CGG provides full year 2017 trading update
Paris, France | Jan 16, 2018
Full-Year 2017 CGG Group Revenue was up 10% year-on-year, standing at $1,320 million compared to $1,196 million in 2016.
Group Q4 revenue stood at $400 million, compared to $328 million in Q4 2016, as a combination of GGR at $256 million, Equipment at $116 million, Contractual Data Acquisition at $40 million and Elimination at $12 million. Within GGR, Multi-Client Q4 revenue was at $160 million, above expectations, while Equipment and Contractual Data Acquisition revenues were in line with our expectations.
Thanks to the relatively good Q4 Multi-Client revenue, 2017 Group EBITDAs (before restructuring costs) should be higher than expected, showing an increase above 10%, instead of an expected stability compared to 2016 EBITDAs ($328 million), for a less favorable cash generation. Restructuring costs related to the Group industrial Transformation Plan and its financial restructuring are estimated at $187 million for the whole year 2017, including $26 million booked in Q4.
Net debt amounted to $2.640 billion as at December 31, 2017 (at a €/$ closing exchange rate of 1.20), versus $2.571 billion as at September 30, 2017 (at a €/$ closing exchange rate of 1.18), with a cash balance at $315 million as at December 31, 2017. Such higher than expected year-end liquidity level was due to tight cash management, lower level of capex and better cash collection. However the cash generation is negative in 2017, as expected, due to lack of positive change in working capital versus 2016.
As indicated on December 1, 2017 the c. €112 million rights issue with preferential subscription rights and allocation of free warrants to shareholders is expected to be launched shortly, with the settlement and delivery of the various securities issuances provided for under the restructuring plan expected to occur by the end of February 2018.
Warning
The figures set forth in this press release have not been verified by the statutory auditors. The EBITDAS estimates, excluding restructuring costs relating to the Transformation Plan, for the period from January 1st to December 31st, 2017 will be the subject of a report by the statutory auditors, as part of the prospectus relating to the increase in the share capital with preferential subscription right provided for by the safeguard plan. In accordance with the financial calendar, CGG accounts should be published on March 9, 2018.
This document is not an offer of securities for sale nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States of America or any other jurisdiction where such offer may be restricted. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or an exemption from registration. The securities of CGG described herein have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and CGG does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States of America.
About CGG
CGG (www.cgg.com) is a global geoscience technology leader. Employing around 3,700 people worldwide, CGG provides a comprehensive range of data, products, services and solutions that support our clients to more efficiently and responsibly solve complex natural resource, environmental and infrastructure challenges. CGG is listed on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: 0013181864).