Cash flows used in operating activities
Cash flows used in operating activities increased by $63 million to $257 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $194 million in the same period in 2022. The increase was mainly due to a decrease in operating profit of $28 million, an increase in depreciation and amortization of $12 million, an increase in exceptional operating items of $1 million, an increase in working capital outflows of $21 million, a decrease in exceptional costs paid, including restructuring of $2 million, higher interest payments of $5 million, higher outflows from settlements of foreign currency derivative financial instruments of $22 million and higher tax payments of $2 million.
Cash flows used in investing activities
Cash flows used in investing activities increased by $9 million to $126 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared with $117 million in the same period in 2022 that was mainly driven by higher maintenance capital expenditure, partly offset by the effect of timing on projects relating to the Group’s growth investment program.
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities
Net cash from financing activities represents an outflow of $49 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with an $81 million inflow in the same period in 2022.
Proceeds from borrowings of $36 million primarily reflects the draw down of the Group’s Global Asset Based Loan Facility during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Repayment of borrowings of $2 million reflects the repayment of $2 million of other borrowings during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Lease payments of $16 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, increased by $3 million compared to $13 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022, reflecting increased principal repayments on the Group’s lease obligations.
In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company paid cash dividends to shareholders of $66 million. On February 21, 2023, the Board approved an interim dividend of $0.10 per ordinary share. The interim dividend of $60 million was paid on March 28, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2023. On February 21, 2023, the Board approved an interim dividend on the annual 9% dividend of the preferred shares. The interim dividend of €6 million ($6 million) was paid on March 28, 2023.
Working capital
In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the working capital outflow during the period increased by $21 million to $346 million, from an outflow of $325 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase is mainly due to higher outflows in trade payables, partly offset by lower outflows in both inventories and trade receivables, compared with the same period in 2022.
Exceptional costs paid, including restructuring
Exceptional costs paid, including restructuring, in the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by $2 million to $12 million, compared with $14 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, amounts paid of $12 million comprised $10 million of start-up costs, mainly relating to the Group’s growth investment program and $2 million of other costs.