Aperam - First quarter 2024 results: "Non-traditional activities prove
resilient in the industrial recession"
Aperam S.A. / Key word(s): Quarter Results
Aperam - First quarter 2024 results: "Non-traditional activities
prove resilient in the industrial recession"
03-May-2024 / 06:59 CET/CEST
____________________________________________________________
First quarter 2024 results1
"Non-traditional activities prove resilient in the industrial
recession"
Luxembourg, May 3, 2024 (07:00 CET) - Aperam (referred to as
"Aperam" or the "Company") (Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Paris,
Brussels: APAM, NYRS: APEMY), announced today results for the
three months ended March 31, 2024.
Highlights
* Health and Safety: LTI frequency rate of 1.5x in Q1 2024
compared to 2.1x in Q4 2023
* Shipments of 585 thousand tonnes in Q1 2024, 8% increase
compared to shipments of 541 thousand tonnes in Q4 2023
* Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 55 million in Q1 2024, similar to
Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 55 million in Q4 2023
* Net loss of EUR (19) million in Q1 2024, compared to net
income of EUR 70 million in Q4 2023
* Basic earnings per share of EUR (0.26) in Q1 2024, compared
to EUR 0.97 in Q4 2023
* Free cash flow before dividend and share buy-back amounted to
EUR (141) million in Q1 2024, compared to EUR 217 million in
Q4 2023
* Net financial debt of EUR 674 million as of March 31, 2024,
compared to EUR 491 million as of December 31, 2023
Strategic initiatives
* Leadership Journey®2 Phase 5: Gains reached EUR 3 million in
Q1 2024 the first quarter of the 2024 - 2026 starting the
first quarter in a program with target gains of EUR 200
million.
Prospects(1)a
* Q2 2024 EBITDA is expected at a higher level versus Q1 2024
* We guide for lower Q2 2024 net financial debt
Timoteo Di Maulo, CEO of Aperam, commented:
"The European manufacturing environment resembles 2020 but with a
much longer duration. Q1 marked the 7th consecutive recessionary
quarter in the stainless steel industry. We are glad to have
differentiated our value chain early. Recycling, forestry, alloys
and distribution support the group through the low stainless
cycle. Our Leadership Journey 5 focus of mix improvement and cost
reduction focus will restore Aperam's profitability and cash
generating ability. Success is already visible in our ESG
performance. At less than 280 kg CO2e per tonne of steel Aperam
surpassed already in 2023 its ambitious target for 2030 and is a
best in class producer globally."
Financial Highlights (on the basis of financial information
prepared under IFRS)
(in millions of Euros, unless otherwise stated)
Q1 24
Q4 23
Q1 23
Sales
1,657
1,551
1,876
Operating income / (loss)
(3)
(10)
81
Net income / (loss) attributable to equity holders of the parent
(19)
70
132
Basic earnings per share (EUR)
(0.26)
0.97
1.83
Diluted earnings per share (EUR)
(0.26)
0.96
1.83
Free cash flow before dividend and share buy-back
(141)
217
85
Net Financial Debt (at the end of the period)
674
491
419
Adj. EBITDA
55
55
127
Exceptional items
-
(11)
-
EBITDA
55
44
127
Adj. EBITDA/tonne (EUR)
94
102
215
EBITDA/tonne (EUR)
94
81
215
Shipments (000t)
585
541
591
Health & Safety results
Health and Safety performance based on Aperam personnel figures
and contractors' lost time injury frequency rate was 1.5x in the
first quarter of 2024 compared to 2.1x in the fourth quarter of
2023.
Financial results analysis for the three-month period ending
March 31, 2024
Sales for the first quarter of 2024 increased by 6.8% at EUR
1,657 million compared to EUR 1,551 million for the fourth
quarter of 2023. Shipments increased from 541 thousand tonnes in
the fourth quarter of 2023 to 585 thousand tonnes in the first
quarter of 2024, due to seasonal factors.
Adjusted EBITDA remained stable during the quarter at EUR 55
million compared to EUR 55 million in the fourth quarter of 2023
(excluding an exceptional loss of EUR (11) million, related to a
program to promote employee attrition). Higher volumes, a better
mix and a favorable price/input cost development compensated for
the valuation effects contained in the previous quarter.
Depreciation and amortization expense was EUR (58) million for
the first quarter of 2024.
Aperam had an operating loss for the first quarter of 2024 of EUR
(3) million compared to an operating loss of EUR (10) million for
the previous quarter.
Financing costs, net, including the FX and derivatives result for
the first quarter of 2024 were EUR (16) million. Cash cost of
financing was EUR (12) million during the quarter.
Income tax benefit was EUR 1 million during the first quarter of
2024.
The net result recorded by the Company was a loss of EUR (19)
million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to a profit of
EUR 70 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Cash flows from operations for the first quarter of 2024 were
negative at EUR (61) million, including a working capital
increase of EUR 81 million. CAPEX for the first quarter was EUR
(77) million.
Free cash flow before dividend and share buyback for the first
quarter of 2024 amounted to EUR (141) million, compared to EUR
217 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2024, cash returns to shareholders
amounted to EUR 36 million, consisting fully of dividend.
Operating segment results analysis
Stainless & Electrical Steel (1)
(in millions of Euros, unless otherwise stated)
Q1 24
Q4 23
Q1 23
Sales
1,022
1,015
1,233
Adjusted EBITDA
6
(34)
80
Exceptional items
-
(11)
-
EBITDA
6
(45)
80
Depreciation & amortization
(27)
(28)
(25)
Operating income / (loss)
(21)
(73)
55
Steel shipments (000t)
415
407
399
Average steel selling price (EUR/t)
2,358
2,390
2,982
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Stainless & Electrical Steel segment had sales of EUR 1,022
million for the first quarter of 2024. This represents a 0.7%
increase compared to sales of EUR 1,015 million for the fourth
quarter of 2023. Steel shipments during the first quarter were
415 thousand tonnes, an increase of 2.0% compared to shipments of
407 thousand tonnes during the previous quarter. Shipments in
Brazil were seasonally softer but remained at a solid level. In
Europe shipments improved seasonally from a very low base.
Average steel selling prices for the Stainless & Electrical Steel
segment decreased by 1.3% compared to the previous quarter.
The segment generated an EBITDA of EUR 6 million for the first
quarter of 2024 compared to a negative EBITDA of EUR (45) million
(including an exceptional loss of EUR (11) million, related to a
program to promote employee attrition) for the fourth quarter of
2023. EBITDA increased due to a better mix, and a favorable price
/ input cost development that allowed Europe to break even and a
less negative inventory valuation charge.
Depreciation and amortization expense was EUR (27) million for
the first quarter of 2024.
The Stainless & Electrical Steel division had an operating loss
of EUR (21) million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to an
operating loss of EUR (73) million for the fourth quarter of
2023.
Services & Solutions (1)
(in millions of Euros, unless otherwise stated)
Q1 24
Q4 23
Q1 23
Sales
616
535
671
EBITDA
15
17
13
Depreciation & amortization
(4)
(4)
(3)
Operating income
11
13
10
Steel shipments (000t)
201
160
180
Average steel selling price (EUR/t)
2,936
3,157
3,603
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Services & Solutions segment had sales of EUR 616 million for
the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 15.1%
compared to sales of EUR 535 million for the fourth quarter of
2023. For the first quarter of 2024, steel shipments were 201
thousand tonnes compared to 160 thousand tonnes during the
previous quarter. Average steel selling prices for the Services &
Solutions' segment were 7.0% lower during the first quarter of
2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
The segment generated an EBITDA of EUR 15 million for the first
quarter of 2024 compared to an EBITDA of EUR 17 million for the
fourth quarter of 2023. EBITDA decreased slightly mainly due to a
higher inventory valuation charge that was partly compensated by
higher volumes.
Depreciation and amortization expense was EUR (4) million for the
first quarter of 2024.
The Services & Solutions segment had an operating income of EUR
11 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to an operating
income of EUR 13 million for the fourth quarter of
2023.
Alloys & Specialties(1)
(in millions of Euros, unless otherwise stated)
Q1 24
Q4 23
Q1 23
Sales
282
242
211
EBITDA
24
19
11
Depreciation & amortization
(3)
(1)
(3)
Operating income
21
18
8
Steel shipments (000t)
11
9
9
Average steel selling price (EUR/t)
25,483
25,000
22,733
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Alloys & Specialties segment had sales of EUR 282 million for
the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 16.5%
compared to EUR 242 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Steel
shipments increased by 16.5% during the first quarter of 2024 at
11 thousand tonnes. Average steel selling prices for the Alloys &
Specialties' segment were 1.9% higher during the first quarter of
2024.
The Alloys & Specialties segment achieved EBITDA of EUR 24
million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to EUR 19 million
for the fourth quarter of 2023. EBITDA increased despite a higher
inventory valuation charge due to higher volumes, a better mix
from project business and better pricing
Depreciation and amortization expense for the first quarter of
2024 was EUR (3) million.
The Alloys & Specialties segment had an operating income of EUR
21 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to an operating
income of EUR 18 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Recycling & Renewables (1)
(in millions of Euros, unless otherwise stated)
Q1 24
Q4 23
Q1 23
Sales
483
456
562
EBITDA
18
65
45
Depreciation & amortization
(24)
(20)
(15)
Operating income / (loss)
(6)
45
30
Shipments (000t)
343
337
375
Average selling price (EUR/t)
1,408
1,353
1,499
(1) Amounts are shown prior to intra-group eliminations
The Recycling & Renewables segment had sales of EUR 483 million
for the first quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 5.9%
compared to EUR 456 million sales for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Shipments increased by 1.8% during the first quarter of 2024 to
343 thousand tonnes. Average selling prices for the Recycling &
Renewables' segment were 4.1% higher during the first quarter of
2024.
EBITDA decreased during the quarter to EUR 18 million compared to
EBITDA of EUR 65 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. EBITDA
decreased mainly due to the absence of valuation effects recorded
in the previous quarter.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the first quarter of
2024 was EUR (24) million.
The Recycling & Renewables segment had an operating loss of EUR
(6) million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to an
operating income of EUR 45 million for the fourth quarter of
2023.
Recent developments during the quarter
* On February 15, 2024, Aperam and Metalshub announced a
partnership for a Digital Source-to-Contract solution.
* On March 26, 2024, Aperam announced the publication of its
Annual Report 2023 (Link).
* On March 29, 2024, Aperam announced the publication of the
convening notice for its Annual General Meeting of
shareholders to be held on April 30, 2024.
* On April 2, 2024, Aperam BioEnergia kicked off Patch
partnership by selling 15,000 metric tons of carbon removal.
* On April 24, 2024, Aperam announced the publication of its
sustainability performance report for 2023 called 'made for
life' (Link).
* On April 30, 2024, Aperam announced that the Annual General
Meeting of Shareholders of Aperam approved all resolutions on
the agenda by a large majority.
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 > Q1-2024 (Link to Q1 2024 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:
Date
New York
London
Luxembourg
Friday,
3 May 2024
08:00
13:00
14:00
Link to the webcast:
https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/aperam/20240503_1/
The dial-in numbers for the call are: France : +33 (0) 1 7037
7166 USA: +1 786 697 3501
UK: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200 Belgium: +32 (0) 2 789 8603
Germany: +49 (0) 30 3001 90612 Netherlands +31 (0) 20 708 5073
The conference password is: Aperam.
Contacts
Company secretary / Delphine Féraud Valendru,
aperam.corporate@aperam.com
Investor Relations / Thorsten Zimmermann: +352 661 570 250;
thorsten.zimmermann@aperam.com
About Aperam
Aperam is a global player in stainless, electrical and specialty
steel, with customers in over 40 countries. Since January 2022,
the business is organized in four primary reportable segments:
Stainless & Electrical Steel, Services & Solutions, Alloys &
Specialties and Recycling & Renewables.
Aperam has a flat Stainless and Electrical steel capacity of 2.5
million tonnes in Brazil and Europe and is a leader in high value
specialty products. In addition to its industrial network, spread
over six production facilities in Brazil, Belgium and France,
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 5 of its main
6 facilities certified ResponsibleSteelTM, 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 2023, Aperam had sales of EUR 6,592 million and shipments of
2.20 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 FINANCIAL POSITION
(in million of EURO)
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
ASSETS
Cash & cash equivalents (C)
207
443
442
Inventories, trade receivables and trade payables
1,690
1,580
1,902
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
148
146
179
Total Current Assets & Working Capital
2,045
2,169
2,523
Goodwill and intangible assets
449
452
451
Property, plant and equipment (incl. Biological assets)
2,114
2,111
1,913
Investments in associates, joint ventures and other
8
8
3
Deferred tax assets
217
213
90
Other non-current assets
134
131
118
Total Assets (net of Trade Payables)
4,967
5,084
5,098
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt (B)
318
360
233
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
370
361
412
Total Current Liabilities (excluding Trade Payables)
688
721
645
Long-term debt, net of current portion (A)
563
574
628
Deferred employee benefits
153
153
138
Deferred tax liabilities
104
115
132
Other long-term liabilities
69
71
74
Total Liabilities (excluding Trade Payables)
1,577
1,634
1,617
Equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent
3,382
3,442
3,474
Non-controlling interest
8
8
7
Total Equity
3,390
3,450
3,481
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (excluding Trade
Payables)
4,967
5,084
5,098
Net Financial Debt (D = A+B-C)
674
491
419
APERAM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in million of EURO)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
Sales
1,657
1,551
1,876
Adjusted EBITDA (E = C-D)
55
55
127
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)
3.3%
3.5%
6.8%
Exceptional items (D)
-
(11)
-
EBITDA (C = A-B)
55
44
127
EBITDA margin (%)
3.3%
2.8%
6.8%
Depreciation & amortization (B)
(58)
(54)
(46)
Operating income / (loss) (A)
(3)
(10)
81
Operating margin (%)
(0.2)%
(0.6%)
4.3%
Results from associates and other investments
-
(1)
-
Financing income / (costs), (net)
(16)
(37)
86
Income / (loss) before taxes and non-controlling interests
(19)
(48)
167
Income tax benefit / (expense)
1
118
(35)
Effective tax rate (%)
3.8%
248.7%
20.5%
Net income / (loss) including non-controlling interests
(18)
70
132
Non-controlling interests
(1)
-
-
Net income / (loss) attributable to equity holders of the parent
(19)
70
132
Basic earnings per share (EUR)
(0.26)
0.97
1.83
Diluted earnings per share (EUR)
(0.26)
0.96
1.83
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
72,249
72,249
72,184
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
72,628
72,776
72,525
APERAM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in million of EURO)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
Operating income / (loss)
(3)
(10)
81
Depreciation & amortization
58
54
46
Change in working capital
(81)
289
(23)
Income tax paid
(7)
(3)
(15)
Interest paid, (net)
(5)
3
(4)
Exceptional items
-
11
-
Other operating activities (net)
(23)
(26)
53
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (A)
(61)
318
138
Purchase of PPE and intangible assets (CAPEX)
(77)
(93)
(44)
Purchase of biological assets and other investing activities
(net)
(3)
(8)
(9)
Net cash used in investing activities (B)
(80)
(101)
(53)
(Payments) / Proceeds from payables to banks and long term debt
(54)
5
(60)
Dividends paid
(36)
(36)
(36)
Other financing activities (net)
(4)
(3)
(3)
Net cash used in financing activities
(94)
(34)
(99)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(1)
(25)
(1)
Change in cash and cash equivalent
(236)
158
(15)
Free cash flow before dividend and share buy-back (C = A+B)
(141)
217
85
Appendix 1a - Health & Safety statistics
Health & Safety Statistics
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
September 30,
2023
Frequency Rate
1.5
2.1
1.4
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
Quarter Ending
March 31, 2024
Stainless & Electrical Steel
Services & Solutions
Alloys & Specialties
Recycling & Renewables
Others & Eliminations
Total
Operational information
Shipment (000t)
415
201
11
343
(385)
585
Average selling price (EUR/t)
2,358
2,936
25,483
1,408
2,832
Financial information (EURm)
Sales
1,022
616
282
483
(746)
1,657
EBITDA
6
15
24
18
(8)
55
Depreciation & amortization
(27)
(4)
(3)
(24)
-
(58)
Operating income / (loss)
(21)
11
21
(6)
(8)
(3)
Quarter Ending
December 31, 2023
Stainless & Electrical Steel
Services & Solutions
Alloys & Specialties
Recycling & Renewables
Others & Eliminations
Total
Operational information
Shipment (000t)
407
160
9
337
(372)
541
Average selling price (EUR/t)
2,390
3,157
25,000
1,353
2,867
Financial information (EURm)
Sales
1,015
535
242
456
(697)
1,551
Adjusted EBITDA
(34)
17
19
65
(12)
55
Exceptional items
(11)
-
-
-
-
(11)
EBITDA
(45)
17
19
65
(12)
44
Depreciation & amortization
(28)
(4)
(1)
(20)
(1)
(54)
Operating income / (loss)
(73)
13
18
45
(13)
(10)
Appendix 2 - Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Basic Earnings per
Share
(in million of EURO)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
Net income / (loss)
(19)
70
132
Exceptional items
-
11
-
(Recognition) / derecognition of deferred tax assets on tax
losses carried forward and other tax benefits
(4)
(101)
-
Deferred tax effect on exceptional items
-
(3)
-
Adjusted Net income / (loss)
(23)
(23)
132
Basic earnings per share (EUR)
(0.26)
0.97
1.83
Adjusted Basic earnings per share (EUR)
(0.32)
(0.32)
1.83
Appendix 3 - Terms and definitions
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, reversal of provisions for liabilities and
charges, recognition of deferred tax assets on tax losses carried
forward, reversal of current income tax on interest on PIS/Cofins
in Brazil 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, intangible assets and biological
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 and share buy-back: 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 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.
3 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 3 "Terms &
definitions".
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(1)a The outlook for the quarter depends on the future
development of metal and product prices. Both are assumed as
constant at their current level.
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Dissemination of a Financial Wire News, transmitted by EQS Group.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this
announcement.
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1894731 03-May-2024 CET/CEST