OC Oerlikon Corp AG, Pfaffikon (OERLF) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges ...

In This Article:

  • Orders: Decreased 4% year-over-year at constant FX to CHF 538 million.

  • Group Sales: Decreased 5% at constant FX to CHF 580 million.

  • Operational EBITDA Margin: 16.9% in Q3, stable compared to last year.

  • Surface Solutions Orders: CHF 343 million.

  • Surface Solutions Sales: CHF 356 million.

  • Surface Solutions EBITDA Margin: Increased by 50 basis points to 18%.

  • Polymer Processing Solutions Orders: CHF 195 million, a 2% year-over-year decrease.

  • Polymer Processing Solutions Sales: CHF 224 million, down 11% at constant FX.

  • Polymer Processing Solutions EBITDA Margin: 13.1%.

  • Full Year EBITDA Margin Guidance: Increased to approximately 16%.

Release Date: November 05, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • OC Oerlikon Corp AG, Pfaffikon (OERLF) achieved a strong profitability in both divisions despite a challenging economic environment.

  • The company raised its full-year margin guidance to the high end of previous expectations, indicating confidence in its financial performance.

  • Surface Solutions division improved its operational EBITDA margin by 50 basis points, demonstrating effective cost management and innovation.

  • Polymer Processing Solutions division achieved a double-digit EBITDA margin, reflecting strong cost discipline and operational efficiency.

  • The company is on track with its pure-play transformation strategy, which is expected to enhance focus and efficiency.

Negative Points

  • Orders decreased by 4% year-over-year at constant FX, primarily due to slowing end markets in surface solutions.

  • Group sales decreased by 5% at constant FX, driven by lower filament orders and subdued industrial production.

  • The strong Swiss franc negatively impacted growth, eliminating a significant part of the company's revenue gains.

  • The luxury market remains weak, particularly due to geopolitical uncertainties and inflation affecting consumer spending.

  • The polymer processing solutions division is experiencing soft demand, with orders stabilizing at low levels.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you explain the difference in revenue numbers for polymer processing in your separation plans? A: Markus Richter, CFO: The separation involves the manmade fiber business, excluding HRSflow, which accounts for the difference. HRSflow had around CHF140 million in sales in 2023.

Q: What is the rationale behind the updated margin guidance for Q4? A: Markus Richter, CFO: We are confident in reaching a 16% margin due to cost discipline and expected order pick-up in Q4, particularly in polymer processing, which will affect the product mix.