2021 Half-Year Results
Press release –
Danone back to growth in Q2
with all categories contributing
|
2021 Half-Year |
in millions of euros except if stated otherwise | H1 2020 | H1 2021 | Reported Change | Like-for-like (LFL) |
Sales | 12,189 | 11,835 | -2.9% | +1.6% |
Recurring operating income | 1,702 | 1,551 | -8.9% | -4.2% |
Recurring operating margin | 14.0% | 13.1% | -86bps | -83 bps |
Non-recurring operating income and expenses | (123) | (700) | (577) | |
Operating income | 1,580 | 851 | -46.1% | |
Operating margin | 13.0% | 7.2% | -576 bps | |
Recurring net income – Group share | 1,100 | 1,000 | -9.1% | |
Non-recurring net income – Group share | (86) | 68 | +153 | |
Net income – Group share | 1,015 | 1,068 | +5.2% | |
Recurring EPS (€) | 1.68 | 1.53 | -9.3% | |
EPS (€) | 1.55 | 1.63 | +5.1% | |
Free cash flow | 929 | 1,009 | +8.6% | |
Cash flow from operating activities | 1,305 | 1,381 | +5.8% |
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 6 to 8. The calculation of Net Debt/EBITDA is detailed in the universal registration document.
Véronique Penchienati-Bosetta and
“We are pleased to report a return to growth across all our categories this quarter, thanks to the teams’ commitment and focus on execution and delivery. On a two-year basis, our like-for-like sales growth is also positive, on both Q2 and H1. We maintained strong momentum in our EDP business, led by growth in Dairy, and Plant-based reporting its 6th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, and a solid performance in
Margin held up well despite an adverse category mix and accelerated inflation. Strong productivity delivery coupled with selective pricing and mix management allowed us to partially offset headwinds.
Looking ahead, we reiterate our guidance for the full year. Although the macro context is still uncertain, we have strong foundations across our categories, geographies and brands. Local First project is progressing according to plan. We will continue to adopt a disciplined approach to capital management and remain focused on delivering on our growth priorities and plans in the second half.”
I. 2021 HALF-YEAR RESULTS
Second quarter and half-year sales
In the first half of 2021, consolidated sales stood at €11.8 bn, up +1.6% on a like-for-like basis, led by +2.6% in value and -1.0% in volume. On a reported basis, sales were down -2.9%, mainly driven by the negative impact of exchange rates (-5.5%) that resulted from currencies’ depreciation against the euro in
In the second quarter, sales increased by +6.6% on a like-for-like basis, with value up +4.7% and volumes +1.8%. Reported sales rose +3.6%, mainly impacted by a still strong negative effect of -4.0% from exchange rates.
In terms of regional dynamics, strong growth was broad-based in the second quarter.
€ million except % | Q2 2020 | Q2 2021 | Reported change | LFL Sales Growth | Volume Growth | H1 2020 | H1 2021 | Reported change | LFL Sales Growth | Volume Growth |
BY REPORTING ENTITY | ||||||||||
EDP | 3,238 | 3,254 | +0.5% | +4.8% | +2.2% | 6,599 | 6,406 | -2.9% | +3.2% | +1.3% |
Specialized Nutrition | 1,792 | 1,793 | +0.1% | +2.8% | -1.4% | 3,739 | 3,513 | -6.0% | -2.6% | -4.3% |
Waters | 925 | 1,125 | +21.6% | +19.5% | +6.6% | 1,851 | 1,916 | +3.5% | +4.5% | -2.3% |
BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA | ||||||||||
3,352 | 3,510 | +4.7% | +6.4% | +4.1% | 6,822 | 6,784 | -0.6% | +1.7% | +0.7% | |
Rest of the World | 2,602 | 2,661 | +2.3% | +6.9% | -0.0% | 5,368 | 5,051 | -5.9% | +1.4% | -2.2% |
TOTAL | 5,954 | 6,171 | +3.6% | +6.6% | +1.8% | 12,189 | 11,835 | -2.9% | +1.6% | -1.0% |
1
Recurring Operating Margin
Danone’s recurring operating income reached €1.6bn in H1 2021. Recurring operating margin stood at 13.1%, down -86 basis points (bps) on a reported basis and -83 bps on a like-for-like basis. This change was mainly driven by the negative impact of input costs inflation as well as a negative category mix, for a combined impact of -490 bps. These headwinds were partially offset by the effects of valorization and productivity that added +430 bps to the margin in the first half, as Danone reinvested selectively in its brands. Reported margin also reflects the negative impact of its change in scope (-16 bps), the positive currency impact (+15 bps), and +3 bps reflecting the impact of organic contribution from hyperinflation geographies.
Recurring operating profit (€m) and margin (%) | H1 2020 | H1 2021 | Change | |||
€m | Margin (%) | €m | Margin (%) | Reported | Like-for-like | |
BY REPORTING ENTITY | ||||||
EDP | 598 | 9.1% | 584 | 9.1% | +5 bps | -4 bps |
Specialized Nutrition | 987 | 26.4% | 804 | 22.9% | -351 bps | -293 bps |
Waters | 117 | 6.3% | 163 | 8.5% | +219 bps | +185 bps |
BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA | ||||||
880 | 12.9% | 898 | 13.2% | +34 bps | +34 bps | |
Rest of the World | 822 | 15.3% | 653 | 12.9% | -239 bps | -245 bps |
Total | 1,702 | 14.0% | 1,551 | 13.1% | -86 bps | -83 bps |
2
Performance by reporting entity
- ESSENTIAL DAIRY AND PLANT-BASED (EDP)
In the second quarter, sales accelerated from Q1, reaching +4.8% on a like-for-like basis, reflecting a +2.2% increase in volume and +2.6% in value.
- SPECIALIZED NUTRITION
Specialized Nutrition sales declined -2.6% in H1 2021 on a like-for-like basis. Recurring operating margin decreased by -351 bps to 22.9%, strongly impacted by a negative country mix.
In the second quarter, sales increased by +2.8% on a like-for-like basis, with a decrease of -1.4% in volume and an increase of +4.2% in value, after a heavily negative first quarter. Adult Nutrition, which now represents approximately 15% of Specialized Nutrition revenues, delivered high single-digit sales growth, with all geographies and all segments contributing. Infant Nutrition posted low single-digit sales growth. In
- WATERS
Waters sales increased by +4.5% in H1 2021 on a like-for-like basis, driven by the gradual recovery in volumes and a positive country and product mix. Recurring operating margin was up +219 bps to 8.5%, despite a strong inflationary environment, thanks to the volume recovery, a positive product mix, and strong efforts on productivity, including plastic hedging.
In the second quarter, sales were up +19.5% on a like-for-like basis, led by volumes up +6.6% and value +12.9%.
Net income and Earnings per share
Other operating income and expense reached -€700 million vs -€123 million in the prior year, resulting mostly from the Local First project and the transformation of Danone’s operations. As a result, reported operating margin was down -576 bps from 13.0% to 7.2%.
Net financial costs were down by €42 million to -€129 million, resulting notably from a decrease in the cost of net debt due to two bond reimbursements in 2020 issued at higher interest rates, as well as a new bond issuance at 0% coupon in
As a result, Recurring EPS was €1.53, down -9.3% vs. last year, but Reported EPS increased by 5.1% to €1.63.
H1 2020 | H1 2021 | ||||||||
in millions of euros except if stated otherwise | Recurring | Non-recurring | Total | Recurring | Non-recurring | Total | |||
Recurring operating income | 1,702 | 1,702 | 1,551 | 1,551 | |||||
Other operating income and expense | (123) | (123) | (700) | (700) | |||||
Operating income | 1,702 | (123) | 1,580 | 1,551 | (700) | 851 | |||
Cost of net debt | (110) | (110) | (87) | (87) | |||||
Other financial income and expense | (60) | 0 | (60) | (43) | 0 | (42) | |||
Income before taxes | 1,532 | (123) | 1,410 | 1,422 | (699) | 722 | |||
Income tax | (414) | 36 | (378) | (391) | 173 | (218) | |||
Effective tax rate | 27.0% | 26.8% | 27.5% | 30.2% | |||||
Net income from fully consolidated companies | 1,118 | (86) | 1,032 | 1,031 | (527) | 504 | |||
Net income from associates | 21 | 0 | 22 | 9 | 593 | 602 | |||
Net income | 1,139 | (86) | 1,053 | 1,040 | 66 | 1,106 | |||
• Group share | 1,100 | (86) | 1,015 | 1,000 | 68 | 1,068 | |||
• Non-controlling interests | 39 | (0) | 39 | 40 | (2) | 38 | |||
EPS (€) | 1.68 | 1.55 | 1.53 | 1.63 |
Cash flow and Debt
Free cash flow reached €1,009 million in H1 2021, up +8.6% from the prior year, reflecting persistent pressure on operating performance. This implies a cash conversion rate of 8.5%, up +90 bps from H1 2020. Capex stood at €390 million, broadly stable compared to last year (€381 million in H1 2020).
As of
II. 2021 OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE
Macro-economic outlook
Despite short-term uncertainties, a gradual reopening of economies is assumed to continue in H2 as vaccination programs are rolled out. Meanwhile, a broad-based acceleration of inflation in milk, ingredients, packaging and logistics is expected.
2021 guidance reiterated
Danone expects to return to profitable growth in H2, and FY recurring operating margin is expected to be broadly in line with 2020.
III. SHARE BUYBACK
As announced in February in the press release on the conversion and disposal of Danone’s stake in Mengniu, and in line with its disciplined capital allocation, Danone expects to buy back up to €800m worth of shares, in one or more tranches, in the second half of 2021.
IV. MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE PERIOD
Change in management
On
Major financial transactions
- April 29, 2021: At Danone’s 2021 Annual General Meeting, Shareholders approved all resolutions submitted to a vote, including the proposed dividend of €1.94 per share in cash, as well as the proposed renewals of terms of office as members of the Board of Directors of
Guido Barilla ,Cécile Cabanis ,Michel Landel andSerpil Timuray , and the ratification of the co-opting ofGilles Schnepp as Director. May 13, 2021 : Danone announced that it had finalized the strategic sale of its approximately 9.8% stake in China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, originally announced onMay 12, 2021 . The transaction resulted in total gross proceeds ofHKD 15.4 billion , representing c. €1.6 billion, for a book value of €850 million (as of 31/12/2020). The settlement of the transaction took place onMay 17, 2021 .May 25, 2021 : Danone issued a €1 billion bond with a 4.5-year maturity and a 0% coupon. In line with the company’s active liquidity management, this issue enables Danone to take further advantage of market windows to enhance its funding flexibility, extend the maturity of its debt and optimize its cost.June 17, 2021 : Danone signed an agreement to sell Vega, theCanada and US plant-based nutritional products business, to funds managed byWM Partners , a US-based private equity investment firm focused on the health and wellness industry. The sale of Vega is part of Danone’s continuous capital allocation optimization and of the strategic review of Danone’s portfolio of brands, SKUs and assets announced inOctober 2020 . The deal was closed onJuly 28 .June 30, 2021 :Danone Manifesto Ventures announced that it acquired an additional majority stake in Harmless Harvest, becoming its majority shareholder. Harmless Harvest is a leader in organic coconut-based products including coconut water and dairy-free coconut yogurt alternatives.
July 29, 2021 :S&P Global Ratings assigned Danone an ESG Evaluation score of 85/100. This reflects Danone’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, viewed as strongly embedded in its broader long-term strategy, decision-making, and culture. As a result, Danone is confirmed as one of the companies most prepared to take advantage of long-term trends in the food and beverage industry and adapt to potential disruptions.
V. IFRS STANDARDS AND FINANCIAL INDICATORS NOT DEFINED IN IFRS
IAS29: impact on reported data
Danone has been applying IAS 29 in hyperinflation countries as defined in IFRS. Adoption of IAS 29 in these hyperinflationary countries 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 euros using the closing exchange rate of the relevant period.
IAS29: impact on reported data € million except % | Q2 2021 | H1 2021 | ||
Sales | 4 | 15 | ||
Sales growth (%) | +0.07% | +0.13% | ||
Recurring Operating Income | -15 | |||
Recurring Net Income – Group share | -12 |
Breakdown by quarter of first-half 2021 sales after application of IAS 29
H1 2021 sales correspond to the addition of:
- Q2 2021 reported sales;
- Q1 2021 sales resulting from the application of IAS29 until
June 30, 2021 to sales of entities of hyperinflation countries (application of the inflation rate untilJune 30, 2021 and translation into euros usingJune 30, 2021 closing rate) and provided in the table below for information (unaudited data).
€ million | Q1 20211 | Q2 2021 | H1 2021 | |
EDP | 3,153 | 3,254 | 6,406 | |
Specialized Nutrition | 1,721 | 1,793 | 3,513 | |
Waters | 791 | 1,125 | 1,916 | |
Total | 5,664 | 6,171 | 11,835 |
1 Results from the application of IAS29 until June 30, 2021 to Q1 sales of entities of hyperinflation countries.
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.
Like-for-like changes in sales, recurring operating income 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, both previous-year and current-year scopes excluding entities in countries under hyperinflation according to IAS 29 during the previous year (as for Argentinian entities since
January 1 st, 2019); - 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 years).
Bridge from reported data to like-for-like data
(€ million except %) | H1 2020 | Impact of changes in scope of consolidation | Impact of changes in exchange rates and others, including IAS29 | Organic contribution from hyperinflation countries | Like-for-like growth | H1 2021 |
Sales | 12,189 | +0.5% | -5.5% | +0.4% | +1.6% | 11,835 |
Recurring operating margin | 14.0% | -16 bps | +9 bps | +3 bps | -83 bps | 13.1% |
Recurring operating income is defined as Danone’s operating income excluding Other operating income and expenses. Other operating income and expenses comprise items that, because of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to Danone’s recurring activity and have limited predictive value, thus distorting the assessment of its recurring operating performance and its evolution. These mainly include:
- capital gains and losses on disposals of fully consolidated companies;
- impairment charges on intangible assets with indefinite useful lives;
- costs related to strategic restructurings or transformation plans;
- costs related to major external growth transactions;
- costs related to major crisis and major litigations;
- in connection with of IFRS 3 (Revised) and IAS 27 (Revised) relating to business combinations, (i) acquisition costs related to business combinations, (ii) revaluation profit or loss accounted for following a loss of control, and (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 financial income and expense items that, in view of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be considered as inherent to Danone’s recurring financial management. These mainly include changes in value of non-consolidated interests.
Non-recurring income tax corresponds to income tax on non-recurring items as well as tax income and expense items that, in view of their significant or unusual 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 items that, because of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to the recurring activity of those companies and thus distort the assessment of their recurring performance and its evolution. These mainly include (i) capital gains and losses on disposal and impairment of Investments in associates, and (ii) 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 excludes items that, because of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to Danone’s recurring activity and have limited predictive value, thus distorting the assessment of its recurring performance and its evolution. Such non-recurring income and expenses correspond to Other operating income and expenses, Other non-recurring financial income and expenses, Non-recurring income tax, and Non-recurring income from associates. Such income and expenses, excluded from Net income, represent Non-recurring net income.
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 2020 | H1 2021 | |||||||
Recurring | Total | Recurring | Total | |||||
Net income-Group share (€ million) | 1,100 | 1,015 | 1,000 | 1,068 | ||||
Coupon related to hybrid financing net of tax (€ million) | (7) | (7) | (8) | (8) | ||||
Number of shares | ||||||||
• Before dilution | 648,871,267 | 648,871,267 | 650,135,856 | 650,135,856 | ||||
• After dilution | 649,710,104 | 649,710,104 | 650,695,040 | 650,695,040 | ||||
EPS (€) | ||||||||
• Before dilution | 1.68 | 1.55 | 1.53 | 1.63 | ||||
• After dilution | 1.68 | 1.55 | 1.53 | 1.63 |
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 2020 | H1 2021 |
Cash-flow from operating activities | 1,305 | 1,381 |
Capital expenditure | (381) | (390) |
Disposal of tangible assets & transaction fees related to business combinations1 | 5 | 17 |
Free cash-flow | 929 | 1,009 |
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 earn-outs on acquisitions resulting in control and (ii) net of Cash and cash equivalents, Short term investments and Derivatives – assets managing net debt.
(€ million) | ||
Non-current financial debt | 12,343 | 12,733 |
Current financial debt | 4,157 | 4,922 |
Short-term investments | (3,680) | (5,686) |
Cash and cash equivalents | (593) | (604) |
Derivatives — non-current assets1 | (259) | (179) |
Derivatives — current-assets1 | (27) | (72) |
Net debt | 11,941 | 11,114 |
| (7) | (47) |
| (355) | (380) |
Net financial debt | 11,579 | 10,687 |
1 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 Universal Registration Document (the current version of which is available atwww.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 interim co-CEOs
Véronique Penchienati-Bosetta and
will be broadcast live today from
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 quarter | Second quarter | First half | ||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
BY REPORTING ENTITY | ||||||||||||||||||
EDP | 3,364 | 3,149 | 3,238 | 3,254 | 6,599 | 6,406 | ||||||||||||
Specialized Nutrition | 1,949 | 1,719 | 1,792 | 1,793 | 3,739 | 3,513 | ||||||||||||
Waters | 928 | 790 | 925 | 1,125 | 1,851 | 1,916 | ||||||||||||
BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA | ||||||||||||||||||
3,469 | 3,273 | 3,352 | 3,510 | 6,822 | 6,784 | |||||||||||||
Rest of the World | 2,772 | 2,384 | 2,602 | 2,661 | 5,368 | 5,051 | ||||||||||||
Total | 6,242 | 5,657 | 5,954 | 6,171 | 12,189 | 11,835 |
First quarter 2021 | Second quarter 2021 | First half 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Reported change | Like-for-like change | Reported change | Like-for-like change | Reported change | Like-for-like change | |||||||||||||
BY REPORTING ENTITY | ||||||||||||||||||
EDP | -6.4% | +1.6% | +0.5% | +4.8% | -2.9% | +3.2% | ||||||||||||
Specialized Nutrition | -11.8% | -7.7% | +0.1% | +2.8% | -6.0% | -2.6% | ||||||||||||
Waters | -14.9% | -11.6% | +21.6% | +19.5% | +3.5% | +4.5% | ||||||||||||
BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA | ||||||||||||||||||
-5.6% | -2.8% | +4.7% | +6.4% | -0.6% | +1.7% | |||||||||||||
Rest of the World | -14.0% | -4.2% | +2.3% | +6.9% | -5.9% | +1.4% | ||||||||||||
Total | -9.4% | -3.3% | +3.6% | +6.6% | -2.9% | +1.6% |
1
Attachment
- PR_Danone_H1_2021
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