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Umicore SA (UMICY)
OTHER OTC:UMICY

Umicore SA (UMICY) AI Stock Analysis

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Umicore SA

(OTC:UMICY)

Rating:54Neutral
Price Target:
Umicore's overall stock score of 54 reflects a mixed performance. Financially, the company struggles with profitability despite a strong balance sheet and cash flow management. Technical analysis suggests cautious optimism with short-term upward momentum but long-term bearish trends. Valuation metrics are weak due to negative earnings, and the earnings call highlights both strengths in core segments and challenges in Battery Materials. The score indicates a need for strategic improvements to enhance operational efficiency and revenue generation.

Umicore SA (UMICY) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Umicore SA Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUmicore SA operates as a materials technology and recycling company worldwide. The company operates through Catalysis, Energy & Surface Technologies, and Recycling segments. The Catalysis segment produces automotive catalysts for gasoline, and diesel light and heavy-duty diesel applications; stationary catalysis for industrial emissions control; and precious metals-based compounds and catalysts for use in the pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industries, as well as fuel cell applications. The Energy & Surface Technologies segment offers cobalt and specialty materials, rechargeable battery materials, and electro-optic materials, as well as metal deposition solutions, including electroplating and PVD coating. The Recycling segment treats waste streams containing precious and other specialty metals from a range of industrial residues and end-of-life materials. This segment also produces precious metals-based materials for glass production, electric, and electronic applications. The company was formerly known as Union Minière du Haut Katanga and changed its name to Umicore SA in 2001. Umicore SA was founded in 1805 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
How the Company Makes MoneyUmicore generates revenue through its diversified operations across three main segments. In the Catalysis segment, the company produces automotive catalysts that reduce harmful emissions, catering to the automotive industry's demand for emission control technologies. The Energy & Surface Technologies segment focuses on materials for rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and consumer electronics, benefiting from the growing shift towards electrification and sustainable energy solutions. The Recycling segment is a major revenue contributor, where Umicore's advanced technologies allow for the recovery and refining of precious and base metals from industrial residues and end-of-life products, capitalizing on the increasing need for efficient resource utilization. Strategic partnerships, technological innovations, and a focus on sustainable practices further bolster Umicore's revenue streams.

Umicore SA Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 14, 2025
(Q4-2024)
|
% Change Since: 55.51%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 01, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong performance in the foundation businesses, significant cost-saving measures, and a strong liquidity position. However, the company faced substantial challenges in the Battery Materials segment, including a €1.6 billion impairment and decreased revenues and earnings across the board. The reduction in dividends also reflects the overall cautious stance in the face of market uncertainties.
Q4-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Foundation Business Performance
Catalysis reported EBITDA margins close to 26% and a return on capital more than 40%. Recycling reported a return on capital close to 80% with EBITDA margins of 36%.
Significant Cost-Saving Achievements
The company implemented efficiency and cost-saving measures leading to €100 million in EBITDA ahead of the €70 million target.
CapEx Reduction Success
CapEx came in at €555 million, well below the target of €650 million. This represents a 35% reduction year-on-year.
Strong Liquidity Position
The company maintained a strong liquidity position with €2 billion in cash and a balanced net gearing ratio of 42.6%.
Negative Updates
Battery Materials Business Challenges
The Battery Materials segment reported a slowdown in demand due to the slow growth of electric vehicles, leading to a decrease in revenues and EBITDA.
Significant Impairment in Battery Materials
The company had to take a €1.6 billion impairment in the Battery Materials business during H1.
Decreased Revenues and Earnings
Revenues decreased by 11% to €3.5 billion, and adjusted EBITDA fell by €209 million from the previous year.
Dividend Reduction
The Supervisory Board proposed a reduced gross annual dividend of €0.50 per share, reflecting a payout ratio of 47% on current net earnings per share.
Company Guidance
During the call discussing Umicore's full-year 2024 results, key financial metrics were shared, including a group revenue of €3.5 billion and an EBITDA of €763 million, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 22%. The company's operational cash flow was noted at €384 million, while capital expenditures (CapEx) were significantly reduced to €555 million, under the mid-year target of €650 million. The return on capital employed was 12.3%, with a leverage ratio of 1.9. Specific business segments were highlighted, such as Catalysis, which achieved an EBITDA margin of close to 26% and a return on capital exceeding 40%, and Recycling, which recorded an EBITDA margin of 36% and a return on capital close to 80%. Challenges were noted in the Battery Materials segment due to a slowdown in electric vehicle demand, impacting revenues and prompting adjustments in CapEx and operations. Despite these challenges, Umicore implemented efficiency measures yielding €100 million in EBITDA savings, surpassing the original target of €70 million. The proposed dividend was set at €0.50 per share, reflecting a payout ratio of 47% on net earnings per share. Looking ahead to 2025, Umicore anticipates adjusted EBITDA between €720 million and €780 million, with plans to further reduce CapEx by 20% and achieve an additional €100 million in efficiency savings.

Umicore SA Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Umicore SA faces significant profitability challenges as evidenced by negative net income and EBIT margins in 2024, indicating operational inefficiencies. However, the balance sheet remains robust with strong cash reserves and no debt, providing financial stability. Cash flow management is effective, with positive free cash flow growth, but the company must address its declining revenue and profitability to ensure long-term sustainability. The mixed financial performance highlights the need for strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency and revenue generation.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
The income statement reveals a concerning decline in profitability with a negative net income of $1.48 billion in 2024, down from a positive $385 million in 2023. The gross profit margin decreased from 8.32% in 2023 to 14.88% in 2024, and the EBIT margin turned negative, indicating operational challenges. Revenue growth has been volatile, with a significant decrease of 18.7% from 2023 to 2024. The company needs to address its declining revenue and profitability to improve its financial health.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet shows a solid equity ratio of 20.6% as of 2024, indicating a reasonable level of equity financing. Additionally, the debt-to-equity ratio has improved to zero in 2024 from 75.3% in 2023, reflecting a stronger balance sheet position. The company's cash position is strong, with cash and equivalents of $2.01 billion exceeding total debt, leading to a net debt position of -$2.01 billion. Despite these strengths, the decrease in stockholders' equity from 2023 to 2024 suggests challenges in maintaining equity levels.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
The cash flow statement highlights a moderate free cash flow growth rate of 81.5% from 2023 to 2024, driven by reduced capital expenditures. The operating cash flow to net income ratio improved significantly due to lower net income, indicating efficient cash generation relative to reported earnings. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio suggests that the company's cash conversion from profits remains a challenge. The company appears to be managing its cash flows well despite profitability issues.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue14.85B18.27B25.44B24.05B20.71B
Gross Profit2.21B1.51B2.01B1.99B1.52B
EBITDA432.60M900.43M1.08B1.15B542.99M
Net Income-1.48B385.07M569.88M618.96M130.53M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets9.41B9.97B9.94B9.05B8.34B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.01B1.52B1.24B1.19B1.01B
Total Debt0.002.75B2.35B2.16B2.43B
Total Liabilities7.49B6.27B6.38B5.88B5.72B
Stockholders Equity1.94B3.66B3.52B3.11B2.56B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow286.50M157.92M142.88M842.15M92.78M
Operating Cash Flow868.70M1.04B634.17M1.26B528.32M
Investing Cash Flow-775.70M-948.70M-480.77M-471.45M-429.46M
Financing Cash Flow413.50M129.28M-112.53M-602.37M638.08M

Umicore SA Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price4.23
Price Trends
50DMA
2.87
Positive
100DMA
2.62
Positive
200DMA
2.69
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.35
Negative
RSI
83.95
Negative
STOCH
100.27
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UMICY, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 4.23 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 3.51, above the 50-day MA of 2.87, and above the 200-day MA of 2.69, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.35 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 83.95 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 100.27 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for UMICY.

Umicore SA Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$1.06B23.1718.34%8.89%278.44%
ZWZWS
76
Outperform
$6.32B38.4010.49%0.96%3.22%38.39%
72
Outperform
$3.12B17.0795.48%0.53%1.43%12.88%
65
Neutral
$10.77B15.805.51%1.90%3.03%-26.66%
64
Neutral
$719.39M36.2210.35%10.93%6.99%
54
Neutral
$4.04B-52.87%3.34%-18.63%-484.18%
PCPCT
38
Underperform
$2.47B-67.71%-180.10%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UMICY
Umicore SA
4.23
0.59
16.21%
CECO
Ceco Environmental
30.00
2.00
7.14%
ERII
Energy Recovery
13.20
0.52
4.10%
ZWS
Zurn Water Solutions
37.56
8.57
29.56%
PCT
PureCycle Technologies
13.76
8.48
160.61%
ATMU
Atmus Filtration Technologies, Inc.
37.78
9.44
33.31%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: May 03, 2025