CGG: Provides FY-17 Trading Update
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.