MELBOURNE, Australia,
May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/
-- Orica (ASX: ORI) today announced a statutory net profit
after tax and individual material items of $267 million for the half year ended 31 March 2013, up $14
million or 6% compared with the previous corresponding
period (pcp) of $253 million.
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for the period rose 6%
on the pcp to $442 million and
earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
(EBITDA) was $578 million, up 8%. The
Orica Board has declared an interim dividend of 39 cents per ordinary share (cps), franked at
15 cents cps.
The half year result reflects the early benefits associated with
an increased service offering and an improved product mix, in
addition to Orica's renewed focus on better manufacturing
performance. Orica's EBIT result however was offset by the
significant weakness in demand and pricing for ground support
products and services and higher depreciation costs.
In Mining Services, a $435 million
EBIT (up 5% on pcp) reflected steady pricing for explosives,
success in providing value added products and services in
explosives and improved pricing and stronger demand for sodium
cyanide (up 6%). Outside the Australia Pacific region, results were
impacted by weakness in United
States coal markets and most West European markets.
Chemicals achieved a 13% increase in EBIT to $56 million ($49
million in pcp), including due to improved conditions in the
New Zealand dairy sector and
Bronson & Jacobs volume and market growth.
Results for ground support products and services reflect
difficult market conditions affecting demand in all regions. The
global integration of these operations, primarily into Mining
Services, has progressed rapidly towards full completion this
financial year.
Orica recorded half year sales revenue of $3.3 billion in line with the pcp. Net operating
cash flows at $295 million rose from
$39 million in the pcp. Earnings per
share increased 8% to 73.5 cents.
Orica expects Group net profit after tax (pre individually
material items) in 2013 to be higher than that reported in 2012,
subject to global economic conditions.
For the full release and report:
http://orica.com/BUSINESS/COR/orica/COR00254.nsf/Page/News_Orica_Reports_Increase_in_2013_Financial_Half_Year_Profit
Contacts:
Analysts' contact: Karen McRae, GM
Investor Relations, +61 (0) 417 186 500
Media contact: Simon Westaway, GM
Corporate Communications, +61 (0) 401 994 627
Web: www.orica.com
www.twitter.com/OricaLimited
SOURCE Orica Ltd