Regulatory News:
Veolia Environnement (Paris:VIE)
SATISFACTORY BEGINNING OF THE YEAR
CONTINUED POSITIVE REVENUE GROWTH
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN FREE CASH FLOW *** NET DEBT REDUCTION
CONFIRMATION OF 2011 OBJECTIVES
(UNAUDITED IFRS FIGURES)
-
Consolidated revenue grew 3.4% at constant scope and exchange rates
to €8,159.4M (+11.3% at current rates)
-
Strong growth in the Environmental Services division due to the
combined effect of higher waste volumes and continued strength in
recycled raw material prices
-
Slight decline in the Water division primarily due to the
reduction in revenue from large construction contracts
-
Growth in the Energy division due to higher energy prices
-
Initial consolidation of Veolia Transdev (impacting external
growth)
-
Adjusted operating cash flow increased 2.0% at constant exchange
rates to €996.8M (+3.7% at current exchange rates)
-
Decline in Water, compensated by improved performance in
Environmental Services and Energy
-
Efficiency Plan achieved cost savings of €60 million during Q1
2011, in line with the €250M annual objective
-
Adjusted operating income declined 2.6% at constant exchange rates
(-1.1% at current exchange rates) to €636.1M versus €643.2M in Q1 2010
-
Includes €3M of capital gains in Q1 2011 compared to €37M in Q1
2010
-
Significant increase in free cash flow
in
Q1 2011 to €539M versus €45M in Q1 2010
-
Gross investments controlled: €528M
-
€840M in divestments already completed in Q1 2011
-
Significant reduction in net financial debt to €14.5Bn at March 31,
2011, down more than €700M compared to December 31, 2010. The 2010
dividend will be paid, pending approval at the Annual General
Shareholders meeting, beginning June 17, 2011.
**********
-
2011 objectives confirmed
Antoine Frérot, Chairman and CEO of Veolia Environnement, stated:
"The growth trends of the previous quarters and the strong free cash
flow in the first quarter allow us to confirm our 2011 objectives
announced at the beginning of the year.
Contract wins in Europe,
North America and in Asia confirm Veolia Environnement’s strategy of
profitable growth.”
Quarterly figures for the three months ending March 31, 2011 (1)
VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT
Veolia Environnement consolidated revenue for the quarter ending March
31, 2011 includes the proportional integration of the new entity Veolia
Transdev at 50% beginning March 3, 2011. The financial statements of
2010 have been re-presented to reclassify the former Veolia Transport
division, the Netherlands operations in the Water division, the
Norwegian operations in the Environmental Services division and the
German activities in the Energy Services division into discontinued
operations.
|
Revenue (€M)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the quarter ending March 31, 2011
|
|
For the quarter ending March 31, 2010 re-presented
|
|
For the quarter ending March 31, 2010 published
|
|
Change 2011/2010
|
|
Of which internal growth
|
|
Of which external growth
|
|
Of which currency effect
|
|
8,159.4
|
|
7,329.7
|
|
8,794.2
|
|
11.3%
|
|
3.4%
|
|
6.2%
|
|
1.7%
|
Revenue and Commercial Development Activity
Veolia Environnement consolidated revenue for the quarter ending March
31, 2011 increased 3.4% at constant scope and exchange rates (+11.3% at
current exchange rates) to €8,159.4 million versus re-presented revenue
of €7,329.7 million for the same period ending March 31, 2010.
The scope effect on revenue (referred to as external growth) for the
quarter ending March 31, 2011 includes €333.5M (+4.5%) in revenue
associated with the consolidation of Veolia Transdev. External growth
also reflects targeted net acquisitions completed in 2010 of: €92.9
million in the Water division (primarily the impact of the acquisition
of certain assets from United Utilities), -€19.4 million in the
Environmental Services division and €45.2 million in the Energy Services
Division (related to the acquisition of Dalkia Industry CZ and two other
affiliates, Czech-Karbon and NWR Energetyka PL Spolka from the group NWR
in 2010).
The share of revenue recorded outside France was €4,820.3 million, or
59.1% of the total, compared to 57.7% for the period ending March 31,
2010.
The €127.9 million foreign currency benefit to revenue growth mainly
reflected the strengthening against the euro of the Australian dollar
for €27.1 million, the pound sterling for €21.7 million, the Japanese
yen for €10.2 million and the Eastern European currencies (Czech
Republic and Poland) for €18.2 million.
Veolia Environnement has benefitted from favorable market trends and has
won several significant contracts since the beginning of the year:
-
Thames Water in the United Kingdom awarded Vennsys Limited, a
consortium led by Veolia Water U.K., a contract to manage all its
water metering services, encompassing meter installation, meter
reading and the implementation of automatic meter reading by radio
communication. This 10-year contract represents estimated cumulative
revenue of approximately £240 million;
-
In Kuwait, Veolia Water signed a contract to design, build and operate
for 5 years a new reverse osmosis desalination unit at the Az-Zour
South plant for estimated cumulative revenue of €81 million;
-
In the United States, Veolia Water signed a contract to design and
build a system to treat mine water in West Virginia and a contract to
design, build and operate for 12 years a produced water facility for
an oilfield in California. These two contracts should generate
estimated cumulative revenue of $150 million;
-
Veolia Environmental Services has been designated as the preferred
bidder for the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract for treatment
of up to 350,000 tons of annual residual waste for Hertfordshire
county in the United Kingdom for 25 years;
-
The contract for street cleaning and waste collection and recycling
for the Haringey district of London was awarded to Veolia
Environmental Services for a duration of 14 years and estimated
cumulative revenue of over €270 million;
-
Award of the operations and maintenance contract for the Centre
Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal (CHUM) for 30 years by Dalkia
and estimated cumulative revenue of 1.6 billion Canadian dollars
(roughly €1.2 billion);
-
In Abu Dhabi, the contract awarded to the Energy division for the
design, build and operation of three central cooling facilities for 29
years and estimated cumulative revenue of €373 million;
-
Contract award in the transportation division for operation of the bus
network in Macao, via a joint venture with RATP Développement in Asia,
for 7 years and estimated cumulative revenue of €75 million (Veolia
share).
Operating Performance
Adjusted operating cash flow increased 3.7% at current exchange rates
(+2.0% at constant exchange rates) to €996.8 million for the quarter
ending March 31, 2011, versus re-presented adjusted operating cash flow
of €961.4 million for the same period in 2010. Adjusted operating cash
flow margin was 12.2% for the first quarter of 2011.
Adjusted operating cash flow benefitted from revenue growth, higher
recycled raw material prices in the Environmental Services division and
the positive impact of energy prices in the Energy division, but was
partially offset by climate conditions that were globally less favorable
in 2011 compared to 2010, as well as the decline in operational
performance in the Water division. The benefits of the Company’s
Efficiency Plan contributed to the improvement in adjusted operating
cash flow by €60 million for the quarter ending March 31, 2011.
Consolidated adjusted operating income declined 1.1% at current exchange
rates (-2.6% at constant exchange rates) to €636.1 million for the
quarter ending March 31, 2011, versus re-presented adjusted operating
income of €643.2 million for the same period in 2010 due to lower
capital gains realized in Q1 2011 versus Q1 2010. During the first
quarter of 2011, capital gains on completed divestments were primarily
accounted for in discontinued operations.
Due to control of gross investments, which totaled €528 million, and
divestments and partnerships completed by the end of the quarter, free
cash flow (2) amounted to €539 million during the first
quarter of 2011, versus €45 million for the first quarter of 2010.
Net financial debt (3) was €14.5 billion at March 31, 2011,
versus €15.2 billion at December 31, 2010.
In total, the Company confirms the objectives previously communicated
for the year 2011, envisioning a year of growing results:
-
Adjusted operating income improvement in the range of 4% to 8%,
excluding the impact of the combination of Veolia Transport and
Transdev
-
Net income improvement
-
Efficiency Plan cost savings of at least €250 million
-
Asset divestment program of more than €1.3 billion
-
Positive free cash flow after dividend
******************************
Analysis by division
Water
|
Revenue (€M)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the quarter ending
March 31, 2011
|
|
For the quarter ending
March 31, 2010
re-presented
|
|
Change 2011/2010
|
|
Of which internal growth
|
|
Of which external growth
|
|
Of which currency effect
|
|
3,021.7
|
|
2,917.9
|
|
3.6%
|
|
-1.4%
|
|
3.2%
|
|
1.8%
|
The decline in Water division revenue at constant scope and exchange
rates is due primarily to the reduction in Technologies and Networks
revenue (Works activities).
-
The external growth in Water division revenue during the first quarter
of 2011 relates principally to the acquisition of certain assets from
United Utilities in the United Kingdom and Central Europe in November
2010.
-
For Operations activities, revenue increased 5.0% at current exchange
rates (stable at constant scope and exchange rates). In France revenue
declined 2.1% excluding scope effects, in line with contractual
erosion (essentially related to the SEDIF contract renewal), as well
as a decline in volumes sold compared to the same period in 2010. Outside
France, revenue increased 9.8% at current exchange rates (+1.1% at
constant scope and exchange rates). In Europe, growth of 2.9% at
constant scope and exchange rates was driven by favorable performance
in Germany, notably on the Braunschweig contract, as well as solid
performance in Central Europe. Despite the improvement of activity in
China, revenue in Asia Pacific posted a slight decline of 1.2% at
constant scope and exchange rates due to lower revenue in Japan and
Korea. In the United States, revenue declined 4.1% at constant scope
and exchange rates due to a construction delay related to a drinking
water production facility in Florida.
-
Technologies and Networks revenue declined 5.1% at constant scope and
exchange rates (-1.0% at current exchange rates). Revenue was
primarily affected by the end of certain large Design and Build
contracts in the Middle East, which was partially offset by the
initiation of construction of the Hong Kong sludge treatment plant.
For the quarter ending March 31, 2011, adjusted operating cash flow
declined due to the evolution of Technologies and Networks revenue, and
within Operations activities, due to the negative impact of contractual
erosion in France, as well as maintenance expenses and non-recurring
expenses during the first quarter of 2011 (notably in the United
Kingdom). Operating income also declined relative to the same period in
2010 in part due to the aforementioned items, and also because the first
quarter of 2010 benefitted from capital gains that were more significant
compared to the first quarter of 2011.
Environmental Services
|
Revenue (€M)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the quarter ending
March 31, 2011
|
|
For the quarter ending
March 31, 2010
re-presented
|
|
Change 2011/2010
|
|
Of which internal growth
|
|
Of which external growth
|
|
Of which currency effect
|
|
2,361.3
|
|
2,112.9
|
|
11.8%
|
|
10.2%
|
|
-0.9%
|
|
2.5%
|
Organic revenue growth of 10.2% in the Environmental Services division
reflects the benefit of higher recycled raw material prices, which
accounted for approximately €90 million (notably in France and Germany),
as well as improvement in the level of activity for industrial services,
treatment of hazardous waste and commercial waste collection, which
contributed to higher volumes. In addition, volumes in the first quarter
of 2010 were negatively affected by unfavorable climate conditions
compared to the first quarter of 2011.
-
In France, revenue increased 12.1% at constant scope (+10.2% at
current scope), due to the combined effect of higher recycled raw
materials prices (paper/cardboard and metals) and improvement in
volumes in certain activities, notably the treatment of hazardous
waste, landfilling and collection from commercial customers.
-
Outside France, revenue increased by 9.1% at constant scope and
exchange rates (+12.6% at current exchange rates). Germany benefitted
from positive price differentials for paper and cardboard and improved
activity in both industrial and commercial segments. Revenue in the
United Kingdom increased 13.1% at constant scope and exchange rates,
in line with the progression of integrated contracts, as well as an
increase in volumes landfilled, and despite an economic environment
that continues to be difficult for other activities. In North America,
1.2% revenue growth at constant scope and exchange rates resulted from
an increase in industrial services and hazardous waste activities, and
was reinforced by special projects. Revenue was negatively impacted by
specific challenges related to technical issues and by a decline in
asset utilization rates in the Gulf of Mexico in the Marine Services
group. In Asia Pacific, revenue increased 8.1% at constant scope and
exchange rates due to the ramp and growth of activities in China,
notably in the treatment of hazardous waste, as well as the growth in
industrial services activities in Australia.
Adjusted operating cash flow increased in the first quarter of 2011
compared to the same period in 2010. This improvement resulted primarily
from an increase in activity, implementation of adaptation plans, and
the favorable impact of higher recycled raw material prices, despite an
unfavorable change in fuel prices. Operating income also increased
during the first quarter of 2011 compared to the prior year due to the
aforementioned items.
Energy
|
Revenue (€M)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the quarter ending
March 31, 2011
|
|
For the quarter ending
March 31, 2010
re-presented
|
|
Change 2011/2010
|
|
Of which internal growth
|
|
Of which external growth
|
|
Of which currency effect
|
|
2,442.9
|
|
2,298.9
|
|
6.3%
|
|
3.3%
|
|
2.0%
|
|
1.0%
|
Revenue in the Energy division increased 3.3% at constant scope and
exchange rates. Growth was driven by higher energy prices (accounting
for an approximate €100 million increase in revenue compared to the
period ending March 31, 2010), which largely offset the impact of less
favorable weather conditions.
-
In France, revenue increased 3.2% at constant scope due to the
increase in average fuel basket prices, while weather conditions on a
net basis were less favorable than the first quarter of 2010.
-
Outside France, revenue was roughly stable, increasing +0.9% at
constant scope and exchange rates. The increase in heating and
electricity prices in Central Europe during the first quarter of 2011
compared to the prior year period was offset by the impact of an
unfavorable climate effect.
-
External growth in the Energy division during the first quarter of
2011 was largely due to the reorganization of activities in the Czech
Republic.
Adjusted operating cash flow improved slightly due to the favorable
impact of energy prices, notably in France, and despite operational and
economic difficulties in Southern Europe. Operating income also improved
slightly due to the aforementioned items.
Veolia Transdev
|
Revenue (€M)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the quarter ending
March 31, 2011
|
|
For the quarter ending
March 31, 2010
re-presented
|
|
For the quarter ending March 31, 2010 published
|
|
Change 2011/2010
|
|
Of which internal growth
|
|
Of which external growth
|
|
Of which currency effect
|
|
333.5
|
|
-
|
|
1,355.9
|
|
100%
|
|
-
|
|
100%
|
|
-
|
Revenue of the new entity Veolia Transdev amounted to €333.5 million for
the quarter ending March 31, 2011 (for the period March 3 - March 31,
2011), of which €97.5 million was associated with the historical
"Transdev” activities for the month of March 2011. Adjusted operating
cash flow, as well as operating income of the new entity, were not
significant for this period.
For the historical "Veolia Transport” activities during the first
quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010:
-
Revenue in France increased 0.9% at constant scope due to
recent commercial successes, notably in Bayonne and Antibes. Revenue
was also impacted by the decline in revenue associated with airport
and tourism activities, notably due to a strike within SNCM which took
place from January 31, 2011 to March 17, 2011.
-
Outside France, revenue increased 10.0% at current exchange
rates (+7.0% at constant scope and exchange rates) due to ramp and
growth of development in North America and Germany.
Adjusted operating cash flow declined in the first quarter of 2011
compared to the prior year period due to the impact of strikes within
SNCM and operational difficulties related to the Rabat contract.
Operating income also declined due to the same factors.
Important Disclaimer
Veolia Environnement is a corporation listed on the NYSE and Euronext
Paris. This press release contains "forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees
of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the
forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and
uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, including but not
limited to: the risk of suffering reduced profits or losses as a result
of intense competition, the risk that changes in energy prices and taxes
may reduce Veolia Environnement’s profits, the risk that governmental
authorities could terminate or modify some of Veolia Environnement’s
contracts, the risk that acquisitions may not provide the benefits that
Veolia Environnement hopes to achieve, the risks related to customary
provisions of divesture transactions, the risk that Veolia
Environnement’s compliance with environmental laws may become more
costly in the future, the risk that currency exchange rate fluctuations
may negatively affect Veolia Environnement’s financial results and the
price of its shares, the risk that Veolia Environnement may incur
environmental liability in connection with its past, present and future
operations, as well as the risks described in the documents Veolia
Environnement has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. Veolia Environnement does not undertake, nor does it have,
any obligation to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking
statements. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of
documents filed by Veolia Environnement with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission from Veolia Environnement.
Press release also available on our web site: http://www.finance.veolia.com
CONFERENCE CALL
KEY FIGURES AT MARCH 31, 2011
SPEAKER:
PIERRE-FRANÇOIS RIOLACCI (CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER)
THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. (CET)
To listen to the conference, please dial
+33 (0)1 70 99 43 01 (France)
Or
+44 (0)20 7806 1967 (UK)
A replay will be available from May 5-12, 2011
Phone number (France)
+33 (0)1 74 20 28 00
Phone number (UK)
+44 (0)20 7111 1244
Phone number (USA)
+1 347 366 9565
(Code 3444070#)
(1) The financial statements of 2010 have been re-presented,
in order to insure the comparability of periods: - for the
reclassification into "net income from discontinued operations” of the
German operations in the Energy Services division, the Norwegian
operations in the Environmental Services division and the Netherlands
operations in the Water division; - for the reclassification into "net
income from discontinued operations” of the entire Veolia Transport
operations (for the accounts in the quarter ending March 31, 2010 of:
€1,355.9 million in revenue, €58.9 million in adjusted operating cash
flow, and €5.0 million in adjusted operating income) - for the
reclassification into "continuing operations” of the Renewable Energies
business within the Energy division.
(2) Definition of free cash flow: cash generated (which is
equal to the sum of operating cash flow before changes in working
capital and income taxes paid and principal payments on operating
financial assets) net of the cash component of the following items: (i)
changes in working capital from operations, (ii) operations involving
equity (share capital movements, dividends paid and received), (iii)
investments net of disposals (including the change in receivables and
other financial assets), (iv) net financial interest paid and (v) tax
paid.
(3) Definition of net financial debt:
gross financial debt (non-current borrowings, current borrowings, bank
overdrafts and other cash position items), net of cash and cash
equivalents and excluding fair value adjustments to derivatives hedging
debt.
