Infratil Results for year ended 31 March 2017

Infratil Results for year ended 31 March 2017

18 May 2017

Infratil's consolidated underlying EBITDAF from continuing operations was $519.5 million up 12.4% from the $462.1 million reported in 2016. Net parent surplus was $66.1 million compared to $438.3 million in the prior period which benefited from $436.3 million of gains on the sale of Z Energy and iSite.

Infratil's consolidated underlying EBITDAF was $15 million higher than the $485-505 million guidance range indicated in March. The weather literally provided a late windfall for Tilt and Trustpower’s generation.

Infratil had a positive year of operating performance and capital allocation and is well placed to provide good returns going forward.

For the year ended 31 March 2017 Infratil invested $728.2 million; $168.1 million was internal capital expenditure and $560.1 million was spent acquiring new investments. This was the most active year for acquisitions in Infratil's 23 year history.

The $728.1 million of investments resulted in the net debt of the wholly-owned group rising to $913.3 million as at 31 March 2017, which was 36% of capitalisation. Just after balance date debt was reduced by $237.9 million following receipt of proceeds following the sale of Metlifecare. (The shareholding was acquired in November 2013 for $147.9 million.) Current available cash and committed bank facilities of the wholly-owned group following the Metlifecare sale stand at $631 million.

Infratil's investment in Canberra Data Centres, Longroad Energy and ANU Student Accommodation and the establishment of Tilt Renewables are designed to create platforms for future growth. The new platforms combine well with Trustpower, Wellington Airport and RetireAustralia as they continue to deploy growth capital to expand their operations.

This year’s net surplus was reduced by the transaction costs of the Trustpower demerger and the acquisition of CDC, and an accounting adjustment of Metlifecare’s book value to reflect its sale price.

The positive earnings and strong financial position has allowed for continued growth of Infratil’s dividend. Final ordinary dividend of 10.0cps fully imputed payable on 15 June 2017 to shareholders recorded as owners by the registry as at 2 June 2017 (last year final ordinary of 9.0 cps). The Dividend Reinvestment Plan remains suspended for this dividend.

Guidance for FY2018

Underlying EBITDAF and operating cash flow guidance for FY2018 are set out below:

Underlying EBITDAF $460-$500 million
Operating cash flows $210-$250 million

The guidance range assumes that business conditions remain consistent with those currently being observed with no material investments, divestments or capital management initiatives. A reversion to normal weather conditions in Tilt and Trustpower’s catchments allows for long-run average levels of generation.

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