16. Август 2022

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
Swiss Steel Group recorded a significant increase in earnings in Q2 2022

  • Revenue increased sharply by 33 % to EUR 1,115.8 million in Q2 2022 versus EUR 839.1 million in the prior-year quarter, while the sales volume declined from 518 kilotons to 457 kilotons
  • Average sales prices continued their strong upward trend, climbing from EUR/t 1,621 to EUR/t 2,442
  • Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2022 reached EUR 96.0 million, compared with EUR 65.4 million in Q2 2021
  • Net debt increased from EUR 720.5 million at year-end 2021 to EUR 936.3 million, as the financing of working capital continued
  • Outlook for 2022: Swiss Steel Group has revised its forecast of an adjusted EBITDA for the full year to a new range of EUR 220 – 260 million. This assumes immaterial additional disruptions due to current geopolitical instability

CEO Frank Koch comments: “Backed by the overall stable market situation in the second quarter we were able to achieve a result of EUR 96.0 million for adjusted EBITDA, despite high volatilities. The lower sales volume was compensated by higher sales prices, comprising an increase in the prices for raw materials and energy.

After having been in charge of Swiss Steel Group for a year now, I am pleased to see my initial expectations confirmed. Our Group has enormous potential – potential that will be leveraged further in the course of reshaping the Group. Through this program, we are laying the basis for a fully integrated Swiss Steel Group under one strong brand. We are making progress toward consolidating operations at the Group level. And we have reached a decisive milestone in reorganizing our sales around the three Divisions Stainless Steel, Engineering Steel and Tool Steel. This new organization, which will go into operation in September 2022, allows a more holistic market approach and more effective and tailored customer service.

With sustainable steel production based on EAF technology as part of our DNA, I see it as our duty to consolidate and expand our position as a leading producer of CO2-reduced steel. On our journey to further reduce our carbon footprint, we have also committed ourselves to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) that encompasses a reduction of carbon emissions by around 42 % over the next ten years.

The unstable geopolitical situation persists, energy prices continue to skyrocket and energy availability has become increasingly uncertain. This has confronted us with considerable challenges that cannot be conclusively assessed. Furthermore, faced with reduced growth forecasts in our end-industry markets, we expect somewhat lower market demand going forward. We will continue to take appropriate measures as required and rely on our foresighted and flexible production planning.”

Lucerne, August 16, 2022 – Swiss Steel Group, a world leader in special long steel, today reported revenue of EUR 1,116 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared with EUR 839 million in the prior-year quarter. This constitutes an increase of 33 %. The sales volume decreased by – 12 % to 457 kilotons, from 518 kilotons in Q2 2021. Adjusted EBITDA came to EUR 96 million, up from EUR 65 million in the prior-year quarter. Net debt amounted to EUR 936.3 million, an increase of EUR 129.1 million from EUR 720.5 million recorded at the end of 2021.

Business performance in the second quarter of 2022

At 457 kilotons, – 11.8 % less steel was sold in the second quarter of 2022 compared with the same quarter of the previous year (Q2 2021: 518 kilotons). This is attributable to a – 7.9 % decrease in the sales volume for quality and engineering steel and a – 33.0 % decline in the sales volume for stainless steel. The tool steel sales volume, by contrast, increased by 2.9 % quarter over quarter.

The average sales price per ton of steel was EUR 2,442 in the second quarter of 2022 and therefore considerably higher than in the same quarter of the previous year, when it stood at EUR 1,621 per ton. The transfer of higher prices for raw materials into our markets led to higher sales prices. Base prices were also raised and the Group implemented an energy surcharge to pass on volatile energy prices.

Due to these higher average sales prices, revenue in the second quarter of 2022 increased by 33.0 % to EUR 1,115.8 million compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The increase in revenue was spread across all product groups. By region, revenue climbed in all of our sales markets, with the strongest gains in the American market (+56.5 %), supported by higher activity in the oil and gas industry.

Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 96.0 million in the second quarter of 2022, a significant increase on the same quarter of the previous year (Q2 2021: EUR 65.4 million).

Free cash flow (cash flow from operating activities less cash flow from investing activities) in the second quarter of 2022 was EUR – 66.0 million. This is practically on par with the same period last year (Q2 2021: EUR – 66.6 million) as prices for raw materials and energy increased further, leading to temporary investments in net working capital.

Outlook for financial year 2022

Based on our reported earnings in the first half of 2022, we are raising our guidance for adjusted EBITDA. As we look to the second half of 2022, volatilities and uncertainties have increased. The geopolitical situation remains unstable, supply chains continue to face manifold challenges, inflation is on the rise and a potential economic slowdown has become imminent. We cannot conclusively assess the material uncertainties facing the energy sector at this time, neither in terms of price developments nor availability. In consequence, we expect lower market demand and a resulting decline in margins, amplifying the usual seasonal slow-down in activity in the second half-year. Assuming only immaterial additional disruptions, we expect an adjusted EBITDA in a range between EUR 220 and 260 million.

Key figures

Swiss Steel Group

Unit

H1 2022

H1 2021

Δ in %

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Δ in %

Order backlog

kilotons

590

650

– 9.2

590

650

– 9.2

Sales volume

kilotons

937

1,028

– 8.9

457

518

– 11.8

Revenue

million EUR

2,144.6

1,590.6

34.8

1,115.8

839.1

33.0

Average sales price

EUR/t

2,290

1,549

47.8

2,442

1,621

50.7

Adjusted EBITDA

million EUR

171.0

109.9

55.6

96.0

65.4

46.8

EBITDA

million EUR

157.1

105.4

49.1

89.5

63.5

40.9

Adjusted EBITDA margin

%

8.0

6.9

8.6

7.8

EBITDA margin

%

7.3

6.6

8.0

7.6

EBIT

million EUR

113.2

62.8

80.3

66.9

42.5

57.4

Earnings before taxes

million EUR

89.5

41.3

54.7

31.7

72.6

Group result

million EUR

74.0

35.2

46.9

30.4

54.3

Investments

million EUR

42.3

34.7

21.9

20.5

20.8

– 1.4

Free cash flow

million EUR

– 174.1

– 151.7

– 14.8

– 66.0

– 66.6

0.9

 

Unit

30.6.2022

31.12.2021

Δ in %

 

 

 

Net debt

million EUR

936.3

720.5

30.0

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

million EUR

594.7

448.7

32.5

 

 

 

Gearing

%

157.4

160.6

 

 

 

Net debt/adj. EBITDA LTM (leverage)

x

3.7

3.8

– 2.6

 

 

 

Balance sheet total

million EUR

2,758.6

2,227.1

23.9

 

 

 

Equity ratio

%

21.6

20.1

 

 

 

Employees as of closing date

Positions

9,904

9,914

– 0.1

 

 

 

Capital employed

million EUR

1,845.0

1,588.6

16.1

 

 

 

 

Unit

H1 2022

H1 2021

Δ in %

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Δ in %

Earnings/share 1)

EUR/CHF

0.02/0.02

0.01/0.01

0.02/0.02

0.01/0.01

Shareholders’ equity/share 2)

EUR/CHF

0.19/0.19

0.15/0.16

0.19/0.19

0.15/0.16

Share price high/low

CHF

0.348/0.210

0.478/0.234

0.291/0.210

0.478/0.268

1)  Earnings per share are based on the result of the Group after deduction of the portions attributable to non-controlling interests

2)  As of June 30, 2022 and as of December 31, 2021

For further information:

For media inquiries:
Anina Berger, a.berger(at)swisssteelgroup.com, phone +41 41 581 4121

For analyst/investor inquiries:
Burkhard Wagner, b.wagner(at)swisssteelgroup.com, phone +41 41 581 4180

 

Media Release (PDF)

Interim Report 2022 (PDF)

Presentation (PDF)

Link to Audio Webcast

Key Figures Q2/H1 2022 (PDF)

5-Quarter Overview (PDF)

About Swiss Steel Group

Swiss Steel Group is today one of the world's leading providers of individual solutions in the special long steel products sector. The Group is one of the leading manufacturers of tool steel and non-corrosive long steel on the global market and one of the largest companies in Europe for alloyed and high-alloyed quality and engineering steels. With close to 10,000 employees and its own production and distribution companies in 30 countries on 5 continents, the company guarantees global support and supply for its customers and offers them a complete portfolio of production and sales & services around the world. Customers benefit from the company's technological expertise, consistently high product quality around the world as well as detailed knowledge of local markets.

Forward-looking statements

This media release contains forward-looking statements, including presentations of developments, plans, intentions, assumptions, expectations, beliefs and potential impacts, as well as descriptions of future events, income, results, situations or outlooks. These are based on the Company's current expectations, beliefs and assumptions, which may differ materially from future results, performance or achievements. The information contained herein is provided with the publication of this document. The forward-looking statements contained herein are not updated as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason.



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