Interim Report for 1 January - 30 September (9M) 2018

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT NO 65/2018 – 21 NOVEMBER 2018

Interim Report for 1 January - 30 September (9M) 2018

Consistent commercial execution and historically warm summer drive solid earnings growth

Due to a wide range of commercial initiatives and a historically warm summer in Northern Europe in 2018, Royal Unibrew posted solid financial results for the first three quarters of 2018. Net revenue increased by 10% adjusted for M&A activities and 16% in total, while the EBIT margin ended at 19.4% compared to 17.7% for the same period last year. 

Throughout 2018, we have seen a strong commercial execution in our core markets supported by our broad product offering, a high level of innovation and commercial activities. Furthermore, we have expanded our offerings into new product categories to help our customers meet a more diversified consumer demand across sales channels. Key brand initiatives have been the introduction of new packaging formats for our Crodo products, Supermalt Ginger Beer in the UK and a Jaffa low-sugar range in Finland. Lastly, we have seen the launch of beers with non-/low-alcohol content with the products Royal Organic 2.3% and Heineken 0.0%. 

The results for the first three quarters are in line with our guidance updated in August 2018. The acquisition of Bev.Con ApS (CULT) is expected to be closed during December 2018 following approval from the Danish competition authorities. CULT is not expected to change the full-year guidance. 

Financial highlights Q1-Q3 2018
Net revenue for Q1-Q3 2018 amounted to DKK 5,624 million compared to DKK 4,869 million last year and was positively affected by solid organic growth and the impact from the acquired businesses Terme di Crodo and Etablissements Geyer Fréres (Lorina) as well as the extraordinarily good weather in Northern Europe. Acquisitions contributed revenue of DKK 288 million during the first nine months. 

EBIT for Q1-Q3 2018 was DKK 1,092 million compared to DKK 862 million last year. The improvement was driven by increased revenue, improved mix and efficiency gains through operational leverage. It is estimated that the extraordinarily good weather during the summer of 2018 has contributed to an increase in EBIT of approx. DKK 70-90 million. The newly acquired businesses in France and Italy also contributed positively to EBIT. Profitability increased in all segments. 

Market shares slightly improved compared to the same period last year, mainly driven by an increase in market shares during Q3 as our total supply chain proved its agility in a fast-moving and demanding market.

Free cash flow amounted to DKK 1,034 million for the first nine months compared to DKK 711 million last year. 

Net interest-bearing debt amounted to DKK 2,397 million, which is an increase of DKK 1,335 million from last year. The increase is primarily related to the acquisitions. 

Acquisitions 
With the expected closing of the CULT acquisition in December 2018, four acquisitions will have been closed in less than 12 months. 

Outlook
The full-year outlook is narrowed and slightly upgraded.

• Net revenue: DKK 7,200-7,300 million (August 2018: 7,000-7,200 million) 
• EBITDA: DKK 1,660-1,685 million (August 2018: 1,625-1,675 million) 
• EBIT: DKK 1,315-1,340 million (August 2018: 1,275-1,325 million) 

Selected financial highlights and key ratios  

For further information

Hans Savonije, President & CEO, tel. +45 22 20 80 17 
Lars Jensen, CFO, tel. +45 29 23 00 44

It will be possible for investors and analysts to follow Royal Unibrew’s presentation of the Interim Report on Thursday, 22 November 2018, at 9 am CET by audiocast at the following telephone numbers:

Participants from Denmark: +45 35 15 80 49 
Participants from the UK: +44 (0) 330 336 9105 
Participants from the USA: +1 929-477-0402 

The presentation may also be followed at Royal Unibrew’s website www.royalunibrew.com.

Financial Calendar 2019

6 March 2019                               Annual Report 2018

25 April 2019                               Interim Report for the period 1 January - 31 March 2019

25 April 2019                               Annual General Meeting 2019

27 August 2019                            Interim Report for the period 1 January - 30 June 2019

13 November 2019                       Interim Report for the period 1 January - 30 September 2019

Attachment

• RU_Q3_2018_UK_print