Unipetrol posted 1H2005 consolidated results according to IFRS yesterday earlier than originally expected. The results were better than expected on all lines. Sales were positively impacted by higher prices of final products, higher refining and petrochemical margins and the great volume of processed oil (+13.6% yoy). Operating costs were reduced on the back of lower fixed operating costs offsetting the negative impact of continued pressures on the retail petrol market and the unplanned shutdown of the FCC complex. Lower financial costs due to reduced indebtedness (to 24.7% from 33.3%) helped net income.
in CZK m
|
1H2005
|
y/y
change
|
Patria
est.
|
Sales
|
49,291
|
44.5%
|
50,730
|
EBITDA
|
5,147
|
17.9%
|
4,453
|
EBIT
|
2,823
|
28.8%
|
2,302
|
Net income
|
1,760
|
46.3%
|
1,539
|
At the conference call on PKN’s 1H2005, PKN said that the agenda of the upcoming EGM includes changes in the supervisory board. Note that the EGM will take place on September 6 with the decisive date set for August 31 (August 26 under T+3 settlement). At the same time, PKN has lost its voting rights in Unipetrol until a new buyout offer is published. The SEC should make its decision on the revised offer by August 31 at the latest. According to PKN, the newly submitted buyout offer for Unipetrol at CZK 135/share is the most aggressive scenario presented by the independent expert. At the same time, in order to fully utilize the synergies between PKN and Unipetrol, PKN would prefer to buy out as many minorities as possible. Note that Unipetrol is on Patria’s restricted list. PKN booked a one off charge of CZK2.6bn against risks associated with its agreements with Agrofert and ConocoPhilips.