• Second quarter 2020 net sales declined 3.6% versus the second quarter of 2019, with physical case volume up 0.6% for the quarter(a).
  • Gross profit decreased $6.5 million, or 1.5%, in the second quarter of 2020.  Gross margin improved 80 basis points due to favorable commodity costs.
  • Second quarter 2020 income from operations was $83.1 million, up $15.9 million.  On an adjusted(b) basis, income from operations increased $4.2 million versus the second quarter of 2019.

Key Results

  Second Quarter   First Half  
(in millions, except per share data) 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change
Physical case volume 91.1  90.5  0.6% 174.0  168.7  3.1%
Net sales $1,227.2  $1,273.7  (3.6)% $2,400.2  $2,376.6  1.0%
Gross profit $429.3  $435.8  (1.5)% $834.6  $825.1  1.2%
Gross margin 35.0% 34.2%   34.8% 34.7%  
Income from operations $83.1  $67.2  23.7% $115.9  $87.4  32.7%
Basic net income per share $4.23  $1.64  $2.59  $5.79  $0.91  $4.88 
             
Retail Beverage Sales Second Quarter   First Half  
(in millions) 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change
Sparkling bottle/can $694.2  $664.9  4.4% $1,324.9  $1,260.6  5.1%
Still bottle/can $397.0  $416.6  (4.7)% $769.8  $753.6  2.2%
Fountain(c) $22.5  $51.8  (56.6)% $63.6  $94.6  (32.8)%

Second Quarter and First Half 2020 Review

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. (NASDAQ:COKE) today reported operating results for the second quarter and first half ended June 28, 2020.

“I am extremely pleased with our strong second quarter operating results in light of the significant COVID-19-related operating challenges we faced during the quarter,” said J. Frank Harrison, III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “Consumer buying patterns and overall demand for our products have shifted rapidly over the past four months as consumers adapted to the closings and staged re-openings of our local economies.  I am proud of all of our teammates and how they have worked tirelessly to keep our products available and serve our communities, customers and consumers with excellence.”

Physical case volume increased 0.6% in the second quarter of 2020.  COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders resulted in extreme volatility in our revenue and physical case sales during the quarter as the shift towards multi-serve packages sold in larger retail stores caused by the closure of on-premise outlets that started during March continued during the second quarter of 2020.  Volume was strong in our Sparkling category, increasing 3.7% in the second quarter of 2020.  Still beverage volume declined 6.6%, as convenience retail and on-premise outlets were negatively impacted by less consumer traffic.  Our Still beverage portfolio relies more heavily on single-serve sales in our small stores and accounts where our products are consumed on-premise.  Consumer demand was highly volatile during the quarter but improved sequentially as stay-at-home orders were lifted and local economies re-opened.  The chart shown below details our bottle/can physical case sales volume performance by month and illustrates the improvement we saw during the quarter.  We don't expect the demand experienced in June to sustain itself in future months, but we are encouraged by the volume growth generated in the second quarter of 2020.

Bottle/can physical case volume (in 000's)
  AprilMay JuneSecond Quarter
2020 25,148 29,493 36,413 91,054 
2019 26,785 28,939 34,788 90,512 
Change (1,637)554 1,625 542 
% Change (6.1)%1.9%4.7%0.6%

Revenue decreased 3.6% in the second quarter of 2020.  Revenue from our bottle/can Sparkling beverages increased 4.4% in the second quarter of 2020, driven primarily by volume growth and price realization within this category.  Revenue from our Still beverages declined 4.7% in the second quarter of 2020 as a result of lower sales volume in small store and on-premise outlets.  Revenue from fountain syrup, which is primarily sold through restaurants, convenience stores, amusement parks, and other on-premise outlets, declined $29.3 million, or 56.6%, during the second quarter of 2020.  The significant decline in fountain syrup revenue is a direct result of the previously mentioned stay-at-home orders.  For the first half of 2020, revenue increased $23.7 million, or 1.0%.  While sales within our Sparkling and Still categories grew 5.1% and 2.2% for the first half of 2020, respectively, fountain syrup sales decreased 32.8%. 

Gross profit decreased $6.5 million, or 1.5%, in the second quarter of 2020, while gross margin increased 80 basis points to 35.0%, primarily driven by a shift in our product mix to Sparkling take home packages which generally carry a lower per case gross profit than immediate consumption packages.  The negative mix impact was partially offset by commodity price favorability and favorable manufacturing costs.  On an adjusted(b) basis, gross profit declined $13.2 million, or 3.0%, in the second quarter of 2020.  Adjusted(b) gross margin increased 20 basis points to 34.9% primarily as a result of favorable commodity prices.  Gross profit for the first half of 2020 increased $9.5 million, or 1.2%.  On an adjusted(b) basis, gross profit increased $8.8 million compared to the first half of 2019, while adjusted(b) gross margin was 34.8%, consistent with the prior year period. 

“The rapid changes in consumer demand we faced in March and during the second quarter required us to make swift changes to our operating model, significantly reduce discretionary spending and make investments to ensure the health and safety of our teammates and customers,” said Dave Katz, President and Chief Operating Officer.  “While our business experienced a severe downturn in sales during April, consumer demand rebounded in May and continued to strengthen in June.  We are fortunate to be in the Coca-Cola bottling business where our strong brands, loyal customers and consumers and exceptional teammates have enabled us to deliver strong growth during such a challenging time.”

Selling, delivery and administrative (“SD&A”) expenses in the second quarter of 2020 decreased $22.4 million, or 6.1%.  SD&A expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased 70 basis points in the second quarter of 2020.  Adjusted(b) SD&A expenses in the second quarter of 2020 decreased $17.4 million, or 4.8%.  The decrease in SD&A expenses relates to lower labor costs as a result of adjustments we made to our operating model in response to COVID-19-related impacts on our business.  Additionally, we generated favorable results in a number of expense categories due to reductions in local market activity and diligent management of our variable operating expenses.  SD&A expenses in the first half of 2020 decreased $19.1 million, or 2.6%.  SD&A expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased 110 basis points in the first half of 2020 as compared to the first half of 2019. 

“We are optimistic that the strong actions we have already taken along with continued steady consumer demand will enable us to deliver very solid full year operating results,” Mr. Katz continued.  “However, we are very mindful of the rapidly changing environment we find ourselves in and we will continue to adjust our operations accordingly.”

Income from operations in the second quarter of 2020 was $83.1 million, compared to $67.2 million in the second quarter of 2019, an increase of 23.7%.  Adjusted(b) income from operations in the second quarter of 2020 was $81.7 million, an increase of 5.4%.  For the first half of 2020, income from operations increased $28.6 million to $115.9 million.  Adjusted(b) income from operations in the first half of 2020 was $118.5 million, an increase of $20.2 million, or 20.5% compared to the first half of 2019.

Net income in the second quarter of 2020 was $39.6 million, compared to $15.4 million in the second quarter of 2019, an improvement of $24.2 million.  Net income for the second quarter of 2020 was adversely impacted by fair value adjustments to our acquisition related contingent consideration liability, driven by changes in future cash flow projections.  Fair value adjustments to this liability are non-cash in nature and a routine part of our quarterly financial closing process.  Net income increased $45.7 million for the first half of 2020 to $54.2 million as compared to the first half of 2019.  

Cash flows provided by operations for the first half of 2020 were $229.0 million, compared to $88.6 million for the first half of 2019.  The significant increase in operating cash flows for the first half of 2020 is a result of our strong operating performance and working capital improvement, primarily related to inventory and timing of accounts payable.

(a) All comparisons are to the corresponding period in the prior year unless specified otherwise.
(b) The discussion of the results for the second quarter ended June 28, 2020 includes selected non-GAAP financial information, such as “adjusted” results. The schedules in this news release reconcile such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
(c) Fountain syrups are dispensed through equipment that mixes with carbonated or still water, enabling fountain retailers to sell finished products to consumers in cups or glasses.

About Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
Coca-Cola Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States.  Our Purpose is to honor God, serve others, pursue excellence and grow profitably.  For 118 years, we have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers and communities we serve and passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services we offer.  We make, sell and deliver beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors to approximately 66 million consumers in territories spanning 14 states and the District of Columbia.  Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Coca-Cola Consolidated is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “COKE.”  More information about the Company is available at www.cokeconsolidated.com. Follow Coca-Cola Consolidated on FacebookTwitterInstagram and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties.  The words “believe,” “expect,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “could” and similar expressions are intended to identify those forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause Coca-Cola Consolidated’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: lower than expected selling pricing resulting from increased marketplace competition; changes in how significant customers market or promote our products; changes in our top customer relationships; changes in public and consumer preferences related to nonalcoholic beverages, including concerns related to obesity and health concerns; unfavorable changes in the general economy; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; miscalculation of our need for infrastructure investment; our inability to meet requirements under beverage agreements; material changes in the performance requirements for marketing funding support or our inability to meet such requirements; decreases from historic levels of marketing funding support; changes in The Coca-Cola Company’s and other beverage companies’ levels of advertising, marketing and spending on brand innovation; the inability of our aluminum can or plastic bottle suppliers to meet our purchase requirements; our inability to offset higher raw material costs with higher selling prices, increased bottle/can sales volume or reduced expenses; consolidation of raw material suppliers; incremental risks resulting from increased purchases of finished goods; sustained increases in fuel costs or our inability to secure adequate supplies of fuel; sustained increases in the cost of labor and employment matters, product liability claims or product recalls; technology failures or cyberattacks; changes in interest rates; the impact of debt levels on operating flexibility and access to capital and credit markets; adverse changes in our credit rating (whether as a result of our operations or prospects or as a result of those of The Coca-Cola Company or other bottlers in the Coca-Cola system); changes in legal contingencies; legislative changes affecting our distribution and packaging; adoption of significant product labeling or warning requirements; additional taxes resulting from tax audits; natural disasters and unfavorable weather; global climate change or legal or regulatory responses to such change; issues surrounding labor relations with unionized employees; bottler system disputes; our use of estimates and assumptions; changes in accounting standards; the impact of volatility in the financial markets on access to the credit markets; changes in the inputs used to calculate our acquisition related contingent consideration liability; and the concentration of our capital stock ownership.  These and other factors are discussed in the Company’s regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2020.  The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of this date, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update them except as required by law.

MEDIA CONTACT: INVESTOR CONTACT:
Kimberly Kuo Scott Anthony
Senior Vice President Public Affairs, Communications & Communities Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Kimberly.Kuo@cokeconsolidated.com Scott.Anthony@cokeconsolidated.com
(704) 557-4584 (704) 557-4633



FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)


  Second Quarter First Half
(in thousands, except per share data) 2020 2019 2020 2019
Net sales $1,227,215  $1,273,659  $2,400,236  $2,376,571 
Cost of sales 797,914  837,880  1,565,640  1,551,484 
Gross profit 429,301  435,779  834,596  825,087 
Selling, delivery and administrative expenses 346,183  368,565  718,657  737,719 
Income from operations 83,118  67,214  115,939  87,368 
Interest expense, net 9,184  11,995  18,745  24,881 
Other expense, net 16,134  31,181  18,432  47,032 
Income before income taxes 57,800  24,038  78,762  15,455 
Income tax expense 15,187  7,182  20,548  4,177 
Net income 42,613  16,856  58,214  11,278 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 3,044  1,486  3,983  2,739 
Net income attributable to Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. $39,569   $15,370   $54,231   $8,539  
         
Basic net income per share based on net income attributable to Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.:        
Common Stock $4.23  $1.64  $5.79  $0.91 
Weighted average number of Common Stock shares outstanding 7,141  7,141  7,141  7,141 
         
Class B Common Stock $4.23  $1.64  $5.79  $0.91 
Weighted average number of Class B Common Stock shares outstanding 2,232  2,232  2,232  2,225 
         
Diluted net income per share based on net income attributable to Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.:        
Common Stock $4.19  $1.64  $5.74  $0.91 
Weighted average number of Common Stock shares outstanding – assuming dilution 9,440  9,421  9,440  9,415 
         
Class B Common Stock $4.18  $1.63  $5.73  $0.90 
Weighted average number of Class B Common Stock shares outstanding – assuming dilution 2,299  2,280  2,299  2,274 



FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)


(in thousands) June 28, 2020 December 29, 2019
ASSETS    
Current Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $77,550  $9,614 
Trade accounts receivable, net 450,718  419,770 
Accounts receivable, other 88,545  105,505 
Inventories 211,128  225,926 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 72,170  69,461 
Total current assets 900,111  830,276 
Property, plant and equipment, net 985,178  997,403 
Right-of-use assets - operating leases 134,315  111,376 
Leased property under financing leases, net 11,573  17,960 
Other assets 109,822  113,269 
Goodwill 165,903  165,903 
Other identifiable intangible assets, net 877,678  890,739 
Total assets $3,184,580  $3,126,926 
     
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY    
Current Liabilities:    
Current portion of obligations under operating leases $17,602  $15,024 
Current portion of obligations under financing leases 4,070  9,403 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 612,558  597,768 
Total current liabilities 634,230  622,195 
Deferred income taxes 147,101  125,130 
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations and other liabilities 792,508  783,397 
Noncurrent portion of obligations under operating leases 122,053  97,765 
Noncurrent portion of obligations under financing leases 12,949  17,403 
Long-term debt 970,174  1,029,920 
Total liabilities 2,679,015  2,675,810 
     
Equity:    
Stockholders’ equity 397,418  346,952 
Noncontrolling interest 108,147  104,164 
Total liabilities and equity $3,184,580  $3,126,926 


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)


  First Half
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:    
Net income (loss) $58,214  $11,278 
Depreciation expense, amortization of intangible assets and deferred proceeds, net 86,396  90,828 
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration 15,260  43,268 
Deferred income taxes 21,670  4,324 
Stock compensation expense   2,045 
Change in assets and liabilities 44,203  (69,543)
Other 3,260  6,386 
Net cash provided by operating activities $229,003  $88,586 
     
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:    
Additions to property, plant and equipment $(72,886) $(57,581)
Other 182  (4,317)
Net cash used in investing activities $(72,704) $(61,898)
     
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:    
Payments on revolving credit facility, term loan facility and senior notes $(295,000) $(318,839)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility and proceeds from issuance of senior notes 235,000  306,339 
Payments of acquisition related contingent consideration (20,531) (12,836)
Cash dividends paid (4,686) (4,682)
Principal payments on financing obligations (3,001) (4,261)
Debt issuance fees (145) (265)
Net cash used in financing activities $(88,363) $(34,544)
     
Net increase (decrease) in cash during period $67,936  $(7,856)
Cash at beginning of period 9,614  13,548 
Cash at end of period $77,550  $5,692 



NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES(d) The following tables reconcile reported results (GAAP) to adjusted results (non-GAAP):


  Second Quarter 2020
(in thousands, except per share data) Gross profit SD&A expenses Income from operations Income before income taxes Net income  Basic net income per share
Reported results (GAAP) $429,301  $346,183  $83,118  $57,800  $39,569  $4.23 
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration       14,548  10,941  1.16 
Fair value adjustments for commodity hedges (1,266) 805  (2,071) (2,071) (1,557) (0.17)
Supply chain and asset optimization 671  30  641  641  482  0.05 
Other tax adjustments         (511) (0.05)
Total reconciling items (595) 835  (1,430) 13,118  9,355  0.99 
Adjusted results (non-GAAP) $428,706  $347,018  $81,688  $70,918  $48,924  $5.22 


  Second Quarter 2019
(in thousands, except per share data) Gross profit SD&A expenses Income from operations Income before income taxes Net income  Basic net income per share
Reported results (GAAP) $435,779  $368,565  $67,214  $24,038  $15,370  $1.64 
System transformation expenses   (2,185) 2,185  2,185  1,643  0.18 
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration       29,222  21,975  2.34 
Fair value adjustments for commodity hedges 4,874  (66) 4,940  4,940  3,715  0.40 
Capitalization threshold change for certain assets   (1,903) 1,903  1,903  1,431  0.15 
Supply chain and asset optimization 1,294    1,294  1,294  973  0.10 
Other tax adjustments         (2,815) (0.30)
Total reconciling items 6,168  (4,154) 10,322  39,544  26,922  2.87 
Adjusted results (non-GAAP) $441,947  $364,411  $77,536  $63,582  $42,292  $4.51 


  First Half 2020
(in thousands, except per share data) Gross profit SD&A expenses Income from operations Income before income taxes Net income  Basic net income per share
Reported results (GAAP) $834,596  $718,657  $115,939  $78,762  $54,231  $5.79 
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration       15,260  11,476  1.22 
Fair value adjustments for commodity hedges 270  (1,524) 1,794  1,794  1,349  0.14 
Supply chain and asset optimization 1,319  601  718  718  540  0.06 
Other tax adjustments         (682) (0.07)
Total reconciling items 1,589  (923) 2,512  17,772  12,683  1.35 
Adjusted results (non-GAAP) $836,185  $717,734  $118,451  $96,534  $66,914  $7.14 


  First Half 2019
(in thousands, except per share data) Gross profit SD&A expenses Income from operations Income before income taxes Net income  Basic net income per share
Reported results (GAAP) $825,087  $737,719  $87,368  $15,455  $8,539  $0.91 
System transformation expenses   (6,915) 6,915  6,915  5,200  0.56 
Fair value adjustment of acquisition related contingent consideration       43,268  32,538  3.47 
Fair value adjustments for commodity hedges 969  2,649  (1,680) (1,680) (1,263) (0.13)
Capitalization threshold change for certain assets   (4,379) 4,379  4,379  3,293  0.35 
Supply chain and asset optimization 1,294    1,294  1,294  973  0.10 
Other tax adjustments         (3,660) (0.39)
Total reconciling items 2,263  (8,645) 10,908  54,176  37,081  3.96 
Adjusted results (non-GAAP) $827,350  $729,074  $98,276  $69,631  $45,620  $4.87 
             

(d) The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing the Company’s ongoing performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company’s performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s non-GAAP financial information does not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting.

A PDF accompanying this release is available at: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/8730e721-e044-43b5-a269-3d995dda4f25

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