet achieving an acceptable return which remains the top priority for the Sappi 
group.                                                                          
The European business` coated paper shipments continued to grow in the quarter. 
Industry coated woodfree paper shipments increased by 7%, compared to the       
equivalent quarter last year including a significant increase in exports.       
Shipments of coated mechanical paper increased 13%, almost returning to the     
shipment volumes of the equivalent quarter in 2008 which was prior to the global
crash.                                                                          
A third coated woodfree price increase was implemented in September which,      
together with increases in April and June, is helping offset the effect of      
rapidly increasing pulp prices. There was a modest price increase for coated    
mechanical paper in July but the margins for our coated mechanical paper remain 
well below acceptable levels.                                                   
Our average price realised in Europe for the quarter was 11% above the          
equivalent quarter last year and 5% above those realised in the June 2010       
quarter.                                                                        
North America                                                                   
                           Quarter         Quarter                    Quarter   
                             ended           ended                      ended   
Sept 2010       Sept 2009          %       June 2010   
                       US$ million     US$ million     change     US$ million   
Sales                           364             340          7             347  
Operating profit                 47              60       (22)              25  
Operating profit to sales (%)  12.9            17.6          -             7.2  
Special items - gains           (5)            (26)          -             (1)  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items                    42              34         24              24  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales (%)     11.5            10.0          -             6.9  
EBITDA excluding special items   61              58          5              42  
EBITDA excluding special items                                                  
to sales (%)                   16.8            17.1          -            12.1  
RONOA pa (%)                   17.8            13.5          -            10.0  
The North American business performed well benefiting from its market           
positioning, competitive cost base, good performance from the specialities      
products and surplus pulp position with higher pulp pricing. Operating profit   
was lower than the equivalent quarter last year due to alternative fuel tax     
credits received in the quarter ended September 2009 which are included in      
special items.                                                                  
Demand levels improved further, with US industry shipments of coated woodfree   
paper increasing 9% compared to the equivalent quarter last year.               
While price increases were implemented on selected coated paper grades during   
the quarter, the average price increase of 8% compared to the equivalent quarter
last year was largely a result of pulp price increases.                         
During the quarter, we built our pulp inventory at Somerset mill in preparation 
for a pulp mill outage which commenced in October 2010. During the outage we    
upgraded the chemical recovery complex at the mill which is expected to         
significantly reduce energy costs and increase the proportion of renewable      
energy used at the Somerset mill to 89%.                                        
During October, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled to impose anti-   
dumping and countervailing duties on imported coated sheet paper from Indonesia 
and China. The duties which range from 25.2% to 313.8% are expected to re-      
establish a level playing field in the US.                                      
Sappi Southern Africa                                                           
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
ended           ended   
                                                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                      447             345  
Operating profit (loss)                                     84           (125)  
Operating profit (loss) to sales (%)                      18.8          (36.2)  
Special items - (gains) losses                            (26)             115  
Operating profit (loss) excluding special items             58            (10)  
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items to sales (%)                                13.0           (2.9)  
EBITDA excluding special items                              82              15  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)               18.3             4.3  
RONOA pa (%)                                              12.6           (2.1)  
                                                                      Quarter   
                                                 %          %           ended   
                                            change     change       June 2010   
(US$)     (Rand)     US$ million   
Sales                                            30         23             382  
Operating profit (loss)                          -*         -*             118  
Operating profit (loss) to sales (%)              -          -            30.9  
Special items - (gains) losses                    -          -            (83)  
Operating profit (loss) excluding special items   -          -              35  
Operating profit (loss) excluding                                               
special items to sales (%)                        -          -             9.2  
EBITDA excluding special items                  447        420              62  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)       -          -            16.2  
RONOA pa (%)                                      -          -             7.9  
* Comparative not meaningful.                                                   
The performance of the Southern African business improved significantly during  
the quarter. We reorganised the paper and packaging paper business during the   
quarter to provide a more effective customer interface and to share best        
operating practices among the mills.                                            
The chemical cellulose business continued to achieve higher output from the     
expanded Saiccor Mill. Demand was very strong and prices increased further. The 
majority of our sales are linked to long-term contracts and we therefore did not
realise the full benefit of the record spot prices in certain markets for       
chemical cellulose. These spot markets represent a small proportion of the total
chemical cellulose market.                                                      
Demand for packaging and fine paper products has improved in the domestic market
but competition from imports has continued as a result of the strength of the   
Rand relative to the US dollar.                                                 
Directorate                                                                     
During the quarter, it was announced that Mr H C Mamsch would be retiring from  
the board of directors at the end of December 2010, having served for seven     
years.                                                                          
Outlook                                                                         
We expect continued gradual improvement in global economic conditions during the
year ahead; however we remain cautious as a result of factors such as the       
volatility of exchange rates which could dampen growth.                         
Against that background, we expect demand for coated paper in our major markets 
to recover further during the year. We believe that input costs are likely to   
rise. We intend to reduce our costs where possible and to grow revenue through  
sales volume, mix and higher price levels to achieve acceptable margins across  
the businesses.                                                                 
We expect continued strong demand and good price levels for chemical cellulose  
in the year ahead. The reorganisation of the paper business in Southern Africa  
is expected to help improve margins; however, the Rand is currently strong      
relative to the US dollar and remains volatile. A strengthening Rand would be   
unfavourable for the performance of the Southern African business.              
The extended outage at Somerset pulp mill in October 2010 will reduce the       
potential profitability of our North American business for the quarter but we   
expect the pulp mill to start ramping up production in early November and for   
energy costs to be reduced once the rebuilt energy complex reaches optimum      
efficiencies.                                                                   
With the expected improvement in the performance of our businesses and reduced  
uncertainty in financial markets we will gradually reduce our cash on hand with 
further repayment of debt. This, together with our targeted continued reduction 
in net debt, will help reduce finance costs in the year ahead.                  
In our first financial quarter, we expect the group`s operating profit          
(excluding special items) to continue the improving trend relative to the       
equivalent quarter last year.                                                   
On behalf of the board                                                          
R J Boettger               M R Thompson                                         
Director                   Director                       08 November 2010      
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
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.                                    
Group income statement                                                          
                                                                     Reviewed   
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                                         Note     US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                    1,774           1,553  
Cost of sales                                            1,498           1,519  
Gross profit                                               276              34  
Selling, general and administrative expenses               119             112  
Other operating expenses                                     1              56  
Share of profit from associates and                                             
joint ventures                                             (2)             (5)  
Operating profit (loss)                      3             158           (129)  
Net finance costs                                           63              14  
Net interest                                                67              21  
Net foreign exchange gains                                 (1)             (5)  
Net fair value (gains) losses on financial instruments     (3)             (2)  
Profit (loss) before taxation                               95           (143)  
Taxation                                                    11            (40)  
Current                                                    (7)             (3)  
Deferred                                                    18            (37)  
Profit (loss) for the period                                84           (103)  
Basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents)                  16            (20)  
Weighted average number of shares in issue (millions)    519.5           515.8  
Diluted basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents)          16            (20)  
Weighted average number of shares on                                            
fully diluted basis (millions)                           524.0           515.8  
Reviewed        Reviewed   
                                                         Year            Year   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                    6,572           5,369  
Cost of sales                                            5,786           5,029  
Gross profit                                               786             340  
Selling, general and administrative expenses               448             385  
Other operating expenses                                    10              39  
Share of profit from associates and joint ventures        (13)            (11)  
Operating profit (loss)                                    341            (73)  
Net finance costs                                          255             145  
Net interest                                               293             137  
Net foreign exchange gains                                (17)            (17)  
Net fair value (gains) losses on financial instruments    (21)              25  
Profit (loss) before taxation                               86           (218)  
Taxation                                                    20            (41)  
Current                                                    (6)               4  
Deferred                                                    26            (45)  
Profit (loss) for the period                                66           (177)  
Basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents)                  13            (37)  
Weighted average number of shares in issue (millions)    516.7           482.6  
Diluted basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents)          13            (37)  
Weighted average number of shares on fully                                      
diluted basis (millions)                                 520.8           482.6  
Group statement of comprehensive income                                         
                                     Reviewed        Reviewed        Reviewed   
Quarter         Quarter            Year            Year   
                        ended           ended           ended           ended   
                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009       Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                  US$ million     US$ million     US$ million     US$ million   
Profit (loss) for                                                               
the period                  84           (103)              66           (177)  
Other comprehensive                                                             
income (loss), net of tax   86           (154)               8           (197)  
Exchange differences                                                            
on translation                                                                  
of foreign operations      121              57              52              14  
Actuarial losses                                                                
in post-employment                                                              
benefits                  (71)           (229)            (71)           (229)  
Movements in                                                                    
hedging reserves            23            (14)              14            (14)  
Movement on available for                                                       
sale financial assets        2               -               2               -  
Deferred tax                                                                    
effects on above            11              32              11              32  
Total comprehensive                                                             
income (loss)                                                                   
for the period             170           (257)              74           (374)  
Group balance sheet                                                             
Reviewed        Reviewed   
                                                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                       4,653           4,867  
Property, plant and equipment                            3,660           3,934  
Plantations                                                687             611  
Deferred taxation                                           53              56  
Other non-current assets                                   253             266  
Current assets                                           2,531           2,430  
Inventories                                                836             792  
Trade and other receivables                                903             868  
Cash and cash equivalents                                  792             770  
Total assets                                             7,184           7,297  
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Shareholders` equity                                                            
Ordinary shareholders` interest                          1,896           1,794  
Non-current liabilities                                  3,249           3,662  
Interest-bearing borrowings                              2,317           2,726  
Deferred taxation                                          386             355  
Other non-current liabilities                              546             581  
Current liabilities                                      2,039           1,841  
Interest-bearing borrowings                                691             601  
Bank overdraft                                               5              19  
Other current liabilities                                1,307           1,165  
Taxation payable                                            36              56  
Total equity and liabilities                             7,184           7,297  
Number of shares in issue at balance sheet date                                 
(millions)                                               519.5           515.7  
Group cash flow statement                                                       
                                     Reviewed        Reviewed        Reviewed   
                      Quarter         Quarter            Year            Year   
ended           ended           ended           ended   
                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009       Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                  US$ million     US$ million     US$ million     US$ million   
Profit (loss) for                                                               
the period                  84           (103)              66           (177)  
Adjustment for:                                                                 
Depreciation, fellings                                                          
and amortisation           119             131             484             467  
Taxation                    11            (40)              20            (41)  
Net finance costs           63              14             255             145  
Post-employment benefits  (25)            (30)            (73)            (62)  
Plantation price fair                                                           
value adjustment          (29)             111            (31)              67  
Other non-cash items      (41)              78              16              33  
Cash generated                                                                  
from operations            182             161             737             432  
Movement in                                                                     
working capital            181             127             (5)             152  
Net finance costs         (66)            (27)           (194)            (81)  
Taxation paid              (1)               -             (9)             (5)  
Dividends paid               -               -               -            (37)  
Cash retained from                                                              
operating                                                                       
activities                 296             261             529             461  
Cash utilised in                                                                
investing activities      (58)            (36)           (188)           (762)  
Capital expenditure                                                             
and other non-current                                                           
assets                    (58)            (34)           (188)           (172)  
Acquisition                  -             (2)               -           (590)  
Net cash generated                                                              
(utilised)                 238             225             341           (301)  
Cash effects of                                                                 
financing activities      (12)           (272)           (256)             707  
Net movement in cash                                                            
and cash equivalents       226            (47)              85             406  
Group statement of changes in equity                                            
                                                     Reviewed        Reviewed   
                                                         Year            Year   
                                                        ended           ended   
Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Balance - beginning of period                            1,794           1,605  
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period            74           (374)  
Dividends paid                                               -            (37)  
Rights offer                                                 -             575  
Costs directly attributable to the rights offer              -            (31)  
Issue of new shares                                         17              45  
Transfers (to) from the share purchase trust               (6)               2  
Share-based payment reserve                                 17               9  
Balance - end of period                                  1,896           1,794  
Notes to the group results                                                      
1. Basis of preparation                                                         
The condensed financial information has been prepared in accordance with the    
framework concepts and the measurement and recognition requirements of          
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International  
Accounting Standards Board, the AC 500 standards issued by the Accounting       
Practices Board and the information required by IAS 34 "Interim Financial       
Reporting". The report has been prepared using accounting policies that comply  
with IFRS which are consistent with those applied in the financial statements   
for the year ended September 2009, except for the adoption of IFRS 8 "Operating 
Segments".                                                                      
The preliminary results for the year ended September 2010 have been reviewed in 
terms of the International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 by the group`s   
auditors, Deloitte & Touche. Their unmodified review report is available for    
inspection at the company`s registered office.                                  
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   
                                                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
3. Operating profit (loss)                                                      
Included in operating profit (loss) are                                         
the following non-cash items:                                                   
Depreciation and amortisation                               98             112  
Fair value adjustment on plantations                                            
(included in cost of sales)                                                     
Changes in volume                                                               
Fellings                                                    21              19  
Growth                                                    (19)            (21)  
                                                            2             (2)   
Plantation price fair value                                                     
adjustment (1)                                            (29)             111  
(27)             109   
Included in other operating expenses                                            
are the following:                                                              
Asset impairments (impairment reversals)                     2              73  
Profit on disposal of property,                                                 
plant and equipment                                        (6)               -  
Loss on disposal of investment                               1               -  
Restructuring provisions raised                              -              24  
Integration costs                                            -               -  
Black Economic Empowerment                                                      
transactions charge (2)                                      -               -  
Fuel tax credit                                              -            (50)  
Reviewed        Reviewed   
                                                         Year            Year   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
US$ million     US$ million   
3. Operating profit (loss)                                                      
Included in operating profit (loss) are                                         
the following non-cash items:                                                   
Depreciation and amortisation                              413             398  
Fair value adjustment on plantations                                            
(included in cost of sales)                                                     
Changes in volume                                                               
Fellings                                                    71              69  
Growth                                                    (67)            (73)  
                                                            4             (4)   
Plantation price fair value                                                     
adjustment (1)                                            (31)              67  
                                                         (27)              63   
Included in other operating expenses                                            
are the following:                                                              
Asset impairments (impairment reversals)                  (10)              79  
Profit on disposal of property,                                                 
plant and equipment                                        (5)             (1)  
Loss on disposal of investment                               -               -  
Restructuring provisions raised                             46              34  
Integration costs                                            -               3  
Black Economic Empowerment                                                      
transactions charge (2)                                     23               -  
Fuel tax credit                                           (51)            (87)  
(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 twelve 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 twelve quarter
rolling average price, as this reflects the fair value of the plantations more  
accurately.                                                                     
(2) IFRS 2 non-cash charges associated with Black Economic Empowerment          
transactions, the majority of which relates to the unwinding of the 2006 Black  
Economic Empowerment deal with the remaining charge relating to the issue of    
shares to employees and local communities.                                      
                                     Reviewed        Reviewed        Reviewed   
                      Quarter         Quarter            Year            Year   
ended           ended           ended           ended   
                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009       Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                  US$ million     US$ million     US$ million     US$ million   
4. Headline                                                                     
earnings (loss)                                                                 
per share *                                                                     
Headline earnings                                                               
(loss) per share                                                                
(US cents)                  16             (6)              10            (21)  
Weighted average                                                                
number of shares                                                                
in issue (millions)      519.5           515.8           516.7           482.6  
Diluted headline                                                                
earnings (loss)                                                                 
per share (US cents)        16             (6)              10            (21)  
Weighted average                                                                
number of shares                                                                
on fully diluted                                                                
basis (millions)         524.0           515.8           520.8           482.6  
Calculation of                                                                  
headline earnings                                                               
(loss) *                                                                        
Profit (loss) for                                                               
the period                  84           (103)              66           (177)  
Asset impairments                                                               
(impairment reversals)       2              73            (10)              79  
Profit on disposal                                                              
of property,                                                                    
plant and equipment        (5)               -             (4)             (1)  
Loss on disposal                                                                
of investment                1               -               -               -  
Tax effect of above items    -               -               -               -  
Headline earnings (loss)    82            (30)              52            (99)  
*Headline earnings                                                              
disclosure is                                                                   
required by the                                                                 
JSE Limited.                                                                    
5. Capital expenditure                                                          
Property, plant                                                                 
and equipment               81              37             201             184  
Reviewed        Reviewed   
                                                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
6. Capital commitments                                                          
Contracted                                                  62              62  
Approved but not contracted                                109             126  
                                                          171             188   
7. Contingent liabilities                                                       
Guarantees and suretyships                                  48              44  
Other contingent liabilities                                 8               8  
                                                           56              52   
8. Material balance sheet movements                                             
Early repayment of interest-bearing borrowings                                  
The North American Municipal Bonds of US$106 million were repaid in March 2010  
at par value.                                                                   
An amount of US$29 million of our 7.5% Guaranteed Notes due 2032 was repurchased
in the open market early in the third quarter for US$24 million.                
An early repayment of the first instalment on a syndicated loan with            
Osterreichische Kontrollbank of EUR80 million (US$99 million), due in December  
2010, was made in June 2010.                                                    
Transfers from assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held 
for sale. The Usutu pulp mill was permanently closed at the end of January 2010.
The future of the site and plantations was discussed with potential investors   
and the Government of Swaziland. The disposal group consisting mainly of        
plantations had been classified as held for sale since December 2009. The Sappi 
board subsequently took a decision to continue with its forestry operations in  
Swaziland, and is investigating the establishment of various timber processing  
operations at the Usutu mill site. As a result, the assets are no longer        
classified as held for sale.                                                    
9. Segment Information                                                          
Restatement of prior year disclosures                                           
Fine Paper Southern Africa is now reported as part of the Southern African      
segment (previously referred to as "Forest Products") in accordance with the    
geographical management of our business. The table below shows the effect of    
this change for the quarter and year ended September 2009:                      
                                                        Restated                
Reviewed                
                                                   Quarter ended                
                                                       Sept 2009                
                                                     US$ million                
As previously                                  
                                      reported        Adjustment     Restated   
Fine Paper                                                                      
Sales                                     1,300              (92)        1,208  
Operating (loss) profit                     (1)                 2            1  
Net operating assets                      3,526             (205)        3,321  
Southern Africa                                                                 
Sales                                       253                92          345  
Operating loss                            (123)               (2)        (125)  
Net operating assets                      1,686               205        1,891  
                                                        Restated                
                                                        Reviewed                
Year ended                
                                                       Sept 2009                
                                                     US$ million                
                                   As previously                                
reported      Adjustment     Restated   
Fine Paper                                                                      
Sales                                       4,508           (318)        4,190  
Operating loss                               (17)               3         (14)  
Net operating assets                        3,526           (205)        3,321  
Southern Africa                                                                 
Sales                                         861             318        1,179  
Operating loss                               (52)             (3)         (55)  
Net operating assets                        1,686             205        1,891  
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          
Quarter        Quarter          
                                                  ended          ended          
                                              Sept 2010      Sept 2009          
                                            Metric tons    Metric tons          
(000`s)        (000`s)          
Sales volume                                                                    
Fine Paper -                North America           352             355         
                           Europe                  994             895          
Total                 1,346           1,250          
Southern Africa -           Pulp and paper          460             470         
                           Forestry                289             168          
Total                                             2,095           1,888         
Reviewed          
                                           US$ million     US$ million          
Sales                                                                           
Fine Paper -                North America           364             340         
Europe                  963             868          
                           Total                 1,327           1,208          
Southern Africa -           Pulp and paper          426             331         
                           Forestry                 21              14          
Total                                             1,774           1,553         
Operating profit excluding special items                                        
Fine Paper -                North America            42              34         
                           Europe                   34              16          
Total                    76              50          
Southern Africa                                      58            (10)         
Corporate and other                                 (5)             (2)         
Total                                               129              38         
Special items - (gains) losses                                                  
Fine Paper -                North America           (5)            (26)         
                           Europe                  (6)              75          
                           Total                  (11)              49          
Southern Africa                                    (26)             115         
Corporate and other                                   8               3         
Total                                              (29)             167         
Operating profit (loss)                                                         
Fine Paper -                North America            47              60         
                           Europe                   40            (59)          
                           Total                    87               1          
Southern Africa                                      84           (125)         
Corporate and other                                (13)             (5)         
Total                                               158           (129)         
EBITDA excluding special items                                                  
Fine Paper -                North America            61              58         
Europe                   90              80          
                           Total                   151             138          
Southern Africa                                      82              15         
Corporate and other                                 (6)             (3)         
Total                                               227             150         
                                                                    Restated    
                                                      Year              Year    
                                                     ended             ended    
Sept 2010         Sept 2009    
                                               Metric tons       Metric tons    
                                                   (000`s)           (000`s)    
Sales volume                                                                    
Fine Paper -                North America             1,354             1,274   
                           Europe                    3,796             2,956    
                           Total                     5,150             4,230    
Southern Africa -           Pulp and paper            1,751             1,660   
Forestry                    993               817    
Total                                                 7,894             6,707   
                                                  Reviewed          Reviewed    
                                               US$ million       US$ million    
Sales                                                                           
Fine Paper -                North America             1,373             1,295   
                           Europe                    3,638             2,895    
                           Total                     5,011             4,190    
Southern Africa -           Pulp and paper            1,488             1,124   
                           Forestry                     73                55    
Total                                                 6,572             5,369   
Operating profit excluding special items                                        
Fine Paper -                North America               124               (2)   
                           Europe                       76                12    
                           Total                       200                10    
Southern Africa                                         134                17   
Corporate and other                                       5                 6   
Total                                                   339                33   
Special items - (gains) losses                                                  
Fine Paper -                North America              (56)              (55)   
Europe                        4                79    
                           Total                      (52)                24    
Southern Africa                                          22                72   
Corporate and other                                      28                10   
Total                                                   (2)               106   
Operating profit (loss)                                                         
Fine Paper -                North America               180                53   
                           Europe                       72              (67)    
Total                       252              (14)    
Southern Africa                                         112              (55)   
Corporate and other                                    (23)               (4)   
Total                                                   341              (73)   
EBITDA excluding special items                                                  
Fine Paper -                North America               201                98   
                           Europe                      310               226    
                           Total                       511               324    
Southern Africa                                         236               101   
Corporate and other                                       5                 6   
Total                                                   752               431   
                                     Restated                        Restated   
Reviewed        Reviewed        Reviewed   
                      Quarter         Quarter            Year            Year   
                        ended           ended           ended           ended   
                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009       Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
US$ million     US$ million     US$ million     US$ million   
Net operating                                                                   
assets                                                                          
Fine Paper -                                                                    
North America              935             981             935             981  
Europe                   2,109           2,340           2,109           2,340  
Total                    3,044           3,321           3,044           3,321  
Southern Africa          1,887           1,891           1,887           1,891  
Corporate and other         65              38              65              38  
Total                    4,996           5,250           4,996           5,250  
Reconciliation of operating profit 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 excluding                                                      
special items              129              38             339              33  
Special items               29           (167)               2           (106)  
Plantation price                                                                
fair value adjustment       29           (111)              31            (67)  
Restructuring                                                                   
provisions raised            -            (24)            (46)            (34)  
Profit on disposal                                                              
of property, plant                                                              
and equipment                6               -               5               1  
Loss on disposal                                                                
of investment              (1)               -               -               -  
Asset                                                                           
(impairments)                                                                   
impairment                                                                      
reversals                  (2)            (73)              10            (79)  
Fuel tax credit              -              50              51              87  
Integration costs            -               -               -             (3)  
Black Economic                                                                  
Empowerment                                                                     
transactions charge          -               -            (23)               -  
Fire, flood, storm                                                              
and related events         (3)             (9)            (26)            (11)  
Operating profit (loss)    158           (129)             341            (73)  
Reconciliation of EBITDA                                                        
excluding special items                                                         
and operating profit                                                            
excluding special items                                                         
to profit (loss) before                                                         
taxation                                                                        
EBITDA excluding                                                                
special items              227             150             752             431  
Depreciation and                                                                
amortisation              (98)           (112)           (413)           (398)  
Operating profit                                                                
excluding special                                                               
items                      129              38             339              33  
Special items -                                                                 
gains (losses)              29           (167)               2           (106)  
Net finance costs         (63)            (14)           (255)           (145)  
Profit (loss)                                                                   
before taxation             95           (143)              86           (218)  
Reconciliation of net                                                           
operating assets to                                                             
total assets                                                                    
Net operating assets     4,996           5,250           4,996           5,250  
Deferred tax                53              56              53              56  
Cash and cash                                                                   
equivalents                792             770             792             770  
Other current                                                                   
liabilities              1,307           1,165           1,307           1,165  
Taxation payable            36              56              36              56  
Total assets             7,184           7,297           7,184           7,297  
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                                          
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          Year          Year   
ended         ended         ended         ended   
                          Sept 2010     Sept 2009     Sept 2010     Sept 2009   
Key figures: (ZAR million)                                                      
Sales                         13,042        11,985        49,235        48,393  
Operating profit (loss)        1,162         (996)         2,555         (658)  
Special items - (gains)                                                         
losses *                       (213)         1,289          (15)           955  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items *                  948           293         2,540           297  
EBITDA excluding special                                                        
items *                        1,669         1,158         5,634         3,885  
Basic earnings (loss) per                                                       
share (SA cents)                 118         (154)            97         (333)  
Net debt *                    15,589        19,091        15,589        19,091  
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit (loss) to                                                      
sales                            8.9         (8.3)           5.2         (1.4)  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales           7.3           2.4           5.2           0.6  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to                                                                
Capital Employed (ROCE) *       12.7           3.3           8.3           0.9  
EBITDA excluding special                                                        
items to sales                  12.8           9.7          11.4           8.0  
Return on average equity                                                        
(ROE)                           19.3        (21.6)           3.7        (12.1)  
Net debt to total                                                               
capitalisation *                53.9          58.9          53.9          58.9  
*Refer to Supplemental Information for the definition of the term.              
The above financial results have been translated into Rands 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                       
                                                    Sept 2010       Sept 2009   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Interest-bearing borrowings                              3,013           3,346  
Non-current interest-bearing borrowings                  2,317           2,726  
Current interest-bearing borrowings                        691             601  
Bank overdraft                                               5              19  
Cash and cash equivalents                                (792)           (770)  
Net debt                                                 2,221           2,576  
Exchange rates                                                                  
                                                   Sept        Jun        Mar   
2010       2010       2010   
Exchange rates:                                                                 
Period end rate: US$1 = ZAR                       7.0190     7.6250     7.4298  
Average rate for the Quarter: US$1 = ZAR          7.3517     7.5821     7.5597  
Average rate for the YTD: US$1 = ZAR              7.4917     7.5610     7.5302  
Period end rate: EUR 1 = US$                      1.3491     1.2377     1.3413  
Average rate for the Quarter: EUR 1 = US$         1.2871     1.2937     1.3891  
Average rate for the YTD: EUR 1 = US$             1.3658     1.3845     1.4302  
Dec       Sept   
                                                              2009       2009   
Exchange rates:                                                                 
Period end rate: US$1 = ZAR                                  7.5315     7.4112  
Average rate for the Quarter: US$1 = ZAR                     7.5009     7.7174  
Average rate for the YTD: US$1 = ZAR                         7.5009     9.0135  
Period end rate: EUR 1 = US$                                 1.4397     1.4688  
Average rate for the Quarter: EUR 1 = US$                    1.4737     1.4317  
Average rate for the YTD: EUR 1 = US$                        1.4737     1.3657  
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:                                                                   
Computershare Investor                                                          
Services (Proprietary) Limited                                                  
70 Marshall Street                                                              
Johannesburg 2001                                                               
PO Box 61051                                                                    
Marshalltown 2107                                                               
Tel +27 (0)11 370 5000                                                          
United States:                                                                  
ADR Depositary:                                                                 
The Bank of New York Mellon                                                     
Investor Relations                                                              
PO Box 11258                                                                    
Church Street Station                                                           
New York, NY 10286-1258                                                         
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                     
Date: 08/11/2010 09:03:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the    
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or            
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indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,     
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,          
information disseminated through SENS.
Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
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