Strauss Group Publishes its First Half 2010 Results Reporting Sales Growth and Improved Profits and Margins With Strong Operating Cash Flow
TEL AVIV, Israel, August 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
- Strauss Group Sales in the First Half Increased 7.9%, With 17.7% Growth in Operating Profit and 16.0% Growth in net Profit
The Strauss Group (STRS.TA) today reported its results for the first half and second quarter of 2010.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080826/317650 )
Ofra Strauss, Chairperson of Strauss Group, said today, "Strauss Group continues to grow, making further investment in the development of future growth drivers for the company.
In the second quarter we opened Sabra's new salad plant in Virginia. This plant, which resulted from the partnership between Strauss and Frito Lay in North America, is considered to be the largest, most advanced salad plant in the world, and will enable Sabra to continue to grow and develop a wide range of categories and products, while further growing the market in which it operates."
Ofra Strauss added: "Strauss Group continues the investment in corporate responsibility which has occurred over the past years, focusing increased efforts on reducing our environmental footprint. In the past year we made a significant leap forward in our CSR programs by inaugurating Sabra's advanced green plant in Virginia, setting measurable CSR objectives in Strauss Israel, and launching significant projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our plants in Achihud, Zefat and Nazareth. We won the Israel 2010 Minister of Environmental Protection Award for Environmental Excellence in recognition of these actions.
Gadi Lesin, President & CEO of Strauss Group, said today, "Strauss Group is presenting a strong second quarter with sales growing 4.3% and gross profit increasing 8.3%. Our net profit to shareholders increased 16.8%. In the first half Strauss Group sales increased by 7.9%, gross profit increased by 16.0% and net profits to shareholders increased by 16.0%
"In 2010 Strauss Group has and will continue to invest in its future growth drivers, Sabra, Strauss Water and coffee, while further enhancing its leadership position in Israel. In addition the Group is in the process of formulating our next five-year business strategy ".
First half Financial Highlights[1]:
- Sales up 7.9%, totaling NIS 3.3 billion (NIS 3.0 billion
last year) with quantitative growth in all company activities. Organic
growth net of exchange rates effect totaled 1.4%
- Gross profit was up 16.0%, totaling NIS 1.3 billion (39.6%
of sales) compared to NIS 1.1 billion last year (36.9% of sales)
- Operating profit up 17.7%, totaling NIS 318 million (9.7% of
sales) compared to NIS 270 million last year (8.9% of sales)
- Net profit attributed to shareholders totaled NIS 155
million, compared to NIS 134 million last year, a 16.0% increase
- Operating cash flow totaled NIS 186 million, compared to NIS
280 million last year
Second Quarter Financial Highlights[2]:
- Sales up 4.3%, totaling NIS 1.58 billion (NIS 1.51 billion
last year). Organic growth net of exchange rates effect were down 0.2%
- Gross profit up 8.3%, totaling NIS 615 million (38.9% of
sales) compared to NIS 568 million last year (37.5% of sales)
- Operating profit up 1.2%, totaling NIS 137 million (8.7% of
sales) compared to NIS 135 million last year (8.9% of sales)
- Net profit attributed to shareholders up 16.8%, totaling NIS
63 million compared to NIS 55 million last year.
Main pro-forma data for the first quarter (in NIS million):
First Six Months Second Quarter
2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg
Sales 3,276 3,036 7.9% 1,580 1,514 4.3%
Gross Profit 1,299 1,119 16.0% 615 568 8.3%
Operating Profit (1) 318 270 17.7% 137 135 1.2%
Profit for the Period 205 175 17.4% 88 80 10.5%
Net Profit (2) 155 134 16.0% 63 55 16.8%
(1) Before other income (expenses)
(2) Attributed to the shareholders of the Company
Home base
Strauss Group is the second-largest company in the Israeli food industry and in the first half of 2010 held an 11.4% share of the food and beverage market in the domestic retail market (on a monthly average in financial terms, according to StoreNext figures. The Israeli market is the Group's home market, in which it is active in various categories.
The sales for the entire business of Strauss Group in Israel include the Health & Wellness and Fun & Indulgence Divisions, the coffee business in Israel, Max Brenner in Israel and the Tami4 activity.
In the first half of 2010 Strauss Group's sales in Israel totaled NIS 1,817 million compared to NIS 1,646 million in 2009, an increase of 10.4%.
In the second quarter of 2010 the Group's sales in Israel totaled NIS 848 million compared to NIS 776 million in the corresponding period in 2009, an increase of 9.2%.
Further to the acquisition of Tami4 in the fourth quarter of 2009, the Group has intensified its touch points with the Israeli consumer and expanded beyond retail and away-from-home (AFH) sales into a direct interface with the consumer.
The Coffee Sector
In the global coffee business the Group focuses on the development, manufacture, marketing and sale of branded coffee products in Israel and in various emerging markets such as Central and Eastern Europe and Brazil.
Sales
Sales by Strauss's Coffee Sector in the first half of 2010 totaled NIS 1,597 million compared to NIS 1,581 million last year, an increase of 1.0%. After neutralizing the impact of currency exchange rates, sales decreased by 1.6%. Organic sales (after neutralizing the acquisition of businesses and the impact of exchange rate differentials) decreased by 2.6%.
Sales by the sector in the second quarter totaled NIS 770 million compared to NIS 811 million last year, a decrease of 5.1%. After neutralizing the impact of currency exchange rates, sales decreased by 3.9%. Organic sales (after neutralizing the acquisition of businesses and the impact of exchange rate differentials) decreased by 4.5%.
Sales in the first half and in the quarter were influenced by the weakness in the various markets in CEE and the increase in the competition.
Gross profit in the first half increased by 12.0% and totaled NIS 552 million (34.6% of sales) compared to NIS 493 million (31.2%) last year. The increase in gross profit was mainly the result of the decrease in raw material prices compared to last year and of the currency impact in the various countries.
In the second quarter gross profit decreased by 3.4% and totaled NIS 254 million (33.0%) compared to NIS 263 million (32.5%) last year. The decrease in gross profit was mainly due to the drop in sales and the currency impact.
The operating profit of the Coffee Sector in the first half increased by 14.2% and totaled NIS 141 million (8.8% of sales) compared to NIS 123 million (7.8% of sales) last year. The operating profit was positively influenced mainly by the growth in gross profit in relation to last year.
In the second quarter the operating profit of the Coffee Sector totaled NIS 63 million (8.2% of sales) compared to NIS 73 million (9.0%) last year. The decrease in operating profit was mainly due to the decrease in gross profit in relation to last year.
The Israel Sector - Strauss Israel
Sales
In the first half of 2010 sales by the Israel Sector totaled NIS 1,324 million compared to NIS 1,308 million last year, an increase of 1.3%. Sales by the sector in the second quarter totaled NIS 627 million, similar to last year. Growth in the first half was positively influenced by the volume increase in most units and the continuing investment in innovation, and conversely, in the second quarter was negatively influenced by the timing of Passover (which this year fell in the first quarter and last year, in the second quarter).
Gross profit in the Israel Sector totaled NIS 560 million in the first half of 2010 compared to NIS 542 million last year, an increase of 3.2%. The gross profit rate rose from 41.5% to 42.3% this year. In the second quarter gross profit totaled NIS 269 million compared to NIS 261 million last year, an increase of 2.7%. The gross profit rate rose from 41.7% to 42.8%.
Most of the improvement in gross profit in the first half and second quarter is due to the volume growth in sales and to the continued implementation of streamlining processes in the cost of sales.
Operating profit in Israel in the first half of 2010 increased by 5.0% and amounted to NIS 156 million. The operating profit margin improved and amounted to 11.8% compared to 11.4% in the corresponding period last year.
In the second quarter the operating profit totaled NIS 67 million compared to NIS 66 million last year, an increase of 0.9%. The operating profit margin improved and amounted to 10.7% compared to 10.6% in the corresponding period last year. The growth in the operating profit in Israel is due to the improvement in gross profit and continued streamlining processes.
The Sabra Refrigerated Dips Business in the USA
In the first half of 2010 Sabra's sales continued to grow, as did its market share, and it maintained a leading position in the refrigerated flavored spreads and dips category.
Sabra's average market share in the first half of this year was 44.8% compared to an average market share of 37.7% in the corresponding period last year and an average market share of 41.2% in the fourth quarter of 2009 (according to IRI data [PS1] published in March 2010).
Sales (100%)- In the first half of 2010 Sabra's sales totaled NIS 269 million compared to NIS 201 million last year, an increase of 33.6%. After neutralizing the currency impact, growth amounted to 44.1%.
In the second quarter of the year Sabra's sales totaled NIS 142 million compared to NIS 107 million last year, an increase of 33.2%. After neutralizing the currency impact, growth amounted to 42.8%.
The operating profit (100%) - in the first half of 2010 totaled NIS 33 million (12.1% of sales) compared to NIS 32 million last year (15.8%), an increase of 3.0%.
In the second quarter operating profit totaled NIS 12 million (8.8% of sales) compared to NIS 18 million last year (16.6%), a decrease of 29.8%. The decrease in operating profit in the quarter is the result of the opening of the new plant in Virginia and the continued operation of the old plant in New York.
MAX BRENNER
In the first half of 2010 Max Brenner's sales totaled NIS 49 million compared to NIS 46 million last year, an increase of 6.0%. After neutralizing the impact of currency exchange rates, growth in the half amounted to 9.6%.
In the second quarter of 2010 Max Brenner's sales totaled NIS 23 million compared to NIS 22 million last year, an increase of 4.3%. After neutralizing the impact of currency exchange rates, growth in the second quarter amounted to 8.3%.
After the end of the quarter the Company opened a new Chocolate Bar in Las Vegas, which joins the 30 Max Brenner Chocolate Bars in operation around the world: 6 in Israel, 2 in the USA, 2 in the Philippines, 1 in Singapore and 19 in Australia. Other than seven branches that are owned by the Company, all other branches are operated under franchise.
Toward the end of the year the Company is scheduled to open another Max Brenner Chocolate Bar in Boston, while continuing to invest in the development of core infrastructure for the Max Brenner business.
STRAUSS WATER
In 2009 Strauss presented Strauss Water and its strategy. Strauss Water will lead and manage the Strauss Group's activity in the water industry and will serve as one of the Group's growth drivers in the coming years. In this context the Company announced the acquisition of Tana Industries (Tami4) through its subsidiary, H2Q.
Following the establishment of Strauss Water, the operations of H2Q and Tami4 were merged with the aim of integrating the technology developed by H2Q with Tami4's capabilities, in order to serve as the infrastructure for Strauss Water's activities in Israel and internationally.
Strauss Water's pro-forma sales (assuming that the Tami4 business had been fully consolidated from the beginning of 2009) amounted to NIS 171 million in the first half of 2010 compared to NIS 145 million last year, an increase of 18.1%. In the second quarter Strauss Water sales totaled NIS 88 million compared to NIS 78 million in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 13.5%.
In 2010 the Company plans to continue to invest in the development of infrastructure for the global expansion of the water business.
Financial Results:
Sales
In the first half of 2010 the Group's sales amounted to NIS 3,276 million compared to NIS 3,036 million last year, an increase of 7.9%. After neutralizing the currency impact, growth amounted to 6.8%. Organic growth after neutralizing the impact of changes in exchange rates in the half amounted to 1.4%.
In the second quarter of 2010 the Group's sales amounted to NIS 1,580 million compared to NIS 1,514 million last year, an increase of 4.3%. After neutralizing the currency impact growth amounted to 5.4% and organic sales after neutralizing the impact of changes in exchange rates in the second quarter decreased by 0.2%.
Gross Profit
In the first half of the year the financial accounting gross profit totaled NIS 1,309 million (39.9%) compared to NIS 1,121 million last year (36.9%), an increase of 16.7%. The pro -forma gross profit in the half totaled NIS 1,299 million compared to NIS 1,119 million last year, an increase of 16.0%, rising from 36.9% to 39.6% of sales.
In the second quarter the financial accounting gross profit totaled NIS 626 million (39.6%) compared to NIS 565 million last year (37.3%), an increase of 10.7%. The pro-forma gross profit in the second quarter amounted to NIS 615 million compared to NIS 568 million last year, an increase of 8.3%, rising from 37.5% to 38.9% of sales.
The gross profit improved in most of the Group's businesses, notably Sabra and Strauss Coffee. The gross profit was positively influenced by the decrease in material costs and by the growth in sales volumes, as well as by the consolidation of the Tami4 activity for the first time.
The Group has contended with the changes in raw material prices and exchange rates through operational streamlining in most areas of its activity and by raising the prices of its products in the coffee business outside of Israel.
Operating Profit before Other Income (Expenses)
First half:
The financial accounting operating profit (before other expenses) totaled NIS 322 million (9.8% of sales) compared to NIS 266 million (8.8%), an increase of 21.0%. The growth in the Group's operating profit is mainly due to the increase in the gross profit and to maintaining the operating expenses level.
The pro-forma (pro-forma) operating profit in the first half of 2010 totaled NIS 318 million (9.7% of sales) compared to NIS 270 million (8.9%) last year, an increase of 17.7%.
Second quarter:
The financial accounting operating profit (before other expenses) totaled NIS 145 million (9.2% of sales) compared to NIS 131 million (8.7%) last year, an increase of 10.1%. The growth in the Group's operating profit is mainly due to the increase in the gross profit and to maintaining the operating expenses level.
The pro-forma operating profit in the second quarter totaled NIS 137 million (8.7% of sales) compared to NIS 135 million (8.9%) last year, an increase of 1.2%.
The increase in the Group's pro-forma operating profit is evident in all of the Company's activities. The operating profit in the Coffee Sector improved by 14.2%, in the Israel Sector - by 5.0%, and in all other activities there was a significant improvement following the consolidation of Tami4 for the first time and the continued growth in Sabra's profits (3.0%).
Income for the Period
In the first half of 2010 the financial accounting income for the period amounted to NIS 184 million compared to NIS 147 million last year, an increase of 25.4%. The pro-forma income for the period amounted to NIS 205 million compared to NIS 175 million last year, an increase of 17.4%. The increase in profit is mainly the result of the increase in the operating profit.
In the second quarter of 2010 the financial accounting income for the period amounted to NIS 75 million compared to NIS 57 million last year, an increase of 33.0%. The pro-forma income for the period amounted to NIS 88 million compared to NIS 80 million last year, an increase of 10.5%. The increase in profit is mainly the result of the increase in the operating profit.
Income for the Period for the Shareholders of the Company
In the first half the financial accounting income for the period for the shareholders of the Company totaled NIS 136 million compared to NIS 112 million last year, an increase of 21.7%. The increase in profit is due mainly to the increase in the operating profit. The pro-forma income for the shareholders of the Company totaled NIS 155 million compared to NIS 134 million last year, an increase of 16.0%.
In the second quarter the financial accounting income for the period for the shareholders of the Company totaled NIS 52 million compared to NIS 38 million last year, an increase of 40.7%. The pro-forma income for the shareholders of the Company in the second quarter totaled NIS 63 million compared to NIS 55 million last year, an increase of 16.8%.
The increase in the income for the period for the shareholders of the Company in the half and in the quarter is mainly due to the increase in the operating profit and the decrease in financing expenses. Income for the Period for Minority Shareholders
In the first half of 2010 the minority share in the income of subsidiaries totaled NIS 48 million compared to NIS 35 million in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 37.1%. The increase in the minority share is mainly due to the continued growth in the profits of the Coffee Sector.
In the second quarter the minority share in the income of subsidiaries totaled NIS 23 million compared to NIS 19 million in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 18.4%.
Table 1
Following are the condensed financial accounting statements of income for the quarter and the half ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (in NIS millions):
First Half Second Quarter
2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg
Sales 3,276 3,036 7.9 1,580 1,514 4.3
Cost of sales not including
impact of hedging transactions 1,977 1,917 3.2 965 946 2.0
Revaluation of the balance of
hedging transactions on
commodities as at the end of
the period (10) (2) (11) 3
Cost of sales 1,967 1,915 2.8 954 949 0.6
Gross Income 1,309 1,121 16.7 626 565 10.7
Selling and marketing expenses 786 678 16.0 385 344 12.1
General and administrative
expenses 201 177 13.1 96 90 6.1
Operating income before other
income (expenses) 322 266 21.0 145 131 10.1
Other income (expenses), net (27) (27) (20) (22)
Operating Income 295 239 23.6 125 109 14.6
Financing income (expenses), net (29) (27) 8.9 (21) (31)-34.4
Income before taxes on income 266 212 25.4 104 78 34.2
Taxes on income (82) (65) 25.5 (29) (21) 37.5
Effective tax rate 30.8% 30.8% 28.0% 27.3%
Income for the period 184 147 25.4 75 57 33.0
Income attributed to the
shareholders of the Company 136 112 21.7 52 38 40.7
Income attributed to the minority
Interest 48 35 37.1 23 19 18.4
Table 2
Following are the condensed results of business operations (based on the Company's pro-forma statements) for the quarter and the half ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (in NIS millions):
First Half Second Quarter
2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg
Sales 3,276 3,036 7.9 1,580 1,514 4.3
Cost of sales 1,977 1,917 3.2 965 946 2.0
Gross Income 1,299 1,119 16.0 615 568 8.3
Selling and marketing expenses 786 678 15.9 385 344 12.0
General and administrative expenses 195 171 13.7 93 89 4.6
Operating income - pro-forma 318 270 17.7 137 135 1.2
Financing income (expenses), net (29) (27) 8.9 (21) (31) -34.4
Income before taxes on income 289 243 18.7 116 104 11.8
Taxes on income (84) (68) 22.0 (28) (24) 16.0
Income for the period - pro-forma 205 175 17.4 88 80 10.5
Income attributed to the
shareholders of the Company 155 134 16.0 63 55 16.8
Income attributed to the minority 50 41 21.6 25 25 0.3
interest
Table 3
Following are the condensed results of business operations (based on the Company's pro-forma statements) of the business sectors for the quarter and the half ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (in NIS millions):
First Half
2010 2009 % Chg
Israel
Net sales 1,324 1,308 1.3
Gross income 560 542 3.2
Operating income 156 149 5.0
Coffee
Net sales 1,597 1,581 1.0
Gross income 552 493 12.0
Operating income 141 123 14.2
Other *
Net sales 355 147 141.8
Gross income 187 84 120.8
Operating income 21 (2) -
Total
Net sales 3,276 3,036 7.9
Gross income 1,299 1,119 16.0
Operating income 318 270 17.7
Second Quarter
2010 2009 % Chg
Israel
Net sales 627 627 -
Gross income 269 261 2.7
Operating income 67 66 0.9
Coffee
Net sales 770 811 -5.1
Gross income 254 263 -3.4
Operating income 63 73 -13.9
Other *
Net sales 183 76 141.9
Gross income 92 44 111.0
Operating income 7 (4) -
Total
Net sales 1,580 1,514 4.3
Gross income 615 568 8.3
Operating income 137 135 1.2
Table 4
Consolidated Balance Sheet (in NIS million):
June 30, 2010 June 30, 2009
Millions NIS % Millions NIS %
Cash and Marketable Securities 860 14% 1091 19%
Accounts Receivables 954 16% 963 17%
Other Accounts Receivables 306 5% 237 4%
Inventory 677 11% 714 12%
Investments & Long Term Loans 145 2% 138 2%
Fixed Assets 1438 24% 1293 22%
Intangible Assets 1,544 26% 1,286 22%
Other Assets 37 2% 59 2%
Total Assets 5,961 5,781
Current Bank Liabilities 450 8% 271 5%
Accounts Payables 641 11% 609 11%
Other Creditors 606 10% 489 8%
Long Term Liabilities 1,600 27% 1,677 29%
Minority Interest 864 14% 882 15%
Group Equity 1,800 30% 1,853 32%
Total Liabilities & Equity 5,961 5,781
[1],[2] First half and second quarter are pro-forma neutralizing the employees options and one time bonus, hedging transactions, non recurring other income and expenses
For additional information:
Investors Contact
Yaffa Cohen-Ifrah
Director of Investor Relations
Strauss Group Ltd.
Tel: +972-3-6752545
Mob: +972-54-5772195
Email: [email protected]
http://www.strauss-group.com
Media Contact
Osnat Golan
Corporate Communications Director
Strauss Group Ltd.
Tel: +972-3-6752281
Mob: +972-52-8288111
Email: [email protected]
http://www.strauss-group.com
SOURCE Strauss Group Ltd
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