Mechel Reports the 9M 2017 Financial Results


Consolidated revenue 222.8 bln rubles (+13% compared to 9M2016)
EBITDA* - 59.1 bln rubles (+42% compared to 9M2016)
Net profit, attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO 11.1 bln rubles

MOSCOW, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mechel PAO (MOEX:MTLR) (NYSE:MTL), a leading Russian mining and steel group, announces financial results for the 9M 2017.

Mechel PAO’s Chief Executive Officer Oleg Korzhov commented:

“The company’s financial results for 3Q2017 and 9M2017 were better than both 2Q2017 and 9M2017. The improvement was due to a favorable market situation as well as efforts made by the company to maintain its production volumes, optimize its products range, attract new customers and expand into new markets, increasing internal efficiency and cost control.

“Prices for our coal products remain comfortable both domestically and internationally. The steel product market, which was weak in the first half of this year, went back to normal by mid-year due to growing steel prices and stabilization of costs for raw materials for steelmaking.

“At the same time we worked on optimizing of our steel division’s product range and improving operational results of our mining division. The steel division continued to increase production and sales of high value-added products — structural shapes from Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant’s Universal rolling mill, products from special steels, and new types of products, including those oriented toward international markets.

“Using opportunities offered by favorable market conditions, we actively invested in large-scale repairs, modernization of our equipment and mining fleet. Capital investment in 9M2017 totaled 7.6 billion rubles (including leasing) that is 62% more year-on-year. These investments will enable us to reach our planned goals on production volumes and profit margin.”

Consolidated Results For The 9M 2017

Mln rubles9M’ 179M’ 16%3Q’ 172Q’ 17%
Revenue
from external customers
222,797 196,350 13%73,413 71,970 2%
Operating profit46,415 28,761 61%15,738 12,588 25%
EBITDA 59,140 41,571 42%18,913 17,421 9%
EBITDA, margin27%21% 26%24% 
Net profit (loss)
attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO
11,114 5,543 101%6,120 (8,908) 
            

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

Mining Segment

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

“The situation in the coal markets in 3Q2017 was more stable than in the first half of this year. Spot prices for hard coking coal in the global market grew, topping 200 US dollars per tonne by late August and staying at this level nearly until the end of the quarter. High demand from China, which was formed in the wake of high prices for finished products, as well as strikes, force majeure and production problems on some Australian mines, fueled these rates. Average spot prices for premium coking coal in 3Q2017 amounted to 189 dollars per tonne, practically unchanged since the high average price level of 2Q2017, caused by floods in Australia. In the beginning of 4Q2017, spot prices wavered around 180-190 dollars per tonne. A small shortage of premium coals as well as Asian customers’ desire to quickly secure coal contracts as shipments from Queensland ports continue to be delayed support these prices.

“Nevertheless, several factors such as shortage of rail cars and Port Posiet coal delivery limitations due to floods in the Far East led to a decrease in coal sales and accordingly a decrease in revenue quarter-on-quarter.

“By implementing measures aimed at restoring our mining volumes and coal sales, we paid great attention to preparing reserves for future mining, as well as repairs and modernization of equipment for open pits, mines and washing plants. These measures led to an increase in production costs, which brought down EBITDA quarter-on-quarter. At the same time, we expect that launching new machinery that already has partly arrived at the facilities, while the rest is due to arrive until the end of this year and in early 2018, together with additional volumes of stripping works completed, will enable us to demonstrate a stable coal production volumes recovery.”

Mln rubles9M’ 179M’ 16%3Q’ 172Q’ 17%
Revenue
from external customers
74,685 59,990 24%23,166 23,531 -2%
Revenue
inter-segment
32,974 22,481 47%9,706 10,803 -10%
EBITDA 47,327 23,979 97%12,764 14,607 -13%
EBITDA, margin44%29% 39%43% 
           

Steel Segment

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

“The division’s results in 3Q2017 were better than in 2Q2017, as expected. The primary cause was the improvement of prices and a decrease in costs for incoming raw materials. This more than doubled our EBITDA quarter-on-quarter even as revenue remained practically at the same level. The decrease in EBITDA over 9M2017 by a quarter year-on-year was also due to cost dynamics — prices for metallurgical raw materials in this accounting period were markedly higher than last year.

“In 3Q2017 we continued to focus on increasing the high value-added products’ share in the division’s production and sales structure, as well as worked on further expanding the range of our high-margin products and their markets. The division’s facilities in this accounting period continued to master new types of products. Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant expanded its product range for the European market — certificates of compliance were awarded to two new types of H-beams and two new rail profiles produced at the Universal rolling mill. The welded beam workshop was also launched, which will enable the plant to expand its construction product range. In October and November, we shipped our rails to Belarus and Kazakhstan. Apart from that, Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant passed compliance audit for production of reinforcement steel for the European market.

“In 3Q2017 we conducted a series of large-scale repairs. At Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant, one of its major facilities, blast furnace #1, has undergone planned general overhaul. At Izhstal, a general overhaul was made at the smelting complex producing continuously cast billets from specialty steels.”

Mln rubles9M’ 179M’ 16%3Q’ 172Q’ 17%
Revenue
from external customers
129,377 118,900 9%44,422 42,926 3%
Revenue
inter-segment
5,413 5,296 2%1,673 1,776 -6%
EBITDA 12,175 15,845 -23%6,101 2,518 142%
EBITDA, margin9%13% 13%6% 
           

Power Segment

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

“The increase in the division’s revenue year-on-year was due to an increase in sales, including that of electricity generated by Southern Kuzbass Power Plant due to major repairs having been conducted in 2016, and an increase in electricity supply prices. At the same time, negative dynamics of profit and profit margin results was due to costs growth outstripping the growth of electricity tariffs, as well as an increase in costs of power transmission.”

Mln rubles9M’ 179M’ 16%3Q’ 172Q’ 17%
Revenue
from external customers
18,735 17,460 7%5,825 5,514 6%
Revenue
inter-segment
11,911 11,423 4%3,438 3,835 -10%
EBITDA 989 2 102 -53%23 261 -91%
EBITDA, margin3%7% 0%3% 
           

The management of Mechel will host a conference call today at 18:00 p.m. Moscow time (3:00 p.m. London time, 10 a.m. New York time) to review Mechel’s financial results and comment on current operations. The call may be accessed via the Internet at http://www.mechel.com, under the Investor Relations section.

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 9M 2017 Financial results 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 net profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO before Depreciation and depletion, 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 accounts receivable, Provision (reversal of provision) for doubtful accounts,  Write-off of inventories to net realisable value, Loss (profit) after tax from discontinued operations, net, Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries, Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, Income tax expense (benefit), Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses, Other fines and penalties, Gain on write-off of accounts payable 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 interim condensed consolidated statement of profit (loss). 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 interest expenses, depreciation and depletion 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.

Adjusted net profit (loss) represents net profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO before Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets, Loss (profit) after tax from discontinued operations, net, Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries, Effect on loss attributable to non-controlling interests, Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net, Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses, Other fines and penalties, Gain on write-off of accounts payable with expired legal term and Other one-off items. Our adjusted net profit (loss) may not be similar to adjusted net profit (loss) measures of other companies. Adjusted net profit (loss) is not a measurement under IFRS and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information contained in our interim condensed consolidated statement of profit (loss). We believe that our adjusted net profit (loss) provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of our ongoing business operations. While impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets is considered operating expenses under IFRS, these expenses represent the non-cash current period allocation of costs associated with assets acquired or constructed in prior periods. Our adjusted net profit (loss) calculation is 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 calculations of Net debt, excluding fines and penalties on overdue amounts** and trade working capital are presented below:

     
Mln rubles30.09.2017 31.12.2016 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings, excluding interest payable, fines and penalties on overdue amounts381,994 395,571 
Interest payable18,949 16,916 
Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings16,961 11,644 
Other non-current financial liabilities39,280 36,197 
Other current financial liabilities620 - 
less Cash and cash equivalents(2,239)(1,689)
Net debt, excluding finance lease liabilities, fines and penalties on overdue amounts 455,565 458,639 
   
Finance lease liabilities, current portion7,756 10,175 
Finance lease liabilities, non-current portion512 421 
Net debt, excluding fines and penalties on overdue amounts463,833 469,235 
   
   
Mln rubles30.09.2017 31.12.2016 
Trade and other receivables19,385 19,054 
Inventories36,547 35,227 
Other current assets8,202 6,942 
Income tax receivables510 686 
Trade current assets64,644 61,909 
   
Trade and other payables34,756 40,985 
Advances received3,473 3,815 
Provisions and other current liabilities2,792 3,515 
Tax and similar charges payable other than income tax8,578 9,195 
Income tax payable4,177 2,552 
Trade current liabilities53,776 60,062 
   
Trade working capital10,868 1,847 
     

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

EBITDA can be reconciled to our interim condensed consolidated statement of profit (loss) as follows:

        
 Consolidated Results Mining Segment *** Steel Segment*** Power Segment***
Mln rubles9m 20179m 2016 9m 20179m 2016 9m 20179m 2016 9m 20179m 2016
Net profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO11,114 5,543  16,873 (2,439) (3,825)8,051  (582)284 
Add:           
Depreciation and depletion11,041 10,022  6,262 5,813  4,446 3,947  333 262 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net(3,601)(19,738) (3,664)(11,719) 64 (7,950) (1)(69)
Finance costs including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance leases payments36,273 43,247  26,452 32,134  10,683 13,212  664 794 
Finance income(493)(3,963) (1,403)(3,959) (572)(2,856) (44)(41)
Net result on the disposal of non-current assets, impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets, write-off of accounts receivables, provision (reversal of provision) for doubtful accounts and write-off of inventories to net realisable value799 1,818  508 830  (15)389  307 599 
Loss (profit) after tax from discontinued operations, net- 343  - (84) - 407  - 20 
Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries(474)(191) (474)-  - (191) - - 
Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests848 1,153  386 298  381 735  80 122 
Income tax expense (benefit)2,806 2,427  1,889 2,698  831 (364) 85 93 
Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses96 124  76 91  17 31  3 2 
Other fines and penalties892 847  476 319  269 492  147 36 
Gain on write-off of accounts payable with expired legal term(161)(61) (54)(3) (104)(58) (3)- 
Other one-off items- -  - -  - -  - - 
EBITDA59,140 41,571  47,327 23,979  12,175 15,845  989 2,102 
EBITDA, margin27%21% 44%29% 9%13% 3%7%
            
Mln rubles9m 20179m 2016 9m 20179m 2016 9m 20179m 2016 9m 20179m 2016
Net profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO11,114 5,543  16,873 (2,439) (3,825)8,051  (582)284 
Add:           
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets- 374  - 374  - -  - - 
Loss (profit) after tax from discontinued operations, net- 343  - (84) - 407  - 20 
Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries(474)(191) (474)-  - (191) - - 
Effect on loss attributable to non-controlling interests- (61) - -  - (61) - - 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net(3,601)(19,738) (3,664)(11,719) 64 (7,950) (1)(69)
Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses96 124  76 91  17 31  3 2 
Other fines and penalties892 847  476 319  269 492  147 36 
Gain on write-off of accounts payable with expired legal term(161)(61) (54)(3) (104)(58) (3)- 
Other one-off items- -  - -  - -  - - 
Adjusted net profit (loss), net of income tax 7,866 (12,820) 13,233 (13,461) (3,579)721  (436)273 
            
Operating profit46,415 28,761  40,075 16,913  7,491 10,996  201 1,207 
Add:           
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets- 374  - 374  - -  - - 
Write-off of property, plant and equipment152 303  101 293  20 10  31 - 
Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses96 124  76 91  17 31  3 2 
Other fines and penalties892 847  476 319  269 492  147 36 
Other one-off items- -  - -  - -  - - 
Adjusted operating profit47,555 30,409  40,728 17,990  7,797 11,529  382 1,245 
*** including inter-segment operations           
            
 Consolidated Results Mining Segment *** Steel Segment*** Power Segment***
Mln rubles3q 20172q 2017 3q 20172q 2017 3q 20172q 2017 3q 20172q 2017
Net profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO6,120 (8,908) 6,175 (2,163) 487 (6,530) (569)(250)
Add:           
Depreciation and depletion3,813 3,811  2,185 2,149  1,528 1,540  101 122 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net(1,797)7,876  (2,168)4,106  372 3,756  (1)14 
Finance costs including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance leases payments12,177 11,704  8,728 8,664  3,709 3,348  216 217 
Finance income(51)(315) (361)(554) (150)(267) (12)(19)
Net result on the disposal of non-current assets, impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets, write-off of accounts receivables, provision (reversal of provision) for doubtful accounts and write-off of inventories to net realisable value(454)675  11 322  (523)210  58 143 
Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries(478)4  (478)4  - -  - - 
Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests160 132  (207)202  269 (51) 96 (19)
Income tax (benefit) expense(821)2,088  (1,234)1,689  357 406  55 (7)
Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses32 32  25 25  6 6  1 1 
Other fines and penalties293 373  104 199  110 113  79 61 
Gain on write-off of accounts payable with expired legal term(81)(51) (17)(37) (64)(13) (1)(1)
Other one-off items- -  - -  - -  - - 
EBITDA18,913 17,421  12,764 14,607  6,101 2,518  23 261 
EBITDA, margin26%24% 39%43% 13%6% 0%3%
            
Mln rubles3q 20172q 2017 3q 20172q 2017 3q 20172q 2017 3q 20172q 2017
Net profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO6,120 (8,908) 6,175 (2,163) 487 (6,530) (569)(250)
Add:           
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets- -  - -  - -  - - 
Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries(478)4  (478)4  - -  - - 
Effect on loss attributable to non-controlling interests- -  - -  - -  - - 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net(1,797)7,876  (2,168)4,106  372 3,756  (1)14 
Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses32 32  25 25  6 6  1 1 
Other fines and penalties293 373  104 199  110 113  79 61 
Gain on write-off of accounts payable with expired legal term(81)(51) (17)(37) (64)(13) (1)(1)
Other one-off items- -  - -  - -  - - 
Adjusted net profit (loss), net of income tax 4,089 (674) 3,641 2,134  911 (2,668) (491)(175)
            
Operating profit (loss)15,738 12,588  10,874 11,945  5,041 683  (203)(73)
Add:           
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets- -  - -  - -  - - 
Write-off of property, plant and equipment4 77  4 27  - 49  - 1 
Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses32 32  25 25  6 6  1 1 
Other fines and penalties293 373  104 199  110 113  79 61 
Other one-off items- -  - -  - -  - - 
Adjusted operating profit (loss)16,067 13,070  11,007 12,196  5,157 851  (123)(10)
*** including inter-segment operations           
            

Attachment B

  
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT (LOSS)
AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
(All amounts are in millions of Russian rubles)9 months ended September 30, 
 2017* 2016* 
 (unaudited) (unaudited) 
Continuing operations    
Revenue222,797  196,350  
Cost of sales(121,009) (108,274) 
Gross profit101,788  88,076  
     
Selling and distribution expenses(40,858) (41,237) 
Write-off of property, plant and equipment(152) (303) 
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets-  (374) 
Provision for doubtful accounts(316) (740) 
Taxes other than income tax(3,671) (4,197) 
Administrative and other operating expenses(11,190) (12,975) 
Other operating income814  511  
Total selling, distribution and operating income and (expenses), net(55,373) (59,315) 
Operating profit46,415  28,761  
     
Finance income493  3,963  
Finance costs, including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance lease payments of RUB 785 million, RUB 5,254 million for the 9 months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively(36,273) (43,247) 
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net3,601  19,738  
Share of profit of associates, net of provision14  22  
Other income648  379  
Other expenses(130) (150) 
Total other income and (expense), net(31,647) (19,295) 
Profit before tax from continuing operations14,768  9,466  
     
Income tax expense(2,806) (2,427) 
Profit for the period from continuing operations11,962  7,039  
     
Discontinued operations    
Loss after tax for the period from discontinued operations, net-  (343) 
Profit for the period11,962  6,696  
     
Attributable to:    
Equity shareholders of Mechel PAO11,114  5,543  
Non-controlling interests848  1,153  
     
Other comprehensive income    
Other comprehensive income to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods, net of tax:  179  1,244  
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations179  1,244  
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax179  1,244  
Total comprehensive income for the period, net of tax12,141  7,940  
     
Attributable to:    
Equity shareholders of Mechel PAO11,293  6,787  
Non-controlling interests848  1,153  
   
   
   
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION  
(All amounts are in millions of Russian rubles)    
  September 30, 2017 * December 31, 2016
  (unaudited)   
Assets    
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents 2,239  1,689 
Trade and other receivables 19,385  19,054 
Inventories 36,547  35,227 
Income tax receivables 510  686 
Other current financial assets 37  167 
Other current assets 8,202  6,942 
Total current assets 66,920  63,765 
     
Non-current assets    
Property, plant and equipment 200,697  204,353 
Mineral licenses 34,788  36,099 
Non-current financial assets 227  235 
Investments in associates 277  265 
Deferred tax assets 250  1,502 
Goodwill 18,336  18,355 
Other non-current assets 788  891 
Total non-current assets 255,363  261,700 
Total assets 322,283  325,465 
     
Equity and liabilities    
Current liabilities    
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings, including interest payable, fines and penalties on overdue amounts of RUB 40,410 million and RUB 38,594 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively 422,404  434,165 
Trade and other payables 34,756  40,985 
Advances received 3,473  3,815 
Provisions 2,711  3,496 
Pension obligations 990  944 
Finance lease liabilities 7,756  10,175 
Income tax payable 4,177  2,552 
Taxes and similar charges payable other than income tax 8,578  9,195 
Other current financial liabilities 620  - 
Other current liabilities 81  19 
Total current liabilities 485,546  505,346 
     
Non-current liabilities    
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 16,961  11,644 
Provisions 3,962  3,420 
Pension obligations 3,625  3,501 
Finance lease liabilities 512  421 
Deferred tax liabilities 13,465  16,282 
Other non-current liabilities 143  159 
Other non-current financial liabilities 39,731  36,740 
Income tax payable -  540 
Total non-current liabilities 78,399  72,707 
Total liabilities 563,945  578,053 
      
Equity    
Common shares 4,163  4,163 
Preferred shares 833  833 
Additional paid-in capital 27,960  28,326 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,030  848 
Accumulated deficit (284,186) (294,444)
Equity attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO (250,200) (260,274)
Non-controlling interests 8,538  7,686 
Total equity (241,662) (252,588)
Total equity and liabilities 322,283  325,465 
       


 
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(All amounts are in millions of Russian rubles) 9 months ended September 30,
  2017* 2016*
  (unaudited) (unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities    
Profit for the period 11,962  6,696 
Less loss after tax for the period from discontinued operations, net -  (343)
Profit for the period from continuing operations 11,962  7,039 
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation 9,743  8,607 
Depletion and amortization 1,298  1,415 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net (3,601) (19,738)
Deferred tax (income) expense (1,562) 2,632 
Provision for doubtful accounts 316  740 
Write-off of accounts receivable 48  80 
Write-off of inventories to net realisable value 292  292 
Revision in estimated cash flows from rehabilitation provision (59) (44)
Write-off of property, plant and equipment 152  303 
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets -  374 
(Gain) loss on disposal of non-current assets (9) 29 
Loss (gain) on sale of investments 4  (130)
Gain on write-off of accounts payable with expired legal term (161) (61)
Pension service cost and actuarial loss, other related expenses 96  124 
Finance income (493) (3,963)
Finance costs, including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and finance lease payments 36,273  43,247 
Gain on royalty and other proceeds associated with disposal of Bluestone (481) (84)
Other 213  243 
Changes in working capital items:    
Trade and other receivables (708) (3,633)
Inventories (2,448) (430)
Trade and other payables (3,680) (3,419)
Advances received (318) (51)
Taxes payable and other liabilities 3,156  644 
Other current assets (1,369) 349 
Income tax paid (3,202) (1,364)
Net operating cash flows from discontinued operations -  (436)
Net cash provided by operating activities  45,462  32,765 
     
Cash flows from investing activities    
Loans issued and other investments (5) (11)
Interest received 129  25 
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries 82  145 
Royalty and other proceeds associated with disposal of Bluestone 481  84 
Purchases of available for sale securities -  (4)
Proceeds from loans issued and other investments 144  31 
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment 275  156 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (4,250) (2,398)
Interest paid, capitalized (411) (459)
Net cash used in investing activities  (3,555) (2,431)
     
Cash flows from financing activities    
Proceeds from loans and borrowings 16,809  4,133 
Repayment of loans and borrowings (28,366) (37,922)
Dividends paid to shareholders of Mechel PAO (856) (5)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (118) (2)
Interest paid, including fines and penalties (24,640) (25,756)
Proceeds from sales of 49% stakes in Elga coal complex, with put-option granted -  34,300 
Repayment of obligations under finance lease (2,712) (1,868)
Deferred payments for acquisition of assets (272) - 
Deferred consideration paid for the acquisition of subsidiaries in prior periods (2,430) (3,636)
Net cash used in financing activities  (42,585) (30,756)
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (415) (122)
     
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (1,093) (544)
     
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,689  3,079 
Cash and cash equivalents net of overdrafts at beginning of period 1,453  891 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 2,239  2,350 
Cash and cash equivalents net of overdrafts at end of period 360  347 
       

*These interim condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared by Mechel PAO in accordance with IFRS and have not been audited by the independent auditor. If these interim condensed consolidated financial statements are audited in the future, the audit could reveal differences in our consolidated financial results and we cannot assure that any such differences would not be material.
There were certain reclassifications to conform with the current period presentation.