2016 was a year of stabilization and progress for Platform (PAH, Financial). The company solidified its core leadership team, as key new hires, including CEO Rakesh Sachdev and Ag President Diego Casanello started in early 2016. Platform returned to positive organic growth despite continued softness in its end markets, delivered on synergy commitments from its recent acquisitions, and improved its capital structure through a $400 million equity issuance and a $3 billion debt refinancing that lowered the interest rate and extended the maturity of the company’s debt.
PAH’s underlying EBITDA (adjusted for currency effects) grew 6% in 2016, due to improved results in both the Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions businesses. Underlying EBITDA in Performance Solutions division grew 9% due to strong performance in the Asian electronics and industrial markets and cost synergies from the recent acquisition of Alent, while Agricultural Solutions grew 3% due to strength in the European and Latin America regions and continued cost synergies. Overall, PAH’s EBITDA grew 4% in 2016 reflecting a modest headwind from foreign exchange.
Despite positive progress, Platform’s share price declined 23.5% in 2016. However, in the first two months of 2017, Platform’s share price appreciated 34%, more than offsetting the decline in 2016. Platform continues to trade at a discount to its publicly traded segment peers and private-market transaction values.
From 2016 annual letter to shareholders of Pershing Square by Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio).
