Reported Earnings up 1%; Underlying Growth Continues at a Double-Digit Rate
Louisville, Ky. - Aug. 30, 2007 - Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BFB) (NYSE:BFA) reported diluted earnings per share for its first quarter ended July 31, 2007 of $0.77, up 1% from the $0.76 earned in the first quarter last year.(1) Underlying earnings per share(2) for the quarter were up 10%, after adjusting for the following items: $0.05 per share of dilution associated with acquisitions; a $0.04 per share benefit from favorable foreign currency fluctuations; a $0.04 per share net impact of changes in global trade inventory levels; and a $0.01 per share absence of interest income earned in last year's first quarter on proceeds from the sale of Lenox (which were distributed to shareholders in May 2007). This 10% underlying growth in earnings for the first quarter reflects accelerating trends for the company's premium global brands internationally and continued gains from the company's super-premium developing brands.
(1) All financial and statistical information included in this press release reflects continuing operations of the company for all periods presented unless otherwise indicated.
(2) Underlying earnings per share represent diluted reported earnings per share in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for certain items. A reconciliation from reported to underlying earnings per share (a non-GAAP measure) for the full year, and the reasons why management believes these adjustments to be useful to the reader, are included in Schedule A of this press release.
Paul Varga, chief executive officer said, "These financial results represent a great start to our fiscal year and a nice continuation of our strong underlying growth. We are encouraged by healthy consumer demand for our premium global brands, including Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, and Finlandia, particularly in international markets. Our integration and early work with the recently acquired Casa Herradura(3) brands are on track and we remain optimistic about the company's overall growth prospects."
(3) References to Casa Herradura include all brands (el Jimador, Herradura, New Mix, Antiguo, Suave 35 and other brands) and operations acquired in January 2007.
First quarter net sales grew $106 million, up 17% over the prior-year period. Gross profit increased $42 million, up 12% from the first quarter of last year. Continuing consumer demand for the company's premium global brands, the addition of acquired brands, and a weaker U.S. dollar contributed to these strong results. The company's overall gross margin as a percent of net sales declined due in part to the addition of Casa Herradura results.
Advertising expenses in the quarter were up $13 million, or 16%, over last year's first quarter due to incremental investments behind the company's premium global brands, new investments in support of acquired brands, and a weaker U.S. dollar. SG&A expenses increased approximately $15 million, or 12%, compared to the same prior year period, due primarily to the addition of acquired brands. Operating income increased $13 million, up 9% over the first quarter last year.
Jack Daniel's global depletions(4) registered mid-single digit gains in the quarter, led by double-digit growth outside of the U.S. The brand's international volume expansion reflected strong growth in the U.K., France, Australia, Asia, and Eastern Europe. In the U.S., Jack Daniel's volume growth rate moderated slightly, increasing at a low-single digit rate for the three-month period. Global volumes for Southern Comfort grew at a mid-single digit rate in the quarter, as double-digit gains in the U.K., South Africa, and Germany offset modest declines in the U.S. Worldwide Finlandia volumes accelerated in the quarter, as double-digit increases reflect continued expansion in Eastern Europe. Depletions for our super-premium developing brands, including Woodford Reserve and Chambord, increased at a double-digit rate in the quarter. Volumes for our mid-priced regional brands were up mid-single digits, as solid growth for Fetzer Valley Oaks, Korbel, and Bonterra more than offset declines for Canadian Mist, Bolla, and Early Times.
(4) Depletions are shipments from wholesale distributors to retail customers, and are commonly regarded in the industry as an approximate measure of consumer demand.
Full-Year Outlook
The company's full-year earnings outlook remains unchanged at $3.35 to $3.55 per diluted share, representing growth of 7% to 13% over comparable prior-year earnings of $3.14 per share. This outlook includes projected earnings dilution of $0.13 to $0.18 per share associated with the Casa Herradura acquisition, which is also unchanged.
Brown-Forman will host a conference call to discuss first quarter results at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) today. All interested parties in the U.S. are invited to join the conference by dialing 888-624-9285 and asking for the Brown-Forman call. International callers should dial 706-679-3410 and ask for the Brown-Forman call. No password is required. The company suggests that the participants dial in approximately ten minutes in advance of the 10:00 a.m. start of the conference call.
A live audio broadcast of the conference call will also be available via Brown-Forman's Internet Web site, www.brown-forman.com, and then click on the link to "Investor Relations."
For those unable to participate in the live call, a digital replay will be available by calling 800-642-1687 (U.S.) or 706-645-9291 (international). The identification code is 14130175. A digital audio recording of the conference call will also be available on the web page approximately one hour after the conclusion of the conference call. The replays will be available for at least 30 days.
Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Tequila Herradura, el Jimador Tequila, Canadian Mist, Fetzer and Bolla wines, and Korbel California Champagnes.
Important Note on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains statements, estimates, or projections that constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words "expect," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "will," "anticipate," and "project," and similar expressions identify a forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date the statement is made. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. We believe that the expectations and assumptions with respect to our forward-looking statements are reasonable. But by their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that in some cases are out of our control. These factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from Brown-Forman's historical experience or our present expectations or projections. Here is a non-exclusive list of such risks and uncertainties:
-- changes in general economic conditions, particularly in the
United States where we earn about half of our profits,
including higher energy prices, declining home prices,
deterioration of the sub-prime lending market, or other
factors;
-- lower consumer confidence or purchasing related to changes in
economic conditions, major natural disasters, terrorist
attacks or widespread outbreak of infectious diseases;
-- tax increases, whether at the federal or state level or in
major international markets and/or tariff barriers or other
restrictions affecting beverage alcohol;
-- limitations and restrictions on distribution of products and
alcohol marketing, including advertising and promotion, as a
result of stricter governmental policies adopted either in the
United States or in international markets;
-- adverse developments in the class action lawsuits filed
against Brown-Forman and other spirits, beer and wine
manufacturers alleging that our industry conspired to promote
the consumption of alcohol by those under the legal drinking
age;
-- a strengthening U.S. dollar against foreign currencies,
especially the British Pound, Euro, Australian Dollar, and the
South African Rand;
-- reduced bar, restaurant, hotel and travel business, including
travel retail;
-- longer-term, a change in consumer preferences, social trends
or cultural trends that results in the reduced consumption of
our premium spirits brands;
-- changes in distribution arrangements in major markets that
limit our ability to market or sell our products;
-- adverse impact on performance and reported results as a
consequence of integrating acquisitions and ensuring their
conformance to the company's trade practice standards,
financial controls environment and U.S. public company
requirements;
-- price increases in energy or raw materials, including grapes,
grain, agave, wood, glass, and plastic;
-- excess wine inventories or a world-wide oversupply of grapes
or agave;
-- termination of our rights to distribute and market agency
brands in our portfolio;
-- counterfeit production of our products and any resulting
negative effect on our intellectual property rights or brand
equity; and
-- adverse developments as a result of state or federal
investigations of beverage alcohol industry trade practices of
suppliers, distributors and retailers.
Brown-Forman Corporation
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
July 31,
2006 2007 Change
-------- ------- ------
Continuing Operations
Net sales $ 633.4 $ 739.1 17%
Gross profit 348.9 391.0 12%
Advertising expenses 80.7 94.0 16%
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses 127.9 143.1 12%
Amortization expense -- 1.3
Other (income), net (2.0) (2.8)
Operating income 142.3 155.4 9%
Interest expense, net 1.1 11.1
Income before income taxes 141.2 144.3 2%
Income taxes 46.6 48.9
Net income 94.6 95.4 1%
Earnings per share:
Basic 0.771 0.774 0%
Diluted 0.762 0.767 1%
Discontinued Operations
Net loss $ (0.9) $ (0.1)
Loss per share:
Basic (0.007) (0.001)
Diluted (0.007) (0.001)
Total Company
Net income $ 93.7 $ 95.3 2%
Earnings per share:
Basic 0.764 0.773 1%
Diluted 0.755 0.766 1%
Brown-Forman Corporation
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions)
April 30, July 31,
2007 2007
--------- --------
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 283 $ 180
Short-term investments 86 --
Accounts receivable, net 404 394
Inventories 694 725
Other current assets 168 117
--------- --------
Total current assets 1,635 1,416
Property, plant, and equipment, net 506 505
Goodwill 670 669
Other intangible assets 684 696
Prepaid pension cost 23 19
Other assets 33 34
--------- --------
Total assets $ 3,551 $ 3,339
========= ========
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 361 $ 334
Accrued income taxes 27 10
Payable to shareholders 204 37
Short-term borrowings 401 343
Current portion of long-term debt 354 354
--------- --------
Total current liabilities 1,347 1,078
Long-term debt 422 421
Deferred income taxes 56 52
Accrued postretirement benefits 123 125
Other liabilities 30 58
--------- --------
Total liabilities 1,978 1,734
Stockholders' equity 1,573 1,605
--------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,551 $ 3,339
========= ========
Brown-Forman Corporation
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(including cash flows from discontinued operations)
(Dollars in millions)
Three Months Ended
July 31,
2006 2007
--------- --------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Continuing operations $ 73.6 $ 128.5
Discontinued operations 2.6 (0.1)
--------- --------
Cash provided by operating activities 76.2 128.4
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of business (250.1) --
Acquisition of brand name -- (12.0)
Net (increase) decrease in short-term
investments (26.4) 85.6
Additions to property, plant, and equipment (10.5) (11.4)
Other (1.0) (1.8)
--------- --------
Cash (used for) provided by investing
activities (288.0) 60.4
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net decrease in debt (29.3) (58.9)
Special distribution to shareholders -- (203.7)
Dividends paid (34.4) (37.3)
Other 20.2 7.6
--------- --------
Cash (used for) financing activities (43.5) (292.3)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents 0.4 0.5
--------- --------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (254.9) (103.0)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 474.8 282.8
--------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 219.9 $ 179.8
========= ========
Brown-Forman Corporation
Continuing Operations Only
Supplemental Information (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
July 31,
2006 2007
--------- --------
Net sales $ 633.4 $ 739.1
Excise taxes $ 128.4 $ 152.0
Net sales (stripped of excise taxes) $ 505.0 $ 587.1
Gross profit (as reported) $ 348.9 $ 391.0
Gross margin (as reported) 55.1% 52.9%
Gross margin (stripped net sales basis)(a) 69.1% 66.6%
Effective tax rate 33.0% 33.9%
Cash dividends paid per common share $ 0.280 $ 0.3025
Shares (in thousands) used in the calculation of
earnings per share
Basic 122,613 123,217
Diluted 124,066 124,434
(a) Management believes excluding excise tax from the gross margin
calculation provides a more meaningful comparison because of changes
in the company's distribution structures in several markets. These
changes result in the company collecting and remitting excise taxes
which are reported in net sales and cost of sales, preventing
effective comparison across periods where the same distribution
structures were not employed.
These figures have been prepared in accordance with the company's
customary accounting practices.
Schedule A
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Brown-Forman Corporation
Continuing Operations Only
Supplemental Information (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
July 31,
2006 2007 % Change
---------- ------- --------
Reported GAAP Earnings Per Share $0.76 $0.77 1%
Adjustments:
Acquisitions $0.05
Trade Inventory Adjustments ($0.07) ($0.03)
Foreign Exchange ($0.04)
Absence of Interest Income ($0.01)
Adjusted Earnings Per Share $0.68 $0.75 10%
Notes:
Acquisitions - Refers to the acquisition of the Casa Herradura brands in January 2007 and Chambord in May 2006, thus making comparisons difficult to understand. In addition, we believe that excluding the results of these acquisitions provides helpful information in forecasting and planning the growth expectations of the company.
Trade inventory levels - Refers to the estimated financial impact of changes in wholesale trade inventories for the company's brands in markets where we use third-party distributors. We compute this effect using our historical and estimated depletion trends and separately identify trade inventory changes in the variance analysis for our key measures. We believe it is important to make this adjustment in order for management and investors to understand the results of our business without distortions that can arise from varying levels of wholesale inventories.
Foreign exchange - Refers to net gains and losses incurred by the company relating to sales and purchases in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. We use the measure to understand the growth of the business on a constant dollar basis as fluctuations in exchange rates can distort the underlying growth of our business (both positively and negatively). To neutralize the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations, we have historically translated current year results at prior year rates. While we recognize that foreign exchange volatility is a reality for a global company, we routinely review our company performance on a constant dollar basis. We believe this allows both management and our investors to understand better our company's growth trends.
Absence of interest income - Refers to the absence of interest income in fiscal 2008 that was earned in fiscal 2007 on the cash proceeds from the sale of Lenox which was distributed to shareholders in May of 2007. We believe adjusting for this interest income, which was earned by temporarily investing the proceeds from the sale of a segment of our business, allows management and investors to better understand the company's underlying growth.
The company cautions that non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the company's reported GAAP results.