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Rebound in activity in the fourth quarter and highly satisfactory 2009 full-year results
• Operating margin stable at 8.4%
• Sharp increase in free cash flow from operations at EUR 1,117 million
• Strengthened financial structure
At its meeting of February 17, 2010, attended by the statutory auditors, the Board of Directors of PPR, under the chairmanship of François-Henri Pinault, approved the audited consolidated financial statements for 2009.
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO, noted:
“PPR achieved a noteworthy financial performance in 2009, in view of the severe deterioration of the world economic environment in which we operated. Thanks to the hard work of all our teams, to whom I wish to express my appreciation, the Group met its profitability objectives – the plans put in place by all our brands and retail networks to streamline our organizations and energize our sales and marketing yielded positive effects throughout 2009. We will continue to benefit from these programs in the current year. Another key development of last year was the successful IPO of CFAO, marking another decisive step in the implementation of our strategy. With an economic environment still in recovery mode, we must remain vigilant; however, we have started this new year with determination and confidence. While maintaining stringent management efforts, we are launching an energetic sales offensive aimed at further strengthening our leadership on the highest-growth markets, such as e-commerce and emerging countries, and at raising our business and financial performances in 2010.”
Operating performances
PPR delivered significantly improved sales performances in the fourth quarter of 2009, with revenues down 2.3% in comparable terms and down 3.2% in reported terms compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. Particularly noteworthy in the fourth quarter were the improvements in sales trend at Gucci Group (+3.1% in comparable terms and -0.3% in reported terms) and at Conforama, which gained market share in France.
For full year 2009, PPR had revenues from continuing operations of EUR 16.5 billion, down 5.6% at comparable scope and exchange rates, and down 4.0% in reported terms compared to 2008.
The revenue contribution from activities outside of France continued to increase, accounting for nearly 57% of the total in 2009.
PPR further expanded its activities in high-potential emerging markets, where PPR Group sales rose by 7.8% in 2009 to account for 13.0% of the total. 2009 saw an acceleration of the contribution of emerging countries to the total sales of Gucci Group, 33% of which were generated in these markets. In the full year, Gucci Group once again posted strong growth in Asia-Pacific outside of Japan (+21%), driven in particular by a sales increase of more than 46% in Mainland China.
In 2009, internet sales generated by PPR totaled nearly EUR 2 billion, representing 12% of total Group sales.
With recurring operating income of over EUR 1,383 million in 2009, PPR was able to maintain its recurring operating margin at 8.4% of sales, unchanged from 2008.
This performance was largely driven by higher recurring operating income at Conforama (+5.7%), Fnac (+1.3%) and Redcats (+0.1%). Recurring operating income was down at Gucci Group and Puma by 5.3% and 8.6%, respectively, but showed an improvement in the second half of the year on a comparable exchange rate basis.
In 2009, the Group’s gross margin amounted to EUR 7,775 million, down 3.7% from 2008. As a percentage of sales, gross margin reached 47.1% in 2009, an increase of 10 basis points compared to the prior year.
In 2009, PPR cut its operating expenses by 4.7% on a comparable exchange rate basis and by 3.7% in reported terms, reflecting the positive impact of the action plans implemented by all Group entities to adjust their operating cost base.
EBITDA totaled EUR 1,791 million in 2009. EBITDA as a percentage of sales posted a sharp improvement, jumping from 10.6% in 2008 to 10.8% in 2009.
Financial performances
In 2009, other non-recurring operating income and expenses resulted in a net expense of EUR 547 million. This item notably includes net gains related to asset disposals (EUR 485 million), asset impairment (nearly EUR 655 million, primarily related to goodwill at Redcats and Conforama Italy) and restructuring costs (EUR 321 million) related to all Group activities.
In 2009, net income from activities discontinued or sold generated a profit of EUR 765 million, comprising net capital gains on disposals of EUR 686 million and net income from discontinued activities for EUR 79 million.
Net income, Group share stood at EUR 985 million in 2009, up 6.9% compared to 2008. Net income from continuing operations, Group share, excluding non-current items amounted to over EUR 712 million, a slight drop (-0.8%) compared to 2008.
In 2009, net income per share was EUR 7.79, up 6.6% compared to 2008. Excluding non-current items, net income per share from continuing operations was EUR 5.63, down 1.2 % from the prior year.
Strengthened financial structure
In 2009, PPR once again reinforced its financial structure.
Free cash flow from operations amounted to EUR 1,117 million in 2009, an improvement of 32% compared to 2008, underscoring the responsiveness of all Group entities to changes in their environment.
Capital employed declined by EUR 722 million (-4.5%) compared to the 2008 year-end level.
Net financial debt was reduced by 20.7% to EUR 4.4 billion at December 31, 2009, as compared to EUR 5.5 billion one year earlier.
PPR continued to improve its debt ratios in 2009:
PPR bank loans feature a sole financial covenant, pursuant to which the Group’s solvency ratio may not exceed 3.75.
On November 30, 2009, the Standard & Poor’s rating agency confirmed PPR’s BBB- rating, with stable outlook.
At 2009 year end, PPR had available cash and equivalents of EUR 945 million (EUR 1,117 million at 2008 year end) in addition to EUR 5,944 million in untapped medium-term confirmed lines of credit (EUR 4,990 million at December 31, 2008). The Group is not exposed to any liquidity risk.
Dividend
The Board of Directors will ask the General Shareholders’ Meeting of May 19, 2010 to approve the distribution of a dividend of EUR 3.30 per share, unchanged from the prior year. Total dividend payout in 2010 would amount to EUR 418 million, unchanged from the prior year.
This proposed dividend level reflects PPR’s intention to maintain a balanced payout ratio taking into account both changes in net income from continuing operations, Group share, excluding non-recurring items, and the level of free cash flow in 2009.
The dividend will be paid on May 26, 2010.
Subsequent events
No material event occurred since the close of 2009.
Outlook
In the slowly recovering economic environment of 2010, vigilance remains a priority. The Group has begun the year with determination and confidence: PPR is maintaining stringent management efforts and launching an ambitious sales offensive to further improve its operating and financial performances.
(Press Release)
