• Q2 2017 revenue of $425.8 million, up 8% from $396.0 million in Q1 2017¹
  
• Q2 2017 net profit of $1.0 million, or $0.02 per share on a fully diluted basis, up from a net loss of $(8.1) million, or a $(0.04) loss per share on a fully diluted basis, in the prior quarter
• Q2 2017 adjusted net profit attributable to the parent of $6.0 million, or $0.05 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to a net loss attributable to the parent of $(4.8) million, or $(0.03) per share on a fully diluted basis   
• Q2 2017 reported EBITDA of $36.8 million, an increase of 19% compared to reported EBITDA of $30.9 million in Q1 2017
• Q2 2017 adjusted EBITDA of $43.9 million, an increase of 42% compared to $30.9 million adjusted EBITDA in the prior quarter
• Maintained strong balance sheet with Q2 2017 net debt of $435 million compared to $407 million in Q1 2017
• Results exceeded expectations with first net profit reported since merger. Strong performance driven by price recovery as a result of reduced inflow of low-priced imports of silicon metal and strong end-market demand

LONDON, Aug. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ:GSM), ("Ferroglobe" or the "Company"), one of the world's largest producers of silicon metal and silicon- and manganese-based alloys, today announced results for the second quarter of 2017.

In Q2 2017, Ferroglobe posted a net profit of $1.0 million, or $0.02 per share on a fully diluted basis. On an adjusted basis, Q2 2017 net profit attributable to the parent was $6.0 million, or $0.05 per share on a fully diluted basis.

Q2 2017 reported EBITDA was $36.8 million, up from $30.9 million in the prior quarter. On an adjusted basis, Q2 2017 EBITDA was $43.9 million, up 42% from Q1 2017 adjusted EBITDA of $30.9 million. The Company reported adjusted EBITDA margins of 10.3% for Q2 2017, compared to adjusted EBITDA margins of 7.8% for Q1 2017.

Net sales in Q2 2017 totaled $425.8 million, up 8% from $396.0 million in Q1 2017. Selling prices for Ferroglobe's key products continued to improve over the course of the quarter across both the U.S. and Europe:

• The average selling price for silicon metal increased by 6.3% from $2,080/MT in Q1 2017 to $2,210/MT in Q2 2017, a significant improvement driven by reduced inflow of low-priced imports particularly in North America;
• The average selling price for silicon-based alloys increased 7.7% to $1,586/MT in the quarter from $1,473/MT in the prior quarter;
• The average selling price for manganese-based alloys remained broadly flat at $1,308/MT in Q2 2017 as compared to $1,298/MT in the prior quarter as a result of some pricing pressures, offset by lower manganese ore costs from inventory; and
• In addition to these pricing trends, Ferroglobe continued to realize average sales prices in excess of the index.

The Company also saw stabilization of demand and volumes across its key products. In terms of sales volumes, silicon metal experienced a 9.4% increase quarter-over-quarter, silicon-based alloys experienced a 5.9% decrease quarter-over-quarter and manganese-based alloys experienced a 1.1% increase quarter-over-quarter.

"Ferroglobe delivered strong performance in Q2 2017 with quarter-over-quarter earnings growth and improved profitability, having delivered positive net income for the first time since the merger. A significant reduction in the flow of low-priced imports of silicon metal resulted in continued pricing improvement particularly in North America and sustained strong end-market demand across all our products continued to drive the stabilization of shipment volumes. We continue to benefit from our diversification strategy, with the business now generating almost equal earnings from our three main products," said CEO Pedro Larrea. "Having focused on carefully managing our cost structure in prior quarters, combined with disciplined execution of our commercial strategy, we have been able to capture the benefits of the market environment with a significant improvement in our margins. We expect prices to continue to improve through the year and we remain focused on sustained performance across all business segments as we move through the remainder of 2017."

Strong cash flow generation continues to support liquidity

Working capital increased by $35.4 million during Q2 2017, primarily a result of the recovery cycle - year-to-date the Company has increased total working capital by $20.3 million. Ferroglobe continued to generate positive cash flows. During the quarter, the Company generated operating cash flow of $20.1 million and free cash flow of $5.8 million.

Ferroglobe's net debt was $435 million at the end of Q2 2017, up by $28 million compared to $407 million at the end of Q1 2017. To further strengthen liquidity, on July 31, 2017 Ferroglobe entered into a $250 million accounts receivable securitization to obtain financing in connection with its receivables generated in the U.S., Canada, Spain and France under one program. This arrangement provides several benefits to the Company, including risk mitigation, liquidity maximization and the ability to replace multiple factoring arrangements with one consolidated, centrally-managed program.

Recent developments

The favorable demand environment has allowed Ferroglobe to return to close to full capacity utilization. The Selma facility (Alabama, US) restarted one of its two furnaces. Ferroglobe's European and other North American plants are now running at full capacity. Facilities in Argentina and South Africa are currently at 50% and 65% utilization, respectively, in Q2 2017 as a result of unfavorable local conditions. Ferroglobe's plant in Venezuela has halted operations since May 2017, as the Company awaits further developments in the country. 

Regarding the ongoing trade cases that Ferroglobe filed in the United States, the Department of Commerce (the "DOC") issued preliminary determinations on August 7, 2017 imposing countervailing duties on silicon metal imports from Australia, Brazil and Kazakhstan. The duties imposed ranged from 3.69% to 120%, with more than 54% of silicon metal imports into the United States being subject to cash deposit requirements. The Company has also filed antidumping cases against imports from Australia, Brazil, and Norway to address unfairly low import pricing. The DOC is expected to make preliminary determinations in the antidumping cases on October 4, 2017, which may result in the imposition of additional duties.

Ferroglobe Executive Chairman, Javier López Madrid, commented, "We are confident that the affirmative preliminary determinations issued on August 7, 2017 will be the first step in ensuring a more competitive and fair silicon metal market in the U.S., and we look forward to receiving a favorable outcome in the ongoing antidumping investigations."

Regarding the ongoing trade case filed in Canada, the Canadian Border Services Agency (the "Agency") issued its preliminary determinations on July 5, 2017. The Agency found dumping and/or subsidy margins for Brazil, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Norway and Thailand. It terminated its investigation against Russia on the basis of insufficient import volumes. The final determination of the Agency's investigations is expected to be issued on October 3, 2017. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal hearing is scheduled to take place on October 2, 2017, with a final finding expected to be issued on November 2, 2017.

The Company announced on July 26, 2017 that it has not received the required regulatory approvals to divest hydro-electric operations in Spain. The Company will continue to explore all options, including further efforts to gain formal approval for the divestiture of these non-core assets to capture the assets full value.

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¹ Q1 2017 income statement has been revised to include Ferroglobe's energy business in Spain as no longer discontinued operations, including sales, net profit and reported and adjusted EBITDA.  

Conference Call

Ferroglobe will review the results for the second quarter of 2017 during a conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.

The dial-in number for the call for participants in the United States is 877-293-5491 (conference ID 69657476). International callers should dial 914-495-8526 (conference ID 69657476). Please dial in at least five minutes prior to the call to register. The call may also be accessed via an audio webcast available at http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/xyge3xid

About Ferroglobe

Ferroglobe PLC is one of the world's largest producers of silicon metal and silicon- and manganese-based alloys, serving a customer base across the globe in dynamic and fast-growing end markets, such as solar, automotive, consumer products, construction and energy. The Company is headquartered in London. For more information, visit http://investor.ferroglobe.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on certain assumptions of management and describe the company's future plans, strategies and expectations. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including, but not limited to, "may," "could," "seek," "guidance," "predicts," "potential," "likely," "believe," "will," "expect," "anticipate, "estimate," "plan," "intends" or "forecast," variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on information presently available to the company and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but are inherently uncertain. As a result, Ferroglobe's actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond the company's control.

You are cautioned that all such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks that the legacy businesses of Globe and FerroAtlántica will not be integrated successfully or that we will not realize estimated cost savings, value of certain tax assets, synergies and growth, or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to: (i) risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration, including operating costs, customer loss and business disruption being greater than expected; (ii) Ferroglobe's organizational and governance structure; (iii) the ability to hire and retain key personnel; (iv) regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions including, among others, changes in metals prices; (v) increases in the cost of raw materials or energy; (vi) competition in the metals and foundry industries; (vii) environmental and regulatory risks; (viii) ability to identify liabilities associated with acquired properties prior to their acquisition; (ix) ability to manage price and operational risks including industrial accidents and natural disasters; (x) ability to manage foreign operations; (xi) changes in technology; (xii) ability to acquire or renew permits and approvals; (xiii) changes in legislation or governmental regulations affecting Ferroglobe; (xiv) conditions in the credit markets; (xv) risks associated with assumptions made in connection with critical accounting estimates and legal proceedings; (xvi) Ferroglobe's international operations, which are subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and foreign exchange controls; and (xvii) the potential for international unrest, economic downturn or effects of currencies, tax assessments, tax adjustments, anticipated tax rates, raw material costs or availability or other regulatory compliance costs. The foregoing list is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect our business, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Reports on Form 20-F, Current Reports on Form 6-K and other documents we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Ferroglobe does not give any assurance (1) that the company will achieve its expectations or (2) concerning any result or the timing thereof, in each case, with respect to any regulatory action, administrative proceedings, government investigations, litigation, warning letters, consent decree, cost reductions, business strategies, earnings or revenue trends or future financial results. Forward-looking financial information and other metrics presented herein represent the company's goals and are not intended as guidance or projections for the periods presented herein or any future periods.

All information in this press release is as of the date of its release. Ferroglobe does not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of the forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements. If the company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. The company cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release.

Non-IFRS Financial Metrics

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted diluted profit (loss) per ordinary share and adjusted profit (loss) attributable to the parent are, we believe, pertinent non-IFRS financial metrics that Ferroglobe utilizes to measure its success.

Ferroglobe has included these financial metrics to provide supplemental measures of its performance. The Company believes these metrics are important because they eliminate items that have less bearing on the Company's current and future operating performance and highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. Reconciliations of these measures to the comparable IFRS financial measures are provided above and in the attached financial statements.

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Ferroglobe PLC

Joe Ragan, US: +1 917 2098581, UK: +44 (0) 7827 227 688

Chief Financial Officer

Email: jragan@ferroglobe.com

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