Aditya Birla Nuvo reports results for the year ended 31 March 2014

Click here to view the results

Click here to view the quarterly investor presentation

• Achieved revenue at Rs.25,893 crore
• EBITDA up by 19 per cent to Rs.4,937 crore

Rs. in crores
Quarter 4			Consolidated Results1	Full year
	2012-13 (Previous Year)	2013-14 (Current Year)		2012-13 (Previous Year)	2013-14 (Current Year)
2%	6,996	7,112	Revenue	25,490	25,893	2%
20%	1,039	1,263	EBITDA	4,142	4,937	19%
42%	199	283	Net Profit (before non-recurring gain/loss)2	1,059	1,226	16%
	199	176	Reported net profit	1,059	1,143
Note 1: The financial results are not strictly comparable with the previous year on account of slump sale of the Carbon Black Business with effect from 1st April 2013 and consolidation of Pantaloons Business with effect from 1st July 2012.
Note 2: Non-recurring gain/loss includes gain of Rs.24 crore on slump sale of Carbon Black Business, loss of Rs.19 crore on impairment of goodwill relating to investments in broking and wealth management businesses and one-time interest cost of Rs.88 crore on redemption of Compulsory Convertible Debentures owing to divestment of IT-ITeS Business.

Aditya Birla Nuvo (ABNL) has posted strong earnings and is competitively well positioned in most of its businesses.

Business-wise review

Aditya Birla Financial Services
With funds under management worth US$20.4 billion, Aditya Birla Financial Services (ABFS) ranks among the top five fund managers (excluding LIC) in India. ABFS has a nationwide presence through about 1,500 branches/points of presence and around 130,000 agents/channel partners. It posted a consolidated revenue of US$1.1 billion (Rs.6,640 crore) and earnings before tax at US$124 million (Rs.745 crore). It generated Return on Average Capital Employed (RoACE) of 25 per cent per annum.

Birla Sun Life Insurance returned surplus funds to the tune of about Rs.400 crore to the shareholders. Birla Sun Life Asset Management is ranked as the 4th largest asset management company in India, with a market share of 9.85 per cent. Its AUM crossed the Rs.100,000 crore mark. The lending book of Aditya Birla Finance expanded by 44 per cent to about Rs.11,550 crore as on 31 March 2014. To support its growth, a share capital of Rs.525 crore was infused during the year, taking its net worth to Rs.1,769 crore.

Fashion & Lifestyle
Selling two branded apparels every second, Fashion & Lifestyle Business is one of the largest branded apparel players in India. Louis Philippe and Van Heusen continue to be the best selling brands in India. It opened one store per day to expand its retail presence to 1,750 exclusive brand outlets/stores, spanning nationwide across 4.3 million square feet. Its revenue rose by 23 per cent to US$1 billion (Rs.6,048 crore) and EBITDA by 23 per cent to around US$100 million (Rs.573 crore). It is generating an operating ROACE of 28 per cent per annum.

Madura posted an all round growth in top-line, profitability and free cash flows. Its revenue grew by 28 per cent to Rs.3,226 crore and the EBITDA surged by 58 per cent to Rs.388 crore, led by growth in the wholesale channel, retail stores expansion and 7 per cent like-to-like retail stores sales growth. Madura added 364 stores and generated free cash flows of about Rs.325 crore during the year.

Pantaloons is in the investment phase and is strengthening its retail presence, brand portfolio and merchandise to enhance sell through. It has launched 14 new Pantaloons stores and 1 factory outlet during the year.

To strengthen its market leadership, Jaya Shree has expanded linen yarn capacity from 2,300 to 3,400 tonnes per annum and linen fabric capacity from 7.3 to 10.1 million meters per annum. The full benefit of the expanded capacity will reflect in fiscal 2014-15.

Telecom
Idea Cellular is the biggest revenue market share gainer in India since the past five years. It ranks 3rd largest in India with a revenue market share at 16.1 per cent. Idea ranks 7th largest in the world, in terms of subscribers based on operations in a single country. It posted a strong growth in earnings led by robust voice and data usage, improved voice realisation, scale benefit and cost efficiency. Its ROACE is up from 10 per cent per annum to 12 per cent per annum. Its revenue grew at nearly double the wireless industry growth rate by 18 per cent to US$4.4 billion (Rs.26,432 crore) and EBITDA rose by 41 per cent to US$1.4 billion (Rs.8,560 crore). With net debt to EBITDA at 2.6 times, its balance sheet remained strong after incurring a capex of Rs.35.3 billion and the spectrum acquisition cost of Rs.104.2 billion. The cash profit generation of Rs.64.4 billion contributed. Idea has proposed dividend at 4 per cent of share capital entailing an outlay of Rs.155 crore including tax.

Manufacturing (Agri, Rayon and Insulators)

The revenue from the manufacturing businesses at Rs.3,678 crore and EBITDA at Rs.383 crore are lower year on year mainly due to lower profitability in the Agri Business, which was impacted by the discontinuance of trading in imported P&;K fertilisers and the 41 days shutdown for the annual turnaround. The urea plant resumed full operations on 8 April 2014.

The Agri Business will benefit from higher fixed cost reimbursement as per the government policy and energy savings project in fiscal 2014-15. The Rayon Business recorded its highest ever earnings. The new superfine yarn unit is currently operating at full capacity. However, its complete benefit will accrue in fiscal 2014-15. Insulators business has posted higher profitability driven by increase in volumes, improved realisation and enhanced yield.

Divestment of Carbon Black and IT-ITeS Businesses
To ensure greater focus in its core businesses, ABNL divested its Carbon Black Business with effect from 1 April 2013 and the IT-ITeS Business with effect from 9 May 2014 at enterprise value of approximately US$240 million and US$260 million respectively, subject to working capital and other adjustments.

The divestment proceeds have and will support the balance sheet and the growth plans of ABNL.

Balance sheet
The standalone balance sheet supported an investment and capex outlay of about Rs.2,500 crore during the year, yet achieved reduction in net debt by around Rs.450 crore. The divestment of the Carbon Black Business, the balance equity infusion of Rs.671 crore by promoters and the release of net working capital has strengthened the company's balance sheet. Standalone net debt to EBITDA improved year on year from 3.3 times to 2.6 times and net debt to equity from 0.53 times to 0.39 times.

Dividend
The Board of Directors has recommended an equity dividend of 70 per cent (Rs.7 per equity share) for financial year 2013-14 entailing a total outgo of Rs.98 crore including dividend distribution tax.

Capital Outlay for 2014-15
For 2014-15, ABNL has earmarked a capital expenditure plan of around Rs.460 crore. The company plans to invest about Rs.350 crore in the Financial Services Business.

Going forward, ABNL's thrust is on capturing growth opportunities across its businesses.

About Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.
Aditya Birla Nuvo is a ~US$4 billion conglomerate operating in the services and the manufacturing sectors, where it commands a leadership position. Its service sector businesses include Financial Services (Life Insurance, Asset Management, NBFC, Private Equity, Broking, Wealth Management and general insurance advisory), Fashion & Lifestyle (Branded apparels & Textiles) and Telecom. Its manufacturing businesses comprise the Agri, Rayon and Insulators Businesses.

Aditya Birla Nuvo is part of the Aditya Birla Group, a US$40 billion Indian multinational. The Group operates in 36 countries across the globe, is anchored by an extraordinary force of about 120,000 employees belonging to 42 nationalities and derives more than 50 per cent of its revenue from its overseas operations.

Disclaimer : Certain statements in this "Press Release" may not be based on historical information or facts and may be "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those relating to general business plans &; strategy of the Company, its future outlook &; growth prospects, future developments in its businesses, its competitive &; regulatory environment and management's current views &; assumptions which may not remain constant due to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. The Company assumes no responsibility to publicly amend, modify or revise any statement, on the basis of any subsequent development, information or events, or otherwise. This "Press Release" does not constitute a prospectus, offering circular or offering memorandum or an offer to acquire any shares and should not be considered as a recommendation that any investor should subscribe for or purchase any of the Company's shares. The financial figures in this "Press Release" have been rounded off to the nearest Rupees one crore. The financial results are consolidated financials unless otherwise specified.