Alrosa Q3 revenue decreased by 20%
Alrosa, the world’s leader in diamond mining, announces its IFRS financial results for Q3 2019. According to the result, revenue in Q3 2019 decreased by 20% q-o-q to RUB 46 bn on lower sales volumes (down 23% q-o-q), which was partially offset by higher average realised prices. A 35% y-o-y decline in revenue is attributable to lower sales (down 5% y-o-y) and a higher share of small-size diamonds.
EBITDA in Q3 2019 amounted to RUB 21 bn (down 16% q-o-q, down 47% y-o-y) on lower top line. EBITDA margin in Q3 2019 increased by 2 pp q-o-q to 46% (down 11% y-o-y). Free cash flow in Q3 2019 increased by 4% q-o-q to RUB 2.5 bn reflecting stronger operating cash flow along with a marginal increase in capex (up 2% q-o-q).
Net profit in Q3 2019 remained flat q-o-q at RUB 13 bn, including as a result of other income recognition. A 44% y-o-y decline is attributable to lower revenue and EBITDA margin (down 11 pp y-o-y). Net debt / LTM EBITDA1 increased to 0.6x as at the end of Q3 2019 (vs 0.3x as at the end of Q2 2019).
2019 guidance:
Alexey Philippovskiy, ALROSA’s CFO, commented on the results, “In 9M 2019, the diamond market was impacted by the oversupply of polished diamonds and challenging situation in India’s financial sector. As major producers have reduced diamond supply by a quarter since the beginning of the year and Indian cutters begin to see stocks gradually winding down, the supply and demand in the diamond pipeline seem to be heading towards balance again.
Since early August 2019, the prices and demand have somewhat stabilised resulting in increased monthly sales, with total sales adding 7%, 42% and 2% m-o-m in August, September and October, respectively. Alrosa’s financials in Q3 2019 saw expected pressure from external factors.
Sales went down by 23% q-o-q to 6.4 m carats, and the y-o-y reduction in 9M 2019 amounted to 13% -25.3 m carats, rough diamond sales in Q3 2019 decreased by 24% q-o-q to $601 m and by 34% in 9M 2019. In September 2019, the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders resolved to pay 1H 2019 dividends in the amount of RUB 3.84 per share, or RUB 28.3 bn in total, which is equal to 100% of the free cash flow for the period.”
