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 302024 |
Jun 302024 |
Sep 302023 |
|
Sep 302024 |
Sep 302023 |
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. |
- A reconciliation from net income attributable to Methanex
shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and the
calculation of Adjusted net income per common share is as
follows:
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Nine Months Ended |
($
millions) |
Sep 302024 |
|
Jun 302024 |
|
Sep 302023 |
|
|
Sep 302024 |
|
Sep 302023 |
|
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 302024 |
|
Jun 302024 |
Sep 302023 |
|
|
Sep 302024 |
|
Sep 302023 |
|
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 |
|
-
We recorded net income attributable to Methanex shareholders of $31
million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to net income of $35
million in the second quarter of 2024. Net income in the third
quarter of 2024 was similar compared to the prior quarter as a
non-recurring asset impairment charge was offset by the recognition
in the quarter of gas sale net proceeds in New Zealand and the
non-recurring impact of the Egypt insurance recovery. Also, lower
sales of Methanex-produced methanol was offset by a higher average
realized price and the impact of the mark-to-market changes in
fair-value of assets and share-based compensation.
- We sold
2,623,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 2,612,000
tonnes in the second quarter of 2024. Sales of Methanex-produced
methanol were 1,378,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2024
compared to 1,580,000 tonnes in the second quarter of 2024.
- Production for
the third quarter of 2024 was 1,347,000 tonnes compared to
1,422,000 tonnes for the second quarter of 2024. Production was
lower in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter
of 2024 mainly due to lower production in New Zealand, Chile and
Egypt which was partially offset by higher production in
Geismar.
- Geismar 3 ("G3")
produced first methanol in July 2024 and has since passed its
commercial and technical performance tests. During the third
quarter, 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 154,000 tonnes and is
running as designed at a 1.8 MMT per annum rate.
- In the third
quarter of 2024 we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.185 per common
share for a total of $12.5 million.
- At
September 30, 2024, we had a strong liquidity position
including a cash balance of $511 million, or $490 million excluding
non-controlling interests and including our share of cash in the
Atlas joint venture. In addition, the majority of the New Zealand
gas sales ($45 million) and the Egypt insurance recovery ($30
million) will be received in cash in the fourth quarter of 2024. As
at the end of the third quarter, we also have undrawn revolving
credit facilities of $500 million, which we subsequently extended
to $600 million, to provide additional financial flexibility. The
extension is subject to the closing of the OCI acquisition.
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 HerriottDirector,
Investor RelationsMethanex Corporation604-661-2600
Methanex (TSX:MX)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2024 to Nov 2024
Methanex (TSX:MX)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2023 to Nov 2024