CASINO, GUICHARD-PERRACHON SA 2017 FULL YEAR RESULTS
Consolidated net sales: +5.0%
Consolidated trading profit: +20.1%
Underlying earnings per share: +13.4%
In 2017, the Group reached its objective of a trading profit growth of 20% thanks to good performances across all businesses. Casino leveraged its unique mix of formats and effective action plans to deliver
a sales performance in France that was the best in the retail sector, while also improving its margins. Gross sales under banner (including Cdiscount) rose by +2.3%(1), reflecting very solid performances
by Franprix, Monoprix and Casino Supermarkets as well as Géant's ongoing recovery.
The e-commerce business developed more intensively, helped by expansion of the product offering and an improved delivery service under Cdiscount's latest strategic plan. The new partnership with Ocado will enable the Group to deploy a state-of-the-art food e-commerce logistics and delivery solution.
In international markets, the Group's subsidiaries enjoyed significant growth in the buoyant cash & carry segment and continued to diversify their revenue sources (property development, consumer finance).
- Consolidated net sales of €37.8bn, up +5.0% and organic growth of +3.2%
- In France: 2017 gross sales under banner (including Cdiscount) up +1.7%(1) for food and +5.6%(1)
for non-food - E-commerce: gross merchandise volume up +10% and net sales up +9.5% on a comparable basis,
with a particularly dynamic second semester (nearly 2-point market share(2) increase in average) - In Latin America: good performance with organic sales growth of +6.4%, a good performance
in a context of decelerating inflation
- Consolidated trading profit of €1,242m, up +20,1%
- In France, increase in trading profit to €556m (from €508m in 2016), reflecting sound standing profitability at Franprix and Monoprix, an improved contribution from Casino Supermarkets and increased profitability at Géant
- E-commerce: trading margin impacted by investments under the strategic plan in the first half,
with a sequential improvement in the second half - In Latin America, sharp rise in trading profit to €713m (from €538m in 2016)
- Underlying net profit, Group share of €372m, up +9.0%
- Dividend of €3.12 in respect of 2017 submitted for approval at the Annual General Meeting. Taking into account the interim dividend paid in December 2017, the remaining dividend payment amounts to €1.56 per share.
- 2018 Objectives: the Group is aiming to deliver
- In France, an organic growth for the retail trading profit, excluding real estate, above 10% and a free cash flow from continuing operations excluding exceptional items(3) covering finance charges
and dividends and allowing to improve the net financial debt - For the Group, an organic(4) growth of consolidated trading profit, and above 10% excluding tax credits, a reduction of its net financial debt, with a free cash flow from continuing activities excluding exceptional items(3) above €1bn
The Board of Directors met on 7 March 2018 to approve the parent company and consolidated financial statements for 2017. The statutory auditors have completed their audit of the financial statements
and are in the process of issuing their report
Jean-Charles NAOURI - Chairman and CEO of Casino group said:
"The unique mix of banners' formats and the transformation plans initiated enabled Casino group to reach the best commercial performance in the sector in France and among the best abroad in 2017, with a marked improvement in its key financial indicators. This strategic orientation, which addresses our customers' expectations, will be continued with strengthened ambitions in growth and profitability for 2018.
In addition, with a view to constantly aligning with the evolution of consumption trends,
Casino group will further accelerate its digital and e-commerce development in 2018 in order
to further assert its leading position in omni-channel retail."
| Continuing operations (in €m) | 2016 | 2017 |
| Net sales | 36,030 | 37,822 |
| EBITDA | 1,697 | 1,930 |
| EBITDA margin | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Trading profit | 1,034 | 1,242 |
| Trading margin | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Trading profit and share of profit of equity associates | 1,054 | 1,255 |
| Reported net profit, Group share | 2,679 | 120 |
| Underlying net profit, Group share | 341 | 372 |
| Consolidated net debt | (3,367) | (4,126) |
| Net debt of Casino in France | (3,200) | (3,715) |
Following the 2016 decision to sell Via Varejo, and in accordance with IFRS 5, Via Varejo (including Cnova Brazil) is classified as a discontinued operation.
Consolidated net sales of €37.8bn, supported by sales dynamic in France and a good performancein Brazil
In 2017, the Group reported consolidated net sales of €37.8bn, a total increase of +5.0% including organic growth of +3.2%.
In France, same-store sales rose by +0.8% compared with 2016. Organic sales growth was +0.1%. This performance was primarily attributable to the premium and service-led banners (Franprix, Monoprix and Casino Supermarkets).
- Franprix, which saw a +3.1% increase in customer traffic, deployed its new Mandarine concept
and various innovative initiatives - Monoprix, which traffic was up +2.1%, delivered a good performance in food sales and stepped up the pace of expansion (opening 60 new stores in 2017 including 24 Naturalia stores)
- Casino Supermarkets consolidated their growth dynamic, driven by a good sales performance
in fresh and organic products and development of the new concept - In Convenience, expansion of the franchise network continued and the new Le Petit Casino concept was expanded
- Leader Price deployed its new Next concept and continues to improve its network
- Géant continued to recover, with an increase in food sales and a reduction in non-food surface areas
E-commerce gross merchandise volume rose by a significant +10%, led by historically high sales
in the third quarter, a record Black Friday and the deployment of the strategic plan in the second quarter of 2017. Cdiscount lifted its market share by nearly 2 points on average in the second half and recorded an increase of +12% in traffic, with 946m visits.
In Latin America, in a context of decelerating food price inflation, organic growth for the year stood at +6.4%, led by the success of Assaí.
Éxito kept up the pace of expansion, developing the cash & carry business in Colombia
(with 7 Surtimayorista stores opened in 2017, including 5 conversions), deploying the new Carulla Fresh Market concept and repositioning the hypermarkets by improving the non-food offer. Businesses that complement retail operations, such as real estate and the Puntos Colombia
multi-banner nationwide loyalty programme, continued to be developed.
At Multivarejo, the Extra hypermarkets performed well and Pão de Açúcar reported increased volumes. Assaí experienced very strong growth, reflecting the dynamic expansion programme
and the strong commercial model.
Consolidated trading profit totalled €1,242m, up +20.1% at current exchange rates and +16.7%
at constant exchange rates.
In France, trading profit came to €556m, an improvement of +9.5%. This performance was attributable to sound standing performance at Franprix and Monoprix, an improved contribution from Casino Supermarkets and increased profitability at Géant. The property development business also performed well, generating trading profit of €92m. Trading margin increased by +26bps
to 2.9%, led by the retail business units.
The E-commerce business's trading profit was lower at -€27m from -€11m in 2016, impacted by the investments made in the first half under the Cdiscount strategic plan. The plan has delivered good results, driving an improvement in profitability in the second half and leading to better profitability
in fourth-quarter 2017 than in the same period of 2016.
Trading profit from food retail operations in Latin America came to €713m, up +32.7% as reported and +11.3% excluding the effect of tax credits. The segment's trading margin rose +69bps to 4.2%. At Éxito, trading margin contracted by -120bps to 4.0%. At GPA Food, trading margin was up +148bps at 4.3%.
Underlying net financial result for the period was -€475m versus -€411m in 2016. In France, unlike
in 2016, finance charges did not benefit from favourable effect of bond buybacks and were adversely affected by the full-year impact of interest step-ups on bond debt. In Latin America, finance charges declined year on year, notably helped by the continuous decline in interest rates in Brazil and Colombia. The E-commerce segment's finance charges increased, due to business growth.
Underlying net profit from continuing operations, Group share totalled €372m, an increase of +9.0% compared with €341m in 2016.
Underlying diluted earnings per share(2) came to €2.90, an increase of +13.4% versus 2016.
Consolidated net profit, Group share amounted to €120m.
Financial position at 31 December 2017Consolidated cash flow from continuing operations came to €1,573m, up +14.7%.
Consolidated net financial debt as at 31 December 2017 amounted to €4.1bn.
Net financial debt of Casino in France excluding Cdiscount(3) as at 31 December 2017 totalled €3.7bn, reflecting the impact of financial investments made in the first half (notably including
the buyback of the Cnova free float) and the change in working capital requirement at the end
of the year.
The net debt to EBITDA ratio of continuing operations was stable overall, at 2.1x versus 2.0x in 2016.
As at 31 December 2017, Casino in France had €5.1bn in liquidity, composed of significant cash and cash equivalent of €1.9bn and confirmed undrawn lines of credit of €3.3bn.
The Board of Directors decided to propose a dividend of €3.12 per share in respect of 2017
to the Annual General Meeting that will be held on 15 May 2018.
Taking into account the interim dividend paid in December 2017, the remaining payment comes
to €1.56 per share. The ex-dividend date will be 18 May 2018, and the dividend will be payable
on 22 May 2018.
2018 Outlook
In 2018, the Group confirms its strategic priorities:
- Favouring the growth in the best formats
- Accelerating the development of digital and omni-channel activities
- Pursuing action plans to cut costs and improve the supply chain
- Increasing cash generation and strengthening the financial structure
The Group sets the following objectives:
- For trading profit:
- In France, the Group is aiming to achieve for the food retail activity more than 10% organic(1) growth in trading profit excluding real estate, led by growth in the most profitable formats
and by improved hypermarket and convenience margins - In all, the Group is aiming to deliver organic(1) growth in consolidated trading profit and above 10% excluding tax credits
- In France, free cash flow from continuing operations excluding exceptional items(2) covering finance charges and dividends and allowing to improve the net financial debt
- A reduction in the Group net debt with:
- The return to a breakeven free cash flow for Cdiscount
- Free cash flow from continuing operations excluding exceptional items(2) above €1bn in total
- A Capex envelop around €1bn
- And the significant potential effect from the sale of Via Varejo
The presentation of the 2017 annual results will be available on the Casino group corporate website (www.groupe-casino.fr).
The definitions of the main non-GAAP indicators will also be available on the website.
***
| Net sales In €m | 2016 | 2017 | |
| France Retail | 18,939 | 18,903 | |
| Latam Retail | 15,247 | 16,923 | |
| E-commerce | 1,843 | 1,995 | |
| Total Group | 36,030 | 37,822 |
| EBITDA In €m | 2016 | 2017 at constant exchange rates | 2017 | |
| France Retail | 872 | 900 | 901 | |
| Latam Retail | 816 | 980 | 1 029 | |
| E-commerce | 10 | (0) | (0) | |
| Total Group | 1,697 | 1,879 | 1,930 | |
| ROC In €m | 2016 | 2017 at constant exchange rates | 2017 |
| France Retail | 508 | 554 | 556 |
| Latam Retail | 538 | 679 | 713 |
| E-commerce | (11) | (27) | (27) |
| Total Group | 1,034 | 1,207 | 1,242 |
| In €m | 2016 | 2017 |
| Net sales | 36 030 | 37 822 |
| EBITDA | 1,697 | 1,930 |
| Trading profit | 1,034 | 1,242 |
| Trading profit and share of profit of equity associates | 1,054 | 1,255 |
| Other operating income and expenses | (625) | (480) |
| Operating profit | 409 | 762 |
| Net finance costs | (324) | (367) |
| Other financial income and expenses | (35) | (78) |
| Tax expense | (34) | (56) |
| Share of profit of equity associates | 20 | 13 |
| Net profit from continuing operations, Group share | 33 | 127 |
| Net profit (loss) from discontinued operations, Group share | 2,645 | (7) |
| Net profit, Group share | 2,679 | 120 |
| Underlying net profit, Group share | 341 | 372 |
| In €m | 2016 | Restated items | 2016 underlying | 2017 | Restated items | 2017 underlying |
| Trading profit | 1,034 | 0 | 1,034 | 1,242 | 0 | 1,242 |
| Other operating income and expenses | (625) | 625 | 0 | (480) | 480 | 0 |
| Operating profit | 409 | 625 | 1,034 | 762 | 480 | 1,242 |
| Net finance costs | (324) | 0 | (324) | (367) | 0 | (367) |
| Other financial income and expenses(1) | (35) | (51) | (87) | (78) | (30) | (108) |
| Income tax(2) | (34) | (155) | (189) | (56) | (103) | (159) |
| Share of profit of equity associates | 20 | 0 | 20 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| Net profit from continuing operations | 36 | 419 | 455 | 273 | 348 | 621 |
| Attributable to minority interests(3) | 2 | 111 | 114 | 146 | 103 | 249 |
| Of which Group share | 33 | 307 | 341 | 127 | 244 | 372 |
Underlying net profit corresponds to net profit from continuing operations, adjusted for (i)
the impact of other operating income and expenses, as defined in the "Significant accounting policies" section in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, (ii) the impact
of non-recurring financial items, as well as (iii) income tax expense/benefits related to these adjustments.
Non-recurring financial items include fair value adjustments to equity derivative instruments
(such as total return swaps and forward instruments related to GPA shares) and the effects
of discounting Brazilian tax liabilities.
| In €m | 2016 | 2017 |
| Non-current assets | 23,629 | 21,990 |
| Current assets | 18,412 | 16,212 |
| Total assets | 42,042 | 38,202 |
| Total equity | 14,440 | 13,057 |
| Non-current financial liabilities | 7,733 | 7,229 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 2,681 | 2,106 |
| Current liabilities | 17,189 | 15,809 |
| Total equity and liabilities | 42,042 | 38,202 |
In €m | 2016 | 2017 | |
| France Retail | (3,200) | (3,715) | |
| Latam Retail | (1,032) | (845) | |
| o/w GPA Food | (221) | (189) | |
| o/w Éxito (excluding GPA Food) | (810) | (655) | |
| Latam Electronics | 697 | 628 | |
| E-commerce | 168 | (194) | |
| Total | (3,367) | (4,126) | |
ANALYST AND INVESTOR CONTACTS
Régine GAGGIOLI - Tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 64 17
rgaggioli@groupe-casino.fr
or
+33 (0)1 53 65 24 17
IR_Casino@groupe-casino.fr
CONTACTS PRESSE
Groupe Casino
Tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 24 78
Directiondelacommunication@groupe-casino.fr
AGENCE IMAGE SEPT
Simon ZAKS - Tel: +33 (0)6 60 87 50 29 - szaks@image7.fr
Karine ALLOUIS - Tel: + 33 (0)6 11 59 23 26 - kallouis@image7.fr
Disclaimer
This press release was prepared solely for information purposes, and should not be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell securities or related financial instruments. Likewise, it does not provide and should not be treated as providing investment advice. It has no connection with the specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any receiver. No representation or warranty, either express or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein. It should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgement. All the opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Groupe Casino via Globenewswire
