Maersk Interim Report Q3 2015 Press Release
2015-11-06 09:14

Maersk Interim Report Q3 2015 Press Release

![cover_maersk-press-release](https://www.maersk.com/~/media/pressrelease/images/2015/11/cover_maersk-press-release.jpg) **The Group delivered a profit of USD 778m (USD 1.5bn) negatively impacted by the lower oil price and lower average container freight rates, down 51% and 19% respectively compared to the same period last year. The return on invested capital (ROIC) was 7.6% (12.7%). The underlying profit was USD 662m (USD 1.3bn).** “The Maersk Group delivered an underlying profit of USD 662m in the third quarter. The decline of nearly 50 percent compared to last year was primarily due to container freight rates deteriorating to a historically low level, especially in the later part of Q3, and profits in Maersk Oil being impacted by the lower oil price. The expected underlying result of around USD 3.4bn for 2015 reflects good performance in very challenging oil and container shipping markets, where the continuous actions taken in all our business units to reduce the cost base will enable us to maintain our ability to pursue the opportunities arising in our industries,” says Group CEO Nils S. Andersen. In [this video](https://www.maersk.com/en/the-maersk-group/about-us/year-in-review/2015/q3-2015-interim-report/maersk-group-ceo-comments-on-the-q3-report-2015), Group CEO Nils S. Andersen comments on a positive result in the context of tough market conditions, the impact on growth, market share ambitions and the road ahead. - - - - - - Highlights: - The Maersk Group delivered an underlying profit of USD 662m in a 3rd quarter with deteriorating freight rates and lower oil price. - The Group expects an underlying result for 2015 of around USD 3.4bn, based on an underlying result in Maersk Line of around USD 1.6bn. - All business units delivered positive results, reflecting the continuous efforts taken to adjust to the changing market conditions. - Maersk Line has accelerated cost leadership and postponed previously announced plans for adding capacity due to lower growth in 2015. - A healthy balance sheet and competitive business units enable the Group to continue to pursue investments supporting growth ambitions. The Group delivered a profit of USD 778m (USD 1.5bn) negatively impacted by the lower oil price and lower average container freight rates, down 51% and 19% respectively compared to the same period last year. The return on invested capital (ROIC) was 7.6% (12.7%). The underlying profit was USD 662m (USD 1.3bn) with lower profits in Maersk Line, Maersk Oil and APM Terminals and improved result for Maersk Drilling while APM Shipping Services was on par with Q3 last year. “The Maersk Group delivered an underlying profit of USD 662m in the third quarter. The decline of nearly 50 percent compared to last year was primarily due to container freight rates deteriorating to a historically low level, especially in the later part of Q3, and profits in Maersk Oil being impacted by the lower oil price. The expected underlying result of around USD 3.4bn for 2015 reflects good performance in very challenging oil and container shipping markets, where the continuous actions taken in all our business units to reduce the cost base will enable us to maintain our ability to pursue the opportunities arising in our industries,” says Group CEO Nils S. Andersen. **Group Highlights:** [![Screen Shot 2015-11-06 at 10.07.39](https://app.eesea.com/news/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2015-11-06-at-10.07.39.png)](https://app.eesea.com/news/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2015-11-06-at-10.07.39.png) **The Maersk Group** – and especially Maersk Line – was severely impacted by continued low economic growth and significant market imbalances. Global container demand is expected to have grown by 0-1%, whereas the global container fleet grew by almost 9%. Container freight rates declined significantly across all trades except North America, and especially Maersk Line’s key Europe trades were impacted severely. The Group’s revenue decreased by USD 2.1bn or 17% compared to Q3 2014, predominantly due to lower oil price and lower average container freight rates. The operating expenses decreased by USD 1.1bn mainly due to lower bunker prices and cost saving initiatives. Cash flow from operating activities remained at a high level of USD 2.2bn (USD 2.7bn) while the Group continues to invest in growth with a net cash flow used for capital expenditure of USD 1.3bn (USD 1.4bn). The Group’s free cash flow was USD 904m (USD 1.4bn). With an equity ratio of 59.7% (61.3% at 31 December 2014) and a liquidity reserve of USD 10.7bn (USD 11.6bn at 31 December 2014) the Group maintains its strong financial position. **Maersk Line** delivered a profit of USD 264m (USD 685m) and a ROIC of 5.2% (13.5%). The underlying profit was USD 243m (USD 659m). The quarter was characterised by poor market conditions with oversupply and decreased imports into Europe, where freight rates declined to new historical lows. Revenue of USD 6.0bn was 14.9% lower than Q3 2014 due to an average freight rate decline of 19.3% to 2,163 USD/FFE, where especially the key Europe trades were severely impacted. Recognised freight revenue was USD 5.4bn (USD 6.5bn) and other revenue was USD 604m (USD 599m). In a difficult quarter, Maersk Line defended its market position and grew volumes by 1.1% to 2,427k FFE. **Maersk Oil** made a profit of USD 32m (USD 222m) with an underlying profit of USD 32m (USD 224m). ROIC was 2.1% (17.5%). The result was negatively impacted mainly by the lower oil price but positively impacted by increased production, cost savings and lower exploration costs. The entitlement production increased by 26% to 300,000 boepd (238,000 boepd), however at a 51% lower average oil price of USD 50 per barrel. The increased production was a result of improved operational performance and production from new projects in particular in the UK, as well as higher share of production from Qatar due to the lower oil price. Maersk Oil expects that the net operating costs excluding exploration will be reduced by around 10% by the end of 2015 compared to the 2014 baseline. This is in line with the targeted 20% reduction by the end of 2016. **APM Terminals** delivered a profit of USD 175m (USD 345m) and a ROIC of 11.6% (22.5%). The underlying profit was USD 175m (USD 201m). The low oil price resulted in a sharp decline in import volumes into oil producing countries in West Africa, Russia and Brazil. Along with the appreciating USD and divestments in 2014, this caused revenue to decrease by 5.7% and the EBITDA-margin to decrease by 2.1% compared to same quarter last year. The number of containers handled by APM Terminals (weighted with APM Terminals’ ownership interest) decreased by 8.7% compared to 2014, reaching 8.9m TEU (9.7m TEU). This was partly due to the divestments of APM Terminals facilities in Virginia, Charleston, Jacksonville and Houston, USA and Terminal Porte Océane S.A. Le Havre, France. Excluding these, like-for-like volumes decreased by 4.4% whereas the overall global container market grew approximately by 1.8% in Q3 (Drewry). The acquisition of the TCB portfolio will have a negative impact on ROIC of approximately 1%-point due to the increased asset base and the amortisation of terminal rights. The acquisition has an implied enterprise value of USD 1.1bn with capex investments of USD 400m over the next five years. Subject to regulatory approvals the deal is expected to close in Q1 2016. **Maersk Drilling** delivered a profit of USD 184m (USD 192m) generating a ROIC of 9.0% (10.7%), positively affected by fleet growth, cost savings and strong operational performance, but negatively affected by increased idle time. The result was further affected by an additional gain of USD 9m (USD 73m) related to the sale of the Venezuela business in 2014. The underlying profit was USD 172m (USD 118m). The economic utilisation of the fleet was 85% (89%) adversely affected by increased idle time and Mærsk Deliverer on yard stay. The average operational uptime was 97% (97%) for the jack-up rigs and 98% (96%) for the floating rigs. Though at significantly lower day rates compared to previous contracts, the new contracts and extensions signed in Q3 added USD 1.1bn to Maersk Drilling’s revenue backlog. At the end of Q3 2015, Maersk Drilling’s forward contract coverage was 85% for the remaining part of 2015, 70% for 2016 and 49% for 2017. The total revenue backlog by the end of Q3 2015 amounted to USD 5.8bn (USD 6.6bn). **APM Shipping Services** made a profit of USD 154m (USD 119m) and a ROIC of 13.1% (8.7%). The underlying profit was USD 150m (USD 148m). Maersk Supply Service reported a profit of USD 45m (USD 79m) and a ROIC of 10.4% (18.5%). The underlying profit was USD 44m (USD 79m). Maersk Tankers made a profit of USD 59m (USD 84m) and a ROIC of 14.6% (19.1%). The underlying profit was USD 58m (USD 85m). Damco made a profit of USD 20m (loss of USD 68m) and a ROIC of 30.0% (negative 53.0%). The underlying profit was USD 18m (loss of USD 38m). Svitzer made a profit of USD 30m (USD 23m) and a ROIC of 10.8% (6.5%). The underlying profit was USD 30m (USD 22m). **The share buy-back programme** of up to DKK 6.7bn (USD 1bn) is to be executed during a 12-month period from 1 September 2015. As of 30 September, 74,098 shares have been repurchased (14,972 A shares and 59,126 B shares) for USD 118m. **The Group’s guidance for 2015** **The Group** expects an underlying result of around USD 3.4bn which is unchanged from the result adjustment published on 23 October. Gross cash flow used for capital expenditure is now expected to be around USD 7bn (USD 8.7bn) from previously around USD 8bn, while cash flow from operating activities is still expected to develop in line with the result. In line with the 23 October announcement **Maersk Line** expects an underlying result of around USD 1.6bn (USD 2.2bn). Global demand for seaborne container transportation is revised to an expected increase of 1-3% versus previously by 2-4%. **Maersk Oil** continues to expect a positive underlying result for 2015 significantly below 2014 (USD 1.0bn) at oil prices in the range of 45-55 USD from previously 55- 60 USD per barrel. The low oil price is somewhat offset by the effect of cost savings, strong production performance and deferred tax income in the UK. Maersk Oil’s entitlement production is now expected at around 295,000 boepd (251,000 boepd) from previously around 285,000 boepd. The exploration costs are expected to be around USD 500m (USD 765m) from previously approximately USD 700m for the year due to the reduction of the exploration activity level. **APM Terminals** maintains the expectation for the underlying result to be significantly below 2014 (USD 849m) due to continued weak business climate in oil dependent markets. **Maersk Drilling** maintains the expectation of a significantly higher underlying result than in 2014 (USD 471m) due to more rigs in operation, high forward contract coverage as well as impact from the initiated profit optimisation programme. **APM Shipping Services** still expects the underlying result for 2015 to be significantly above the 2014 result (USD 185m) due to better performance. **The Group’s guidance for 2015** is subject to considerable uncertainty, not least due to developments in the global economy, the container freight rates and the oil price. The Group’s result depends on a number of factors. Based on the expected earnings level and all other things being equal, the sensitivities for the rest of the calendar year 2015 for four key value drivers are listed in the table below. [![Screen Shot 2015-11-06 at 10.09.33](https://app.eesea.com/news/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2015-11-06-at-10.09.33.png)](https://app.eesea.com/news/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2015-11-06-at-10.09.33.png) - - - - - - Source: [AP Moeller – Maersk press release](https://www.maersk.com/en/the-maersk-group/press-room/press-release-archive/2015/11/maersk-interim-report-q3-2015-press-release)

Source: AP Moeller – Maersk press release