4Q05: Profits improved significantly - strong value creation
Group operating revenues totalled NOK 41 463 million in 2005 compared to NOK 35 553 million in 2004.
EBITDA increased in the fourth quarter to NOK 789 million, positively impacted by a one-time sales gain of NOK 80 million from the sale of Aker Kværner Industrielt Vedlikehold AS. Full-year EBITDA amounted to NOK 2 145 million, which is a substantial increase from NOK 1 362 million in 2004. The full-year EBITDA-margin was 5.2 percent compared to 3.8 percent in 2004.
Order intake in the fourth quarter was NOK 19.7 billion. The order backlog at the end of December was at a record-high level of NOK 53.3 billion - an increase of 48 percent from 2004 to 2005. Several large contracts were secured during the year in addition to growth in existing contracts.
Cashflow from operating activities was NOK 3 674 million in 2005, reflecting a NOK 2 243 million decrease in net current operating assets. Cash and bank deposits at the end of December amounted to NOK 6.7 billion after a NOK 300 million repayment of debt in the first quarter of 2005. The cash position at year-end was positively impacted by advances from customers, which will be partly off-set by corresponding outflows in the next quarters.
New financial targets were announced on the company's annual Capital Markets Day in December 2005. The target is to reach an EBITDA margin of between 6.5 and 7.0 percent by the end of 2007. The long-term target for equity to total asset-ratio will be in the 20-25 percent range.
A letter of intent for sale of the pulping and power businesses was signed with Metso 8 February 2006. The agreement is subject to completion of due diligence process and signing of the final sale and purchase agreement. The transaction value is NOK 3 billion. Net gain compared to book value is NOK 2.4 billion and the cash effect is NOK 2.6 billion. All numbers are approximate values.
Please find attached the full quarterly report in English.
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For further information, please contact:
Media:
Torbjørn Andersen, Senior Vice President, Group Communications. Tel: +47 67 51 30 36
Torbjørn Andersen, Senior Vice President, Group Communications. Tel: +47 67 51 30 36
Investor relations:
Lasse Torkildsen, Vice President, Investor Relations. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39
Lasse Torkildsen, Vice President, Investor Relations. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39
AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The business within Aker Kvaerner comprises several industries, including Oil & Gas, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, Power Generation and Pulp & Paper. The Aker Kvaerner group is organised into two principal business streams, namely Oil & Gas and E&C, each consisting of a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities.
The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 41.5 billion and employs approximately 20 000 people in more than 30 countries.
Aker Kvaerner is part of the Aker Group (www.akerasa.com), a leading multi-industry powerhouse with more than 40 000 employees and NOK 60 billion revenues. Aker owns 50.01 per cent of Aker Kvaerner, and the group is also a major European shipbuilder and a significant participant in the fisheries industry.
This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com