Turnover increases by 14.42%; Pre-tax interim profit sets new high
Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited ("Shanghai Petrochemical" or the "Company") (HKEx: 338; SSE: 600688; NYSE: SHI) announced today the unaudited operating results of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group") for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 (the "Period").
Under the International Financial Reporting Standards, the Group's turnover was RMB26,820.2 million, up 14.42% on a year-on-year basis. Profit before taxation was RMB2,469.1 million, representing a 45.85-fold increase on a year-on-year basis which was the best ever for the corresponding period in the Company's history. Meanwhile, profit after taxation and minority interests rose from RMB1,779.9 million to RMB1,785.6 million; and basic earnings per share was RMB0.248 (2006 interim: RMB0.001). The board of directors did not recommend any interim dividend for 2007 (2006 interim: Nil).
Mr. Rong Guangdao, Chairman of Shanghai Petrochemical, said, "In the first half of 2007, in light of the unfavorable conditions resulting from sustained high volatility of international crude oil prices, surging prices of raw materials and intensifying market competition, the Group implemented a low- cost strategy as its main course of action while focusing on improving economic efficiency, striving to reduce costs and charges. As such, the turnover increased by approximately RMB 3,400 million when compared to the same period in 2006. Profit before taxation set a new high. In addition, the Group maintained stable operations and production during the first half of 2007 . The number of unscheduled suspensions for major production facilities decreased by 7.14% over the corresponding period of the previous year, whereas the output-to-sales ratio and the receivable recovery ratio remained at satisfactory levels."
In the first half of 2007, the Group realized net sales of RMB26,468.2 million, up 14.46% from last year, among which net sales derived from petroleum products, intermediate petrochemicals and resins and plastics increased by 11.22%, 37.69% and 6.59%, respectively, while net sales of synthetic fibres reported a 0.42% dip.
During the Period, the Group processed 4,512,700 tons of crude oil, an increase of 1.48% or 65,600 tons on a year-on-year basis. Of the total processed amount, imported oil and offshore oil amounted to 4,266,100 tons and 246,600 tons, respectively. The output of gasoline decreased by 27.41% to 290,800 tons, while the output of diesel reported a 2.34% hike to 1,360,200 tons. Production of jet fuel reached 351,500 tons, up 39.15%. The output of ethylene and propylene amounted to 476,500 tons and 248,000 tons, respectively, representing respective decreases of 0.79% and 5.95%. On the other hand, the output of synthetic resins and plastics, synthetic fibre monomers and synthetic fibre polymers amounted to 558,400 tons, 430,700 tons and 302,400 tons, respectively, recording respective increases of 0.43%, 12.72% and 0.80%. However, the output of synthetic fibres dropped 4.98% to 162,300 tons. The Group's output-to-sales ratio and receivable recovery ratio in the first half were 99.15% and 99.24%, respectively.
During the Period, the Group's weighted average cost of crude oil dropped RMB159.02/ton on a year-on-year basis to RMB3,547.75/ton in the first half of 2007, representing a 4.29% decrease. With the average price of crude oil having dropped slightly, the Group's total cost of crude oil processed during the reporting period fell 1.23% on a year-on-year basis to RMB16,001.0 million. The crude oil costs accounted for 65.54% of the Group's cost of sales in the first half.
Construction on the Group's major projects continued to move forward during the Period. The 380,000-ton/year ethylene glycol project and the 3,300,000-ton/year diesel hydrogenation project commenced operation on March 3 and June 18, respectively, with both facilities now operating smoothly. Other major projects of the Group, which aimed at further adjusting and optimizing assets and products composition, proceeded smoothly. For example, the flue-gas desulphurization project, the 620-ton/hour steam boiler, the 100MW power generation project, the 1,200,000-ton/year delayed coking plant and the 600,000-ton/year PX aromatics complex were all proceeding steadily as scheduled. Some of these projects are expected to commence operation within the year.
Looking ahead, Mr. Rong Guangdao, said, "In the second half of 2007, the global supply and demand of crude oil will remain relatively unbalanced. It is anticipated that crude oil prices will hover at higher levels or will even set new highs, while the Company's major production facilities will undergo large- scale inspection and maintenance. Accordingly, the outlook of production operation is not optimistic. However, in the second half of 2007, the Group will continue to accelerate the development of the structural adjustment program and to push forward technological renovation programs, thereby striving for the enhancement of the enterprise's competitiveness. To further improve the Company's operating efficiency, we will continuously enhance internal management and reduce costs."
Shanghai Petrochemical is one of the largest petrochemical companies in the PRC and was one of the first Chinese companies to effect a global securities offering. Located in Jinshan District in the southwest of Shanghai, it is a highly integrated petrochemical complex which processes crude oil into a broad range of products in synthetic fibres, resins and plastics, intermediate petrochemicals and petroleum categories. -Shanghai Petrochemical
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