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Rexel Reports Lower Sales in 3Q, Names New Executive Committee

Rexel Reports Lower Sales in 3Q, Names New Executive Committee

Rexel’s overall sales for the third quarter of 2016 fell 4.3% compared to the same period in 2015, which includes a 1.5% drop due to the price of copper. For the year, Rexel’s sales are down 2.1% on an organic basis compared to 2015.

In Rexel’s North American branches, sales were down 5.8%, mainly impacted by a drop in sales to the oil and gas industry, where sales were down 31% in the third quarter.

As part of an earnings transformation program, Rexel announced a new Executive Committee to focus on operations. The committee will report to Patrick Berard, Chief Executive Officer.

The group functions committee includes Catherine Guillouard, Group CFO and Deputy CEO, Mathieu Larroumet, Group Business Transformations, Sebastien Thierry, Secretary General in charge of Legal Affairs, Compliance, Holding corporate matters and Secretary of the Board, and Frank Waldmann, Group Human Resources.

The business operations committee includes Brian McNally, CEO Rexel North America, Jeff Baker, President and CEO Platt Electric Supply and Rexel Commercial and Industrial, Vincent Demange, France General Manager, John Hogan, UK General Manager, Joakim Forsmark, Nordics General Manager, andEric Gauthier, CEO Rexel Asia-Pacific.

Rexel’s Third Quarter Earnings Press Release:

Third-quarter & nine-month 2016 results (unaudited) 


  • Organic sales down 4.3% in q3 in a persistently challenging environment

  • Solid gross margin in q3, adjusted EBITA margin impacted by lower sales and one-offs
  • Full-year financial targets confirmed, at the low-end of the February guidance

  • New executive committee with an increased representation of country/region managers

SALES OF $3.5285BN IN Q3

  • Down 4.3% on an organic basis, including -0.6% from calendar and -0.9% from copper 

  • Down 5.6% on a reported basis, including -1.6% from currency

ADJUSTED EBITA MARGIN OF 4.0% IN Q3 


  • Solid gross margin of 23.9%, improvement in all three geographies 

  • Adj. EBITA margin down 51bps, of which 21bps due to one-off effects and 30bps mainly reflecting the 
impact of lower sales on opex as a percentage of sales

FULL-YEAR FINANCIAL TARGETS CONFIRMED, AT THE LOW-END OF THE FEBRUARY GUIDANCE


NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WITH AN INCREASED REPRESENTATION OF COUNTRY/REGION MANAGERS 


Patrick BERARD, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Rexel’s sales in the third quarter were impacted by a persistently challenging environment, particularly in the US, the UK and China.

“Nevertheless, our gross margin improved in all geographies, while adjusted
EBITA margin was down year-on- year, reflecting the impact of lower sales on
operating costs as a percentage of sales, as well as non-recurring effects.

“We confirm our guidance for the current year, at the low-end of the range given
in February, on the basis of our performance over the first nine months of the
year and our expectations for the last quarter.

“We are actively pursuing the measures that will enable Rexel to improve
structurally its sales momentum and operational efficiency. To this end and as a
first step in our transformation program, we have appointed a new Executive
Committee, with an increased representation of country/region managers.

“As stated last July, we will present an update on Rexel’s strategy and ambitions
on February 13, 2017, at a meeting to be held in Paris.”

SALES

In Q3, sales were down 4.3% on an organic basis, including a cumulative 1.5% negative effect from copper (-0.9%) and calendar (-0.6%); on a constant and same-day basis, they were down 3.7%

In 9m, sales were down 2.1% on an organic basis, including a positive calendar effect of 0.4%; on a constant and same-day basis, they were down 2.5%, including a 1.1% negative copper effect 


In Q3, Rexel posted sales of $3,528.39 million, down 5.6% on a reported basis. On a constant and same-day basis, sales were down 3.7%, including an 0.9% negative effect due to the change in copper-based cable prices. 


The 5.6% drop in sales on a reported basis included: 


  • A negative currency effect of $59.5 million (mainly due to the depreciation of the British pound against the euro), 

  • A positive net scope effect of $10.1 million resulting from recent acquisitions (Sofinther in France, Zhonghao Technology in China and Brohl & Appell in the US) and recent divestments (Poland, Slovakia and Baltics), 

  • A negative calendar effect of 0.6 percentage points.


In 9m, Rexel posted sales of $10,720.72 million, down 3.2% on a reported basis. On a constant and same-day basis, 
sales were down 2.5%, including a 1.1% negative impact due to the change in copper-based cable prices.

The 3.2% drop in sales on a reported basis included:

  • A negative currency effect of $203.16 million (mainly due to the depreciation of the Canadian dollar and the British pound against the euro),
  • A positive net effect of $73.57 million from recent acquisitions (Sofinther in France, Electro-Industrie en Acoustiek in Belgium, Zhonghao Technology in China and Brohl & Appell in the US) and recent divestments (Poland, Slovakia and Baltics),
  • A positive calendar effect of 0.4 percentage points.


Europe (55% of Group sales): -1.6% in Q3 and -0.8% in 9m on a constant and same-day basis 


In the third quarter, sales in Europe decreased by 5.8% on a reported basis, including a negative net scope effect of $6.52m and a negative currency effect of $56.23m (mainly due to the depreciation of the British pound against the euro). On a constant and same-day basis, sales were down 1.6%, and down 0.5% excluding the negative impact of copper. 


  • In France (35% of the region’s sales), sales were down 1.1% on a constant and same-day basis, of which 0.7 percentage points came from lower cable sales. This drop in sales mainly reflected poor activity in July, while sales in August and September were broadly stable. As expected, the recovery in residential construction that is reflected in recent housing permits and starts has not materialized yet, due to the usual time lag between construction recovery and its materialization in sales of low and ultra-low voltage electrical equipment. 

  • In the UK (14% of the region’s sales), sales were down 6.4% on a constant and same-day basis, of which 1.3 percentage points came from lower cable sales and 3.0 percentage points came from a sharp drop (-78%) in PV sales. The rest of the drop was mainly due to the market contraction that followed the Brexit vote.
  • In Germany (11% of the region’s sales), sales continued to improve sequentially, with a slight rise of 0.2% including the impact of copper and a more substantial rise of 1.8% excluding copper. This is the first quarter this year in positive territory, as the 0.2% increase in constant and same-day sales followed declines of 3.0% in Q1 and 2.0% in Q2.
  • In Scandinavia (13% of the region’s sales), sales were up 1.6% year-on-year. Sweden continued to post solid growth (+9.5% despite a challenging comparable base of +6.2% in Q3 2015) and Finland improved sequentially (-0.5% after -9.1% in Q1 and -5.7% in Q2) but sales in Norway were strongly impacted by lower cable sales (-5.6 percentage points out of the 8.3% decline in sales).
  • In other European countries, performance was as follows:
    • Sales in The Netherlands and Belgium grew by 5.3% and 2.5% respectively,
    • Sales in Switzerland were down 4.7%, of which 1.5 percentage points came from lower cable sales, while sales in Austria, increased by 2.1%,
    • Sales in Spain dropped by 16.2% but, as in the previous quarters, this drop was almost entirely due to export activity (down 76%), while domestic activity remained broadly stable; sales in Italy were down 4.0%.

North America (35% of Group sales): -6.0% in Q3 and -4.9% in 9m on a constant and same-day basis

In the third quarter, sales in North America were down 5.8% on a reported basis, including a negative currency effect of $4.4m and a positive scope effect of $6.08m. On a constant and same-day basis, sales were down 6.0%. Despite an easier comparable base, the year-on-year drop in sales to the Oil & Gas industry continued to impact sales in Q3, notably in the US, where they were down 31% in Q3 2016 after a 36% drop in Q3 2015; in Canada, this effect started to improve as sales to the Oil & Gas industry were down 6% in Q3 2016 after a 38% drop in Q3 2015.

  • In the US (78% of the region’s sales), sales were down 6.6%, of which:
    • 2.0 percentage points attributable to the 31% drop in sales to the Oil & Gas industry,
    • 0.6 percentage points attributable to lower cable sales,
    • 1.6 percentage points attributable to branch network optimization.


    Excluding these unfavorable effects, sales were down 2.4% in the quarter, mainly reflecting a drop in sales to the industrial end-market. Platt, in the Northwest, continued to post solid sales growth.

  • In Canada (22% of the region’s sales), sales were down 4.0% (after -7.4% in Q1 and -7.1% in Q2), of which:
    • 0.4 percentage points attributable to the 6% drop in sales to the Oil & Gas industry,
    • 1.4 percentage points attributable to the 50% drop in sales to the wind industry.


    Excluding these unfavorable effects, sales were down 2.2% in the quarter, mainly reflecting a drop in sales to the industrial end-market.

Asia-Pacific (10% of Group sales): -5.6% in Q3 and -3.0% in 9m on a constant and same-day basis

In the third quarter, sales in Asia-Pacific were down 3.4% on a reported basis, including a positive scope effect of $10.38m and a positive currency effect of $1.22m. On a constant and same-day basis, sales were down 5.6%, mainly reflecting poor performance in Asia.

  • In Asia (52% of the region’s sales), sales were down 9.0%:
    • In China (67% of Asia), sales dropped by 11.2%, of which 3.0 percentage points came from a sharp drop (-28%) in wind sales; the remaining drop continued to reflect low sales to the industrial end-market (which represents the bulk of sales in China),

    • In South-East Asia (24% of Asia), sales dropped by 13.3%, most of which (11.8 percentage points) came from a sharp drop in sales to the Oil & Gas industry (-38%),
    • In the Rest of Asia (9% of Asia), sales grew by 25.9%, driven by double-digit growth in India (+16.1%) and the Middle East (+35.4%).
  • In the Pacific (48% of the region’s sales), sales were down 1.9%:
    • In Australia (80% of Pacific), sales were down 2.6%, mainly reflecting a slowdown in sales in Western Australia and Queensland,
    • In New Zealand (20% of Pacific), sales were slightly up (+0.6%).

PROFITABILITY
Continued improvement in gross margin: +41bps in Q3 and +21bps since the beginning of the year
Adjusted EBITA margin of 4.0% in Q3, down 51bps, of which 21bps due to one-offs and 30bps mainly reflecting lower sales; adjusted EBITA margin of 4.1% since the beginning of the year, down 22bps

In Q3, gross margin stood at 23.9% of sales, up 41bps year-on-year. It improved in all geographies: Europe (up 26bps at 26.4% of sales), North America (up 27bps at 22.1% of sales) and Asia-Pacific (up 121bps at 17.7% of sales).

Opex (incl. depreciation) in the quarter stood at 19.9% of sales, up 92bps year-on-year. Opex in Q3 included two one-off effects:

  • A one-off profit of $4.3m recorded in Q3 2015 as a result of amended post-retirement Medical and Healthcare plans in the US,
  • A one-off charge of $3.3m recorded in Q3 2016 as a result of the “Opportunity 2016” Employee Share Purchase Plan launched in September, 


Restated for those one-off effects, opex were down 0.7% (instead of rising by 0.4%) and represented 19.8% of sales (instead of 19.9%), up 71bps year-on-year (instead of 92bps). 


Adjusted EBITA in the quarter stood at $140.96m at 4.0% of sales, down 51bps year-on-year, of which:

  • 21bps came from the two one-off effects mentioned above,
  • 30bps mainly resulted from the lower absorption of opex by sales, which dropped by 4.3% on a 
constant and actual-day basis. 


In 9m, gross margin stood at 24.3% of sales, up 21bps year-on-year. It improved in all geographies: Europe (up 14bps at 26.7% of sales), North America (up 5bps at 22.1% of sales) and Asia-Pacific (up 54bps at 18.1% of sales). 


Opex (incl. depreciation) were broadly stable in value; they stood at 20.1% of sales, up 43bps year-on-year.

As a result, adjusted EBITA stood at $441.78m at 4.1% of sales, down 22bps year-on-year. 


Reported EBITA stood at $137.98m in Q3 (including a $2.98m negative one-off copper effect) and at $426.2m in 9m (including a $15.58m negative one-off copper effect). 


NET INCOME
Strong increase of 47.0% in net income from continuing operations, mainly driven by lower net financial expenses

Operating income in 9m stood at $361.36 million, broadly stable year-on-year.

  • Amortization of intangibles resulting from purchase price allocation amounted to $15.13 million (vs. $14.14 million in 9m 2015).
  • Other income and expenses amounted to a net charge of $49.6 million (vs. a net charge of $83.16 million in 9m 2015). They included $35.79 million of restructuring costs (vs. $54.68 million in 9m 2015). The 9m 2015 also included a $20.44 million charge from goodwill impairment. 


Net financial expenses in 9m amounted to $126.05 million (vs. $196.09 million in 9m 2015). Both periods included charges related to refinancing operations: 


  • 9m 2016 included a net charge of $18.89 million related to (i) the early repayment of a $718.07m Senior notes issued in 2013 and maturing in June 2020 that was already mentioned in our Q2 & H1 results Press Release and (ii) the early repayment of $170m from the $500m Senior notes issued in April 2013 and maturing in June 2020, 

  • 9m 2015 included a net charge of $57.99 million, related to early redemption of two Senior notes at coupons of 7.000% and 6.125%. 


Restated for those net charges, net financial expenses decreased from $138.09 million in 9m 2015 to $107.16 million in 9m 2016. This largely reflected lower average debt year-on-year and lower average effective interest rate, thanks to the various refinancing operations. The average effective interest rate on gross debt decreased again by 35bps year-on-year in 9m 2016 to 3.61% (vs. 3.96% in 9m 2015). 


Income tax in 9m represented a charge of $88.05 million (vs. $65.18 million in 9m 2015), a rise of 35.1%, mainly reflecting a 42.4% increase in profit before tax. The effective tax rate stood at 37.4% (vs. 39.4% in 9m 2015). 


Net income from continuing operations in 9m rose by 47.0% to $147.37 million (vs. $100.199 million in 9m 2015). 


As the disposal of our Latin American operations represented a loss of $76.56 million in 9m 2015, net income in 9m was strongly up at $147.37 million (vs. $23.64 million in 9m 2015). 


Recurring net income in 9m amounted to $207.14 million, down 5.2% year-on-year.


FINANCIAL STRUCTURE

Net debt reduced by 4.3% year-on-year at September 30, 2016 

Sound financial structure; continued actions to reduce net financial expenses and optimize financings 


In Q3, free cash flow from continuing operations before interest and tax was an inflow of $34.47 million (vs. an inflow of $40.43 million in Q3 2015). This net inflow included:

  • Net capital expenditure of $25.74 million (vs. $22.09 million in Q3 2015), 

  • An outflow of $88.74 million from change in working capital on a reported basis (vs. an outflow of 
$89.45 million in Q3 2015). On a constant and adjusted basis, working capital decreased by 40bps as a percentage of the last 12 month sales, from 12.7% at September 30, 2015 to 12.3% at September 30, 2016. 


At September 30, 2016, net debt stood at $2,773.97 million, down 4.3% year-on-year (vs. $2,897.26 million at September 30, 2015).
It took into account:

  • $132.9 million of dividend paid in Q3 (early July),

  • $31.5 million of net interest paid in Q3 ($101.64 million paid in 9m),

  • $13.4 million of income tax paid in Q3 ($51.26 million paid in 9m),

  • $4.7 million of net financial investment in Q3 ($103.40 million in 9m),

  • $11.05 million of positive currency effect in Q3 (positive effect of $34.69 million in 9m).

In Q3, Rexel continued to optimize its financings in order to further reduce its cost of financing and enhance its financial structure.

Further to the early repayment of a $718.07m bond line issued in 2013 and maturing in June 2020 that was already mentioned in our Q2 & H1 results Press Release, Rexel will redeem in November $170 million from the $500m bond line issued in April 2013 and maturing in June 2020 (at a 5.250% coupon). In addition, Rexel also extended its Senior Credit Agreement by one year, to November 2021.


All these actions contribute to further reduce Rexel’s cost of financing and enhance its financial structure. The average effective interest rate on gross debt is expected to decrease by c. 30bps between the first half and the second half of the year, from c. 3.7% in H1 2016 to c. 3.4% in H2 2016. Rexel boasts a sound financial structure with average maturity of around 4 years and with no significant repayment before June 2020.

UPDATE ON MANAGEMENT TEAM AND GOVERNANCE

Appointment of a new Executive committee with an increased representation of country/region managers Ian Meakins became Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors on October 1

As a first step in its transformation program, Rexel announced, in a separate Press Release, the appointment of a new Executive Committee with a strong focus on operations. The new Executive Committee, comprising 11 members, of which 6 are in charge of key business units, will be headed by and report to Patrick BERARD, Chief Executive Officer, and will also include:

Group functions

  • Catherine GUILLOUARD, Group CFO and Deputy CEO, 

  • Mathieu LARROUMET, Group Business Transformations, 

  • Sébastien THIERRY, Secretary-General in charge of Legal Affairs, Compliance, Holding corporate matters 
and Secretary of the Board, 

  • Frank WALDMANN, Group Human Resources, 


Business Operations 


  • Vincent DEMANGE, France General Manager, 

  • John HOGAN, UK General Manager, 

  • Joakim FORSMARK, Nordics General Manager, 

  • Brian McNALLY, CEO Rexel North America, 

  • Jeff BAKER, President and CEO Platt Electric Supply & Rexel Commercial & Industrial, 

  • Eric GAUTHIER, CEO Rexel Asia-Pacific. 


As regards the Group governance and as announced on June 24, Ian MEAKINS, who joined the Board of Directors on July 1, became Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors on October 1. Under his chairmanship, Rexel’s Board of Directors, along with Rexel’s management team, will define the next strategic steps for the Group. As announced on July 29, the outcome of this strategic review and updated ambitions for the Group will be presented on February 13, 2017. 


OUTLOOK
Taking into consideration the performance of the first nine months and also:

  • Continuous uncertainty in some markets, such as the UK (post-Brexit), the US (weak industrial end- markets and deterioration in indicators such as the ABI) and Asia (even if China could start gradually improving), on the one hand,
  • The reduction in negative impact from copper in Q4 (current price is c. $4,700 per ton vs. average Q4 2015 at $4,882 per ton), on the other hand, 


we confirm our 2016 full-year financial targets, at the low-end of the February guidance: 


  • Organic sales decline on a constant and same-day basis of at most 3% (February guidance was “organic sales growth on a constant and same-day basis of between -3% and +1%”), 

  • Adjusted EBITA margin of at least 4.1% (February guidance was “adjusted EBITA margin of between 4.1% and 4.5%”),
  • Solid free cash flow generation of:
    • Between 70% and 80% of EBITDA, before interest and tax (unchanged),
    • Between 35% and 45% of EBITDA, after interest and tax (unchanged).

An update on Rexel’s strategy and ambitions will be presented at a financial meeting to be held in Paris on February 13, 2017.

 

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