Saint-Gobain: Sales for the First Nine Months of 2014

PARIS, October 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Organic growth at 2.7%; stable in the third quarter 

• Volumes up +1.7% over the first nine months of the year but slipping -0.5% in Q3, hit by construction markets in France and Germany. Confirmation of the positive trends in the UK as well as in the US new-build and industrial markets.
• Sales prices up +1.0% over the nine-month period. More moderate price impact in Q3 (+0.5%) owing to a decrease in prices for Exterior Products in the US and lower inflation in Western Europe.
• Currency impact still significant over the nine-month period (-2.2%) but limited in Q3 (-0.3%).
• Group structure impact of -2.3% over the nine-month period and -3.0% in Q3, resulting chiefly from the disposal of Verallia North America.
• Buyback of around 3.8 million shares over the past three months.

Pierre-André de Chalendar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain, commented:  

"The Group's organic growth in the third quarter reflects the contraction in certain economies in Western Europe, milder growth in Asia and emerging countries, and a downturn in the Roofing business in the US. The positive trends in the UK and Scandinavia, and in US new-build and industrial markets, continued apace. 

The Group has stepped up measures to address this uncertain macroeconomic environment, including the planned 2015 cost cutting program.  

For full-year 2014, the Group continues to target a clear improvement in its operating income expected between 5% and 10% based on comparable Group structure and exchange rates and excluding Verallia North America, as well as a high level of free cash flow." 

The table below presents nine-month sales trends by Business Sector and major geographic area:

   
                                                       Change on                
                           9 months     9    Change on     a                     9 months 
                             2013    months  an actual comparable                  2013
                             Sales    2014   structure structure  Like-for-like    Sales
    EURm                   Restated*  Sales    basis     basis       change      Published
    BUSINESS SECTOR
    Innovative
    Materials[1]             6,738    6,770     0.5%      0.4%        3.6%         6,865
    Flat Glass               3,625    3,621    -0.1%      0.7%        3.0%         3,753
    High-Performance
    Materials                3,121    3,156     1.1%      0.1%        4.2%         3,121

    Construction
    Products[1]              8,641    8,543    -1.1%     -0.1%        3.5%         8,717
    Interior Solutions       4,385    4,505     2.7%      2.7%        5.8%         4,385
    Exterior Solutions       4,300    4,085    -5.0%     -2.9%        1.1%         4,376

    Building Distribution   13,977   14,084     0.8%      1.1%        1.7%        13,977

    Packaging
    (Verallia)[2]            2,740    2,116   -22.8%     -1.4%        2.4%         2,740
        Including VNA         920      314      ---       ---          ---          920

    Internal sales and
    misc.                    (717)    (697)     ---       ---          ---         (726)

    GEOGRAPHIC AREA
    France                   8,708    8,672    -0.4%     -0.5%       -0.5%         8,750
    Other Western European
    countries               13,097   13,508     3.1%      3.3%        3.4%        13,136
    North America[2]         4,594    3,875   -15.7%     -0.8%        2.6%         4,609
    Emerging countries and
    Asia                     6,285    6,241    -0.7%     -0.2%        8.5%         6,402
    Internal sales          (1,305)  (1,480)    ---       ---          ---        (1,324)

    GROUP                   31,379   30,816    -1.8%      0.5%        2.7%        31,573

* 2013 figures restated to reflect the impacts of the amended IFRS 11.

^[1] Including inter-division eliminations.

^[2] Including Verallia North America (VNA) which was deconsolidated with effect from April 11, 2014.

Saint-Gobain's sales for the first nine months of 2014 came in at €30,816 million, down 1.8% from €31,379 million in the same period one year earlier.

The currency impact was a negative 2.2%, due to the depreciation against the euro of Latin American and Scandinavian currencies as well as the US dollar - chiefly in the first half.

The Group structure impact was a negative 2.3%, essentially reflecting the disposal of Verallia North America (VNA) with effect from April 11, as well as the sale of certain non-core Exterior Solutions and Building Distribution businesses.

Like-for-like (comparable structure and exchange rates), sales were up 2.7%. Volumes grew 1.7%, despite a negative third quarter. Sales prices gained 1.0% over the nine months to September 30, following a 1.2% rise in the first half.

The table below presents third-quarter sales trends by Business Sector and major geographic area:

   
                                                       Change on
                            Q3 2013  Q3 2014 Change on     a                      Q3 2013
                                             an actual comparable
                             Sales    Sales  structure structure  Like-for-like    Sales
    EURm                   Restated*           basis     basis       change      Published
    BUSINESS SECTOR
    Innovative
    Materials[1]             2,194    2,286    4.2%       3.4%        3.4%        2,242
    Flat Glass               1,187    1,223    3.0%       2.9%        2.2%        1,234
    High-Performance
    Materials                1,010    1,065    5.4%       3.8%        4.8%        1,010

    Construction
    Products[1]              2,964    2,900    -2.2%     -1.4%       -0.4%        2,993
    Interior Solutions       1,515    1,551     2.4%      2.3%        3.3%        1,515
    Exterior Solutions       1,465    1,366    -6.8%     -5.2%       -4.1%        1,494

    Building Distribution    4,878    4,797    -1.7%     -1.3%       -1.8%        4,878

    Packaging
    (Verallia)[2]             927      616    -33.5%      0.6%        4.0%          927
        Including VNA         315       0       ---       ---         ---           315

    Internal sales and
    misc.                    (235)    (229)     ---       ---         ---          (238)

    GEOGRAPHIC AREA
    France                   2,816    2,724    -3.3%     -3.3%       -3.3%         2,831
    Other Western European
    countries                4,641    4,673     0.7%      0.9%        0.0%         4,659
    North America[2]         1,526    1,234   -19.1%      3.2%        3.6%         1,531
    Emerging countries and
    Asia                     2,178    2,217    1.8%       1.6%        4.6%         2,220
    Internal sales           (433)    (478)     ---       ---          ---         (439)

    GROUP                   10,728   10,370   -3.3%      -0.3%        0.0%        10,802

* 2013 figures restated to reflect the impacts of the amended IFRS 11.

^[1] Including inter-division eliminations.

^[2] Including Verallia North America (VNA) which was deconsolidated with effect from April 11, 2014.

Consolidated sales for the third quarter came in at €10,370million, down 3.3% on the same period one year earlier (€10,728 million). This reflects a negative Group structure impact of 3.0% and a milder negative currency impact of 0.3% thanks to the appreciation of the Group's main currencies against the euro over the past few months.

On a like-for-like basis, sales remained stable over the quarter. Volumes slipped 0.5%, hit by the downturn in construction markets in France and Germany, the decline in Exterior Solutions, and softer growth in Asia and emerging countries.

Prices had a slight 0.5% positive impact, with a decline in prices for US Exterior Products and lower inflation in Western Europe.

Like-for-like performance of Group Business Sectors 

Innovative Materials sales climbed 3.6% over the nine-month period, including 3.4% in the third quarter powered by High-Performance Materials.

• Flat Glass reported 3.0% organic growth over the first nine months of the year. In the third quarter (+2.2%), trading remained upbeat in Asia and emerging countries, with the exception of Brazil and particularly the automotive sector. In Europe, the construction markets remained under pressure. Prices continued to progress slightly overall in Flat Glass, amid stable prices for commodity products (float glass) in Europe.
• High-Performance Materials sales were up 4.2% over the nine months to September 30. Third-quarter trading (up 4.8%) continued along the lines of the first half, but with a smaller price impact. As the upswing in North American industrial markets took hold, Plastics sales picked up pace, Abrasives continued to grow and Ceramics improved gradually, thanks to a favorable basis for comparison.

Construction Products (CP) sales advanced 3.5% over the nine months despite slipping 0.4% in the third quarter due to Exterior Solutions.

• Interior Solutions delivered 5.8% growth over the nine-month period, helped by mild winter weather in the first quarter. Third-quarter trading (up 3.3%) continued along the lines of the three months to June 30, spurred by upbeat construction markets in the US. In Western Europe prices decreased, while volumes continued to grow, buoyed by our businesses' positioning in the energy efficiency market. Sales growth in Asia and emerging countries slowed on the back of the downturn in trading in Japan and Latin America.
• Exterior Solutions retreated 4.1%, with both volumes and prices down in the third quarter, reducing organic growth over the nine-month period to 1.1%. The decline stems chiefly from the impact of prices for Exterior Products in the US, which continued to struggle from the lack of additional weather-related demand. Pipe posted good organic growth for the first nine months of the year driven by the ramp-up in export contracts, despite third-quarter trading being hit by a reduction in cast iron production capacity in China. The economic situation in Western Europe continued to take its toll on Industrial Mortars, although the business reported further good organic growth in Asia and emerging countries despite the decrease in volumes in Latin America.

Building Distribution posted 1.7% organic growth over the nine-month period, with sales losing 1.8% in the three months to September 30 after slipping 0.2% in the second quarter.

The downturn in France worsened, due to the sharp contraction in the new-build market. After a first quarter buoyed by mild winter weather, Germany has been declining fairly significantly since the second quarter. However, the upbeat momentum was confirmed in the UK and Scandinavia posted slight growth over the third quarter. Brazil saw small growth gains, despite the cyclical downturn.

Packaging (Verallia) sales moved up 2.4% over the nine months to September 30, powered by a 4.0% rise in the third quarter.

Sales prices for the Business Sector remained under pressure in Western Europe, while volumes increased slightly. Latin America once again reported good growth, driven by inflation-related price trends.

Like-for-like analysis by geographic area 

Organic growth slowed in the third quarter:

• In France, the trading downturn gained ground (down 3.3% over the quarter and 0.5% over the nine-month period), hit by the contraction in the new-build market.
• Trading in other Western European countries, which remained stable over the quarter, was still up over the first nine months of the year, at +3.4%. The slowdown in trading reflects the decline in Germany. The UK continued to grow and Nordic countries advanced slightly.
• Organic growth in North America came in at 2.6% for the first nine months of the year, including 3.6% in the third quarter. Interior Solutions continued to benefit from good momentum in US construction in terms of both volumes and prices, despite Exterior Products taking some shine off the region's performance. Industrial markets continued to improve.
• Asia and emerging countries posted 8.5% growth over the nine-month period and 4.6% in the third quarter. Trading slowed across all regions compared to the first half of the year.

Update on asbestos claims in the United States 

Some 3,000 new claims were filed against CertainTeed in the first nine months of 2014, in line with the same period in 2013. Taking into account around 4,000 claims settled in the period (versus 3,000 in the first nine months of 2013), and around 4,000 claims transferred to inactive dockets, some 38,000 claims were outstanding at September 30, 2014, compared with 43,000 at end- 2013.  

Update on the share buyback 

Over the past three months Saint-Gobain has bought back 3,786,095 of its own shares at an average price of €35.35.

Outlook and objectives for full-year 2014 

The Group expects the following trends for the fourth quarter:

• In Western Europe, the upturn in our markets should continue in the UK and to a lesser extent in Scandinavia. The decline in the new-build market in France will continue to affect performance. The outlook in Germany remains uncertain.  
• In North America, construction should remain buoyant with the exception of Exterior Products markets. Industry should continue to advance.
• In Asia and emerging countries, our businesses should maintain a satisfactory level of growth.
• Lastly, household consumption should prove upbeat in volume terms but could continue to be affected by competitive pressure on prices.

The Group is rolling out specific measures to address this uncertain macroeconomic environment:

• keeping a priority focus on increasing sales prices in order to maintain a positive spread versus raw material and energy costs;
• implementing the cost-cutting program, with the aim of unlocking €210 million in additional cost savings in the second half compared to the same period in 2013 (representing total cost savings of €450 million in 2014 versus 2013);
• stepping up the cost cutting program already in place for 2015 in response to weaker markets;
• maintaining a close watch on cash management and financial strength, including adjusting capital expenditure to below the €1.5 billion initially planned;
• pursuing a selective acquisitions and divestments policy.

For full-year 2014, Saint-Gobain continues to target:

• a clear improvement in its operating income expected between 5% and 10% based on comparable structure and exchange rates and excluding Verallia North America;
• a high level of free cash flow.

Financial calendar 

Results for 2014: February 25, 2015, after close of trading on the Paris Bourse.

Important disclaimer - forward-looking statements: 

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to Saint-Gobain's financial condition, results, business, strategy, plans and outlook. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of the words "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "plan" and similar expressions. Although Saint-Gobain believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as at the time of publishing this document, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of its future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of Saint-Gobain, including but not limited to the risks described in Saint-Gobain's registration document available on its website (http://www.saint-gobain.com). Accordingly, readers of this document are cautioned against relying on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document. Saint-Gobain disclaims any intention or obligation to complete, update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release does not constitute any offer to purchase or exchange, nor any solicitation of an offer to sell or exchange securities of Saint-Gobain. 

For any further information, please visit http://www.saint-gobain.com.

Analyst/Investor relations

Gaetano Terrasini  +33-1-47-62-32-52
Vivien Dardel +33-1-47-62-44-29
Marine Huet  +33-1-47-62-30-93

Press relations

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SOURCE Saint-Gobain