2012 Full Year Results
Basel, Switzerland, February 6, 2013
- Sales $14.2 billion, up 7 percent; up 10 percent at constant exchange rates (CER)1
- strong fourth quarter in North and Latin America
- double digit Seeds growth in all regions (CER)
- EBITDA up 17 percent at CER
- Net income $1.9 billion, up 17 percent
- Earnings per share2 $22.30, up 15 percent
- Free cash flow before record level of acquisitions: $0.9 billion
- Proposed dividend increased by 19 percent to CHF 9.50
Reported Financial Highlights
| 2012 | 2011 | Actual | CER1 | |
| $m | $m | % | % | |
| Sales | 14,202 | 13,268 | + 7 | + 10 |
| Operating income | 2,292 | 2,051 | + 12 | |
| Net income3 | 1,872 | 1,599 | + 17 | |
| EBITDA | 3,150 | 2,905 | + 8 | +17 |
| Earnings per share2 | $22.30 | $19.36 | + 15 |
1 Growth at constant exchange rates..
2 Excluding restructuring and impairment; EPS on a fully-diluted basis.
3 Net income to shareholders of Syngenta AG (equivalent to diluted earnings per share of $20.32).
Mike Mack, Chief Executive Officer, said:
“In 2012, crop prices rose sharply as adverse weather conditions in several regions resulted in significant production shortfalls, once again highlighting the fragility of global supply. Growers in the affected regions had to adapt quickly in terms of planting and investment decisions, while also dealing with ongoing challenges such as weed and insect resistance. The strong growth in Syngenta’s sales reflected our flexibility in providing solutions across crops and, increasingly, in addressing agronomic challenges through our integrated offers. These are proving their worth in developed and emerging regions alike, contributing to growth rates of eight percent and 11 percent respectively.
Since the announcement of our new strategy two years ago, we have been driving the development of our portfolio by crop. The results already achieved in the field and the potential for new integrated offers have enabled us to increase target sales for our eight strategic crops to $25 billion by 2020. In addition, last year we made a number of acquisitions to secure new technologies. We were able to do so while maintaining a strong balance sheet as evidenced by the proposal of another substantial increase in the dividend.”
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 27,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor.
