Company Announcement No 24/2010
25 November 2010
Continued significant performance improvement in line with expectations
Royal Unibrew continued the positive earnings trend in Q3. In the nine months
to 30 September 2010, operat-ing profit (EBIT before special items) increased
by DKK 122 million to DKK 357 million compared to DKK 235 million in 2009,
which was as expected. Both EBIT and EBIT margin increased in all group
segments compared to 2009. Free cash flow increased significantly in 2010 and
was DKK 222 million above the figure for the same period of 2009. At the same
time, net interest-bearing debt was reduced by DKK 697 million, DKK 187 million
of which was contributed by the sale of the Caribbean breweries in February
2010. Net in-terest-bearing debt is now expected to amount to approx. DKK 850
million at the end of 2010, which is DKK 50 million below the expectation
previously announced.
”In 2010, we reinforced our market positions through increased marketing
efforts and several new product and campaign launches, and we maintained
persistent focus on increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This has enabled
us to continue the Group's positive performance trend in spite of lower demand
in several markets and keen competition. We are pleased with that. At the same
time, we now expect to have reached our long-term financial targets already by
the end of 2010, and Royal Unibrew emerges as a well-trimmed and efficient
business that is well-positioned to expand and defend its market positions. We
have therefore established new, ambitious financial targets and determined our
strategic main priorities for 2011. It is our medium-term objective to increase
EBIT margin to around 13%. Due to the greater financial strength, the
Supervisory Board expects to propose distribution around DKK 200 million at the
Annual General Meeting in 2011” says Henrik Brandt, CEO.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Generally market shares were won or maintained on branded beer as well as
soft and malt drinks.
• Net revenue declined by just below 1% to DKK 2,970 million in the nine months
to 30 September 2010. Ad-justed for the divestment of the Caribbean breweries,
organic net revenue growth of 3% was achieved.
• EBITDA (before special items) increased by DKK 117 million (31%) to DKK 499
million.
• Operating profit (EBIT before special items) increased by DKK 122 million
(52%) to DKK 357 million. DKK 10 million of the increase was caused by the
change of accounting estimates.
• Profit before tax amounted to DKK 301 million compared to DKK 126 million in
the same period of 2009.
• Free cash flow amounted to DKK 513 million - DKK 222 million above the 2009
figure.
• Net interest-bearing debt was reduced in 2010 by DKK 697 million to DKK 719
million.
OUTLOOK
After the end of Q3 2010, Royal Unibrew clarifies its expectations for 2010.
Due to changed estimates of deprecia-tion periods, see note 1, the expectation
for EBIT is increased by DKK 20 million. Net revenue of DKK 3,750-3,800 million
is expected for 2010 (previous expectation of DKK 3,700-3,850 million), whereas
EBITDA is expected to be at the level of DKK 590-610 million (previous
expectation of DKK 575-625 million), and operating profit (EBIT be-fore special
items) is expected to be at the level of DKK 410-430 million (previous
expectation of DKK 375-425 million). Net financials are estimated at an
expense of approx. DKK 55 million (previous expectation of some DKK 65
million). Profit before tax for 2010 is expected to be at the level of DKK
355-375 million (previous expec-tation of DKK 310-360 million). Net
interest-bearing debt at the end of 2010 is now expected to amount to approx.
DKK 850 corresponding to some 1.4 times EBITDA (previous expectation of approx.
DKK 900 million corre-sponding to 1.4-1.6 times EBITDA).
For further information on this Announcement:
Henrik Brandt, CEO, tel + 45 56 77 15 13
It will be possible for investors and analysts to follow Royal Unibrew's
presentation of the Interim Report on Thursday, 25 November 2010, at 9 am by
webcast. Please register at the Royal Unibrew website www.royalunibrew.com.
