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MONDI LIMITED - Trading update

Release Date: 16/05/2018 08:00
Code(s): MND MNP     PDF:  
Wrap Text
Trading update

Mondi Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1967/013038/06)
JSE share code: MND ISIN: ZAE000156550

Mondi plc
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registered number: 6209386)
LEI: 213800LOZA69QFDC9N34
JSE share code: MNP ISIN: GB00B1CRLC47
LSE share code: MNDI


As part of the dual listed company structure, Mondi Limited and Mondi plc (together ‘Mondi Group’ or ‘Mondi’)
notify both the JSE Limited and the London Stock Exchange of matters required to be disclosed under the
Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited and/or the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency and Listing
Rules of the United Kingdom Listing Authority.

Mondi Group: Trading update 16 May 2018

This trading update provides an overview of our financial performance and financial position since the year
ended 31 December 2017, based on management information up to 31 March 2018 and estimated results
for April 2018. These results have not been audited or reviewed by Mondi’s external auditors.

Reviewed results for the half-year ending 30 June 2018 will be published on 3 August 2018.

Except as discussed in this update, there have been no significant events or transactions impacting either
the financial performance or financial position of the Group since 31 December 2017 up to the date of this
statement.

Group performance overview

Underlying operating profit for the first quarter of 2018 of €295 million was 15% above the comparable prior
year period (€256 million – restated1) and 6% up on the fourth quarter of 2017 (€279 million - restated1).
Higher average selling prices and profit improvement initiatives across the Group more than offset higher
operating costs, the impact of maintenance shuts and negative currency effects.

Like-for-like sales volumes were stable on the comparable prior year period, with growth in Packaging Paper
offset by lower volumes in Uncoated Fine Paper due to the extended maintenance shut at Richards Bay
(South Africa). Selling prices for the Group’s key paper grades were, on average, above both the comparable
prior year period and the previous quarter as the upward pricing momentum witnessed during 2017
continued.

Costs were generally higher than the comparable prior year period and the previous quarter. Among key
input costs, wood, energy and chemical costs were higher than the comparable prior year period. The
notable exception was paper for recycling costs, where average benchmark European prices were down
15% compared to the first quarter of 2017, and 16% lower sequentially, as the Chinese import ban continued
to impact global trade. Cash fixed costs were higher, largely as a result of the impact of maintenance shuts.

Currency movements had a net negative impact on operating profit versus the comparable prior year period,
driven mainly by a weaker US dollar and Russian rouble relative to the euro, and a net negative impact
when compared to the fourth quarter of 2017 mainly as a result of a stronger South African rand.

As previously disclosed, a prolonged maintenance shut at our Richards Bay mill took place during the first
quarter. The estimated impact on operating profit of maintenance shuts completed during the period was
around €35 million (2017: €10 million). Based on prevailing market prices, we estimate that the impact of
maintenance shuts on operating profit for 2018 will be around €115 million (2017: €95 million), slightly above
our previous estimate, of which around half will be incurred in the first half of the year (H1 2017: €40 million).

Business unit overview

In Packaging Paper, containerboard markets remain robust with good demand and limited industry capacity
additions continuing to support pricing. Average selling prices were up significantly on the prior year period
and more modestly up sequentially, on the back of implemented price increases through the course of 2017
and in the first quarter of 2018. Volumes were up on the comparable prior year period due to the timing of
maintenance shuts and the ramp-up of production from expansionary projects completed in 2017.

The sack kraft paper market remains tight, supported by good demand and constrained supply growth. Sales
volumes for sack kraft paper were up compared to the first quarter of 2017, while selling prices were higher
both compared to the comparable prior year period and sequentially following price increases implemented
in all markets from the beginning of the year.

In April 2018, we signed an agreement to sell our flat sack kraft paper mill in Pine Bluff, Arkansas (USA),
with 130,000 tonnes annual production capacity, to Twin Rivers Paper Company LLC. The transaction
remains subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to complete in the second quarter of 2018.

Fibre Packaging made good progress in implementing price increases to compensate for the significantly
higher packaging paper input costs. As previously reported, in Industrial Bags, annual contracts for 2018
were finalised during the first quarter, with price increases implemented that largely reflect the full impact on
the cost base of the paper price increases that took effect from the beginning of the year. Industrial Bags
also benefited from good volume growth, particularly in emerging Europe and the Middle East. In Corrugated
Packaging, good progress has been made in recovering the paper price increases, with efforts in this regard
ongoing, while volumes were flat on a very strong comparable prior year period and pricing discipline.

In April 2018, we signed an agreement to acquire an industrial bags plant near Cairo, Egypt, for a total
consideration of EGP510 million (€24 million) on a debt and cash free-basis. Together with the previously
announced agreement to acquire a control position in another plant near Cairo, this further expands our
production network in the fast growing Middle East region. We anticipate completion of these acquisitions
towards the end of the second quarter.

Consumer Packaging benefited from the ongoing initiatives to improve the product mix and the programme
launched in the second half of 2017 to restructure the cost base, although near term performance continues
to be held back by declining volumes in personal care components and the generally challenging trading
conditions. In continuing to drive performance by aligning capacity to current market requirements, we
initiated a consultation process in April 2018 regarding a plan to cease production at our consumer goods
packaging plant in Scunthorpe (UK) by the end of the year, while continuing to serve our customers from
our other plants.

Uncoated Fine Paper continues to perform strongly, although the first quarter was impacted by ongoing
cost pressures, the extended maintenance shut at our Richards Bay mill and a lower forestry fair value gain,
which more than offset the benefit of higher average selling prices during the quarter. As a result of continued
cost pressures, price increases were implemented on our range of uncoated fine papers from the end of
March 2018. While difficult to estimate, should the strength in the South African rand and current timber
export pricing levels prevail, we would expect a lower forestry fair value gain in 2018 than recorded in the
previous year.

Capital investment projects

We are making good progress on our previously announced major capital investment projects at our Steti
(Czech Republic), Ruzomberok (Slovakia) and Syktyvkar (Russia) mills and the smaller expansionary
projects at a number of our packaging operations. Technical challenges remain in the ramp-up of our rebuilt
paper and inline coating machine at Steti.
Cash flow and financing activities

Strong cash generation from operating activities more than offset the cash outflows related to our capital
expenditure programme and financing activities, resulting in a positive cash flow during the quarter and lower
net debt at the end of the quarter compared to restated1 net debt as of 31 December 2017.

Finance charges were lower than the comparable prior year period, primarily due to the redemption of the
5.75% €500 million Eurobond on maturity in April 2017.

In April 2018, we issued a 1.625% €600 million Eurobond with an 8-year term under our Euro Medium Term
Note Programme, thereby extending the Group’s maturity profile and ensuring strong liquidity.

Standard & Poor’s upgraded the Group’s credit rating to BBB+ (stable outlook) from BBB, while we retained
our Baa1 (stable outlook) credit rating by Moody’s Investors Service.

Outlook

Our outlook for the business remains positive. We continue to experience a strong pricing environment in a
number of our key product segments, supported by good demand growth, although we do continue to see
inflationary cost pressures across the Group and currencies are currently a headwind. With our robust
business model, clear customer focus and culture of driving performance, we remain confident of sustaining
our track record of delivering value accretive growth.


(1)   Restated following the implementation of the early-adopted new leases accounting standard, IFRS 16.



Contact details:

Mondi Group

Andrew King                                                     +44 193 282 6321
Group CFO

Clara Valera                                                    +44 193 282 6357
Group Head of Strategy and Investor Relations

Kerry Cooper                                                    +44 193 282 6323
Senior Manager – External Communication

FTI Consulting

Richard Mountain                                                +44 790 968 4466


Conference call dial-in details

Please see below details of the dial-in conference call that will be held on 16 May 2018 at 7:30 (UK) and
8:30 (SA).

The conference call dial-in numbers are:
South Africa           0800 980 520
UK                     0800 279 7204
Other                  +44 330 336 9411
Conference code: 4677705

Should you have any issues on the day with accessing the dial-in conference call, please call +44 330 336
9411.

A replay facility will be available until 31 May 2018. The dial in details are:

South Africa           0800 980 995
United Kingdom         0808 101 1153
Other                  +44 207 660 0134
Pin number: 4677705



About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, delighting its customers and consumers with innovative
and sustainable packaging and paper solutions. Mondi is fully integrated across the packaging and paper
value chain - from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and
manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is embedded in
everything Mondi does. In 2017, Mondi had revenues of €7.10 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.44 billion.
Mondi has a dual listed company structure, with a primary listing on the JSE Limited for Mondi Limited under
the ticker MND, and a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange for Mondi plc, under the ticker MNDI.
Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and
the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.


Sponsor in South Africa: UBS South Africa Proprietary Limited.

Date: 16/05/2018 08:00:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). 
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