April 8 - Constellation Brands, Inc., the world's largest wine company, reported today its fiscal 2009 results and fiscal 2010 outlook.
"Throughout fiscal 2009, we made great strides in a number of key areas including strong free cash flow generation, reducing borrowings, creating internal efficiencies and transforming our product portfolio through acquisitions and divestitures," said Rob Sands, president and chief executive officer of Constellation Brands. "I am pleased with these accomplishments especially during a time of global economic recession."
Fiscal 2009 Net Sales Commentary
Organic net sales increased four percent on a constant currency basis. Reported consolidated net sales decreased three percent due primarily to the impact of year-over-year currency exchange rate fluctuation. The net sales benefit from the acquisition of the Clos du Bois and Wild Horse brands was more than offset by the divestitures of the Almaden, Inglenook and certain Pacific Northwest wine brands and the impact of reporting the Matthew Clark joint venture under the equity method.
Branded wine organic net sales on a constant currency basis increased three percent, which includes an eight percent increase for North America, a nine percent decrease for Europe, and three percent decrease for Australia/New Zealand. Sales performance in North America reflects solid growth in Canada and the benefit of overlapping the company's initiative to reduce distributor wine inventory levels in the U.S., which negatively impacted net sales in fiscal 2008. Volume growth in key markets was impacted by challenging economic conditions coupled with the implementation of price increases and planned SKU reductions. These price increases and SKU reductions resulted in the expected benefit of enhanced worldwide wine margins.
"During the course of the year, we made significant progress toward premiumizing our product portfolio and will continue our efforts to leverage large, consumer-preferred brands that return the greatest profits," Sands said. "We have some of the strongest and most recognized brands in the industry. Brands like Robert Mondavi, Wild Horse, Ravenswood, Estancia, Clos du Bois and Simi have performed well in the marketplace as consumers in this environment are turning to trusted products that represent quality and good value."
Total spirits organic net sales increased six percent for the year, led by a 50 percent gain for SVEDKA Vodka and solid performance of Black Velvet Canadian Whisky. "We are experiencing positive performance from our retained spirits brands and are very pleased that according to market data, SVEDKA has become the fastest growing major spirits brand in the world and the third largest imported vodka in the U.S.," said Sands. "SVEDKA's price point and unique marketing approach resonates with consumers who enjoy the product's high-end image, quality and value."
Fiscal 2009 Operating Income, Net Income, Diluted EPS Commentary
Wines segment operating income increased $63 million versus the prior year. This increase reflects the contribution from the Clos du Bois and Wild Horse brands, the overlap of the U.S. distributor wine inventory reduction initiative and benefits from price increases, partially offset by the divestitures of the Almaden, Inglenook and certain Pacific Northwest wine brands and a decrease in international business performance. The repositioning of the company's U.S. portfolio to more premium brands and resulting synergies has positively impacted operating profit margins.
Constellation's equity earnings from its 50 percent interest in the Crown Imports joint venture totaled $252 million, a decrease of one percent. For fiscal 2009, Crown Imports generated net sales of $2.4 billion, which was even with the prior year, and operating income of $504 million, a decrease of one percent.
"Crown's imported beer business has also been affected by the macroeconomic climate," said Sands. "However, looking toward fiscal 2010, Crown is building momentum for its key spring and summer selling season by putting in place a number of new promotional activities targeted to key locations around the U.S."
For fiscal 2009, pre-tax restructuring charges, acquisition-related integration costs and unusual items totaled $658 million compared to $918 million for the prior year. During the fourth quarter fiscal 2009, the company recorded an estimated $358 million of non-cash impairment charges related to goodwill, intangible assets and equity method investments primarily in connection with the company's annual impairment testing of its international businesses.
Subsequent to the March 25 fourth quarter earnings preannouncement, the company recorded a non-cash inventory adjustment related primarily to prior years at the company's Australian subsidiary which negatively impacted fiscal 2009 reported basis diluted loss per share.
Interest expense totaled $316 million, a decrease of seven percent. The decrease was primarily from lower interest rates for the year. The company generated free cash flow of $378 million compared with $376 million in the prior year.
"Due primarily to strong free cash flow, and the proceeds from asset dispositions during fiscal 2009, total debt decreased by more than $820 million from fiscal year end 2008 levels," said Bob Ryder, Constellation Brands chief financial officer. "By the end of fiscal 2009, we prepaid all of our term loan payment requirements under our senior credit facility for fiscal 2010 and a portion for fiscal 2011. Additionally, the $210 million of after-tax proceeds from the recently completed sale of the value spirits business further enhances our deleveraging efforts and will bring our debt to comparable basis EBITDA ratio to almost four times."
For fiscal 2010, the company is targeting free cash flow in the range of $230 - $270 million. The decrease from fiscal 2009 is expected to be primarily driven by higher taxes paid including a $65 million tax payment related to the sale of the value spirits business in fiscal 2010, approximately $55 million in favorable hedge transaction settlements received in fiscal 2009 that are not expected to reoccur and higher capital expenditures.
Fourth Quarter 2009 Financial Highlights*
(in millions, except per share data)
Comparable % Change Reported % Change
---------- -------- -------- --------
Consolidated net sales $735 -17% $735 -17%
Operating income/(loss) $102 -26% ($287) NM
Operating margin 13.9% -160 bps NM NM
Equity earnings/(loss) $47 10% ($32) NM
EBIT $149 -17% - -
Net income/(loss) $46 -37% ($407) NM
Diluted earnings/(loss)
per share $0.21 -38% ($1.88) NM
Fourth Quarter 2009 Net Sales Highlights*
(in millions)
Reported Organic
------------------------- ------------------------
Constant Constant
Net Currency Net Currency
Sales % Change Change Sales % Change Change
----- -------- ------ ----- -------- ------
Consolidated $735 -17% -8% $735 -13% -3%
Branded Wine $619 -17% -7% $619 -14% -4%
Spirits $93 -3% -3% $93 6% 6%
Wholesale/other $24 -44% -22% $24 -44% -22%
Fourth Quarter 2009 Net Sales Commentary
Organic net sales decreased three percent on a constant currency basis. Reported consolidated net sales decreased 17 percent primarily due to the impact of year-over-year currency exchange rate fluctuations and the divestitures of the Almaden, Inglenook, certain Pacific Northwest wine brands and the exit of certain spirits contract production services.
Branded wine organic net sales on a constant currency basis decreased four percent, which includes a one percent increase for North America, a 16 percent decrease for Europe and a four percent decrease for Australia/New Zealand. These results reflect the impact of increasingly challenging economic conditions, especially in the U.K. and Australia, price increases and planned SKU reductions.
"Turbulent global trading conditions negatively impacted our sales mix in the fourth quarter, which in turn affected our gross profit margins," said Sands. "However, we have been able to partially offset these challenges through cost reductions which reflect our flexibility to quickly adapt."
Total spirits organic net sales increased six percent for the quarter, driven by the growth of SVEDKA.
Fourth Quarter 2009 Operating Income, Net Income, Diluted EPS Commentary
Wines segment operating income decreased $39 million versus the prior year quarter. This decrease primarily reflects the divestitures of the Almaden, Inglenook and certain Pacific Northwest wine brands and a significant decrease in the international business performance.
Constellation's equity earnings from its Crown Imports joint venture totaled $47 million, an increase of 13 percent. For fourth quarter 2009, Crown Imports generated net sales of $434 million, a decrease of six percent, and operating income of $93 million, an increase of 13 percent. The decrease in net sales reflects continuing challenges in the on-premise and convenience channels. Operating income increased due to timing of expenses and cost containment efforts.
For fourth quarter 2009, pre-tax restructuring charges, acquisition-related integration costs and unusual items totaled $468 million compared to $893 million for the prior year quarter.
Interest expense totaled $71 million, a decrease of 24 percent reflecting the benefit of lower average debt balances and interest rates.
Fiscal 2010 Global Initiative
Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the company will implement operational changes to simplify the business, increase efficiencies and reduce its cost structure on a global basis. The company expects these actions to result in the elimination of approximately five percent of its global workforce and rationalization of certain facilities. Constellation expects these actions to produce cost savings of approximately $25 million in fiscal 2010 and more than $50 million by the end of fiscal 2011. These savings include synergies from consolidating the retained spirits brands into the North American wine business.
In connection with this global initiative, the company expects to incur one-time cash charges of approximately $83 million and one-time non-cash charges of approximately $29 million, for a total of approximately $112 million, which are summarized below. Approximately $106 million of the total charges are expected to be recognized in fiscal 2010.
Estimated
Pretax
Charges
-------
(in millions)
Restructuring charges:
Employee termination costs(1) $25
Contract termination costs(2) 22
Other associated costs 4
---
Total restructuring charges (cash) 51
Other related costs (cash) 32
Accelerated depreciation (non-cash) 29
---
Total costs $112
====
Total cash charges $83
===
Total non-cash charges $29
===
(1) The Company estimates that actual employee termination costs could
range from $20 million to $30 million depending on the final
implementation of the Global Initiative.
(2) The Company may incur additional contract termination costs of up
to $10 million as a result of the outcome of the negotiation of
certain contract exits.
Summary
"Constellation is focused on the right strategies during these tough economic times to generate cash, pay down debt and increase return on invested capital," said Sands. "Given the difficult and uncertain economic conditions, we are cautious with our outlook for fiscal 2010. However, our business strategy remains intact, we have a clear path forward and plan to be prudent in managing the bottom line by focusing on right-sizing our organization, creating efficiencies and rapidly deleveraging. We believe this strategy, complemented by the strength of our brands, positions the company well to benefit from the inevitable upturn in the economy when it occurs."
Outlook
The table below sets forth management's current diluted EPS expectations for fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009 actual results, both on a reported basis and a comparable basis.
Constellation Brands Fiscal Year 2010
Diluted Earnings Per Share Outlook
Reported Basis Comparable Basis
-------------------- ---------------------
FY10 FY09 FY10 FY09
Estimate Actual Estimate Actual
-------- ------ -------- ------
Fiscal Year
Ending Feb. 28 $0.97 - $1.07 ($1.40) $1.60 - $1.70 $1.60
Full-year fiscal 2010 guidance includes the developments described above as well as the following current assumptions:
-- Interest expense: approximately $265 - $285 million
-- Tax rate: approximately 53 percent on a reported basis, which includes
a provision of 9 percentage points associated with the March 2009
disposal of the value spirits business and 5 percentage points related
to international restructuring activities with minimal tax benefits,
for approximately 38 percent on a comparable basis
-- Weighted average diluted shares outstanding: approximately 222 million
-- Free cash flow: $230 - $270 million