MANAMA: Alba on Sunday released it financials for 2nd quarter of 2019 reporting a loss of $8.8 million.
Alba’s top-line and bottom-line for the second quarter and first-half of 2019 were primarily impacted by lower LME price – a drop of 21% Year-over-Year (US$1,793/t in Q2 2019 versus US$2,259/t in Q2 2018) and partially offset by higher Sales’ volume, the company in a statement said.
“The Company generated a total comprehensive loss of BD3.3 million (US$8.8 million) in the second quarter of 2019 versus a total comprehensive income of BD29.1 million (US$77.4 million) for the same period in 2018, down by 112% YoY. The Company posted a Gross Profit of BD15.4 million (US$40.9 million) versus BD34.3 million (US$ 91.4 million) in Q2 2018, down by 55% YoY. With regards to Total Sales/Revenues, Alba reported BD245.0 million (US$651.8 million) in Q2 2019, up by 0.4% YoY, compared to BD243.9 million (US$648.9 million) in Q2 2018. Earnings per share (EPS) in this quarter were fils (2) versus fils 21 in Q2 2018,” the statement added.
With regards to the First Half of 2019, Alba reported a Total Comprehensive Loss of BD19.1 million (US$50.9 million), down by 130% YoY, compared to a Total Comprehensive Profit of BD62.9million (US$167.4 million) in H1 2018. The Company posted a Gross Profit of BD16.2 million (US$43.2 million) versus BD74.3 million (US$ 197.7 million) for H1 2018, down by 78% YoY. Total Sales/Revenues reached BD448.6 million (US$1,193 million), down by 4% YoY, compared to BD465.2 million (US$1,237.2 million). Earnings per share were fils (14) versus fils 44 in H1 2018.
Alba’s Total Assets as at 30 June 2019 stood at BD 2,384.2 million (US$6,341 million) versus BD 2,208.7 million (US$5,874.3 million) as at 31 December 2018, up by 8% YoY. Total Shareholders’ Equity as at 30 June 2019 stood at BD1,054.1 million (US$2,803.5 million), down by 2% YoY, versus BD1,073.5 million (US$2,855 million) as at December 31, 2018.
US-China trade-tensions and geopolitical events have taken its toll on investors and added bearish dimension to the overall market sentiment. Primary demand dropped in North America and Europe due to cyclical slowdown in economic activity; stimulus measures adopted by the Chinese Government have failed to create activity in key market-sectors such as auto and construction [+1% Year-over-Year (YoY)] and MENA consumption slowed down (+1% YoY) on the back of weaker construction activities. Consumption in Saudi Arabia retreated to 1-digit growth of 5% YoY with Ma’aden rolling-mill full ramp-up completion.
Global production had a modest growth of 1% YoY. Russia, India and Bahrain were the largest contributors to the world ex-China smelter production increase. On the other hand, the North America supply growth gained momentum after 2018 lacklustre (+8% YoY). Alba had achieved 8 Million working-hours without Lost Time Injuries on 08 July 2019.
Production up by 21% YoY to reach 305,727 metric tonnes (mt) while Sales’ volume up by 25% YoY to top 311,928 mt and Value-Added Sales averaged 52 % of total shipments in Q2 2019.
“Alba will soon be transformed into the world’s largest aluminium smelter with the smooth integration of Potline 6 into its existing operations in the upcoming weeks,” Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, the Chairman of Alba’s Board of Directors, said.
“Alongside this transformation, we will also see the change of reign in the top management from Tim Murray to Ali Al Baqali who will lead Alba as the Acting CEO, effective 1st August, as we continue to seek further efficiency and growth.”
“The economic uncertainty and lower LME prices have taken its toll on the aluminium industry but in Alba, we have emerged stronger with progressing the ramp-up of Line 6. I also thank all Alba employees and contractors for their unwavering support and focus on Safety at all times,” Tim Murray, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer said commenting on Alba’s performance in Q2 2019.
“As we progress with Line 6 full ramp-up, we look forward to finish 2019 strong in our top-line and bottom-line results,” Alba’s Deputy CEO Ali Al Baqali added.
“I also take this opportunity to thank our Chairman Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa and Alba’s Board of Directors for placing their trust in me to lead Alba as we begin this new chapter of growth. I also thank Tim Murray for his leadership and guidance as the CEO as well as the Executive Management team for their support.”
Alba Management will be holding the quarterly conference call on Monday 29 July 2019 to present and discuss Alba’s financial performance for the second quarter of 2019 as well as outline the Company’s priorities for the remainder of the year.
