AkzoNobel full-year and Q4 2014 results


12 February 2015

Full-year:

  • Revenue down 2 percent: Volume 1 percent up in all Business Areas, more than offset by currency effects and divestments
  • Operating income excluding incidental items was €1,072 million (2013: €897 million), up 20 percent
  • Operating income of €987 million up 3 percent, due to higher operating results and lower restructuring charges, offset by adverse incidental items
  • ROS was 6.9 percent (2013: 6.6 percent); excluding incidental items, ROS was7.5 percent (2013: 6.1   percent)
  • Adjusted EPS at €2.81 (2013: €2.62)
  • Net income attributable to shareholders €546 million (2013: €724 million)
  • Total dividend for 2014 proposed at €1.45 (2013: €1.45)
  • Net cash inflow from operating activities €811 million (2013: €716 million)

For Q4:

  • Revenue up 1 percent, with 2 percent favorable currency effects offset by 1 percent lower volumes
  • Operating income excluding incidentals was €169 million (2013: €55 million) up 207 percent due to improved operational performance and lower restructuring charges
  • Adjusted EPS at €0.33 (2013: (€0.01))

Outlook:

  • Markets, raw materials and exchange rates expected to remain volatile
  • On track to deliver 2015 targets
€ million unless stated 2013 2014    
otherwise Q4 FY Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FY
Decorative Paints 934 4,174 865 1,074 1,050 920 3,909
Performance Coatings 1,367 5,571 1,319 1,434 1,420 1,416 5,589
Specialty Chemicals 1,200 4,949 1,222 1,228 1,239 1,194 4,883
Other   (19) (104) (23) (26) (23) (13) (85)
Group Revenue 3,482 14,590 3,383 3,710 3,686 3,517 14,296
EBITDA 208 1,513 364 509 487 330 1,690
D&A (153) (616) (148) (156) (152) (162) (618)
Operating income excl. inc. 55 897 216 353 335 168 1,072
Incidentals 61 61 - - - (85) (85)
Decorative Paints 146 398 17 102 113 16 248
Performance Coatings 73 525 126 178 135 106 545
Specialty Chemicals (30) 297 135 124 156 93 508
Other (73) (262) (62) (51) (69) (132) (314)
Operating Income 116 958 216 353 335 83 987
Finance Income/expenses (48) (200) (37) (40) (38) (41) (156)
Associates 1 14 6 6 6 3 21
PBT 69 772 185 319 303 45 852
Tax Charge (21) (111) (43) (89) (84) (36) (252)
Non-controlling interests (13) (68) (16) (24) (16) (16) (72)
Discontinued operations 16 131 3 (1) 2 14 18
Net Income attributable to shareholders 51 724 129 205 205 7 546
Tax Rate 30% 14% 23% 28% 28% 80% 30%

Full-Year and Q4 2014 highlights

  • In Decorative Paints, revenue was down 1 percent in Q4, mainly driven by weak demand in all regions and the sale of the German stores, offset by positive price/mix effects in the regions outside Europe. Full-year volumes were up 1 percent, although revenue declined 6 percent due to divestments, adverse currency effects and an adverse price/mix, largely driven by the sale of the German stores.
  • In Performance Coatings, volume in Q4 was flat, while revenue was up 4 percent due to favorable currencies and price/mix. Full-year volumes were up 1 percent, mainly from growth in Marine and Protective Coatings and Powder Coatings. Revenue was flat due to adverse currencies.
  • Restructuring costs relating to the new organizational structure continued in Q4, resulting in Performance Coatings having the highest amount.
  • In Specialty Chemicals, volume was 1 percent down in Q4, due to some interruptions in the manufacturing and supply chain as well as market reactions following the large oil price reduction, leading to destocking. Revenue was in line with the previous year, with the adverse impact of volumes and divestments being offset by favorable currencies. Full- year volumes were up 1 percent, although revenue was 1 percent lower due to price pressure in caustic and unfavorable currency developments H1 2014.
  • Corporate costs for the full-year 2014 were down by €25 million, due to cost saving measures. The amount of €129 million on the line Other included €85 million for incidental charges. These related to an external fraud suffered by one of our subsidiaries in the US, provisions for legacy items and project costs related to a divestment.
  • Average raw material costs were stable compared with 2013 exit prices. In some high growth markets, currency affected imported raw materials.
  • Net debt decreased to €1,606 million at Q4 2014 compared with €1,801 million at Q3 2014, mainly due to lower operating working capital; slightly up on 2013 (€1,529 million)
  • In Q1 an €825 million bond was repaid from existing resources. In November 2014, a €500 million bond was issued at a coupon of 1.75 percent, maturing in 2024.
  • Cash outflows for discontinued operations of €88 million mainly related to a settlement of a case following the divestment of Organon BioSciences in 2007.

       
Restructuring charges by quarter

      2013 2014    
    Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4 FY   Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FY
Decorative Paints   7   24   8   66 105   22 23 1 34 80
Performance Coatings   11   5   9   77 102   15 17 41 75 148
Specialty Chemicals   1   0   46   27 74   7 2 6 2 17
Other   10   11   12   34 67   0 3 7 (2) 8
Total   29   40   75   204 348   44 45 55 109 253

Q4 revenue development in % versus Q4 2013

  Volume Price/mix Divestments FX rates   Total
Decorative Paints   (2)   -   -   1   (1)
Performance Coatings   -   1   -   3   4
Specialty Chemicals   (1)   -   (1)   1   (1)
Average development   (1)   -   -   2   1

Full year revenue development in % versus 2013

  Volume
FY
Price/mix
FY
Divestments
FY
FX rates
FY
  Total
FY
Decorative Paints   1   (1)   (3)   (3)   (6)
Performance Coatings   1   1   -   (2)   -
Specialty Chemicals   1   1   (1)   (2)   (1)
Average development   1   -   (1)   (2)   (2)

Attachments

AkzoNobel Full-Year and Q4 2014 Analyst Factsheet AkzoNobel Full-Year and Q4 2014 Investor Update AkzoNobel Full-Year and Q4 2014 Financial report AkzoNobel Full-Year and Q4 2014 Press Release