Exxaro Resources interim results show revenue earnings and cash flow decline

Key Takeaways from Exxaro Resources' Financial Results for 1H23:

1. Exxaro Resources experienced a 15% decrease in group revenue
2. Exxaro's coal business saw a slight benefit from a weaker exchange rate
3. Exxaro's energy business outperformed, with a 17% increase in revenue compared to 1H22
4. Exxaro's group EBITDA decreased by 28% to R7,661 million
5. Exxaro reported a 29% decrease in headline earnings to R5,912 million, and cash flow generated from operations decreased by 34% to R6,252 million

Exxaro Resources (JSE: EXX) has unveiled its financial results for the first half of 2023. The company's group revenue witnessed a dip of 15% to R18 943 million from R22 330 million in the first half of 2022. The decline in revenue was primarily due to a drop in sales prices and volumes, coupled with ongoing logistical issues. However, the company's coal business experienced a slight benefit from a weaker exchange rate.

The energy business of Exxaro Resources demonstrated a robust performance, registering a 17% surge in revenue compared to the same period in the previous year. The increase was driven by enhanced energy generation from the Cennergi wind assets, which experienced better wind conditions than the previous year. However, some energy generation was lost due to a fault in an Eskom line.

Despite the energy sector's positive performance, Exxaro's group EBITDA fell by 28% to R7 661 million from R10 603 million in the first half of 2022. The substantial decrease was primarily due to a 34% drop in Coal EBITDA.

The company reported a 24% decrease in adjusted equity-accounted income. SIOC's adjusted equity-accounted income fell by 16% due to dwindling iron ore prices and escalating operating expenses, partially offset by a weaker currency.

Exxaro Resources also reported a 29% dip in headline earnings to R5 912 million from R8 290 million in the first half of 2022. The company attributed the decline to the decrease in group EBITDA and the aforementioned decrease in adjusted equity-accounted income.

Cash flow generated by the company's operations fell by 34% to R6 252 million from R9 433 million in the first half of 2022. However, the dividends received from equity-accounted investments of R1 794 million were adequate to fund capital expenditure and ordinary dividends paid.

Exxaro Resources recorded a slight increase in capital expenditure to R801 million, up from R744 million in the first half of 2022. This was made up of R788 million in sustaining capex and R13 million in expansion capex.

While Exxaro Resources faced significant financial challenges in the first half of 2023, the company's energy sector showed impressive growth. Despite the overall decrease in revenue and EBITDA, Exxaro's ability to fund its capital expenditure and dividends demonstrates some financial resilience.

Exxaro – trading view

The long-term trend for Exxaro remains down. While the dotted trend lone on our chart and the 15810 level remains resistance for the share, a retest of the 14600 level remains favoured.

Traders looking to find long entry into the share might prefer to see some indications that the downtrend is starting to reverse. A reversal might be considered if the price can instead move to break above horizontal and trend line resistance. Until such time, a short bias to trades on the company might be preferred by trend followers.