Brenntag cuts outlook as chemical prices remain under pressure
Adds shares in paragraph 4, detail on Q2 EBITA in paragraph 8, context in paragraph 9, cost cuts in paragraphs 10-11
By Tristan Veyet and Ozan Ergenay
Aug 13 (Reuters) -German chemicals distributor Brenntag BNRGn.DE cut its outlook for 2024 late on Monday and said it expected markets to remain highly competitive, with sustained pressure on the selling prices of industrial chemicals.
"The overall trends and chemical industry expectations observed recently make us more cautious for the remainder of the year. We expect a less supportive volume development and sustained price pressure in industrial chemicals," CEO Christian Kohlpaintner said in a statement.
The energy-intensive chemical sector has faced an unprecedented drop in order volumes as customers reduced stocks in a high inflationary environment that dampens the demand.
Brenntag's shares were down 1.8% at 0631 GMT in early Frankfurt trade, the worst performer on Germany's blue chip index .GDAXI.
The group forecast operating earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) of between 1.10 billion and 1.20 billion euros ($1.20 billion and 1.31 billion) for the full year. It had previously expected them at the lower end of its original 1.23-1.43 billion euro range.
Analysts were expecting it to reach an operating EBITA of 1.18 billion euros this year, a poll by Vara Research showed.
Brenntag still beat expectations for second quarter core profit on Tuesday, citing pricing initiatives without providing details.
Its operating EBITA fell 10.6% to 297.1 million euros in the April-June quarter, mainly due to volume-driven increases in transport costs. That was above analysts' forecast of 289.8 million.
In March, Brenntag said the Red Sea crisis had added extra two to three weeks to travelling times of its containers out of Asia-Pacific and caused freight costs to more than double.
The company said on Tuesday it would accelerate and expand its cost cutting efforts in the second half of the year.
"The cost measures announced at our Capital Markets Day are on track and we will continue to focus on our cost development with strict discipline," finance chief Kristin Neumann said in a statement.
($1 = 0.9142 euros)
Reporting by Tristan Veyet and Ozan Ergenay in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi
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