Sasol Limited: Trading Statement for the Financial Half Year Ending 31 December 2018

JOHANNESBURG, November 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Sasol is expected to deliver a solid set of results, underpinned by higher Brent crude oil and product prices, a weaker average rand exchange rate, a satisfactory performance of its global assets and much lower remeasurement items during the six months ending 31 December 2018. Our underlying cash flow performance and earnings are expected to be much stronger than the period ended 31 December 2017 (prior period).

Headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six months ending 31 December 2018 are expected to increase by between 12% and 29% (approximating R2,12 to R5,12 per share) compared to the prior period HEPS of R17,67. Earnings per share (EPS) for the same period are also expected to increase by between 80% and 100% (approximating R9,03 to R11,29 per share) from the prior period EPS of R11,29.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA*) are expected to increase by between 10% and 30% largely driven by stronger macroeconomics and core** headline earnings per share (CHEPS) are expected to increase by between 15% and 35% (approximating R2,73 to R6,38 per share) compared to the prior period CHEPS of R18,22. The difference between CHEPS and EBITDA is largely due to depreciation and employee share-based payment expenses.

A detailed production summary and key business performance metrics for the financial half year for all our businesses will be available on our website, www.sasol.com on 24 January 2019 and an announcement will be published on SENS notifying shareholders accordingly. We will at this date include a more detailed analysis on our earnings performance including the impact of the closing rate at 31 December 2018.

Our results for the six months ending 31 December 2018 may be further affected by actual trading results in the remaining period and any further adjustments resulting from our half year-end closure process. This may result in a change in the estimated earnings noted above. This trading statement only deals with the comparison to the prior period.

The financial information on which this trading statement is based has not been reviewed and reported on by the Company's external auditors. Sasol will be releasing its audited results for the six months ending 31 December 2018 on Monday, 25 February 2019.

* EBITDA is calculated by adjusting operating profit for depreciation, amortisation, remeasurement items, share-based payments and unrealised gains and losses on our hedging activities.

** Core HEPS are calculated by adjusting headline earnings with once-off items, period close adjustments and depreciation and amortisation of capital projects, exceeding R4 billion which have reached beneficial operation and are still ramping up and share-based payments on implementation of B-BBEE transactions. Period close adjustments in relation to the valuation of our derivatives at period end are to remove volatility from earnings as these instruments are valued using forward curves and other market factors at the reporting date and could vary from period to period. We believe core headline earnings are a useful measure of the group's sustainable operating performance. However, this is not a defined term under IFRS and may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The aforementioned adjustments are the responsibility of the directors of Sasol. The adjustments have been prepared for illustrative purposes only and due to their nature, may not fairly present Sasol's financial position, changes in equity, results of operations or cash flows.

Forward-looking statements - Disclaimer: Sasol may, in this document, make certain statements that are not historical facts and relate to analyses and other information which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding exchange rate fluctuations, volume growth, increases in market share, total shareholder return, executing our growth projects (including LCCP) oil and gas reserves and cost reductions, including in connection with our Business Performance Enhancement Programme, Response Plan, Continuous Improvement programme and our business performance outlook. Words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could", "may", "endeavour", "target", "forecast", "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there are risks that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. If one or more of these risks materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. You should understand that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward looking statements. These factors are discussed more fully in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed on 28 August 2018 and in other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The list of factors discussed therein is not exhaustive; when relying on forward-looking statements to make investment decisions, you should carefully consider both these factors and other uncertainties and events. Forward-looking statements apply only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Moveshen Moodley
Chief Investor Relations Officer
Direct telephone: +27(0)10-344-8052
[email protected]

SOURCE Sasol Limited