Sasol Ltd.
(
SSL
) announced weaker-than-expected results for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2012, as costs rose. The South Africa-based petrochemicals
group reported headline earnings per share, excluding one-time
items, of R42.07, or $5.05, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of
$5.74.
However, Sasol's earnings per share improved significantly from the
year-ago level of R33.72, while operating profit was up 22.7% to
R36.8 billion on account of higher crude oil prices and a favorable
exchange rate.
Segmental Analysis
South African Energy Cluster:
Within its South African energy cluster, Sasol Mining's operating
income more than doubled to R2.3 billion, buoyed by increase in
sales prices to Sasol Synfuels (the unit that manufactures
synthetic fuels). This was partially offset by a dip in U.S. dollar
export coal prices and unfavorable currency fluctuations.
Sasol Gas generated an operating profit of R3.0 billion, up 15.8%
year over year. The positive comparison can be attributed to higher
gas prices and sales volumes, somewhat negated by the adverse
impact of exchange rate movements on gas purchases.
Sasol Synfuels' operating profit shot up 45.5% to R22.1 billion,
mainly reflecting higher average oil prices and a slight
improvement in production volumes. To some extent, these factors
were offset by increase in feedstock, energy and maintenance
expenses.
Sasol Oil reported an operating profit of R1.6 billion as against
R1.2 billion in the prior-year period. The improvement primarily
resulted from exchange rate fluctuations, better marketing
profitability and higher product prices, whose effects were
slightly negated by decreased sales volumes.
International Energy Cluster:
Sasol Synfuels International recorded an operating profit of R1.9
billion, up handsomely from R1.2 billion earned during the
prior-year period. The upside was due to higher production at the
Oryx gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant in Qatar, rise in crude oil prices
and higher product prices. These were partly negated by the
company's spending spree on study costs in North America.
Sasol Petroleum International incurred an operating loss of R1.9
billion, as against the year-ago profit of R382 million, mainly
reflecting depressed North American gas prices that adversely
impacted the group's Canadian properties.
Chemical Cluster:
Sasol Polymers reported an operating profit of R716 million, as
against R1.6 billion in the prior-year comparable period. The
segment results were negatively impacted by a slowdown in the
international polymers market, margin pressure in the local polymer
industry and foreign exchange translation differences, partially
offset by increased output.
Sasol Solvents' operating income was down 15.2% from the previous
year's level to R1.4 billion, hamstrung by margin pressures,
challenging trading conditions and falling product prices, whose
effects were partly mitigated by the weakness of the rand against
the US dollar.
Sasol Olefins & Surfactants reported an operating profit of
R3.2 billion, a considerable deterioration from the income of R4.2
billion during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. The negative
comparison came on the back of lower volumes and the inclusion of
significant one-off profits in the prior year results.
Operating Cash Flow & Capex
Sasol generated R47.9 billion in operating cash flows, showing a
24.1% year-over-year increase, primarily due to higher operating
income, partially negated by increased working capital
requirements. The company spent R29.2 billion in capital
expenditures during the period.
Dividend
The company announced a final cash dividend of R11.80 per share.
The dividend will be paid on October 15 to shareholders of record
as on October 12, 2012. The holders of American Depositary Receipts
("ADRs") will be paid on October 26, 2012.
Outlook
Looking ahead, Sasol management remains cautious. The company,
while expecting better results in the current year, declined to
give a 'precise' outlook saying that economic conditions still
remain challenging. A stronger Rand/U.S. dollar exchange rate is
the main concern.
The Johannesburg-based entity stressed on its focus toward the U.S.
and Canada in the next few years to fuel growth. In particular,
Sasol has plans to build an $8-$9 billion GTL facility in Louisiana
that would churn out 96,000 barrels (mostly diesel) a day.
Additionally, the company has completed the feasibility study
for a 48,000 barrels-per-day GTL plant in Alberta, Canada with a
decision expected in the second half of 2012. Sasol's project
partner - Canadian energy explorer
Talisman Energy Inc.
(
TLM
) - has, however, decided not to exercise their right to
participate in the front end engineering and design (FEED) phase of
the project.
The group further informed that in view of the U.S. and European
Union sanctions against Iran, it has stopped buying crude oil from
the country in January and is in the lookout for a buyer for its
Iranian petrochemical plant.
Rating & Recommendation
Sasol currently retains a Zacks #4 Rank, which translates into a
short-term Sell rating. However, for the longer term, we are
maintaining our Neutral recommendation on the stock.
SASOL LTD -ADR (SSL): Free Stock Analysis
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TALISMAN ENERGY (TLM): Free Stock Analysis
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