Photo credit: Nickel Asia Corporation Facebook Page
Nickel Asia Corporation recently announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 with an attributable net income (net of minority interests) of P6.17 billion, 168% higher compared to the P2.30 billion achieved in the same period last year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to P11.01 billion compared to P5.93 billion in the prior period.
The higher net income was primarily the result of higher ore sales prices. The Company sold a total of 14.4 million wet metric tons (WMT) of nickel ore at the weighted average realized price of $27.96 per WMT in the first nine months of 2021, compared to 14.0 million WMT at $20.10 per WMT in the same period last year. Accordingly, total revenues increased by 39% to P21.06 billion from P15.11 billion in the prior year.
Breaking down the ore sales, the Company exported 8.73 million WMT of saprolite and limonite ore to customers in Japan and China at the average price of $38.69 per WMT in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021. This compares to 7.50 million WMT at $30.53 per WMT in the same period last year. Likewise, the Company delivered 5.68 million WMT of limonite ore to Coral Bay and Taganito HPAL plants, the prices of which are linked to the LME, and realized an average price of $8.20 per pound of payable nickel. This compares to 6.52 million WMT at $5.97 per pound of payable nickel in the same period last year.
Following higher Nickel LME prices in 2021, the Company recognized gain from its equity share in its investments in the two HPAL plants in the combined amount of P340.4 million in the first three quarters of 2021, compared to a loss of P11.1 million in the same period last year. Furthermore, due to the stronger US Dollar, the Company recognized net foreign exchange gains from its US Dollar denominated net financial assets in the amount of P587.2 million for the first nine months of 2021, a turnaround from the net foreign exchange losses of P333.5 million in the same period last year.
Total operating cash costs increased by 13% year-on-year to P8.86 billion from P7.83 billion in 2020. On a per WMT basis, total operating cash costs increased to P615 per WMT of ore sold from P559 per WMT in 2020.
“Chinese stainless steel production was up 12% year-on-year and nickel ore prices as well as LME Ni price have continued its upward momentum, despite the slowdown in Chinese GDP growth” said Martin Antonio G. Zamora, President and CEO of the Company. “While the Chinese economy is currently facing short-term uncertainties, the surging EV industry remains the main driver of nickel demand over the long-term,” Mr. Zamora added.
Finally, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the declaration of a special cash dividend of P0.22 per share of common stock, payable on December 2, 2021 to shareholders of record on November 18, 2021.
Article courtesy of the Philippine Stock Exchange
