Financial and Production Highlights
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the third quarter of 2024, Methanex (TSX:MX) (NASDAQ:MEOH) reported net income attributable to Methanex shareholders of $31 million ($0.35 net income per common share on a diluted basis) compared to net income of $35 million ($0.52 net income per common share on a diluted basis) in the second quarter of 2024. Net income in the third quarter of 2024 was similar compared to the prior quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2024 was $216 million and Adjusted net income was $82 million ($1.21 Adjusted net income per common share). This compares with Adjusted EBITDA of $164 million and Adjusted net income of $42 million ($0.62 Adjusted net income per common share) for the second quarter of 2024.
Our average realized price in the third quarter was $356 per tonne compared to $352 per tonne in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in our average realized price was driven by stable global demand, with tight market conditions in the Atlantic from supply outages and decreasing inventories and balanced market conditions in China and Asia Pacific.
In the third quarter, we returned $12.5 million to shareholders through the regular dividend. We ended the quarter with $511 million in cash, or $490 million in cash excluding non-controlling interests and including our share of cash in the Atlas joint venture.
Rich Sumner, President & CEO of Methanex, said, "I am pleased that G3 has passed its commercial and technical performance test and has been operating at full rates since early October. Looking forward to the fourth quarter we expect to see an increase in our production levels with G3 at full rates and Chile receiving full gas supply along with higher pricing as the methanol markets have further tightened. We are focused on delivering strong cash flows from our existing business to de-lever and post close, our priority will be to seamlessly integrate OCI's methanol business."
FURTHER INFORMATION
The information set forth in this news release summarizes Methanex's key financial and operational data for the third quarter of 2024. It is not a complete source of information for readers and is not in any way a substitute for reading the third quarter 2024 Management’s Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") dated November 6, 2024 and the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2024, both of which are available from the Investor Relations section of our website at www.methanex.com. The MD&A and the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2024 are also available on the Canadian Securities Administrators' SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL DATA
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||
| ($ millions except per share amounts and where noted) | Sep 30 2024 | Jun 30 2024 | Sep 30 2023 | Sep 30 2024 | Sep 30 2023 | |
| Production (thousands of tonnes) (attributable to Methanex shareholders) 1 | 1,347 | 1,422 | 1,545 | 4,490 | 4,863 | |
| Sales volume (thousands of tonnes) | ||||||
| Methanex-produced methanol | 1,378 | 1,580 | 1,473 | 4,639 | 4,743 | |
| Purchased methanol | 987 | 766 | 905 | 2,560 | 2,637 | |
| Commission sales | 258 | 266 | 342 | 706 | 927 | |
| Total sales volume 1 | 2,623 | 2,612 | 2,720 | 7,905 | 8,307 | |
| Methanex average non-discounted posted price ($ per tonne) 2 | 519 | 499 | 395 | 496 | 439 | |
| Average realized price ($ per tonne) 3 | 356 | 352 | 303 | 350 | 337 | |
| Revenue | 935 | 920 | 823 | 2,771 | 2,801 | |
| Net income (attributable to Methanex shareholders) | 31 | 35 | 24 | 119 | 141 | |
| Adjusted net income 4 | 82 | 42 | 1 | 168 | 118 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA 4 | 216 | 164 | 105 | 540 | 474 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 210 | 163 | 106 | 456 | 465 | |
| Basic net income per common share | 0.46 | 0.52 | 0.36 | 1.77 | 2.07 | |
| Diluted net income per common share | 0.35 | 0.52 | 0.36 | 1.62 | 2.07 | |
| Adjusted net income per common share 4 | 1.21 | 0.62 | 0.02 | 2.48 | 1.74 | |
| Common share information (millions of shares) | ||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares | 67 | 67 | 67 | 67 | 68 | |
| Diluted weighted average number of common shares | 68 | 67 | 67 | 68 | 68 | |
| Number of common shares outstanding, end of period | 67 | 67 | 67 | 67 | 67 | |
| 1 | Methanex-produced methanol represents our equity share of volume produced at our facilities and excludes volume marketed on a commission basis related to the 36.9% of the Atlas facility and 50% of the Egypt facility that we do not own. |
| 2 | Methanex average non-discounted posted price represents the average of our non-discounted posted prices in North America, Europe, China and Asia Pacific weighted by sales volume. Current and historical pricing information is available at www.methanex.com |
| 3 | The Company has used Average realized price ("ARP") throughout this document. ARP is calculated as revenue divided by the total sales volume. It is used by management to assess the realized price per unit of methanol sold, and is relevant in a cyclical commodity environment where revenue can fluctuate in response to market prices. |
| 4 | Note that Adjusted net income, Adjusted net income per common share, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures and ratios that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Refer to the Additional Information - Non-GAAP Measures section on page 15 of our third quarter MD&A dated November 6, 2024 for a description of each non-GAAP measure. |
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| ($ millions) | Sep 30 2024 | Jun 30 2024 | Sep 30 2023 | Sep 30 2024 | Sep 30 2023 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Methanex shareholders | $ | 31 | $ | 35 | $ | 24 | $ | 119 | $ | 141 | ||||||
| Mark-to-market impact of share-based compensation | (18 | ) | 8 | 8 | (20 | ) | 13 | |||||||||
| Gas contract settlement, net of tax | — | — | (31 | ) | — | (31 | ) | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 99 | 101 | 98 | 295 | 292 | |||||||||||
| Finance costs | 28 | 28 | 26 | 83 | 87 | |||||||||||
| Finance income and other | (42 | ) | (3 | ) | (2 | ) | (49 | ) | (29 | ) | ||||||
| Income tax expense (recovery) | 11 | 5 | (18 | ) | 21 | 16 | ||||||||||
| Asset impairment charge | 125 | — | — | 125 | — | |||||||||||
| Earnings of associate adjustment | 14 | 16 | 23 | 41 | 51 | |||||||||||
| Non-controlling interests adjustment | (32 | ) | (26 | ) | (23 | ) | (75 | ) | (66 | ) | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 216 | $ | 164 | $ | 105 | $ | 540 | $ | 474 | ||||||
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| ($ millions except number of shares and per share amounts) | Sep 30 2024 | Jun 30 2024 | Sep 30 2023 | Sep 30 2024 | Sep 30 2023 | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Methanex shareholders | $ | 31 | $ | 35 | $ | 24 | $ | 119 | $ | 141 | |||||
| Mark-to-market impact of share-based compensation, net of tax | (15 | ) | 7 | 6 | (17 | ) | 11 | ||||||||
| Impact of Egypt gas contract revaluation, net of tax | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | (3 | ) | |||||||||
| Impact of New Zealand gas contract revaluation, net of tax | (25 | ) | — | — | (25 | ) | — | ||||||||
| Gas contract settlement, net of tax | — | — | (31 | ) | — | (31 | ) | ||||||||
| Asset impairment charge, net of tax | 90 | — | — | 90 | — | ||||||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 82 | $ | 42 | $ | 1 | $ | 168 | $ | 118 | |||||
| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (millions) | 68 | 67 | 67 | 68 | 68 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted net income per common share | $ | 1.21 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 2.48 | $ | 1.74 | |||||
PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
| Q3 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2023 | YTD Q3 2024 | YTD Q3 2023 | ||
| (thousands of tonnes) | Operating Capacity 1 | Production | Production | Production | Production | Production |
| USA (Geismar) | 1,000 | 605 | 514 | 574 | 1,690 | 1,555 |
| Trinidad (Methanex interest) 2 | 490 | 262 | 231 | 287 | 751 | 791 |
| New Zealand 3 | 430 | 72 | 178 | 226 | 527 | 1,037 |
| Chile | 425 | 173 | 229 | 168 | 793 | 590 |
| Egypt (50% interest) | 158 | 93 | 129 | 160 | 305 | 484 |
| Canada (Medicine Hat) | 150 | 142 | 141 | 130 | 424 | 406 |
| 2,653 | 1,347 | 1,422 | 1,545 | 4,490 | 4,863 | |
| 1 | The operating capacity of our production facilities may be higher or lower than original nameplate capacity as, over time, these figures have been adjusted to reflect ongoing operating efficiencies at these facilities. Actual production for a facility in any given year may be higher or lower than operating capacity due to a number of factors, including natural gas availability, feedstock composition, the age of the facility's catalyst, turnarounds and access to CO2 from external suppliers for certain facilities. We review and update the operating capacity of our production facilities on a regular basis based on historical performance. |
| 2 | The operating capacity of Trinidad is made up of the Titan (100% interest) and Atlas (63.1% interest) facilities. The Atlas facility is currently idle. Refer to the Trinidad section below. |
| 3 | The operating capacity of New Zealand is made up of the two Motunui facilities, one of which is idle. Refer to the New Zealand section below. |
Key production and operational highlights during the third quarter include:
United States
Geismar produced 605,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 514,000 tonnes in the second quarter of 2024. Production was higher in the third quarter with the start up of the Geismar 3 plant. The plant produced first methanol at the end of July and successfully passed its commercial and technical performance test in early October. During Q3, as the plant was being brought to full rates, two separate shutdowns were taken to calibrate the newly commissioned equipment to ensure reliability of plant operations at sustained full rates, which led to lower operating rates in the third quarter. G3 has been operating at full rates since early October, and in the last thirty days has produced approximately 154,0000 tonnes and is running as designed at a 1.8 MMT per annum rate.
Trinidad
Trinidad produced 262,000 tonnes (Methanex interest) in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 231,000 tonnes in the second quarter of 2024. Production was higher in the third quarter compared to the second quarter due to two unplanned outages during the second quarter. In mid-September the Atlas plant (Methanex interest 63.1% or 1,085,000 tonnes per year capacity) was idled, as its legacy 20-year natural gas supply agreement expired, and the Titan plant (875,000 tonnes per year capacity) was successfully re-started, on a two-year natural gas supply agreement with the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC).
New Zealand
New Zealand produced 72,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 178,000 tonnes in the second quarter of 2024. Production in the third quarter was lower compared to the second quarter as operations were temporarily idled in August as we entered short-term commercial arrangements to provide contracted natural gas into the New Zealand electricity market until the end of October 2024 as the country’s overall energy balances were very strained. Based on the medium-term gas outlook from our gas suppliers for the next few years, the decision was made in September to indefinitely idle one of the two Motunui plants. The site has optimized its operating and capital costs and we expect that these actions will substantially offset the adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow impact from idling one plant. Future production will be dependent on gas availability and any on-selling of gas into the electricity market to support New Zealand’s energy needs. We are in continuing discussions with our gas suppliers to ensure our contractual entitlements, which are in place until 2029, are being respected as well as engaging with our gas suppliers and government agencies in supporting efforts to improve energy balances in the country. Based on production year to date and expectations for the fourth quarter, we expect 2024 production will be approximately 600,000 tonnes.
As a result of the outlook for gas supply and the idling of one of the Motunui plants, a non-cash before-tax asset impairment charge of $125 million ($90 million after-tax) was recorded to write down the carrying value of our New Zealand assets.
Chile
Chile produced 173,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 229,000 tonnes in the second quarter of 2024. Production was lower in the third quarter compared to the second quarter primarily due to lower seasonal gas supply from Argentina during the third quarter. Planned maintenance at Chile 1 and a turnaround at Chile 4 were successfully completed which we expect will improve efficiency and production. Based on production year to date and progress we have made securing gas from Argentina for the non-winter period this year, we expect 2024 production will be slightly above the high-end of our guidance of 1.1-1.2 million tonnes.
In Q3, we successfully agreed to extend the gas contracts with Chilean gas producer, ENAP, and Argentinean gas producer, YPF, until 2030 and 2027, respectively on similar economic terms as the previous agreements. These two gas contracts underpin approximately 55% of the sites gas requirements. In addition, we have secured agreements to purchase gas from Argentina on a firm basis for the non-winter months (October-April) which will allow us to produce at full rates through to the end of April 2025. These gas contracts are expected to allow us to continue to incrementally increase our production from Chile as natural gas development and related infrastructure investments in Argentina continue to progress which we believe will allow increased gas availability to our two plants in the coming years.
Egypt
Egypt produced 186,000 tonnes (Methanex interest - 93,000 tonnes) in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 258,000 tonnes (Methanex interest - 129,000 tonnes) in the second quarter of 2024. Production decreased compared to the second quarter due to fluctuating operating rates based on gas availability. In Egypt, industrial plants were impacted by gas curtailments due to increased seasonal demand for power generation due to elevated temperatures coupled with lower domestic supply. The plant is currently operating at full rates. There has been stabilization of gas balances in the country as temperatures have moderated but some continued limitations on supply to industrial plants are expected going forward, particularly during the summer months.
Canada
Medicine Hat produced 142,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 141,000 tonnes in the second quarter of 2024.
Outlook
Our expected production guidance for Q4 2024 is approximately 1.9 million tonnes (Methanex interest) which will be sold through in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 as produced sales normalize to the increased production. Actual production may vary by quarter based on gas availability in Chile and New Zealand, turnarounds, other gas availability, unplanned outages and unanticipated events.
In the fourth quarter, we expect similar Adjusted EBITDA compared to the third quarter, with higher produced sales and a higher average realized price offset by lower New Zealand gas sales and no contribution from Egypt insurance recovery in the fourth quarter. Based on our October and November posted prices we expect that our average realized price range will be between approximately $365 to $375 per tonne for these two months.
CONFERENCE CALL
A conference call is scheduled for November 7, 2024 at 11:00 am ET (8:00 am PT) to review these third quarter results. To access the call, dial the conferencing operator fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call at (647) 932-3411, or toll free at (800) 715-9871. The conference ID for the call is #2019292. A simultaneous audio-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed from our website at www.methanex.com/investor-relations/events and will also be available following the call.
ABOUT METHANEX
Methanex is a Vancouver-based, publicly traded company and is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets. Methanex shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol "MX" and on the NASDAQ Global Market in the United States under the trading symbol "MEOH".
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION WARNING
This third quarter 2024 press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to us and the chemical industry. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking information. Methanex does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking information as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Refer to Forward-Looking Information Warning in the third quarter 2024 Management's Discussion and Analysis for more information which is available from the Investor Relations section of our website at www.methanex.com, the Canadian Securities Administrators' SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The Company has used the terms Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Adjusted net income per common share throughout this document. These items are non-GAAP measures and ratios that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. These measures represent the amounts that are attributable to Methanex Corporation shareholders and are calculated by excluding the mark-to-market impact of share-based compensation as a result of changes in our share price, the impact of the Egypt gas contract revaluation and the impact of certain items associated with specific identified events. Refer to Additional Information - Non-GAAP Measures on page 15 of the Company's MD&A for the period ended September 30, 2024 for reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures. Unless otherwise indicated, the financial information presented in this release is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
For further information, contact:
Sarah Herriott
Director, Investor Relations
Methanex Corporation
604-661-2600
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