Comprehensive additional information is available on our website:
www.sasol.com JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Sept. 8
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- - Operating profit up 32% to R34 billion
- Headline earnings per share up 50% to R38,09 - Final dividend up
58% to R9,35 per share - Continued production volume growth -
Operational efficiency improvements at existing businesses -
Delivering on growth projects - Improved safety performance - R24
billion Sasol Inzalo BEE transaction implemented - Oryx GTL
production in Qatar ramps up Overview "Our robust financial
performance together with continued progress in our capital
projects and a strong focus on operational performance will ensure
sustainable future growth for all our stakeholders. The
implementation of the Sasol Inzalo BEE deal which will contribute
to sustainable skills development for Sasol and South Africa has
been a major highlight for the year," says chief executive Pat
Davies. Earnings attributable to shareholders for the year ended 30
June 2008 increased by 32% to R22,4 billion from R17,0 billion in
the previous financial year, while earnings per share and headline
earnings per share increased by 36% and 50%, respectively, over the
same period, to R37,30 and R38,09, respectively. Operating profit
increased by 32% on the previous financial year to reach a record
of R34 billion. Operating profit was boosted by higher crude oil
prices (average dated Brent was US$95,51/barrel in 2008 compared to
US$63,95/barrel in 2007) and higher product prices as well as a
marginally weaker average exchange rate (R7,30/US$ in 2008 compared
to R7,20/US$ in 2007), which were partially offset by softer
refining margins. The operating profit included net hedging losses
of R2,3 billion realised for the financial year due to the average
crude oil price exceeding the hedge zero cost collar cap of
US$76,75/barrel as well as a R1,4 billion share-based payment
expense related to the Sasol Inzalo black economic empowerment
(BEE) transaction. "Higher product prices together with higher
volumes and a focus on cost containment have enabled the company to
deliver superior returns to our shareholders. Improved cash flows
have sustained a healthy balance sheet positioning the company well
for future growth amidst uncertain credit markets," says chief
financial officer Christine Ramon. The increase in cash fixed costs
has been contained within inflationary levels, excluding the
effects of once-off costs and growth initiatives. Cash of R34,7
billion generated by operating activities represents a 22% increase
on the previous financial year. Existing businesses delivering
record profits South African energy cluster Sasol Mining - higher
coal prices and greater sales volumes Operating profit of R1 393
million was 19% higher than the previous year, primarily due to
higher export coal prices, greater sales volumes at higher prices
to Sasol Synfuels and improved coal quality. This increase was
partially reduced by lower sales volumes to external domestic and
international markets as well as increased production and export
distribution costs. Sasol Gas - increased sales volumes to new and
existing customers Operating profit decreased by 8% to R1 785
million compared to the previous year, due to the impact of
once-off items. On a comparable basis however, operating profit
increased by 14%, after taking into account the sale of the 25% of
the Republic of Mozambique Pipeline Investments Company (Pty)
Limited in the prior year and an impairment of a portion of a
pipeline in the current year. Improved sales volumes to new and
existing customers on the back of higher crude oil prices and
foreign exchange gains contributed to the increase in operating
profit. Sasol Synfuels - delivered increased production volumes and
benefiting from higher oil prices Operating profit increased by 19%
to R19 416 million compared to the prior year on the back of higher
oil prices and a weaker rand/US dollar average exchange rate for
the year. Production volumes were marginally higher due to
increased production efficiency resulting from increased natural
gas intake although this benefit was partially reduced by
production instabilities, which have since been addressed.
Synfuels' operating profit included a net oil hedge loss of R2,2
billion for the year. Sasol Oil - higher production and sales
volumes with increased fuel prices Operating profit increased by
128% to R5 507 million compared to the prior year benefiting from
stronger product prices coupled with higher production volumes at
the Natref refinery and higher sales volumes. Increased sales
volumes were underpinned by the growth in the commercial business
and the additional retail convenience centres which grew to 406
from 391 in the previous year. International energy cluster Sasol
Synfuels International (SSI) - Oryx GTL plant ramps up production,
activities in China and India advance Operating losses decreased by
19% to R621 million compared to the prior year largely due to the
net positive contribution of the Oryx GTL plant. The operating loss
also includes an impairment of the Escravos GTL (EGTL) project
amounting to R362 million (net effect after tax of R112 million)
relating to interest previously capitalised on the capital
expenditure, and costs relating to increased project activities in
China and India. We have decided to reduce our 37,5% interest in
the EGTL project to 10%. We have classified the interest in EGTL as
an asset held for sale in terms of IFRS5. Our remaining 10%
interest will be classified appropriately upon conclusion of the
agreements. Sasol Petroleum International (SPI) - increased
production from Gabon and Mozambique operations with benefits from
higher crude oil and gas prices Operating profit increased by 235%
to R1 004 million compared to the previous year, benefiting from
higher crude oil and gas prices and increased sales volumes from
our Gabon and Mozambique operations. SPI's operating profit
included a net oil hedge loss of R75 million for the year. Chemical
cluster Sasol Polymers - commissioning new capacity with increased
margins Operating profit increased by 39% to R1 511 million, on the
back of increases in margins, volumes and foreign exchange gains.
Production increased mainly due to the commissioning of the
polypropylene plant and the start up of the Arya Sasol ethane
cracker in Iran. Overall production volumes were, however, lower
than expected due to lower feedstock availability from the
Selective Catalytic Cracker (SCC). Sasol Solvents - strong margins
drive performance Operating profit increased by 115% to R2 382
million on the back of strong global demand resulting in improved
margins which negated the impact of higher feedstock costs.
Improved reliability in our plants contributed to increased total
production volumes, although our German operations, comprising
about 30% of turnover, reduced production due to market conditions.
Sasol Olefins & Surfactants - continued restructuring delivers
benefits Operating profit increased by 33% to R1 512 million
compared to the previous year mainly as a result of some
improvement in margins and initial benefits from the restructuring
process which included the shutdown of the Baltimore and Porto
Torres linear alkyl benzene plants as well as cost reductions in
all remaining units. A 50% alcohols joint venture plant with a
capacity of 60 000 tons per annum was successfully commissioned in
Lianyangang, China. Other chemical businesses - volume growth and
improved product margins in our Nitro and Wax businesses Operating
profit increased by 25% to R1 200 million compared to the previous
year due to improved product margins and volume growth in the other
chemical businesses before taking into account once-off items.
Once-off items totalling R229 million mainly relate to the foreign
exchange loss of R557 million on an inter group loan, the profit on
the sale of Paramelt RMC BV, the profit on the sale of Sasol Dyno
Nobel (Pty) Limited and the reversal of the impairment of R94
million and other provisions previously recognised in respect of
the Phalaborwa site due to a change in their business plan.
Delivering on sustainable growth Sasol's focus on safety and
commitment to sustainable development has delivered results: -- The
recordable case rate for employees and service providers, including
injuries and illnesses, improved to 0,50 as at 30 June 2008 from
0,72 as at 30 June 2007. -- Our energy-efficiency initiatives
continue to reduce our energy consumption and our environmental
footprint. In South Africa, Sasol already generates a substantial
amount of its own energy requirements. -- The Sasol Inzalo
broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) transaction has
contributed to the economic well-being of the Republic of South
Africa by facilitating the addition of over 300 000 historically
disadvantaged individuals to our shareholder base. Black economic
empowerment advanced -- The Sasol Inzalo BEE transaction for a 10%
equity ownership at Sasol Limited level, currently valued at R24
billion, was approved overwhelmingly by shareholders on 16 May
2008. -- The second phase of Sasol Mining's empowerment
transaction, valued at R1,9 billion, was announced in October 2007.
This transaction will focus on developing relevant skills and
building capacity amongst women in the mining industry. --
Procurement from BEE entities increased by 7% to R4,5 billion
(representing 25% of our controllable spend) for the year ended 30
June 2008. Delivering on growth projects Cash spent on capital
projects amounted to R11 billion. Major projects advanced
including: -- With the majority of teething problems behind us, the
ramp up of the Oryx GTL plant in Qatar met our expectations during
the year. During June 2008, the plant operated at an average of
above 22 000 barrels per day. The superior quality GTL products
produced at the Oryx GTL plant have been well accepted in the
market, with GTL diesel commanding premiums over crude-derived
diesel products. -- The SCC at Sasol Synfuels in South Africa
commenced beneficial operation in January 2008. The SCC is
operating stably but is yielding lower than design volumes at
present and will undergo additional remedial engineering work in
March 2009 during its first statutory scheduled maintenance
shutdown. -- The cracker in the Arya Sasol Polymer complex in Iran
was commissioned in November 2007 and has produced more than 200
000 tons of ethylene so far, which was mostly exported. The low
density polyethylene plant started up in May 2007 and is expected
to reach beneficial operation in the fourth quarter of this
calendar year, while the medium and high density plant started up
in August 2008 and is on a similar schedule for beneficial
operation. -- The Octene 3 plant in South Africa, which produces
high quality 1-Octene as a co-monomer for the polyethylene market,
achieved beneficial operation in June 2008. This new plant has the
capacity to produce 100 000 tons per annum. It is anticipated that,
by the middle of the 2009 calendar year, our production capacity
for 1-Octene and 1-Hexene will reach 356 000 tons per annum. -- The
development of the EGTL plant in Nigeria is advancing, but the
project is experiencing significantly higher than expected capital
cost increases. Capital costs are currently estimated to be US$6
billion with a completion date of 2011. In order to mitigate this
risk, Sasol has in principle agreed with Chevron to reduce its
interest in the EGTL project to 10%, while still providing full
technical and manpower support to the project. -- In China, our
feasibility study into CTL opportunities has been rescoped to
comprise a single CTL plant of 80 000 barrels per day located in
the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. -- In South Africa, we continue
our feasibility study into expanding capacity at Secunda, as well
as our pre-feasibility study into a new CTL plant of 80 000 barrels
per day (Project Mafutha). Gearing - improved cashflows from
operations and positive Sasol Inzalo BEE transaction impact Gearing
has decreased from 22,0% at 30 June 2007 to 20,5% at 30 June 2008,
primarily due to improved cash flows from operations and the cash
inflows from the Sasol Inzalo BEE transaction. During the year, the
company repurchased a total of 22 173 525 Sasol ordinary shares at
an average price of R329,23 per share. Total shares repurchased
since the inception of the programme in March 2007 represents about
5,88% of the issued share capital at the approval date of the share
repurchase programme and 5,86% of the issued share capital at 30
June 2008, excluding the shares issued in terms of the Sasol Inzalo
share transaction. Profit outlook - increased production, higher
crude oil prices expected to benefit earnings for 2009 Production
at the Arya Sasol Polymer plant, the Oryx GTL facility and the
Octene 3 plant will be ramping up further during 2009. We also
expect to increase production at our Sasol Synfuels operation.
Based on overall improved production volumes, a modest increase in
the average crude oil price, marginally weaker exchange rate and
softer refined product price and chemical price assumptions
relative to 2008, the earnings for 2009 are expected to reflect
robust growth on 2008. The effects of our BEE transactions, which
are expected to have material non-cash accounting effects, have not
been taken into account in this profit outlook. We expect our
dividend policy to remain within the target range of 2,5 times to
3,5 times earnings cover before taking into account the non-cash
IFRS2 accounting effects of the Sasol Inzalo BEE transaction.
Acquisitions and disposals of businesses On 10 July 2007, Sasol Wax
disposed of its investment in Paramelt RMC BV, operating in the
Netherlands, realising a profit of R129 million. In August 2007,
Sasol Investment Company (Pty) Limited disposed of its investment
in FFS Refiners (Pty) Limited in South Africa, realising a profit
of R108 million. On 17 September 2007, Sasol Nitro disposed of 50%
of its investment in Sasol Dyno Nobel (Pty) Limited in South Africa
and realised a profit of R114 million. On 13 November 2007, Sasol
Chemical Industries Limited disposed of its joint venture
investment in African Amines (Pty) Limited in South Africa and
realised a loss of R3 million. With effect from 1 January 2008,
Sasol Wax GmbH acquired the remaining 50% of Merkur Vaseline GmbH
& Co. KG in Germany. With effect from 1 January 2008, Sasol
Chemical Industries Limited acquired the remaining 40% of Peroxide
Chemicals (Pty) Limited in South Africa for a purchase
consideration of R5 million. On 24 January 2008, Sasol Solvents, a
division of Sasol Chemical Industries Limited acquired the
remaining 50% interest in Sasol Dia Acrylates after Sasol Solvents
and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation decided to dissolve their
acrylates joint venture. The purchase consideration amounted to
US$29,25 million. With effect from 14 March 2008, Sasol Wax USA
Corp. acquired the remaining 50% of Lux International Corporation
in the United States. With effect from 31 March 2008, Sasol Oil
(Pty) Limited acquired the remaining 30% of Tosas Holdings (Pty)
Limited in South Africa for a purchase consideration of R104
million. On 30 April 2008, Chemcity (Pty) Limited disposed of its
Cirebelle business in South Africa, realising a profit of R1,8
million. Subsequent events On 9 July 2008, the black public funded
and cash invitations of the Sasol Inzalo BEE transaction closed.
The cash invitation was oversubscribed by 13% and the funded
invitation was more than 300% subscribed. The share-based payment
expense of R2,4 billion relating to the issue of these shares will
be recognised in 2009. Effective 1 August 2008, Sasol entered into
crude oil hedges for approximately 30% (16,4 million barrels) of
its Sasol Synfuels production for the remainder of the 2009
financial year. This was achieved by entering into zero cost collar
contracts in terms of which the group is protected, on the 16,4
million barrels, against crude oil prices below US$90/b but will
benefit from crude oil prices up to US$228/b. A similar crude oil
hedge has been entered into for 550 000 barrels of oil from Sasol
Petroleum International's West African output for a range between
US$90/b and US$240/b. On 3 September 2008, Sasol entered into an
Heads of Agreement with Chevron wherein the parties agreed to the
reduction of Sasol's 37,5% interest in the EGTL project to 10%. The
definitive agreements would be finalised in due course and will be
subject to the relevant regulatory approvals. Sasol Oil acquired
the remaining 50,1% of Exelem Aviation (Pty) Limited for a purchase
consideration of US$1,7 million. Declaration of cash dividend
number 58 A final cash dividend of South African R9,35 per share
(2007: R5,90 per share) has been declared. The salient dates for
holders of ordinary shares are: Last day for trading to qualify for
and participate in the final dividend (cum dividend) Friday, 3
October 2008 Trading ex dividend commences Monday, 6 October 2008
Record date Friday, 10 October 2008 Dividend payment date Monday,
13 October 2008 Holders of American Depositary Receipts are: Ex
dividend on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Wednesday, 8 October
2008 Record date Friday, 10 October 2008 Approximate date for
currency conversion Tuesday, 14 October 2008 Approximate dividend
payment date Thursday, 23 October 2008 On Monday, 13 October 2008,
dividends due to certificated shareholders on the South African
registry will either be electronically transferred to shareholders'
bank accounts or, in the absence of suitable mandates, dividend
cheques will be posted to such shareholders. Shareholders who have
dematerialised their share certificates will have their accounts
credited on Monday, 13 October 2008. Share certificates may not be
dematerialised or re-materialised between Monday, 6 October 2008
and Friday, 10 October 2008, both days inclusive. On behalf of the
board Pieter Cox Pat Davies Christine Ramon Chairman Chief
executive Chief financial officer Sasol Limited 8 September 2008
Registered office: Sasol Limited, 1 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank,
Johannesburg 2196, PO Box 5486, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Share registrars: Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Limited, 70
Marshall Street, Johannesburg 2001 PO Box 61051, Marshalltown 2107,
South Africa, Tel: +27 11 370-7700 Fax: +27 11 370-5271/2 Directors
(non-executive): PV Cox (Chairman), E le R Bradley*, BP Connellan*,
HG Dijkgraaf (Dutch)*, MSV Gantsho*, A Jain (Indian), IN Mkhize*,
TH Nyasulu, JE Schrempp (German)*, TA Wixley* (executive): LPA
Davies (Chief executive), KC Ramon(Chief financial officer), VN
Fakude, AM Mokaba *Independent Company secretary: NL Joubert
Company registration number: 1979/003231/06, incorporated in the
Republic of South Africa JSE NYSE Share code: SOL SSL ISIN code:
ZAE000006896 US8038663006 American depositary receipts (ADR)
program: Cusip number 803866300 ADR to ordinary share 1:1
Depositary: The Bank of New York Mellon, 22nd floor, 101 Barclay
Street, New York, NY 10286, USA Forward-looking statements: In this
report we make certain statements that are not historical facts and
relate to analyses and other information based on forecasts of
future results not yet determinable, relating, amongst other
things, to exchange rate fluctuations, volume growth, increases in
market share, total shareholder return and cost reductions. These
are forward-looking statements as defined in the United States
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as
"believe", "anticipate", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could",
"may", "endeavour" and "project" and similar expressions are
intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not
the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking
statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and, if one or
more of these risks materialise, or should underlying assumptions
prove incorrect, actual results may be very different from those
anticipated. The factors that could cause our actual results to
differ materially from such forward-looking statements are
discussed more fully in our most recent annual report under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on Form 20-F filed on 21 November
2007 and in other filings with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements apply only as of
the date on which they are made, and Sasol does not undertake any
obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise. Please note: A billion
is defined as one thousand million. The provisional financial
statements are presented on a summarised consolidated basis. SASOL
LIMITED GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION at 30 June 2008 2007
Rm Rm ASSETS Property, plant and equipment 66 273 50 611 Assets
under construction 11 693 24 611 Goodwill 874 586 Other intangible
assets 964 629 Post-retirement benefit assets 571 363 Deferred tax
assets 1 453 845 Other long-term assets 3 461 3 045 Non-current
assets 85 289 80 690 Assets held for sale 3 833 334 Inventories 20
088 14 399 Trade and other receivables 25 323 16 987 Short-term
financial assets 330 22 Cash restricted for use 814 646 Cash 4 435
5 987 Current assets 54 823 38 375 Total assets 140 112 119 065
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Shareholders' equity 76 474 61 617 Minority
interest 2 521 1 652 Total equity 78 995 63 269 Long-term debt 15
682 13 359 Long-term financial liability 37 53 Long-term provisions
4 491 3 668 Post-retirement benefit obligations 4 578 3 781
Long-term deferred income 376 2 765 Deferred tax liabilities 8 446
8 304 Non-current liabilities 33 610 31 930 Liabilities in disposal
group held for sale 142 35 Short-term debt 3 496 5 621 Short-term
financial liabilities 67 383 Other current liabilities 22 888 17
282 Bank overdraft 914 545 Current liabilities 27 507 23 866 Total
equity and liabilities 140 112 119 065 SASOL LIMITED GROUP INCOME
STATEMENT for the year ended June 2008 2007 Rm Rm Turnover 129 943
98 127 Cost of sales and services rendered (74 634) (59 997) Gross
profit 55 309 38 130 Non-trading income 635 639 Marketing and
distribution expenditure (6 931) (5 818) Administrative expenditure
(6 697) (6 094) Other operating expenditure(1) (8 500) (1 236)
Other expenditure (8 800) (1 004) Translation losses 300 (232)
Operating profit 33 816 25 621 Finance income 735 825 Finance
expenses (1 148) (1 148) Share of profits of associates (net of
tax) 254 405 Profit before tax 33 657 25 703 Taxation (10 129) (8
153) Profit for the year 23 528 17 550 Attributable to Owners of
Sasol Limited 22 417 17 030 Minority interests in subsidiaries 1
111 520 23 528 17 550 Earnings per share Rand Rand Basic earnings
per share 37,30 27,35 Diluted earnings per share(2) 36,78 27,02 (1)
Included in other operating expenditure is a realised loss of R2
428 million (2007 - unrealised fair value loss of R197 million)
that relates to the crude oil hedge, share-based payment
expenditure of R1 782 million (2007 - R190 million), and
remeasurement items of R698 million (2007 - R1 140 million
positive). (2) Diluted earnings per share is calculated taking the
Sasol Share Incentive Scheme and Sasol Inzalo Employee Trusts into
account. SASOL LIMITED GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME for
the year ended 30 June 2008 2007 Rm Rm Profit for the year 23 528
17 550 Other comprehensive income Effect of translation of foreign
operations 3 452 (258) Effect of cash flow hedges 261 -
Available-for-sale financial assets (1) - Tax on other
comprehensive income (60) - Other comprehensive income for the
year, net of tax 3 652 (258) Total comprehensive income for the
year 27 180 17 292 Attributable to Owners of Sasol Limited 26 062
16 772 Minority interests in subsidiaries 1 118 520 27 180 17 292
SASOL LIMITED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY for the year
ended 30 June 2008 2007 Rm Rm Opening balance 63 269 52 984 Shares
issued during year 387 332 Repurchase of shares (7 300) (3 669)
Share-based payment expense 1 574 186 Acquisition of businesses
(100) - Change in shareholding of subsidiaries 306 1,165 Total
comprehensive income for the year 27 180 17 292 Dividends paid (5
766) (4 613) Dividends paid to minority shareholders (555) (408)
Closing balance 78 995 63 269 Comprising Share capital 20 176 3 628
Share repurchase programme (10 969) (3 669) Sasol Inzalo share
transaction (16 161) - Retained earnings 77 660 61 109 Share-based
payment reserve 2 540 966 Foreign currency translation reserve 3
006 (443) Investment fair value reserve 1 2 Cash flow hedge
accounting reserve 221 24 Shareholders' equity 76 474 61 617
Minority interest 2 521 1 652 Total equity 78 995 63 269 SASOL
LIMITED GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 30 June
2008 2007 Rm Rm Cash receipts from customers 123 452 97 339 Cash
paid to suppliers and employees (88 712) (68 907) Cash generated by
operating activities 34 740 28 432 Finance income 957 1 059 Finance
expenses paid (2 405) (1 816) Tax paid (9 572) (7 251) Dividends
paid (5 766) (4 613) Cash retained from operating activities 17 954
15 811 Additions to non-current assets (10 855) (12 045)
Acquisition of businesses (431) (285) Disposal of businesses 693 2
200 (Cash)/bank overdraft disposed of on disposal of businesses
(31) 33 Other net cash flows from investing activities (220) (448)
Cash utilised in investing activities (10 844) (10 545) Share
capital issued 387 332 Share repurchase programme (7 300) (3 669)
Contributions from minority shareholders 185 - Dividends paid to
minority shareholders (555) (408) Decrease in long-term debt (782)
(13) (Decrease) / increase in short-term debt (350) 865 Cash effect
of financing activities (8 415) (2 893) Translation effects on cash
and cash equivalents of foreign operations 324 (24) Movement in
cash and cash equivalents (981) 2 349 Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of year 6 088 3 244 Net reclassification (to)/from held
for sale (772) 495 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 4 335 6
088 SASOL LIMITED GROUP SEGMENT REPORT for the year ended 30 June
Turnover Operating profit R million Business unit analysis R
million 2007 2008 2008 2007 77 019 104 790 South African energy
cluster 28 048 21 775 6 042 7 479 Mining 1 393 1 171 3 702 4 697
Gas 1 785 1 936 29 084 39 616 Synfuels 19 416 16 251 38 191 52 998
Oil 5 507 2 417 - - Other (53) - 1 465 3 764 International energy
cluster 383 (463) 65 1 793 Synfuels International (621) (763) 1 400
1 971 Petroleum International 1 004 300 58 881 73 696 Chemical
cluster 6 605 4 292 9 410 11 304 Polymers 1 511 1 089 13 766 17 182
Solvents 2 382 1 104 22 582 28 780 Olefins & Surfactants 1 512
1 140 13 123 16 430 Other chemical businesses 1 200 959 2 843 4 273
Other businesses* (1 220) 17 140 208 186 523 33 816 25 621 (42 081)
(56 580) Intercompany turnover 98 127 129 943 * Includes
share-based payment expense related to the Sasol Inzalo share
transaction. SASOL LIMITED GROUP SALIENT FEATURES (1) for the year
ended 30 June 2008 2007 Selected ratios Return on equity % 32,5
29,8 Return on total assets % 26,9 24,2 Operating margin % 26,0
26,1 Finance expense cover times 14,5 14,8 Dividend cover times 2,8
3,0 Share statistics Total shares in issue million 676,7 627,7
Treasury shares (share repurchase programme) million 37,1 14,9
Weighted average number of shares million 601,0 622,6 Diluted
weighted average number of shares million 609,5 630,3 Share price
(closing) Rand 461,00 266,00 Market capitalisation Rm 311 959 166
968 Net asset value per share Rand 122,65 100,55 Dividend per share
Rand 13,00 9,00 - interim Rand 3,65 3,10 - final Rand 9,35 5,90
Other financial information Total debt (including bank overdraft) -
interest bearing Rm 19 455 18 925 - non-interest bearing Rm 637 600
Finance expense capitalised Rm 1 586 989 Capital commitments Rm 25
048 18 575 - authorised and contracted Rm 24 457 28 416 -
authorised, not yet contracted Rm 17 722 11 720 - less expenditure
to date Rm (17 131) (21 561) Guarantees and contingent liabilities
- total amount Rm 37 381 35,147 - liability included on the
statement of financial position Rm 10 730 13,888 Significant items
in operating profit - employee costs Rm 14 443 11 695 -
depreciation and amortisation of non-current assets Rm 5 212 4 022
- operating lease charges Rm 887 707 - share-based payment expenses
Rm 1 782 190 Directors' remuneration Rm 65 45 Share options granted
to directors - cumulative '000 1 011 1 124 Share appreciation
rights granted to directors - cumulative '000 72 - Sasol Inzalo
share rights granted to directors - cumulative '000 75 - Effective
tax rate % 30,1 31,7 Number of employees number 33 928 31 860
Average crude oil price - dated Brent US$/barrel 95,51 63,95
Average rand / US$ exchange rate 1US$ = Rand 7,30 7,20 Closing rand
/ US$ exchange rate 1US$ = Rand 7,83 7,04 SASOL LIMITED GROUP
SALIENT FEATURES (2) for the year ended 30 June 2008 2007
Reconciliation of headline earnings Rm Rm Profit for the year 23
528 17 550 Less minority interest (1 111) (520) Effect of
remeasurement items 698 (1 140) Impairment of assets 821 208
Reversal of fair value write-down of disposal group held for sale -
(803) Reversal of impairment (381) - Profit on disposal of assets
(440) (749) Loss on repurchase of participation rights in GTL
venture 34 - Loss on realisation of foreign currency translation
reserve 557 - Scrapping of non-current assets 107 204 Tax effects
and minority interest (225) (93) Headline earnings 22 890 15 797
Remeasurement items per above Mining 7 13 Gas 104 (370) Synfuels 25
64 Oil (20) 2 Synfuels International 396 - Petroleum International
(27) - Polymers (12) 9 Solvents 104 146 Olefins & Surfactants
(27) (707) Other chemical businesses 229 14 Nitro (199) - Wax 426
(4) Other 2 18 Other businesses (81) (311) Remeasurement items 698
(1140) Headline earnings per share Rand 38,09 25,37 Diluted
headline earnings per share Rand 37,56 25,06 The reader is referred
to the definitions contained in the 2007 Sasol Limited annual
financial statements. Basis of preparation and accounting policies
The provisional summarised consolidated financial results for the
year ended 30 June 2008 have been prepared in compliance with the
Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (in particular International Accounting
Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting) and the South African
Companies Act, 1973, as amended. The accounting policies applied in
the presentation of the provisional financial results are
consistent with those applied for the year ended 30 June 2007,
except as follows: -- Sasol Limited has revised the format of its
provisional summarised consolidated financial results in line with
the amendments to IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting. IAS 34 has
been amended as a result of IAS 1, Presentation of Financial
Statements (as revised 2007). Sasol Limited has early adopted these
amendments. -- Sasol Limited has early adopted the following
standards, which did not have a significant impact on the financial
results: - IFRIC 14 - IAS 19, The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset,
Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction; - IFRS2
(Amendment), Share-based Payment (Vesting Conditions and
Cancellations); and - IFRIC12, Service Concession Arrangements.
These provisional summarised consolidated financial results have
been prepared in accordance with the historic cost convention
except that certain items, including derivatives and
available-for-sale financial assets, are stated at fair value. The
provisional summarised consolidated financial results are presented
in rand, which is Sasol Limited's functional and presentation
currency. Related party transactions The group, in the ordinary
course of business, entered into various sale and purchase
transactions on an arm's length basis at market rates with related
parties. Significant changes in contingent liabilities since 30
June 2007 In January 2008, Yellow Rock was awarded damages in the
amount of US$9,2 million, plus interest against Sasol North America
LLC, who will be appealing the decision. A liability for the
damages amounting to R87 million (US$11 million) has been
recognised at 30 June 2008. Further, Sasol North America LLC has
reached a settlement for an amount of R39 million (US$5 million)
with their insurance company as regards this claim. A receivable
has been recognised in respect of this amount at 30 June 2008. This
matter has subsequently been settled. Independent audit report The
provisional summarised consolidated statement of financial position
at 30 June 2008 and the related provisional summarised consolidated
income statement, statements of comprehensive income, changes in
equity and cash flows for the year then ended have been audited by
KPMG Inc. Their unqualified audit report is available for
inspection at the registered office of the company. Sasol Investor
Relations, +27-11-441-3113/3563/3321, DATASOURCE: Sasol Limited
CONTACT: Sasol Investor Relations, +27-11-441-3113/3563/3321, Web
site: http://www.sasol.com/
Copyright