Comunicati: Press release price sensitive

Milan, 30 April 2020 – Italgas announces that Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Company’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BBB+’ with Stable Outlook, despite the downgrading on April 28 of the sovereign rating of Italy (BBB-/Stable), reflecting Company’s ring-fencing from the macro-economic shock.

The assessment by Fitch is based on the “negligible volume and price risk, good regulatory visibility (the current regulatory period covers the period 2020-2025)” as well as on the Company’s solid business profile: Fitch expects “Italgas to confirm its strategic and financial targets” and highlights that, as a consequence of a low counterparty risk and Company’s insulation from gas demand volumes volatility, it does not foresee any negative impact on working capital.

The Stable Outlook also reflects Italgas’s importance for the Italian gas sector and wider economy thanks to its large infrastructure investment plans.

Milan, 29 April 2020 – The Italgas Board of Directors, which met today, chaired by Alberto Dell’Acqua, has approved the consolidated results as at 31 March 2020 (unaudited).

 

Key figures

Consolidated economic and financial highlights[1]:

• Total revenues: 327.1 million euros (+5.2%)

• Gross operating margin (EBITDA): 227.3 million euros (+3.7%)
• Net profit[2]: 74.9 million euros (-13.2%)

• Technical investments: 206.0 million euros (+35.2%)
• Cash flow from operating activities: 174.2 million euros

• Net financial debt[3]: 4,450.5 million euros

Operating highlights including affiliates:

• Municipalities in gas distribution concessions: 1,839

• Number of active meters: 7.7 million
• Gas distribution network: around 72,000 Km

Performances in the first quarter of 2020 – despite the significant impacts of Resolution no. 570/2019/R/gas – demonstrate the ability of our company to keep sound economic – financial results thanks to the actions taken in the last three years.

The 206.0 million euros invested over the period (up +35.2% compared to the first quarter of 2019) were devoted to digital transformation, development and modernisation of the networks. Such an effort is confirmed by the related physical data: around 310 km of new pipelines laid versus around 170 km in 2019. Construction of the distribution networks continued in Sardinia, with the laying down of around 165 km of new networks, for a total of more than 630 km on a total of about 1.100 km to build.

Also considering affiliates, the replacement of traditional meters continued, with 0.28 million smart meters installed, bringing the total number of smart meters installed as at the end of the first quarter of 2020 to around 7 million[4].

The smart meter installation plan, which is expected to be concluded in 2020, is part of the wider project for the digital transformation of the entire network managed. To date, this project has already upgraded the technology of over 400 distribution networks.

The financing requirements related to net investments for the first quarter of 2020 were partially covered by the positive cash flow from operating activities, equal to 174.2 million euros, with a negative Free Cash Flow – before M&A activities – of 33.6 million euros.

The net financial position as at 31 March 2020 was 4,450.5 million euros (4,410.6 million euros at 31 December 2019), net of financial liabilities pursuant to IFRS 16 of 76.3 million euros (74.7 million euros at 31 December 2019).

The EBITDA of the first quarter of 2020 amounted to 227.3 million euros (up 3.7% compared to 31 March 2019) and net profit was 74.9 million euros (down 13.2% compared to the same period of the previous year).

The so-called “Coronavirus Emergency” unfolded in Italy in February in relation to the spread of infection across the whole of Italy and the necessary emergency measures taken by the Health and Government Authorities to contain the spread.

The Company set up a Crisis Committee in the hours immediately following the onset of the first cases. In the light of the measures and indications of the competent authorities, this committee continually monitors the developments of the crisis and takes appropriate measures while ensuring the continuity and efficiency of essential and necessary services, focusing in particular on emergency intervention services.

To protect the health and safety of its people, the Company has adopted a series of initiatives aimed at limiting the mobility of personnel and contractors to the company’s premises, heavily adopting smart working and suspending travel of personnel around the country. In compliance with the emergency measures issued by the Authorities, only work considered to be essential is covered, and all worksite activities have been suspended. Technical staff assigned the task of carrying out work off the company premises, where provided for under current provisions, have been equipped with the necessary personal protection equipment required in order to ensure their safety.

With reference to the impacts, including potential ones, on revenues, costs, investments and cash flows expected as a result of the limitations imposed by the Coronavirus Emergency, the Company has not found any evidence to date to suggest significant negative effects on the 2020 results.

The company is currently unable to estimate the potential material negative effects on the economic, financial and equity outlook of the years to follow, should the situation last significantly longer.

Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas, commented:

The global emergency Covid-19 that has hit us in recent weeks has seen all the people of Italgas react with great determination to ensure the country’s continuity of service. Thanks to the digital transformation already achieved, we have been able to use all those innovative technologies such as “gas leakage detection”, “shareview”, “work on site”, to manage our network remotely, enhancing controls on the territory. And thanks to the cloud and the availability of digital tools to all the staff, remote work has met no problems. All the digital technologies developed by us will allow us to resume our daily activities in absolute safety in Phase 2, giving priority to remote management.

I am particularly proud of the response we have given as individuals and as a Company to the emergency collecting and devolving significant economic resources in support of hospitals and Civil Protection: in a particularly difficult time for the country everyone has to do their part.

 

The investments, in the first quarter of the 2020, have exceeded 200 million euros, with an increase of 35.2% compared to last year. A commitment that today translates into a further impulse and stimulus in view of “Phase 2″ for the revival of Italy.

Until the lockdown, our plans have allowed us to lay over 300 kilometers of new networks, of which 165 “digital native” in Sardinia. We have now built more than 600 kilometres of new networks on this island and we are ready to feed with natural gas the first networks at the service of some municipalities, with a significant economic benefit to the economy and the local population.

 

Despite a tariff regulation in force from 1 January, particularly disadvantageous, Italgas has shown to be able to achieve solid results thanks to all the initiatives launched in recent years: the operating profit, of 122.9 million euros, is consistent with the figure achieved in the same period of last year, net profit amounted to around 75 million, with a drop compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

 

We are even more determined to leverage the digital transformation of our networks, business processes, so that our people with the most innovative tools can face the challenges that lie ahead in the coming months.

[1] This press release uses alternative performance indicators, including EBITDA (gross operating margin, calculated by subtracting operating costs from earnings), EBIT (operating income before taxes, calculated by subtracting  operating costs, depreciation and amortisation and write-downs from earnings) and Net financial debt (calculated as the sum of short- and long-term financial debt, net of cash and cash equivalents and financial liabilities for leases pursuant to IFRS 16). The NON-GAAP financial statement must be considered complementary and does not replace the information prepared in accordance with the IAS-IFRS.

[2] Net Profit means net profit attributable to the Italgas Group net of the portion pertaining to third parties.

[3]The net financial debt as of 31 March 2020 does not consider financial liabilities for leases pursuant to IFRS 16 for 76.3 (74.7 million euros as at 31 December 2019).

[4] Excluding affiliates, as at 31 March 2020, Italgas has installed 0.27 million new meters, of which 0.22 million to replace traditional ones, bringing the current total of smart meters to 6.96 million, corresponding to 82% of the entire stock.

Milan, April 16, 2020 – In accordance with Consob Communication no. 3 of April 10, 2020, in addition to the notice of call of the ordinary shareholders’ meeting of Italgas S.p.A. previously published on April 10, 2020, it should be noted that any individual proposals for resolutions on the items on the agenda pursuant to art. 126-bis, subsection 1, last sentence of the CLF, which must be submitted to the Company at least fifteen days before the Shareholders’ Meeting, i.e. by 27 April 2020, by certified e-mail to the address italgas.assemblea@pec.italgas.it, will be published by the Company on its website www.italgas.it (“Governance” – “Corporate Governance System” – “Shareholders’ Meeting 2020” section) in order to allow shareholders to vote by proxy through the Designated Representative on each resolution proposal published.”

Milan, 10 April 2020 – Italgas’ Board of Directors, which met today chaired by Mr. Alberto Dell’Acqua, convened the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting on 12 May 2020, in a single call, to resolve on the 2019 Financial Statements, allocation of profits, the remuneration policy and compensation paid, the long-term monetary incentive plan 2020-2022, as well as the consensual termination of the statutory auditor’s assignment and the conferment of the new mandate for the period 2020-2028.

In particular, the Board of Directors resolved to propose to the Shareholders’ Meeting the distribution of a dividend of 0.256 euros for each of the shares entitled to receive. The dividend will be paid on 20 May 2020, with coupon payment date 18 May 2020 (record date 19 May 2020).

In consideration of the current health emergency, taking into account the regulations issued for the containment of contagion, the Company decided to apply the option provided for by Article 106, paragraph 4, of Decree Law no. 18 of 17 March 2020, establishing that participation to the Shareholders’ Meeting by those entitled may only take place through Georgeson S.r.l., with registered office in Rome, Via Emila 88, which has been confirmed as the representative appointed by the Company pursuant to Article 135-undecies of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24 February 1998 (“TUF”).

The Board of Directors carried out its own control and evaluations in accordance with the Legislative Decree no. 58/1998 and the Corporate Governance Code. The Board of Statutory Auditors verified that all its members met the independence requirements specified in application of the Corporate Governance Code.

The 2019 Annual Financial Report, the 2020 Remuneration Report, the Corporate Governance and Share Ownership Report 2019, the non-financial statement 2019, the information document on the long-term monetary incentive plan 2020-2022, as well as the reports on the items on the agenda will be available for further reference according to law.

Postponed Shareholders’ Meeting

Milan, March 19, 2020 – Italgas’ Board of Directors, which met today chaired by Mr. Alberto Dell’Acqua, considering the perpetuation of the epidemiological emergency caused by the Covid-19 and the recent measures adopted by the Authorities, as well as the provisions contained in article 106 of Decree Law no. 18 of March 17, 2020, postponed to a date to be assigned the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting initially scheduled for April 20, 2020, as communicated to the market.

At a forthcoming meeting, the Board of Directors will convene the Shareholders’ Meeting within the terms set out in the above mentioned Decree Law (180 days from the end of the financial year).

At present, Italgas foresees that the shareholders’ meeting will be convened on a date that does not require changes to the coupon payment date, to the record date and to the dividend payment date already communicated to the market on January 29, 2020 and confirmed on March 11, 2020.

The calendar of corporate events is available at the address https://www.italgas.it/en/investors/financial-calendar/

Milan, 11 March 2021 – Italgas’ Board of Directors, chaired by Alberto Dell’Acqua, met yesterday and approved the results as of 31 December 2020 and resolved to propose to the Shareholders’ Meeting the distribution of a dividend of € 0.277 per share (+8.2% compared to 2019).

Key figures

Consolidated economic and financial highlights:

• Adjusted total revenues: € 1,333.8 million (+6.0%)
• Adjusted EBITDA: € 971.4 million (+7.0%)
• Adjusted EBIT: € 546.8 million (+6.0%)
• Adjusted net profit: € 345.4 million (+0.1%)
• Technical investments: € 777.5 million (+5.1%)
• Cash flow from operating activities: 745.0 million euros (714.4 million euros in 2019)
• Net financial debt: € 4,736.5 million
• Net financial debt (excluding the effects pursuant to IFRS 16): € 4,660.2 million

Operating highlights including affiliates:

• Municipalities in gas distribution concessions: 1,887
• Number of active meters: 7.7 million
• Gas distribution network: more than 73,000 Km

Sustainability highlights:

• Gas Leakage Rate (natural gas emissions volume / distributed gas volume): 0.1%
• Reduction of 5.4% in energy intensity compared to 2019 (calculated as the ratio between the Group’s total energy consumption and the gas distributed)
• Over 20,000 hours of training on digitalization topics delivered

The performance achieved by Italgas as of 31 December 2020 demonstrates the company’s ability to continue generating solid economic-financial and operating results, thanks to the efficiency-boosting and technological innovation measures taken by the company. These results have been achieved despite a scenario negatively impacted by the application of the tariff regulation for the gas distribution and metering activities for the period 2020-2025 (Resolution 570/2019/R/gas) and the ongoing health emergency.

The major investments carried out in 2020, amounting to € 777.5 million (up 5.1% compared to 31 December 2019), are consistent with the company’s Strategic Plan, which is strongly focused on the gradual development and modernisation of the networks and plants and their digital transformation.

In 2020, 905 km of new pipelines were laid down, compared to around 935 km in the corresponding period of 2019. Construction of the digital native distribution networks continued in Sardinia, with the laying down of around 334 km, for a total of more than 806 km of the around 1,100 km to be constructed overall.

The plan to replace traditional meters with the last generation of smart meters has almost been completed, apart from a marginal share to be concluded by the end of the year.

The cash flow from operating activities at the end of 2020 amounted to € 745.0 million euros.

The net financial position as of 31 December 2020 was € 4,736.5 million (€ 4,485.3 million as of 31 December 2019). The net financial position amounted to € 4,660.2 million (€ 4,410.6 million as of 31 December 2019), net of financial liabilities pursuant to IFRS 16 of € 76.3 million (€ 74.7 million as of 31 December 2019).

The adjusted EBITDA at the end of 2020 amounted to € 971.4 million (up 7.0% compared to 31 December 2019) and adjusted net profit was € 345.4 million, confirming the results of last year (€ 345.2 million), despite the negative effects deriving from Resolution 570/2019/R/gas.

In order to provide an effective and transparent representation of its ability to create value sustainably over time, from this year Italgas has chosen to represent its financial and non-financial results in an Integrated Report, showing in a unique document the effects of its activities on the social, environmental and economic context in which it operates.

Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas, commented:

“The health emergency and the highly adverse effects of the new tariff have not affected the path of transformation and development that             today sees Italgas ending another year with a trend of growth. We have been able to face the most serious global crisis of the post-war period thanks to the strategic decisions made over the last few years. Our ability to react promptly emerges clearly from all the financial and non-financial indicators.

We achieved an adjusted EBITDA of € 971.4 million, up by 7% compared to 2019, and we succeeded in limiting the negative impact of Resolution 570/2019/R/gas, reporting a result of € 345.4 million, in line with last year’s figure.

Despite lockdown period, our investments have slightly increased, to around € 780 million, up by 5% compared to 2019.

These results were made possible by the digital transformation process, launched in 2017 and still ongoing, which enabled the Group to remote mode a good part of its activities, continuing providing essential services to more our than 7.7 million customers, operating in complete safety. The important applications, developed in the Italgas Digital Factory, are the most telling example of how digital technology and  technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and augmented reality have raised the level of efficiency of our activities. A result achieved thanks to the strong commitment of our people in digitalization also through thousands of hours of training.

On an operational level, despite the lengthy stoppage imposed on construction sites, work continued on the extension, maintenance and digitisation of the network throughout Italy. In this context, Sardinia has proved to be the primary incubator of a new generation of infrastructures aimed at transforming gas distribution in Italy and in Europe and making a key contribution to the energy transition. We have completed around 80% of the 1,100 km of planned networks on the island, digital native networks to accommodate gases other than methane, such as hydrogen, biomethane and synthetic methane. Technological innovation, investments, a widespread presence across the country and sustainability will continue to be our key drivers in order to create value for shareholders and the communities in which we operate, to take an active role contributing to the process of decarbonisation of the economy and containment of fugitive methane emissions, in line with the indications of the EU Commission for DSOs of gas, considered essential actors of the energy transition”.

Press Release of Financial statement at December 31, 2019

Milan, 5 March 2020 – Italgas announces that the issue of the press release concerning the approval of the Consolidated financial statement at December 31, 2019 and draft financial statements at December 31, 2019 has been rescheduled from 12 to 11 March 2020, following its approval by the Board of Director. As a result, the conference call to present the results to institutional investors and financial analysts will be held on the afternoon of March 11.

Milan, January 31, 2020 – Today Italgas and A2A have concluded in Milan an agreement for the reciprocal transfer of some assets in order to strengthen their respective core businesses.

The transaction, announced on 8 October 2019, was finalized following the occurrence of the conditions precedent provided for.

In particular, Italgas Reti (Italgas Group) sold to A2A Calore & Servizi (A2A Group) all the district heating activities currently managed in the municipality of Cologno Monzese (Milan); at the same time, Unareti (A2A Group) will sell to Italgas the natural gas distribution activities managed in seven municipalities in the ATEM Alessandria 4.

The district heating plant at Cologno Monzese consists of a distribution network of over 8 kilometers, serving 52 heat exchange substations with heat sales of approximately 26.1 GWh.

The seven gas distribution networks in the municipalities of Castelnuovo Scrivia, Pecetto di Valenza, Bassignana, Rivarone, Guazzora, Montecastello and Pietra Marazzi cover a total of over 140 kilometres and serve about 4,200 users.

Milan, October 8, 2019 – Italgas and A2A signed yesterday in Milan an agreement for the mutual transfer of some assets in order to strengthen their respective core businesses.

In particular, Italgas Reti (Italgas Group) commits to sell to A2A Calore & Servizi (A2A Group) all the district heating activities currently managed in the municipality of Cologno Monzese (Milan); at the same time, Unareti (A2A Group) will sell to Italgas the natural gas distribution activities managed in seven municipalities in the ATEM Alessandria 4.

The district heating plant at Cologno Monzese consists of a transport and distribution network of over 8 kilometers, serving 52 heat exchange substations with heat sales of approximately 26.1 GWh.

The seven gas distribution networks in the municipalities of Castelnuovo Scrivia, Pecetto di Valenza, Bassignana, Rivarone, Guazzora, Montecastello and Pietra Marazzi cover a total of over 140 kilometres and serve about 4,200 users.

The agreements are expected to be finalised by December 2019 and are subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions precedent.

“The operation allows us to sell a secondary business to the benefit of the Group’s core business – commented Italgas CEO Paolo Gallo – and thanks to the acquisition of a further seven distribution networks, we are strengthening our presence in a historic region such as Piedmont, bringing our market share in ATEM Alessandria 4 to 15%”.

“This agreement represents a step forward consistent with the development and focus choices outlined in our Industrial Plan, a further step in terms of circular economy and sustainability – says Valerio Camerano, CEO of the A2A Group – District heating, of which we are leaders in Italy with over 40 years of experience in the areas of Milan, Brescia and Bergamo, represents a valid response to the protection of the air quality of our cities, to the benefit of citizens and territories”.

The area consists of 74 municipalities, 24 of which are currently supplied with natural gas for a total of 20 thousand users. Planned investments of approximately 100 million euros will make it possible to extend the service to 17 new municipalities, doubling the number of users

Aosta, 2 January 2020 – The Aosta contracting station has officially awarded Italgas the tender for the management of the natural gas distribution service in the “Valle d’Aosta” district for the next 12 years.
The area consists of 74 municipalities, 24 of which are currently supplied with natural gas (served by about 350 km of networks), for a total of 20 thousand end users and a RAB of over 40 million euros.

In the offer presented, Italgas has planned investments of approximately 100 million euro aimed at extending the networks to areas not yet reached by the service, upgrading and digitizing existing infrastructures, and further boosting the quality and safety of the service.

These investments will generate a strong stimulus for the local economy, with positive fall out also in terms of employment, and the extension of the service to new areas will also guarantee significant savings in bills and a significant reduction in polluting emissions.

Among the measures provided for in Italgas’ plans:

• the construction of about 270 km of new networks and the methanization of 17 new municipalities, including the entire valley between Aosta and Courmayeur;
• the increase in the number of users served, from the current 20,000 to about 40,000 over the 12 years of the concession;
• the complete digitization of the network and plants, including the installation of smart meters on 100% of current and future users;
• energy efficiency interventions in over 70 regional and municipal public buildings.

Italgas’ offer has enabled it to outperform the competition of two other operators in the sector, achieving a significant advantage in the overall score. With particular reference to the technical offer, an important contribution was provided by the important technological innovation measures, in line with the development guidelines of the Group’s Industrial Plan which has allowed Italgas to further consolidate its leadership in Italy and Europe.

“After the Turin 2 Area – commented Italgas’ CEO Paolo Gallo – we have further confirmation in a territory with strong and historical roots for Italgas such as the Aosta Valley. A result that testifies to the goodness of the work carried out and that allows us not only to give continuity to the management of the service in the territory, but also to carry out the important investment programs planned to develop the service also in those areas not yet reached by natural gas and the complete digitalization of the infrastructures for an increasingly efficient and safer service”.