Economy

General Cable Posts Strong 2017 First Quarter Results

Published

8 years ago

08/05/2017

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

General Cable Corporation has released results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 and during the period, it reported diluted earnings per share were $0.24, while the operating income stood at $24 million.

The Company generated adjusted earnings per share for the quarter of $0.27 and adjusted operating income of $45 million.

Commenting on the results, President and CEO of the firm, Mr Michael McDonnell, stated that, “We’re very pleased with our strong first quarter results. First quarter adjusted operating income was above expectations driven in part by the execution of our strategic initiatives in North America and substantial improvement in Latin America.

“We continue to be encouraged with the progress of North America as we execute our strategic roadmap. We expect to see improvement in Europe through the remainder of 2017 as we are continuing to address delays in a European restructuring project while also driving favourable performance in our land turn-key project business and improved backlog in our subsea project business.

“Overall, we are moving our businesses forward despite declines in certain key end markets over the recent past, and we maintain a positive outlook on our ability to execute against our roadmap in 2017.”

It was gathered that the reported operating income of $24 million and adjusted operating income of $45 million were up 16 percent and 7 percent, respectively, compared to the prior year period

Adjusted operating income of $45 million benefited from strong performance in North America, substantial improvement in our Latin America business, and rising metal prices

The company maintained significant liquidity with $317 million of availability on its asset based credit facility, while impact of metal prices was a $7 million benefit compared to a negative $4 million impact in the prior year period

Segment Demand

North America – Unit volume was even with the prior year as stronger demand for construction and industrial and specialty (I&S) products was offset by lower demand for rod products. Overall in the first quarter of 2017, demand for our products in construction and I&S markets was up 18% and 6%, respectively, year over year. Demand year over year for electric utility products was stable.

Europe – Unit volume was relatively flat as stronger demand for electric utility products including land-based turnkey projects as well as energy cables helped to offset the easing performance of the Company’s submarine turnkey project business and continued weak demand for industrial and construction projects throughout the region.

Latin America – Unit volume remained relatively flat as increased shipments of aerial transmission cables in Brazil were offset by the continued pressure across the portfolio driven by uneven spending on electric infrastructure and construction projects.

Net Debt

At the end of the first quarter of 2017 and the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, total debt was $1,053 million and $939 million, respectively, and cash and cash equivalent was $83 million and $101 million, respectively. The increase in net debt was principally due to investment in working capital, partly due to rising metal prices, and payments of $33 million related to our FCPA resolution.

Second Quarter 2017 Outlook

Revenues in the second quarter are expected to be in the range of $925 to $975 million. Unit volume is anticipated to be up low-single digits year over year. Reported operating income is anticipated to be in the range of $20 to $35 million and adjusted operating income is anticipated to be in the range of $30 to $45 million for the second quarter. Reported diluted earnings per share are anticipated to be in the range of $0.05 to $0.20 per share and adjusted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.15 to $0.30 per share for the second quarter.

The second quarter outlook assumes copper (COMEX) and aluminum (LME) prices of $2.60 and $0.88, respectively. Foreign currency exchange rates are assumed constant in the second quarter outlook. The second quarter outlook for adjusted operating results does not include results from Asia Pacific and Africa.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted operating income (defined as operating income before extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual charges and other certain items), adjusted earnings per share (defined as diluted earnings per share before extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual charges and other certain items) and net debt (defined as long-term debt plus current portion of long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents) are “non-GAAP financial measures” as defined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

These company-defined non-GAAP financial measures exclude from reported results those items that management believes are not indicative of our ongoing performance and are being provided herein because management believes they are useful in analysing the operating performance of the business and are consistent with how management reviews our operating results and the underlying business trends.

Economy

Afriland Properties, Geo-Fluids Shrink OTC Securities Exchange by 0.06%

Published

5 hours ago

12/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The duo of Afriland Properties Plc and Geo-Fluids Plc crashed the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by a marginal 0.06 per cent on Wednesday, December 11 due to profit-taking activities.

The OTC securities exchange experienced a downfall at midweek despite UBN Property Plc posting a price appreciation of 17 Kobo to close at N1.96 per share, in contrast to Tuesday’s closing price of N1.79.

Business Post reports that Afriland Properties Plc slid by N1.14 to finish at N15.80 per unit versus the preceding day’s N16.94 per unit, and Geo-Fluids Plc declined by 1 Kobo to trade at N3.92 per share compared with the N3.93 it ended a day earlier.

At the close of transactions, the market capitalisation of the bourse, which measures the total value of securities on the platform, shrank by N650 million to finish at N1.055 trillion compared with the previous day’s N1.056 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) went down by 1.86 points to wrap the session at 3,012.50 points compared with 3,014.36 points recorded in the previous session.

The alternative stock market was busy yesterday as the volume of securities traded by investors soared by 146.9 per cent to 5.9 million units from 2.4 million units, as the value of shares transacted by the market participants jumped by 360.9 per cent to N22.5 million from N4.9 million, and the number of deals increased by 50 per cent to 21 deals from 14 deals.

When the bourse closed for the day, Geo-Fluids Plc remained the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 1.7 billion units valued at N3.9 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units worth N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc 297.5 million units sold for N5.3 million.

Also, Aradel Holdings Plc, which is now listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited after its exit from NASD, remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 108.7 million units sold for N89.2 billion, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.5 million units worth N5.3 billion.

Economy

Naira Weakens to N1,547/$1 at Official Market, N1,670/$1 at Black Market

Published

6 hours ago

12/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The euphoria around the recent appreciation of the Naira eased on Wednesday, December 11 after its value shrank against the US Dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) by N5.23 or 0.3 per cent to N1,547.50/$1 from the N1,542.27/$1 it was valued on Tuesday.

It was observed that spectators’ activities may have triggered the weakening of the local currency in the official market at midweek as they tried to fight back and ensure the value of funds in foreign currencies strengthened.

The domestic currency was regaining its footing after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched an Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS) platform to tackle speculation and improve transparency in Nigeria’s FX market.

At midweek, the Nigerian currency depreciated against the Pound Sterling by N3.56 to close at N1,958.68/£1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,955.12/£1 and against the Euro, it slumped by 34 Kobo to trade at N1,612.66/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,613.00/€1.

As for the black market segment, the Naira lost N45 against the American currency during the session to quote at N1,670/$1 compared with the N1,625/$1 it was traded a day earlier.

A look at the cryptocurrency market showed a recovery following profit-taking as the US Consumer Price Index report matched economist forecasts.

The news was enough to convince traders that the Federal Reserve is certain to trim its benchmark fed funds rate another 25 basis points at its meeting next week.

The move also saw Bitcoin (BTC), the most valued coin, return to the $100,000 mark as it added a 2.9 per cent gain and sold for $100,566.12.

The biggest gainer was Cardano (ADA), which jumped by 15.00 per cent to trade at $1.16, as Litecoin (LTC) appreciated by 10.4 per cent to sell for $121.76, and Ethereum (ETH) surged by 7.0 per cent to $3,929.30, while Dogecoin (DOGE) recorded a 6.7 per cent growth to finish at $0.4181.

Further, Binance Coin (BNB) went up by 5.2 per cent to $716.72, Solana (SOL) expanded by 4.6 per cent to $229.77, and Ripple (XRP) increased by 4.2 per cent to $2.43, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 apiece.

Economy

Dangote Refinery Makes First PMS Exports to Cameroon

Published

7 hours ago

12/12/2024

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Dangote Refinery located in the Lekki area of Lagos State has made its first export of premium motor spirit (PMS) just three months after it commenced the production of petrol.

In September 2024, the refinery produced its first petrol and began loading to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on September 15.

However, due to some issues, the facility has not been able to flood the local market with its product, forcing it to look elsewhere.

In a landmark move for regional energy integration, Dangote Refinery has partnered with Neptune Oil to take its petrol to neighbouring Cameroon.

Neptune Oil is a leading energy company in Cameroon which provides reliable and sustainable energy solutions.

Dangote Refinery said this development showcases its ability to meet domestic needs and position itself as a key player in the regional energy market, adding that it represents a significant step forward in accessing high-quality and locally sourced petroleum products for Cameroon.

“This first export of PMS to Cameroon is a tangible demonstration of our vision for a united and energy-independent Africa.

“With this development, we are laying the foundation for a future where African resources are refined and exchanged within the continent for the benefit of our people,” the owner of Dangote Refinery, Mr Aliko Dangote, said.

His counterpart at Neptune Oil, Mr Antoine Ndzengue, said, “This partnership with Dangote Refinery marks a turning point for Cameroon.

“By becoming the first importer of petroleum products from this world-class refinery, we are bolstering our country’s energy security and supporting local economic development.

“This initial supply, executed without international intermediaries, reflects our commitment to serving our markets independently and efficiently.”