Resilient performance underlines fundamental strength

Summary:

 

         Q3 revenue, at constant currencies, ahead 8 percent (reported up 3 percent)

         All business areas delivered resilient EBITDA performance

         Higher one-off charges impacted EBITDA

         Net income down 23 percent, impacted by one-off items

         Incidental charges of €79 million before tax

         ICI integration continues to be ahead of schedule

         Programs in place to further improve operational performance

         Interim dividend maintained at €0.40 per share

         2008 outlook reconfirmed

 

 

€ million	Q3 2008	Q3 2007**	% change
Revenue in constant currencies                 -  reported	4,007 3,820	3,715 3,715	8 3
EBITDA* in constant currencies                 - reported	492 477	517 517	(5) (8)
EBITDA* margin, in %	12.5	13.9
EBIT* (before fair value adjustments)	367	402	(9)
Net income* (before fair value adjustments)	219	258	(15)
Total net income	157	203	(23)

* Continuing operations before incidentals

** Pro forma

 

 

Keith Nichols, AkzoNobel CFO said: "All three business areas achieved underlying growth. This is solid proof of the strong positions AkzoNobel holds in diverse, highly attractive predominantly low-cyclical, sectors with good growth potential. It is also evidence of management actions taken to date to improve operational performance and to deliver the synergies from the ICI acquisition."

 

"Other" costs of €72 million (2007: €37 million) and incidental charges of €79 million (2007: €36 million) reduced total net income in the third quarter to €157 million. "Other" includes lower results at the captive insurance companies (€30 million). Incidental charges include €19 million for the post-retirement healthcare benefits and the final results of the requested divestments by the European Commission (€16 million).

 

 

Revenue change in % versus Q3, 2007 pro forma	Volume	Price	Acquisitions/ Divestments	Currency	Total
Decorative Paints	(1)	5	1	(5)	-
Performance Coatings	-	5	-	(5)	-
Specialty Chemicals	(3)	12	1	(5)	5
AkzoNobel	(1)	8	1	(5)	3

 

 

         Revenue up 5 percent in constant currencies (reported: stable)

         EBITDA in constant currencies up 8 percent

         Double-digit growth in Asia and Latin America

         Revenue growth of 3 percent achieved in Europe, despite a difficult UK market

         Challenging market conditions in the US prevail

         Price increases successfully implemented and compensate for higher raw material costs

 

Decorative Paints reported 4 percent autonomous growth and 1 percent growth from the acquisition in South Africa. Asia and Latin America continued to demonstrate strong double digit growth. Revenue from our European business increased, despite the volume drop in the UK market. The performance in the US was impacted by the continued soft trading environment with weak construction markets, underpinned by recessionary conditions. Price increases together with tight cost control contributed to an increase of EBITDA in constant currencies of 8 percent to €218 million, with an EBITDA margin of 14.7 percent.

 

 

         Revenue in constant currencies up 5 percent (reported: stable)

         EBITDA in constant currencies increased by 1 percent

         Good quarter for Marine & Protective, Powder Coatings and Packaging Coatings

         Industrial Finishes continues to face pressure on margins

         Car Refinishes affected by market conditions in mature economies.

 

Autonomous growth of 5 percent was strong, but was counterbalanced by currencies (5 percent). Growth was achieved mainly by price increases, while volumes were fairly stable. EBITDA in constant currencies slightly increased by 1 percent to €146 million. The EBITDA margin was 12.6 percent, in line with the previous year.

 

Specialty Chemicals - Revenue growth supports healthy margins

 

         9 percent autonomous growth, driven by price increases

         EBITDA margin remained strong

         Functional Chemicals turned in positive volume development

         Pulp bleaching business holding up, paper chemicals markets softening

         Polymer Chemicals fell short against previous year

         Chemicals Pakistan revenue impacted by tariff changes and currency translation

         Demand remained healthy in Base Chemicals and Surface Chemistry

 

Specialty Chemicals achieved third quarter performance in line with the previous year's result, despite a currency headwind and pockets of weak demand. Revenue rose 5 percent compared with 2007. The EBITDA margin continued to be strong at more than 16 percent.

 

In view of the current financial market conditions, the intended sale of National Starch (the former ICI Specialty Starch business) is not expected to take place in 2008. In accordance with IFRS, the financial results of the business will be re-classified as "continuing operations". The 2007 pro forma figures will also be adjusted accordingly as part of our 2008 year-end reporting process. The full year 2007 revenue for National Starch amounted to €813 million ($1.1 billion), while the 2008 Q3 year-to-date revenue totals €658 million ($1.00 billion). National Starch is a global leading supplier of specialty starches, mainly to the food industry.

 

At the Q3 results, Nichols also confirmed the company's strong cash position. "Our balance sheet and liquidity positions are solid."

 

An interim dividend of €0.40 per common share will be paid on November 10, 2008. AkzoNobel shares will trade ex-dividend from October 30, 2008.

 

AkzoNobel has today repeated that it expects 2008 EBITDA before incidentals, in constant currencies, to be close to the 2007 pro forma level of €1,870 million.

 

Nichols also outlined management actions being taken to improve operational performance. "It is clear that global economic conditions are deteriorating and that forward visibility is therefore limited. At this stage, the potential severity of the economic cycle is unclear. Recognizing this, we will remain focused on working towards our medium-term target of an EBITDA margin of 14 percent by the end of 2011, on delivering the €340 million ICI synergies faster; on driving margin management programs across the company; and on rigorous cost management to deliver at least an additional €100 million in net cost savings."

 

The third quarter results are unaudited. The Report for the third quarter is attached and can be read on www.akzonobel.com/quarterlyresults.

 

 

AkzoNobel is proud to be one of the world's leading industrial companies. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we make and supply a wide range of paints, coatings and specialty chemicals - pro forma 2007 revenue totalled €14.4 billion. In fact, we are the largest global paints and coatings company. As a major producer of specialty chemicals we supply industries worldwide with quality ingredients for life's essentials. We think about the future, but act in the present. We're passionate about introducing new ideas and developing sustainable answers for our customers. That's why our 60,000 employees - who are based in more than 80 countries - are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today(TM).

 

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Contact: Tim van der Zanden                                                  Contacts: Dick Luijckx, Ivar Smits and Huib Wurfbain