13 May 2010 17:52

Analysts predict RUSAL IFRS net profit for Q1 at $299 mln

MOSCOW. May 13 (Interfax) - Investment company and bank analysts surveyed by Interfax project Q1 net profits at Russian aluminum smelter RUSAL at $299.4 million to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

RUSAL plans to publish its IFRS report for the first quarter on May 14. The company has not had a history of doing quarterly financial reporting, so a track record is not available.

According to the consensus forecast, RUSAL will post $2.619 billion in sales revenue and EBITDA of $517.8 million.

All those surveyed think the company's results will be positive based on the current state of aluminum prices. According to Troika Dialog , prices rose 30% from $1,671 to $2,167 per tonne in the quarter. Significant changes in physical sales volume are not expected. Investment companies do expect to see a significant increase in operating profit and EBITDA margins, however.

"The main interest will be data about company cash flow management, particularly changes in working capital after successful management in the second half of 2009," the Troika Dialog forecast says.

Analytical forecasts for RUSAL Q1 financial figures ($ mln):

Investment bank or company Sales revenue EBITDA Net profit
Nomura 2 387 501 256
Rus-Capital 2 700 475 125
Troika Dialog 2 718 476 119
VTB 2 799 441 367
Metropol 2 493 696 630
Consensus 2 619.4 517.8 299.4
2009 8 165 596 821