Highlights
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 22, 2007 - Ahold today published its summary financial report for the full year and fourth quarter 2006. Anders Moberg, President and CEO of Ahold, said "Ahold met the targets we set last year. U.S. Foodservice delivered 1.7% operating margin, our retail operations performed in line with our margin guidance and exceeded sales growth guidance. Group Office Support costs are down and we have reduced net debt even more than we said we would. Our Value Improvement Program at Stop & Shop is on track and we have already seen encouraging improvements in the way customers perceive our produce department, both in terms of price and quality.
Our focus in 2007 will be the ongoing implementation of the strategy we announced last November. In view of the progress of our divestment program, we are pleased to announce today that we plan to increase the amount we return to shareholders from €2 billion to €3 billion, subject to the divestment of U.S. Foodservice. This will be executed through a share buyback program, the details of which will be announced in due course. In our new company structure of two continental platforms, we have new management in key positions, both in the United States and Europe. Our major focus in the United States is the continued roll-out of the Value Improvement Program. We have set operating margin guidance for our retained retail businesses for the year ahead at between 4 and 4.5 percent."
Please open the links below for the full version of the Q4 2006 earnings release and the Interim Financial Report Q4 2006.
