2019 First-Half Results
Press release – Paris, July 25, 2019

Good execution driving profitable growth
On track to deliver guidance

  • Consolidated sales up by +1.3% on a reported basis to €6,496m in second quarter
  • Like-for-like sales growth rebound in Q2 as expected: +2.5%, with all businesses growing at more than 2%
  • Recurring operating margin improving for the 7th consecutive semester at 14.69%, up +42 bps
  • Strong recurring EPS growth: +6.3% at €1.87
  • Reported EPS at €1.58 reflecting sale of Earthbound Farm and non-recurring restructuring costs
  • 2019 guidance confirmed: like-for-like sales growth of around 3% and recurring operating margin above 15%


Emmanuel Faber: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer statement

“Our first-half results demonstrate our continued focus on the combination of strong execution and progress in the transformation of Danone, in order to drive agility and resilience, and deliver consistent profitable growth. I was pleased to see top-line accelerating in the second quarter, with growth across all our businesses. The innovation momentum remains strong, while we have addressed most of the underperformers in our portfolio. Our margin improvement was of high quality, driven by gross margin progression, and further savings from our Protein efficiency-program. As this short term delivery is served by our long-term focus on creating value in a responsible and inclusive way, we are well on track for our 2020 objectives. With unchanged expectations for the full year, I am confident that the improved fundamentals of our business will continue to drive top-line growth acceleration and margin expansion throughout rest of the year.”

2019 Half-Year Key Figures

in millions of euros except if stated otherwiseH1 2018H1 2019Reported ChangeLike-for-like
(LFL)
Sales12,49812,648+1.2%+1.7%
Recurring operating income1,7841,858+4.2%+6.4%
Recurring operating margin14.27%14.69%+42 bps+68 bps
Non-recurring operating income and expenses(695)(314)+381 
Operating income1,0891,543+41.8% 
Operating margin8.71%12.20%+349bps 
Recurring net income – Group share1,1321,221+7.8% 
Non-recurring net income – Group share72(186)-258 
Net income – Group share1,2041,035-14.1% 
Recurring EPS (€)1.761.87+6.3% 
EPS (€)1.871.58-15.4% 
Free cash flow1,1041,083-1.9% 
Cash flow from operating activities1,4271,435+0.6% 

All references in this document to Like-for-like (LFL) changes, Recurring operating income and margin, Recurring net income, Recurring income tax rate, Recurring EPS, Free cash-flow, and Net financial debt, correspond to financial indicators not defined in IFRS. Their definitions, as well as their reconciliation with financial statements, are listed on pages 7 and 8.

2019 second quarter and half-year sales


€ million
except %
Q2
2018
Q2 
2019
Reported changeLFL Sales GrowthVolume GrowthH1
2018
H1
2019
Reported changeLFL Sales GrowthVolume Growth
 

BY REPORTING ENTITY
          
EDP3,2573,283+0.8%+2.2%-1.2%6,5546,600+0.7%+1.2%-2.5%
Specialized Nutrition1,8311,866+1.9%+3.2%-1.3%3,6443,696+1.4%+1.8%-1.1%
Waters1,3251,346+1.6%+2.1%-0.4%2,3012,352+2.2%+2.8%+0.2%
 

BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
          
Europe & Noram13,4533,471+0.5%+1.1%-0.7%6,7646,851+1.3%+0.1%-1.5%
Rest of the World2,9613,025+2.2%+4.2%-1.5%5,7355,797+1.1%+3.6%-1.3%
           
TOTAL6,4146,496+1.3%+2.5%-1.0%12,49812,648+1.2%+1.7%-1.6%

1North America (Noram) : United States and Canada

In the second quarter of 2019, consolidated sales stood at €6.5bn, up +2.5% on a like-for-like basis. Sales grew by +3.5% in value, with a continued sales/kg improvement. Volumes slightly declined by -1.0%. All reporting lines contributed to the growth and posted like-for-like sales growth over 2%. Reported sales were up +1.3%, including a negative scope effect (-1.4%), primarily linked to the deconsolidation from April 1st of Earthbound Farm, that was sold in April 2019, a minor negative impact of currencies (-0.1%), and +0.3% from the organic contribution of Argentina to growth.

ESSENTIAL DAIRY AND PLANT-BASED (EDP)

Essential Dairy & Plant-based (EDP) posted in the second quarter net sales up +2.2% on a like-for-like basis, including a +3.4% increase in value, and a -1.2% decline in volumes. Performance was driven by a stabilization at global level of Dairy activities, while Plant-Based activities continued to deliver consistent strong growth. All regions grew in Q2.

Europe delivered slightly positive growth, including a good performance in Southern Europe with Spain and France stabilized for the first time in the last 7 years. Alpro continued to post double-digit growth, with balanced contribution from core business and new markets. North America delivered moderate sales growth, with solid growth in Plant-Based driven by almond-based beverages and adjacent categories, strong growth in Coffee creamers supported by a dynamic demand and gains in market shares in ready-to-drink coffee, flat sales in Yogurts impacted in the US by competitor promotion activity, notably in the Greek yogurt segment. CIS growth slowed down in Q2, as core segments were impacted by a softer consumer environment while kids and indulgence offerings performance remained sustained. In Latam, Brazil kept growing and Mexico posted solid growth driven by increasing plant-based penetration in the country. Morocco delivered sales growth of around +10%, with Centrale Danone progressively recovering market share and regaining market leadership, following strong consumer engagement and a reshaping of the portfolio.

SPECIALIZED NUTRITION

Specialized Nutrition sales growth accelerated in the second quarter, up +3.2% on a like-for-like basis (vs. +0.4% in Q1), with an increase in value of +4.4% and a decrease of -1.3% in volumes. Performance was driven by strong fundamentals of Advanced Medical Nutrition and a return to growth in Early Life Nutrition.

Advanced Medical Nutrition delivered mid single digit sales growth in the first-half, with all segments (adult and pediatric care) and all regions performing strongly. China led the growth, with double-digit sales growth, alongside robust dynamics in Europe and in rest of the world.

Early Life Nutrition registered moderate sales growth. After 3 quarters of decline, ELN China delivered slightly positive growth, supported by the good execution of development plans in the direct channels, in particular in low tier cities, as well as, in the indirect channels, by an increase in sales through social e-commerce. The rest of the world posted solid growth, with strong performance in rest of Asia, benefiting from the successful relaunch of Bebelac in Indonesia, and double-digit growth in the Americas. Performance in Europe was still negative but improving, notably in France, getting positive results from the large pipeline of Bledina  innovations.

WATERS

In Waters, net sales were up +2.1% on a like-for-like basis, with a +2.5% increase in value and a -0.4% decline in volumes.

In Europe, sales were slightly down in the second quarter, adversely impacted  by poor weather conditions in May with temperatures below the average of the season. Volvic infusions and Bulles de Fruits by Badoit continued to performed well in the Aquadrinks segment. In Asia, growth was solid, led by Indonesia benefiting from expanding geographical reach of Aqua and by Turkey with strong growth driven by Hayat and Sirma market share gains. In China, the brand model of Mizone is being adapted to better reflect fast-changing category dynamics. In Latin America, Bonafont registered strong growth in Mexico, driven by good plain waters performance.

H1 2019 RECURRING OPERATING MARGIN: +68bps LIKE-FOR-LIKE

In H1 2019, Danone’s recurring operating income stood at €1.9 bn. Recurring operating margin reached 14.69%, up +42 bps on a reported basis.

This was driven by a +68 bps margin improvement on a like-for-like basis, reflecting notably Danone’s valorized growth model and operational savings from ‘Protein’ efficiency-program, offsetting raw materials gross inflation; sales and marketing expenses optimization, as the company pursues the shift of its marketing spending towards digital; and overheads management. Overall, ‘Protein’ efficiency program delivered an additional ~€150 million gross savings in H1 2019.

In addition, reported margin included:

  • a +10 bps positive scope effect, resulting primarily from the divestiture of Earthbound Farm on April 1st;
  • a -9 bps negative impact from currencies entirely linked to the application of IAS29 hyperinflationary accounting in Argentina;
  • a -27 bps linked to the deterioration of margin in Argentina due to imported inflation.
Recurring operating profit (€m) and margin (%)H1 2018H1 2019Change
€mMargin (%)€mMargin (%)ReportedLike-for-like
 

BY REPORTING ENTITY
      
EDP5909.00%6219.41%+40 bps+58 bps
Specialized Nutrition93025.53%93425.28%-25 bps+55 bps
Waters26311.45%30312.87%+142 bps+110 bps
 

BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
      
Europe & Noram287812.98%94213.75%+77 bps+102 bps
Rest of the World90615.80%91515.79%-0 bps+15 bps
       
Total1,78414.27%1,85814.69%+42 bps+68 bps

2North America (Noram) : United States and Canada

H1 2019 RECURRING EPS: +6.3%

 H1 2018H1 2019 
in millions of euros except if stated otherwiseRecurringNon-recurringTotal RecurringNon-recurringTotal 
Recurring operating income1,784 1,784 1,858 1,858 
Other operating income and expense (695)(695)  (314)(314) 
Operating income1,784(695)1,089 1,858(314)1,543 
Cost of net debt(115) (115) (118) (118) 
Other financial income and expense(60)3(57) (65)0(65) 
Income before taxes1,608(692)916 1,675(314)1,361 
Income tax(475)63(412) (453)126(327) 
Effective tax rate29.5% 45.0% 27.0% 24.0% 
Net income from fully consolidated companies1,134(629)504 1,222(188)1,034 
Net income from associates46701747 51151 
Net income1,180711,251 1,273(187)1,085 
 Group share1,132721,204 1,221(186)1,035 
•  Non-controlling interests48(1)47 52(1)51 
EPS (€)1.76 1.87 1.87 1.58 

Other operating income and expense stood at -€314 million, mainly related to a non-cash pre-tax charge of -€150 million recorded in the first half of the year, as a result of the divestiture of EarthBound Farm on April 2019, as well as restructuring costs of around -€150 million, including provisions linked to the further integration of Early Life and Medical Nutrition organizations, reorganisation of operations notably in Africa, and the integration of WhiteWave.

The net financial result slightly increased in absolute amount, from -€172 million in H1 2018 to -€182 million in H1 2019, mainly reflecting a negative impact on the USD-denominated portion of net debt from the USD revaluation since the beginning of the year.

The recurring income tax rate decreased to 27.0%, more than 2 points down vs. last year, driven by a positive geographical mix.

Recurring net income from associates increased to €51 million, despite the reduction in Danone’s stake in Yakult from 21.3% to 6.6% in March 2018, reflecting good results from the participation in Mengniu and Yashili.

Recurring minority interests increased to €52 million, notably as the result of the good performance of Aqua in Indonesia, and recurring EPS increased by +6.3% to €1.87.

Total non-recurring net income amounted to -€186 million in H1 2019 (including a post-tax loss of around -€50m from the sale of Earthbound Farm), down from an exceptional positive amount of €72 million last year that was linked notably to the capital gain from the partial sale of Danone’s stake in Yakult. As a result, reported EPS was €1.58, down -15.4% versus last year.

H1 2019 CASH-FLOW AND DEBT

Danone delivered a consistent €1.1bn of free cash flow in the first semester. Capex amounted to €359 million, or 2.8% of net sales, in line with H1 18.

Danone’s net debt stood at €13.9 bn as of June 30, 2019, up +€1.2 bn from December 31, 2018. The application of IFRS16 increased net debt by €0.7 bn (please refer to IFRS Standards section page 6).   

 2019 OUTLOOK

(From press release issued on February 19, 2019)

Macroeconomic outlook
In 2019, Danone expects further cost inflation with a mid-to-high single digit inflation in the costs of raw and packaging materials, including:
· milk price inflation high-single digit overall, on the back of a rebalancing supply and demand dynamic,
· continued inflation in PET cost driven by sustained market demand,
· inflationary conditions in other raw materials, including sugar and fruits.

2019 guidance
In 2019, Danone will continue to progress towards its 2020 objectives by strengthening its operating model through its priorities: accelerate growth, maximize efficiencies and allocate capital with discipline. Delivery of its agenda of sales growth acceleration and improved recurring operating margin will be supported by valorized innovations, active portfolio management, and further savings from the Protein efficiency program and WhiteWave integration synergies. For the year, Danone is targeting like-for-like sales growth around 3% and recurring operating margin above 15%.

MAJOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE PERIOD

  • On April 25th, 2019, the Shareholders’ Meeting approved all proposed renewals of terms of office of the members of the Board of Directors : Emmanuel Faber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Franck Riboud and Clara Gaymard. At this occasion, it was also confirmed that within the ‘One Person, One Voice, One Share’ program, each of the 100,000 Danone employees across the world would be granted a free share combined with a global annual dividend-based incentive scheme with immediate effect. Furthermore, the Board of Directors decided to further integrate the ‘One Person, One Voice, One Share’ participative governance through the creation of a new Purpose & Engagement Committee, in charge of ensuring that this approach of consultation and engagement with employees is properly coordinated with the work and strategic orientations of the Board.
     
  • On June 3rd, 2019, Danone announced the launch of its first global Employee Share Subscription Plan as part of the “One Person. One Voice. One Share” program. As from June 7, 2019, Danone employees in eight countries have the opportunity to subscribe to new Danone shares.  Including French employees, who already benefit from a local company savings plan, this represents 50% of all Danone employees worldwide.

OTHER INFORMATION

  • The condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the 2019 First-Half Results were approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on July 24, 2019. A limited audit has been carried out by the statutory auditors of Danone on the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
     
  • The 2019 half-year financial report is available on Danone’s website (www.danone.com).

             

IFRS STANDARDS

IFRS16: applicable starting January 1, 2019, no restatement of 2018 financial statements

Danone applies IFRS 16 on leases starting January 1, 2019 and elected for the modified retrospective approach for its implementation:

  • lease assets and lease liabilities are calculated as of January 1, 2019 based on discounted future lease payments,
  • they are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019 and prior-period financial information are not restated (i.e. IAS17 is applied).

 

2018January 1, 20192019
IAS 17
  • Assets: +€664m
  • Liabilities : +€664m
IFRS 16

IFRS 16 has no significant impact on the recurring operating income, recurring operating margin and recurring net income.

IAS29 impact on reported data

Danone is applying IAS 29 in Argentina from July 1st, 2018 with effect from January 1st, 2018. Adoption of IAS 29 in this hyperinflationary country requires its non-monetary assets and liabilities and its income statement to be restated to reflect the changes in the general pricing power of its functional currency, leading to a gain or loss on the net monetary position included in the net income. Moreover, its financial statements are converted into euro using the closing exchange rate of the relevant period.

  IAS29 impact on reported data
  € million except %
Q2 2019 H1 2019 
  Sales+7 +12 
  Sales growth (%)+0.1% +0.1% 
  Recurring Operating Income  -18 
  Recurring Net Income – Group share  -29 

Breakdown by quarter of first-half 2019 sales after application of IAS 29
The breakdown of H1 2019 sales by quarter after application of IAS 29 in Argentina is provided in the table below for information (data not audited).

  € millionQ1 2019Q2 2019H1 2019
EDP3,3173,2836,600
Specialized Nutrition1,8301,8663,696
Waters1,0061,3462,352
    
Total6,1536,49612,648



FINANCIAL INDICATORS NOT DEFINED IN IFRS

Due to rounding, the sum of values presented may differ from totals as reported. Such differences are not material.

Financial indicators not defined in IFRS

Like-for-like changes in sales and recurring operating margin reflect Danone's organic performance and essentially exclude the impact of:

  • changes in consolidation scope, with indicators related to a given fiscal year calculated on the basis of previous-year scope and, starting January 1st, 2019, previous-year and current-year scope excluding Argentinian entities;
  • changes in applicable accounting principles;
  • changes in exchange rates with both previous-year and current-year indicators calculated using the same exchange rates (the exchange rate used is a projected annual rate determined by Danone for the current year and applied to both previous and current year).

Bridge from reported data to like-for-like data

(€ million except %)H1 2018Impact of changes
in scope of consolidation
Impact of changes in exchange rates and others, including IAS29Argentina organic contribution Like-for-like growthH1 2019
       
Sales12,498-0.7%-0.0%+0.3%+1.7%12,648
Recurring operating margin14.27%+10 bps-9 bps-27 bps+68 bps14.69%

Recurring operating income is defined as Danone’s operating income excluding Other operating income and expenses. Other operating income and expenses is defined under Recommendation 2013-03 of the French CNC (format of consolidated financial statements for companies reporting under international reporting standards), and comprises significant items that, because of their exceptional nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to its recurring activities. These mainly include capital gains and losses on disposals of fully consolidated companies, impairment charges on goodwill, significant costs related to strategic restructuring and major external growth transactions, and costs related to major crisis and major litigations. Furthermore, in connection with IFRS 3 (Revised) and IAS 27 (Revised) relating to business combinations, the Company also classifies in Other operating income and expenses (i) acquisition costs related to business combinations, (ii) revaluation profit or loss accounted for following a loss of control, (iii) changes in earn-outs relating to business combinations and subsequent to acquisition date.

Recurring operating margin is defined as Recurring operating income over Sales ratio.

Other non-recurring financial income and expense corresponds to capital gains or losses on disposal and impairment of non-consolidated interests as well as significant financial income and expense items that, in view of their exceptional nature, cannot be considered as inherent to Danone’s recurring financial management.

Non-recurring income tax corresponds to income tax on non-recurring items as well as significant tax income and expense items that, in view of their exceptional nature, cannot be considered as inherent to Danone’s recurring performance.

Recurring effective tax rate measures the effective tax rate of Danone’s recurring performance and is computed as the ratio income tax related to recurring items over recurring net income before tax.

Non-recurring results from associates include significant items that, because of their exceptional nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to the recurring activity of those companies and distort the reading of their performance. They include primarily (i) capital gains and losses on disposal and impairment of Investments in associates, and (ii) when material, non-recurring items as defined by Danone included in the net income from associates. 

Recurring net income (or Recurring net income – Group Share) corresponds to the Group share of the consolidated recurring net income. The recurring net income measures Danone’s recurring performance and excludes significant items that, because of their exceptional nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to its recurring performance. Such non-recurring income and expenses mainly include other operating income and expense, other non-recurring financial income and expense, non-recurring tax, and non-recurring income from associates. Such income and expenses excluded from Net income are defined as Non-recurring net income and expenses.

Recurring EPS (or Recurring net income – Group Share, per share after dilution) is defined as the ratio of Recurring net income adjusted for hybrid financing over Diluted number of shares. In compliance with IFRS, income used to calculate EPS is adjusted for the coupon related to the hybrid financing accrued for the period and presented net of tax.

 H1 2018 H1 2019 
Recurring Total Recurring Total 
Net income-Group share (€ million)1,132 1,204 1,221 1,035 
Coupon related to hybrid financing net of tax
(€ million)
(7) (7) (7) (7) 
Number of shares        
• Before dilution638,169,867 638,169,867 647,640,873 647,640,873 
• After dilution639,083,725 639,083,725 648,454,100 648,454,100 
EPS (€)        
• Before dilution1.76 1.88 1.87 1.59 
• After dilution1.76 1.87 1.87 1.58 

Free cash-flow represents cash-flows provided or used by operating activities less capital expenditure net of disposals and, in connection with IFRS 3 (Revised), relating to business combinations, excluding (i) acquisition costs related to business combinations, and (ii) earn-outs related to business combinations and paid subsequently to acquisition date.

(€ million)H1 2018H1 2019
Cash-flow from operating activities1,4271,435
Capital expenditure(363)(359)
Disposal of tangible assets & transaction fees related to business combinations1408
Free cash-flow1,1041,083

1 Represents acquisition costs related to business combinations paid during the period.

Net financial debt represents the net debt portion bearing interest. It corresponds to current and non-current financial debt (i) excluding Liabilities related to put options granted to non-controlling interests and (ii) net of Cash and cash equivalents, Short term investments and Derivatives – assets managing net debt.

(€ million)December 31, 2018June 30, 2019
Non-current financial debt114,34314,389
Current financial debt13,5464,884
Short-term investments(4,199)(4,330)
Cash and cash equivalents(839)(755)
Derivatives — non-current assets2(81)(244)
Derivatives — current-assets2(27)(25)
Net debt12,74413,920
  • Liabilities related to put options granted to non-controlling interests — non-current
(46)(35)
  • Liabilities related to put options granted to non-controlling interests — current
(463)(515)
Net financial debt12,23513,370

1 Including derivatives-liabilities
2 Managing net debt only

o o O o o

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Danone. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by forward-looking words, such as “estimate”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “believe”, “forecast”, “guidance”, “foresee”, “likely”, “may”, “should”, “goal”, “target”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “predict”, “continue”, “convinced” and “confident,” the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, predictions of future activities, operations, direction, performance and results of Danone.

Although Danone believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. For a detailed description of these risks and uncertainties, please refer to the “Risk Factor” section of Danone’s Registration Document (the current version of which is available on www.danone.com).

Subject to regulatory requirements, Danone does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy Danone securities.

The presentation to analysts and investors, held by CFO Cécile Cabanis, will be broadcast live today from 8.30 a.m. (Paris time) on Danone’s website (www.danone.com). Related slides will also be available on the website in the Investors section.


APPENDIX – Sales by reporting entity and by geographical area (in € million)

 First quarterSecond quarterFirst half 
 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019  
BY REPORTING ENTITY             
EDP3,296 3,308 3,257 3,283 6,554 6,600 
Specialized Nutrition1,812 1,828 1,831 1,866 3,644 3,696 
Waters976 1,002 1,325 1,346 2,301 2,352 
BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA            
Europe & Noram13,311 3,381 3,453 3,471 6,764 6,851 
Rest of the World2,774 2,757 2,961 3,025 5,735 5,797 
             
Total6,085 6,138 6,414 6,496 12,498 12,648 


 First quarter
2019
Second quarter
2019
First half
2019
 Reported change « Like-for-like New Danone » change Reported change « Like-for-like New Danone » change Reported change « Like-for-like New Danone » change  
 BY REPORTING ENTITY            
EDP International+0.4% +0.2% +0.8% +2.2% +0.7% +1.2% 
Specialized Nutrition+0.9% +0.4% +1.9% +3.2% +1.4% +1.8% 
Waters+2.7% +3.9% +1.6% +2.1% +2.2% +2.8% 
BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA            
Europe & Noram1+2.1% -0.8% +0.5% +1.1% +1.3% +0.1% 
Rest of the World-0.6% +3.0% +2.2% +4.2% +1.1% +3.6% 
             
Total+0.9% +0.8% +1.3% +2.5% +1.2% +1.7% 


1North America (Noram) : United States and Canada


Attachment

  • PR H1 2019 EN