Sasol Stock Price, News & Analysis

Sasol reported mixed results for the first half of 2023, with EBIT of R24.2 billion, consistent with the previous period, buoyed by strong pricing despite lower volumes and input cost pressures. Positive performance was noted in chemicals due to R5.1 billion gains from financial instruments, but losses from impairments totaling R9.9 billion were also reported. Headline earnings surged over 100% to R19.39 billion, with basic earnings per share at R23.23. The interim dividend was declared at R7.00 per share. Factors like economic slowdown and supply chain disruptions impacted overall performance and resulted in lower volumes. The company's net asset value increased by 4.6% compared to the previous year.

Sasol has launched Sasol Ventures, a €50 million venture capital fund aimed at advancing its decarbonisation goals and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This fund, the largest of its kind in South Africa, will focus on investing in start-up and early-stage technologies that promote sustainable chemicals and energy solutions. Sasol has partnered with Emerald Technology Ventures to enhance its ability to identify and evaluate innovative opportunities. The initiative aligns with Sasol’s strategy to transform its operations towards sustainability, positioning the company to leverage emerging technologies for business growth.

Sasol Chemicals has pledged to supply a first fill of its latest Fischer-Tropsch (FT) catalyst at no cost to start-up Ineratec. This collaboration supports Ineratec's lighthouse project at Industriepark Hoechst, aiming to create the world's largest production plant for paraffinic synthetic fuels with a target output of 2,500 tons per year, anticipated to start in 2023. The catalyst will play a crucial role in producing Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The German government is providing around 6 million euros in funding for this initiative, which aligns with global sustainability goals and demonstrates Sasol's commitment to innovation in renewable energy.

Sasol is poised to report mixed results for the six months ending December 31, 2022. Key influences include strengthened oil prices and refining margins, but these were counterbalanced by weaker global economic growth and depressed chemicals prices. Earnings per share (EPS) are projected between R21.55 and R23.98, a decrease of up to 10% from the previous year. Headline earnings per share (HEPS) may range from R29.84 to R31.36, marking an over 95% increase year-on-year. Operational challenges in the Mining sector and impairments in several cash-generating units, notably the Secunda liquid fuels refinery, reflect ongoing operational difficulties amid fluctuating costs. The full results will be announced on February 21, 2023.

Sasol Limited (NYSE: SSL) has announced a collaboration with Holiferm Limited to expand their biosurfactant product portfolio by adding rhamnolipids and mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs). This partnership builds on their previous collaboration initiated in March 2022, focusing on developing sophorolipids.

The new biosurfactants will be produced using fermentation technology, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional surfactants. The goal is to prepare for pilot plant testing and subsequent full manufacturing at Holiferm's Wallasey site, catering to the growing demand for sustainable chemical solutions.

Sasol has released its production and sales performance metrics for the six months ending December 31, 2022. The company aims to reduce GHG emissions from South African operations by at least 30% by 2030, focusing on renewable power integration. Sasol signed three power purchase agreements for a total of 359MW of renewable wind power, supporting their green hydrogen production ambitions in Sasolburg set to commence in Q1 CY24. The Secunda operations will see two additional agreements with Air Liquide for 220MW, expected operational by 2025. These initiatives mark progress toward Sasol's target of 1,200MW renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Sasol has released its production and sales metrics for the six months ending December 31, 2022. The company aims to reduce GHG emissions from its South African operations by at least 30% by 2030, based on 2017 levels. To support this, Sasol signed three power purchase agreements for renewable energy, including a long-term agreement for 69MW of wind power for Sasolburg operations, expected to start in early 2024. In collaboration with Air Liquide, two additional contracts for 220MW of wind power at Secunda operations are set for 2025. These steps reflect Sasol's commitment to a sustainable energy transition.

Sasol has announced that for the six months ending 31 December 2022, both earnings per share (EPS) and headline earnings per share (HEPS) are anticipated to increase by over 20%, compared to EPS of R23.98 and HEPS of R15.21 from the same period last year. This growth is attributed to higher Brent crude oil prices and refining margins, despite challenges in chemical sales prices and feedstock costs. However, ongoing operational issues, particularly in the coal value chain, have negatively affected production volumes, leading to revised market guidance.

On November 3, 2022, Sasol announced its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for 9:00 AM on December 2, 2022. The AGM will be held electronically and at Sasol Place, Johannesburg. Key dates include the record date for shareholders to receive the meeting notice on October 21, 2022, and the last day to trade being November 22, 2022. Proxy forms must be submitted by 9:00 AM on December 1, 2022. Results will be published on December 5, 2022. For more details, visit Sasol's website.