Total Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results (France)

 

Total today reported financial results for fourth-quarter and full-year 2010.

Commenting on the results, Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie said :

“Beyond the more favorable environment than the one in 2009, the increase in the 2010 results reflects the improvement in the Group’s performance, with notably production growth of more than 4% compared to 2009 and a strong rebound in Chemicals. The year 2010 also marks a new dynamic in the implementation of our strategy, with a bolder exploration program and profound changes to the portfolio in each business segment. Throughout our operations, wherever we are present, the Group reaffirms the priority of safety, reliability and acceptability as essential to sustainability and growth. Confident in a favorable environment and in the ability of our people to develop value creating projects, the Group announces a 2011 investment budget of 20 billion dollars, or about 16 billion euros, and commits to maintain its policy for shareholder returns while keeping a strong balance sheet.”

Highlights since the beginning of the fourth quarter 2010

– Formed a strategic alliance with Suncor encompassing the Fort Hills and Joslyn oil sands mining projects and the Voyageur upgrader in Canada

– Increased share to 27.5% and launched the GLNG project in Australia to develop and liquefy coal seam gas

– Launched the West Franklin phase two development in the UK North Sea

– Offshore discoveries : on Moho Bilondo in Congo, near Laggan Tormore in the UK North Sea, on Block 15/06 in Angola and on Block B in Brunei

– Expanded resource base by acquiring interests in exploration permits in deep-offshore Malaysia and Ivory Coast, in three onshore permits in Gabon, in shale gas in Argentina and three pre-salt blocks in Angola

– Sold the 5% interest in Block 31 in Angola

– Signed an agreement to sell the exploration and production subsidiary in Cameroon and a 20% interest in the Ipati and Aquio permits in Bolivia

– Closed the refinery at Dunkirk

– Signed a partnership agreement to study a coal-to-olefins petrochemical plant in China

– Announced plan to sell the resins activities in Specialty Chemicals

Fourth quarter 2010 results

Operating Income

In the fourth quarter 2010, the Brent price averaged 86.5 $/b, an increase of 16% compared to the fourth quarter 2009 and 12% compared to the third quarter 2010. The European refining margin indicator (ERMI) averaged 32.3 $/t compared to 11.7 $/t in the fourth quarter 2009 and 16.4 $/t in the third quarter 2010.

The euro-dollar exchange rate averaged 1.36 $/€ in the fourth quarter 2010 compared to 1.48 $/€ in the fourth quarter 2009 and 1.29 $/€ in the third quarter 2010.

In this environment, the adjusted operating income from the business segments was 5,102 M€ in the fourth quarter 2010, an increase of 28% compared to fourth quarter 2009 . Expressed in dollars, the increase was 18%.

The effective tax rate for the business segments was 57% in the fourth quarter 2010, stable compared to fourth quarter 2009.

Adjusted net operating income from the business segments was 2,736 M€ in the fourth quarter 2010 compared to 2,071 M€ in the fourth quarter 2009, an increase of 32%. Expressed in dollars, the adjusted net operating income from the business segments was 3.7 billion dollars (B$), an increase of 21% compared to the fourth quarter 2009.

Net Income

Adjusted net income was 2,556 M€ in the fourth quarter 2010 compared to 2,081 M€ in the fourth quarter 2009, an increase of 23%. Expressed in dollars, adjusted net income increased by 13%.

Effective July 1, 2010, the Group no longer accounts for its interest in Sanofi-Aventis as an equity affiliate. In the fourth quarter 2009, the contribution to the Group’s adjusted net income from Sanofi Aventis was 131 M€. Excluding the contribution of Sanofi-Aventis, the Group’s adjusted net income would have increased by 31% in euros and 20% in dollars.

Adjusted net income excludes the after-tax inventory effect and special items.

– The after-tax inventory effect had a positive impact of 283 M€ in the fourth quarter 2010 and a positive impact of 296 M€ in the fourth quarter 2009.

– Special items had a negative impact on net income of 809 M€ in the fourth quarter 2010, comprised essentially of impairments on European refining assets, partially offset by gains on asset sales. In the fourth quarter 2009, special items had a negative 8 impact on net income of 264 M€ .

– In the fourth quarter 2009, special items included the Group’s equity share of adjustment items related to Sanofi-Aventis that had a negative impact on net income of 48 M€.

Net income (Group share) was 2,030 M€ compared to 2,065 M€ in the fourth quarter 2009.

The effective tax rate for the Group was 57% in the fourth quarter 2010 compared to 55% in the fourth quarter 2009.

Adjusted fully-diluted earnings per share, based on 2,247.9 million fully-diluted weighted average shares, was 1.14 euros compared to 0.93 euros in the fourth quarter 2009, an increase of 23%.

Expressed in dollars, adjusted fully-diluted earnings per share increased 12% to 1.54 dollars.

Investments – Divestments

Investments, excluding acquisitions and including net investments in equity affiliates and non-consolidated companies, were 3.5 B€ (4.7 B$) in the fourth quarter 2010 compared to 3.3 B€ (4.9 B$) in the fourth quarter 2009.

Acquisitions were 970 M€ in the fourth quarter 2010, including essentially the acquisition of a 20% share in the GLNG project in Australia. The transaction to increase the interest in GLNG from 20% to 27.5% will be finalized in 2011.

Asset sales in the fourth quarter 2010 were 742 M€, comprised essentially of the sale of the company’s 5% share in Block 31 in Angola.

Net investments were 3.7 B€ (5.0 B$) in the fourth quarter 2010 compared to 2.6 B€ (3.8 B$) in the fourth quarter 2009.

Cash flow

Cash flow from operations was 3,387 M€ in the fourth quarter 2010 compared to 1,889 M€ in the fourth quarter 2009. The increase is essentially due to the increase in net income before the fourth quarter 2010 impairment charges on European refining assets.

Adjusted cash flow from operations was 4,648 M€, an increase of 36% compared to the fourth quarter 2009. Expressed in dollars, the adjusted cash flow from operations was 6.3 B$, an increase of 25%.

The Group’s net cash flow was a negative 295 M€ compared to a negative 691 M€ in the fourth quarter 2009. Expressed in dollars, the Group’s net cash flow was a negative 0.4 B$ in the fourth quarter 2010.

Results for the full year 2010

Operating income

Compared to the full year 2009, the 2010 oil market environment was marked by a 29% increase in the average Brent price to 79.5 $/b while the average realized price of gas was stable. The ERMI increased to 27.4 $/t in 2010 from 17.8 $/t in 2009.

The euro-dollar exchange rate was 1.33 $/€ compared to 1.39 $/€ on average in 2009. In this environment, the adjusted operating income from the business segments was 19,797 M€, an increase of 40% compared to 2009.

Expressed in dollars, the adjusted operating income from the business segments was 26.2 B$, an increase of 33% compared to 2009. The effective tax rate for the business segments was 56% compared to 55% in 2009.

The adjusted net operating income from the business segments was 10,622 M€ compared to 7,607 M€ in 2009, an increase of 40%.

Expressed in dollars, the adjusted net operating income from business segments increased by 33%.

Net income

Adjusted net income increased by 32% to 10,288 M€ compared to 7,784 M€ in 2009. Expressed in dollars, the adjusted net income increased by 26%.

Effective July 1, 2010, the Group no longer accounts for its interest in Sanofi-Aventis as an equity affiliate. The contribution to the Group’s adjusted net income from Sanofi Aventis was 290 M€ in 2010 compared to 786 M€ in 2009. Excluding the impact of the contribution of Sanofi-Aventis, the Group’s adjusted net income would have increased by 43% in euros and 36% in dollars.

Adjusted net income excludes the after-tax inventory effect, special items, and through June 30, 2010, the Group’s equity share of adjustment items related to Sanofi-Aventis.

– The after-tax inventory effect had a positive impact of 748 M€ compared to a positive impact of 1,533 M€ in 2009.

– The Group’s share of adjustment items related to Sanofi-Aventis had a negative impact of 81 M€ in 2010 and a negative impact of 300 M€ in 2009.

– Special items had a negative impact on net income of 384 M€ in 2010, comprised essentially of asset impairments that had a negative impact of 1,224 M€ and gains on asset sales that had a positive impact of 1,046 M€. Special items had a negative impact of 570 M€ in 2009 .

Net income (Group share) was 10,571 M€ compared to 8,447 M€ in 2009.

The effective tax rate for the Group was 56% in 2010 compared to 55% in 2009.

On December 31, 2010, there were 2,249.3 million fully-diluted shares compared to 2,243.7 million fully-diluted shares on December 31, 2009.

In 2010, the adjusted fully-diluted earnings per share, based on 2,244.5 million weighted- average shares, was 4.58 euros compared 3.48 euros in 2009, an increase of 32%.

Expressed in dollars, adjusted fully-diluted earnings per share were 6.08 compared to 4.85 in 2009, an increase of 25%.

Investments – divestments

Investments, excluding acquisitions and including net investments in equity affiliates and non-consolidated companies, were 11.9 B€ (15.8 B$) in 2010 compared to 12.3 B€ (17.1 B$) in 2009.

Acquisitions were 3.5 B€ in 2010, comprised essentially of the acquisition of assets in the Barnett Shale in the United States, UTS in Canada, a 20% interest in the GLNG project in Australia and an increased stake in the Laggan Tormore blocks in the UK.

Asset sales in 2010 were 3.5 B€, comprised essentially of the sale of Sanofi-Aventis shares, the Valhall and Hod fields in Norway, the 5% interest in Block 31 in Angola, and the Mapa Spontex unit in the Chemicals segment.

Net investments increased by 16% to 12.0 B€ from 10.3 B€ in 2009. Expressed in dollars, net investments in 2010 increased by 11% to 15.9 B$.

Cash flow

Cash flow from operations was 18,493 M€, an increase of 50% compared to 2009, essentially due to the increase in net income and the more favorable change in working capital than in 2009.

Adjusted cash flow from operations was 17,996 M€, an increase of 34%. Expressed in dollars, adjusted cash flow from operations was 23.9 B$, an increase of 27%.

The Group’s net cash flow was 6,536 M€ compared to 2,092 M€ in 2009. Expressed in dollars, the Group’s net cash flow was 8.7 B$ in 2010.

The net-debt-to-equity ratio was 22.2% on December 31, 2010, compared to 18.2% on September 30, 2010 and 26.6% on December 31, 2009 .

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Source: Total, February 11, 2011;