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Nine Month/Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Improved operating profitability
Adjusted 3Q09 Net Income up 17%
 
Key figures for the 9 and 3-month period to September, 30 2009 are:
  • Net Income                                9M09: €201m (9M08: €143m)
                                                       3Q09: €60m (3Q08: -€79m)
  • Adjusted Net Income                9M09: €188m (9M08: €171m)
                                                       3Q09: €74m (3Q08: €64m)
  • EBITDA                                     9M09: €349m (9M08: €298m)
                                                        3Q09: €98m (3Q08: -€37m)
  • Adjusted EBITDA                     9M09: €332m (9M08: €326m)
                                                        3Q09: €117m (3Q08: €153m)
  • Capex                                         9M09: €367m — 3Q09: €165m


GROUP
Hellenic Petroleum delivered improved operating profits in 9M09, despite the challenging global refining environment in 3Q09. 9M09 adjusted EBITDA was up 2% y-o-y to €332m and adjusted Net Income increased by 10% to €188m, driven by better refining margins during the first months of the year, strengthening of the USD, transformation gains and tight cost controls.
In addition, reported EBITDA increased by 17% y-o-y to €349m, positively affected by inventory effects.

REFINING, SUPPLY & TRADING
Refining, Supply & Trading’s 9M09 adjusted EBITDA increased by 1% y-o-y to €245m. In 3Q09, although realised refining margins were higher than regional benchmarks and gains from our transformation initiatives amounted to €5m, profitability was negatively affected by the sharp drop of cracking margins.
 
DOMESTIC MARKETING
In Domestic Marketing, the improvement in average retail throughputs and in the sales mix, together with tightening cost controls, led to a 25% y-o-y increase in 9M09 adjusted EBITDA..

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
Our international subsidiaries’ profitability was affected by weakening Balkan economies, however sales volumes, margins and market shares increased on the back of an expanded network footprint.

PETROCHEMICALS
In Petrochemicals, despite further sequential improvement in market conditions in 3Q09, the global economic slowdown depressed 9M09 results.

ASSOCIATED COMPANIES
With respect to our associated companies, which are consolidated using the equity method, the contribution from Power & Gas was affected by the stoppage of the T-Power unit (which came back on stream in October) and the weaker natural gas demand in Greece.

Commenting on the results, Hellenic Petroleum’s CEO, John Costopoulos, said:
Within a particularly tough global environment in the 3rd quarter of 2009, with cracking margins reaching their lowest levels since 2003, we delivered increased profitability due to our continuous efforts across all our business activities to further enhance the Group’s competitiveness.
Adjusted EBITDA in 9M09 increased by 2% y-o-y to €332m and adjusted Net Income was up 10% to €188m. These results, combined with a strong balance sheet demonstrate our ability to weather the challenging times, and enhance confidence in the Group’s long-term prospects.
Our investment programme to upgrade our refineries at Elefsina and Thessaloniki, aiming to raise the Group’s profitability and reduce emissions substantially, is proceeding as originally planned. Following approval by the relevant competition authorities, the agreement to acquire BP’s retail and C&I business in Greece will be soon finalised, thus create added value for the Group and lead to improved services and products, for the benefit of Greek consumers.”


Finally, Mr. John Costopoulos said: “As the global and domestic refining environment remain particularly tough, it is imperative we continue to focus our efforts on improving our operations and competitiveness”.
 
Key consolidated financial indicators (prepared in accordance with IFRS) for the three- and nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 are shown below:

€ million

3Q08 1

3Q09

% Δ

 

9M08 1

9M09

% Δ

P&L figures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

2,868

1,729

-40%

 

7,982

4,889

-39%

EBITDA

-37

98

n/m

 

298

349

17%

Adjusted EBITDA 2

153

117

-24%

 

326

332

2%

Net Income

-79

60

n/m

 

143

201

41%

Adjusted Net Income 2

64

74

17%

 

171

188

10%

EPS (€)

-0.26

0.20

n/m

 

0.47

0.66

41%

Adjusted EPS (€) 2

0.21

0.24

14%

 

0.56

0.61

10%

Balance Sheet Items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Employed

 

 

 

 

3,869

3,743

-3%

Net Debt

 

 

 

 

1,372

1,223

-11%

Debt Gearing (D/D+E)

 

 

 

 

35%

33%

-

Notes:

1. 2008 results have been restated for the equity consolidation of Elpedison, the 50/50 JV with Italy’s  Edison: T-Power’s results have been treated as income from associates, rather than being fully consolidated

2. Calculated as Reported less the inventory effects and other non-operating items