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Thu 4 Aug 2011, 9:00 SAP - Sappi Limited - 3rd Quarter results for the period ended June 2011
SAP
SAVVI                                                                           
SAP - Sappi Limited - 3rd Quarter results for the period ended June 2011        
Sappi Limited                                                                   
(Registration number 1936/008963/06)                                            
Issuer Code: SAVVI                                                              
JSE Code: SAP                                                                   
ISIN: ZAE000006284                                                              
3rd Quarter results for the period ended June 2011                              
Sappi works closely with customers, both direct and indirect, in over 100       
countries to provide them with relevant and sustainable paper, paper-pulp and   
chemical cellulose products and related services and innovations.               
Our market-leading range of paper products includes: coated fine papers used by 
printers, publishers and corporate end-users in the production of books,        
brochures, magazines, catalogues, direct mail and many other print applications;
casting release papers used by suppliers to the fashion, textiles, automobile   
and household industries; and in our Southern African region, newsprint,        
uncoated graphic and business papers, premium-quality packaging papers, paper-  
grade pulp and chemical cellulose.                                              
Our chemical cellulose products are used worldwide by converters to create      
viscose fibre, acetate tow, pharmaceutical products as well as a wide range of  
consumer products.                                                              
The pulp needed for our products is either produced within Sappi or bought from 
accredited suppliers. Across the group, Sappi is close to `pulp neutral`,       
meaning that we sell almost as much pulp as we buy.                             
Financial summary for the quarter                                               
- Operating profit excluding special items US$60 million; Q3 2010 US$75 million 
- General economic uncertainty, particularly in Europe                          
- North American and chemical cellulose businesses continue to perform strongly 
- Planned annual maintenance shuts at major pulp mills                          
- High input costs only partly offset by higher prices                          
- Loss per share excluding special items and once-off debt restructuring costs 4
US cents; Q3 2010 EPS excluding special items 2 US cents                        
Quarter ended             
                                           Jun 2011     Jun 2010     Mar 2011   
Key figures: (US$ million)                                                      
Sales                                          1,802        1,602        1,824  
Operating profit (loss)                           54          154          (1)  
Special items - losses (gains) (1)                 6         (79)          128  
Operating profit excluding special items (2)      60           75          127  
EBITDA excluding special items (3)               164          176          228  
Basic (loss) earnings per share (US cents)      (13)           12         (14)  
Net debt (4)                                   2,475        2,337        2,370  
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit (loss) to sales                 3.0          9.6        (0.1)  
Operating profit excluding special items                                        
to sales                                         3.3          4.7          7.0  
Operating profit excluding special items                                        
to capital employed (ROCE)                       5.5          7.3         11.6  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales          9.1         11.0         12.5  
Return on average equity (ROE) (5)            (14.2)         15.0       (14.9)  
Net debt to total capitalisation (5)            56.8         57.6         54.8  
                                                          Nine months ended     
Jun 2011     Jun 2010   
Key figures: (US$ million)                                                      
Sales                                                       5,499        4,798  
Operating profit (loss)                                       174          183  
Special items - losses (gains) (1)                            150           27  
Operating profit excluding special items (2)                  324          210  
EBITDA excluding special items (3)                            638          525  
Basic (loss) earnings per share (US cents)                   (20)          (3)  
Net debt (4)                                                2,475        2,337  
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit (loss) to sales                              3.2          3.8  
Operating profit excluding special items to sales             5.9          4.4  
Operating profit excluding special items                                        
to capital employed (ROCE)                                   10.2          6.6  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales                      11.6         10.9  
Return on average equity (ROE) (5)                          (7.4)        (1.4)  
Net debt to total capitalisation (5)                         56.8         57.6  
(1) Refer to note 9 for details on special items.                               
(2) Refer note 9 to the group results for the reconciliation of operating profit
excluding special items to segment operating profit.                            
(3) Refer to note 9 to the group results for the reconciliation of EBITDA       
excluding special items and operating profit excluding special items to (loss)  
profit 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                                                       
Operating profit for the quarter was impacted as expected by the planned annual 
maintenance shuts at a number of our major pulp mills and seasonal factors. In  
addition, weaker than expected demand for coated woodfree paper in Europe       
resulting from continuing uncertainty in economic conditions unfavourably       
affected operating profit. For the nine months, operating profit excluding      
special items was more than 50% higher than the equivalent period last year.    
Sales for the quarter were US$1.8 billion, an increase of 12% in US dollar terms
compared to the third quarter last year and at a similar level to the quarter   
ended March 2011. Average prices realised in US Dollar terms were 16% higher    
than a year ago. Excluding the effect of translation from Euro and Rand to a    
relatively weaker US Dollar, average prices in local currencies increased 5%.   
High input costs remained a challenge in each of our businesses and are         
reflected in an increase in variable costs per ton of 18%. In local currency    
terms, variable costs per ton increased 6% compared to the equivalent quarter   
last year. In order to reduce the impact of high raw material prices, we        
continue to seek innovations with regard to the sourcing and the use of raw     
materials.                                                                      
Operating profit excluding special items for the quarter was US$60 million      
compared to US$75 million in the equivalent quarter last year. Special items of 
US$6 million for the quarter included a plantation fair value adjustment and    
Black Economic Empowerment charges.                                             
Net finance costs for the quarter include breakage costs and the accelerated    
amortisation of fees of US$43 million in connection with the debt restructuring 
completed during the quarter in order to extend debt maturities and reduce      
future finance costs. We expect quarterly net finance costs of approximately    
US$60 million after the refinancing.                                            
The loss per share for the quarter was 13 US cents (including a loss of 9 US    
cents in respect of special items and once-off debt restructuring costs)        
compared to earnings of 12 US cents (including a gain of 10 US cents in respect 
of special items).                                                              
Cash flow and debt                                                              
Cash generated from operations for the quarter was US$148 million, compared to  
US$188 million in the equivalent quarter last year.                             
Working capital increased by US$46 million during the quarter, largely as a     
result of reduced accounts payable, compared to an increase of US$84 million a  
year ago.                                                                       
Capital expenditure was US$69 million for the quarter and US$161 million        
year-to-                                                                        
date. We expect the full year capital expenditure to be less than US$250        
million.                                                                        
Net debt increased to US$2.47 billion as a result of net cash utilised in the   
quarter of US$20 million, the cash effects of financing activities and a        
currency movement and fair value impact of US$43 million, compared to March     
2011. Liquidity remained strong with cash on hand of US$362 million and the     
undrawn committed revolving credit facility of EUR350 million (US$508 million), 
at quarter end.                                                                 
Operating Review for the Quarter                                                
Sappi Fine Paper                                                                
Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                    1,350           1,220  
Operating profit (loss)                                     28              36  
Operating profit (loss) to sales (%)                       2.1             3.0  
Special items - losses                                       2               1  
Operating profit excluding special items                    30              37  
Operating profit excluding special items to sales (%)      2.2             3.0  
EBITDA excluding special items                             107             110  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)                7.9             9.0  
RONOA pa (%)                                               3.9             4.8  
                                                                      Quarter   
                                                                        ended   
                                                            %        Mar 2011   
change     US$ million   
Sales                                                       11           1,389  
Operating profit (loss)                                   (22)            (42)  
Operating profit (loss) to sales (%)                         -           (3.0)  
Special items - losses                                     100             113  
Operating profit excluding special items                  (19)              71  
Operating profit excluding special items to sales (%)        -             5.1  
EBITDA excluding special items                             (3)             144  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)                  -            10.4  
RONOA pa (%)                                                 -             9.1  
The North American business` performance improved during the quarter; however,  
the margins in our European business declined resulting in a reduction in the   
operating profit excluding special items of the fine paper business.            
Europe                                                                          
                                           Quarter         Quarter              
                                             ended           ended          %   
Jun 2011        Jun 2010     change   
                                       US$ million     US$ million      (US$)   
Sales                                           979             873         12  
Operating (loss) profit                         (4)              11          -  
Operating (loss) profit to sales (%)          (0.4)             1.3          -  
Special items - losses                            2               2          -  
Operating (loss) profit excluding special items (2)              13          -  
Operating (loss) profit excluding                                               
special items to sales (%)                    (0.2)             1.5          -  
EBITDA excluding special items                   57              68       (16)  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)     5.8             7.8          -  
RONOA pa (%)                                  (0.4)             2.5          -  
Quarter   
                                                            %           ended   
                                                       change        Mar 2011   
                                                       (Euro)     US$ million   
Sales                                                        1           1,017  
Operating (loss) profit                                      -            (83)  
Operating (loss) profit to sales (%)                         -           (8.2)  
Special items - losses                                       -             114  
Operating (loss) profit excluding special items              -              31  
Operating (loss) profit excluding                                               
special items to sales (%)                                   -             3.0  
EBITDA excluding special items                            (25)              86  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)                  -             8.5  
RONOA pa (%)                                                 -             5.7  
Although volumes sold for the nine months ended June 2011 are 4% above the      
equivalent period last year, volumes sold for the quarter were 3% lower than a  
year ago. Coated woodfree sales volumes declined in the quarter compared to a   
year ago, but coated mechanical volumes increased.                              
Average prices realised for the quarter were 4% higher than the equivalent      
quarter last year and similar to the quarter ended March 2011.                  
High pulp and other raw material prices continued to impact margins. Margins on 
our exports were further impacted by the 11% stronger Euro to US Dollar exchange
rate, compared to the equivalent quarter last year.                             
North America                                                                   
Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                      371             347  
Operating profit                                            32              25  
Operating profit to sales (%)                              8.6             7.2  
Special items - gains                                        -             (1)  
Operating profit excluding special items                    32              24  
Operating profit excluding special items to sales (%)      8.6             6.9  
EBITDA excluding special items                              50              42  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)               13.5            12.1  
RONOA pa (%)                                              13.7            10.0  
                                                                      Quarter   
                                                                        ended   
                                                            %        Mar 2011   
change     US$ million   
Sales                                                        7             372  
Operating profit                                            28              41  
Operating profit to sales (%)                                -            11.0  
Special items - gains                                        -             (1)  
Operating profit excluding special items                    33              40  
Operating profit excluding special items to sales (%)        -            10.8  
EBITDA excluding special items                              19              58  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)                  -            15.6  
RONOA pa (%)                                                 -            17.0  
The business continued to perform strongly. Volumes sold for the quarter        
increased by 3% compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Demand for coated 
web was soft in the first two months of the quarter but experienced a           
significant seasonal rebound in June and into the fourth financial quarter.     
Average prices realised were 5% higher than a year ago and slightly higher than 
the quarter ended March 2011, reflecting higher prices realised for coated paper
and speciality casting release paper.                                           
Raw material prices, including wood, energy and chemicals, increased sharply    
during the quarter.                                                             
Sappi Southern Africa                                                           
Quarter         Quarter              
                                             ended           ended          %   
                                          Jun 2011        Jun 2010     change   
                                       US$ million     US$ million      (US$)   
Sales                                           452             382         18  
Operating profit                                 22             118       (81)  
Operating profit to sales (%)                   4.9            30.9          -  
Special items - losses (gains)                    4            (83)          -  
Operating profit excluding special items         26              35       (26)  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales (%)                      5.8             9.2          -  
EBITDA excluding special items                   53              62       (15)  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)    11.7            16.2          -  
RONOA pa (%)                                    5.0             7.9          -  
                                                                      Quarter   
                                                            %           ended   
change        Mar 2011   
                                                       (Rand)     US$ million   
Sales                                                        6             435  
Operating profit                                          (83)              39  
Operating profit to sales (%)                                -             9.0  
Special items - losses (gains)                               -              14  
Operating profit excluding special items                  (33)              53  
Operating profit excluding                                                      
special items to sales (%)                                   -            12.2  
EBITDA excluding special items                            (23)              81  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%)                  -            18.6  
RONOA pa (%)                                                 -            10.1  
The business` performance was unfavourably impacted by extended planned annual  
maintenance shuts at Ngodwana and Saiccor mills during the quarter.             
Demand and pricing for chemical cellulose was strong in the quarter, resulting  
in a good performance for the chemical cellulose business.                      
In the domestic market, sales volumes of paper and packaging paper was lower    
than a year ago, largely as a result of increased competition from imports,     
partly due to the relatively strong Rand to the US Dollar.                      
Plans to restructure the paper and packaging business in order to improve the   
profitability in conjunction with the approximately US$340 million conversion of
the Ngodwana pulp mill to chemical cellulose production are progressing. We     
expect to announce details of these restructuring plans before the end of the   
calendar year.                                                                  
Outlook                                                                         
Market conditions remain challenging and uncertain, particularly in Europe.     
Nevertheless we are entering the typically busiest period for coated paper.     
Order inflows in North America remain firm and in Europe we are expecting some  
improvement from the levels of the previous quarter.                            
We expect that the realisation of the benefits of our cost and capacity         
management activities in Europe will commence in the fourth financial quarter.  
Coated paper production at Biberist Mill in Switzerland ceased during July.     
Going forward, we expect savings of US$50 million per annum as a result of the  
closure. In addition, as previously announced, we will start to benefit from a  
further US$50 million per annum in fixed and variable cost saving measures      
towards the end of the fourth quarter.                                          
Raw material input costs have continued to rise, in line with other commodity   
prices. Pulp prices remain high but there have been reductions in some regions  
from the peaks reached during the previous quarter. High pulp prices are        
favourable for our North American and Southern African businesses, which are    
net sellers of pulp, but unfavourable for our European business, which is a     
net buyer of pulp.                                                              
Our Southern African business has a strong order book for chemical cellulose and
expects an improvement in demand for packaging paper in the domestic market. The
domestic market, particularly for printing and writing paper, remains highly    
competitive as a result of the strong Rand relative to the US Dollar, which has 
led to increased competition from imports. The business` performance for the    
quarter will be significantly impacted by the industry-wide strike of about     
three weeks in July over wage negotiations.                                     
We expect considerable improvement in operating profit (excluding special items)
during our fourth financial quarter compared to the third financial quarter;    
however, it is likely to be well short of the level achieved in the equivalent  
quarter last year. Nevertheless, we expect a much-improved operating profit     
(excluding special items) for the full year, compared to the 2010 financial     
year. We anticipate strong net cash generation in our fourth quarter and        
positive cash generation for the full year.                                     
Directorate                                                                     
During the quarter we announced that following the retirement in December 2010  
of Mr H C (Helmut) Mamsch and in line with the Sappi Board`s succession         
planning, two independent non-executive directors will join the board later this
year. Mr M A (Mike) Fallon will join the board with effect from 01 September    
2011 and Mr G P F (Frits) Beurskens with effect from 01 October 2011.           
On behalf of the board                                                          
R J Boettger                              M R Thompson                          
Director                                  Director             04 August 2011   
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. You should not rely on forward-looking statements because they      
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are in   
some cases beyond our control and may cause our actual results, performance or  
achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance  
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements (and    
from past results, performance or achievements).                                
Certain factors that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: 
- 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);                                                            
- the impact on our business of the global economic downturn;                   
- unanticipated production disruptions (including as a result of planned or     
unexpected power outages);                                                      
- changes in environmental, tax and other laws and regulations;                 
- adverse changes in the markets for our products;                              
- consequences of our leverage, including as a result of adverse changes in     
credit markets that affect our ability to raise capital when needed;            
- adverse changes in the political situation and economy in the countries in    
which we operate or the effect of governmental efforts to address present or    
future economic or social problems;                                             
- the impact of investments, acquisitions and dispositions (including related   
financing), any delays, unexpected cost or other problems experienced in        
connection with dispositions or 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.                                                     
Condensed group income statement                                                
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
Note     US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                    1,802           1,602  
Cost of sales                                            1,639           1,314  
Gross profit                                               163             288  
Selling, general and administrative expenses               107             108  
Other operating expenses                                     4              29  
Share of profit from associates and                                             
joint ventures                                             (2)             (3)  
Operating profit                             2              54             154  
Net finance costs                                          112              57  
Net interest                                               121              68  
Net foreign exchange gains                                 (3)             (7)  
Net fair value gains on financial instruments              (6)             (4)  
(Loss) profit before taxation                             (58)              97  
Taxation                                                    10              33  
Current                                                      8             (2)  
Deferred                                                     2              35  
(Loss) profit for the period                              (68)              64  
Basic (loss) earnings per share (US cents)                (13)              12  
Weighted average number of shares                                               
in issue (millions)                                      519.9           516.0  
Diluted basic (loss) earnings per share (US cents)        (13)              12  
Weighted average number of shares on fully                                      
diluted basis (millions)                                 519.9           517.6  
Nine months     Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                    5,499           4,798  
Cost of sales                                            4,872           4,288  
Gross profit                                               627             510  
Selling, general and administrative expenses               328             329  
Other operating expenses                                   131               9  
Share of profit from associates and joint ventures         (6)            (11)  
Operating profit                                           174             183  
Net finance costs                                          251             192  
Net interest                                               276             226  
Net foreign exchange gains                                (10)            (16)  
Net fair value gains on financial instruments             (15)            (18)  
(Loss) profit before taxation                             (77)             (9)  
Taxation                                                    28               9  
Current                                                     12               1  
Deferred                                                    16               8  
(Loss) profit for the period                             (105)            (18)  
Basic (loss) earnings per share (US cents)                (20)             (3)  
Weighted average number of shares in issue (millions)   519.7           515.7   
Diluted basic (loss) earnings per share (US cents)        (20)             (3)  
Weighted average number of shares on fully                                      
diluted basis (millions)                                 519.7           515.7  
Condensed group statement of comprehensive income                               
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
(Loss) profit for the period                              (68)              64  
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax              (3)            (54)  
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations  (6)            (43)  
Movements in hedging reserves                                3            (11)  
Deferred tax effects on above                                -               -  
Total comprehensive (loss) income for the period          (71)              10  
Nine months     Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
(Loss) profit for the period                             (105)            (18)  
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax               80            (78)  
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations   63            (69)  
Movements in hedging reserves                               18             (9)  
Deferred tax effects on above                              (1)               -  
Total comprehensive (loss) income for the period          (25)            (96)  
Condensed group balance sheet                                                   
                                                                     Reviewed   
Jun 2011       Sept 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                       4,608           4,653  
Property, plant and equipment                            3,607           3,660  
Plantations                                                695             687  
Deferred taxation                                           57              53  
Other non-current assets                                   249             253  
Current assets                                           2,280           2,531  
Inventories                                                949             836  
Trade and other receivables                                969             903  
Cash and cash equivalents                                  362             792  
Total assets                                             6,888           7,184  
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Shareholders` equity                                                            
Ordinary shareholders` interest                          1,884           1,896  
Non-current liabilities                                  3,007           3,249  
Interest-bearing borrowings                              2,033           2,317  
Deferred taxation                                          421             386  
Other non-current liabilities                              553             546  
Current liabilities                                      1,997           2,039  
Interest-bearing borrowings                                801             691  
Bank overdraft                                               3               5  
Other current liabilities                                1,167           1,307  
Taxation payable                                            26              36  
Total equity and liabilities                             6,888           7,184  
Number of shares in issue at balance sheet date                                 
(millions)                                               520.4           519.5  
Condensed group statement of cash flows                                         
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
US$ million     US$ million   
(Loss) profit for the period                              (68)              64  
Adjustment for:                                                                 
Depreciation, fellings and amortisation                    125             116  
Taxation                                                    10              33  
Net finance costs                                          112              57  
Defined post-employment benefits                          (17)            (15)  
Plantation fair value adjustment                          (21)           (123)  
Asset impairments (impairment reversals)                     -               1  
Restructuring provisions                                     2               5  
Black Economic Empowerment charge                            1              23  
Other non-cash items                                         4              27  
Cash generated from operations                             148             188  
Movement in working capital                               (46)            (84)  
Net finance costs                                         (40)            (35)  
Taxation paid                                             (17)             (4)  
Cash retained from operating activities                     45              65  
Cash utilised in investing activities                     (65)            (41)  
Net cash (utilised) generated                             (20)              24  
Cash effects of financing activities                     (190)           (179)  
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents                (210)           (155)  
                                                  Nine months     Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
US$ million     US$ million   
(Loss) profit for the period                             (105)            (18)  
Adjustment for:                                                                 
Depreciation, fellings and amortisation                    378             365  
Taxation                                                    28               9  
Net finance costs                                          251             192  
Defined post-employment benefits                          (50)            (48)  
Plantation fair value adjustment                          (44)            (50)  
Asset impairments (impairment reversals)                    69            (12)  
Restructuring provisions                                    68              46  
Black Economic Empowerment charge                            3              23  
Other non-cash items                                        17              48  
Cash generated from operations                             615             555  
Movement in working capital                              (364)           (186)  
Net finance costs                                        (194)           (128)  
Taxation paid                                             (31)             (8)  
Cash retained from operating activities                     26             233  
Cash utilised in investing activities                    (142)           (130)  
Net cash (utilised)generated                             (116)             103  
Cash effects of financing activities                     (364)           (244)  
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents                (480)           (141)  
Condensed group statement of changes in equity                                  
                                                  Nine months     Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Balance - beginning of period                            1,896           1,794  
Total comprehensive loss for the period                   (25)            (96)  
Costs directly attributable to the rights offer              -             (5)  
Issue of new shares                                          -              19  
Transfers from (to) the share purchase trust                 6             (6)  
Transfers of vested share options                          (7)               -  
Share-based payment reserve                                 14              13  
Balance - end of period                                  1,884           1,719  
Notes to the condensed 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". They are based on appropriate accounting policies which have been   
consistently applied with those applied in the financial statements for the year
ended September 2010 and which are supported by reasonable and prudent          
judgements, including those involving estimations.                              
The nine months ended June 2011 consists of 40 weeks compared to the prior      
year`s nine months which consisted of 39 weeks.                                 
The results are unaudited.                                                      
Quarter         Quarter     Nine months     Nine months   
                        ended           ended           ended           ended   
                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010        Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                  US$ million     US$ million     US$ million     US$ million   
2. Operating profit                                                             
Included in                                                                     
operating profit                                                                
are the following                                                               
non-cash items:                                                                 
Depreciation and                                                                
amortisation               104             101             314             315  
Fair value adjustment                                                           
on plantations                                                                  
(included in cost                                                               
of sales)                                                                       
Changes in volume                                                               
Fellings                    21              15              64              50  
Growth                    (23)            (15)            (60)            (48)  
                          (2)               -               4               2   
Plantation price                                                                
fair value adjustment        2           (108)              16             (2)  
                            -           (108)              20               -   
Included in other                                                               
operating expenses                                                              
(income) are the following:                                                     
Asset impairments                                                               
(impairment reversals)       -               1              69            (12)  
Loss on disposal                                                                
of property, plant and                                                          
equipment                    -               -               -               1  
Profit on disposal                                                              
of investment                -               -               -             (1)  
Restructuring provisions     2               5              68              46  
Black Economic                                                                  
Empowerment charge           1              23               3              23  
Fuel tax credit              -               -               -            (51)  
3. Headline (loss) earnings                                                     
per share (1)                                                                   
Headline (loss)                                                                 
earnings per share                                                              
(US cents)                (13)              13             (8)             (6)  
Weighted average                                                                
number of shares                                                                
in issue (millions)      519.9           516.0           519.7           515.7  
Diluted headline                                                                
(loss) earnings                                                                 
per share (US cents)      (13)              12             (8)             (6)  
Weighted average                                                                
number of shares                                                                
on fully diluted                                                                
basis (millions)         519.9           517.6           519.7           515.7  
Calculation of                                                                  
headline (loss)                                                                 
earnings (1)                                                                    
(Loss) profit for                                                               
the period                (68)              64           (105)            (18)  
Asset impairments                                                               
(impairment reversals)       -               1              69            (12)  
Loss on disposal of                                                             
property, plant and                                                             
equipment                    -               -               -               1  
Profit on disposalof                                                            
investment                   -               -               -             (1)  
Tax effect of above items    2               -             (3)               -  
Headline (loss) earnings  (66)              65            (39)            (30)  
(1) Headline earnings disclosure is required by the JSE Limited.                
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
4. Capital expenditure                                                          
Property, plant and equipment                               69              42  
Nine months     Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Property, plant and equipment                              161             120  
                                                                     Reviewed   
                                                     Jun 2011       Sept 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
5. Capital commitments                                                          
Contracted                                                  89              62  
Approved but not contracted (1)                            515             109  
                                                          604             171   
(1) Includes approximately US$342 million related                               
to our recently announced                                                       
chemical cellulose expansion.                                                   
6. Contingent liabilities                                                       
Guarantees and suretyships                                  49              48  
Other contingent liabilities                                22               8  
                                                           71              56   
7. Material balance sheet movements compared to September 2010                  
Cash and cash equivalents and other current liabilities                         
The decrease in cash and cash equivalents and in other current liabilities is   
largely due to the timing of creditor payments as a result of the calendar      
month-                                                                          
end falling before the fiscal month-end when creditor payments fell due.        
Cash and cash equivalents and interest-bearing borrowings                       
In March 2011, we utilised some of our cash resources to repay US$150 million   
principal amount of the outstanding US$500 million 6.75% Guaranteed Notes due   
June 2012.                                                                      
In April 2011, we issued approximately US$705 million Senior Secured Notes split
into a 10-year US$350 million tranche and a 7-year EUR250 million tranche that  
were issued at par and both Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.625% per annum.  
The net proceeds of the Notes were used to redeem the remaining US$350 million  
of our 6.75% Guaranteed Notes due June 2012 and to repay EUR200 million of our  
OeKB Term Loan Facility. At the same time, our existing undrawn revolving credit
facility maturing 2012 was increased from a EUR209 million to a EUR350 million  
facility and extended to 2016. We repaid the remaining EUR120 million of our    
OeKB Term Loan balance from cash resources in June 2011.                        
Sappi Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd issued a ZAR500 million (US Dollar fixed rate   
bond `SSA01` on 28 June 2011 at a 150 basis points spread over the government   
reference rate and an all in coupon rate of 9.63%. The bond is repayable on 28  
June 2016, with coupons payable semi-annually on 28 June and 28 December of each
year. The proceeds of the bond will be used to partially refinance the ZAR1     
billion maturing SMF2 bond on 14 October 2011 - the balance will be paid from   
own cash generated.                                                             
In addition, there were transfers of US$191 million from non-current interest-  
bearing borrowings to current interest-bearing borrowings of loans falling due  
in the next 12 months.                                                          
8. Post balance sheet event                                                     
On 03 August 2011, we announced the closure of Adamas Mill in South Africa. The 
estimated cost of closure is US$5 million.                                      
9. Segment information                                                          
Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  Metric tons     Metric tons   
(000`s)         (000`s)   
Sales volume                                                                    
Fine Paper -         North America                         344             335  
                    Europe                                909             939   
Total                               1,253           1,274   
Southern Africa -    Pulp and paper                        406             416  
                    Forestry                              252             292   
Total                                                    1,911           1,982  
Nine months     Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  Metric tons     Metric tons   
(000`s)         (000`s)   
Sales volume                                                                    
Fine Paper -         North America                       1,057           1,002  
                    Europe                              2,903           2,802   
Total                               3,960           3,804   
Southern Africa -    Pulp and paper                      1,272           1,291  
                    Forestry                              688             704   
Total                                                    5,920           5,799  
Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                                           
Fine Paper -                    North America              371             347  
                               Europe                     979             873   
                               Total                    1,350           1,220   
Southern Africa -               Pulp and paper             430             361  
                               Forestry                    22              21   
Total                                                    1,802           1,602  
Operating profit (loss)                                                         
excluding special items                                                         
Fine Paper -                    North America               32              24  
                               Europe                     (2)              13   
                               Total                       30              37   
Southern Africa                                             26              35  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                             4               3  
Total                                                       60              75  
Special items - losses (gains)                                                  
Fine Paper -                    North America                -             (1)  
                               Europe                       2               2   
                               Total                        2               1   
Southern Africa                                              4            (83)  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                             -               3  
Total                                                        6            (79)  
Segment operating profit                                                        
(loss)                                                                          
Fine Paper -                    North America               32              25  
                               Europe                     (4)              11   
Total                       28              36   
Southern Africa                                             22             118  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                             4               -  
Total                                                       54             154  
EBITDA excluding special items                                                  
Fine Paper -                    North America               50              42  
                               Europe                      57              68   
Total                      107             110   
Southern Africa                                             53              62  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                             4               4  
Total                                                      164             176  
Segment assets                                                                  
Fine Paper -                    North America              916             949  
                               Europe                   2,216           2,070   
Total                                                    3,132           3,019  
Southern Africa                                          2,072           1,785  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                            72              49  
Total                                                    5,276           4,853  
                                                    Nine months   Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
US$ million     US$ million   
Sales                                                                           
Fine Paper -                    North America            1,125           1,009  
                               Europe                   3,023           2,675   
Total                    4,148           3,684   
Southern Africa -               Pulp and paper           1,291           1,062  
                               Forestry                    60              52   
Total                                                    5,499           4,798  
Operating profit (loss)                                                         
excluding special items                                                         
Fine Paper -                    North America               95              82  
                               Europe                      63              42   
Total                      158             124   
Southern Africa                                            158              76  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                             8              10  
Total                                                      324             210  
Special items - losses (gains)                                                  
Fine Paper -                    North America              (1)            (51)  
                               Europe                     116              10   
Total                      115            (41)   
Southern Africa                                             31              48  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                             4              20  
Total                                                      150              27  
Segment operating profit                                                        
(loss)                                                                          
Fine Paper -                    North America               96             133  
Europe                    (53)              32   
                               Total                       43             165   
Southern Africa                                            127              28  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                             4            (10)  
Total                                                      174             183  
EBITDA excluding special items                                                  
Fine Paper -                    North America              150             140  
Europe                     238             220   
                               Total                      388             360   
Southern Africa                                            242             154  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                             8              11  
Total                                                      638             525  
Segment assets                                                                  
Fine Paper -                    North America              916             949  
Europe                   2,216           2,070   
Total                                                    3,132           3,019  
Southern Africa                                          2,072           1,785  
Unallocated and                                                                 
eliminations (1)                                            72              49  
Total                                                    5,276           4,853  
(1) Includes the group`s treasury operations, the self-insurance captive and the
investment in the Jiangxi Chenming joint venture.                               
Reconciliation of operating profit excluding special items to segment operating 
profit                                                                          
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.                                
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
Operating profit excluding special items                    60              75  
Special Items                                              (6)              79  
Plantation price fair value adjustment                     (2)             108  
Restructuring provisions                                   (2)             (5)  
Loss on disposal of property,                                                   
plant and equipment                                          -               -  
Profit on disposal of investment                             -               -  
Asset (impairments) impairment reversals                     -             (1)  
Fuel tax credit                                              -               -  
Black Economic Empowerment charge                          (1)            (23)  
Insurance recoveries                                       (1)               1  
Fire, flood, storm and related events                        -             (1)  
Segment operating profit                                    54             154  
Reconciliation of EBITDA excluding special                                      
items and operating profit excluding special                                    
items to (loss) profit before taxation                                          
EBITDA excluding special items                             164             176  
Depreciation and amortisation                            (104)           (101)  
Operating profit excluding special items                    60              75  
Special items - (losses) gains                             (6)              79  
Net finance costs                                        (112)            (57)  
(Loss) profit before taxation                             (58)              97  
Reconciliation of segment assets to total assets                                
Segment assets                                           5,276           4,853  
Deferred taxation                                           57              49  
Cash and cash equivalents                                  362             534  
Other current liabilities                                1,167           1,062  
Taxation payable                                            26              43  
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale             -              19  
Total assets                                             6,888           6,560  
                                                  Nine months     Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
Operating profit excluding special items                   324             210  
Special Items                                            (150)            (27)  
Plantation price fair value adjustment                    (16)               2  
Restructuring provisions                                  (68)            (46)  
Loss on disposal of property,                                                   
plant and equipment                                          -             (1)  
Profit on disposal of investment                             -               1  
Asset (impairments) impairment reversals                  (69)              12  
Fuel tax credit                                              -              51  
Black Economic Empowerment charge                          (3)            (23)  
Insurance recoveries                                        10               1  
Fire, flood, storm and related events                      (4)            (24)  
Segment operating profit                                   174             183  
Reconciliation of EBITDA excluding special                                      
items and operating profit excluding special items to                           
(loss) profit before taxation                                                   
EBITDA excluding special items                             638             525  
Depreciation and amortisation                            (314)           (315)  
Operating profit excluding special items                   324             210  
Special items - (losses) gains                           (150)            (27)  
Net finance costs                                        (251)           (192)  
(Loss) profit before taxation                             (77)             (9)  
Reconciliation of segment assets to total assets                                
Segment assets                                           5,276           4,853  
Deferred taxation                                           57              49  
Cash and cash equivalents                                  362             534  
Other current liabilities                                1,167           1,062  
Taxation payable                                            26              43  
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale             -              19  
Total assets                                             6,888           6,560  
Supplemental information (this information has not been audited or reviewed)    
General definitions                                                             
Average - averages are calculated as the sum of the opening and closing balances
for the relevant period divided by two                                          
Black Economic Empowerment - as envisaged in the Black Economic Empowerment     
(BEE) legislation in South Africa                                               
Black Economic Empowerment charge - represents the IFRS2 non-cash charge        
associated with the BEE transaction implemented in fiscal 2010                  
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 Listings 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) less 
current liabilities (excluding interest-bearing borrowings and overdraft). Net  
operating assets equate to segment assets                                       
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 segment 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 audited or reviewed)    
Summary Rand convenience translation                                            
                                                      Quarter         Quarter   
                                                        ended           ended   
Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
Key figures: (ZAR million)                                                      
Sales                                                   12,234          12,147  
Operating profit                                           367           1,168  
Special items - losses (gains) (1)                          41           (599)  
Operating profit excluding special items (1)               408             569  
EBITDA excluding special items (1)                       1,113           1,334  
Basic (loss) earnings per share (SA cents)                (88)              91  
Net debt (1)                                            16,657          17,820  
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit to sales                                  3.0             9.6  
Operating profit excluding special items to sales          3.3             4.7  
Operating profit excluding special items                                        
to Capital Employed (ROCE) (1)                             5.6             7.4  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales                    9.1            11.0  
Return on average equity (ROE)                          (14.4)            15.1  
Net debt to total capitalisation (1)                      56.8            57.6  
                                                  Nine months     Nine months   
                                                        ended           ended   
                                                     Jun 2011        Jun 2010   
Key figures: (ZAR million)                                                      
Sales                                                   37,911          36,278  
Operating profit                                         1,200           1,384  
Special items - losses (gains) (1)                       1,034             204  
Operating profit excluding special items (1)             2,234           1,588  
EBITDA excluding special items (1)                       4,398           3,970  
Basic (loss) earnings per share (SA cents)               (138)            (23)  
Net debt (1)                                            16,657          17,820  
Key ratios: (%)                                                                 
Operating profit to sales                                  3.2             3.8  
Operating profit excluding special items to sales          5.9             4.4  
Operating profit excluding special items                                        
to Capital Employed (ROCE) (1)                            10.2             6.7  
EBITDA excluding special items to sales                   11.6            10.9  
Return on average equity (ROE)                           (7.4)           (1.4)  
Net debt to total capitalisation (1)                      56.8            57.6  
(1) 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                       
                                                     Jun 2011       Sept 2010   
                                                  US$ million     US$ million   
Interest-bearing borrowings                              2,837           3,013  
Non-current interest-bearing borrowings                  2,033           2,317  
Current interest-bearing borrowings                        801             691  
Bank overdraft                                               3               5  
Cash and cash equivalents                                (362)           (792)  
Net debt                                                 2,475           2,221  
Exchange rates                                                                  
                                                    Jun        Mar        Dec   
2011       2011       2010   
Exchange rates:                                                                 
Period end rate: US$1 = ZAR                       6.7300     6.6978     6.6190  
Average rate for the Quarter: US$1 = ZAR          6.7890     6.9963     6.9464  
Average rate for the YTD: US$1 = ZAR              6.8941     6.9476     6.9464  
Period end rate: EUR1 = US$                       1.4525     1.4231     1.3380  
Average rate for the Quarter: EUR1 = US$          1.4398     1.3702     1.3516  
Average rate for the YTD: EUR1 = US$              1.3890     1.3645     1.3516  
Sept        Jun   
                                                              2010       2010   
Exchange rates:                                                                 
Period end rate: US$1 = ZAR                                  7.0190     7.6250  
Average rate for the Quarter: US$1 = ZAR                     7.3517     7.5821  
Average rate for the YTD: US$1 = ZAR                         7.4917     7.5610  
Period end rate: EUR1 = US$                                  1.3491     1.2377  
Average rate for the Quarter: EUR1 = US$                     1.2871     1.2937  
Average rate for the YTD: EUR1 = US$                         1.3658     1.3845  
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                                                                   
Date: 04/08/2011 09:00:13 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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