2018/2019 full-year Sales and Results

EXCELLENT FY19, DEMONSTRATING CLEAR BUSINESS ACCELERATION:
 +6.0% ORGANIC SALES GROWTH (+5.3% REPORTED) 
+8.7% ORGANIC GROWTH IN PRO¹(+9.5% REPORTED)
FY20 GUIDANCE: ORGANIC GROWTH IN PRO BETWEEN +5% AND +7%
FINANCIAL POLICY INFLECTION:
DIVIDEND INCREASED TO '3.12/SHARE (50% PAYOUT) FROM FY19
UP TO '1BN SHARE BUY-BACK PROGRAMME ACROSS FY20 AND FY21
 

SALES
Sales for FY19 totalled '9,182m, with very strong organic growth at +6.0% (+5.3% reported) and continued development of Must-win markets:
'    USA: Sell-out broadly in line with market² and strengthening of route-to-market;
'    China: +21%, excellent performance thanks to continued strong dynamism of Martell and growth relays;
'    India: +20%, with continued expansion of Seagram's Indian whiskies and Strategic International Brands;
'    Travel Retail: +6%, strong growth driven by all regions.
Regionally, FY19 Sales were driven mainly by Asia:
'    Americas: +2%, acceleration in Canada, strong growth in Latam and Sell-out broadly in line with market in USA, but Sales dampened by USA wholesaler inventory optimisation;    
'    Asia-Rest of World: +12%, strong acceleration driven mainly by China, India and Turkey and continued strong growth in Japan
'    Europe: +1%, slight growth in contrasted environment, with continued strong growth in Eastern Europe partly offset by Western Europe (difficult market in France and commercial disputes.)
Pernod Ricard continued to leverage its premium portfolio. There was strong growth across all key spirits categories:
'    Strategic International Brands: +7%, continued strong growth, notably on Jameson, with acceleration on Martell and Scotch, dampened by impact of USA wholesaler inventory management
'    Strategic Local Brands: +12%, acceleration driven by Seagram's Indian Whiskies
'    Specialty Brands: +12%, continued strong momentum, particularly for Lillet, Altos, Monkey 47, Ultra premium Irish Whiskey range and Smooth Ambler
'    Strategic Wines: -5%, due to value strategy in UK and USA inventory management
'    Innovation: contributing c.25% of Group topline growth, in particular thanks to Martell Blue Swift, Chivas XV, Beefeater Pink, Lillet and Monkey 47
Q4 Sales were '1,994m, +5% organic growth (+7% reported), with the continuation of dynamic growth dampened by USA wholesaler inventory management.
 

1 PRO: Profit from Recurring Operations
2 Internal estimate of USA Spirits market growing +4.5%
 

RESULTS
FY19 PRO¹ was '2,581m, with organic growth of +8.7% and +9.5% reported. The PRO margin expanded by +74bps organically (+108bps on a reported basis mainly due to positive FX of +'25m.)
Organic PRO  growth of +8.7%, the highest since FY12, was driven by:
'    Gross margin +7%, +39bps margin improvement vs. FY18 on an organic basis, thanks to:
'    strong pricing on Strategic brands of +2%
'    Cost of Goods headwinds offset by accelerated completion of Operation excellence FY16-20 roadmap, 1 year ahead of schedule
'    negative mix linked mainly to Seagram's Indian whiskies and USA wholesaler inventory management.
'    A&P: +6%, increase broadly in line with Sales, with strong arbitration and focus behind strategic priorities (China and India in particular)
'    Structure: +4%, moderate increase in context of business acceleration, thanks to strong discipline and resource focus on key priorities.
The FY19 corporate income tax rate on recurring items was close to 26%, a slight increase vs. FY18 driven by profit increase in countries with higher tax rates.
Group share of Net PRO¹ was '1,654m, +9.5% reported vs. FY18.
Group share of Net profit was '1,455m, -8% reported vs. FY18, a decrease driven mainly by one-off items in FY19 and an unfavourable basis of comparison (positive one-off effects in FY18.)

ACTIVE PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Pernod Ricard continued to implement its M&A strategy during FY19:
'    leverage high-growth categories through Super-premium acquisitions:
'    Malfy, leveraging gin boom
'    strengthen key markets:
'    Rabbit Hole² bourbon and TX³ American whiskey to reinforce USA footprint
'    develop new route-to-markets and geographies
'    distribution partnership with Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafitte) in China to boost Premium Business Unit on-trade route-to-market
'    JV with local partner in Myanmar to capture Emerging Middle Class opportunity
'    acquisition of Bodeboca platform to accelerate e-commerce capability
'    disposal of non-core assets
'    Argentinian wine portfolio
'    third-party distribution for Imperial (Korea)

1 PRO: Profit from Recurring Operations
2 majority stake, closing in FY20
3 agreement announced 5th August 2019

FREE CASH FLOW AND DEBT
Very strong cash performance continued, with Recurring FCF reaching '1,477m, +4% vs. FY18,  but Free Cash Flow decreasing to '1,366m, -5% vs. FY18, due to positive one-off items in FY18. This resulted in a Net debt decrease of -'342m to '6,620m.
The Net Debt/EBITDA ratio at average rates was 2.3  at 30 June 2019, down from 2.6 at 30 June 2018, with increased dividend and dynamic M&A.

FINANCIAL POLICY
Supported by continued strong cash generation and deleveraging, the financial policy has been updated.  The priorities, while retaining an investment grade rating, are:
1.    increased investment in future organic growth, in particular through strategic inventories and capex
2.    continued active portfolio management and value-creating M&A
3.    accelerated dividend distribution increase to c.50% payout from FY19
4.    up to '1bn share buy-back programme across FY20 and FY21
Accordingly, a dividend of '3.12 is proposed for the Annual General Meeting of 8 November 2019.
In addition to the increase in the dividend payout ratio, Pernod Ricard is further announcing its intention to implement a share buy-back programme for a maximum amount of '1bn.  This programme is due to be implemented over FY20 and FY21 and the shares acquired through this programme are due to be cancelled.    
This share buy-back programme will be implemented depending on market conditions. As a result, the timing, volumes and purchase price will be decided from time to time. Furthermore, Pernod Ricard may decide to suspend or terminate this programme at any time, without further notice or justification.
This buy-back programme is undertaken in the context of continued implementation of the Group's strategic plan, in consistency with its financial policy priorities. 

As part of this communication, Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, declared, 'FY19 was an excellent year, demonstrating clear business acceleration, while investing for long-term value creation.  Our PRO growth, at +8.7%, is our highest since FY12. For FY20, we will continue implementing our FY19-21 'Transform & Accelerate' plan, with increasing support for our priority brands, markets, strategic investments and Sustainability & Responsibility 2030 Roadmap. In a particularly uncertain environment, our guidance for FY20 is organic growth in PRO of between +5% and +7%.'