5N Plus Inc. Reports Results for the First Quarter of 2012

MONTREAL, May 14, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - 5N Plus Inc. (TSX: VNP), a leading producer of specialty metal and chemical products, today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2012. Numbers for the comparable period ended February 28, 2011 have been restated to reflect changes resulting from the implementation of IFRS and the adoption of the US dollar as the Company's functional and reporting currency.

• Revenues for the first quarter of 2012 increased by 685% to $162.2 million compared to $20.7 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2011 and $149.4 million for the previous quarter ended December 31, 2011.
• Net earnings attributable to equity holders of 5N Plus for the first quarter of 2012 were $5.0 million or $0.07 per share, compared to $5.5 million or $0.12 per share for the quarter ended February 28, 2011, and an adjusted net loss of $0.1 million for the previous quarter ended December 31, 2011. Before amortization of intangible assets related to the acquisition of MCP, net earnings attributable to equity holders of 5N Plus for the first quarter of 2012 were $7.2 million or $0.10 per share.
• EBITDA increased by 184% to $16.9 million, up from $6.0 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2011.  When compared to the adjusted EBITDA of $7.3 million for the previous quarter, current EBITDA represents a 131% increase.
• Funds from operations were $11.2 million, representing a 70% increase over funds from operations of $6.6 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2011, and a 7.9% increase over funds from operations of $10.3 million for the previous quarter ended December 31, 2011.
• Net debt decreased to $232.1 million from $260.6 million as at December 31, 2011 as a result of funds from operations and reduction in working capital.
• As at March 31, 2012, the backlog of orders expected to translate into sales over the following twelve months stood at $215.6 million compared to $73.2 million as at February 28, 2011 and $223 million as at December 31, 2011.
• Shareholders' equity increased to $344.6 million as at March 31, 2012, from $339.2 million as at December 31, 2011.

Jacques L'Ecuyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of 5N Plus, said "We are pleased to report results for the first quarter of 2012, a fiscal reporting period now aligned with the calendar year. This has been a much better quarter than the previous one.  Sales returned to more expected levels with contributions from both business units reflecting healthy demand in their respective markets.  Revenues in the Eco-Friendly Materials business unit increased by $9 million and bookings by 16% in the quarter when compared to the previous quarter.  Revenues also increased in the Electronic Materials business unit but bookings decreased resulting primarily from the restructuring of the contract with our main customer in the solar market." 

Mr. L'Ecuyer added, "Cash from operations reached record levels in the quarter, highlighting our ability to adjust working capital requirements to best match our long term plan.  In particular, we were able to successfully reduce our inventory levels, increasing correspondingly our financial flexibility."

Mr. L'Ecuyer said, "In terms of sales volume, we experienced sustained demand in our two reportable business segments.  However, the accounting treatment related to the previously announced restructuring of our contract with our main customer in the solar market, which is effective from April 1, 2012 onwards, is expected to result in minimal profit being booked on this contract as long as the corresponding existing inventory has not been completely used up.  The current sales outlook related to this contract is such that we expect this element to impact profitability for the next two quarters.  Regardless, we continue to focus on strong cash flow generation and on debt reduction."

Mr. L'Ecuyer concluded, "I would like to thank our employees for their efforts and hard work which enabled us to achieve satisfactory financial results in an otherwise very challenging environment. We remain confident of our ability to leverage our unique positioning and product offering to take advantage of the current competitive landscape."

Webcast Information
5N Plus will host a conference call on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 10:00 ET with financial analysts to discuss the first quarter ended March 31, 2012  results.  All interested parties are invited to participate in the live broadcast on the company's Web site at www.5nplus.com.  A replay of the webcast and a recording of the Q&A will be available until May 31, 2012.

To participate in the conference call:

• Montreal area:  514-807-9895
• Toronto area:  647-427-7450
• Toll-Free :  1- 888-231-8191

Enter access code 78677516.

About 5N Plus Inc.
5N Plus is the leading producer of specialty metal and chemical products.  Fully integrated with closed-loop recycling facilities, the company is headquartered in Montreal, Québec, Canada and operates manufacturing facilities and sales offices in several locations in Europe, North America and Asia.  5N Plus deploys a range of proprietary and proven technologies to produce products which are used in a number of advanced pharmaceutical, electronic and industrial applications.  Typical products include purified metals such as bismuth, gallium, germanium, indium, selenium and tellurium, inorganic chemicals based on such metals and compound semiconductor wafers.  Many of these are critical precursors and key enablers in markets such as solar, light-emitting diodes and eco-friendly materials.

Forward-Looking Statements and Disclaimer
This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws.  All information and statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking information.  Such statements and information may be identified by words such as "about", "approximately", "may", "believes", "expects", "will", "intends", "should", "plans", "predicts", "potential", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates", "continues" or similar words or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology.  Forward-looking statements are based on the best estimates available to 5N Plus at this time and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause 5N Plus' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  A description of the risks affecting 5N Plus' business and activities appears under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Management's Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that 5N Plus will derive therefrom.  In particular, no assurance can be given as to the future financial performance of 5N Plus.  The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and 5N Plus undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.  The reader is warned against placing undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.