“Solid start into 2025 despite lack of economic tailwind”
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Aperam S.A.
/ Key word(s): Quarter Results
First quarter 2025 results1
“Solid start into 2025 despite lack of economic tailwind”
Luxembourg, April 30, 2025 (07:00 CEST) - Aperam S.A. (referred to as “Aperam” or the “Company”) (Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Paris, Brussels: APAM, NYRS: APEMY), announced today results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Highlights
Strategic initiatives
Prospects[1]b
Financial Highlights (on the basis of financial information prepared under IFRS)
(1) In Q1 2025, exceptional items primarily relate to the non-cash reversal of the fair value adjustment of inventories related to the acquisition of Universal.
Health & Safety results
Health and Safety performance based on Aperam personnel figures and contractors’ lost time injury frequency rate was 1.7x in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 1.2x in the fourth quarter of 2024.
It is with deepest regret that we deplore the loss of a Universal employee in a fatal accident on 17 March 2025 at the newly acquired facility of Dunkirk, NY, United States.
Financial results analysis for the three-month period ending March 31, 2025 Sales for the first quarter of 2025 increased by 12.7% at EUR 1,658 million, compared to EUR 1,471 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Shipments increased from 505 thousand tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 575 thousand tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, due to seasonally higher steel, scrap and charcoal shipments.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased during the quarter to EUR 86 million (excluding an exceptional loss of EUR (36) million) from EUR 116 million (excluding an exceptional gain of EUR 2 million). Major drivers were a negative valuation effect, price & mix effect and seasonally lower shipments in Brazil, partly balanced by the first time consolidation of Universal.
Depreciation and amortization expense was EUR (61) million for the first quarter of 2025.
Aperam had an operating loss for the first quarter of 2025 of EUR (11) million compared to an operating income of EUR 64 million for the previous quarter.
Financing costs, net, including the FX and derivatives result for the first quarter of 2025 were EUR (22) million. Cash cost of financing was EUR (15) million during the quarter.
Income tax benefit for the first quarter of 2025 was EUR 17 million.
The Pro Forma net result for the first quarter of 2025, excluding Universal contribution, was a profit of EUR 7 million. The net result for the first quarter of 2025 was a loss of EUR (18) million, compared to a profit of EUR 12 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Cash flows from operations for the first quarter of 2025 were negative at EUR (105) million, including a working capital increase of EUR 161 million. CAPEX for the first quarter was EUR (45) million.
Free cash flow before dividend for the first quarter of 2025 was negative at EUR (574) million, compared to an amount of EUR 146 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. During the first quarter of 2025, cash returns to shareholders amounted to EUR 36 million, fully consisting of dividends.
Operating segment results analysis
Stainless & Electrical Steel (1)
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Stainless & Electrical Steel segment had sales of EUR 1,069 million for the first quarter of 2025. This represents a 7.5% increase compared to sales of EUR 994 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Steel shipments during the first quarter were 421 thousand tonnes, an increase of 5.0% compared to shipments of 401 thousand tonnes during the previous quarter. Shipments in Brazil were seasonally lower but reached a solid level. In Europe shipments improved seasonally. Average steel selling prices for the Stainless & Electrical Steel segment increased by 1.5% compared to the previous quarter.
The segment generated an Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 28 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to an Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 42 million (excluding an exceptional gain of EUR 11 million) for the fourth quarter of 2024. EBITDA decreased due to intensive pricing pressure in Europe.
Depreciation and amortization expense was EUR (27) million for the first quarter of 2025.
The Stainless & Electrical Steel division had an operating profit of EUR 1 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to an operating profit of EUR 25 million for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Services & Solutions (1)
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Services & Solutions segment had sales of EUR 643 million for the first quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 16.3% compared to sales of EUR 553 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Steel shipments were 207 thousand tonnes compared to 169 thousand tonnes during the previous quarter. Average steel selling prices for the Services & Solutions’ segment were 3.4% lower during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.
The segment generated an EBITDA of EUR 13 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to an EBITDA of EUR 4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. EBITDA increased due to higher margins and higher volumes which were partially compensated by negative valuation effect.
Depreciation and amortization expense was EUR (4) million for the first quarter of 2025.
The Services & Solutions segment had an operating income of EUR 9 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to an operating loss of EUR (1) million for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Alloys & Specialties(1)
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Alloys & Specialties segment had sales of EUR 284 million for the first quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 30.3% compared to EUR 218 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Steel shipments increased by 50.0% during the first quarter of 2025 at 15 thousand tonnes due to the first-time consolidation of Universal. Average steel selling prices for the Alloys & Specialties’ segment were 13.4% lower during the first quarter of 2024.
The Alloys & Specialties segment achieved Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 29 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to EUR 27 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA increased due the first-time consolidation of Universal.
The segment recognized an exceptional loss of EUR (36) million mainly due to the non-cash reversal of the fair value adjustment of inventories related to the acquisition of Universal.
The Alloys & Specialties segment achieved EBITDA of EUR (7) million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to EUR 27 million for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the first quarter of 2025 was EUR (9) million.
The Alloys & Specialties segment had an operating loss of EUR (16) million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to an operating income of EUR 24 million for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Recycling & Renewables (1)
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Recycling & Renewables segment had sales of EUR 456 million for the first quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 12.9% compared to EUR 404 million sales for the fourth quarter of 2024. Shipments increased by 14.1% during the first quarter of 2025 to 356 thousand tonnes. Average selling prices for the Recycling & Renewables’ segment were 1.1% lower during the first quarter of 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased during the quarter to EUR 16 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 41 million (excluding an exceptional loss of EUR (9) million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA due to lower selling prices and negative valuation effect.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the first quarter of 2025 was EUR (21) million.
The Recycling & Renewables segment had an operating loss of EUR (5) million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to an operating income of EUR 14 million for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Recent developments during the quarter
Investor conference call / webcast
Pre-recorded management comments are available as from publication of this earnings release on our website at www.aperam.com, section Investors > Reports & Presentations > Quarterly results > Q1-2025 (Link to Q1 2025 management podcast).
Aperam management will host a conference call / webcast for members of the investment community to discuss the financial performance of the quarter under report at the following time:
Link to the webcast: https://www.webcast-eqs.com/aperam-2025-q1
To join the conference call a registration is necessary to receive dial-in-numbers and an individual passcode:
Contacts
Investor Relations / Thorsten Zimmermann: IR@aperam.com
About Aperam
Aperam is a global player in stainless, electrical and specialty steel and recycling, with customers in over 40 countries. Starting from 1 January 2022, the business is organized in four primary reportable segments: Stainless & Electrical Steel, Services & Solutions, Alloys & Specialties and Recycling & Renewables. Aperam is fully committed to be the leading value creator in the circular economy of infinite, world-changing materials.
Aperam has a flat Stainless and Electrical steel capacity of 2.5 million tonnes in Brazil and Europe and is a leader in Alloys & high value specialty products with presence in France, China, India and the United States. In addition to its industrial network, spread over sixteen production facilities in Brazil, Belgium, France, the United States, India & China, Aperam has a highly integrated distribution, processing and services network and a unique capability to produce low carbon footprint stainless and special steels from biomass, stainless steel scrap and high performance alloys scrap. With Bioenergia and its unique capability to produce charcoal made from its own FSC®-certified forestry and with ELG, a global leader in collecting, trading, processing and recycling of stainless steel scrap and high performance alloys, Aperam’s places sustainability at the heart of its business, helping customers worldwide to excel in the circular economy.
In 2024, Aperam had sales of EUR 6,255 million and shipments of 2.29 million tonnes.
For further information, please refer to our website at www.aperam.com.
Forward-looking statements
This document may contain forward-looking information and statements about Aperam and its subsidiaries. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target” or similar expressions. Although Aperam’s management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Aperam’s securities are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Aperam, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in Aperam’s filings with the Luxembourg Stock Market Authority for the Financial Markets (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Aperam undertakes no obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
APERAM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
APERAM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Appendix 1a – Health & Safety statistics
Lost time injury frequency rate equals lost time injuries per 1,000,000 worked hours, based on own personnel and contractors.
Appendix 1b - Key operational and financial information
Appendix 2 – Terms and definitions4
Unless indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this earnings release report to the following terms have the meanings set out next to them below:
Adjusted EBITDA: operating income before depreciation and amortization expenses, impairment losses and exceptional items. Adjusted EBITDA/tonne: calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total shipments. Adjusted Net Income: refers to reported net income less exceptional items, net recognition of deferred tax assets on tax losses carried forward and other tax benefits, change in tax rate in Luxembourg, financial income effect and deferred tax effect on exceptional items. Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share: refers to Adjusted Net Income divided by Weighted average common shares outstanding. Average selling prices: calculated as sales divided by shipments. Average steel selling prices: calculated as steel sales divided by steel shipments. Cash and cash equivalents: represents cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments. CAPEX: relates to capital expenditures and is defined as purchase of property plant and equipment and intangible assets. EBITDA: operating income before depreciation and amortization expenses and impairment losses. EBITDA/tonne: calculated as EBITDA divided by total shipments. Exceptional items: consists of (i) inventory write-downs equal to or exceeding 10% of total related inventories values before write-down at the considered quarter end (ii) restructuring (charges)/gains equal to or exceeding EUR 10 million for the considered quarter, (iii) capital (loss)/gain on asset disposals equal to or exceeding EUR 10 million for the considered quarter or (iv) other non-recurring items equal to or exceeding EUR 10 million for the considered quarter. Financing costs, (net): Net interest expense, other net financing costs and foreign exchange and derivative results. Free cash flow before dividend: net cash provided by operating activities less net cash used in investing activities. Gross financial debt: long-term debt plus short-term debt. Liquidity: Cash and cash equivalent and undrawn credit lines. LTI frequency rate: Lost time injury frequency rate equals lost time injuries per 1,000,000 worked hours, based on own personnel and contractors. Net financial debt: long-term debt, plus short-term debt less cash and cash equivalents. Net financial debt/EBITDA or Gearing: Refers to Net financial debt divided by last twelve months EBITDA calculation. Shipments: information at segment and group level eliminates inter-segment shipments (which are primarily between (i) Recycling & Renewables and Stainless & Electrical Steel (ii) Stainless & Electrical Steel and Services & Solutions) and intra-segment shipments, respectively. Working capital: trade accounts receivable plus inventories less trade accounts payable.
1 The financial information in this press release and Appendix 1 has been prepared in accordance with the measurement and recognition criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted in the European Union. While the interim financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with IFRS applicable to interim periods, this announcement does not contain sufficient information to constitute an interim financial report as defined in International Accounting Standard 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”. Unless otherwise noted the numbers and information in the press release have not been audited. The financial information and certain other information presented in a number of tables in this press release have been rounded to the nearest whole number or the nearest decimal. Therefore, the sum of the numbers in a column may not conform exactly to the total figure given for that column. In addition, certain percentages presented in the tables in this press release reflect calculations based upon the underlying information prior to rounding and, accordingly, may not conform exactly to the percentages that would be derived if the relevant calculations were based upon the rounded numbers.
2 Universal is referred to as Universal Stainless Alloy & Products Inc, established in 1994 and headquartered in Bridgeville, PA. Universal manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. Universal's products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, energy, and heavy equipment manufacturing.
3 The Leadership Journey® is an initiative launched on December 16, 2010, and subsequently accelerated and increased, to target management gains and profit enhancement. The fourth phase of the Leadership Journey® targeted EUR 150 million gains for the period 2021 - 2023 via a combination of cost, growth and mix improvement measures. Some additional investments, as announced in 2021 as part of the Strategy 2025 program, have been accelerated to achieve earnings growth already in 2022 contributing to the Leadership Journey® Phase 4. We concluded Phase 4 of the Leadership Journey® above target with EUR 186 million gains. We announced targeted gains of EUR 200 million for Phase 5 to be realized over the period 2024 - 2026. Gains will come from a combination of variable and fixed cost savings, as well as purchasing and mix improvements. Phase 5 includes a structural cost reduction plan of EUR 50 million. To the extent that this plan would affect employment we will consult with our social partners on the social impact.
4 This press release also includes Alternative Performance Measures (“APM” hereafter). The Company believes that these APMs are relevant to enhance the understanding of its financial position and provides additional information to investors and management with respect to the Company’s financial performance, capital structure and credit assessment. These non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with and not as an alternative for, Aperam’s financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Such non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures applied by other companies. The APM’s used are defined under Appendix 2 “Terms & definitions”.
[1]a Purchase consideration of EUR 422 million, net of deferred payment of EUR 4 million and cash acquired of EUR 3 million. 1b The outlook for the quarter depends on the future development of metal and product prices. Both are assumed as constant at their current level.
Dissemination of a Financial Wire News, transmitted by EQS Group. |
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2127122 30-Apr-2025 CET/CEST
