Zaandam,
Q1 Update
Regarding preliminary Q1 results, which will be reported in full on
“Due to COVID-19, demand across our multichannel network in the
“We expect underlying operating margin in Q1 to be above the prior year. This is partly due to a timing effect. The Q1 margin has benefitted from the higher sales trends experienced at an earlier stage compared to the timing of the significant investments made enhancing associate pay and benefits and implementing additional safety and protective measures, which have become material towards the end of Q1.”
Reiterating 2020 profit outlook and expecting to exceed prior FCF Guidance
Regarding the 2020 outlook,
“Uncertain times call for a commitment to our purpose and especially our values, one of which is care. We are committing to this in abundance as we focus on operating our brands and supply chains smoothly, with associate and customer health and safety as our first and foremost priority. Investing in safeguarding associate and customer wellbeing will ensure our brands will continue to be able to serve the communities that rely on us in this time of great need.
“The timing of these investments in associate and customer safety and protection have become material towards the end of Q1. This means we are not likely to sustain the underlying operating margin level experienced in Q1. Nevertheless, we maintain our full year outlook, that the group underlying operating margin will be broadly in line with 2019. We continue to expect underlying earnings per share growth in the mid-single-digit range for the year.
“We expect free cash flow to exceed our previous guidance of €1.5 billion, due to our expectation that some capital programs will likely be delayed due to COVID-19. The free cash flow guidance expressly excludes M&A activity.
“Our cash and liquidity positions remain strong. We propose a cash dividend of €0.76 per common share for the financial year 2019, up 8.6% from last year. Our policy continues to be to target a dividend payout of 40-50% of underlying income from continuing operations in 2020. We have acquired €348.7 million of our own shares this year as of
“We look forward to reporting our Q1 earnings in full on
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Attachment
- COVID-19 Q1 Update FINAL
Source:
2020 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source