Finance
OMV’s value-driven finance strategy aims to enable growth, drive performance, and reward shareholders. A set of strategic and financial criteria are taken into account when making an investment decision. Growth will be achieved on a robust financial base, with solid long-term targets forming the foundation of OMV’s finance strategy. As part of its growth strategy, OMV aims to increase the clean CCS Operating Result to at least EUR 4 bn by 2020 (based on a Brent oil price of USD 70/bbl, a CEGH price of EUR 20/MWh and an indicator refining margin of USD 5/bbl) and to at least EUR 5 bn by 2025. Following a tremendous turnaround period since 2016, OMV’s cash generation increased to more than EUR 4 bn in 2019 and has the potential to exceed EUR 5 bn in the medium term. The growth will be supported by a strong financial framework focused on returns and cash flow. OMV’s profitable growth strategy aims for a ROACE of at least 12% in the medium to long term, a positive free cash flow after dividends, and a growing clean CCS net income attributable to stockholders. At the same time, the gearing ratio without leases will be kept at or below 30% in the long term. A strong investment grade rating is also part of OMV’s financial framework.
OMV’s strategy pursues profitable growth. The main financial cornerstones are the following:
- ROACE target of at least 12% in the medium and long term
- Positive free cash flow after dividends
- Grow clean CCS net income attributable to stockholders
- Increase clean CCS Operating Result to at least EUR 5 bn by 2025
- Increase cash flow generation 1 to above EUR 5 bn in the medium term
- Long-term gearing ratio without leases ≤30%
- Competitive shareholder return with progressive dividend policy
- Maintain a strong investment grade rating
OMV targets attractive shareholder returns and aims to increase dividends every year or to at least maintain them at the respective previous year’s level. Further growth will be enabled through organic and inorganic investments. For the period 2020 to 2025, OMV plans to make annual investments averaging EUR 2.0 to 2.5 bn. In the last years, a number of acquisitions in Upstream and Downstream have substantially strengthened the portfolio and its profitability.
OMV’s capital allocation priorities are as follows:
- Organic CAPEX
- Dividends
- Debt reduction
- Acquisitions
In 2019, important milestones for the achievement of long-term financial objectives were reached:
- Clean CCS Operating Result at EUR 3.5 bn despite a weaker market environment
- Clean CCS net income attributable to stockholders rose to EUR 1.6 bn
- Cash generation 1 increased to EUR 4.3 bn
- Clean CCS ROACE of 11%
- Dividend Per Share of EUR 2.00 proposed 2; increase of 14% compared to the previous year
- Strong balance sheet maintained, with a gearing ratio of 28%, despite the payment of the major acquisition of a 15% share in ADNOC Refining and Trading JV as well as the first-time adoption of IFRS 16 Leases
- Fitch Ratings confirmed OMV rating of A, outlook stable, following the ADNOC Refining transaction
1 Cash flow from operating activities excluding net working capital effects
2 As proposed by the Executive Board and confirmed by the Supervisory Board; subject to confirmation by the Annual General Meeting 2020