STELLARTON, NS, Sept. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended August 4, 2012. For the first quarter, the Company recorded net earnings, net of minority interest, of $108.9 million ($1.60 per share) compared to $89.2 million ($1.31 per share) in the first quarter last year.
Adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest, in the first quarter were $103.4 million ($1.52 per share) compared to $84.8 million ($1.25 per share) recorded in the first quarter last year.
First Quarter Highlights
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| (1) | Certain balances have been reclassified for changes to comparative figures (see Note 17 to the Company's first quarter unaudited consolidated financial statements). |
| (2) | Excludes items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance. |
"Our solid first quarter results were driven by Sobeys' operational performance which demonstrates that our food-focused strategy is resonating with more and more customers. We remain committed to improving our cost structure and productivity, and further enriching the shopping experience of our customers," stated Paul D. Sobey, President and CEO, Empire Company Limited.
Dividend Declaration
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 24.0 cents per share on both the Non-Voting Class A shares and the Class B common shares that will be payable on October 31, 2012 to shareholders of record on October 15, 2012. These dividends are eligible dividends as defined for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and applicable provincial legislation and, therefore, qualify for the favourable tax treatment applicable to such dividends.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
| 13 Weeks Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts) | August 4, 2012 | August 6, 2011 | ($) Change | (%) Change | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 4,557.7 | $ | 4,154.2 | $ | 403.5 | 9.7% | |||||||||||||||
| EBITDA (1) (2) | 264.2 | 234.2 | 30.0 | 12.8% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (1) (2) | 175.1 | 148.9 | 26.2 | 17.6% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest (1) (3) | 103.4 | 84.8 | 18.6 | 21.9% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings, net of minority interest | 108.9 | 89.2 | 19.7 | 22.1% | ||||||||||||||||||
| EPS fully diluted | $ | 1.60 | $ | 1.31 | $ | 0.29 | 22.1% | |||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EPS (fully diluted) (3) | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.25 | $ | 0.27 | 21.6% | |||||||||||||||
| (1) | See Non-GAAP Financial Measures contained in this news release. | ||||||||||
| (2) | Certain balances have been reclassified for changes to comparative figures (see Note 17 to the Company's first quarter unaudited consolidated financial statements). | ||||||||||
| (3) | Excludes items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance. | ||||||||||
Sales
Consolidated sales for the 13 weeks ended August 4, 2012 were $4.56 billion compared to $4.15 billion in the first quarter last year, an increase of $403.5 million or 9.7 percent. Sobeys contributed sales to Empire of $4.51 billion versus $4.10 billion in the first quarter last year, an increase of $403.9 million or 9.8 percent. Excluding sales of $258.1 million related to the acquisition of 236 retail gas locations and related convenience store operations in the fourth quarter last year, Sobeys' sales contribution to Empire increased by $145.8 million or 3.6 percent.
Investments and other operations' sales in the first quarter were $50.6 million versus $51.0 million in the first quarter last year.
EBITDA
Consolidated EBITDA in the first quarter was $264.2 million compared to $234.2 million in the first quarter last year, an increase of $30.0 million or 12.8 percent. Adjusting EBITDA for items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance, as outlined in the following table, resulted in first quarter adjusted EBITDA of $256.7 million compared to $228.1 million in the first quarter last year.
| 13 Weeks Ended | ||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | August 4, 2012 | August 6, 2011 | ($) Change | (%) Change | ||||||||
| EBITDA (consolidated) (1) | $ | 264.2 | $ | 234.2 | $ | 30.0 | 12.8% | |||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
| Sobeys Québec distribution network restructuring | 3.1 | - | 3.1 | |||||||||
| Sobeys' organizational realignment costs | 2.9 | - | 2.9 | |||||||||
| Gains on disposal of assets | (1.4) | (3.4) | 2.0 | |||||||||
| Dilution gains | (12.1) | (2.7) | (9.4) | |||||||||
| (7.5) | (6.1) | (1.4) | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 256.7 | $ | 228.1 | $ | 28.6 | 12.5% | |||||
| (1) | Certain balances have been reclassified for changes to comparative figures (see Note 17 to the Company's first quarter unaudited consolidated financial statements). |
Operating Income
Consolidated operating income in the first quarter was $175.1 million, an increase of $26.2 million from the $148.9 million recorded in the first quarter last year. Adjusting operating income for items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance, as outlined in the previous table for EBITDA, resulted in quarterly adjusted consolidated operating income of $167.6 million compared to $142.8 million in the first quarter last year, a 17.4 percent increase.
Adjusted Net Earnings
The table below adjusts reported net earnings, net of minority interest, for items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance. Excluding the impact of the adjustments noted in the table, Empire recorded adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest, of $103.4 million ($1.52 per share) for the 13 weeks ended August 4, 2012 compared to $84.8 million ($1.25 per share) recorded in the first quarter last year, an increase of $18.6 million or 21.9 percent.
| 13 Weeks Ended | ||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except per share amounts, net of tax) | August 4, 2012 | August 6, 2011 | ($) Change | (%) Change | ||||||||
| Net earnings, net of minority interest | $ | 108.9 | $ | 89.2 | $ | 19.7 | 22.1% | |||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
| Sobeys Québec distribution network restructuring | 2.3 | - | 2.3 | |||||||||
| Sobeys' organizational realignment costs | 2.1 | - | 2.1 | |||||||||
| Gains on disposal of assets | (1.3) | (2.5) | 1.2 | |||||||||
| Dilution gains | (8.6) | (1.9) | (6.7) | |||||||||
| (5.5) | (4.4) | (1.1) | 25.0% | |||||||||
| Adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest | $ | 103.4 | $ | 84.8 | $ | 18.6 | 21.9% | |||||
| Adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest, by segment: | ||||||||||||
| Food retailing | $ | 99.6 | $ | 78.6 | $ | 21.0 | ||||||
| Investments and other operations | 3.8 | 6.2 | (2.4) | |||||||||
| Adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest | $ | 103.4 | $ | 84.8 | $ | 18.6 | 21.9% | |||||
| Adjusted EPS (fully diluted) | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.25 | $ | 0.27 | 21.6% | |||||
Net Earnings
Consolidated net earnings, net of minority interest, in the first quarter equalled $108.9 million ($1.60 per share) compared to $89.2 million ($1.31 per share) in the first quarter last year, a $19.7 million or 22.1 percent increase.
The following table presents Empire's segmented net earnings, net of minority interest, for the 13 weeks ended August 4, 2012 compared to the 13 weeks ended August 6, 2011.
| 13 Weeks Ended | |||||||||||
| ($ in millions, net of tax) | August 4, 2012 | August 6, 2011 | ($) Change | (%) Change | |||||||
| Food retailing | $ | 97.0 | $ | 81.6 | $ | 15.4 | 18.9% | ||||
| Investments and other operations | 11.9 | 7.6 | 4.3 | 56.6% | |||||||
| Consolidated | $ | 108.9 | $ | 89.2 | $ | 19.7 | 22.1% | ||||
SEGMENTED FINANCIAL RESULTS
The Company operates and reports on two business segments:
| 1) | Food Retailing, which consists of wholly-owned Sobeys Inc. ("Sobeys"), and |
| 2) | Investments and Other Operations, the principal components of which include investments in Crombie REIT (42.5 percent ownership interest; 40.8 percent fully diluted), an approximate 40.0 percent ownership interest in Genstar, as well as wholly-owned ETL Canada Holdings Limited ("Empire Theatres"). |
FOOD RETAILING
The following table presents the food retailing segment's contribution to Empire's consolidated sales, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, operating income, adjusted operating income, net earnings, net of minority interest, and adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest.
| 13 Weeks Ended(1) | |||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | August 4, 2012 | August 6, 2011 | ($) Change | (%) Change | |||||||
| Sales | $ | 4,507.1 | $ | 4,103.2 | $ | 403.9 | 9.8% | ||||
| EBITDA (2) | 241.2 | 216.7 | 24.5 | 11.3% | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (3) | 245.1 | 212.6 | 32.5 | 15.3% | |||||||
| Operating income (2) | 156.3 | 135.4 | 20.9 | 15.4% | |||||||
| Adjusted operating income (3) | 160.2 | 131.3 | 28.9 | 22.0% | |||||||
| Net earnings, net of minority interest | 97.0 | 81.6 | 15.4 | 18.9% | |||||||
| Adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest (3) | 99.6 | 78.6 | 21.0 | 26.7% | |||||||
| (1) | Net of consolidation adjustments which includes a purchase price allocation from the privatization of Sobeys. |
| (2) | Certain balances have been reclassified for changes to comparative figures (see Note 17 to the Company's first quarter unaudited consolidated financial statements). |
| (3) | Excludes items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance. |
Sales
Empire's food retailing segment contributed sales of $4.51 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to $4.10 billion in the same period last year, an increase of $403.9 million or 9.8 percent. Excluding sales of $258.1 million related to the acquisition of 236 retail gas locations and related convenience store operations in the fourth quarter last year, the food retailing segment realized a sales increase of $145.8 million or 3.6 percent.
During the first quarter, same-store sales increased 1.8 percent.
Gross Profit
Sobeys recorded gross profit of $1,040.8 million in the quarter, an increase of $48.1 million over the first quarter last year. Gross margin, which is gross profit divided by sales, decreased 105 basis points, from 24.20 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 to 23.15 percent in the current quarter, due primarily to lower margins on the fuel business. Excluding the impact of lower margin fuel sales, gross margin was 24.23 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to 24.30 percent in the same quarter last year.
EBITDA
Sobeys contributed EBITDA to Empire in the first quarter of $241.2 million compared to $216.7 million last year, an 11.3 percent increase. Adjusting for items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance, as outlined in the following table, resulted in an adjusted EBITDA contribution from Sobeys to Empire of $245.1 million in the first quarter compared to a $212.6 million contribution in the first quarter last year.
| 13 Weeks Ended | ||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | August 4, 2012 | August 6, 2011 | ($) Change | (%) Change | ||||||||
| EBITDA (contributed by Sobeys) (1) | $ | 241.2 | $ | 216.7 | $ | 24.5 | 11.3% | |||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
| Sobeys Québec distribution network restructuring | 3.1 | - | 3.1 | |||||||||
| Sobeys' organizational realignment costs | 2.9 | - | 2.9 | |||||||||
| Gains on disposal of assets | (1.4) | (4.0) | 2.6 | |||||||||
| Dilution gains | (0.7) | (0.1) | (0.6) | |||||||||
| 3.9 | (4.1) | 8.0 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 245.1 | $ | 212.6 | $ | 32.5 | 15.3% | |||||
| (1) | Certain balances have been reclassified for changes to comparative figures (see Note 17 to the Company's first quarter unaudited consolidated financial statements). |
Operating Income
Sobeys' operating income contribution to Empire in the first quarter was $156.3 million compared to $135.4 million in the same quarter last year, an increase of $20.9 million or 15.4 percent.
Adjusting Sobeys' operating income for items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance, as outlined in the previous table for EBITDA, resulted in adjusted operating income contribution of $160.2 million in the first quarter compared to $131.3 million in the first quarter last year.
Net Earnings
During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, Sobeys contributed net earnings, net of minority interest, to Empire of $97.0 million versus $81.6 million in the first quarter last year, an increase of $15.4 million or 18.9 percent. Sobeys contributed adjusted net earnings, net of minority interest, to Empire of $99.6 million versus $78.6 million in the first quarter last year, an increase of $21.0 million or 26.7 percent.
INVESTMENTS AND OTHER OPERATIONS
The table below presents the investments and other operations segment's contribution to Empire's consolidated sales, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, operating income, net earnings and adjusted net earnings.
| 13 Weeks Ended | ||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | August 4, 2012 | August 6, 2011 | ($) Change | |||||||
| Sales | $ | 50.6 | $ | 51.0 | $ | (0.4) | ||||
| EBITDA | 23.0 | 17.5 | 5.5 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (1) | 11.6 | 15.5 | (3.9) | |||||||
| Operating income | ||||||||||
| Crombie REIT (2) | 5.5 | 4.8 | 0.7 | |||||||
| Real estate partnerships (3) | 4.6 | 7.5 | (2.9) | |||||||
| Other operations, net of corporate expenses (4) | 8.7 | 1.2 | 7.5 | |||||||
| 18.8 | 13.5 | 5.3 | ||||||||
| Net earnings | 11.9 | 7.6 | 4.3 | |||||||
| Adjusted net earnings (1) | 3.8 | 6.2 | (2.4) | |||||||
| (1) | Excludes items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance. |
| (2) | 42.5 percent equity accounted interest in Crombie REIT (August 6, 2011 - 45.9 percent interest). |
| (3) | 40.7 percent equity accounted interest in Genstar Development Partnership, 45.9 percent equity accounted interest in Genstar Development Partnership II, 42.1 percent equity accounted interests in each of GDC Investments 4, L.P., GDC Investments 5, L.P. and GDC Investments 6, L.P., and a 45.8 percent equity accounted interest in GDC Investments 7, L.P. (collectively referred to as "Genstar"). |
| (4) | Other operations' (net of corporate expenses) operating income for the 13 weeks ended August 4, 2012 includes dilution gains of $11.4 million (fiscal 2012 - $2.6 million) and a loss on the disposal of assets of $nil (fiscal 2012 - $0.6 million). |
Sales
Investments and other operations' sales were $50.6 million in the first quarter ended August 4, 2012 versus $51.0 million in the first quarter last year, a $0.4 million or 0.8 percent decline. The decline was primarily driven by lower sales in the Company's other operations, partially offset by an increase in sales at Empire Theatres.
EBITDA
Investments and other operations contributed EBITDA to Empire in the first quarter of $23.0 million compared to $17.5 million last year. Adjusting for items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance, as outlined in the following table, resulted in adjusted EBITDA from investments and other operations of $11.6 million compared to $15.5 million last year.
| 13 Weeks Ended | ||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | August 4, 2012 | August 6, 2011 | ($) Change | |||||||||
| EBITDA (investments and other operations) | $ | 23.0 | $ | 17.5 | $ | 5.5 | ||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
| Dilution gains | (11.4) | (2.6) | (8.8) | |||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | - | 0.6 | (0.6) | |||||||||
| (11.4) | (2.0) | (9.4) | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 11.6 | $ | 15.5 | $ | (3.9) | ||||||
Operating Income
Investments and other operations contributed operating income of $18.8 million in the first quarter ended August 4, 2012 compared to $13.5 million in the first quarter last year, an increase of $5.3 million.
Adjusting investments and other operations' operating income for items which are considered not indicative of underlying business operating performance, as outlined in the previous table for EBITDA, resulted in an adjusted operating income contribution during the first quarter of $7.4 million versus $11.5 million last year.
Net Earnings
Investments and other operations contributed net earnings of $11.9 million to Empire's consolidated first quarter fiscal 2013 net earnings compared to a $7.6 million contribution in the first quarter last year. Adjusted net earnings contribution from investments and other operations was $3.8 million versus $6.2 million in the first quarter last year.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains forward-looking information that reflects management's current expectations related to matters such as future financial performance and operating results of the Company. Expressions such as "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "estimates", "could", "intend", "may", "plans", "will", "would" and other similar expressions or the negative of these terms are generally indicative of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include those relating to our expectations that we will continue to focus on disciplined cost management and productivity initiatives, as well as initiatives that will continue to enrich the customers' experience, all of which may be impacted by economic and competitive conditions.
By its very nature, forward-looking information requires the Company to make assumptions and is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties which give rise to the possibility that the Company's expectations or objectives will not prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These uncertainties and risks are discussed in the Company's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, including the Risk Management section of the annual Management's Discussion and Analysis.
Readers are urged to consider these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this press release reflects the Company's expectations as of September 13, 2012 and is subject to change after this date. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company other than as required by applicable securities laws.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
There are measures included in this press release that do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies. The Company includes these measures because it believes certain investors use these measures as a means of assessing financial performance.
Empire's definition of the non-GAAP terms are as follows:
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
The Company will hold an analyst call on Thursday, September 13, 2012 beginning at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) during which senior management will discuss the Company's financial results for the first quarter ended August 4, 2012. To join this conference call dial (888) 231-8191 outside the Toronto area or (647) 427-7450 from within the Toronto area. You may also listen to a live audiocast of the conference call by visiting the Company's website located at www.empireco.ca. Replay will be available by dialing (855) 859-2056 and entering passcode 25302169 until midnight September 20, 2012, or on the Company's website for 90 days following the conference call.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
To view and download the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 ended August 4, 2012, please access the following link:
Q1 Fiscal 2013 Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
This information will be available to be downloaded at www.sedar.com or by accessing the Investor Centre of the Company's website at www.empireco.ca.
ABOUT EMPIRE
Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A) is a Canadian company headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. Empire's core businesses include food retailing and related real estate. With over $16 billion in annual sales and approximately $6.8 billion in assets, Empire and its subsidiaries directly employ approximately 47,000 people.
Additional financial information relating to Empire, including the Company's Annual Information Form, can be found on the Company's website at www.empireco.ca or at www.sedar.com.
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/09/13/20120913_C4310_DOC_EN_17782.pdf
SOURCE: EMPIRE COMPANY LIMITED
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