Neste Oil Corporation
Stock Exchange Release
24 October 2013 at 9 am (EET)
Neste Oil's Interim Report for January-September 2013
Strong quarterly result driven by outstanding performance at Renewable Fuels
Third quarter in brief:
* Comparable operating profit was EUR 217 million (Q3/2012: EUR 159 million)
* IFRS operating profit was EUR 249 million (Q3/2012: EUR 196 million)
* Total refining margin was USD 8.61/bbl (Q3/2012: USD 12.23/bbl)
* Net cash from operations was EUR 3 million (Q3/2012: EUR 293 million)
January-September in brief:
* Comparable operating profit was EUR 440 million (1-9/2012: EUR 278 million)
* IFRS operating profit was EUR 447 million (1-9/2012: EUR 272 million)
* Investments totaled EUR 142 million (1-9/2012: EUR 211 million)
* Leverage ratio was 39.8% at the end of September (Dec 31, 2012: 43.2%)
* Comparable earnings per share EUR 1.21 (1-9/2012: EUR 0.57)
President & CEO Matti Lievonen:
"We recorded a strong result during the third quarter. The Group's comparable
operating profit was EUR 217 million, mainly thanks to outstanding performance
at Renewable Fuels.
Renewable Fuels recorded an outstanding comparable operating profit of EUR 120
million compared to EUR 33 million in the second quarter driven by significantly
higher sales volumes, lower unit production costs, and a strong market in both
Europe and North America. Our good operational performance enabled us to benefit
from the favorable market situation and increase sales in North America.
Although the market is no longer at the peak levels experienced during the third
quarter, the market remains healthy. A proposal by the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) on renewable fuel mandates in 2014 is expected during
the fourth quarter. The final outcome may have an impact on the growth in demand
for US biomass-based diesel next year.
Oil Product's result was impacted by a lower refining margin year-on-year; the
market for base oils also remained soft due to oversupply. We are very pleased
with our refineries' operational performance in the third quarter. The segment's
third-quarter comparable operating profit was EUR 67 million compared to EUR
154 million last year.
Oil Retail continued to perform well and delivered a record-high quarterly
comparable operating profit of EUR 29 million due to stronger margins in all
markets, especially Finland and North-West Russia.
We updated our guidance on 10 September 2013 and this remains essentially
unchanged. We expect the Group's full-year 2013 comparable operating profit to
improve significantly compared to 2012 and estimate it to be higher than EUR
530 million. The Renewable Fuels segment's full-year 2013 comparable operating
profit is expected to be above EUR 200 million."
The Group's third-quarter 2013 results
Neste Oil's revenue increased to EUR 4,630 million in the third quarter from EUR
4,505 million during the same period in 2012, mainly as a result of higher sales
volumes and growth at Renewable Fuels. The Group's comparable operating profit
came in at EUR 217 million. Comparable operating profit for the corresponding
period in 2012 was EUR 159 million. Renewable Fuels recorded an outstanding
comparable operating result year-on-year, and Oil Retail also performed well.
The company's oil refineries operated smoothly, although Oil Products' result
was negatively impacted by lower margins in both fuels and base oils. The Others
segment posted a slightly lower comparable operating profit than in the third
quarter of 2012.
Oil Products' third-quarter comparable operating profit was EUR 67 million (154
million), Renewable Fuels' EUR 120 million (-19 million), and Oil Retail's EUR
29 million (23 million). The comparable operating profit of the Others segment
totaled EUR 0 million (3 million); associated companies and joint ventures
accounted for EUR 5 million (3 million) of this figure.
The Group's IFRS operating profit was EUR 249 million (196 million), which was
mainly impacted by inventory gains totaling EUR 26 million (87 million). Pre-tax
profit was EUR 233 million (172 million), profit for the period EUR 194 million
(131 million), and earnings per share EUR 0.76 (0.51).
The Group's January-September 2013 results
Neste Oil's revenue totaled EUR 12,858 million during the first nine months of
the year compared to EUR 13,256 million for the same period last year, mainly as
a result of lower average oil prices. The Group's nine-month comparable
operating profit totaled EUR 440 million compared to EUR 278 million in the
first nine months of 2012. The Group's result during the first nine months of
2013 was positively impacted by greatly improved performance at Renewable Fuels
and negatively impacted by refinery maintenance during the second quarter and
lower refining margins during the third quarter.
Oil Products' nine-month comparable operating profit was EUR 208 million (280
million), Renewable Fuels' EUR 179 million (-54 million), and Oil Retail's EUR
62 million (53 million). The comparable operating profit of the Others segment
totaled EUR -13 million (-1 million); EUR -1 million (2 million) was booked in
respect of associated companies and joint ventures.
The Group's IFRS operating profit was EUR 447 million (272 million) and included
inventory losses totaling EUR 35 million (13 million) and net capital gains
totaling EUR 42 million (45 million). The pre-tax profit was EUR 394 million
(198 million), profit for the period EUR 331 million (142 million), and earnings
per share EUR 1.29 (0.55).
Given the capital-intensive nature of its business, Neste Oil uses return on
average capital employed after tax (ROACE) as its primary financial target.
ROACE figures are based on comparable results. As of the end of September, the
rolling twelve-month ROACE was 8.7% (2012 financial year: 5.0%).
Outlook
Uncertainties in the global economy have been reflected in the oil, renewable
fuel, and renewable feedstock markets, and this volatility is expected to
continue. Global oil demand is generally forecasted to grow moderately in 2013,
and new refining capacity is likely to put pressure on simple refineries.
Complex refiners such as Neste Oil are expected to remain the most competitive.
Diesel is projected to be the strongest part of the barrel going forward, and
gasoline margins are expected to develop seasonally. The base oil market is
likely to remain under pressure, due to ample supply and sluggish demand in
Europe. Neste Oil has no planned major maintenance shutdowns scheduled for its
refineries during the fourth quarter of 2013.
Overall renewable diesel market conditions continue to look healthy for the
remainder of the year. The outlook for FAME margins in Europe is expected be
firm as a result of the switch to winter grades, as well as lower imports, while
the price differential between palm oil and rapeseed oil appears likely to
remain close to the historical average. Demand for biomass-based diesel in the
US is expected to continue at a good level, enabling Neste Oil to further expand
its customer base there. RIN values have decreased from the peak levels
experienced in the third quarter. A proposal by the US EPA on 2014 renewable
fuel mandates is expected during the fourth quarter and may have an impact on
the growth of demand for US biomass-based diesel next year.
Neste Oil's updated guidance as of 10 September 2013 remains essentially
unchanged. Renewable Fuels' full-year 2013 comparable operating profit is
expected to be above EUR 200 million. The positive development at Renewable
Fuels results from higher sales volumes, particularly in North America,
successful margin management, and utilization of a wide range of feedstock.
Market conditions were exceptionally strong during the third quarter.
Neste Oil expects the Group's full-year 2013 comparable operating profit to
improve significantly compared to 2012 and estimates it to be higher than EUR
530 million.
Further information:
Matti Lievonen, President & CEO, tel. +358 10 458 11
Jyrki Mäki-Kala, CFO, tel. +358 10 458 4098
Investor Relations, tel. +358 10 458 5292
News conference and conference call
A press conference in Finnish on the third-quarter results will be held today,
24 October 2013, at 11:30 a.m. EET at the company's headquarters at Keilaranta
21, Espoo. English versions of the presentation materials will be available at
www.nesteoil.com. A conference call in English for investors and analysts will
be held on 24 October 2013 at 3 p.m. Finland / 1 p.m. London / 8 a.m. New York.
The call-in numbers are as follows: Finland +358 (0)9 2310 1620, Europe: +44 (0)
20 3427 1916, US: +1 646 254 3361, using access code 2667229. The conference
call can be followed at the company's web site. An instant replay of the call
will be available until 31 October 2013 at +358 (0) 9 2310 1650 for Finland at
+44 (0) 20 3427 0598 for Europe and +1 347 366 9565 for the US, using access
code 2667229#.
Neste Oil in brief
Neste Oil Corporation is a refining and marketing company concentrating on low-
emission, high-quality traffic fuels. The company produces a comprehensive range
of major petroleum products and is the world's leading supplier of renewable
diesel. Neste Oil had net sales of EUR 17.9 billion in 2012 and employs around
5,000 people, and is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.
Neste Oil is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the
Ethibel Pioneer Investment Register, and has featured in The Global 100 list of
the world's most sustainable corporations for many years. Forest Footprint
Disclosure (FFD) has ranked Neste Oil as one of the best performers in the oil &
gas sector. Further information: www.nesteoil.com
[HUG#1737841]
