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JOHANNESBURG - South African chemicals company AECI Limited (JSE:AFE) has indicated that its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, will show a significant decrease in earnings per share compared to the previous year. The company, which is finalizing its financial results expected to be published on February 26, 2025, attributes the decline to non-recurring costs and strategic repositioning efforts.
AECI’s expected results include a basic loss per share from continuing and discontinued operations of between 241 cents and 295 cents, a stark contrast to the basic earnings per share of 1,112 cents reported for the previous year. The company’s basic earnings per share from continuing operations are anticipated to decrease by 77% to 72%, while a basic loss per share from discontinued operations is expected to be between 524 cents and 537 cents.
The company’s operational performance remained stable, with AECI Chemicals forecasting a 25% improvement in EBITDA, driven by cost controls and increased efficiencies. However, AECI Mining’s EBITDA is expected to be approximately 13% lower due to one-off costs, including alternate sourcing of ammonium nitrate solution during planned plant shutdowns.
AECI also announced the reclassification of its subsidiary, AECI Much Asphalt, to discontinued operations following a sale agreement with Old Mutual (LON:OMU) Private Equity for an estimated R1.1 billion. The sale is progressing with all regulatory approvals obtained, and the final condition precedent is expected to be met in the first half of 2025.
The decrease in earnings is primarily due to R860 million in non-recurring costs, including transformation project costs, divesture costs, investment spend on statutory shutdowns, and turnaround spend for AECI Schirm Germany. Additionally, non-cash impairments of R377 million, mainly relating to AECI Schirm Germany and AECI Mining, have impacted the results.
Despite these impairments, the company’s Transformation Management Office delivered an EBITDA contribution of approximately R400 million. The company also expects an elevated effective tax rate of around 71% from continuing operations, driven by non-deductible expenses, non-cash impairments, and foreign withholding taxes.
Headline earnings per share (HEPS) are forecasted to be between 662 cents and 770 cents, which represents a decrease of 42% to 32% after adjustments for non-cash impairments and a surplus on the disposal of investment property, plant, and equipment from continuing operations.
Looking ahead, AECI remains focused on executing its transformation strategy, investing in core business areas, finalizing divestments, optimizing the balance sheet, and reinvesting in asset health to mitigate future business disruption risks.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from AECI Limited.
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