Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. - Third Quarter 2023 Results

LUXEMBOURG , Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE: AMBP) today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Oliver Graham, CEO of Ardagh Metal Packaging, said:

"We delivered a robust performance in the quarter to achieve our guidance despite a softening of demand conditions in Europe. Americas performance was slightly ahead of our expectation with North America benefitting from strong shipment growth, while Brazil was broadly in line. The deterioration in demand during the quarter negatively impacted European performance against our expectations, which we anticipate will persist into Q4. Our Adjusted operating cashflow generation is significantly improved versus the prior year and underpins our conviction in a strong full year liquidity outturn. Our actions to prudently balance our capacity and optimize our network will also drive future earnings improvement."

• Global beverage can shipments grew by 8% in the quarter versus the prior year quarter, driven by growth of 18% in the Americas offsetting a 2% decline in Europe. North America grew by 20%, underpinned by commitments backing our investments, and Brazil grew by 8%.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $171 million for the quarter represented a 22% increase versus the prior year quarter.
• Americas Adjusted EBITDA increased by 2% to $104 million as the contribution from 18% higher volumes was offset by higher costs, including fixed cost under-absorption that remained elevated as de-stocking was prioritised in North America, which is now complete.
• In Europe, Adjusted EBITDA increased by 76% to $67 million despite 2% lower shipments, which reflected improved input cost recovery versus the prior year weak comparable, predominantly due to the pass through of energy costs.
• Committed to disciplined balancing of network capacity ahead of a recovery in industry demand, through a mix of curtailment and longer-term action as appropriate. Consultations regarding the potential closure in Q1 2024 of the Whitehouse, Ohio, production facility initiated.
• Net leverage reduced by 0.5x during the quarter through improved earnings and strong cash conversion. Total liquidity of $561 million at September 30, 2023 was boosted by further working capital improvement.
• No change to guidance for 2023 growth capex to fall below $0.3bn, to decline further to c. $0.1bn in 2024 and beyond. Due to the success of working capital initiatives, raising guidance for a net working capital inflow in 2023 to approaching $200m.
• Regular quarterly ordinary dividend of 10c announced, in line with guidance for an annual dividend of 40c per share.
• Progress on sustainability initiatives include advancement of our Ardagh for Education STEM initiative into Brazil, further investment in recycling infrastructure in North America and the announcement of a sustainable distribution agreement in the Netherlands. Ardagh Group, including Ardagh Metal Packaging, was also awarded the highest platinum rating by Ecovadis.
• 2023 outlook: shipment growth of approximately mid-single digits and full year 2023 Adjusted EBITDA in the order of $610 million, reflecting the softer demand conditions in Europe while the North America volume outlook remains strong. Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA in the order of $158 million (Q4 2022: $159 million reported; $162 million at constant currency).

Group Performance

Group

Revenue increased by $121 million, or 10%, to $1,294 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $1,173 million in the three months ended September 30, 2022. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased by 7%, principally reflecting favorable volume/mix effects and higher input cost recovery, partly offset by the pass through to customers of lower input costs.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $31 million, or 22%, to $171 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $140 million in the three months ended September 30, 2022. On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased by 20%, principally due to higher input cost recovery and favorable volume/mix effects, partly offset by higher operating costs.

Americas

Revenue increased by $52 million, or 8%, on both a reported and constant currency basis, to $732 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $680 million in the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in revenue principally reflected favorable volume/mix effects, partly offset by the pass through to customers of lower input costs.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $2 million, or 2%, on both a reported and constant currency basis, to $104 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $102 million in the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by favorable volume/mix effects, partly offset by higher operating costs.

Europe

Revenue increased by $69 million, or 14%, to $562 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $493 million in the three months ended September 30, 2022. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased by 6%, principally due to higher input cost recovery and favorable volume/mix effects.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $29 million, or 76%, to $67 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with $38 million in the three months ended September 30, 2022. On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased by 63%, principally due to higher input cost recovery and favorable volume/mix effects, partly offset by higher operating costs.

Earnings Webcast and Conference Call Details

Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE: AMBP) will hold its third quarter 2023 earnings webcast and conference call for investors at 9.00 a.m. EDT (2.00 p.m. BST) on Thursday October 26, 2023. Please use the following webcast link to register for this call:

Webcast registration and access:

https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1635927&tp_key=c096fb05b7

Conference call dial in:

United States/Canada: +1 800 239 9838
International: +44 330 165 4027
Participant pin code: 7000018

An investor earnings presentation to accompany this release is available at https://www.ardaghmetalpackaging.com/investors

About Ardagh Metal Packaging
Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) is a leading global supplier of infinitely recyclable, sustainable, metal beverage cans and ends to brand owners. A subsidiary of sustainable packaging business Ardagh Group, AMP is a leading industry player across Europe and the Americas with innovative production capabilities. AMP operates 24 production facilities in nine countries, employing approximately 6,300 employees and had sales of $4.7 billion in 2022.

For more information, visit https://www.ardaghmetalpackaging.com/investors

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this release. Certain factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A.'s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and any other public filings made by Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. with the SEC. In addition, new risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Under no circumstances should the inclusion of such forward-looking statements in this release be regarded as a representation or warranty by us or any other person with respect to the achievement of results set out in such statements or that the underlying assumptions used will in fact be the case. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this release, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014. The person responsible for the release of this information on behalf of Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance plc and Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance USA LLC is Stephen Lyons, Investor Relations Director.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures
This release may contain certain financial measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted operating cash flow, Adjusted free cash flow, net debt and ratios relating thereto that are not calculated in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures may be considered in addition to IFRS financial information, but should not be used as substitutes for the corresponding IFRS measures. The non-IFRS financial measures used by Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. may differ from, and not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

SOURCE Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A.