Earnings Release • Apr 24, 2019
Earnings Release
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| FIRST-QUARTER 2019 | KEY FIGURES | |
|---|---|---|
| -------------------- | -- | ------------- |
| First-quarter 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total variation(2) | |||||||
| Sales inc. LFL(1) VAT (€m) |
At current exchange rates |
At constant exchange rates |
|||||
| France | 9,034 | +1.0% | -3.3% | -3.3% | |||
| Europe | 5,358 | -1.5% | -3.3% | -2.8% | |||
| Latin America (pre IAS 29) |
3,880 | +14.5% | -2.5% | +15.6% | |||
| Asia | 1,744 | -3.4% | -1.5% | -3.5% | |||
| Group (pre-IAS 29) | 20,016 | +2.7% | -3.0% | +0.5% | |||
| IAS 29 (3) | (29) | ||||||
| Group (post-IAS 29) | 19,987 |
Notes: (1) excluding petrol and calendar effects and at constant exchange rates; (2) variations presented in relation to the restated 2018 sales, i.e. excluding sales of ex-Dia stores that exited the Group's scope; (3) hyperinflation and currency effect in Argentina
In the first quarter of 2019, Carrefour's pre-IAS 29 gross sales totaled €20,016m, up 0.5% at constant exchange rates. After taking into account an unfavorable exchange rate effect of -3.4%, mainly due to the depreciation of the Brazilian Real and the Argentine Peso, sales were down -3.0% at current exchange rates. After application of IAS 29, the Group's Q1 2019 consolidated sales inc. VAT totaled €19,987m.
On a like-for-like basis (LFL), sales rose +2.7% in the quarter. Total growth at constant exchange rates (+0.5%) also includes a calendar effect marked by Easter (-1.6%), the contribution of gasoline sales (-1.0%), as well as openings (+1.2%) and scope and other effects (-0.9%).
In France, in a new regulatory context (EGALIM law), Carrefour's like-for-like sales rose by +1.0%, driven by a satisfactory performance in food (+2.0% LFL), while non-food remains difficult (-5.4% LFL).
The market context remains difficult in Europe (-1.5% LFL):
Strong momentum continued in Latin America (+14.5% LFL):
LFL sales in Asia were down -3.4%:
After launching a powerful transformation dynamic in 2018, establishing itself as the leader in the food transition for all, making significant commercial investments and attaining a sustained pace of cost reductions, Carrefour is continuing its initiatives in 2019.
As 2019 gets underway, the Group is strengthening its leadership role with new concrete actions:
Sales of organic products continue their strong growth momentum, up more than 20% in Q1 2019, particularly in France:
Numerous initiatives to strengthen competitiveness: In early 2019, Carrefour has made strong choices in favor of the consumer and is strengthening its competitiveness.
Hypermarket revamp: In February, Carrefour announced that it will systematize and internationalize the logic of adapting hypermarkets to the specificities of each catchment area, in order to offer a more fluid customer path and a better shopping experience. The Group is continuing to reduce underproductive sales area, mainly non-food (global target of 400,000 m² reduction by 2022).
1 Source : Nielsen Homescan CAM 24/03/2019
Highlighting food know-how and adapting the non-food offer: The Group wants to make its stores the showcase of the food transition. It is accelerating the redesign of its commercial proposition and rethinking assortments and services.
Deployment of the omnichannel ecosystem: In Q1 2019, Carrefour stepped up its digital transformation efforts. Food e-commerce sales grew by more than 30% in the first quarter.
Roll-out of new stores in growth formats: Carrefour continues to expand rapidly, with the opening of new convenience stores (target of 3,000 openings by 2022) and Cash & Carry.
Transformation of organizations: In Q1 2019, Carrefour launched new initiatives to transform its organizations and make them simpler and more agile.
Operational efficiency and financial discipline: In all countries, Carrefour is pursuing a cost reduction drive and is strengthening the selectivity and productivity of its investments.
Solid balance sheet: Carrefour reaffirms its commitment to a solid balance sheet, which is an important asset in the context of rapid changes in food retail. At March 31, 2019, the Group was rated Baa1 with negative outlook by Moody's and BBB with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor's.
The strong transformation momentum initiated in 2018 and continued in Q1 2019, in a complex macroeconomic context, reinforces management's confidence in the relevance of the Carrefour 2022 plan that supports the Group's ambition: To be the leader of the transition food for all.
In 2019, the Group will continue its transformation, deepening the initiatives taken in 2018.
Carrefour confirms the financial targets of the Carrefour 2022 plan:
The proposed dividend for the 2018 financial year amounts to €0.46 per share. This dividend will be proposed in cash or in shares, at the shareholder's choice, and will be submitted to the approval of the Annual General Meeting on June 14, 2019.
The ex-dividend date would be June 20, 2019 and the record date would be June 21, 2019. Shareholders would be able to opt for a payment in cash or shares between June 24 and July 5, 2019. The dividend would be payable from July 11, 2019.
Shareholders who opt for payment in shares, would benefit from a 10% discount on the average of the opening price of the twenty trading days preceding the day of the Annual General Meeting, minus the net dividend and rounded up to the nearest euro cent.
Since January 1, 2019, Carrefour has applied IFRS 16, which concerns the principles of accounting for leases, and replaces IAS 17 - Leases and its interpretations. The Group opted for the simplified retrospective approach, without restating the 2018 Consolidated Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements for the first half of 2019, to be published end-July, will be established in accordance with IFRS 16 accounting rules. Carrefour estimates the new IFRS 16 lease liability at about €5.0bn at January 1, 2019. This estimate is subject to change until the Group presents its first-half consolidated financial statements, including First Time Application on opening balance sheet.
Investor Relations Selma Bekhechi, Anthony Guglielmo and Antoine Parison Tel : +33 (0)1 64 50 79 81 Shareholder Relations Tel : 0 805 902 902 (toll-free in France) Group Communication Tel : +33 (0)1 58 47 88 80
IFRS 16, which replaces IAS 17 – Leases and the related interpretations as from January 1, 2019, sets out the principles for recognizing leases and introduces major changes in the accounting for leases by lessees, since it eliminates the distinction for lessees between operating and finance leases.
Under IFRS 16, all leases are to be brought onto the statement of financial position by recognizing a right-of-use asset and a lease liability corresponding to the present value of the lease payments due over the reasonably certain term of the lease. IFRS 16 will therefore affect the presentation of lease transactions in the income statement (with rental expense replaced by a depreciation expense and interest expense) and in the statement of cash flows (lease payments, representing payment of interest and repayment of the outstanding liability, will impact financing cash flows).
The decision has been made to transition to IFRS 16 as of January 1, 2019 using the simplified retrospective approach, without restating the 2018 consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements for the first half of 2019, to be published end-July, will be established in accordance with IFRS 16 accounting rules. Carrefour estimates the new IFRS 16 lease liability at about €5.0bn at January 1, 2019. This estimate is subject to change until the Group presents its first half consolidated financial statements, including First Time Application on opening balance sheet.
In Argentina, the cumulative inflation rate over the last three years is greater than 100%, according to a combination of indices used to measure the country's inflation (inflation of wholesale prices and consumer prices having exceeded the 100% threshold), and no significant decrease in inflation is expected in 2019 in a context in which, moreover, the Argentine peso has depreciated.
As a result, the criteria of the IAS 29 norm are fulfilled and according to a consensus shared by the AMF and ESMA, Argentina is considered a hyperinflationary economy within the meaning of IFRS as of July 1, 2018. Thus, the terms of IAS 29 relating to financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies become applicable from January 1st, 2018 as if Argentina had always been in hyperinflation.
The impact on Q1 2019 revenue is presented in the table below:
| 2019 at | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 at | 2019 at | current | ||||||||
| Sales | Scope | constant | current | exchange | ||||||
| inc. VAT | Calendar | effect and | Petrol | exchange | exchange | rates post | ||||
| (€m) | (1) 2018 |
LFL(2) | effect | others | effect | rates | Currencies | rates | IAS 29(3) | IAS 29 |
| Q1 | 20,626 | +2.7% | -1.6% | +0.3% | -1.0% | 20,722 | -3.4% | 20,016 | (29) | 19,987 |
Notes: (1) restated for IFRS 5; (2) excluding petrol and calendar effects and at constant exchange rates; (3) hyperinflation and currencies
| Sales | Variation ex petrol ex calendar |
Total variation inc. petrol | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| inc. VAT (€m) |
LFL Organic |
at current exchange rates |
at constant exchange rates |
|||
| France | 9,034 | +1.0% | 0.0% | -3.3% | -3.3% | |
| Hypermarkets | 4,659 | +0.1% | -0.3% | -3.4% | -3.4% | |
| Supermarkets | 3,003 | +1.5% | -0.7% | -3.1% | -3.1% | |
| Convenience /other formats | 1,372 | +2.6% | +2.5% | -3.2% | -3.2% | |
| Other countries | 10,982 | +3.9% | +4.9% | -2.7% | +3.5% | |
| Other European countries | 5,358 | -1.5% | -1.7% | -3.3% | -2.8% | |
| Spain | 2,161 | -2.8% | -2.4% | -1.9% | -1.9% | |
| Italy | 1,214 | -3.8% | -5.6% | -7.7% | -7.7% | |
| Belgium | 987 | -0.4% | -1.8% | -3.5% | -3.5% | |
| Poland | 494 | +3.0% | +2.8% | -3.4% | -0.6% | |
| Romania | 502 | +3.3% | +7.1% | +3.2% | +5.0% | |
| Latin America (pre-IAS 29) | 3,880 | +14.5% | +18.0% | -2.5% | +15.6% | |
| Brazil | 3,306 | +6.6% | +11.3% | +1.4% | +8.8% | |
| Argentina (pre-IAS 29) | 574 | +49.1% | +47.0% | -20.0% | +46.5% | |
| Asia | 1,744 | -3.4% | -3.6% | -1.5% | -3.5% | |
| China | 1,198 | -4.4% | -5.3% | -4.0% | -5.7% | |
| Taiwan | 546 | -1.1% | +0.4% | +4.5% | +1.6% | |
| Group total (pre-IAS 29) | 20,016 | +2.7% | +2.8% | -3.0% | +0.5% | |
| IAS 29(1) | (29) | |||||
| Group total (post-IAS 29) | 19,987 |
Variations ex calendar and ex petrol are presented in relation to the restated 2018 sales, i.e. excluding sales of ex-Dia stores that exited the Group's scope.
Note: (1) hyperinflation and currencies
| Thousands of sq. m | Dec 31. 2018 |
Openings/ Store enlargements |
Acquisitions | Closures/ Store reductions |
Total Q1 2019 change |
March 31 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 5,546 | 15 | - | -13 | +2 | 5,548 |
| Europe (ex France) | 5,598 | 21 | - | -27 | -5 | 5,593 |
| Latin America | 2,510 | 23 | - | - | +23 | 2,534 |
| Asia | 2,667 | 0 | - | -9 | -9 | 2,658 |
| Others1 | 1,223 | 25 | - | -2 | +23 | 1,246 |
| Group | 17,545 | 85 | - | -50 | +35 | 17,579 |
| N° of stores | Dec. 31 2018 |
Openings | Acquisitions | Closures/ Disposals |
Transfers | Total Q1 2019 change |
March 31 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypermarkets | 1,384 | 3 | - | -1 | 1 | +3 | 1,387 |
| France | 247 | - | - | - | 1 | +1 | 248 |
| Europe (ex France) | 452 | 1 | - | - | - | +1 | 453 |
| Latin America | 189 | - | - | - | - | - | 189 |
| Asia | 372 | - | - | -1 | - | -1 | 371 |
| Others1 | 124 | 2 | - | - | - | +2 | 126 |
| Supermarkets | 3,319 | 21 | - | -17 | -1 | +3 | 3,322 |
| France | 1,056 | 3 | - | -3 | -1 | -1 | 1,055 |
| Europe (ex France) | 1,776 | 6 | - | -12 | - | -6 | 1,770 |
| Latin America | 147 | 1 | - | - | - | +1 | 148 |
| Asia | 73 | - | - | -1 | - | -1 | 72 |
| Others1 | 267 | 11 | - | -1 | - | +10 | 277 |
| Convenience stores | 7,029 | 91 | - | -112 | - | -21 | 7,008 |
| France | 3,918 | 42 | - | -46 | - | -4 | 3,914 |
| Europe (ex France) | 2,511 | 47 | - | -62 | - | -15 | 2,496 |
| Latin America | 516 | 1 | - | - | - | +1 | 517 |
| Asia | 29 | 1 | - | -4 | - | -3 | 26 |
| Others1 | 55 | - | - | - | - | - | 55 |
| Cash & carry | 379 | 7 | - | -1 | - | +6 | 385 |
| France | 144 | 1 | - | - | - | +1 | 145 |
| Europe (ex France) | 49 | 2 | - | -1 | - | +1 | 50 |
| Latin America | 173 | 4 | - | - | - | +4 | 177 |
| Asia | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Others1 | 13 | - | - | - | - | - | 13 |
| Group | 12,111 | 122 | - | -131 | - | -9 | 12,102 |
| France | 5,365 | 46 | - | -49 | - | -3 | 5,362 |
| Europe (ex France) | 4,788 | 56 | - | -75 | - | -19 | 4,769 |
| Latin America | 1,025 | 6 | - | - | - | +6 | 1,031 |
| Asia | 474 | 1 | - | -6 | - | -5 | 469 |
| Others1 | 459 | 13 | - | -1 | - | +12 | 471 |
1 Africa, Middle East and Dominican Republic.
Sales generated by stores opened for at least twelve months, excluding temporary store closures, at constant exchange rates, excluding petrol and calendar effects and excluding IAS 29 impact.
Like for like sales growth plus net openings over the past twelve months, including temporary store closures, at constant exchange rates.
Gross margin is the difference between the sum of net sales, other income, reduced by loyalty program costs and the cost of goods sold. Cost of sales comprise purchase costs, changes in inventory, the cost of products sold by the financial services companies, discounting revenue and exchange rate gains and losses on goods purchased.
Recurring Operating Income is defined as the difference between gross margin and sales, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization and provisions.
Recurring Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) excludes depreciation from supply chain activities which is booked in cost of goods sold and excludes non-recurring items as defined below.
Operating Income (EBIT) is defined as the difference between gross margin and sales, general and administrative expenses, depreciation, amortization and non-recurring items.
Non-recurring income and expenses are certain material items that are unusual in terms of their nature and frequency, such as impairment, restructuring costs and expenses related to the revaluation of pre-existing risks on the basis of information that the Group became aware of during the accounting period.
Free cash flow is defined as the difference between funds generated by operations (before net interest costs), the variation of working capital requirements and capital expenditures.
This press release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Carrefour management's current views and assumptions. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Group. Actual results or performances may differ materially from those in such forward looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks described in the documents filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers as part of the regulated information disclosure requirements and available on Carrefour's website (www.carrefour.com), and in particular the Annual Report (Document de Référence). These documents are also available in English on the company's website. Investors may obtain a copy of these documents from Carrefour free of charge. Carrefour does not assume any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements in the future.
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