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REG - Helleniq Energy - 1st Quarter Results

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RNS Number : 7903O  Helleniq Energy Holdings S.A.  16 May 2024

Maroussi, 16 May 2024

 

First Quarter 2024 financial results

 

Strong profitability driven by positive refining environment, operational
performance and exports - Continued progress in strategic initiatives
implementation

 

HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings S.A. ("Company") announced its 1Q24 financial
results, with Adjusted EBITDA amounting to €338m and Adjusted Net Income
coming in at €164m.

1Q24 Reported EBITDA stood at €350m, with Reported Net Income amounting to
€179m, higher y-o-y, mainly due to the impact of international prices on
inventory valuation.

The results were primarily shaped by the favorable international refining
environment, the improved operation of our refineries, with increased units'
availability, the particularly strong exports, reaching a 3-year historical
high, and the improved contribution from the petrochemicals and RES
businesses.

Downstream production in 1Q24 increased by 5% y-o-y to 3.8m MT, the highest
since 1Q20. This performance led to increased sales volume across all markets,
reaching 4m MT (+8% y-o-y), with exports accounting for 62% of total.

 

Strategy implementation - Vision 2025

During 1Q24, the Group continued to implement its strategy across all
operations, undertaking initiatives that are expected to strengthen our
profitability in the medium term, while improving our environmental footprint.

In our core business, we focus on operational excellence, as well as emissions
reduction, with projects that contribute to energy autonomy and efficiency and
the implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)
technologies. At the same time, the expansion of the polypropylene production
plant is also in progress. In terms of the development of alternative fuels
with a low carbon footprint, a Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) co-processing
unit is being developed and at the same time, we are assessing potential
investments in the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), green
hydrogen, and synthetic fuels.

In Fuels Marketing, our objective is to improve offered services by leveraging
our extensive network and technology. We are focusing on rationalizing the
domestic market network, increasing the share of company-operated petrol
stations, as well as strategically expanding our international footprint. At
the same time, we work on improving our sales mix, with an increased
contribution from premium products and non-fuel sales, which has already
yielded tangible results.

The commencement of commercial operations by EKO Energy in Cyprus earlier this
year, has further enhanced the Group's successful presence in the country. EKO
Energy aspires to cater to the energy requirements of eligible commercial and
industrial consumers, serving as the first fully integrated and vertically
aligned energy provider in Cyprus. EKO Energy leverages on EKO Cyprus' leading
position in the fuel market, facilitated by its extensive retail network and
allowing for an extended product portfolio, incorporating electricity
generation from RES. The total capacity of the Group's operational RES
projects in Cyprus currently accounts for c.15% of PVs participating in the
local electricity market, with expectations for further growth in the coming
years.

In our RES business, HELLENiQ RENEWABLES has been actively expanding its
portfolio, reaching a total installed capacity of 381 MW by the end of 1Q24.
Furthermore, there are currently 0.7 GW of projects under construction or in
advanced development stages. It is worth noting that the overall portfolio of
projects under development amounts to 4.3 GW. The Company's objective is to
operate RES projects with a capacity of over 1 GW by 2025 and more than 2 GW
by 2030.

In the E&P business, the processing of 3D seismic data in offshore areas,
specifically the "Ionian", "Block 2" and "Block 10" areas, has been
successfully concluded. Additionally, the processing of 2D seismic data in two
offshore areas in Crete has been completed, while their interpretation is in
progress. In the "Southwest of Crete" offshore area, a 3D seismic acquisition
has also been completed, followed by data processing and interpretation.

 

Slightly higher crude oil prices - Reduced benchmark refining margins

Crude oil (Brent) prices in 1Q24 were slightly higher y-o-y, at $83/bbl.
Accordingly, Euro strengthened slightly against the US dollar, averaging 1.09
vs 1.07 in 1Q23.

In 1Q24, natural gas and electricity prices continued to decline, by around
50% y-o-y. Accordingly, EUAs recorded a decrease of 31%, on average, compared
to the corresponding period last year.

Refining margins declined from the particularly high levels of 1Q23, but
remained higher than the most recent five-year cycle (2015-2019), prior to the
pandemic. Our refineries' system benchmark margin averaged $8.8/bbl in 1Q24,
compared to $10.6/bbl in 1Q23.

 

Increased demand in the domestic market

Domestic market demand reached 1.6m MT in 1Q24, +2% y-o-y, driven by a +4%
y-o-y increase in the automotive fuel consumption. Aviation and marine fuel
demand increased by 19% and 9% y-o-y respectively.

 

Balance sheet and capital expenditure

Operating cash flows in 1Q24 amounted to €83m, despite the repayment of the
last installments of the solidarity contribution. Additionally, there was a
temporary working capital increase, due to the disruption in trade flows in
the Middle East, as a result of the ongoing geopolitical events in the Red
Sea. Capital expenditure amounted to €93m, primarily directed to refinery
maintenance and RES capacity expansion.

Net Debt stood at €1.75bn, slightly up q-o-q, with Gearing (Net Debt to
Capital Employed) unchanged, at 36%.

In addition, bank loan refinancing amounting to €1bn is expected to be
completed in the coming weeks, improving commercial terms and interest cost,
and reducing dependence on base interest rates volatility. Additionally, the
refinancing will extend the overall maturity profile by one year. The Group is
currently considering its options around the €600m Eurobond, which matures
in October 2024.

Andreas Shiamishis, Group CEO, commented on the results:

"2024 started on a positive note, reporting strong financial performance, with
improved refinery products sales (+8%) and Adj. EBITDA profitability of
€338m. In addition to the positive refining environment, the key performance
drivers include high exports, improved refinery operations and international
business expansion.

Strategically, we are progressing with the implementation of "Vision 2025",
which aims to strengthen our core activities and establish a new, material
pillar in the renewable energy sector. At the same time, we remain committed
to investing in operational excellence and the development of our human
capital.

Considerable emphasis has been placed on expanding our operations in
international markets, either through growing local footprint or through
increasing exports and international trading business. In RES, we are
implementing our growth strategy but remain cautious, as challenges related to
grid constraints and storage technologies remain unresolved. Nevertheless, we
are maturing our portfolio, which currently stands at 4.3 GW, and have
visibility to 1 GW being operational within the next 18 months.

In terms of 2Q24 prospects, refining margins, albeit lower compared to 1Q24,
are still on positive ground. Domestic market demand remains strong,
predominantly for auto-fuels, while the outlook for the tourist season looks
promising."

 

Key highlights and contribution for each of the main business units in 1Q24
were:

 

Refining, Supply & Trading

-  Refining, Supply & Trading Adjusted EBITDA came in at €289m,
supported by increased sales (+8%) due to improved availability and higher
production from the 3 refineries, high refining margins and system
overperformance.

-  Production reached 3.8m MT, +5% y-o-y, while contribution of high
value-added products in the product mix was maintained above 80%.

 

Petrochemicals

-  1Q24 Adjusted EBITDA improved by 56% y-o-y to €23m due to higher sales
and a recovery in polypropylene (PP) margins.

 

Marketing

-     Domestic Marketing recorded a 2% increase in sales volume, with
improved market shares and greater contribution from premium products for yet
another quarter. Aviation sales increased by 21%, while bunkering sales
remained stable y-o-y. Profitability improved, supported by inventory
valuation gains. However, regulatory constraints on the retail gross margin
continue to remain in place.

-     International Marketing recorded improved performance, with
increased retail sales, higher market shares and a greater contribution from
premium products. Profitability was primarily affected by costs associated
with network expansion.

 

Renewables

-     RES EBITDA amounted to €11m in 1Q24. Power generation remained at
the same levels as last year, while the installed capacity increased to 381 MW
(+40 MW compared to the corresponding period in the previous year), as at the
end of 1Q24 26 MW of PV parks were successfully installed in Cyprus.

 

Associate companies

-     In 1Q24 the contribution from associate companies, which are
consolidated using the equity method, was negative and came in at €-4m,
compared with €31m in 1Q23.

-     Elpedison's profitability was adversely affected by the reduced
availability of the Thisvi power plant and the decrease in electricity prices
in the wholesale market. However, it is worth noting that The Thisvi plant
resumed its normal operations earlier than scheduled, towards the end of 1Q24.

 

 

HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings S.A.

Key consolidated financial indicators for 1Q 2024

(prepared in accordance with IFRS)

 

 € million                           1Q23   1Q24   % Δ
 P&L figures
 Refining Sales Volumes ('000 ΜΤ)    3,688  3,987  8%
 Sales                               3,113  3,278  5%
 EBITDA                              279    350    25%
 Adjusted EBITDA (1)                 404    338    -16%
 Operating Profit                    202    268    33%
 Net Income                          155    179    16%
 Adjusted Net Income (1)             252    164    -35%
 Balance Sheet Items
 Capital Employed                    4,331  4,887  13%
 Net Debt                            1,454  1,750  20%
 Gearing (ND/ND+E)                   34%    36%         +2 pps(2)

 

 

Note 1: Adjusted for inventory effects and other non-operating/one-off items,
as well as the IFRS accounting treatment of the EUAs deficit.

Note 2: pps stands for percentage points

 

Further information:

Investor Relations

8A Chimarras str., 151 25 Maroussi, Greece

Tel: 210-6302526, 210-6302305

Email: ir@helleniq.gr (mailto:ir@helleniq.gr)

 

 

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

                                                        As at
                                                  Note  31 March 2024                                                                  31 December 2023
 Αssets
 Non-current assets
 Property, plant and equipment                    10                                                                                                         3,643,045
                                                                     3,643,111
 Right-of-use assets                              11                            231,605                                                                        232,189
 Intangible assets                                12                            390,235                                                                        333,692
 Investments in associates and joint ventures     7                             401,663                                                                       404,743
 Deferred income tax assets                                                      99,356                                                                         95,546
 Investment in equity instruments                 3                                 471                                                                            514
 Derivative financial instruments                                                    -                                                                             746
 Loans, advances and long term assets             13                             60,256                                                                          57,771
                                                                             4,826,697                                                                      4,768,246
 Current assets
 Inventories                                      14                          1,706,128                                                                      1,472,536
 Trade and other receivables                      15                           909,275                                                                        880,986
 Income tax receivable                                                           66,709                                                                         66,148
 Derivative financial instruments                                                 2,194                                                                            930
 Cash and cash equivalents                        16                           479,302                                                                         919,457
                                                                              3,163,608                                                                     3,340,057
 Total assets                                                                7,990,305                                                                       8,108,303

 Equity
 Share capital and share premium                  17                          1,020,081                                                                      1,020,081
 Reserves                                         18                           304,293                                                                         291,010
 Retained Earnings                                                            1,746,439                                                                      1,568,384
 Equity attributable to the owners of the parent                              3,070,813                                                                     2,879,475

 Non-controlling interests                                                       66,991                                                                         66,916

 Total equity                                                                 3,137,804                                                                      2,946,391

 Liabilities
 Non- current liabilities
 Interest bearing loans and borrowings            19                           1,153,836                                                                     1,388,010
 Lease liabilities                                                              183,393                                                                        182,335
 Deferred income tax liabilities                                                176,434                                                                        174,063
 Retirement benefit obligations                                                 177,265                                                                        176,305
 Derivative financial instruments                                                 2,566                                                                                     1,541
 Provisions                                                                      33,815                                                                         33,835
 Other non-current liabilities                                                   34,975                                                                         25,348
                                                                              1,762,284                                                                      1,981,437
 Current liabilities
 Trade and other payables                         20                           1,745,561                                                                     1,598,726
 Derivative financial instruments                                                    -                                                                          13,333
 Income tax payable                                                            236,674                                                                         285,570
 Interest bearing loans and borrowings            19                           1,075,518                                                                     1,158,495
 Lease liabilities                                                               30,760                                                                         32,220
 Dividends payable                                25                              1,704                                                                          92,131
                                                                              3,090,217                                                                      3,180,475
 Total liabilities                                                            4,852,501                                                                       5,161,912
 Total equity and liabilities                                                7,990,305                                                                       8,108,303

 

 

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

                                                                                       For the period ended
                                                                                 Note  31 March 2024  31 March 2023

 Revenue from contracts with customers                                           4     3,278,481      3,113,343
 Cost of sales                                                                         (2,869,817)    (2,778,127)
 Gross profit / (loss)                                                                 408,664             335,216

 Selling and distribution expenses                                                     (100,756)      (93,808)
 Administrative expenses                                                               (43,784)       (40,483)
 Exploration and development expenses                                                  (1,387)        (4,244)
 Other operating income and other gains                                          5     8,504          7,403
 Other operating expense and other losses                                        5     (3,436)        (2,551)

 Operating profit / (loss)                                                             267,805             201,533

 Finance income                                                                        3,439          1,326
 Finance expense                                                                       (33,444)       (32,124)
 Lease finance cost                                                                    (2,436)        (2,325)
 Currency exchange gains / (losses)                                              6     5,824          558
 Share of profit / (loss) of investments in associates and joint ventures        7     (3,650)        31,289

 Profit / (loss) before income tax                                                     237,538             200,257

 Income tax (expense) / credit                                                   8     (58,270)       (44,491)

 Profit / (loss) for the period                                                        179,268             155,766

 Profit / (loss) attributable to:
      Owners of the parent                                                             179,172        155,276
      Non-controlling interests                                                        96             490
                                                                                       179,268        155,766

 Other comprehensive income / (loss):
 Other comprehensive income / (loss) that will not be reclassified to profit or
 loss (net of tax):
 Changes in the fair value of equity instruments                                 18    (34)           -
                                                                                       (34)           -
 Other comprehensive income / (loss) that may be reclassified subsequently to
 profit or loss (net of tax):
 Share of other comprehensive income / (loss) of associates                      18    570            (1,117)
 Fair value gains / (losses) on cash flow hedges                                 18    12,709         (921)
 Currency translation differences and other movements                            18    17             (782)
                                                                                       13             (3)

 Other comprehensive income / (loss) for the period, net of tax                        13             (3)

 Total comprehensive income / (loss) for the period                                    193            153

 Total comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to:
 Owners of the parent                                                                  192,455        152,572
  Non-controlling interests                                                            75             374
                                                                                       193            153

 Εarnings / (losses) per share (expressed in Euro per share)                     9     0.59           0.51

 

 

Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

                                                                                  For the period ended
                                                                           Note   31 March  2024   31 March 2023
 Cash flows from operating activities
 Cash generated from operations                                            21     197,298          615,161
 Income tax (paid) / received                                                     (114,148)        (2,365)
 Net cash generated from/ (used in) operating activities                          83,150           612,796

 Cash flows from investing activities
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment & intangible assets             10,12  (93,124)         (45,617)
 Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment & intangible             326              97
 assets
 Acquisition of share of associates and joint ventures                            1                (1)
 Cash and cash equivalents of acquired subsidiaries                               1,639            -
 Grants received                                                                  10,000           1
 Interest received                                                                3,439            1,326
 Prepayments for right-of-use assets                                              -                (27)
 Dividends received                                                               -                31,715
 Net cash generated from/ (used in) investing activities                          (77,719)         (12,507)

 Cash flows from financing activities
 Interest paid on borrowings                                                      (27,595)         (26,484)
 Dividends paid to shareholders of the Company                             25     (90,425)         (75,779)
 Proceeds from borrowings                                                  19     205,000          435,211
 Repayments of borrowings                                                  19     (525,397)        (855,611)
 Payment of lease liabilities - principal                                         (10,634)         (9,192)
 Payment of lease liabilities - interest                                          (2,436)          (2,325)
 Net cash generated from/ (used in) financing activities                          (451,487)        (534,180)

 Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                            (446,056)        66,109

 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year                    16     919,457          1,052,618
 Exchange (losses) / gains on cash and cash equivalents                           5,901            (278)
 Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                           (446,056)        66,109
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period                            16     479,302          1,118,449

 

 

Interim Condensed Statement of Financial Position of the Company

                                                                   As at
                                                             Note  31 March 2024                  31 December 2023
 Assets
 Non-current assets
 Property, plant and equipment                                                  668                            673
 Right-of-use assets                                         11               8,870                           9,155
 Intangible assets                                                               48                             63
 Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures  7              1,837,615                      1,785,115
 Deferred income tax assets                                                   8,454                           8,416
 Loans, advances and long term assets                        13               59,045                        242,249
                                                                            1,914,700                      2,045,671
 Current assets
 Trade and other receivables                                 15              207,774                         26,101
 Income tax receivables                                                        2,625                          2,625
 Cash and cash equivalents                                                     6,016                        150,528
                                                                             216,415                        179,254
 Total assets                                                                2,131,115                    2,224,925

 Equity
 Share capital and share premium                             17             1,020,081                      1,020,081
 Reserves                                                    18              292,638                        292,638
 Retained Earnings                                                           786,825                        784,155
 Total equity                                                              2,099,544                      2,096,874

 Liabilities
 Non-current liabilities
 Lease liabilities                                                             6,591                          6,973
                                                                               6,591                         6,973
 Current liabilities
 Trade and other payables                                                     19,600                         24,597
 Income tax payable                                                            1,128                          1,928
 Lease liabilities                                                             2,546                          2,422
 Dividends payable                                           25                1,706                         92,131
                                                                             24,980                         121,078
 Total liabilities                                                            31,571                        128,051
 Total equity and liabilities                                                2,131,115                    2,224,925

 

 

Interim Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income of the Company

                                                                     For the period ended
                                                               Note  31 March 2024                 31 March 2023

 Revenue from contracts with customers                                          8,660                         7,457
 Cost of sales                                                                 (7,873)                       (6,779)
 Gross profit / (loss)                                                            787                           678

 Administrative expenses                                                        (1,443)                       (3,275)
 Other operating income and other gains                        5                4,664                         3,686
 Other operating expense and other losses                      5               (4,547)                       (2,820)
 Operating profit /(loss)                                                        (539)                        (1,731)

 Finance income                                                                 4,060                         4,584
 Finance expense                                                                   (4)                           (3)
 Lease finance cost                                                               (84)                          (93)
 Dividend income                                               25                  -                        126,081
 Currency exchange gain / (loss)                                                   (2)                           -
 Profit / (loss)  before income tax                                             3,431                       128,838

 Income tax (expense) / credit                                 8                 (761)                        (1,236)

 Profit / (loss) for the period                                                 2,670                       127,602

 Other comprehensive income / (loss) for the year, net of tax                      -                             -

 Total comprehensive income / (loss) for the period                             2,670                       127,602

 

 

Interim Condensed Statement of Cash Flows of the Company

                                                                                      For the period ended
                                                                                Note  31 March 2024  31 March 2023

 Cash flows from operating activities
 Cash generated from / (used in) operations                                     21    (3,025)        (10,880)
 Income tax (paid) / received                                                         (1,599)        -
 Net cash generated from / (used in) operating activities                             (4,624)        (10,880)

 Cash flows from investing activities
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment & intangible assets                        -              (18)
 Participation in share capital increase of subsidiaries, associates and joint        (52,500)       (18,650)
 ventures
 Loans and advances to Group Companies                                          13    (2,500)        (126,600)
 Interest received                                                                    6,229          6,852
 Dividends received                                                                   -              32,979
 Net cash generated from / (used in) investing activities                             (48,771)       (105,437)

 Cash flows from financing activities
 Dividends paid to shareholders of the Company                                  25    (90,425)       (75,779)
 Payment of lease liabilities - principal, net                                        (608)          (578)
 Payment of lease liabilities - interest                                              (84)           (461)
 Net cash generated from / (used in) financing activities                             (91,117)       (76,818)

 Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                               (144,512)      (193,135)

 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period                             150,528        209,054
 Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                               (144,512)      (193,135)
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period                                       6,016          15,919

 

 

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