Mechel Reports the FY2018 Financial Results


Consolidated revenue 312.6 bln rubles (+5% compared to FY2017)
EBITDA* 75.7 bln rubles (-7% compared to FY2017)
Profit attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO – 12.6 bln rubles

MOSCOW, March 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mechel PAO (MOEX: MTLR, NYSE: MTL), a leading Russian mining and steel group, announces financial results for the FY 2018.

Mechel PAO’s Chief Executive Officer Oleg Korzhov commented:

“The Group finished the year 2018 with a year-on-year 5% increase in revenue and 9% increase in profit attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO. EBITDA went down by 7% year-on-year.

“The revenue growth was due to positive price dynamics in steel and steelmaking commodity markets.  EBITDA went down year-on-year because of a decline in the mining division’s product sale volumes due to railcar shortages in the second half of 2018 and the corresponding shift in the division’s focus to overcome the underrun of resource preparation for future mining. This decision enabled us to decrease accumulated product stocks and increase stripping works, which will have positive effect in the future. The negative impact of the decline in shipment volumes was partly made up by the favorable market situation, which enabled us to sell metallurgical coal at average prices exceeding levels of 2017.

“I would like to note another important event — by early 2019 we successfully refinanced our one-billion-dollar syndicated loan, which yielded extra finance income to the Group. Also, in 2018 our lenders wrote off 17.5 billion rubles in fines and penalties, which reduced our debt and had a positive impact on our profit for this period, which grew year-on-year even as we take into account the major negative effect from the ruble’s depreciation.”

Consolidated Results For The Full Year 2018

Mln rublesFY 2018 FY 2017 % 4Q’ 18 3Q’ 18 % 
Revenue
from contracts with external customers
312,574 299,113 5% 75,571 79,965 -5% 
Operating profit49,780 57,167 -13% 1,978 15,161 -87% 
EBITDA 75,667 81,106 -7% 15,021 19,206 -22% 
EBITDA, margin24% 27%   20% 24%   
Profit
attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO
12,628 11,557 9% 1,631 6,304 -74% 

Mechel PAO’s Chief Financial Officer Nelli Galeeva commented:

“Consolidated EBITDA in 2018 amounted to 75.7 billion rubles, which is 7% less than in 2017. Profit attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO grew by 9% year-on-year, due to increase in revenue as well as finance income from the write-off of fines and penalties, which resulted from our fulfilling the conditions of our debt’s restructuring by Russian state-owned banks, and which totaled 17.5 billion rubles, as well as 13 billion rubles from restructuring the pre-export syndicated loan.

“Our finance expenses went down by 5.6 billion rubles, or 12%, year-on-year due to decrease of the Bank of Russia key interest rate as well as the Group’s efforts to restructure debt and decrease debt costs. In 2018, our operating cash flow went up by 4.8 billion rubles to reach 68.1 billion, which is sufficient to ensure the Group’s key operational needs and fulfilling our loan obligations in full.

“In mining segment, revenue from sales to third parties in 2018 amounted to 96.9 billion rubles, which is 3% less than in 2017 (100.1 billion rubles). This effect is due to the decrease in coal product sale volumes that was partially made up for by the growth of both global and domestic prices. The division’s operating profit’s decline by 32% and EBITDA’s 26% decrease year-on-year was largely due to the slump in sales volume while production costs went up as we significantly increased stripping volumes necessary to restore and step up production.

“The favorable global trend of growing prices for our steel segment’s products continued its positive impact on the division’s results. This trend led to a 9% increase in revenue from third-party sales in this reporting period. In 2018 the segment profit attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO amounted to 693 million rubles, as compared to 2017 recorded loss of 4.5 billion rubles.”

Mining Segment

Mechel Mining Management OOO’s Chief Executive Officer Pavel Shtark noted:

“In the past year, the division focused on overcome the underrun of resource preparation for mining in order to restore our production and sales volumes. Stripping works on all the Group’s coal-mining assets went up by 25% year-on-year and more than by one and a half at Korshunov Mining Plant. We achieved this due to the technical upgrade program as well as bringing in contractors.

“Several of the division’s assets corrected their plans and decreased mining in late 2018 and early 2019 due to massive accumulated undistributed stock as a consequence of limitations in railcars supply. On one hand, it led to a decline in mining, but on the other enabled us to unload storages and optimize production and equipment repair costs, which are traditionally high in winter due to extremely low temperatures.

“This year the division’s assets will continue to renew their mining fleet. The contractors we have brought in to work at our assets also increase the number of machines involved in mining works. Considering the major work we have done last year to prepare reserves for mining, we expect our output to grow this year. The persistently high prices on the mining division’s products will also help us improve our financial results.”

Mln rublesFY 2018 FY 2017 % 4Q’ 18 3Q’ 18 % 
Revenue
from contracts with external customers
96,882 100,129 -3% 23,566 24,916 -5% 
Revenue
inter-segment
37,549 42,286 -11% 9,089 9,415 -3% 
EBITDA 45,516 61,425 -26% 8,934 11,691 -24% 
EBITDA, margin34% 43%   27% 34%   

Steel Segment

Mechel-Steel Management Company OOO’s Chief Executive Officer Andrey Ponomarev noted:

“In 2018, market situation helped us significantly improve the division’s financial results as compared to 2017. At the same time, in this reporting period there were factors that capped the dynamics of our results. Last year’s extensive repair program led to a compelled decline in steel product sales. Still, we redirected output to favor more high value-added products.

“This year, planned repairs and overhauls at the division’s facilities will continue. Also, we are launching new production lines and upgrading current ones which will enable us to expand our product range. Beloretsk Metallurgical Plant continues to master production of new types of multi-strand wire ropes, including polymer-coated ones. Izhstal is expanding the range of its circular-section long products, increasing production of hot-rolled steel with surface finishing, as well as working on a new assortment of low-tonnage castings. Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant is planning to upgrade its rolling mills to produce heat-hardened rebar, and to launch a series of measures to improve the plant’s ecological safety.”

Mln rublesFY 2018 FY 2017 % 4Q’ 18 3Q’ 18 % 
Revenue
from contracts with external customers
187,918 172,760 9% 44,076 49,460 -11% 
Revenue
inter-segment
5,865 7,622 -23% 1,654 1,256 32% 
EBITDA 27,990 18,817 49% 6,030 7,476 -19% 
EBITDA, margin14% 10%   13% 15%   

Power Segment

Mechel Energo OOO’s Chief Executive Officer Petr Pashnin noted:

“The six-percent growth in the division’s sales revenue year-on-year was due to an increase in electricity sales on both the wholesale and retail markets. The growth of prices on the capacity market also had a positive impact on our revenue. At the same time, the scaling up in expenses on materials and higher transmission costs led to an increase in production costs which reflected in the decline of EBITDA and EBITDA margin year-on-year.”

Mln rublesFY 2018 FY 2017 % 4Q’ 18 3Q’ 18 % 
Revenue
from contracts with external customers
27,774 26,224 6% 7,929 5,589 42% 
Revenue
inter-segment
15,471 16,338 -5% 4,298 3,552 21% 
EBITDA 1,546 2,308 -33% 166 180 -8% 
EBITDA, margin4% 5%   1% 2%   

Alexey Lukashov
Director of Investor Relations
Mechel PAO
Phone: 7-495-221-88-88
Fax: 7-495-221-88-00
alexey.lukashov@mechel.com

Mechel is an international mining and steel company. Its products are marketed in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa. Mechel unites producers of coal, iron ore concentrate, steel, rolled products, ferroalloys, heat and electric power. All of its enterprises work in a single production chain, from raw materials to high value-added products.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Mechel, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statements. We refer you to the documents Mechel files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in our Form 20-F, that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, volatility in stock markets or in the price of our shares or ADRs, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.

Attachments to the FY 2018 Earnings Press Release

Attachment A

Non-IFRS financial measures. This press release includes financial information prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as well as other financial measures referred to as non-IFRS. The non-IFRS financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for the information prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA) represents profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO before Depreciation and amortisation, Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net, Finance costs including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance lease payments, Finance income, Net result on the disposal of non-current assets, Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets, Write-off of trade and other receivables, Allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets, Provision (reversal of provision) for doubtful accounts, Write-off of inventories to net realisable value, Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries, Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, Income tax expense (benefit), Effect of pension obligations, Other fines and penalties, Gain on restructuring and forgiveness of trade and other payables and write-off of trade and other payables with expired legal term and Other one-off items. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of our Revenue. Our adjusted EBITDA may not be similar to EBITDA measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement under IFRS and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for the information contained in our consolidated statement of profit (loss) and other comprehensive income. We believe that our adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of our ongoing business operations, including our ability to fund discretionary spending such as capital expenditures, acquisitions and other investments and our ability to incur and service debt. While depreciation, amortisation and impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets are considered operating expenses under IFRS, these expenses primarily represent the non-cash current period allocation of costs associated with non-current assets acquired or constructed in prior periods. Our adjusted EBITDA calculation is commonly used as one of the bases for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare the periodic and future operating performance and value of companies within the metals and mining industry.

Our calculation of Net debt, excluding fines and penalties on overdue amounts** is presented below:

Mln rubles31.12.2018 31.12.2017 
Loans and borrowings, excluding interest payable, fines and penalties on overdue amounts402,417 380,541 
Interest payable7,749 20,420 
Non-current loans and borrowings6,538 17,360 
Other non-current financial liabilities44,510 40,916 
Other current financial liabilities- 734 
less Cash and cash equivalents(1,803)(2,452)
Net debt, excluding finance lease liabilities, fines and penalties on overdue amounts 459,411 457,519 
   
Current finance lease liabilities5,880 7,476 
Non-current finance lease liabilities2,413 1,878 
Net debt, excluding fines and penalties on overdue amounts467,704 466,873 

EBITDA can be reconciled to our consolidated statement of profit (loss) and other comprehensive income as follows:

 Consolidated Results Mining Segment*** Steel Segment*** Power Segment***
Mln rubles12m 201812m 2017 12m 201812m 2017 12m 201812m 2017 12m 201812m 2017
Profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO12,628 11,557  11,304 16,801  693 (4,533) (2,631)39 
Add:           
Depreciation and amortisation13,859 14,227  7,621 7,979  5,738 5,800  500 448 
Foreign exchange loss (gain), net25,775 (4,237) 10,771 (4,379) 14,969 144  37 (2)
Finance costs including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance leases payments42,052 47,610  29,153 34,546  13,825 14,136  581 880 
Finance income(34,056)(633) (24,458)(1,810) (9,874)(717) (1,231)(57)
Net result on the disposal of non-current assets, impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets, write-off of trade and other receivables, allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets, provision (reversal of provision) for doubtful accounts and write-off of inventories to net realisable value10,146 7,334  4,796 4,443  1,846 2,406  3,504 486 
Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries(3)(470) (3)(470) - -  - - 
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests908 1,013  183 407  637 417  87 189 
Income tax expense (benefit)2,681 3,150  5,940 3,410  (531)203  (83)229 
Effect of pension obligations548 (33) 515 (58) 30 22  4 3 
Other fines and penalties1,554 2,551  (15)941  788 1,512  781 98 
Gain on restructuring and forgiveness of trade and other payables and write-off of trade and other payables with expired legal term(425)(963) (291)(385) (131)(573) (3)(5)
EBITDA75,667 81,106  45,516 61,425  27,990 18,817  1,546 2,308 
EBITDA, margin24% 27%  34% 43%  14% 10%  4% 5% 
            
 Consolidated Results Mining Segment*** Steel Segment*** Power Segment***
Mln rubles4q 20183q 2018 4q 20183q 2018 4q 20183q 2018 4q 20183q 2018
Profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO1,631 6,304  918 9,102  75 (1,055) (2,996)(278)
Add:           
Depreciation and amortisation3,700 3,168  1,919 1,786  1,651 1,262  130 120 
Foreign exchange loss (gain), net7,171 7,024  (696)3,675  7,845 3,353  23 (4)
Finance costs including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance leases payments10,323 10,284  6,447 6,839  4,093 3,695  169 131 
Finance income(13,495)(12,698) (5,368)(12,920) (8,065)(148) (448)(12)
Net result on the disposal of non-current assets, impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets, write-off of trade and other receivables, allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets, provision (reversal of provision) for doubtful accounts and write-off of inventories to net realisable value7,889 721  3,929 391  1,192 142  2,768 188 
Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries(3)310  - -  (3)310  - - 
Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests(25)346  (42)140  53 193  (37)13 
Income tax (benefit) expense(3,507)3,723  1,395 2,773  (966)(388) (192)17 
Effect of pension obligations440 37  427 29  12 6  1 1 
Other fines and penalties952 293  35 114  168 173  749 5 
Gain on restructuring and forgiveness of trade and other payables and write-off of trade and other payables with expired legal term(55)(306) (30)(238) (25)(67) (1)(1)
EBITDA15,021 19,206  8,934 11,691  6,030 7,476  166 180 
EBITDA, margin20% 24%  27% 34%  13% 15%  1% 2% 
*** including inter-segment operations           

Income tax, deferred tax related to the consolidated group of taxpayers and certain other assets and liabilities are not allocated to segments as they are managed on the group basis.

Attachment B

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT (LOSS) AND
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended December 31, 2018
(All amounts are in millions of Russian rubles, unless stated otherwise) Year ended
December 31,
 Year ended
December 31,
  2018  2017 
     
     
Revenue from contracts with customers 312,574  299,113 
Cost of sales (177,756) (160,356)
Gross profit  134,818  138,757 
     
Selling and distribution expenses (54,988) (55,686)
Loss on write-off of non-current assets (859) (321)
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets (7,222) (6,081)
Allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets (940) (332)
Taxes other than income taxes (4,834) (4,967)
Administrative and other operating expenses (17,906) (15,590)
Other operating income 1,711  1,387 
Total selling, distribution and operating income and (expenses), net  (85,038) (81,590)
Operating profit  49,780  57,167 
     
Finance income 34,056  633 
Finance costs including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance leases payments (42,052) (47,610)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net (25,775) 4,237 
Share of profit (loss) of associates, net 10  18 
Other income 512  1,495 
Other expenses (314) (220)
Total other income and (expense), net  (33,563) (41,447)
Profit before tax  16,217  15,720 
     
Income tax expense (2,681) (3,150)
Profit for the period  13,536  12,570 
     
Attributable to:    
Equity shareholders of Mechel PAO 12,628  11,557 
Non-controlling interests 908  1,013 
     
Other comprehensive income    
Other comprehensive (loss) income that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods, net of income tax:  (9) 313 
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (9) 313 
Other comprehensive income not to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods, net of income tax:  487  145 
Re-measurement of defined benefit plans 487  145 
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax  478  458 
     
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period, net of tax  14,014  13,028 
     
Attributable to:    
Equity shareholders of Mechel PAO 13,096  12,012 
Non-controlling interests 918  1,016 
     
Earnings per share     
Weighted average number of common shares 416,270,745  416,270,745 
Basic and diluted, profit for the period attributable to common equity shareholders of Mechel PAO 30.34  27.76 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION as of December 31, 2018
(All amounts are in millions of Russian rubles)
  December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
     
     
Assets    
Non-current assets    
Property, plant and equipment 189,879  197,875 
Mineral licenses 32,068  33,240 
Goodwill and other intangible assets 16,883  19,211 
Investments in associates 293  283 
Deferred tax assets 5,488  96 
Other non-current assets 630  758 
Non-current financial assets 244  202 
Total non-current assets  245,485  251,665 
     
Current assets    
Inventories 43,423  37,990 
Income tax receivables 121  107 
Trade and other receivables 17,612  18,762 
Other current assets 8,673  7,589 
Other current financial assets 508  562 
Cash and cash equivalents 1,803  2,452 
Total current assets  72,140  67,462 
     
Total assets  317,625  319,127 
     
Equity and liabilities    
Equity    
Common shares 4,163  4,163 
Preferred shares 833  833 
Additional paid-in capital 24,378  24,378 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,771  1,303 
Accumulated deficit (274,186) (283,743)
Equity attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO  (243,041) (253,066)
Non-controlling interests 9,846  8,933 
Total equity  (233,195) (244,133)
     
Non-current liabilities    
Loans and borrowings 6,538  17,360 
Finance lease liabilities 2,413  1,878 
Other non-current financial liabilities 44,510  40,916 
Other non-current liabilities 120  138 
Pension obligations 3,819  3,512 
Provisions 3,719  3,814 
Deferred tax liabilities 13,506  11,494 
Total non-current liabilities  74,625  79,112 
     
Current liabilities    
Loans and borrowings, including interest payable, fines and penalties on overdue amounts of RUB 9,877 million and RUB 41,992 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively 412,294  422,533 
Trade and other payables 34,800  33,469 
Finance lease liabilities 5,880  7,476 
Income tax payable 6,425  4,578 
Taxes and similar charges payable other than income tax 6,106  6,696 
Advances received 5,028  4,385 
Other current financial liabilities  -  734 
Other current liabilities 68  69 
Pension obligations 772  849 
Provisions 4,822  3,359 
Total current liabilities  476,195  484,148 
     
Total liabilities  550,820  563,260 
Total equity and liabilities  317,625  319,127 
     


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended December 31, 2018
(All amounts are in millions of Russian rubles)
  Year ended December 31, Year ended December 31,
  2018  2017 
     
Cash flows from operating activities    
Profit for the period 13,536  12,570 
Adjustments to reconcile profit to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 12,454  12,555 
Amortisation of mineral licenses and other intangible assets 1,405  1,672 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net 25,775  (4,237)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense (2,596) (3,401)
Allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets 940  332 
Write-off of trade and other receivables 2  109 
Write-off of inventories to net realisable value 1,162  470 
Revision in estimated cash flows of rehabilitation provision (38) - 
Loss on write-off of non-current assets 859  321 
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets 7,222  6,081 
Net result from disposal of non-current assets (128) 21 
Gain on sale of investments -  (2)
Gain on restructuring and forgiveness of trade and other payables and write-off of trade and other payables with expired legal term (425) (963)
Effect of pension obligations 548  (33)
Finance income (34,056) (633)
Finance costs including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance leases payments 42,052  47,610 
Gain on royalty and other proceeds associated with disposal of Bluestone (3) (474)
Provisions for legal claims, taxes and other provisions 4,940  4,222 
Other 68  281 
     
Changes in working capital items:    
Trade and other receivables 1,354  (318)
Inventories (7,858) (4,508)
Trade and other payables 4,150  (3,435)
Advances received 485  625 
Taxes payable and other liabilities 683  (158)
Other current assets (851) (895)
     
Income tax paid (3,562) (4,530)
     
Net cash provided by operating activities 68,118  63,282 
     
Cash flows from investing activities    
Loans issued and other investments -  (525)
Interest received 188  165 
Royalty and other proceeds associated with disposal of Bluestone 3  474 
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed -  94 
Proceeds from loans issued and other investments 9  144 
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment 215  328 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (5,472) (6,460)
Purchases of intangible assets (150) (771)
Interest paid, capitalized (440) (587)
Net cash used in investing activities (5,647) (7,138)
     
Cash flows from financing activities    
Proceeds from loans and borrowings, including proceeds from factoring arrangement of RUB 918 million and RUB 272 million for the periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively 76,504  23,200 
Repayment of loans and borrowings, including payments from factoring arrangement of RUB 435 million and RUB 1,123 million for the periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (97,269) (35,033)
Repayment of other current financial liabilities (442) - 
Dividends paid to shareholders of Mechel PAO (1,386) (856)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (8) (122)
Interest paid, including fines and penalties (33,308) (31,948)
Acquisition of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries -  (3,358)
Repayment of obligations under finance lease (2,780) (3,513)
Deferred payments for acquisition of assets (629) (455)
Deferred consideration paid for the acquisition of subsidiaries in prior periods (3,968) (3,652)
Net cash used in financing activities (63,286) (55,737)
     
Foreign exchange loss (gain) on cash and cash equivalents, net 63  (637)
Allowance for expected credit losses on cash and cash equivalents (91) - 
     
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (843) (230)
     
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2,452  1,689 
Cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts at beginning of period 1,223  1,453 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 1,803  2,452 
Cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts at end of period 380  1,223 

There were certain reclassifications to conform with the current period presentation.

____________________________
*  EBITDA - Adjusted EBITDA. Please find the calculation of the Adjusted EBITDA and other non-IFRS measures used here and hereafter in Attachment A.

**  Calculations of Net debt could be differ from indicators calculated in accordance with loan agreements upon dependence on definitions in such agreements.