TREASURY SHARES
Νo purchase of the Company’s own shares took place in 2013. On the contrary, the Company disposed 50,282 of its own common shares (treasury shares) pursuant to the “Stock Option Plan”, which was approved by the General Assembly’s decision dated 03.06.2010 in conformity with Article 13 par. 13 of Codified Law 2190/20 and following the decision of the Board of Directors dated 4.3.2013. These shares represent 0.059% of the Company’s paid up share capital and pursuant to the “Stock Option Plan” the sale price of each share was equal to par, i.e. €4.00 per share, hence the total amount of the shares sold was €201,128.
The Treasury shares on 31.12.2013 were 3,067,334, out of which 3,061,415 are common shares and 5,919 are preference shares with no voting rights. These shares represent 3.62% of the Company’s paid up share capital.
INVESTMENTS AND DISPOSALS
Group capital expenditure, excluding acquisitions, totaled €50 million – much the same as in 2012. The net book value of fixed assets disposed of in 2013 was €3.1 million, down from €26 million in the previous year.
PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL RESULTS
Turnover of Titan Cement S.A. increased 6.1% to €235 million, while EBITDA decreased 71% to €11 million. The Company’s net loss stood at €43 million in 2013, compared to a net loss of €16 million in 2012.
Based on the improvement in Group operating profitability, in conjunction with a more optimistic outlook for 2014, the Board of Directors of Titan Cement S.A. has decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled for 20.06.2014, the distribution of €8,463,252.80 from the Contingency Reserve. This amount corresponds to €0.10 per share.
The final amount to be distributed per share will be increased by the amount which corresponds to the Company’s own shares (treasury shares) and will be subject to 10% tax, which will be withheld on behalf of the shareholder, unless otherwise provided by the law.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
Group subsidiary, Titan Global Finance PLC (TGF), entered into a €455 million multi-currency forward start revolving credit facility with a syndicate of Greek and international banks. The contract was signed on 30.01.2014, in London. The facility, which is guaranteed by Titan Cement S.A., matures in January 2018 and will be used for the refinancing of TGF’s existing syndicated facility, maturing in January 2015, as well as for general corporate purposes.
PROSPECTS FOR 2014
Recent trends provide grounds for cautious optimism, despite lingering uncertainties.
Growth in US cement consumption is expected to maintain its momentum, as housing starts and permits for future projects have recovered to levels last seen in 2007. According to the Portland Cement Association (PCA), all construction sectors will expand in 2014 and cement demand will rise by at least 8%. Cement consumption is expected to grow at an even higher rate in the Southeast of the country where the majority of Titan’s US operations are located. Florida is anticipated by the PCA to exhibit double-digit annual growth rates for four years. Titan America sales growth accelerated in the second half of 2013 and strong volume and price trends are expected to persist going forward.
In Greece, cement demand is expected to increase for the first time since 2006, from the extremely low levels of 2013, largely due the resumption of major infrastructure projects, including road works. Expectations regarding the residential market remain low.
The outlook for construction in Southeastern Europe is stable, without expectations for growth in the current year, as the region continues to be held back by the weakness in neighboring Eurozone countries.
The Group’s biggest challenges are anticipated in the Eastern Mediterranean. Egypt and, to a lesser extent, Turkey are faced with a protracted period of political turmoil. Demand for building materials in the region appears to be maintaining its momentum, yet forecasts on short-term outlook are uncertain. In Egypt, fuel shortages and rising production costs form an increasingly challenging business environment. In Turkey, rising interest rates could lead to a slowdown in economic growth. Even if demand in the Eastern Mediterranean proves resilient, exchange rate volatility may continue to negatively affect Group results.
BUSINESS MODEL
The corporate strategy of the Group, which forms the basis for the long-term pursuit of Titan’s targets and aims, is firmly focused on the following principles and priorities:
- Geographic diversification
- Continuous competitive improvement
- Vertical integration
- Focus on human capital and Corporate Social Responsibility
Titan’s core competence is the production and commercialization of cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates and related building materials.
The Group operates in 14 countries in Europe, North America and the Eastern Mediterranean and is organized in the following four operating (geographic) segments:
- Greece and Western Europe
- North America
- South East Europe
- Eastern Mediterranean
Each operating segment is a cluster of countries. The aggregation of countries is based on geographic proximity.
GOING CONCERN DISCLOSURE
The Board of Directors hereby states that both the Parent and Group companies have adequate resources to continue operating as a “going concern” for the foreseeable future.