Strong first half of the year

  • Net Sales growth of 3.5% LfL
  • Over-proportional increase in Recurring EBITDA1 of 10.8% LfL
  • Net income3 up 110%
  • Strong progress in free cash flow1: up CHF 735m
  • Significant deleveraging with net debt1 reduction of 30%
  • 2019 targets confirmed

Half-Year 2019 Performance

Group (in million CHF)

H1 2019

H1 2018

±%

±%LfL

Net Sales

13,059

13,272

-1.6

3.5

Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16)

2,662

2,484

7.2

10.8

Operating profit (EBIT, pre-IFRS16)

1,559

1,078

44.7

Net income2

1,009

318

217.9

Net income2 before impairment & divestments (pre-IFRS16)

780

371

110.0

EPS3 (CHF)

1.30

0.62

108.2

Free Cash Flow (pre-IFRS16)

262

-473

Net financial debt (pre-IFRS16)

11,340

16,127

-29.7

Jan Jenisch, CEO: "We have achieved a strong first half of the year and successfully continued our profitable growth strategy. All business segments have contributed to this success and to the continued over-proportional growth in profitability.

Our financial discipline resulted in strong progress in cash flow and a significant reduction in debt. We are executing our Strategy 2022 - 'Building for Growth' at full speed and we are confident that we will achieve our targets for 2019."

NET SALES GROWTH IN ALL REGIONS

Net Sales amounted to CHF 13,059 million in the first half of 2019, growing by 3.5% like-for-like compared to the prior-year period. This achievement has been driven by successful pricing management and higher cement volumes. Net Sales grew in all regions supported by a favorable market environment in general, in particular in Europe and North America.

OVER-PROPORTIONAL INCREASE OF RECURRING EBITDA1

Recurring EBITDA1 during the reporting period reached CHF 2,662 million, up 10.8% on a like-for-like basis. Even though volumes were lower than expected, Q2 Recurring EBITDA1 improved strongly by 7.1% on a like-for-like basis. This was the fourth consecutive quarter of over-proportional growth of Recurring EBITDA1 over Net Sales since Q3 2018. The growth was driven by continuing positive price over cost momentum, thanks to strict cost discipline and effective price management. As announced, the SG&A cost savings program was completed in Q1 2019, delivering the targeted CHF 400 million cost savings on a run-rate basis.

Recurring EBITDA1 like-for-like and profitability increased in all four business segments. The Aggregates and Ready-Mix Concrete businesses continued to improve margins and to close the gap with best-in-class performers.

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE

Europe delivered very good results during the first half of 2019 supported by good market dynamics across the region. Net Sales grew by 7.2% while Recurring EBITDA1 was up 17.1% on a like-for-like basis. Both price increases and improved operational efficiency were the main drivers of this strong margin growth.

In North America, Net Sales were impacted by weather and flooding in the US during Q2. Net Sales grew by 2.8% for the half-year and Recurring EBITDA1 improved slightly by 1.0% on a like-for-like basis. A strong order book and positive price momentum in the US are expected to support improvement in the second half of the year.

In Latin America, Net Sales improved by 3.1% and Recurring EBITDA1 decreased by 4.1% on a like-for-like basis in a softer market environment.

The Asia Pacific region showed strong Recurring EBITDA1 growth, with price improvement and costs savings in India. China continued to contribute solidly to the region's positive result. Net Sales grew by 2.1% and Recurring EBITDA1 grew by 17.4% in the first half of 2019 on a like-for-like basis.

In Middle East Africa, the turnaround has been successfully achieved in Q2: Recurring EBITDA1 increased by 1.9% on a like-for-like basis. Nigeria delivered a solid performance, Iraq showed further signs of recovery and Algeria is stabilizing. For the first half of 2019 Net Sales grew by 0.3% on a like-for-like basis, while Recurring EBITDA1 decreased by 6.6%.

NET INCOME3 UP 110%

Net Income3 attributable to shareholders of LafargeHolcim reached CHF 780 million versus CHF 371 million in the first half of 2018 benefitting from strong improvement of costs below Recurring EBITDA.

Restructuring, litigation, implementation and other non-recurring costs stood at CHF 71 million, compared to CHF 300 million in the first half of 2018. The decrease reflects the completion of the SG&A cost savings program in the first quarter 2019.

Net financial expenses3 for 2019 totaled CHF 329 million compared to CHF 455 million in the first half of 2018. This improvement is the result of successful refinancing and deleveraging actions. During the first half of the year, a EUR 500 million hybrid bond has been issued and expensive bonds have been successfully repurchased. Since January 2018, the Group has refinanced CHF 2.1 billion in total.

Excluding impairment & divestments, the Group's effective tax rate improved to 27.0% compared to 27.7% in the full year 2018.

Earnings per share3 more than doubled to CHF 1.30 for the half-year.

STRONG PROGRESS IN FREE CASH FLOW1

Free Cash Flow1 improved significantly by CHF 735 million to reach CHF 262 million compared to CHF -473 million in the first half of 2018, reflecting the improvement in Recurring EBITDA1 and Net Working Capital, lower income tax and interest paid.

Net capital expenditure for the first half was CHF 606 million compared to CHF 526 million for the first half 2018.

SIGNIFICANT DELEVERAGING ACHIEVED

Net financial debt1 has been reduced by CHF 4,787 million compared to June 30, 2018, to CHF 11,340 million at the end of June 2019, down 30% and allowing the company to reach the deleveraging target faster than anticipated. This very strong improvement has been achieved through successful initiatives and highly value-accretive divestments in Southeast Asia. Both credit rating agencies, Moody's and Standard & Poor's, upgraded the company's outlook to "stable" in March 2019.

TRANSACTIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Thedivestments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have been successfully closed. For the Philippines a selling agreement has been signed with closing subject to customary and regulatory approval. These transactions have been executed with a high valuation, above 21 times 2018 Recurring EBITDA and result in a significant deleverage of 0.6 times Net Debt to Recurring EBITDA ratio. After the closing of the Philippines transaction, the exit from the hyper competitive arena of Southeast Asia will be completed.

The company has signed 6 bolt-on acquisitions in attractive markets which will help to fuel future growth. The acquisitions in Romania, Australia, Germany, the United States and Canada will allow LafargeHolcim to strengthen its Ready-Mix and precast concrete businesses in growth markets.

The Annual General Meeting on May 15, 2019 approved a CHF 2 per share dividend. Shareholders were given the choice of having the dividend paid out in cash, in new LafargeHolcim Ltd shares issued at a discount to the market price, or as a combination of cash and shares. 73% of shareholders elected to be paid in shares, making it a very successful scrip dividend program.

PROGRESS IN SUSTAINABILITY

In the first six months, the company continued to reduce its CO2 emissions per ton of cementitious material by 1.4% compared to the prior-year period. The use of alternative fuel such as waste and biomass, to replace fossil fuel, grew by over 10% during the same period.

Since 1990, LafargeHolcim has reduced its carbon emissions per ton of cement by more than 25 percent - leading international cement companies with the highest reduction compared to the 1990 baseline. With a target of 520 kg net CO2/ton by 2030, LafargeHolcim remains the most ambitious company in the sector, committed to reducing emission levels in line with a 2 degree scenario, as agreed at the COP21 world climate conference in Paris.

Health & Safety improved with the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) continuing its downward trend.

OUTLOOK 2019

The outlook for 2019 is unchanged with solid global market demand expected to continue in 2019 with the following market trends:

  • Continued market growth in North America
  • Softer but stabilizing cement demand in Latin America
  • Continued demand growth in Europe
  • Stabilizing market conditions in Middle East Africa
  • Continued demand growth in Asia Pacific

Based on the above trends and the successful execution of Strategy 2022, the previously communicated targets are confirmed for 2019:

  • Net Sales growth of 3 to 5 percent on a like-for-like basis
  • Recurring EBITDA pre-IFRS16 growth of at least 5 percent on a like-for-like basis
  • Ratio of Net Debt to Recurring EBITDA 2 times or less4 by end of 2019
  • Continue improving cash conversion
  • Capex and Bolt-on acquisitions less than CHF 2 billion

KEY FIGURES

Group Q2

2019

2018

±%

±%LfL

Net Sales (CHFm)

7,099

7,442

-4.6

1.2

Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

1,853

1,784

3.9

7.1

Operating profit (EBIT) (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

1,280

1,010

26.8

Group H1

2019

2018

±%

±%LfL

Net Sales (CHFm)

13,059

13,272

-1.6

3.5

Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

2,662

2,484

7.2

10.8

Operating profit (EBIT) (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

1,559

1,078

44.7

Group results by segment

H1 2019

H1 2018

±%

±%LfL

Sales of cement (mt)

103.8

108.2

-4.0

0.7

Net Sales Cement (CEM) (CHFm)

8,783

8,866

-0.9

5.2

CEM Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

2,173

2,074

4.8

8.7

CEM Recurring EBITDA margin (pre-IFRS16) (%)

24.7

23.4

Sales of aggregates (mt)

121.7

125.3

-2.9

-2.4

Net Sales Aggregates (AGG) (CHFm)

1,907

1,917

-0.5

1.5

AGG Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

329

310

5.9

7.7

AGG Recurring EBITDA margin (pre-IFRS16) (%)

17.2

16.2

Sales of ready-mix concrete (m m3)

23.6

24.6

-4.0

-2.0

Net Sales Ready-Mix Concrete (RMX) (CHFm)

2,595

2,657

-2.3

-0.4

RMX Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

92

47

94.4

83.7

RMX Recurring EBITDA margin (pre-IFRS16) (%)

3.5

1.8

Net Sales Solutions & Products (SOP) (CHFm)

996

1,050

-5.1

1.1

SOP Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

69

53

29.7

52.9

SOP Recurring EBITDA margin (pre-IFRS16) (%)

6.9

5.1

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE H1

Asia Pacific

2019

2018

±%

±%LfL

Sales of cement (mt)

38.9

45.5

-14.6

-2.7

Sales of aggregates (mt)

13.3

15.9

-16.0

-12.4

Sales of ready-mix concrete (m m3)

5.2

6.1

-15.5

-2.2

Net Sales to external customers (CHFm)

3,417

3,807

-10.2

2.1

Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

860

773

11.3

17.4

Europe

2019

2018

±%

±%LfL

Sales of cement (mt)

22.5

21.3

5.5

5.5

Sales of aggregates (mt)

57.2

59.0

-3.1

-2.7

Sales of ready-mix concrete (m m3)

9.6

9.3

3.7

3.5

Net Sales to external customers (CHFm)

3,796

3,664

3.6

7.2

Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

678

599

13.2

17.1

Latin America

2019

2018

±%

±%LfL

Sales of cement (mt)

12.1

12.6

-4.2

-4.2

Sales of aggregates (mt)

2.0

1.7

15.8

15.8

Sales of ready-mix concrete (m m3)

2.5

2.8

-11.3

-11.3

Net Sales to external customers (CHFm)

1,331

1,428

-6.8

3.1

Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

446

488

-8.7

-4.1

Middle East Africa

2019

2018

±%

±%LfL

Sales of cement (mt)

17.6

17.7

-0.5

-0.5

Sales of aggregates (mt)

3.4

4.1

-16.8

-16.8

Sales of ready-mix concrete (m m3)

1.9

2.0

-3.5

-3.5

Net Sales to external customers (CHFm)

1,476

1,535

-3.8

0.3

Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

327

365

-10.5

-6.6

North America

2019

2018

±%

±%LfL

Sales of cement (mt)

9.0

8.8

2.9

2.9

Sales of aggregates (mt)

45.7

44.5

2.7

2.1

Sales of ready-mix concrete (m m3)

4.4

4.4

0.2

-6.6

Net Sales to external customers (CHFm)

2,645

2,475

6.9

2.8

Recurring EBITDA (pre-IFRS16) (CHFm)

495

470

5.2

1.0

RECONCILIATION TO GROUP ACCOUNTS

Reconciling measures of profit and loss to LafargeHolcim Group consolidated statement of income

Million CHF

H1 2019

(post-IFRS16)

IFRS16 impact

H1 2019

(pre-IFRS16)

H1 2018

Net sales

13,059

0

13,059

13,272

Recurring costs excluding SG&A

(9,427)

183

(9,610)

(9,666)

Recurring SG&A

(1,026)

33

(1,059)

(1,335)

Share of profit of joint ventures

272

0

272

213

Recurring EBITDA

2,878

216

2,662

2,484

Depreciation and amortization

(1,211)

(193)

(1,018)

(1,104)

Impairment of operating assets

(14)

0

(14)

(2)

Restructuring, litigation, implementation and other non-recurring costs

(71)

0

(71)

(300)

Operating profit (EBIT)

1,581

22

1,559

1,078

Profit (loss) on disposal and other non-op items

248

1

247

(52)

Net financial expenses

(378)

(39)

(338)

(449)

Share of profit of associates

7

0

7

9

Net Profit (loss) before tax

1,459

(16)

1,475

585

Income tax

(330)

4

(335)

(191)

Net income (loss)

1,128

(12)

1,140

394

Reconciliation of Net Income before impairment and divestments with Net Income as disclosed in Financial Statements

Million CHF

H1 2019

(post-IFRS16)

IFRS16 impact

H1 2019

(pre-IFRS16)

H1 2018

Net income (loss)

1,128

(12)

1,140

394

Impairment

(23)

0

(23)

(1)

Profit (loss) on divestments

265

0

265

(49)

Net income before impairment and divestments

886

(12)

898

444

Net income before impairment and divestments Group share

769

(11)

780

371

Adjustments disclosed net of taxation

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to consolidated cash flows of LafargeHolcim Group

Million CHF

H1 2019

(post-IFRS16)

IFRS16 impact

H1 2019

(pre-IFRS16)

H1 2018

Cash flow from operating activities

1,067

199

868

53

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(647)

0

(647)

(586)

Disposal of property and equipment

41

0

41

61

Free Cash Flow

461

199

262

(473)

Reconciliation of net financial debt to consolidated statement of financial position of LafargeHolcim Group

Million CHF

H1 2019

(post-IFRS16)

IFRS16 impact

H1 2019

(pre-IFRS16)

H1 2018

Current financial liabilities

2,862

284

2,578

4,891

Long-term financial liabilities

12,886

1,026

11,860

13,807

Cash and cash equivalents

3,045

0

3,045

2,466

Short-term derivative assets

29

0

29

66

Long-term derivative assets

25

0

25

38

Net financial debt

12,650

1,310

11,340

16,127

NON-GAAP DEFINITIONS

Some non-GAAP measures are used in this release to help describe the performance of LafargeHolcim. A full set of these non-GAAP definitions can be found on our website.

Measures

Definition

Like-for-like

Factors out changes in the scope of consolidation (such as divestments and acquisitions occurring in 2019 and 2018) and currency translation effects (2019 figures are converted with 2018 exchange rates in order to calculate the currency effects).

Restructuring, litigation, implementation and other non-recurring costs

Significant items that, because of their exceptional nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to the Group's ongoing performance, such as strategic restructuring, major items relating to antitrust fines and other business related litigation cases.

Profit/loss on disposals and other non-operating items

Comprises capital gains or losses on the sale of Group companies and of property, plant and equipment and other non-operating items that are not directly related to the Group's normal operating activities such as revaluation gains or losses on previously held equity interests, disputes with non-controlling interests and other major lawsuits.

Recurring EBITDA

Defined as:

+/- Operating profit (EBIT)

- depreciation, amortization and impairment of operating assets

- restructuring, litigation, implementation and other non-recurring costs

Recurring EBITDA Margin

Recurring EBITDA divided by Net Sales

Net income before impairment and divestments

+/- Net income (loss)

- capital gains or losses on the sale of Group companies

- impairment of goodwill and assets

Earnings Per Share (EPS) before impairment and divestments

Net income before impairment and divestments attributable to the shareholders of LafargeHolcim divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding.

The Net Maintenance and Expansion Capex ("Capex" or "Capex Net")

+ Expenditure to increase existing or create additional capacity to produce, distribute or provide services for existing products (expansion) or to diversify into new products or markets (diversification)

+ Expenditure to sustain the functional capacity of a particular component, assembly, equipment, production line or the whole plant, which may or may not generate a change of the resulting cash flow

- Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Free Cash Flow

Defined as:

+/- Cash flow from operating activities

- Net Maintenance and expansion Capex

Net financial debt ("Net debt")

+ Financial liabilities (Long Term & Short Term) including derivative liabilities

- Cash and cash equivalents

- Derivative assets (Long Term & Short Term)

Invested Capital

+ Net working capital

+ Investments in associates and joint ventures

+ Property, plant and equipment

+ Goodwill

+ Intangible assets

+ Deferred tax assets

+ Pension assets

- Short-term provisions

- Defined benefit obligations

- Deferred tax liabilities

- Long-term provisions

Net Operating Profit After Tax ("NOPAT")

+/- Net Operating Profit (being the Recurring EBITDA, adjusted for depreciation and amortization of operating assets but excluding impairment of operating assets)

- Standard Taxes (being the taxes applying the Group's tax rate to the Net Operating Profit as defined above)

ROIC (Return On Invested Capital)

Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT) divided by the average Invested Capital. The average is calculated by adding the Invested Capital at the beginning of the period to that at the end of the period and dividing the sum by 2 (based on a rolling 12 month calculation)

Cash conversion

Free Cash Flow divided by Recurring EBITDA

Non-recurring SG&A

Fixed Costs included in the Rec. EBITDA, include Sales & Marketing, Administration, Corporate Manufacturing & Logistics

Savings expressed at constant 2017 FX rate and constant scope

[1] pre-IFRS16

[2] Attributable to shareholders of LafargeHolcim Ltd

[3] Before impairment and divestments, pre-IFRS 16

[4] Pre-IFRS16 and at constant foreign exchange

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The analyst presentation of the results and our 2019 half-year report are available on our website at www.lafargeholcim.com

The financial statements based on IFRS can be found on the LafargeHolcim Group website.

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