23
April 2008
Cascal
N.V. Provides Preliminary Guidance for Fiscal 2009
Provides
Update on Select Current and Prospective Projects
London, U.K., April 23, 2008 - Cascal N.V. (NYSE: HOO), a leading provider
of water and wastewater services to three million people in seven countries,
today provided preliminary guidance for its fiscal year ending March
31, 2009, as well as an update on select current and prospective projects.
Fiscal
Year 2009 Guidance
Cascal
expects revenue of $179 to $184 million for fiscal year 2009, representing
an increase of approximately 13 percent compared to anticipated revenue
for fiscal year 2008. At constant exchange rates, revenue from continuing
operations is expected to increase by 17 to 20 percent, of which approximately
half is expected to be organic growth, with the other half arising from
the part-year contributions from new projects (see below). The Company
expects EBITDA of $68 to $71 million for fiscal year 2009, representing
an increase of approximately 13 percent compared to anticipated EBITDA
for fiscal year 2008.
Cascal
Chief Executive Officer, Stephane Richer, noted, “The nature and
length of our contracts provides us with great visibility into our future
results. In addition to strong organic growth, we expect to increase
the size of our customer base by signing new contracts that are currently
in different stages of due diligence and negotiations.”
Panama
During
the Company’s third quarter conference call, Cascal indicated
that its wholly-owned local subsidiary had received a letter from its
client in Panama, initiating a process to invoke the contractual provision
for an early termination with compensation. The parties have not yet
met to discuss the matter, pending the completion of the local audited
accounts. The client has continued to not pay the incremental revenue
arising from the rate indexation and therefore, the Company’s
local subsidiary has initiated a process of dispute resolution. Under
the contract, this process includes direct negotiations, followed by
expert resolution or arbitration.
Richer added, “Our experience in developing nations is extensive,
and, while sometimes challenging, our track-record proves that we have
been able to successfully navigate issues that may arise. For the entirety
of the relationship, we have operated in good faith and in strict compliance
with the terms of the contract. We remain confident that we will reach
a satisfactory conclusion.”
New
projects
As
previously announced, Cascal’s China Water subsidiary was awarded
the right to acquire a 49 percent stake in an equity joint venture to
deliver water services to a population of approximately 600,000 in Yancheng
City, China. This project is currently completing the regulatory approval
process. To date, Cascal has delivered 50 percent of the equity required
and expects to deliver the final payment and complete the transaction
in the near term. The Company is also engaged in negotiations to complete
another project in China, which it expects to close in the second half
of calendar 2008. Finally, Cascal has made significant progress in its
exclusive negotiations to complete a new Chilean project. This project,
which will complement the Company’s existing operations in Chile,
is expected to close in the second half of calendar 2008.
About
Cascal N.V
Cascal
provides water and wastewater services to its customers in seven countries:
the United Kingdom, South Africa, Indonesia, China, Chile, Panama and
The Philippines. Cascal's customers are predominantly homes and businesses
representing a total population of approximately three million.
Forward-looking
statements
This
release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are important
factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements including: general economic business
conditions, unfavorable weather conditions, housing and population growth
trends, changes in energy prices and taxes, fluctuations with currency
exchange rates, changes in regulations or regulatory treatment, changes
in environmental compliance and water quality requirements, availability
and the cost of capital, the success of growth initiatives, acquisitions
and our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies and other
factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including under Risk Factors in our Prospectus for our initial public
offering. We do not undertake and have no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statement.