REG - Steppe Cement Ltd - Market Update - First half of 2023

Steppe CementAnnouncement

12/07/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 7306F  Steppe Cement Limited  12 July 2023

12 July 2023

Steppe Cement Ltd

Market update for the first half of 2023

In the first half of 2023, Steppe Cement Ltd ("Steppe Cement" or the
"Company") sold 749,034 tonnes of cement for 16,977 million Tenge, compared
with 837,063 tonnes of cement for 19,579 million Tenge in the first half of
2022. The volume of sales and the turnover decreased by 11% and 13%
respectively.

The average price for the current period for delivered cement was 22,665 Tenge
per tonne (ex-VAT), compared with 23,391 Tenge per tonne in the corresponding
period of 2022. The ex-factory price for the current period was 19,205 Tenge
per tonne, compared with 20,485 Tenge per tonne in the corresponding period of
2022.

Inflationary pressures have started to ease in June to 15% and the National
Bank base rate stands at 16.75%. The cost of logistics, utilities and food
items have experienced higher increases. This will be reflected in the overall
cost of production of the factory.

The cement market in Kazakhstan in the first half of 2023 reduced by 5.6%
compared to the same period last year.

After the first quarter when we maintained prices at the expense of volumes,
we decided to recover market share in the second quarter at the expense of
pricing. As of 30 June, our market share has returned to 14.1% and the overall
volume is in line with the market evolution.

Imports represented 4.3% of the local market, 2% less than in 2022.

Exports from Kazakhstan remained the same as in 2022 at 0.55 million tonnes.

In response to evolving tax legislation in the jurisdictions of our
intermediary holding companies, we have diligently continued the restructuring
of the Company's holdings to mitigate the potential risk of withholding tax on
the dividend stream. Our efficiency enhancement strategy focuses on both
streamlining the structure and minimizing associated costs. In line with this
strategic realignment, Steppe Cement has incorporated a wholly-owned
subsidiary in the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) as a future
holding company of the Kazakh operating entities. The Kazakh operating
subsidiaries will remain 100% owned by Steppe Cement through its subsidiary
companies. The current objective is to pay a dividend of 2 to 3 pence per
share before November 2023.

 

Steppe Cement's AIM nominated adviser and broker is RFC Ambrian Limited.

Nominated Adviser contact: Stephen Allen or Andrew Thomson on +61 8 9480 2500.

Broker contact: Charlie Cryer at +44 20 3440 6800

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