Mechel Reports the 1Q 2019 Financial Results

Consolidated revenue – 74.9 bln rubles (0% compared to 1Q2018)
EBITDA^* – 15.3 bln rubles (-17% compared to 1Q2018)
Profit attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO – 11.3 bln rubles

MOSCOW, Russia, May 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mechel PAO ((MTLRMTL, a leading Russian mining and steel group, announces financial results for the 1Q 2019.

Mechel PAO's Chief Executive Officer Oleg Korzhov commented:

"The first quarter's financial results demonstrated positive dynamics compared to previous period. Upon stable revenue, EBITDA went up by 2%, while operating profit and profit attributable to Mechel PAO's shareholders showed major growth.

"As a key factor impacting the company's results in this reporting period, I must note that the mining division restrained mining dynamics as planned to offload accumulated product stocks. At the same time, the division increased sales to third parties of practically all product types except anthracites, and demonstrated financial growth. The steel division did not allow any major slumps in revenue despite the winter inactivity in construction markets, but its results were subject to a negative impact of iron ore prices growth.

"Later this year we continue to consistently pursue measures aimed at upgrading our mining fleet to restore and then increase coal mining volumes, as well as a large-scale repair program at our steel division's facilities."

Consolidated Results For The 1Q2019

Mechel PAO's Chief Financial Officer Nelli Galeeva commented:

"Consolidated EBITDA in 1Q2019 was 15.3 billion rubles, which is 2% more quarter-on-quarter. Profit attributable to Mechel PAO's shareholders went up nearly seven times in 1Q2019 quarter-on-quarter to reach 11.3 billion rubles. Growth of foreign exchange gains on foreign currency debt had a major impact on this indicator's dynamics as the ruble strengthened against US dollar and euro in this reporting period.

"Despite a minor decrease in cash flow from our core operations, the operating cash flow remains sufficient not only for ensuring the Group's operational needs, but also for bringing down its leverage. The Group's net debt excluding penalties, fines and other non-current financial liabilities went down by 12 billion rubles as compared to where it stood as of December 31, 2018, totaling 411 billion rubles.

"The debt's decrease was partly offset by our recognition of additional long-term lease obligations of 3.8 billion rubles under IFRS 16 Leases standard was applied starting January 1, 2019.

"Our financial expenditure went down by 0.2 billion rubles from 10.3 billion rubles in 4Q2018 to 10.1 billion rubles in this reporting period due to lower average foreign currency exchange rates. Interest paid in 1Q2019, including PIK interest, went down by 5% quarter-on-quarter and totaled 7.7 billion rubles.

"Net debt to EBITDA ratio was 5.7 by the end of 1Q2019.

"In our mining segment, 1Q2019 revenue from sales to third parties totaled 24.5 billion rubles, which is 4% higher quarter-on-quarter. Gross profit also went up by nearly 2 billion rubles or 11%, and EBITDA by 2.1 billion rubles or 23% quarter-on-quarter. This was due to an increase in coal volume product sales.

"In 1Q2019, steel product sales remained at the previous quarter's level, but the seasonal price slump on the steel division's key products combined with high iron ore and ferroalloys prices led to a decrease in gross margin from 22% in 4Q2018 to 16% in this reporting period, and a 46% quarter-on-quarter decrease in EBITDA from 6.0 billion rubles to 3.3 billion rubles."

Mining Segment

Mechel Mining Management OOO's Chief Executive Officer Pavel Shtark noted:

"Our mining facilities' operational plans for the first quarter were amended to include a decrease in mining volumes as we have accumulated major coal stockpiles by last year's end due to railcar shortages. As a result, mining volumes went down by 19% quarter-on-quarter. At the same time, coking coal concentrate sales to third parties went up by 3%, PCI sales increased by 7% and thermal coal sales went up by 45%. This enabled us to reduce significantly our stocks while cutting down unit costs in most of the division's facilities, partly by optimizing equipment repair expenses, which are traditionally high in extremely low winter temperatures. Overall, coal stockpiles went down by nearly 30% in the first quarter.

"As a result, in 1Q2019 the division demonstrated improvement in financial results both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year. As revenue from sales to third parties grew by 4% quarter-on-quarter, EBITDA went up by 23%.

"One of the division's key tasks for this year is increasing mining volumes. To do so we continue to upgrade and grow our mining equipment fleet and prepare our resources for mining. I would like to note that in 2019 we will see the launch of such major equipment as EKG-18 and ESh-20/90 excavators which will enable us to improve mining and stripping efficiency."

Steel Segment

Mechel-Steel Management Company OOO's Chief Executive Officer Andrey Ponomarev noted:

"This reporting period was characterized by a seasonal slump in demand for construction products which account for a major share in the division's sales. This factor did not lead to a significant quarter-on-quarter decrease in overall sales volumes tonnage-wise, but had a negative impact on price levels. As a result, revenue from sales to third parties went down by 5% quarter-on-quarter. Higher iron ore prices due to the global growth of ore prices as well as the strengthening of our national currency led to increased production costs, which were reflected in a lower EBITDA and EBITDA margin quarter-on-quarter.

"In the second quarter, iron ore prices continue to grow as market participants worry over news of pessimistic forecasts for iron ore production in Australia, especially as iron ore supply from Brazil is expected to plunge. The persisting escalation of a trade conflict between the United States and China also supports the price growth trend. At the same time, by the second quarter's end, we are expecting business activity on Russia's construction steel market to recover and that may bring up prices for our division's products.

"We have planned a whole series of major repairs and equipment maintenance for our facilities. This will enable us to maintain stable output of steel and finished products as well as reduce our facilities' impact on the environment. At the same time, our plans for output of the most high value-added products envisages a year-on-year production growth."

Power Segment        

Mechel-Energo OOO's Chief Executive Officer Denis Graf noted:

"The division's 1Q2019 financial results grew predictably quarter-on-quarter as the heating season peaked and sales on the capacity market went up. The division demonstrated a year-on-year revenue growth due to increased electricity and capacity sales, but outstripping growth of production costs linked to increased prices for electricity purchased led to a lower EBITDA."

Alexey Lukashov
Director of Investor Relations
Mechel PAO
Phone: 7-495-221-88-88
Fax: 7-495-221-88-00
alexey.lukashov@mechel.com

Mechel is an international mining and steel company. Its products are marketed in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa. Mechel unites producers of coal, iron ore concentrate, steel, rolled products, ferroalloys, heat and electric power. All of its enterprises work in a single production chain, from raw materials to high value-added products.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Mechel, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statements. We refer you to the documents Mechel files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in our Form 20-F, that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the achievement of anticipated levels of profitability, growth, cost and synergy of our recent acquisitions, the impact of competitive pricing, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses, the impact of developments in the Russian economic, political and legal environment, volatility in stock markets or in the price of our shares or ADRs, financial risk management and the impact of general business and global economic conditions.

Attachments to the Press Release

Attachment A

Non-IFRS financial measures. This press release includes financial information prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as well as other financial measures referred to as non-IFRS. The non-IFRS financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for the information prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA) represents profit (loss) attributable to equity shareholders of Mechel PAO before Depreciation and amortisation, Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net, Finance costs including fines and penalties on overdue loans and borrowings and lease payments, Finance income, Net result on the disposal of non-current assets, Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets, Write-off of trade and other receivables, Allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets, Provision (reversal of provision) for doubtful accounts, Write-off of inventories to net realisable value, Net result on the disposal of subsidiaries, Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, Income tax expense (benefit), Effect of pension obligations, Other fines and penalties, Gain on restructuring and forgiveness of trade and other payables and write-off of trade and other payables with expired legal term and Other one-off items. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of our Revenue. Our adjusted EBITDA may not be similar to EBITDA measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement under IFRS and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for the information contained in our interim condensed consolidated statement of profit (loss) and other comprehensive income. We believe that our adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of our ongoing business operations, including our ability to fund discretionary spending such as capital expenditures, acquisitions and other investments and our ability to incur and service debt. While depreciation, amortisation and impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets are considered operating expenses under IFRS, these expenses primarily represent the non-cash current period allocation of costs associated with non-current assets acquired or constructed in prior periods. Our adjusted EBITDA calculation is commonly used as one of the bases for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare the periodic and future operating performance and value of companies within the metals and mining industry.

Our calculation of Net debt, excluding fines and penalties on overdue amounts** is presented below:

EBITDA can be reconciled to our interim condensed consolidated statement of profit (loss) and other comprehensive income as follows:

Income tax, deferred tax related to the consolidated group of taxpayers are not allocated to segments as they are managed on the group basis.

Attachment B

There were certain reclassifications to conform with the current period presentation. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared by Mechel PAO in accordance with IFRS and have not been audited by the independent auditor. If these interim condensed consolidated financial statements are audited in the future, the audit could reveal differences in our consolidated financial results and we cannot assure that any such differences would not be material.
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^* EBITDA - Adjusted EBITDA. Please find the calculation of the Adjusted EBITDA and other non-IFRS measures used here and hereafter in Attachment A.

** Calculations of Net debt could be differ from indicators calculated in accordance with loan agreements upon dependence on definitions in such agreements.