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1st Quarter Results

29th May 2008 07:00

RNS Number : 4765V
X5 Retail Group N.V.
29 May 2008
 



X5 RETAIL GrouP N.V. REPORTS YEAR-ON-YEAR TOP LINE GROWTH OF 61%,

OPERATING PROFIT GROWTH OF 69% IN Q1 2008*

Amsterdam, 29 May 2008 - XRetail Group N.V., Russia's largest food retailer in terms of sales (LSE ticker: "FIVE")published today its unaudited IFRS results for the quarter ended 31 March 2008 based on management accounts.

Q1 2008 Highlights

Net Sales** surged 61% year-on-year to USD 1,786 mln;

Gross Profit grew by 60% year-on-year to USD 458 mln, Gross Margin totaled 25.7%; 

EBITDA reached USD 161 mln, a year-on-year increase of 50%, resulting in an EBITDA Margin of 9.0%;

Operating Profit increased 69% year-on-year to USD 119 mln;

Net Profit grew by 219% year-on-year to USD 86 mlnpartially on the back of high FX gain.

* Numbers provided in this press-release are unaudited and based on management accounts

** Excluding VAT

X5 Retail Group N.V. CFO Evgeny Kornilov said:

"After delivering very strong operating performance in the first quarter of the year, we are happy to report healthy financial results for the period in line with management expectations. Q1 gross margin reflects both seasonality and our continuous investment in customer loyalty, while EBITDA margin benefited from higher sales volumes. Wcontinue to focus on further improvement of the efficiency of our business by upgrading systems, optimizing store operations and enhancing logistics capacity".

  P&L - Key Trends and Developments

P&L Highlights

USD mln
Q1 2008
Q1 2007
% change, y-o-y
Net Sales
1,785.8
1,106.2
61%
 
incl. Retail
1,775.2
1,101.3
61%
Gross Profit
458.2
286.6
60%
 
GrossMargin,%
25.7%
25.9%
 
EBITDA
161.0
107.1
50%
 
EBITDAMargin,%
9.0%
9.7%
 
EBIT
119.0
70.3
69%
 
EBIT Margin, %
6.7%
6.4%
 
Net Profit
86.3
27.1
219%
 
Net Margin, %
4.8%
2.4%
 

 

Net Sales Performance

Total net sales for the first quarter 2008 increased by 61% in USD terms to USD 1,786 mln.  

 

USD mln
Q1 2008
Q1 2007
% change, y-o-y
Hypermarkets
128.7
76.7
68%
Supermarkets
638.7
407.5
57%
Soft Discounters
1,007.8
617.1
63%
Total Net Retail Sales
1,775.2
1,101.3
61%

Total net retail sales for the first quarter 2008 increased by 61% in USD terms (49% in RUR terms) to USD 1,775 mln.  All three formats contributed to such an impressive sales surge, with soft discounters and hypermarkets demonstrating particularly strong growth.

For detailed discussion on Q1 retail sales dynamics, including LFL & new stores performance, information on average ticket and number of customers, please see our Trading Update dated 

11 April 2008.

Gross Profit & Gross Margin Analysis

 

USD mln
Q1 2008
Q1 2007*
% change, y-o-y
Gross Profit
458.2
286.6
60%
 
Gross Margin, %
25.7%
25.9%
 

After reclassification of product handling and delivery expenses from SG&A to Cost of Sales

For the first quarter 2008, gross profit increased by 60% to USD 458 mln. Gross margin for the first quarter 2008 totaled 25.7% versus 25.9% for the same period a year ago, as the Company continued to implement its new "closer-to-the-customer" pricing strategy which enabled X5 to achieve impressive growth both in traffic and in basket for the third quarter in a row. Decrease in the gross margin compared to the average 2007 level and the fourth quarter of 2007 is typical for a first quarter and is explained by seasonal change in consumption pattern.

  Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)*

USD mln
Q1 2008
Q1 2007
% change, y-o-y
Staff Costs, incl.
(173.9)
(93.8)
85%
 
%ofNetSales
9.7%
8.5%
 
 
ESOP
(3.1)
-
 
 
%ofNetSales
0.2%
0.0%
 
Lease Expenses
(61.3)
(39.8)
54%
 
%ofNetSales
3.4%
3.6%
 
Other Store Costs
(23.9)
(15.3)
56%
 
%ofNetSales
1.3%
1.4%
 
D&A
(42.0)
(36.8)
14%
 
%ofNetSales
2.4%
3.3%
 
Utilities
(22.7)
(12.4)
84%
 
%ofNetSales
1.3%
1.1%
 
Third Party Services
(14.2)
(11.8)
20%
 
%ofNetSales
0.8%
1.1%
 
Other Expenses
(20.6)
(22.7)
-9%
 
%ofNetSales
1.2%
2.1%
 
Total SG&A
(358.7)
(232.6)
54%
 
%ofNetSales
20.1%
21.0%
 

*Please note that all SG&A expenses provided in the above table are net of logistic expenses as those were reclassified to Cost of Sales.

For the first quarter 2008, SG&A expenses totaled USD 359 mln - an increase of 54% year-on-year primarily due to growth in staff costs and higher utility bills, partially off-set by slower growth in depreciation and amortisation charges.

Staff Costs

For the first quarter 2008, staff costs, including ESOP totaled USD 174 mln and increased by 85% compared to the same period of last year. Net of ESOP costs, which in the first quarter 2007 were nilfirst quarter 2008 staff costs grew by 82%.

The key driver for year-on-year staff costs increase was basic staff wages revision in line with Russian labour market trend in 2007: there were two salary indexations for store personnel in supermarkets and hypermarkets in April and October 2007 (an increase of over 20% in rouble terms) and salary revision for store personnel in soft discounters in September 2007 (an increase of approximately 12-15% in rouble terms).

Lease Expenses

For the first quarter 2008, lease expenses increased by 54year-on-year to USD 61 mln on the back of rent inflation and expansion. Growth in lease expenses was lower than the revenue growth due to the fact that approximately 47% of the Company's selling space is owned. 

Utilities

For the first quarter 2008utility expenses increased by 84year-on-year to USD 23 mln on the back of growth in electricity, gas and other utility prices.

  Non-Operating Gains and Losses

USD mln
Q1 2008
Q1 2007
% change, y-o-y
EBIT
119.0 
70.3 
69%
 
Financecosts(net)
(31.8)
(24.7)
29%
 
NetFXgain
42.5 
6.2 
588%
Profit before tax
129.7 
51.8 
151%
 
Incometaxexpense
(43.4)
(24.7)
76%
Net Profit
86.3 
27.1 
219%

 

Finance Costs

Net finance costs for the first quarter 2008 amounted to USD 32 mln versus USD 25 mln in the first quarter of 2007, which is explained primarily by an increase in outstanding debt, which was USD 1,825 mln as at 31 March 2008. Effective interest rate on the Company's debt in the first quarter 2008 totaled approximately 7%.

FX Gain

First quarter FX gain amounted to USD 43 million on the back of significant depreciation of USD against RUR during the year. The gain was only partially off-set by the mark-to-market results of the hedging facility on X5's USD 1.1 bln dollar-denominated syndicated loan.

Income Tax

Effective tax rate for the first quarter 2008 totaled 34% versus 48% in the first quarter 2007, which is explained by two factors: high FX gain which was only partially taxable and the Company's efforts to improve its tax efficiency.

  Balance Sheet - Key Trends and Developments

Selected Balance Sheet Data 

USD mln
31-Mar-08
31-Dec-07
% change, y-o-y
ASSETS
 
 
 
Non-Current Assets, incl.
6,053.9 
5,660.9 
7%
Property, plant and equipment & investment property
2,335.4 
2,117.4 
10%
Goodwill
3,079.5 
2,934.2 
5%
Intangible assets
536.8 
523.5 
3%
Current Assets, incl.
830.2 
861.6 
-4%
Inventories of goods for resale
283.8 
325.0 
-13%
Cash
146.4 
179.5 
-18%
Total Assets
6,884.2 
6,522.4 
6%
 
 
 
 
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Total Equity
3,474.9 
3,243.7 
7%
 
 
 
 
Non-Current Liabilities, incl.
1,749.1 
1,726.4 
1%
Long-term borrowings
1,466.8 
1,464.7 
0%
Current Liabilities
1,660.2 
1,552.4 
7%
Short-term borrowings
358.0 
253.7 
41%
Total Liabilities
3,409.3 
3,278.8 
4%
 
 
 
 
Total Equity and Liabilities
6,884.2 
6,522.4 
6%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Debt
1,678.3 
1,538.9 
9%
Net Working Capital (Net of Short-Term Debt)
(472.0)
(437.1)
8%

 

Non-Current Assets

As a31 March 2008 PP&E and investment property amounted to USD 2,335 mln, an increase of 10versus the end of 2007. This increase is attributable to organic expansion in the first quarter 2008 as well as acquisition of Kama Retail.

As a31 March 2008 goodwill totaled USD 3,080 mln versus USD 2,934 mln at the end of 2007. The increase in the first quarter 2008 was mainly due to the FX revaluation adjustment.

Current Assets

Current assets decreased by 4% to USD 830 mln. The decrease was attributable to decrease in inventories, which is typical for the first quarter of a year (compared to higher stock at the end of the year to prepare for the New Year and Orthodox Christmas holidays). 

Non-Current Liabilities

Non-current liabilities totaled USD 1,749 mln, an increase of 1since the beginning of the year, mainly due to growth in deferred tax liabilities and FX revaluation adjustments.

 

Current Liabilities

Current liabilities grew 7from the beginning of the year to USD 1,660 mln. This increase is explained by growth in short-term borrowings as the Company used its credit lines to finance its store roll-out program. 

Cash Flow - Key Trends and Developments

USD mln
For the quarter ended 31-Mar-08
Net Cash from Operating Activities
34.3 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(152.2)
Net Cash from Financing Activities
78.2 
 
 
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
6.6 
Net Decrease in Cash
(33.1)

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

USD mln
For the quarter ended 31-Mar-08
Net Cash from Operating Activities before Changes in Working Capital
169.7 
Changes in Working Capital
(60.4)
Net Interest and Income Tax Paid
(74.9)
Net Cash from Operating Activities
34.3 

Net cash from operating activities totaled USD 34 mln. Strong cash generation from operations was partially off-set by negative influence of the change in working capital on the back of seasonal factors, which are discussed in more detail below.

USD mln
For the quarter ended 31-Mar-08
Increase in trade and other accounts receivable
(28.5)
Decrease in inventories
56.0 
Decrease in trade accounts payable
(102.6)
Increase in other accounts payable
14.7 
Changes in Working Capital
(60.4)

The increase in trade and other accounts receivable by USD 29 mln is primarily explained by growth in X5's scale of business and, as a result, higher supplier bonuses and allowances.  

The decrease in inventories by USD 56 mln is explained by seasonality typical for retailers - stock is usually very high at the end of the year as a result of inventory accumulation both for the New Year and Orthodox Christmas holidays. During the first quarter inventories return to their normal levels. Same trends explain the decrease in trade accounts payable by USD 103 mln - in the first quarter the Company pays to suppliers for the increased levels of inventories accumulated at the end of 2007.

The increase in other accounts payable is mainly attributable to growth in accrued expenses and VAT payable.

 

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities totaled USD 152 mln, as the Company continued to add selling space.  X5's cash flow used in investing activities in the first quarter 2008 does not include acquisition of Kama Retailwhich was paid for in the second quarter 2008 (while control was obtained in the first quarter of the year).

USD mln
For the quarter ended 31-Mar-08
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities, incl.
 
Purchase of PP&E, investment property & intangible assets
(144.6)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(152.2)

 

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Net cash from financing activities amounted to USD 78 mln as the Company raised additional debt to finance its capital expenditure program.

As a result, as at 31 March 2008 X5's net debt increased by USD 139 mln since the beginning of the year to USD 1,678 mln.

USD mln
For the quarter ended 31-Mar-08
Cash Flows from Financing Activities, incl.
 
Proceeds from loans
499.5 
Repayment of loans
(420.6)
Net Cash from Financing Activities
78.2 

 

Rights Offering

In May 2008 X5 successfully completed USD 1,026 million offering of rights to existing shareholders to acquire newly issued GDRs in the Company with the purpose of financing the acquisition of Karusel and associated rebranding, restyling and integration costs.  

As a result of the offering, X5's share capital increased from 54,120,038 to 66,146,713 issued ordinary shares, an equivalent of 264,586,852 GDRs. 

To satisfy high investor demand the Company also sold all of its 3,769,113 GDRs held as Treasury Shares, generating additional gross proceeds of USD 131.92 million.

Outlook for 2008

X5 Retail Group N.V. updates its revenue growth guidance for 2008 on a stand-alone basis, i.e. excluding the acquisition of Karusel*. The Company revised its full year LFL sales growth forecast to around 17% in rouble terms, full year net sales growth forecast - to over 40% in rouble terms. Gross Margin and EBITDA Margin targets remain unchanged at 25.8 - 26.2% and 8.8 - 9.0%, respectively.

Please note that 2008 outlook numbers include contribution of tactical M&A transactions that are treated by the Company as organic development.

*Subject to satisfactory due diligence

  Appendices

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 March 2008

Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement for the Three Months Ended 31 March 2008

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended 31 March 2008

Details of Assets and Liabilities Acquired in Kama Retail

Financial Calendar for 2008

For further details please contact

Anna Kareva

IR Director

Tel.: +7 (495) 980-2729, ext. 22 162

e-mail: [email protected]

Elena Cherkalova

PR Manager

Тел.: +7 (495) 950-5577

e-mail: [email protected] 

  

Note to Editors:

X5 Retail Group N.V. is Russia's largest food retailer in terms of sales. The Company was created as a result of a merger between Pyaterochka (soft discounter chain) and Perekrestok (supermarket chain) on 18 May 2006.

As of 31 March 2008, X5 had 731 Company managed soft discount stores located in Moscow (321), St. Petersburg (249) and other Russian areas (161), 183 Company managed supermarkets across Central Russia and Ukraine, including 108 stores in Moscow (Moscow region and Yaroslavl region), and 16 Company managed hypermarkets.

 

As of 31 March 2008, X5's franchisees operated 711 stores across Russia and Kazakhstan.

X5's net sales for the full year 2007 reached USD 5,320 mln, an increase of 53% year-on-year. Gross profit for the period totaled USD 1,404 mln, EBITDA amounted to USD 479 mln. Full year 2007 net income reached USD 144 mln.

X5 Retail Group N.V.'s net sales for the first quarter 2008 surged 61% in USD terms and reached USD 1,786 mln Gross profit for the period totaled USD 458 mln, EBITDA amounted to USD 161 mln, net profit - to USD 86 mln. 

Forward looking statements:

This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not only relate to historical or current events. Forward-looking statements often use words such as" anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "expected", "plan", "goal" believe", or other words of similar meaning.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances, a number of which are beyond X5 Retail Group N.V.'s control. As a result, actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in these forward-looking statements. 

 

Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of X5 Retail Group N.V. speak only as at the date of this announcement. Save as required by any applicable laws or regulations, X5 Retail Group N.V. undertakes no obligation publicly to release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements in this document that may occur due to any change in its expectations or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.

Appendix I: UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2008

(expressed in thousands of US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 
31-Mar-08
31-Dec-07
ASSETS
 
 
Non-current assets
 
 
Property, plant and equipment & investment property
2,335,437 
2,117,397 
Goodwill
3,079,514 
2,934,216 
Intangible assets
536,771 
523,533 
Prepaid leases
59,490 
54,846 
Other non-current assets
3,125 
2,534 
Deferred tax assets
39,604 
28,357 
 
6,053,941 
5,660,883 
Current assets
 
 
Inventories of goods for resale
283,763 
325,036 
Derivative financial assets
1,647 
1,500 
Loans originated
1,544 
248 
Current portion of non-current prepaid lease
6,019 
5,766 
Trade and other accounts receivable
184,287 
149,137 
Current income tax receivable
5,492 
4,622 
VAT and other taxes recoverable
201,056 
195,752 
Cash
146,433 
179,496 
 
830,241 
861,557 
 
 
 
Total assets
6,884,182 
6,522,440 
 
 
 
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
 
 
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
 
 
Share capital
70,883 
70,883 
Share premium
2,896,355 
2,896,355 
Cumulative translation reserve
439,030 
294,169 
Accumulated profit / (deficit)
68,366 
(17,960)
Minority interests
220 
220 
Total equity
3,474,854 
3,243,667 
 
 
 
Non-current liabilities
 
 
Long-term borrowings
1,466,801 
1,464,684 
Long-term finance lease payable
964 
1,181 
Deferred tax liabilities
226,062 
214,101 
Long-term deferred revenue
6,994 
3,221 
Share-based payments liability
48,312 
43,208 
 
1,749,133 
1,726,395 
Current liabilities
 
 
Trade accounts payable
912,414 
968,505 
Short-term borrowings
357,969 
253,733 
Share-based payments liability
2,389 
2,389 
Derivative financial liabilities
6,486 
Short-term finance lease payables
1,842 
2,145 
Interest accrued
8,463 
2,763 
Short-term deferred revenue
1,725 
4,943 
Current income tax payable
32,726 
33,303 
Provisions and other liabilities
336,181 
284,597 
 
1,660,195 
1,552,378 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
3,409,328 
3,278,773 
 
 
 
Total equity and liabilities
6,884,182 
6,522,440 

  Appendix II

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2008 

(expressed in thousands of US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 
31-Mar-08
31-Mar-07
 
 
 
Revenue
1,785,781 
1,106,242 
Cost of sales
(1,327,566)
(819,599)
Gross profit
458,215 
286,643 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(358,662)
(232,623)
Lease/sublease and other income
19,436 
16,270 
Operating profit
118,989 
70,290 
 
 
 
Finance income
1,168 
1,175 
Finance costs
(32,943)
(25,855)
Net foreign exchange gain
42,517 
6,178 
Profit before tax
129,731 
51,789 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
(43,406)
(24,719)
Profit for the period
86,325 
27,070 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
 
 
basic
1.62 
0.51 
diluted
1.62 
0.51 

 Appendix III: UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2008 

(expressed in thousands of US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

 
31-Mar-08
Profit before tax
129,731 
Adjustments for:
 
Depreciation and amortisation
41,990 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
1,147 
Finance costs, net
31,775 
Impairment of trade and other accounts receivable
3,280 
Share-based payments expense
3,111 
Amortisation of deferred expenses
1,161 
Net foreign exchange gain
(42,518)
Net cash from operating activities before changes in working capital
169,678 
 
 
Increase in trade and other accounts receivable
(28,539)
Decrease in inventories
55,983 
Decrease in trade payable
(102,594)
Increase in other accounts payable
14,702 
Net cash generated from operations
109,230 
 
 
Interest paid
(27,536)
Interest received
3,500 
Income tax paid
(50,893)
Net cash from operating activities
34,301 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(142,110)
Non-current prepaid lease
(7,430)
Acquisition of other long-term investments
(453)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
349 
Purchase of intangible assets
(2,533)
Net cash used in investing activities
(152,178)
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities
 
Proceeds from short-term loans
499,461 
Repayment of short-term loans
(420,612)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations
(645)
Net cash from financing activities
78,204 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
6,609 
Net decrease in cash
(33,063)
 
 
Movements in cash
 
Cash at the beginning of the year
179,496 
Net decrease in cash
(33,063)
Cash at the end of the year
146,433 

  Appendix IV

DETAILS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ACQUIRED IN KAMA RETAIL

(expressed in thousands of US Dollars, unless otherwise stated)

In the first quarter of 2008 the Group acquired 100% of the voting shares of OOO "Kama-Retail" operating retail grocery stores in the Perm region. The Group acquired a total of 28 discount stores with a selling area of 9.3 thousand sq.m. The total area of purchased stores is 19.9 thousand sq.m, out of which 1.9 thousand sq.m. are wholly owned. 

The Group assigned provisional values to net assets acquired.  The Group will finalise the purchase price allocation within 12 month from the acquisition date.

As at 31 March 2008
Acquiree's carrying amounts,
Russian GAAP
Provisional
fair values
Cash and cash equivalents
464 
464 
Loans originated
85 
85 
Inventories
2,790 
2,237 
Trade and other accounts receivable
2,241 
1,622 
Property, plant and equipment
8,136 
8,433 
Other intangible assets, net
14 
14 
Deferred tax assets
211 
139 
Trade and other accounts payable
(8,677)
(8,677)
Provisions and liabilities for tax uncertainties
- 
(634)
Net assets acquired
5,262 
3,683 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
14,695 
 
 
 
Total acquisition cost
 
18,377 
 
 
 
Net Cash outflow arising from the acquisition (in Q2 2008)
 
17,913 

Appendix V: Financial Calendar for 2008 

Date
Event
May 29, 2008
Q1 2008 Financial Results Release
 
 
July 10, 2008, TBC
Q2 & H1 2008 Trading Update Release
 
 
September 23, 2008, TBC
Q2 & H1 IFRS Results Release
 
 
October 9, 2008, TBC
Q3 2008 Trading Update Release
 
 
November 25, 2008, TBC
Q3 2008 Financial Results Release

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
QRFPUUPCAUPRUAB

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