Gary Brown
Analyst · Raymond James. Please go ahead
Thank you, Randy. And good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Prior to reviewing Wheaton's unaudited financial results for the three months ended and the audited results for the year ended December 31, 2017, I would like to remind everyone that all monetary figures discussed are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. The company's precious metal interests had a solid fourth quarter producing 7.2 million ounces of silver and 96,500 ounces of gold resulting in Wheaton's full year 2017 guidance being exceeded. Relative to the fourth quarter of the prior year, this represented a decrease of 5% and 14% in silver and gold production respectively, with the lower silver production being primarily attributable to the expiration of the Cozamin contract while the lower gold production was due to 777 and Minto, with the company's attributable percentage of gold production from 777 decreasing from a 100% to 50% effective January 1, 2017. Sales volumes amounted to7.3 million ounces of silver and 94,300 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter of 2017 representing a decrease of 3% and 13% for silver and gold respectively, relative to the fourth quarter of 2016. The decrease in silver sales volumes was attributable primarily to lower production from San Dimas and Antamina, combined with the expiration of the Cozamin agreement. The decrease in production was partially offset by positive changes in the balance of payable silver produced but not yet delivered to Wheaton. The decrease in gold sales volumes was attributable to the decrease gold production. As at December 31st. 2017, approximately 4.5 million payable silver ounces and 79,500 payable gold ounces had been produced, but not yet delivered to the company, representing a decrease during the quarter of 0.7 million payable silver ounces and 3,200 payable gold ounces. We estimate a normal level per ounces produced but not delivered to equate to approximately two months worth of payable production for silver, and two to three months for gold, with the year-end balances being consistent with this expectation. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to $243 million representing a 6% decrease relative to Q4, 2016 with the lower gold sales volumes being partially offset by a 6% increase in the average realized gold price. For the latest quarter, revenue was split evenly between silver and gold. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 2% to $95 million attributable primarily to increase gold prices combined with lower depletion rates. Cash-based G&A expenses amounted to $8 million in the fourth quarter of representing an increase of million $5 million from Q4, 2016, due primarily to a large reversal of previously accrued expenses relating to the company's outstanding performance share units or PSUs during Q4, 2016. Interest costs for the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to $6 million resulting in an effective interest rate outstanding debt of 2.8%, as compared to $7 million of interest costs at an effective rate of 2.09% incurred in Q4, 2016. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the company recognized an impairment charge of $229 million relating to its silver interest in Barrick Pascua-Lama project, arising from the Chilean government sanctions requiring the closure of existing infrastructure on the Chilean side of the project. And Barrick's reclassification of open-pit reserves to resources. The net loss amounted to $138 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to net earnings of $11 million in Q4, 2016 with the net earnings in the prior year reflecting $71 million of impairment charges. After negating the effect of the impairment and other items that are non-recurring in nature, adjusted net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to $82 million, virtually unchanged from Q4, 2016. Basic adjusted earnings per share were also virtually unchanged from the prior year at $0.19. Operating cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to $ 165 million or $0.37 per share compared to $175 million or $0.40 per share in the prior year, representing a 6% decrease on a per share basis. Based on the company's dividend policy, the company's Board has declared a dividend of $0.09 a share payable to shareholders of record on April 6, 2018 representing a 29% increase from the dividend declared relative to the comparable period of the prior year. Under the dividend reinvestment plan, the Board has elected to offer shareholders the option of having their dividends reinvested in newly issued common shares company at a 3% discount to market. For the year ended December 31st, 2017, silver and gold production exceeded company guidance although both experienced expected decreases relative to 2016. The 6% decrease in silver production was attributable primarily to various operational issues experienced at San Dimas during 2017, combined with the expiry of the Cozamin contract early in Q2, 2017, being partially offset by 20% increase in silver production from Pena Quito. The 3% year-over-year decrease in gold production was attributable primarily to the reduction in the company's share of the gold production from 777, combined with the lower production from Minto due to the processing of lower grade material as a result of mine sequencing changes to support the mine life extension. These factors were offset by a 16% increase in gold production from Salobo due primarily to the increase in the company's share of gold production from Salobo from 50% to 75% effective July 1st, 2016. Revenue which was evenly split between silver and gold during 2017 amounted to $843 million, representing a 5% decrease relative to the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower silver sales volumes, with a record gold sales volume of 337,000 ounces being achieved for the year. Gross margin amounted to $337 million, an increase of 3% relative to 2016, with operating margin increasing to 40% in 2017 from 37% in 2016 due primarily to lower depletion rates. Cash-based G&A expenses in 2017 totaled $30 million, virtually unchanged from 2016 and slightly lower than the most recent company guidance. For 2018, the company estimate non stock based G&A expenses which exclude expenses relating to the value of stock option granted and PSUs will amount to $34 million to $36 million. With the increased from 2017 being primarily attributable to increased employee related expenses and charitable contribution. After neutralizing for the effect of $229 million impairment charge and other non-recurring charges, adjusted net earnings for 2017 amounted to $277 million, representing 4% increase from adjusted net earnings for 2016 due primarily to the lower depletion charges, partially offset by lower sales volumes. Basic adjusted earnings per share amounted to $0.63 in 2017 compared to $0.62 in 2016. Cash flow from operations amounted to $539 million, a decrease of 8% as compared to 2016 with the decrease being primarily the result of the lower silver sales volumes. This translated into operating cash flow per share of $1.22 compared to $1.36 in 2016. The operational highlights for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 included the following. Attributable silver production relative to San Dimas Mine decreased 7% to $1.3 million ounces primarily due to lower throughput, partially offset by higher grades. Silver sales volumes in Q4, 2017 relative to San Dimas decreased 17% to 1.3 million ounces, primarily due to lower production coupled with negative changes in payable ounces produced, but not yet delivered to Wheaton. As previously announced on January 12, 2018, in conjunction with proposed acquisition by First Majestic of Primero, Wheaton has agreed to terminate the existing San Dimas Silver Purchase Agreement with Primero and enter into a new precious metals purchase agreement with First Majestic. Under the new agreement, Wheaton will be entitled to 25% of the gold production plus an additional amount of gold equal to 25% of the silver production converted to gold at a fixed gold to silver exchange ratio of 70:1. Additionally, Wheaton will pay $600 per ounce of gold delivered. As part of the transaction in addition to the new stream, Wheaton International will receive 20.9 million First Majestic common shares and the transaction is expected to close before the end of April. For 2018 under the assumption that the new agreement takes effect during the second quarter, we anticipate that attributable silver production relating the San Dimas will amount to about one million ounces, representing production for the first quarter and that attributable gold production will amount to approximately 30,000 ounces representing production for Q2 through Q4. Attributable silver production relative to Peñasquito in Q4, 2017 amounted to 1.6 million ounces, while sales amounted to 1.5 million ounces, an increase of 18% and 21% respectively. Goldcorp has indicated that the improved results were driven by the implementation of a new management operating system and better ore delivery to the primary crusher. Goldcorp also reported that the construction of the Pyrite Leach Project was 62% complete by December 31st, 2017 and is expected to commence commissioning in the fourth quarter of 2018, three months ahead of schedule. For 2018, attributable silver production relating to Peñasquito is expected to increase to approximately 6.5 million ounces. Antamina generated 1.5 million ounces of attributable silver production in Q4, 2017, a decrease of 8% primarily due to lower grades and throughput, partially offset by higher recoveries. Silver sales volumes in Q4, 2017 relative to Antamina increased 19% to 1.8 million ounces with the increase being due to positive changes in silver ounces produced, but not yet delivered to Wheaton. For 2018, attributable silver production relating Antamina is expected to decrease to 5.3 million ounces due to the mining of lower grade material. Attributable silver production and silver sales volumes relative to the other silver interests in Q4, 2017 amounted to 2.2 million ounces, a decrease of 13% relative to production and 11% relative to sales, with the decreases being primarily due to the expiry of the Cozamin agreement on April 4, 2017. 2018 production from other silver interest is expected to be approximately $6.9 million ounces, with the decrease being primarily related to the cessation of company's entitlement to silver from the Lagunas Norte, Veladero and Pierina streams for the terms of the silver purchase agreement with Barrick. Attributable gold production relative to Salobo in Q4, 2017 amounted to 76,200 while sales amounted to 71,700 ounces, a decrease of 2% and 3% respectively due primarily to slightly lower grades and recoveries, partially offset by higher throughput. During the quarter, the 212 million ton per year lines once again operated in excess of capacity. For 2018, attributable gold production relative to Salobo is expected to be approximately 240,000 ounces, a decrease of approximately 9% relative to 2017. Attributable gold production relative Sudbury in Q4, 2017 decreased 4% to 8,600 ounces due to lower throughput, while sales increased 18% to 12,100 ounces due to positive changes in gold ounces produced, but not yet delivered to Wheaton. 2018 gold production relative to Sudbury is expected to decrease slightly to approximately 33,000 ounces. Attributable gold production relative Constancia in Q4, 2017 amounted 2,900 ounces, while sales amounted to 2,000 ounces, a decrease of 6% and41 % respectively. The decreased production was consistent with Hudbay's planned process lower grade ore in 2017, while the decrease in sales simply reflects a buildup of gold produced but not yet delivered to Wheaton in Q4, 2017 relative to a decrease in such balances during the fourth quarter of 2016. For 2018, attributable gold production relative to Constantia is expected to increase by about 70% to approximately 17,000 ounces as Hudbay expects to begin mining the Pampacancha deposit in the second half 2018, which has significantly higher gold grades than what is currently being mined. However, should the mining of the Pampacancha deposit be delayed, Wheaton will be entitled to an increased portion of the gold produced by Hudbay, Attributable gold production sales relative to the other gold interest decreased by approximately 60% in Q4, 2017, amounting to 8,800 ounces and 8,600 ounces respectively. These decreases were expected and are primarily attributable to two factors. First, Wheaton's distributable percentage of gold relative to 777 decreasing from 100% to 50% effective January 1st. 2017, as a result of Hudbay successfully satisfying the completion test relating to Constantia. And second, lower throughput and processing of lower grade material at the Minto Mine as the result of mine sequencing changes implemented to support the mine life extension. For 2017, production from other gold interests is expected to amount to approximately 35,000 ounces with the decrease relative to 2017 being primarily due to lower production levels at Minto. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the company repaid $84 million on the revolving credit facility, dispersed $33 million in dividends, invested $3 million in future common shares and advance $16 million to Kutcho in exchange for convertible debentures. Overall, net cash increased by $29 million in Q4, 2017 resulting in cash and cash equivalents at December 31st of $99 million. This combined with $770 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility resulted in a net debt position as at December 31st, 2017 of approximately $671 million. For the entire year, the company generated $539 million of operating cash flow, repaid $423 million of debt and distributed $122 million of dividends net of the dividends that were reinvested in common shares under the company's dividend reinvestment plan. The company's cash position, strong forecasted future operating cash flows combined with available credit capacity under the revolving credit facility positions the company well to satisfy its funding commitments, sustain its dividend policy, while at the same time providing flexibility to consummate additional and accretive precious metal purchase agreements. Finally, with respect to the company's ongoing dispute with the CRA, we continue to work diligently with council to advance the case as expeditiously as possible, with initial discovery being largely complete as of the current date. The company continues to believe that it has filed its tax returns and paid applicable tax in compliance with Canadian tax laws and intends to vigorously defend itself in court. That concludes the financial summary. And with that I turn the call back over to Randy.