(RAIZBZ; Baa3*-/BBBneg/BBB-*-)
• Net revenue declined 18% while adjusted EBITDA fell 13% so earnings overall were not good, though there were some bright spots in that the Brazil fuel distribution business performed well. The weak link was the sugarcane and ethanol processing division with adjusted EBITDA down 26%.
• We liked the positive free cash flow generation overall of about BRL3bn (USD566mn) with most of it coming from a reduction in capex of BRL1.7bn and asset sale proceeds of BRL884mn so that offset the negative operational result and leaves us neutral on the credit profile view but optimistic Raizen will sell the Argentina assets and get a capital injection.
• Raizen expects another BRL3.9bn (USD735mn) over the next few months upon completion of previously announced divestments. Gross debt increased 38% YoY while net debt grew 49%. Net debt leverage was reported at 5.1x vs 4.5x the previous quarter and 2.6x a year ago.
• The Argentina asset sale process continued as the company appeared to have binding offers and is reviewing them with expected proceeds previously reported at USD1.5bn.
• The company said representatives from shareholder companies Cosan and Shell have been meeting regularly but there was no significant further information provided.
• The Brazil fuel distribution business continued to perform with EBITDA up 35% QoQ and up 25% YoY. Another positive was Argentina fuel distribution with EBITDA rising QoQ 39%, though it was down 25% YoY.
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Broader USD sentiment remained softer as Wednesday trade unfolded, although NZD was an underperformer (up only 0.14% for the session, against a 0.30% fall in the BBDXY). This has been a fairly consistent theme in recent weeks/past month for the Kiwi. The pair tracks around 0.5720 in early Thursday dealings, with lows yesterday near 0.5700 supported. A clean break south of 0.5700 is likely to see the 0.5500/0.5600 region targeted. On the topside, moves to 0.5760 could draw selling interest, while the 20-day EMA is around 0.5790.
Aussie 3-yr futures surged on the resumption of trade after the weekend, returning focus higher after the break of support last week. While prices appear more stable, the recent break of Sep 3 low of 96.435 negates the recent short-term bullish theme. This breach signals scope for an extension towards 96.280, the May 15 low on the continuation chart. The short-term resistance to watch is 96.615, the Sep 12 high. Clearance of this level is required to reinstate a bullish theme.
AUDUSD spent most of Wednesday trading above 0.6500 supported by stronger risk appetite. It dipped to 0.6490 in line with the S&P but then recovered to 0.6513 to be up 0.4% on the day. RBA Governor Bullock’s comments in the US were in line with previous ones indicating that the November decision will depend on upcoming data especially Q3 CPI. AUDUSD is currently trading around 0.6510. The USD index fell 0.3%.