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Tate & Lyle said its Q1 trading performance was in line with its expectations and guidance for the FY remains unchanged.
Speciality Food Ingredients made an encouraging start to the year and performed ahead of the comparative period.
The company continued in a statement:
"SPLENDA Sucralose performed solidly as we continued to pursue volume only where we see value. The consolidation of sucralose manufacturing into our facility in Alabama, USA, is progressing as planned supported by good customer engagement.
"Volume growth for Food Systems was ahead of the comparative period benefitting from the acquisition, last year, of Gemacom in Brazil. Volume across the balance of the Speciality Food Ingredients business was slightly behind the comparative period, with volume improving as we exited the quarter.
"We continued to take steps to address the impacts of the supply chain disruption experienced last year and we expect volume growth to strengthen through the remainder of the year as the additional capacity comes on-line in the second half. The volume of new products grew strongly in the quarter.
"Bulk Ingredients, excluding commodities (ethanol and co-products), performed steadily and slightly ahead of the comparative period supported by solid sweetener demand. However, this was more than offset by the impact of commodities, including the continuation of low US ethanol margins.
"The process of obtaining regulatory approval for the re-alignment of the Eaststarch joint venture in Europe is progressing well and we expect to complete this transaction around the end of the second quarter of the financial year."
SALE OF EU SUGARS; UPDATE ON LITIGATION
"As previously announced and disclosed in our 2015 Annual Report, American Sugar Holdings (ASR) raised a number of claims totalling in the region of $40 million relating to its acquisition of the Groups EU Sugars business in September 2010.
"A trial of these proceedings was held in the Commercial Court in London in early May 2015, with the judges verdict expected later in the year."
FINANCIAL POSITION AND BALANCE SHEET
"Net debt was slightly lower than the position at 31 March 2015 aided by the translation effects of a stronger sterling.
"Following the quarter end, on 21 July 2015, we priced a US$400 million debt private placement with notes to be issued maturing in 8, 10 and 12 years, extending the average maturity of our debt by approximately 2 years. The transaction is expected to complete on 29 October 2015."