RNS Number:2380G
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
23 October 2007
October 23, 2007
SALES FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2007:
* +5.5% ON A REPORTED BASIS
* +6.0% LIKE-FOR-LIKE
The Saint-Gobain Group delivered consolidated sales of Euro32,630 million for the
first nine months of 2007, compared to Euro30,925 million for the same year-ago
period, representing a rise of 5.5% on a reported basis and of 6.7% at constant
exchange rates*.
Changes in the scope of consolidation over the first nine months of the year
accounted for an increase of 0.7% in sales, with contributions from bolt-on
acquisitions (mainly in the Construction Products and Building Distribution
sectors) slightly ahead of contributions from divestments (mainly Desjonqueres
and Calmar in the Packaging sector and Synflex in the High-Performance Materials
business). Fluctuations in exchange rates had a negative 1.2% impact, chiefly
reflecting the fall in the value of the US dollar.
On a like-for-like basis (constant Group structure and exchange rates*), the
Group's sales advanced Euro1,825 million, or 6.0%, buoyed by a significant rise in
sales prices (3.6%) and, to a lesser extent, volumes (2.4%). The vigorous growth
in the first half of the year (organic growth of 6.9% at end-June), buoyed by
the very favorable weather conditions during the first quarter, continued into
the third quarter (up 4.2%), albeit at a slightly slower pace due to a higher
comparison basis (for information, the Group's organic growth for third-quarter
2006 was 6.2% versus 4.0% in the three months to June 30, 2006) as well as more
moderate growth in certain European countries in the third quarter.
All of the Group's business sectors saw a rise in like-for-like sales for the
first nine months of the year, as well as for the third quarter. Overall, demand
held firm in all of the Group's construction-related businesses: vigorous
markets in western Europe, bolstered by the impact of regulations promoting
energy efficiency in the building industry, more than offset the low level of
construction activity in the US. Demand related to industrial output and capital
spending remained satisfactory in both Europe and the US. Lastly, all of the
Group's businesses in emerging countries and Asia continued to report very
robust growth (up 17.3%).
(*) Based on average exchange rates for the first nine months of 2006.
Sales trends by business sector and geographic area are as follows:
Sales for the Sales for Change based on Change based on Change based on
first nine the first actual comparable comparable
months of nine-months structure (%) structure (%) structure and
2007 (Eurom) of 2006 (Eurom) exchange rates (%)
SECTORS
Flat Glass 4,152 3,716 +11.7% +11.8% +12.4%
High-Performance Materials (1) 3,670 3,745 -2.0% -1.6% +1.9%
Ceramics & Plastics and Abrasives 2,688 2,706 -0.7% 0.0% +3.9%
Reinforcements 992 1,050 -5.5% -6.1% -3.3%
Construction Products (1) 8,447 8,198 +3.0% +1.3% +3.3%
Interior solutions (2) 5,028 4,795 +4.9% +3.0% +4.6%
Exterior solutions (3) 3,442 3,420 +0.6% -0.9% +1.7%
Building Distribution 14,445 12,883 +12.1% +7.5% +7.3%
Packaging 2,712 3,094 -12.3% +3.1% +5.9%
Internal sales and misc. (796) (711) -------- -------- --------
GROUP 32,630 30,925 +5.5% +4.8% +6.0%
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
France 9,702 9,296 +4.4% +6.0% +6.0%
Other western European countries 14,960 13,604 +10.0% +7.6% +7.5%
North America 4,475 5,309 -15.7% -13.8% -7.0%
Emerging countries and Asia/
Pacific 5,112 4,316 +18.4% +16.2% +17.3%
Internal sales (1,619) (1,600) ----- ----- -----
GROUP 32,630 30,925 +5.5% +4.8% +6.0%
(1) including inter-division eliminations.
(2) including:
- Insulation: Euro2,087 million for the first nine months of 2007, up 11.5% on the
year-earlier period (up 3.5% on a comparable structure basis and up 5.0% on a
comparable structure and exchange rate basis).
- Gypsum: Euro2,958 million for the first nine months of 2007, up 0.9% on the
year-earlier period (up 3.0% on a comparable structure basis and up 4.4% on a
comparable structure and exchange rate basis).
(3) including:
- Building Materials: Euro2,025 million for the first nine months of 2007, down
3.0% on the year-earlier period (down by 4.5% on a comparable structure basis
and by 0.4% on a comparable structure and exchange rate basis).
- Pipe: Euro1,417 million for the first nine months of 2007, up 6.3% on the
year-earlier period (up 4.7% on a comparable structure basis, and up 5.1% on a
comparable structure and exchange rate basis).
Performance of Group sectors
The Flat Glass sector delivered the Group's strongest organic growth for the
first nine months of the year and for the third quarter (respectively up 12.4%
and 11.3%). Amid buoyant building markets in western Europe and emerging
countries, the Flat Glass business also benefited from growing demand for
energy-efficient glass. European building markets also continued to enjoy a
highly favorable pricing environment throughout the period. Automotive Flat
Glass reported robust trading activity worldwide.
In the High-Performance Materials sector, Ceramics, Plastics and Abrasives
delivered solid organic growth, at 3.9%, contrasting with the slowdown in the
Reinforcements business. Overall, High-Performance Materials posted a moderate
1.9% rise in sales on a like-for-like basis.
The Construction Products sector (CP) advanced 3.3% on a like-for-like basis,
with western Europe and emerging countries (74% of sales) more than offsetting
the fall-off in construction in the United States (26% of sales). Interior
Solutions businesses (Insulation and Gypsum) reported solid organic growth of
4.6% on the back of regulatory measures and tax incentives designed to encourage
energy-efficient buildings. Exterior Solutions businesses (Building Materials
and Pipe) delivered more moderate 1.7% growth, with improving sales of mortars
and pipe in western Europe and emerging countries countering the strong downturn
in sales of siding and roofing products in the US.
The Building Distribution sector posted sharp 7.3% organic growth. Most European
countries contributed to this vigorous performance, especially France, Spain,
Scandinavia and central Europe, while the UK market reported more modest growth.
After a strong upward growth momentum early in the year, trading in Germany has
been slower since the end of the second quarter.
The Packaging sector delivered organic growth of 5.9%, bolstered by significant
advances in sales prices and volumes in Europe throughout the first nine months
of the year.
* * *
Analysis by geographic area
Overall, the geographic breakdown of sales is in line with the trends observed
in the first six months of 2007, although the growth momentum appears to have
slowed. On a like-for-like basis:
- Growth remained a buoyant 6.0% like-for-like in France (28.0% of
consolidated sales over the first nine months of 2007) and 7.5% like-for-like in
other western European countries (44.1% of consolidated sales). Growth held firm
in southern Europe and Scandinavia. UK and German markets reported a more
subdued performance, with Germany seeing a reversal of its upward momentum as
from May.
- Sales declined (by 7.0% like-for-like, compared to a 7.2% fall at
end-June 2007) in North America (13.4% of consolidated sales), due to the
continuing low level of construction activity, partially offset by the upbeat
performance of other sectors of the US economy, particularly capital spending.
- Asia and emerging countries (14.5% of consolidated sales) reported
vigorous 17.3% organic growth, driven in particular by eastern Europe (organic
growth of around 28%). Trading in Latin America and Asia was also buoyant
(organic growth of around 13%).
* * *
Update on asbestos claims in the United States
Some 5,000 claims were filed against CertainTeed in the first nine months of
2007, versus 6,000 in the first nine months of 2006. After taking into account
settlements made during the first nine months of 2007, the number of outstanding
claims at September 30, 2007 remained unchanged since June 30, 2007, at 75,000.
* * *
2007 outlook and targets
The Group expects business in its key markets in western Europe, Asia and
emerging countries to remain satisfactory in the fourth quarter (which will be
compared against the strong growth momentum recorded in fourth-quarter 2006),
while US construction markets should continue to post a low level of activity.
The Group confirms its objectives (which were raised on July 26, 2007) for
full-year 2007, namely:
- double-digit growth in operating income at constant exchange rates
(average exchange rates for 2006);
- growth in recurring* net income of at least 20%.
These objectives take into account the sale of Desjonqueres at March 31, 2007
and of the Reinforcements and Composites business in the fourth quarter of 2007.
* excluding capital gains, asset write-downs and the provision for the Flat
Glass fines (European Commission).
* * *
Forthcoming results announcements:
- Estimated 2007 results: January 24, 2008, after close of trading on the Paris
Bourse.
* * *
Investor Relations Department
Florence Triou-Teixeira Tel.: +33 1 47 62 45 19
Alexandre Etuy Tel.: +33 1 47 62 37 15
Fax: +33 1 47 62 50 62
Appendix : Q3 Sales by Sector and Division
and by Geographic Area
(in compliance with the interim information
regulation as defined by the "Loi Breton")
Sales (in EURm) 2007/2006 Change
(in %)
Q3-2007 Q3-2006 Change on Change on Change on a
an actual a comparable
structure comparable structure and
basis structure currency basis
basis
By Sector and division
Flat Glass 1,355 1,219 11.2% 11.5% 11.3%
High Performance Materials 1,184 1,201 -1.4% -1.8% 1.0%
(1)
Ceramics & Plastics and 863 873 -1.1% -1.5% 1.5%
Abrasives
Reinforcements 325 332 -2.1% -2.9% -0.5%
Construction Products 2,803 2,738 2.4% 0.2% 1.7%
Interior Solutions (2) 1,636 1,612 1.5% -0.5% 0.5%
Exterior Solutions (3) 1,175 1,132 3.8% 1.4% 3.5%
Building Distribution 4,923 4,481 9.9% 5.0% 4.8%
Packaging 842 965 -12.7% 2.1% 4.7%
Internal sales and -257 -230 -------- -------- --------
Miscellaneous
GROUP TOTAL 10,850 10,374 4.6% 3.4% 4.2%
By geographic area
France 2,996 2,938 2.0% 4.9% 4.9%
Other Western European 5,040 4,718 6.8% 4.1% 4.1%
countries
North America 1,495 1,676 -10.8% -12.9% -6.5%
Emerging countries and Asia 1,823 1,554 17.3% 15.8% 14.5%
Internal sales -504 -512 ----- ----- -----
GROUP TOTAL 10,850 10,374 4.6% 3.4% 4.2%
(1) including intra-sector eliminations
(2) of which :
- Insulation : EUR 688m in Q3 2007, up 6.1% vs. Q3 2006 (down 1.6% on a
comparable structure basis and down 0.1% on a l.f.l. basis)
- Gypsum : EUR 954m in Q3 2007, down by 1.5% vs. Q3 2006 (up 0.4% on a
comparable structure basis and up 1.1% on a l.f.l. basis)
(3) of which :
- Building Materials : EUR 712m in Q3 2007, up 1.2% vs. Q3 2006 (down 2.2% on a
comparable structure basis and up 1.2% on a l.f.l. basis)
- Pipe : EUR 463m in Q3 2007, up 8.1% vs. Q3 2006 (up 7.2% on a comparable
structure basis and up 7.2% on a l.f.l. basis)
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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