Regulatory News:
For several months, Veolia Environnement (Paris:VIE) has engaged in
operational restructuring in order to reinforce the means necessary to
implement the company’s profitable growth strategy. The company has
therefore proceeded with a complete review of its activities. The amount
of divestments and partnerships completed during the first half of 2011
has exceeded €1 billion and resulted in more than €400 million in
capital gains, which will be included in discontinued operations.
Given recent results of operations in Southern Europe, in particular in
Italy, and North Africa, as well as the United States (notably within an
activity specific to the Environmental Services division), Veolia
Environnement has decided to launch new restructuring plans and
redeployment of assets and businesses, which will accelerate the
implementation of the company’s strategy. In relation to these events,
asset impairments and write-downs approximating €800 million will be
proposed to the Board of Directors on August 3 to be recognized within
the accounts at June 30, 2011.
At the time of the company’s first half 2011 results presentation
scheduled for August 4, 2011, Veolia Environnement will detail the new
restructuring plans and associated profitability improvement measures.
Taking into account the operational results during the first half of
2011 and consequences of new restructuring plans, for 2011 the company
will not attain the objective of net income growth, and expects adjusted
operating income, excluding Veolia Transdev, to decline slightly at
constant exchange rates versus previously published adjusted operating
income, excluding Veolia Transdev, in 2010. The 2011 objectives of
organic revenue growth, €250 million in annual cost savings, at least
€1.3 billion in divestments and positive free cash flow after dividend
payment are confirmed.
Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE and NYSE: VE) is the
worldwide reference in environmental services. With more than 315,000
employees the company has operations all around the world and provides
tailored solutions to meet the needs of municipal and industrial
customers in four complementary segments: water management, waste
management, energy management and freight and passenger transportation.
Veolia Environnement recorded revenue of €34,78 billion in 2010.
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
