24. Financial instruments

      GENERAL INFORMATION

      The principal financial instruments used by the voestalpine Group consist of bank loans, bonds, borrower’s notes, and trade payables. The primary aim of the financial instruments is to fund the business activities of the Group. The Group holds various financial assets, such as trade receivables, current deposits, and non-current investments, which arise directly from its business activities.

      The Group also uses derivative financial instruments. They mainly include interest rate swaps, forward exchange transactions, and commodity swaps. These derivative financial instruments serve to hedge interest rate and currency risks as well as risks from fluctuations in raw materials prices, which result from the business activities of the Group and its sources of financing.

      CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

      In addition to ensuring the availability of the liquidity necessary for supporting the Group’s business activities and maximizing shareholder value, the primary objective of its capital management is to ensure an adequate credit rating and a satisfactory equity ratio.

      The voestalpine Group manages its capital using the net financial debt to EBITDA ratio as well as the gearing ratio, i.e., the net financial debt to equity ratio. Net financial debt consists of interest-bearing loans less financing receivables, loan receivables, securities as well as cash and cash equivalents. Equity includes non-controlling interests in Group companies.

      The target for the gearing ratio is 50% and may only be exceeded up to a maximum of 75% for a limited period of time. The net financial debt/EBITDA ratio shall not exceed 2.0 and, if it does, only for a limited time. All growth measures and capital market transactions are aligned with these ratios.

      These two ratios developed as follows in the reporting period:

       

       

      03/31/20231

       

      03/31/2024

       

       

       

       

       

      Gearing ratio in %

       

      21.6%

       

      22.0%

      Net financial debt to EBITDA ratio

       

      0.7

       

      1.0

       

       

       

       

       

      1

      Business year 2022/23, retroactively adjusted.

      FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT – CORPORATE FINANCE ORGANIZATION

      Financial risk management also includes raw material and energy risk management. Financial risk management is organized centrally with respect to policy-making power, strategy determination, and target definition. The existent policies include targets, principles, duties, and responsibilities for both Group Treasury and individual Group companies. In addition, they govern matters related to pooling; money markets; credit and securities management; currency, interest rate, liquidity, and commodity price risks; and the reporting system. Group Treasury, acting as a service center, is responsible for implementation. Three organizationally separate units are responsible for closing, processing, and recording transactions, which makes sure that a six-eyes principle is followed. These policies, policy compliance, and the conformity of the business processes with the internal control system (ICS) are additionally reviewed at regular intervals by an external auditor.

      It is part of the voestalpine Group’s corporate policy to continuously monitor, quantify, and—where reasonable—hedge financial risks. The Group’s risk appetite is more on the low side. The strategy is aimed at achieving natural hedges and reducing fluctuations in cash flows and earnings. Market risks are also hedged by means of derivative financial instruments.

      To quantify interest rate risks, voestalpine AG uses the interest rate exposure as an indicator. The interest rate exposure quantifies the impact of a one-percentage-point change in the market rate on interest income and/or interest expense.

      Putting in place a netting process aggregates and balances the Group’s foreign currency cash flows. This creates a natural hedge.

      A sensitivity analysis is carried out to quantify the currency risk based on a potential strengthening (weakening) of the euro relative to the other currencies by 10% as of March 31. The analysis posits that all other influencing factors are constant.

      LIQUIDITY RISK – FINANCING

      Liquidity risk refers to the risk of not being able to fulfill payment obligations due to insufficient funds.

      The primary instrument for controlling liquidity risks is an up-to-date knowledge of the Group-wide liquidity position and a precise financial plan that is submitted quarterly on a revolving basis by the operating entities directly to Group Treasury of voestalpine AG. The need for funds and bank credit lines is determined based on the consolidated results. The planned liquidity needs for the next 12 months are to be covered by a liquidity reserve.

      Working capital is financed by Group Treasury. A central clearing system performs intra-Group netting daily. Entities with liquidity surpluses indirectly put these funds at the disposal of entities requiring liquidity. Group Treasury deposits any residual liquidity with its principal banks. This makes it possible to lower the borrowing volume and optimize net interest income.

      Financing is either conducted in the given borrower’s local currency to avoid exchange rate risks or is currency hedged using currency swaps.

      voestalpine AG carries contractually guaranteed credit lines of EUR 1,000.0 million (2022/23: EUR 1,000.0 million) as a capitalized liquidity reserve. In addition, an item in current assets comprises securities and short-term investments that are used to cover any unexpected need for liquidity. As of March 31, 2024, freely disposable securities were EUR 158.2 million (March 31, 2023: EUR 341.3 million). These encompass repo transactions entailing CO2 repos (purchases of CO2 allowances subject to simultaneous repurchase agreements) in the amount of EUR 54.9 million (March 31, 2023: EUR 266.3 million). Furthermore, cash and cash equivalents in the amount of EUR 1,322.1 million (March 31, 2023: EUR 1,055.8 million) are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

      The voestalpine Group’s payable bills of exchange may lead to a concentration of risk because liabilities previously distributed among diverse creditors are now concentrated in the financial institutions involved. Any unilateral withdrawal by one or more banks of the arrangements regarding future transactions would lead to short-term liquidity needs. The voestalpine Group manages the concentration of risk by broadly diversifying the relevant financial instruments among different banks. In addition, the risk is mitigated by way of the existent liquidity reserve as well as cash and cash equivalents in the amount of EUR 2,322.1 million (previous year: EUR 2,055.8 million). As far as the payable bills of exchange are concerned, the largest of the twelve creditors accounts for a mere EUR 217.6 million (March 31, 2023: EUR 217.4 million), i.e., 9.4% (March 31, 2023: 10.6%), when compared with the liquidity reserve and the cash and cash equivalents. The liquidity risk from reverse factoring liabilities is of minor significance because of the low volume of such liabilities.

      The sources of financing are managed pursuant to the principle that the Group must remain independent of banks. Hence financing is currently provided by approximately 20 different domestic and foreign banks. The capital market is also used as a source of financing.

      In the business year 2022/23, no capital market transaction was effected.

      In the business year 2023/24 the following capital market transaction was effected.

      Emission Convertible Bond

       

      EUR 250.0 million

      A maturity analysis of all financial liabilities existent as of the reporting date is presented below:

      Liabilities

       

       

      Due within
      1 year

       

      Due between
      1 and 5 years

       

      Due after
      more than 5 years

       

       

      2022/231

       

      2023/24

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Bonds

       

      131.0

       

      676.9

       

      998.2

       

      732.2

       

      49.9

       

      50.0

      Bank loans

       

      604.9

       

      811.4

       

      798.1

       

      422.8

       

      62.0

       

      0.0

      Trade payables

       

      1,955.8

       

      1,738.8

       

      0.5

       

      0.3

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Trade payables from bills of exchange and trade payables from reverse factoring agreements

       

      1,023.1

       

      868.3

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Liabilities from leases

       

      51.2

       

      121.0

       

      143.9

       

      122.8

       

      154.1

       

      123.5

      Liabilities from foreign currency hedges and commodity hedges

       

      27.7

       

      33.8

       

      8.3

       

      7.1

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Thereof designated as hedge accounting

       

      16.5

       

      24.8

       

      8.3

       

      4.7

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Liabilities from interest hedges
      (incl. cross currency swaps)

       

      0.9

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Thereof designated as hedge accounting

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Other financial liabilities

       

      49.5

       

      78.7

       

      36.0

       

      8.4

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Other liabilities

       

      127.8

       

      148.8

       

      24.3

       

      16.5

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Total liabilities

       

      3,971.9

       

      4,477.7

       

      2,009.3

       

      1,310.1

       

      266.0

       

      173.5

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1
      Business year 2022/23, retroactively adjusted.

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      As estimated as of the reporting date, the following (prospective) interest expense corresponds to these existent liabilities:

       

       

      Due within
      1 year

       

      Due between
      1 and 5 years

       

      Due after
      more than 5 years

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Interest on bonds

       

      16.9

       

      24.2

       

      36.8

       

      45.2

       

      3.6

       

      2.7

      Interest on bank loans

       

      43.6

       

      34.9

       

      34.0

       

      13.8

       

      1.3

       

      0.0

      Interest on liabilities from leases

       

      10.2

       

      9.1

       

      26.6

       

      21.0

       

      26.2

       

      53.6

      Interest on interest hedges (incl. cross currency swaps)

       

      11.3

       

      6.7

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Interest on other financial liabilities

       

      0.8

       

      0.9

       

      0.9

       

      0.2

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Total interest expense

       

      82.8

       

      75.8

       

      98.3

       

      80.2

       

      31.1

       

      56.3

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      CREDIT RISK

      Credit risk refers to financial losses that may occur due to non-fulfillment of contractual obligations by individual business partners.

      The management of credit risks from investment and derivative transactions is governed by internal guidelines. All investment and derivative transactions are limited for each counterparty, with the size of the limit being contingent on the bank’s rating.

      For the most part, cash and cash equivalents are deposited with banks whose credit ratings are good. They are generally invested for the short term. The associated credit risk thus is secondary.

      Breakdown of investments at financial institutions by rating class

       

       

      AAA

       

      AA

       

      A

       

      BBB

       

      <BBB/NR

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Money market investments excl. account credit balances

       

      0.0

       

      258.0

       

      213.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Derivatives1

       

      0.0

       

      4.2

       

      5.1

       

      0.0

       

      0.1

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1
      Only positive fair values.

       

       

      In millions of euros

      The credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments is limited to transactions with a positive fair value and, in this case, to the amount of the fair value. As a result, solely the positive fair value of the derivative transactions is counted against the limit. Derivatives are closed exclusively based on standardized master agreements for financial futures transactions.

      The credit risk of the underlying transactions is minimized to a large degree through a large number of credit insurances and bankable securities (guarantees, letters of credit). The default risk related to the Group’s remaining own risk is managed by way of defined credit assessment, risk evaluation, risk classification, and credit monitoring processes. The credit risk of the counterparties to financial contracts is managed by monitoring the given counterparties’ credit ratings and changes in their credit default swap (CDS) levels on a regular basis.

      Depending on both the customer structure and the line of business, in most cases financial assets are deemed to have been defaulted when they are more than 180 days past due or when it is no longer certain that they will be paid in full absent collateral sales.

      Receivables are classified as financial assets with impaired credit ratings when specific indicators of impairment are present (in particular, substantial financial difficulties on the part of the debtor, default or late payments, heightened risk of insolvency). Receivables are written off (derecognized) when they become uncollectible (especially when the counterparty becomes insolvent). A write-up to the amortized cost is made if the reasons for the write-down no longer exist.

      The maximum theoretical default risk equals the amount at which the receivables are recognized in the statement of financial position.

      The expected loss rates are determined based on historical default rates in the past five years.

      As most of the receivables are insured, the risk of bad debt losses may be considered minor. There is no concentration of default risks because the customer portfolio is well diversified.

      The gross carrying amounts and allowances for trade receivables and contract assets are as follows:

       

       

      2022/231

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

      Gross carrying amount of trade receivables and contract assets

       

      1,406.8

       

      1,416.9

      Less gross carrying amount of trade receivables and contract assets that are credit-impaired

       

      –45.4

       

      –33.2

      Gross carrying amount of trade receivables and contract assets that are not credit-impaired

       

      1,361.4

       

      1,383.7

       

       

       

       

       

      Less portfolio value adjustments

       

      –0.5

       

      –0.5

      Net carrying amount of trade receivables and contract assets that are not credit-impaired

       

      1,360.9

       

      1,383.2

       

       

       

       

       

      1
      Business year 2022/23, retroactively adjusted.

      In millions of euros

      Trade receivables and contract assets that are past due but not credit-impaired

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

      Up to 30 days past due

       

      146.5

       

      183.1

      31 to 60 days past due

       

      31.6

       

      43.6

      61 to 90 days past due

       

      16.1

       

      14.5

      91 to 120 days past due

       

      5.8

       

      10.7

      More than 120 days past due

       

      24.1

       

      25.5

      Total

       

      224.1

       

      277.4

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      The loss allowances for trade receivables and contract assets that are credit-impaired have developed as follows:

      Loss allowance for receivables that are credit-impaired (individual value adjustment)

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

      Opening balance as of April 1

       

      34.9

       

      32.0

       

       

       

       

       

      Additions

       

      8.6

       

      6.2

      Net exchange differences

       

      –0.4

       

      0.1

      Changes in the scope of consolidation

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Reversal

       

      –8.9

       

      –6.4

      Use

       

      –2.2

       

      –2.5

      Reclassification of assets held for sale

       

      0.0

       

      –0.1

      Closing balance as of March 31

       

      32.0

       

      29.3

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      In the business year 2023/24, the portfolio value adjustments were not affected by any significant individual loss allowances.

      CURRENCY RISK

      The largest currency position in the Group arises from raw materials purchases in USD; however, the global business activities of the voestalpine Group also give rise to currency exposures in various other currencies.

      Cash inflows and outflows in the respective currencies are offset thanks to the implementation of rolling multi-currency netting. The natural hedge created in this way mitigates risk. The use of derivative hedging instruments is another option. voestalpine AG hedges budgeted foreign currency payments at most over the next 12 months. Longer-term hedging occurs only for contracted projects. The hedging ratio is between 25% and 100%. The further in the future the cash flows, the lower the hedging ratio.

      In the business year 2023/24, the net need for US dollars in the voestalpine Group was USD 698.7 million. In particular, the decrease compared with the previous business year (USD 1,458.8 million) is due to decreased USD requirements for raw materials purchases. The remaining foreign currency exposure, resulting primarily from exports to “non-eurozone countries” and raw material purchases, is significantly lower than the USD risk.

      Foreign currency portfolio 2023/24

      Foreign currency portfolio 2022/23 (pie chart)

      Based on the sensitivity analysis, as of March 31, 2024, the risks of all open positions relative to the Group currency for the upcoming business year are as follows:

      Foreign currency portfolio for 2024/25

       

       

      Planned position

       

      Rate 03/31/2024

       

      Planned
      position 
      (EUR)

       

      Planned
      position 
      (EUR)
      +10%

       

      Delta 
      (EUR)
      +10%

       

      Planned
      position 
      (EUR)
      –10%

       

      Delta 
      (EUR)
      –10%

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      USD

       

      –775.5

       

      1.0811

       

      –717.3

       

      –652.1

       

      65.2

       

      –797.0

       

      –79.7

      GBP

       

      108.4

       

      0.8551

       

      126.8

       

      115.3

       

      –11.5

       

      140.9

       

      14.1

      RON

       

      465.5

       

      4.9735

       

      93.6

       

      85.1

       

      –8.5

       

      104.0

       

      10.4

      PLN

       

      385.2

       

      4.3123

       

      89.3

       

      81.2

       

      –8.1

       

      99.3

       

      9.9

      CAD

       

      125.8

       

      1.4672

       

      85.7

       

      77.9

       

      –7.8

       

      95.3

       

      9.5

      CNH

       

      550.3

       

      7.8144

       

      70.4

       

      64.0

       

      –6.4

       

      78.2

       

      7.8

      SEK

       

      –333.6

       

      11.5250

       

      –28.9

       

      –26.3

       

      2.6

       

      –32.2

       

      –3.2

      Other

       

       

       

       

       

      33.7

       

      30.6

       

      –3.1

       

      37.4

       

      3.8

      Total

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      22.4

       

       

       

      –27.4

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      INTEREST RATE RISKS

      voestalpine AG is primarily subject to cash flow risks (the risk that interest expenses or interest income will undergo a detrimental change) in connection with variable-interest financial instruments. The positions shown include all interest-rate-sensitive financial instruments (loans, money market, issued and purchased securities as well as interest rate derivatives).

      The primary objective of interest rate management is to optimize the interest expense subject to risk considerations.

      The variable-interest positions on the asset side of EUR 1,320.5 million (2022/23: EUR 1,067.6 million) exceed the variable-interest positions on the liabilities side of EUR 1,271.7 million (2022/23: EUR 1,327.8 million), so that a one-percentage-point increase in the money market rate decreases the net interest expense by EUR –0.5 million (2022/23: increases by EUR 2.6 million). A decrease in the interest rate by one-percentage-point increases the net interest expense by EUR 0.5 million (2022/23: decreases by EUR –2.6 million).

      The weighted average interest rate for asset positions is 3.82% (2022/23: 2.63%) with a duration of 0.00 years (2022/23: 0.00 years)—including money market investments—and 3.13% (2022/23: 2.85%) for liability positions with a duration of 1.28 years (2022/23: 1.71 years).

       

       

      Position1

       

      Weighted average interest rate

       

      Duration (years)2

       

      Average capital commitment (years)2

       

      Cash flow risk +1% point1

       

      Cash flow risk –1% point1

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Assets

       

      1,320.5

       

      3.82%

       

      0.00

       

      0.00

       

      –13.2

       

      13.2

      Liabilities

       

      2,795.3

       

      3.13%

       

      1.28

       

      1.34

       

      12.7

       

      –12.7

      Net

       

      –1,474.8

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      –0.5

       

      0.5

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1
      In millions of euros.

       

       

      2
      Excluding revolving export loans of EUR 150.0 million.

       

       

      DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

      In the business year 2023/24, hedge accounting in accordance with IFRS 9 was used to hedge foreign currency cash flows, interest-bearing receivables and liabilities, and raw materials purchase agreements. In this connection, all transactions related to foreign currency and interest rate hedges are hedged in total. The commodity index component is hedged solely in connection with raw materials procurement contracts. A hedging ratio of 100% is stipulated in this connection. The hedges are cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting is only applied to a portion of the completed hedge transactions.

      The following derivative financial instruments are classified as cash flow hedges:

       

       

      Nominal amount1

       

      Fair value

       

      Line item in the statement of financial position that includes the hedging instrument

       

      Change in the fair value used as the basis for recognizing hedge ineffectiveness

       

      Ineffectiveness

       

       

       

       

      Assets

       

      Liabilities

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Cash flow hedge

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Foreign currency hedges

       

      519.2

       

      665.1

       

      4.9

       

      4.4

       

      14.0

       

      5.9

       

      Trade and other receivables (assets),
      Trade and other payables (liabilities)

       

      –9.1

       

      –1.5

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Commodity hedges

       

      266.7

       

      251.1

       

      12.5

       

      1.1

       

      10.7

       

      23.6

       

      Trade and other receivables (assets),
      Trade and other payables (liabilities)

       

      1.8

       

      –22.5

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Total

       

      785.9

       

      916.2

       

      17.4

       

      5.5

       

      24.7

       

      29.5

       

       

       

      –7.3

       

      –24.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1
      A total of EUR 747.1 million (2022/23: EUR 564.9 million) of the derivative financial instruments classified as cash flow hedges have short-term maturities. The remaining portion largely has maturities up to five years (2022/23: up to five years).

      In millions of euros

      The hedging volume of key foreign currency hedges is as follows:

       

       

      Nominal amount
      (in millions of euros)

       

      Average hedging rate

       

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Cash flow hedge

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Foreign currency hedges

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      USD

       

      410.9

       

      533.2

       

      1.1227

       

      1.1022

      The following underlying transactions were hedged:

       

       

      Change in the value of the hedged item used as the basis for recognizing any ineffectiveness

       

      Cash flow hedge reserve

       

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Cash flow hedge

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Currency risk (future purchase and sale transactions)

       

      9.1

       

      1.5

       

      –9.1

       

      –1.5

      Commodity price risk (future purchase and sale transactions)

       

      –1.8

       

      22.5

       

      1.8

       

      –22.5

      Total

       

      7.3

       

      24.0

       

      –7.3

       

      –24.0

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      The cash flow hedge reserve developed as follows:

      Cash flow hedge

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

      Opening balance as of April 1

       

      39.2

       

      –5.6

       

       

       

       

       

      Hedging gains and losses recognized in other comprehensive income

       

      –4.3

       

      –22.5

      Foreign currency hedges

       

      –5.8

       

      0.5

      Commodity hedges

       

      1.5

       

      –23.0

      Reclassification from other comprehensive income to profit or loss (revenue)

       

      3.7

       

      4.0

      Foreign currency hedges

       

      3.7

       

      4.0

      Reclassification from other comprehensive income to non-financial assets

       

      –58.1

       

      1.8

      Foreign currency hedges

       

      –1.8

       

      3.2

      Commodity hedges

       

      –56.3

       

      –1.4

      Deferred taxes on changes in the cash flow hedge reserve

       

      13.9

       

      3.8

      Closing balance as of March 31

       

      –5.6

       

      –18.5

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      The following derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value. The associated gains/losses are posted in the income statement:

       

       

      Nominal amount

       

      Fair value

       

       

       

       

      Assets

       

      Liabilities

       

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

      03/31/2023

       

      03/31/2024

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Foreign currency hedges

       

      1,322.1

       

      976.5

       

      16.6

       

      2.0

       

      10.7

       

      11.3

      Cross currency swaps

       

      163.1

       

      161.1

       

      4.1

       

      1.8

       

      0.9

       

      0.0

      Commodity hedges

       

      10.1

       

      3.0

       

      0.2

       

      0.1

       

      0.6

       

      0.2

      Total

       

      1,495.3

       

      1,140.6

       

      20.9

       

      3.9

       

      12.2

       

      11.5

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges have the following effects on cash flows and the profit or loss for the period:

       

       

      Total contractual cash flows

       

      Contractual cash flows

       

       

       

      up to 1 year

       

      between
      1 and 5 years

       

      more than 5 years

       

       

      03/31/
      2023

       

      03/31/
      2024

       

      03/31/
      2023

       

      03/31/
      2024

       

      03/31/
      2023

       

      03/31/
      2024

       

      03/31/
      2023

       

      03/31/
      2024

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Foreign currency hedges

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Assets

       

      4.9

       

      4.4

       

      3.1

       

      0.8

       

      1.0

       

      2.1

       

      0.8

       

      1.5

      Liabilities

       

      –14.0

       

      –5.9

       

      –5.8

       

      –2.4

       

      –8.2

       

      –3.5

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

       

      –9.1

       

      –1.5

       

      –2.7

       

      –1.6

       

      –7.2

       

      –1.4

       

      0.8

       

      1.5

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Commodity hedges

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Assets

       

      12.6

       

      1.1

       

      12.1

       

      1.1

       

      0.5

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Liabilities

       

      –10.8

       

      –23.6

       

      –10.7

       

      –22.4

       

      –0.1

       

      –1.2

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

       

      1.8

       

      –22.5

       

      1.4

       

      –21.3

       

      0.4

       

      –1.2

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      The nominal amounts are allocated to the aforementioned maturity buckets as follows:

       

       

      Total nominal amount

       

      Nominal amount

       

       

       

      up to 1 year

       

      between
      1 and 5 years

       

      more than 5 years

       

       

      03/31/
      2023

       

      03/31/
      2024

       

      03/31/
      2023

       

      03/31/
      2024

       

      03/31/
      2023

       

      03/31/
      2024

       

      03/31/
      2023

       

      03/31/
      2024

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Foreign currency hedges

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Assets

       

      239.0

       

      197.7

       

      125.9

       

      83.2

       

      50.4

       

      77.6

       

      62.7

       

      36.9

      Liabilities

       

      280.2

       

      467.4

       

      175.0

       

      421.0

       

      105.2

       

      46.4

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

       

      519.2

       

      665.1

       

      300.9

       

      504.2

       

      155.6

       

      124.0

       

      62.7

       

      36.9

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Commodity hedges

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Assets

       

      115.5

       

      23.2

       

      113.4

       

      23.2

       

      2.1

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Liabilities

       

      151.2

       

      227.9

       

      150.6

       

      219.7

       

      0.6

       

      8.2

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

       

      266.7

       

      251.1

       

      264.0

       

      242.9

       

      2.7

       

      8.2

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      CATEGORIES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

      Categories

       

      Financial assets measured at AC1

       

      Hedge accounting

       

      Financial assets measured at FVTPL

       

      Total

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Assets 03/31/2023

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Other financial assets, non-current

       

      2.6

       

      0.0

       

      57.1

       

      59.7

      Trade and other receivables2

       

      1,066.9

       

      17.4

       

      214.7

       

      1,299.0

      Other financial assets, current2

       

      266.3

       

      0.0

       

      75.0

       

      341.3

      Cash and cash equivalents

       

      1,055.8

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      1,055.8

      Carrying amount

       

      2,391.6

       

      17.4

       

      346.8

       

      2,755.8

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1
      The carrying amount of the financial assets measured at AC represents an adequate approximation of the fair value.
      2
      Business year 2022/23, retroactively adjusted.

      In millions of euros

      Categories

       

      Financial assets measured at AC1

       

      Hedge accounting

       

      Financial assets measured at FVTPL

       

      Total

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Assets 03/31/2024

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Other financial assets, non-current

       

      2.9

       

      0.0

       

      60.2

       

      63.1

      Trade and other receivables

       

      1,097.5

       

      5.5

       

      176.5

       

      1,279.5

      Other financial assets, current

       

      54.9

       

      0.0

       

      103.3

       

      158.2

      Cash and cash equivalents

       

      1,322.1

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      1,322.1

      Carrying amount

       

      2,477.4

       

      5.5

       

      340.0

       

      2,822.9

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1
      The carrying amount of the financial assets measured at AC represents an adequate approximation of the fair value.

      In millions of euros

      Categories

       

      Financial liabilities measured at AC

       

      Hedge accounting

       

      Financial liabilities measured at FVTPL

       

      Total

       

       

      Carrying amount

       

      Fair value

       

      Carrying amount (= fair value)

       

      Carrying amount (= fair value)

       

      Carrying amount

       

      Fair value

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Liabilities 03/31/2023

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Financial liabilities, non-current

       

      2,242.2

       

      2,177.7

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      2,242.2

       

      2,177.7

      Financial liabilities, current

       

      836.6

       

      834.7

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      836.6

       

      834.7

      Trade and other payables1, 2

       

      2,108.4

       

      2,108.4

       

      24.7

       

      12.2

       

      2,145.3

       

      2,145.3

      Trade payables from bills of exchange and trade payables from reverse factoring agreements1

       

      1,023.1

       

      1,023.1

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      1,023.1

       

      1,023.1

      Total

       

      6,210.3

       

      6,143.9

       

      24.7

       

      12.2

       

      6,247.2

       

      6,180.8

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1
      The carrying amount of the trade and other payables, the trade payables from bills of exchange, and the payables from reverse factoring agreements represents an adequate approximation of the fair value.
      2
      Business year 2022/23, retroactively adjusted.

      In millions of euros

      Categories

       

      Financial liabilities measured at AC

       

      Hedge accounting

       

      Financial liabilities measured at FVTPL

       

      Total

       

       

      Carrying amount

       

      Fair value

       

      Carrying amount (= fair value)

       

      Carrying amount (= fair value)

       

      Carrying amount

       

      Fair value

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Liabilities 03/31/2024

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Financial liabilities, non-current

       

      1,459.7

       

      1,414.8

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      1,459.7

       

      1,414.8

      Financial liabilities, current

       

      1,688.0

       

      1,680.4

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      1,688.0

       

      1,680.4

      Trade and other payables1

       

      1,904.3

       

      1,904.3

       

      29.5

       

      11.5

       

      1,945.3

       

      1,945.3

      Trade payables from bills of exchange and trade payables from reverse factoring agreements1

       

      868.3

       

      868.3

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      868.3

       

      868.3

      Total

       

      5,920.3

       

      5,867.8

       

      29.5

       

      11.5

       

      5,961.3

       

      5,908.8

       

      1
      The carrying amount of the trade and other payables, the trade payables from bills of exchange, and the payables from reverse factoring agreements represents an adequate approximation of the fair value.

      In millions of euros

      The financial liabilities measured at amortized cost, excluding bonds issued, fall under Level 2. Valuation is performed according to the discounted cash flow method, whereby the input parameters for the calculation of the fair values are the foreign exchange rates, interest rates, and credit spreads observable on the market. Using the input parameters, the fair values are calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows at market interest rates.

      Bonds issued are measured using Level 1 inputs based on the quoted price as of the reporting date.

      The table below analyzes regular fair value measurements of financial assets and financial liabilities. These measurements are based on a fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs included in the valuation methods used to measure fair value into three levels. The three levels are defined as follows:

      Inputs

      Level 1

       

      Comprises quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date.

      Level 2

       

      Comprises inputs other than the quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

      Level 3

       

      Comprises unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

      Fair value hierarchy levels used for recurring fair value measurements

       

       

      Level 1

       

      Level 2

       

      Level 3

       

      Total

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      03/31/2023

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Financial assets

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Other financial assets, non-current

       

      13.1

       

      0.0

       

      44.0

       

      57.1

      Receivables from derivatives – hedge accounting

       

      0.0

       

      17.4

       

      0.0

       

      17.4

      Trade and other receivables

       

      0.0

       

      20.9

       

      193.8

       

      214.7

      Other financial assets, current

       

      75.0

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      75.0

       

       

      88.1

       

      38.3

       

      237.8

       

      364.2

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Financial liabilities

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Liabilities from derivatives – hedge accounting

       

      0.0

       

      24.7

       

      0.0

       

      24.7

      Trade and other payables

       

      0.0

       

      12.2

       

      0.0

       

      12.2

       

       

      0.0

       

      36.9

       

      0.0

       

      36.9

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      03/31/2024

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Financial assets

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Other financial assets, non-current

       

      13.7

       

      0.0

       

      46.5

       

      60.2

      Receivables from derivatives – hedge accounting

       

      0.0

       

      5.5

       

      0.0

       

      5.5

      Trade and other receivables

       

      0.0

       

      3.9

       

      172.6

       

      176.5

      Other financial assets, current

       

      103.3

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

       

      103.3

       

       

      117.0

       

      9.4

       

      219.1

       

      345.5

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Financial liabilities

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Liabilities from derivatives – hedge accounting

       

      0.0

       

      29.5

       

      0.0

       

      29.5

      Trade and other payables

       

      0.0

       

      11.5

       

      0.0

       

      11.5

       

       

      0.0

       

      41.0

       

      0.0

       

      41.0

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      The derivative transactions (Level 2) are measured using the discounted cash flow method by determining the value that would be realized if the hedging position were closed out (liquidation method). The observable currency exchange rates and raw materials prices as well as interest rates are the input for the calculation of fair values. Fair values are calculated based on the inputs by discounting expected future cash flows at market interest rates.

      The voestalpine Group recognizes reclassifications between different levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period in which the change occurred. There were no reclassifications in the business years 2022/23 or 2023/24.

      The table below presents the reconciliation of Level 3 financial assets measured at fair value between the opening balance and the closing balance, as follows:

      Level 3 – FVTPL – Other financial assets – Non-current

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

      Opening balance

       

      41.3

       

      44.0

       

       

       

       

       

      Total of gains/losses recognized in the income statement:

       

       

       

       

      Finance costs/Finance income

       

      2.7

       

      2.5

      Closing balance

       

      44.0

       

      46.5

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      Level 3 includes the equity investment in Energie AG Oberösterreich that is measured at fair value. The fair value of this entity can be reliably determined based on the valuation report that is prepared once a year for Energie AG Oberösterreich as a whole, taking into account all relevant information.

      Significant sensitivities in the determination of the fair values may result from changes in the underlying market data of comparable entities and the input factors used to determine the net present value (particularly discount rates, non-current forecasts, plan data, etc.).

      Level 3 – FVTPL – Trade receivables (sale business model)

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

      Opening balance as of April 1

       

      260.2

       

      193.8

       

       

       

       

       

      Reclassification of discontinued operations

       

      0.0

       

      0.0

      Disposals

       

      –260.2

       

      –193.8

      Additions

       

      193.8

       

      172.6

      Closing balance as of March 31

       

      193.8

       

      172.6

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      The receivables in this portfolio are sold monthly on a rolling basis as part of the Group’s factoring programs. The measurement gains or losses allocable to this portfolio are of secondary significance.

      The credit risk associated with a particular debtor is the key factor in the fair value determination of the portfolio entitled, “Trade and other receivables held for factoring.” Any increase/decrease by 1% in the established default rates thus would change the fair value of this portfolio at most in the same amount; as a rule, however, the fair value change is disproportionately low, because credit insurance has been purchased for significant portions of the portfolio.

      The table below shows the net gains and losses on financial instruments, broken down by measurement category:

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

      Financial assets at AC

       

      21.2

       

      49.9

      Financial liabilities at AC

       

      –95.5

       

      –143.5

      Financial assets at FVTPL

       

      12.9

       

      19.4

      Derivatives at FVTPL

       

      –4.9

       

      –31.0

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      Total interest income and total interest expense for financial assets and financial liabilities that were not measured at fair value through profit or loss are as follows:

       

       

      2022/23

       

      2023/24

       

       

       

       

       

      Total interest income

       

      23.7

       

      49.7

      Total interest expense

       

      –95.8

       

      –143.6

       

       

       

       

       

      In millions of euros

      The impairment loss on financial instruments measured at AC is EUR 6.2 million (2022/23: EUR 9.3 million), and the reversals of loss allowances are EUR 6.4 million (2022/23: EUR 8.9 million).

      Cash flow
      • From investing activities: outflow/inflow of liquid assets from investments/disinvestments;
      • From operating activities: outflow/inflow of liquid assets not affected by investment, disinvestment, or financing activities.
      • From financing activities: outflow/inflow of liquid assets from capital expenditures and capital contributions.
      EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization)
      Profit before the deduction of taxes, non-controlling interests, financial result, and depreciation and amortization expenses.
      Equity
      Assets made available to a corporation by the owners through deposits and/or contributions or from retained profits.
      Equity ratio
      Equity divided by total assets.
      Gearing
      Ratio of net financial debt to equity.
      IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)
      Accounting regulations developed to guarantee comparable accounting and disclosure.
      Net financial debt
      Interest-bearing liabilities less interest-earning assets.
      Rating
      An evaluation of the credit quality of a company recognized on international capital markets.