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SAP - Sappi Limited - Results for the 4th quarter and year ended September 2010

Release Date: 08/11/2010 09:03
Code(s): SAP
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SAP - Sappi Limited - Results for the 4th quarter and year ended September 2010 Sappi Limited (Registration number 1936/008963/06) Issuer Code: SAVVI JSE Code: SAP ISIN: ZAE000006284 Results for the 4th quarter and year ended September 2010 Financial summary for the quarter * Operating profit US$129 million (excluding special items); Q4 2009 US$38 million (excluding special items) * EPS 16 US cents; Q4 2009 loss per share of 20 US cents * EPS 9 US cents (excluding special items); Q4 2009 loss per share 2 US cents (excluding special items) * Net cash generated US$238 million; Q4 2009 US$225 million * Coated paper prices increasing; pulp prices high * Strong Demand * Strong Liquidity Quarter ended Sept 2010 Jun 2010 Sept 2009 Key figures: (US$ million) Sales 1,774 1,602 1,553 Operating profit (loss) 158 154 (129) Special items - (gains) losses 1 (29) (79) 167 Operating profit excluding special items 2 129 75 38 EBITDA excluding special items 3 227 176 150 Basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents) 16 12 (20) Net debt 4 2,221 2,337 2,576 Key ratios: (%) Operating profit (loss) to sales 8.9 9.6 (8.3) Operating profit excluding special items to sales 7.3 4.7 2.4 Operating profit excluding special items to Capital Employed (ROCE) 12.6 7.3 3.3 EBITDA excluding special items to sales 12.8 11.0 9.7 Return on average equity (ROE) 5 18.6 15.0 (21.4) Net debt to total capitalisation 5 53.9 57.6 58.9 Year ended
Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Key figures: (US$ million) Sales 6,572 5,369 Operating profit (loss) 341 (73) Special items - (gains) losses 1 (2) 106 Operating profit excluding special items 2 339 33 EBITDA excluding special items 3 752 431 Basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents) 13 (37) Net debt 4 2,221 2,576 Key ratios: (%) Operating profit (loss) to sales 5.2 (1.4) Operating profit excluding special items to sales 5.2 0.6 Operating profit excluding special items to Capital Employed (ROCE) 8.0 0.8 EBITDA excluding special items to sales 11.4 8.0 Return on average equity (ROE) 5 3.6 (10.4) Net debt to total capitalisation 5 53.9 58.9 1 Refer to details on special items. 2 Refer to note 9 to the group results for the reconciliation of operating profit excluding special items to operating profit (loss). 3 Refer to note 9 to the group results for the reconciliation of EBITDA excluding special items to profit (loss) before taxation. 4 Refer to Supplemental Information for the reconciliation of net debt to interest-bearing borrowings. 5 Refer to Supplemental Information for the definition of the term. The table above has not been audited or reviewed. Commentary on the quarter The group had a much improved performance for the quarter, achieving the highest quarterly operating profit excluding special items for a number of years and net cash generated of US$238 million. The performance of each of the businesses improved, particularly those of North America and Southern Africa which are net sellers of pulp and therefore benefited from high pulp prices. Demand conditions continued to improve gradually and almost all our mills ran at full capacity for the quarter. In Europe, we implemented a price increase during September (the third since March) which has started to offset the effect of the substantial increase in pulp input costs experienced over the past year and to restore reasonable margins. Sales increased to US$1.8 billion, a 14% increase on sales in the equivalent quarter last year as a result of increased sales volumes and prices. Average prices realised by the group were 3% higher than a year ago in US Dollar terms. In local currency, average prices increased by 11% in Europe, 8% in North America and, largely as a result of high pulp prices, 25% in South Africa. Raw material input costs were up approximately US$100 million compared to the equivalent quarter last year, mainly as a result of higher pulp prices. Special items for the quarter amounted to a gain of US$29 million primarily in respect of the plantation price fair value adjustment. Operating profit excluding special items was US$129 million for the quarter, a substantial improvement compared to US$38 million in the equivalent quarter last year and compared to US$75 million in the June 2010 quarter. Including special items, operating profit was US$158 million compared to a loss of US$129 million in the equivalent quarter last year. Earnings per share for the quarter were 16 US cents (including a gain of 7 US cents in respect of special items including financing items), compared to a loss of 20 US cents in the equivalent quarter last year (which included a loss of 18 US cents in respect of special items including financing items). Year ended September 2010 compared to year ended September 2009 2010 was a much improved year for Sappi. Sales for the year were 22% higher than the prior year as a result of improving demand, favourable currency movements and the inclusion of the coated paper businesses acquired from M-real for the full year in 2010 compared to 9 months in 2009. Operating profit excluding special items was US$339 million compared to US$33 million in the prior year. While special items had an impact on quarterly results through the year the net effect for the full year was only US$2 million. Accordingly, operating profit including special items for the year was therefore similar at US$341 million compared to a loss of US$73 million last year. The group generated a net profit of US$66 million for the year and earnings per share of 13 US cents (favourably impacted by 4 US cents of special items including financing items) compared to a net loss of US$177 million and a loss per share of 37 US cents (including a loss of 13 US cents of special items including financing items) last year. Cash flow and debt Quarter Net cash generated was US$238 million for the quarter reflecting improved cash generated by operations, and cash released from working capital of US$181 million. Net debt decreased by US$116 million over the quarter to US$2,221 million as a result of the net cash generated, partly offset by unfavourable currency translation (due to the strengthening of the Euro and the Rand relative to the US Dollar in the quarter). Year Over the financial year, we reduced our net debt by US$355 million largely as a result of net cash generation of US$341 million. At year end we had cash on hand of US$792 million and had additional liquidity in the form of a EUR209 million (US$282 million) committed revolving credit facility. During the year, we used approximately US$250 million of our cash to repay debt early. Capital expenditure of US$188 million for the year was in line with our target of US$200 million. Operating Review for the Quarter Sappi Fine Paper Quarter Quarter Quarter ended ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009 % June 2010
US$ million US$ million change US$ million Sales 1,327 1,208 10 1,220 Operating profit 87 1 -* 36 Operating profit to sales (%) 6.6 0.1 - 3.0 Special items - (gains) losses (11) 49 - 1 Operating profit (loss) excluding special items 76 50 52 37 Operating profit (loss) excluding special items to sales (%) 5.7 4.1 - 3.0 EBITDA excluding special items 151 138 9 110 EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%) 11.4 11.4 - 9.0 RONOA pa (%) 10.0 53.9 - 4.8 * Comparative not meaningful. The Fine Paper business achieved an operating profit excluding special items of US$76 million for the quarter, a 52% improvement compared to the equivalent quarter last year as a result of improved demand levels in our major markets and improving prices. Europe Quarter Quarter ended ended
Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million Sales 963 868 Operating profit (loss) 40 (59) Operating profit (loss) to sales (%) 4.2 (6.8) Special items - (gains) losses (6) 75 Operating profit excluding special items 34 16 Operating profit excluding special items to sales (%) 3.5 1.8 EBITDA excluding special items 90 80 EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%) 9.3 9.2 RONOA pa (%) 6.5 2.7 Quarter % % ended change change June 2010 (US$) (Euro) US$ million
Sales 11 23 873 Operating profit (loss) -* -* 11 Operating profit (loss) to sales (%) - - 1.3 Special items - (gains) losses - - 2 Operating profit excluding special items 113 133 13 Operating profit excluding special items to sales (%) - - 1.5 EBITDA excluding special items 13 25 68 EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%) - - 7.8 RONOA pa (%) - - 2.5 * Comparative not meaningful. While the business performed significantly better during the quarter, it is not yet achieving an acceptable return which remains the top priority for the Sappi group. The European business` coated paper shipments continued to grow in the quarter. Industry coated woodfree paper shipments increased by 7%, compared to the equivalent quarter last year including a significant increase in exports. Shipments of coated mechanical paper increased 13%, almost returning to the shipment volumes of the equivalent quarter in 2008 which was prior to the global crash. A third coated woodfree price increase was implemented in September which, together with increases in April and June, is helping offset the effect of rapidly increasing pulp prices. There was a modest price increase for coated mechanical paper in July but the margins for our coated mechanical paper remain well below acceptable levels. Our average price realised in Europe for the quarter was 11% above the equivalent quarter last year and 5% above those realised in the June 2010 quarter. North America Quarter Quarter Quarter ended ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009 % June 2010
US$ million US$ million change US$ million Sales 364 340 7 347 Operating profit 47 60 (22) 25 Operating profit to sales (%) 12.9 17.6 - 7.2 Special items - gains (5) (26) - (1) Operating profit excluding special items 42 34 24 24 Operating profit excluding special items to sales (%) 11.5 10.0 - 6.9 EBITDA excluding special items 61 58 5 42 EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%) 16.8 17.1 - 12.1 RONOA pa (%) 17.8 13.5 - 10.0 The North American business performed well benefiting from its market positioning, competitive cost base, good performance from the specialities products and surplus pulp position with higher pulp pricing. Operating profit was lower than the equivalent quarter last year due to alternative fuel tax credits received in the quarter ended September 2009 which are included in special items. Demand levels improved further, with US industry shipments of coated woodfree paper increasing 9% compared to the equivalent quarter last year. While price increases were implemented on selected coated paper grades during the quarter, the average price increase of 8% compared to the equivalent quarter last year was largely a result of pulp price increases. During the quarter, we built our pulp inventory at Somerset mill in preparation for a pulp mill outage which commenced in October 2010. During the outage we upgraded the chemical recovery complex at the mill which is expected to significantly reduce energy costs and increase the proportion of renewable energy used at the Somerset mill to 89%. During October, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled to impose anti- dumping and countervailing duties on imported coated sheet paper from Indonesia and China. The duties which range from 25.2% to 313.8% are expected to re- establish a level playing field in the US. Sappi Southern Africa Quarter Quarter ended ended
Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million Sales 447 345 Operating profit (loss) 84 (125) Operating profit (loss) to sales (%) 18.8 (36.2) Special items - (gains) losses (26) 115 Operating profit (loss) excluding special items 58 (10) Operating profit (loss) excluding special items to sales (%) 13.0 (2.9) EBITDA excluding special items 82 15 EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%) 18.3 4.3 RONOA pa (%) 12.6 (2.1) Quarter % % ended change change June 2010 (US$) (Rand) US$ million
Sales 30 23 382 Operating profit (loss) -* -* 118 Operating profit (loss) to sales (%) - - 30.9 Special items - (gains) losses - - (83) Operating profit (loss) excluding special items - - 35 Operating profit (loss) excluding special items to sales (%) - - 9.2 EBITDA excluding special items 447 420 62 EBITDA excluding special items to sales (%) - - 16.2 RONOA pa (%) - - 7.9 * Comparative not meaningful. The performance of the Southern African business improved significantly during the quarter. We reorganised the paper and packaging paper business during the quarter to provide a more effective customer interface and to share best operating practices among the mills. The chemical cellulose business continued to achieve higher output from the expanded Saiccor Mill. Demand was very strong and prices increased further. The majority of our sales are linked to long-term contracts and we therefore did not realise the full benefit of the record spot prices in certain markets for chemical cellulose. These spot markets represent a small proportion of the total chemical cellulose market. Demand for packaging and fine paper products has improved in the domestic market but competition from imports has continued as a result of the strength of the Rand relative to the US dollar. Directorate During the quarter, it was announced that Mr H C Mamsch would be retiring from the board of directors at the end of December 2010, having served for seven years. Outlook We expect continued gradual improvement in global economic conditions during the year ahead; however we remain cautious as a result of factors such as the volatility of exchange rates which could dampen growth. Against that background, we expect demand for coated paper in our major markets to recover further during the year. We believe that input costs are likely to rise. We intend to reduce our costs where possible and to grow revenue through sales volume, mix and higher price levels to achieve acceptable margins across the businesses. We expect continued strong demand and good price levels for chemical cellulose in the year ahead. The reorganisation of the paper business in Southern Africa is expected to help improve margins; however, the Rand is currently strong relative to the US dollar and remains volatile. A strengthening Rand would be unfavourable for the performance of the Southern African business. The extended outage at Somerset pulp mill in October 2010 will reduce the potential profitability of our North American business for the quarter but we expect the pulp mill to start ramping up production in early November and for energy costs to be reduced once the rebuilt energy complex reaches optimum efficiencies. With the expected improvement in the performance of our businesses and reduced uncertainty in financial markets we will gradually reduce our cash on hand with further repayment of debt. This, together with our targeted continued reduction in net debt, will help reduce finance costs in the year ahead. In our first financial quarter, we expect the group`s operating profit (excluding special items) to continue the improving trend relative to the equivalent quarter last year. On behalf of the board R J Boettger M R Thompson Director Director 08 November 2010 Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this release that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information, are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements that are predictions of or indicate future earnings, savings, synergies, events, trends, plans or objectives. The words `believe`, `anticipate`, `expect`, `intend`, `estimate`, `plan`, `assume`, `positioned`, `will`, `may`, `should`, `risk` and other similar expressions, which are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, which do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and company plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements (or from past results). Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of the global economic downturn, the highly cyclical nature of the pulp and paper industry (and the factors that contribute to such cyclicality, such as levels of demand, production capacity, production, input costs including raw material, energy and employee costs, and pricing), adverse changes in the markets for the group`s products, consequences of substantial leverage, including as a result of adverse changes in credit markets that affect our ability to raise capital when needed, changing regulatory requirements, possible early termination of alternative fuel tax credits, unanticipated production disruptions (including as a result of planned or unexpected power outages), economic and political conditions in international markets, the impact of investments, acquisitions and dispositions (including related financing), any delays, unexpected costs or other problems experienced with integrating acquisitions and achieving expected savings and synergies and currency fluctuations. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise. Group income statement Reviewed Quarter Quarter ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009
Note US$ million US$ million Sales 1,774 1,553 Cost of sales 1,498 1,519 Gross profit 276 34 Selling, general and administrative expenses 119 112 Other operating expenses 1 56 Share of profit from associates and joint ventures (2) (5) Operating profit (loss) 3 158 (129) Net finance costs 63 14 Net interest 67 21 Net foreign exchange gains (1) (5) Net fair value (gains) losses on financial instruments (3) (2) Profit (loss) before taxation 95 (143) Taxation 11 (40) Current (7) (3) Deferred 18 (37) Profit (loss) for the period 84 (103) Basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents) 16 (20) Weighted average number of shares in issue (millions) 519.5 515.8 Diluted basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents) 16 (20) Weighted average number of shares on fully diluted basis (millions) 524.0 515.8 Reviewed Reviewed
Year Year ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million
Sales 6,572 5,369 Cost of sales 5,786 5,029 Gross profit 786 340 Selling, general and administrative expenses 448 385 Other operating expenses 10 39 Share of profit from associates and joint ventures (13) (11) Operating profit (loss) 341 (73) Net finance costs 255 145 Net interest 293 137 Net foreign exchange gains (17) (17) Net fair value (gains) losses on financial instruments (21) 25 Profit (loss) before taxation 86 (218) Taxation 20 (41) Current (6) 4 Deferred 26 (45) Profit (loss) for the period 66 (177) Basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents) 13 (37) Weighted average number of shares in issue (millions) 516.7 482.6 Diluted basic earnings (loss) per share (US cents) 13 (37) Weighted average number of shares on fully diluted basis (millions) 520.8 482.6 Group statement of comprehensive income Reviewed Reviewed Reviewed Quarter Quarter Year Year
ended ended ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million US$ million US$ million Profit (loss) for the period 84 (103) 66 (177) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 86 (154) 8 (197) Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 121 57 52 14 Actuarial losses in post-employment benefits (71) (229) (71) (229) Movements in hedging reserves 23 (14) 14 (14) Movement on available for sale financial assets 2 - 2 - Deferred tax effects on above 11 32 11 32 Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period 170 (257) 74 (374) Group balance sheet Reviewed Reviewed
Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million ASSETS Non-current assets 4,653 4,867 Property, plant and equipment 3,660 3,934 Plantations 687 611 Deferred taxation 53 56 Other non-current assets 253 266 Current assets 2,531 2,430 Inventories 836 792 Trade and other receivables 903 868 Cash and cash equivalents 792 770 Total assets 7,184 7,297 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Shareholders` equity Ordinary shareholders` interest 1,896 1,794 Non-current liabilities 3,249 3,662 Interest-bearing borrowings 2,317 2,726 Deferred taxation 386 355 Other non-current liabilities 546 581 Current liabilities 2,039 1,841 Interest-bearing borrowings 691 601 Bank overdraft 5 19 Other current liabilities 1,307 1,165 Taxation payable 36 56 Total equity and liabilities 7,184 7,297 Number of shares in issue at balance sheet date (millions) 519.5 515.7 Group cash flow statement Reviewed Reviewed Reviewed Quarter Quarter Year Year ended ended ended ended
Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million US$ million US$ million Profit (loss) for the period 84 (103) 66 (177) Adjustment for: Depreciation, fellings and amortisation 119 131 484 467 Taxation 11 (40) 20 (41) Net finance costs 63 14 255 145 Post-employment benefits (25) (30) (73) (62) Plantation price fair value adjustment (29) 111 (31) 67 Other non-cash items (41) 78 16 33 Cash generated from operations 182 161 737 432 Movement in working capital 181 127 (5) 152 Net finance costs (66) (27) (194) (81) Taxation paid (1) - (9) (5) Dividends paid - - - (37) Cash retained from operating activities 296 261 529 461 Cash utilised in investing activities (58) (36) (188) (762) Capital expenditure and other non-current assets (58) (34) (188) (172) Acquisition - (2) - (590) Net cash generated (utilised) 238 225 341 (301) Cash effects of financing activities (12) (272) (256) 707 Net movement in cash and cash equivalents 226 (47) 85 406 Group statement of changes in equity Reviewed Reviewed Year Year ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009
US$ million US$ million Balance - beginning of period 1,794 1,605 Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period 74 (374) Dividends paid - (37) Rights offer - 575 Costs directly attributable to the rights offer - (31) Issue of new shares 17 45 Transfers (to) from the share purchase trust (6) 2 Share-based payment reserve 17 9 Balance - end of period 1,896 1,794 Notes to the group results 1. Basis of preparation The condensed financial information has been prepared in accordance with the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, the AC 500 standards issued by the Accounting Practices Board and the information required by IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting". The report has been prepared using accounting policies that comply with IFRS which are consistent with those applied in the financial statements for the year ended September 2009, except for the adoption of IFRS 8 "Operating Segments". The preliminary results for the year ended September 2010 have been reviewed in terms of the International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 by the group`s auditors, Deloitte & Touche. Their unmodified review report is available for inspection at the company`s registered office. 2. Adoption of IFRS 8 "Operating Segments" The adoption of IFRS 8 "Operating Segments" did not have an impact on the group`s reported results or financial position. IFRS 8 requires an entity to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable segments. Reportable segments are components of an entity for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. Prior year segment disclosure has been restated as reflected in note 9. Reviewed Quarter Quarter
ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million 3. Operating profit (loss) Included in operating profit (loss) are the following non-cash items: Depreciation and amortisation 98 112 Fair value adjustment on plantations (included in cost of sales) Changes in volume Fellings 21 19 Growth (19) (21) 2 (2) Plantation price fair value adjustment (1) (29) 111 (27) 109
Included in other operating expenses are the following: Asset impairments (impairment reversals) 2 73 Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment (6) - Loss on disposal of investment 1 - Restructuring provisions raised - 24 Integration costs - - Black Economic Empowerment transactions charge (2) - - Fuel tax credit - (50) Reviewed Reviewed
Year Year ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million
3. Operating profit (loss) Included in operating profit (loss) are the following non-cash items: Depreciation and amortisation 413 398 Fair value adjustment on plantations (included in cost of sales) Changes in volume Fellings 71 69 Growth (67) (73) 4 (4) Plantation price fair value adjustment (1) (31) 67 (27) 63 Included in other operating expenses are the following: Asset impairments (impairment reversals) (10) 79 Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment (5) (1) Loss on disposal of investment - - Restructuring provisions raised 46 34 Integration costs - 3 Black Economic Empowerment transactions charge (2) 23 - Fuel tax credit (51) (87) (1) In the third quarter of fiscal 2010 the group changed the estimates used to derive the prices of timber that are used to calculate the fair value of its plantations. The change impacts the estimate of the expected future cash flows that are used in calculating the present value of mature and immature timber except for the timber that is expected to be felled in the next twelve months from balance sheet date. Before the change, Sappi used period end spot prices to estimate the fair value of the above timber; the group now uses a twelve quarter rolling average price, as this reflects the fair value of the plantations more accurately. (2) IFRS 2 non-cash charges associated with Black Economic Empowerment transactions, the majority of which relates to the unwinding of the 2006 Black Economic Empowerment deal with the remaining charge relating to the issue of shares to employees and local communities. Reviewed Reviewed Reviewed Quarter Quarter Year Year ended ended ended ended
Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million US$ million US$ million 4. Headline earnings (loss) per share * Headline earnings (loss) per share (US cents) 16 (6) 10 (21) Weighted average number of shares in issue (millions) 519.5 515.8 516.7 482.6 Diluted headline earnings (loss) per share (US cents) 16 (6) 10 (21) Weighted average number of shares on fully diluted basis (millions) 524.0 515.8 520.8 482.6 Calculation of headline earnings (loss) * Profit (loss) for the period 84 (103) 66 (177) Asset impairments (impairment reversals) 2 73 (10) 79 Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment (5) - (4) (1) Loss on disposal of investment 1 - - - Tax effect of above items - - - - Headline earnings (loss) 82 (30) 52 (99) *Headline earnings disclosure is required by the JSE Limited. 5. Capital expenditure Property, plant and equipment 81 37 201 184 Reviewed Reviewed
Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million 6. Capital commitments Contracted 62 62 Approved but not contracted 109 126 171 188 7. Contingent liabilities Guarantees and suretyships 48 44 Other contingent liabilities 8 8 56 52 8. Material balance sheet movements Early repayment of interest-bearing borrowings The North American Municipal Bonds of US$106 million were repaid in March 2010 at par value. An amount of US$29 million of our 7.5% Guaranteed Notes due 2032 was repurchased in the open market early in the third quarter for US$24 million. An early repayment of the first instalment on a syndicated loan with Osterreichische Kontrollbank of EUR80 million (US$99 million), due in December 2010, was made in June 2010. Transfers from assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale. The Usutu pulp mill was permanently closed at the end of January 2010. The future of the site and plantations was discussed with potential investors and the Government of Swaziland. The disposal group consisting mainly of plantations had been classified as held for sale since December 2009. The Sappi board subsequently took a decision to continue with its forestry operations in Swaziland, and is investigating the establishment of various timber processing operations at the Usutu mill site. As a result, the assets are no longer classified as held for sale. 9. Segment Information Restatement of prior year disclosures Fine Paper Southern Africa is now reported as part of the Southern African segment (previously referred to as "Forest Products") in accordance with the geographical management of our business. The table below shows the effect of this change for the quarter and year ended September 2009: Restated Reviewed
Quarter ended Sept 2009 US$ million As previously
reported Adjustment Restated Fine Paper Sales 1,300 (92) 1,208 Operating (loss) profit (1) 2 1 Net operating assets 3,526 (205) 3,321 Southern Africa Sales 253 92 345 Operating loss (123) (2) (125) Net operating assets 1,686 205 1,891 Restated Reviewed Year ended
Sept 2009 US$ million As previously reported Adjustment Restated
Fine Paper Sales 4,508 (318) 4,190 Operating loss (17) 3 (14) Net operating assets 3,526 (205) 3,321 Southern Africa Sales 861 318 1,179 Operating loss (52) (3) (55) Net operating assets 1,686 205 1,891 The information below is presented in the way that it is reviewed by the chief operating decision maker as required by IFRS 8 "Operating Segments". Restated Quarter Quarter
ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Metric tons Metric tons (000`s) (000`s)
Sales volume Fine Paper - North America 352 355 Europe 994 895 Total 1,346 1,250
Southern Africa - Pulp and paper 460 470 Forestry 289 168 Total 2,095 1,888 Reviewed
US$ million US$ million Sales Fine Paper - North America 364 340 Europe 963 868
Total 1,327 1,208 Southern Africa - Pulp and paper 426 331 Forestry 21 14 Total 1,774 1,553 Operating profit excluding special items Fine Paper - North America 42 34 Europe 34 16 Total 76 50
Southern Africa 58 (10) Corporate and other (5) (2) Total 129 38 Special items - (gains) losses Fine Paper - North America (5) (26) Europe (6) 75 Total (11) 49 Southern Africa (26) 115 Corporate and other 8 3 Total (29) 167 Operating profit (loss) Fine Paper - North America 47 60 Europe 40 (59) Total 87 1 Southern Africa 84 (125) Corporate and other (13) (5) Total 158 (129) EBITDA excluding special items Fine Paper - North America 61 58 Europe 90 80
Total 151 138 Southern Africa 82 15 Corporate and other (6) (3) Total 227 150 Restated Year Year ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009
Metric tons Metric tons (000`s) (000`s) Sales volume Fine Paper - North America 1,354 1,274 Europe 3,796 2,956 Total 5,150 4,230 Southern Africa - Pulp and paper 1,751 1,660 Forestry 993 817
Total 7,894 6,707 Reviewed Reviewed US$ million US$ million Sales Fine Paper - North America 1,373 1,295 Europe 3,638 2,895 Total 5,011 4,190 Southern Africa - Pulp and paper 1,488 1,124 Forestry 73 55 Total 6,572 5,369 Operating profit excluding special items Fine Paper - North America 124 (2) Europe 76 12 Total 200 10 Southern Africa 134 17 Corporate and other 5 6 Total 339 33 Special items - (gains) losses Fine Paper - North America (56) (55) Europe 4 79
Total (52) 24 Southern Africa 22 72 Corporate and other 28 10 Total (2) 106 Operating profit (loss) Fine Paper - North America 180 53 Europe 72 (67) Total 252 (14)
Southern Africa 112 (55) Corporate and other (23) (4) Total 341 (73) EBITDA excluding special items Fine Paper - North America 201 98 Europe 310 226 Total 511 324 Southern Africa 236 101 Corporate and other 5 6 Total 752 431 Restated Restated Reviewed Reviewed Reviewed
Quarter Quarter Year Year ended ended ended ended Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million US$ million US$ million
Net operating assets Fine Paper - North America 935 981 935 981 Europe 2,109 2,340 2,109 2,340 Total 3,044 3,321 3,044 3,321 Southern Africa 1,887 1,891 1,887 1,891 Corporate and other 65 38 65 38 Total 4,996 5,250 4,996 5,250 Reconciliation of operating profit excluding special items to operating profit (loss) Special items cover those items which management believe are material by nature or amount to the operating results and require separate disclosure. Such items would generally include profit or loss on disposal of property, investments and businesses, asset impairments, restructuring charges, non-recurring integration costs related to acquisitions, financial impacts of natural disasters, non-cash gains or losses on the price fair value adjustment of plantations and alternative fuel tax credits receivable in cash. Operating profit excluding special items 129 38 339 33 Special items 29 (167) 2 (106) Plantation price fair value adjustment 29 (111) 31 (67) Restructuring provisions raised - (24) (46) (34) Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment 6 - 5 1 Loss on disposal of investment (1) - - - Asset (impairments) impairment reversals (2) (73) 10 (79) Fuel tax credit - 50 51 87 Integration costs - - - (3) Black Economic Empowerment transactions charge - - (23) - Fire, flood, storm and related events (3) (9) (26) (11) Operating profit (loss) 158 (129) 341 (73) Reconciliation of EBITDA excluding special items and operating profit excluding special items to profit (loss) before taxation EBITDA excluding special items 227 150 752 431 Depreciation and amortisation (98) (112) (413) (398) Operating profit excluding special items 129 38 339 33 Special items - gains (losses) 29 (167) 2 (106) Net finance costs (63) (14) (255) (145) Profit (loss) before taxation 95 (143) 86 (218) Reconciliation of net operating assets to total assets Net operating assets 4,996 5,250 4,996 5,250 Deferred tax 53 56 53 56 Cash and cash equivalents 792 770 792 770 Other current liabilities 1,307 1,165 1,307 1,165 Taxation payable 36 56 36 56 Total assets 7,184 7,297 7,184 7,297 Supplemental Information (this information has not been reviewed) General definitions Average - averages are calculated as the sum of the opening and closing balances for the relevant period divided by two Fellings - the amount charged against the income statement representing the standing value of the plantations harvested NBSK - Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp. One of the main varieties of market pulp, produced from coniferous trees (i.e. spruce, pine) in Scandinavia, Canada and northern USA. The price of NBSK is a benchmark widely used in the pulp and paper industry for comparative purposes SG&A - selling, general and administrative expenses Non-GAAP measures The group believes that it is useful to report certain non-GAAP measures for the following reasons: - these measures are used by the group for internal performance analysis; - the presentation by the group`s reported business segments of these measures facilitates comparability with other companies in our industry, although the group`s measures may not be comparable with similarly titled profit measurements reported by other companies; and - it is useful in connection with discussion with the investment analyst community and debt rating agencies. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as a substitute for GAAP measures in accordance with IFRS Capital employed - shareholders` equity plus net debt EBITDA excluding special items - earnings before interest (net finance costs), taxation, depreciation, amortisation and special items Headline earnings - as defined in circular 3/2009 issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, separates from earnings all separately identifiable re-measurements. It is not necessarily a measure of sustainable earnings. It is a listing requirement of the JSE Limited to disclose headline earnings per share Net assets - total assets less total liabilities Net asset value per share - net assets divided by the number of shares in issue at balance sheet date Net debt - current and non-current interest-bearing borrowings, and bank overdraft (net of cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits) Net debt to total capitalisation - net debt divided by capital employed Net operating assets - total assets (excluding deferred taxation and cash and cash equivalents) less current liabilities (excluding interest-bearing borrowings and bank overdraft) ROCE - return on average capital employed. Operating profit excluding special items divided by average capital employed ROE - return on average equity. Profit for the period divided by average shareholders` equity RONOA - return on average net operating assets. Operating profit excluding special items divided by average net operating assets Special items - special items cover those items which management believe are material by nature or amount to the operating results and require separate disclosure. Such items would generally include profit or loss on disposal of property, investments and businesses, asset impairments, restructuring charges, non-recurring integration costs related to acquisitions, financial impacts of natural disasters, non-cash gains or losses on the price fair value adjustment of plantations and alternative fuel tax credits receivable in cash The above financial measures are presented to assist our shareholders and the investment community in interpreting our financial results. These financial measures are regularly used and compared between companies in our industry Supplemental Information (this information has not been reviewed) Summary Rand convenience translation Quarter Quarter Year Year ended ended ended ended
Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Key figures: (ZAR million) Sales 13,042 11,985 49,235 48,393 Operating profit (loss) 1,162 (996) 2,555 (658) Special items - (gains) losses * (213) 1,289 (15) 955 Operating profit excluding special items * 948 293 2,540 297 EBITDA excluding special items * 1,669 1,158 5,634 3,885 Basic earnings (loss) per share (SA cents) 118 (154) 97 (333) Net debt * 15,589 19,091 15,589 19,091 Key ratios: (%) Operating profit (loss) to sales 8.9 (8.3) 5.2 (1.4) Operating profit excluding special items to sales 7.3 2.4 5.2 0.6 Operating profit excluding special items to Capital Employed (ROCE) * 12.7 3.3 8.3 0.9 EBITDA excluding special items to sales 12.8 9.7 11.4 8.0 Return on average equity (ROE) 19.3 (21.6) 3.7 (12.1) Net debt to total capitalisation * 53.9 58.9 53.9 58.9 *Refer to Supplemental Information for the definition of the term. The above financial results have been translated into Rands from US Dollars as follows: - Assets and liabilities at rates of exchange ruling at period end; and - Income, expenditure and cash flow items at average exchange rates. Reconciliation of net debt to interest-bearing borrowings Sept 2010 Sept 2009 US$ million US$ million Interest-bearing borrowings 3,013 3,346 Non-current interest-bearing borrowings 2,317 2,726 Current interest-bearing borrowings 691 601 Bank overdraft 5 19 Cash and cash equivalents (792) (770) Net debt 2,221 2,576 Exchange rates Sept Jun Mar 2010 2010 2010
Exchange rates: Period end rate: US$1 = ZAR 7.0190 7.6250 7.4298 Average rate for the Quarter: US$1 = ZAR 7.3517 7.5821 7.5597 Average rate for the YTD: US$1 = ZAR 7.4917 7.5610 7.5302 Period end rate: EUR 1 = US$ 1.3491 1.2377 1.3413 Average rate for the Quarter: EUR 1 = US$ 1.2871 1.2937 1.3891 Average rate for the YTD: EUR 1 = US$ 1.3658 1.3845 1.4302 Dec Sept
2009 2009 Exchange rates: Period end rate: US$1 = ZAR 7.5315 7.4112 Average rate for the Quarter: US$1 = ZAR 7.5009 7.7174 Average rate for the YTD: US$1 = ZAR 7.5009 9.0135 Period end rate: EUR 1 = US$ 1.4397 1.4688 Average rate for the Quarter: EUR 1 = US$ 1.4737 1.4317 Average rate for the YTD: EUR 1 = US$ 1.4737 1.3657 The financial results of entities with reporting currencies other than the US Dollar are translated into US Dollars as follows: - Assets and liabilities at rates of exchange ruling at period end; and - Income, expenditure and cash flow items at average exchange rates. Other interested parties can obtain printed copies of this report from: South Africa: Computershare Investor Services (Proprietary) Limited 70 Marshall Street Johannesburg 2001 PO Box 61051 Marshalltown 2107 Tel +27 (0)11 370 5000 United States: ADR Depositary: The Bank of New York Mellon Investor Relations PO Box 11258 Church Street Station New York, NY 10286-1258 Tel +1 610 382 7836 Sappi has a primary listing on the JSE Limited and a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange This report is available on the Sappi website www.sappi.com Date: 08/11/2010 09:03:01 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.