Business
Ferroglobe Reports Solid First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Increasing annual Adj. EBITDA guidance to $130-170 million, up from $100-170 million previously Posted adjusted EBITDA of $25.8 million for the first quarter
About this update from Ferroglobe Plc
Increasing annual Adj. EBITDA guidance to $130-170 million, up from $100-170 million previously Posted adjusted EBITDA of $25.8 million for the first quarter of 2024 Net cash positive for the first time in the Company’s history; all-time low gross debt of $81 million Initiated a quarterly cash dividend of $0.013 per share, paid on March 28, 2024 ; announcing a second quarter dividend of $0.013 per share, payable on June 27 Board approved stock buyback program; shareholder vote to approve buyback scheduled for June 2024 AGM Successfully restarted French operations on April 1, 2024 , with all furnaces running Applying for permit to expand silicon metal production in the U.S. to address strong secular trends in solar and EV batteries Signed a memorandum of understanding with Coreshell, followed by an investment post-quarter after strong test results in our lab LONDON , May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ: GSM) (“Ferroglobe”, the “Company”, or the “Parent”), a leading producer globally of silicon metal, silicon-based and manganese-based specialty alloys, today announced financial results for the first quarter 2024. Financial Highlights % % ($ in millions, except EPS) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q/Q Q1 2023 Y/Y Sales $ 391.9 $ 376.0 4% $ 400.9 (2%) Net (loss) income $ (2.0 ) $ (11.1 ) 82% $ 21.0 (110%) Adjusted diluted EPS $ — $ 0.07 82% $ 0.05 (110%) Adj. EBITDA $ 25.8 $ 60.3 (57%) $ 44.8 (42%) Operating cash flow $ 198.0 $ 25.1 688% $ 134.8 47% Capital expenditures1 $ 18.2 $ 25.5 (29%) $ 18.0 1% Free cash flow2 $ 179.8 $ (0.4 ) (45.509%) $ 116.8 54% (1) Cash outflows for capital expenditures (2) Free cash flow is calculated as operating cash flow less capital expenditures Dr. Marco Levi , Ferroglobe’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “In the first quarter, we continued to make progress in improving Ferroglobe’s financial position, ending the quarter with a positive net cash position for the first time, representing the strongest financial position in the Company’s history. We announced a dividend last quarter and are declaring another dividend of $0.013 . Our board recently approved a buyback initiative, and we expect our shareholders to do the same during our annual shareholders’ meeting in June. We will continue to focus on policies that return value to our shareholders. “As we position the Company to exploit the strong anticipated demand in silicon metal to address the solar and EV battery markets, we are in the process of applying for a permit to expand our silicon metal operations in North America . This will be in the form of a brownfield expansion, which is significantly less costly than a greenfield buildout. In March, we signed a memorandum of understanding with Coreshell, a leading US-based battery technology company, working towards building the world's first battery-grade metallurgical silicon for electric vehicles. Recently we solidified this relationship by making a strategic investment in Coreshell. This is an important opportunity for Ferroglobe to play a key role in the ongoing evolution of the electric vehicle battery market. Using silicon in EV batteries has significant advantages over graphite, including lower cost, an increase of up to 40% in driving range as well as significantly faster charging times. We believe silicon will be an important component in the innovation of EV batteries and we are positioning the company to be an integral part of it. “The indices across all our businesses are up from the lows. While the initial improvement in prices was driven by supply-related issues, these prices have held strong and we are starting to see some signs of fundamental improvements in demand in the U.S. Accordingly, we are raising the low end of our annual adjusted EBITDA guidance, increasing the range from $100-170 million to $130-170 million ,” concluded Dr. Levi . Consolidated Sales In the first quarter of 2024, Ferroglobe reported net sales of $391.9 million , an increase of 4% over the prior quarter and a decrease of 2% over the year-ago period. The increase in our first quarter results is primarily attributable to higher volumes across our product portfolio, partly offset by lower pricing in silicon metal and silicon-based alloys. Over the prior quarter, the sales increase was primarily driven by silicon-based alloys, which accounted for $5 million , and manganese-based alloys, which accounted for $6 million of the increase, while silicon metals sales remained stable. Product Category Highlights Silicon Metal ( $,000 ) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 % Q/Q Q1 2023 % Y/Y Shipments in metric tons: 53,183 49,761 6.9 % 36,942 44.0 % Average selling price ($/MT): 3,155 3,371 (6.4 )% 4,351 (27.5 )% Silicon Metal Revenue 167,792 167,744 0.0 % 160,735 4.4 % Silicon Metal Adj.EBITDA 16,071 22,188 (27.6 )% 31,120 (48.4 )% Silicon Metal Adj.EBITDA Margin 9.6 % 13.2 % 19.4 % Silicon metal revenue in the first quarter was $167.8 million , in line with the prior quarter. The average realized selling price decreased by 6.4%, primarily due to a price decline of 10% in the U.S. Total shipments increased due to higher volumes in EMEA. Adjusted EBITDA for silicon metal decreased to $16.1 million during the first quarter, a decrease of 27.6% compared with $22.2 million for the prior quarter. The Adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter decreased mainly driven by reduced energy compensation in France in the first quarter of 2024. Silicon-Based Alloys ( $,000 ) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 % Q/Q Q1 2023 % Y/Y Shipments in metric tons: 51,171 46,446 10.2 % 49,100 4.2 % Average selling price ($/MT): 2,188 2,300 (4.9 )% 2,756 (20.6 )% Silicon-based Alloys Revenue 111,962 106,826 4.8 % 135,320 (17.3 )% Silicon-based Alloys Adj.EBITDA 14,412 34,973 (58.8 )% 21,924 (34.3 )% Silicon-based Alloys Adj.EBITDA Margin 12.9 % 32.7 % 16.2 % Silicon-based alloy revenue in the first quarter was $112.0 million , an increase of 4.8% over the prior quarter. The shipment increase of 10.2% is attributable to stronger volumes in the U.S. Adjusted EBITDA for the silicon-based alloys decreased to $14.4 million in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 58.8% compared with $35.0 million for the prior quarter. The Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased in the quarter mainly due to the decrease in average realized price during the first quarter of 2024. Manganese-Based Alloys ( $,000 ) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 % Q/Q Q1 2023 % Y/Y Shipments in metric tons: 62,320 61,404 1.5 % 46,867 33.0 % Average selling price ($/MT): 1,066 985 8.2 % 1,316 (19.0 )% Manganese-based Alloys Revenue 66,433 60,483 9.8 % 61,677 7.7 % Manganese-based Alloys Adj.EBITDA 5,520 23,886 (76.9 )% 2,043 170.2 % Manganese-based Alloys Adj.EBITDA Margin 8.3 % 39.5 % 3.3 % Manganese-based alloy revenue in the first quarter was $66.4 million , an increase of 9.8% over the prior quarter. The average realized selling price increased by 8.2% and total shipments increased 1.5%. Adjusted EBITDA for the manganese-based alloys portfolio decreased to $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 76.9% compared with $23.9 million for the prior quarter. The Adjusted EBITDA margin decrease was mainly driven by reduced energy compensation in France . Raw materials and energy consumption for production Raw materials and energy consumption for production was $257.4 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus $199.9 million in the prior quarter, an increase of 29%. As a percentage of sales, raw materials and energy consumption for production was 66% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 53% in the prior quarter. This variance was mainly due to higher production costs in Europe related to the idling of operations in France during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Net (Loss) Income Attributable to the Parent In the first quarter of 2024, net loss attributable to the parent was $2.0 million , or ( $0.01 ) per diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to the parent of $11.1 million , or ( $0.06 ) per diluted share in the fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA In the first quarter of 2024, adjusted EBITDA was $25.8 million , or 6.6% of sales, a decrease of 57.2% compared to adjusted EBITDA of $60.3 million , or 16% of sales in the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease in the first quarter of 2024 adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales is primarily attributable to lower realized prices and lower indirect CO2 and energy compensation in France . Total Cash, Adjusted Gross Debt and Working Capital % ($ in millions) Q1 2024 Q4 2023 $ % Q1 2023 $ Y/Y Total Cash $ 159.8 $ 137.6 22 16% $ 344.2 (184) (54%) Adjusted Gross Debt1 80.8 238.5 (158) (66%) 399.7 (319) (80%) Net (Cash) /Debt $ (79.0 ) $ (100.9 ) 22 22% $ 55.5 (134) (242%) Total Working Capital $ 487.5 $ 510.7 (23) (5%) $ 582.3 (95) (16%) (1) Adjusted gross debt excludes bank borrowings on factoring program and impact of leasing standard IFRS16 for each of the periods presented The total cash balance was $159.8 million as of March 31, 2024 , up $22.1 million from $137.6 million as of December 31, 2023 . During the first quarter of 2024, we generated $198.0 million of operating cash flow and had a negative cash flow from investing activities of $17.5 million . Cash flow from financing activities was negative $156.3 million as we paid the remaining senior secured notes of approximately $150 million . Total working capital was $487.5 million on March 31, 2024 , improving from $510.7 million as of December 31, 2023 . The $23.2 million decrease in working capital balance during the quarter was mainly due to a $22.2 million decrease in inventories and a $6.3 million decrease in trade and other receivables, partially offset by a $5.3 million decrease in trade and other payables. Beatriz García-Cos , Ferroglobe’s Chief Financial Officer, commented, “This quarter Ferroglobe turned net cash positive for the first time in its history, a significant milestone for the Company. We achieved a net cash balance of $79 million at quarter end, representing a total cash of $160 million and adjusted gross debt of $81 million . Our operating cash flow in the quarter was strong, driven by a payment of $154 million from our French energy agreement. Also, for the first time in the Company’s history, we declared a dividend last quarter of $0.013 , which was paid on March 28 th and are announcing another dividend this quarter of $0.013 , which will be payable on June 27 th. With a strong financial position, we are working on various strategies to return value to shareholders. Our board has approved a share buyback program and once approved by our shareholders at our annual general meeting we will implement the buyback strategy.” Enhanced Capital Return Policy Ferroglobe's board of directors approved a share buyback program, which requires a shareholder vote as a UK company listed on Nasdaq. As part of the annual general meeting in June, we are seeking authorization of $200 million for a share repurchase program over a 5-year period. The company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.013 per share on March 28, 2024 , to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 22, 2024 . A cash dividend of $0.013 per share will be paid on June 27, 2024 , to shareholders of record as of June 17, 2024 . Conference Call Ferroglobe invites all interested persons to participate on its conference call at 8:30 AM, Eastern Time on May 15, 2024 . Please dial-in at least five minutes prior to the call to register. The call may also be accessed via an audio webcast. To join via phone: Conference call participants should pre-register using this link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3710d5099e3c4756b47a1496c71ce9ab Once registered, you will receive the dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call. To join via webcast: A simultaneous audio webcast, and replay will be accessible here: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ur2yewsw About Ferroglobe Ferroglobe PLC is a leading global producer of silicon metal, silicon- and manganese- based specialty alloys and ferroalloys, serving a customer base across the globe in dynamic and fast-growing end markets, such as solar, electronics, automotive, consumer products, construction, and energy. The Company is based in London . For more information, visit http://investor.ferroglobe.com . Forward-Looking Statements This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on certain assumptions of management and describe the Company’s future plans, strategies and expectations. Forward-looking statements often use forward-looking terminology, including words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “guidance”, “intends”, “likely”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “predicts”, “seek”, “target”, “will” and words of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on information currently available to the Company and assumptions that management believe to be reasonable, but are inherently uncertain. As a result, Ferroglobe’s actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control. Forward-looking financial information and other metrics presented herein represent the Company’s goals and are not intended as guidance or projections for the periods referenced herein or any future periods. All information in this press release is as of the date of its release. Ferroglobe does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect new information, events or circumstances arising after the date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. Non-IFRS Measures This document may contain summarized, non-audited or non-GAAP financial information. The information contained herein should therefore be considered as a whole and in conjunction with all the public information regarding the Company available, including any other documents released by the Company that may contain more detailed information. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales, working capital as a percentage of sales, adjusted EBITDA margin, working capital, adjusted net profit, adjusted profit per share, adjusted gross debt and net cash/debt, are non-IFRS financial metrics that management uses in its decision making. Ferroglobe has included these financial metrics to provide supplemental measures of its performance. The Company believes these metrics are important and useful to investors because they eliminate items that have less bearing on the Company’s current and future operating performance and highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. INVESTOR CONTACT: Alex Rotonen , CFAVice President, Investor Relations Email: [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT: Cristina Feliu Roig Executive Director, Communications & Public AffairsEmail: [email protected] Ferroglobe PLC and Subsidiaries Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statement (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 March 31, 2023 Sales $ 391,854 $ 375,951 $ 400,868 Raw materials and energy consumption for production (257,357 ) (199,911 ) (255,036 ) Energy consumption for production (PPA impact) (1,932 ) 339 23,193 Other operating income 10,836 34,944 14,814 Staff costs (70,519 ) (79,761 ) (67,543 ) Other operating expense (52,348 ) (73,071 ) (54,145 ) Depreciation and amortization charges (18,669 ) (20,090 ) (17,990 ) Impairment (loss) gain — (23,614 ) 246 Other gain (loss) 696 (563 ) 47 Operating profit 2,561 14,224 44,454 Net finance income (expense) (7,669 ) (12,331 ) (10,980 ) Exchange differences 1,383 (4,897 ) 1,455 (Loss) profit before tax (3,725 ) (3,004 ) 34,929 Income tax (expense) benefit 1,155 (4,160 ) (9,461 ) Total (Loss) profit for the period (2,570 ) (7,164 ) 25,468 (Loss) profit attributable to the parent $ (2,024 ) $ (11,118 ) $ 20,991 (Loss) profit attributable to non-controlling interest (546 ) 3,954 4,477 EBITDA $ 22,613 $ 29,417 $ 63,899 Adjusted EBITDA $ 25,803 $ 60,262 $ 44,767 Weighted average shares outstanding Basic 187,927 187,872 187,873 Diluted 187,927 187,872 189,629 Profit (loss) per ordinary share Basic $ (0.01 ) $ (0.06 ) $ 0.11 Diluted $ (0.01 ) $ (0.06 ) $ 0.11 Ferroglobe PLC and Subsidiaries Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (in thousands of U.S. dollars) As of March 31 , As of December 31 , As of March 31 , 2024 2023 2023 ASSETS Non-current assets Goodwill $ 29,702 $ 29,702 $ 29,702 Intangible assets 193,592 138,345 223,447 Property, plant and equipment 500,940 501,396 497,557 Other financial assets 13,944 19,792 14,702 Deferred tax assets 10,636 8,760 7,123 Receivables from related parties 1,622 1,658 2,915 Other non-current assets 21,770 22,156 19,297 Restricted cash and cash equivalents — — 2,175 Total non-current assets 772,206 721,809 796,918 Current assets Inventories 361,602 383,841 417,042 Trade and other receivables 303,942 310,243 312,452 Receivables from related parties 2,712 2,772 2,728 Current income tax assets 10,740 15,977 7,652 Other financial assets 2 2 2 Other current assets 27,894 186,477 26,914 Assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale — — 1,088 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 298 1,179 2,411 Cash and cash equivalents 159,470 136,470 339,611 Total current assets 866,660 1,036,961 1,109,900 Total assets $ 1,638,866 $ 1,758,770 $ 1,906,818 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity $ 843,702 $ 869,886 $ 658,490 Non-current liabilities Deferred income 77,185 26,980 128,125 Provisions 22,102 19,970 25,027 Provision for pensions 29,293 29,805 25,910 Bank borrowings 14,643 14,913 15,590 Lease liabilities 54,361 20,304 11,744 Debt instruments — 149,015 304,621 Other financial liabilities 68,186 65,231 39,276 Other obligations 1,536 35,883 36,310 Other non-current liabilities 224 199 22 Deferred tax liabilities 30,253 32,582 35,272 Total non-current liabilities 297,783 394,882 621,897 Current liabilities Provisions 127,533 122,757 146,308 Provision for pensions 165 169 193 Bank borrowings 42,762 31,635 31,462 Lease liabilities 12,297 8,083 7,492 Debt instruments — 5,765 4,688 Other financial liabilities 15,190 16,052 123,281 Payables to related parties 3,527 2,429 2,377 Trade and other payables 178,038 183,375 147,150 Current income tax liabilities 6,262 8,351 48,326 Other obligations 11,999 14,183 18,790 Other current liabilities 99,608 101,203 96,364 Total current liabilities 497,381 494,002 626,431 Total equity and liabilities $ 1,638,866 $ 1,758,770 $ 1,906,818 Ferroglobe PLC and Subsidiaries Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 March 31, 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: (Loss) profit for the period $ (2,570 ) $ (7,164 ) $ 25,468 Adjustments to reconcile net profit (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Income tax (benefit) expense (1,155 ) 4,160 9,461 Depreciation and amortization charges 18,669 20,090 17,990 Net finance expense 7,669 12,331 10,980 Exchange differences (1,383 ) 4,897 (1,455 ) Impairment loss (gain) — 23,614 (246 ) Share-based compensation 928 683 1,905 Other loss (gain) (696 ) 562 (47 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities Decrease (increase) in inventories 19,011 (1,746 ) 86,275 Decrease (increase) in trade receivables 320 (5,399 ) 118,714 (Decrease) increase in trade payables (1,925 ) 2,879 (73,864 ) Other changes in operating assets and liabilities 154,596 (17,067 ) (44,100 ) Income taxes (paid) received 4,580 (12,701 ) (16,298 ) Net cash provided by (used in ) operating activities: 198,044 25,139 134,783 Cash flows from investing activities: Interest and finance income received 741 1,349 668 Payments due to investments: Intangible assets (584 ) (1,331 ) — Property, plant and equipment (17,641 ) (24,204 ) (17,960 ) Disposals: Other non-current assets — 935 — Net cash used in by investing activities (17,484 ) (23,251 ) (17,292 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid (2,438 ) — — Proceeds from debt issuance (147,624 ) — — Repayment of debt instruments — (1,050 ) (26,283 ) Increase/(decrease) in bank borrowings: Borrowings 94,611 39,239 109,762 Payments (83,012 ) (58,052 ) (141,900 ) Payments for lease liabilities (2,973 ) (3,309 ) (2,247 ) Other (payments) receipts from financing activities (192 ) (4,289 ) (17,377 ) Interest paid (14,634 ) (2,923 ) (18,192 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (156,262 ) (30,384 ) (96,237 ) Total net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 24,298 (28,496 ) 21,254 Beginning balance of cash and cash equivalents 137,649 165,973 322,943 Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents in foreign currencies (2,179 ) 172 — Ending balance of cash and cash equivalents $ 159,768 $ 137,649 $ 344,197 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 298 1,179 4,586 Cash and cash equivalents 159,470 136,470 339,611 Ending balance of cash and cash equivalents $ 159,768 $ 137,649 $ 344,197 Adjusted EBITDA ($,000): Q1´24 Q4´23 Q1´23 Profit (loss) attributable to the parent $ (2,024 ) $ (11,118 ) $ 20,991 Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest (546 ) 3,954 4,477 Income tax (benefit) expense (1,155 ) 4,160 9,461 Net finance expense 7,669 12,331 10,980 Depreciation and amortization charges 18,669 20,090 17,990 EBITDA 22,613 29,417 63,899 Exchange differences (1,383 ) 4,897 (1,455 ) Impairment — 23,614 (246 ) New strategy implementation 1,361 (1,000 ) 2,049 Subactivity 942 2,995 3,713 PPA Energy 2,270 339 (23,193 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 25,803 $ 60,262 $ 44,767 Adjusted profit attributable to Ferroglobe ($,000): Q1´24 Q4´23 Q1´23 (Loss) profit attributable to the parent $ (2,024 ) $ (11,118 ) $ 20,991 Tax rate adjustment 17 4,959 (599 ) Impairment — 17,333 (175 ) New strategy implementation 933 (734 ) 1,459 Subactivity 646 2,198 2,644 PPA Energy 1,556 249 (16,513 ) Adjusted profit attributable to the parent $ 1,168 $ 12,887 $ 7,807 Adjusted diluted profit per share: Q1´24 Q4´23 Q1´23 Diluted (loss) profit per ordinary share $ (0.01 ) $ (0.06 ) $ 0.11 Tax rate adjustment 0.00 0.03 (0.00 ) Impairment — 0.09 (0.00 ) New strategy implementation 0.00 — 0.01 Subactivity 0.00 0.01 0.01 PPA Energy 0.01 0.00 (0.09 ) Adjusted diluted (loss) profit per ordinary share $ — $ 0.07 $ 0.05 Source: Ferroglobe PLC