Varie
Kesko's interim report 1 Jan.-31 Mar. 2012
KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 26.04.2012 AT 09.00 1(24)
Financial performance in brief:
*The Group's net sales for January-March increased by 10.2%.
*The operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR23.6 million (EUR34.9 million). The operating profit excluding non-recurring items was negatively impacted by the expansion of the store site network and the expansion of Russian operations, and exceptional write-offs of approximately EUR8 million.
* The Kesko Group's n et sales are expected to grow during the next twelve months. Owing to the costs involved in the expansion of the store site network and Russian business operations, as well as a sales decrease in the car trade, we are prepared for the operating profit excluding non-recurring items for the next twelve months to be lower than the operating profit excluding non-recurring items for the preceding twelve months.
Key performance indicators
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Net sales and profit for January-March 2012
The Group's net sales in January-March 2012 were EUR2,318 million, which is 10.2% up on the corresponding period of the previous year (EUR2,103 million). In Finland, net sales increased by 9.1% and in other countries by 16.5%. International operations accounted for 15.4% (14.6%) of the net sales. Net sales grew in all divisions.
In January-March, the operating profit excluding non-recurring items was EUR23.6 million (EUR34.9 million), representing 1.0% (1.7%) of the net sales. The operating profit excluding non-recurring items was negatively impacted by the expansion of the store site network and the expansion of Russian operations, as well as write-offs totalling approximately EUR8 million, the most significant of which related to the obsolescence of inventories and credit losses on trade receivables of the building and home improvement trade, as well as to an unrealised valuation loss on derivatives hedging electricity purchases of the food trade.
Operating profit was EUR26.3 million (EUR35.7 million), including a EUR2.8 million amount of non-recurring gains on disposals of properties. The Group's profit before tax for January-March was EUR26.3 million (EUR36.1 million).
The Group's earnings per share were EUR0.17 (EUR0.25). The Group's equity per share was EUR22.42 (EUR22.04).
In January-March, the K-Group's (i.e. Kesko's and the chain stores') retail and B2B sales (VAT 0%) were EUR2,779 million, up 10.4% compared to the previous year. In January-March, the K-Group chains' sales entitling to K-Plussa points were EUR1,354 million excluding tax, up 6.7% compared to the previous year. The K-Plussa customer loyalty programme gained 22,780 new households in January-March. At the end of March, the number of K-Plussa households was 2,168,933 and the number of K-Plussa card holders was 3.7 million.
Finance
In January-March, the cash flow from operating activities was EUR-5.2 million (EUR-25.3 million). The cash flow from investing activities was EUR-91.8 million (EUR-67.7 million), including EUR19.5 million (EUR1.7 million) of proceeds from the sale of fixed assets.
Throughout January-March, the Group's solvency remained at an excellent level despite the ongoing capital expenditure programme. At the end of the period, liquid assets totalled EUR293 million (EUR724 million). Interest-bearing liabilities were EUR446 million (EUR444 million) and interest-bearing net debt EUR154 million (EUR-279 million) at the end of March. Equity ratio was 52.7% (54.4%) at the end of the period.
In January-March, the Group's net finance costs were EUR0.1 million (EUR0.6 million).
Taxes
The Group's taxes in January-March were EUR7.6 million (EUR11.2 million). The effective tax rate was 29.0% (31.0%), affected by loss-making foreign operations.
Capital expenditure
In January-March, the Group's capital expenditure totalled EUR104.1 million (EUR64.1 million), or 4.5% (3.0%) of the net sales. Capital expenditure in store sites was EUR90.8 million (EUR52.7 million) and other capital expenditure was EUR13.3 million (EUR11.4 million). Capital expenditure in foreign operations represented 8.4% (19.6%) of total capital expenditure.
Personnel
In January-March, the average number of employees in the Kesko Group was 19,113 (18,158) converted into full-time employees. In Finland, the average increase was 233 people, while outside Finland, it was 722.
At the end of March 2012, the total number of employees was 22,873 (21,670), of whom 12,522 (12,140) worked in Finland and 10,351 (9,530) outside Finland. Compared to the end of March 2011, there was an increase of 382 people in Finland and 821 people outside Finland.
In January-March, the Group's staff cost was EUR151.1 million, an increase of 9.7% compared to the previous year.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Seasonal nature of operations
The Group's operating activities are affected by seasonal fluctuations. The net sales and operating profits of the reportable segments are not earned evenly throughout the year. Instead, they vary by quarter depending on the characteristics of each segment.
Food trade
January-March 2012
In the food trade, the net sales for January-March were EUR1,010 million (EUR948 million), up 6.5%. The sales of Pirkka products to K-food stores grew by 16.0% (VAT 0%). During the same period, the grocery sales of K-food stores increased by 6.8% (VAT 0%). In the grocery market, retail prices are estimated to have changed by some 4-5% compared to the previous year (VAT 0%; Kesko's own estimate based on the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland) and the total grocery trade market (VAT 0%) is estimated to have grown by some 7.5% in January-March compared to the previous year (Kesko's own estimate).
In January-March, the operating profit excluding non-recurring items of the food trade was EUR34.9 million (EUR41.4 million), or EUR6.4 million down on the previous year. The operating profit was impacted by costs related to launching business operations in Russia and the expansion of the store site network. Further, operating profit was weakened by a EUR1.8 million unrealised valuation loss on derivatives hedging electricity purchasing. The operating profit was EUR37.6 million (EUR42.1 million). Non-recurring income included EUR2.7 million of gains on disposals of properties.
Capital expenditure of the food trade was EUR60.2 million (EUR30.9 million), of which capital expenditure in store sites was EUR56.5 million (EUR29.0 million).
In January-March 2012, one new K-citymarket, two new K-supermarkets and one new K-market were opened. A total of 20 stores were renovated and extended.
The most significant store sites being built are K-citymarkets in Kauhajoki, Kokkola, Kouvola and Valkeakoski. K-supermarkets in Lieksa, Loimaa and Mäntsälä are being extended into K-citymarkets and K-citymarket Imatra is being extended. New K-supermarkets are being built in Lähdekeskus and Suomenoja, Espoo, in Kaisaniemi, Helsinki, in Joutsa, Kouvola, Lohja, Nurmijärvi, Pihtipudas, Pori and in Hämeenkylä, Louhela and Nikinmäki, Vantaa. K-market Parila in Pälkäne is being extended into a K-supermarket.
Home and speciality goods trade
January-March 2012
In the home and speciality goods trade, the net sales for January-March were EUR369 million (EUR348 million), up 6.1%. K-citymarket home and speciality goods, Asko and Sotka, Intersport and Budget Sport, as well as Kenkäkesko markedly increased their sales from the previous year. A K-citymarket, an Anttila and an Intersport store were opened in Willa, Hyvinkää. In addition, an Asko store was opened in Ylivieska and a new Konebox store in Raisio. As a result of network restructuring, there were 29 (35) Musta Pörssi stores at the end of March. A new concept Musta Pörssi store was opened in the Sello shopping centre in early March. The reform of the Kookenkä chain was completed at the end of March.
The operating profit excluding non-recurring items of the home and speciality goods trade in January-March was EUR-12.9 million (EUR-7.4 million). Profitability was weakened by costs arising from the integration and development of the operations of K-citymarket and Anttila, the expansion of the store site network and the loss from Russian Intersport operations. Operating profit was EUR-12.9 million (EUR-7.4 million).
Capital expenditure in the home and speciality goods trade in January-March was EUR18.5 million (EUR8.1 million).
Building and home improvement trade
January-March 2012
In the building and home improvement trade, the net sales for January-March were EUR629 million (EUR570 million), up 10.3%. In most countries, sales to professional customers increased faster than sales to private customers, which boosted especially the sales of basic building materials.
In Finland, the net sales for January-March were EUR300 million (EUR280 million), an increase of 7.1%. The building and home improvement product lines contributed EUR212 million to the net sales in Finland, an increase of 5.8%. The agricultural supplies trade contributed EUR88 million to the net sales, up 10.6%.
The retail sales of the K-rauta and Rautia chains in Finland grew by 7.1% to EUR187 million (VAT 0%). The sales of Rautakesko B2B Service increased by 15.5%. As a whole, Rautakesko chains' retail and B2B sales are estimated to have continued exceeding the growth rate of the market in Finland. The retail sales of the K-maatalous chain were EUR89 million (VAT 0%), up 11.9%.
In January-March, the net sales from foreign operations in the building and home improvement trade were EUR329 million (EUR290 million), an increase of 13.5%. In Russia, net sales increased by 21.3% in terms of roubles. In Norway, net sales increased by 14.9% in terms of krones. In Sweden, net sales were up by 1.6% in terms of kronas. Foreign operations contributed 52.3% (50.8%) to the net sales of the building and home improvement trade.
In January-March, the operating profit excluding non-recurring items of the building and home improvement trade was EUR-9.0 million (EUR-9.1 million), representing the level of the previous year. The profit performance was impacted by new store openings in Russia and Sweden and significant introduction and development costs of the international enterprise resource planning system. In addition, the profitability of Swedish operations was negatively impacted by obsolete inventories written off at EUR3 million higher than for the comparative period. In Finland, a credit loss amounting to EUR1 million was recorded on trade receivables. Operating profit was EUR-9.0 million (EUR-9.1 million).
In January-March, capital expenditure in the building and home improvement trade totalled EUR11.8 million (EUR18.7 million), of which 66.2% (67.3%) abroad. Capital expenditure in store sites was 85.6% of the total capital expenditure.
During the reporting period, a new Rautia-K-maatalous store was opened in Turku and former Rautia stores were replaced in Muhos and Sastamala. In April, a K-rauta was opened in Ylivieska. A K-rauta is being built in Kouvola and a significant extension of a K-rauta is underway in Mikkeli. In Sweden, a K-rauta was opened in Uppsala and a K-rauta replacing the former store is being built in Linköping. In Russia, a new K-rauta was opened in Moscow, where two sites have been acquired for new K-rauta stores.
Car and machinery trade
January-March 2012
In January-March, the net sales of the car and machinery trade were EUR353 million (EUR279 million), up 26.4%.
VV-Auto's net sales for January-March were EUR289 million (EUR218 million), an increase of 32.4%. Sales were increased by the car tax change effective 1 April 2012, as well as market share growth. In Finland, new registrations of passenger cars increased by 34.0% and those of vans by 47.7% compared to the previous year. In January-March, the combined market share of passenger cars and vans imported by VV-Auto was 19.9% (18.8%).
Konekesko's net sales for January-March were EUR65 million (EUR61 million), up 5.6% compared to the previous year. Net sales in Finland were EUR50 million, up 0.7%. The net sales from Konekesko's foreign operations were EUR16 million, up 21.9%.
In January-March, the operating profit excluding non-recurring items of the car and machinery trade was EUR15.6 million (EUR12.2 million), up EUR3.3 million compared to the previous year. The strong profit was attributable to excellent sales performance. The operating profit for January-March was EUR15.6 million (EUR12.2 million).
Capital expenditure in the car and machinery trade was EUR12.7 million (EUR6.0 million) in January-March.
Changes in the Group composition
No significant changes took place in the Group composition during the reporting period.
Shares, securities market and Board authorisations
At the end of March 2012, the total number of Kesko Corporation shares was EUR98,645,042, of which 31,737,007, or 32.2%, were A shares and 66,908,035, or 67.8%, were B shares. At 31 March 2012, Kesko Corporation held 700,000 own B shares. Each A share entitles to ten (10) votes and each B share to one (1) vote. The company cannot vote with own shares held by it and no dividend is paid on them. At the end of March 2012, Kesko Corporation's share capital was EUR197,282,584. During the reporting period, there were no changes in the share capital or the number of shares.
The price of a Kesko A share quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki was EUR24.82 at the end of 2011, and EUR25.35 at the end of March 2012, representing an increase of 2.1%. Correspondingly, the price of a B share was EUR25.96 at the end of 2011, and EUR24.33 at the end of March 2012, representing a decrease of 6.3%. In January-March, the highest A share price was EUR27.65 and the lowest was EUR24.10. For B share, they were EUR27.81 and EUR23.59 respectively. In January-March, the Helsinki stock exchange (OMX Helsinki) All-Share index rose by 12.7%, the weighted OMX Helsinki CAP index by 13.1%, while the Retail Index was up by 5.0%.
At the end of March 2012, the market capitalisation of A shares was EUR805 million, while that of B shares was EUR1,611 million, excluding the shares held by the parent company. The combined market capitalisation of A and B shares was EUR2,415 million, a decrease of EUR91 million from the end of 2011. In January-March 2012, a total of 0.6 (0.5) million A shares were traded on the Helsinki stock exchange, up 22.5%, at a total value of EUR16 million. A total of 20.6 (17.8) million B shares were traded on the Helsinki stock exchange, up 15.7%, at a total value of EUR517 million.
The company operates the 2007 stock option scheme for management and other key personnel, under which the share subscription period of 2007A option rights runs from 1 April 2010 to 30 April 2012, that of 2007B option rights from 1 April 2011 to 30 April 2013, and that of 2007C option rights began on 1 April 2012 and it will end on 30 April 2014. All option rights have also been included on the official list of the Helsinki stock exchange since the beginning of the share subscription periods. No 2007A option rights were traded during the reporting period. A total of 18,246 2007B option rights were traded during the reporting period at a total value of EUR87,023.
The Board has the authority, granted by the Annual General Meeting of 16 April 2012 and valid until 30 June 2015, to issue a total maximum of 20,000,000 new B shares. The shares can be issued against payment for subscription by shareholders in a directed issue in proportion to their existing shareholdings regardless of whether they consist of A or B shares, or, deviating from the shareholder's pre-emptive right, in a directed issue, if there is a weighty financial reason for the company, such as using the shares to develop the company's capital structure, and financing possible acquisitions, investments or other arrangements within the scope of the company's business operations. The amount paid for the shares is recognised in the reserve of invested non-restricted equity. The authorisation also includes the Board's authority to decide on the share subscription price, the right to issue shares against non-cash consideration and the right to make decisions on other matters concerning share issuances. The corresponding authority, granted by the Annual General Meeting of 30 March 2009, to issue a total maximum of 20,000,000 new B shares against payment or other consideration expired on 30 March 2012. The authority expired at the end of March had not been used. In addition, the Board has the authority, granted by the Annual General Meeting of 4 April 2011 and valid until 30 September 2012, to decide on the acquisition of a total maximum of 1,000,000 own B shares, and the authority, valid until 30 June 2014, to decide on the issuance of a total maximum of 1,000,000 own B shares held by the company itself. On 1 February 2012, based on the authority to issue own shares and the fulfilment of the vesting criteria of the 2011 vesting period of Kesko's three-year share-based compensation plan, the Board decided to grant a total maximum of 93,875 company shares held by itself to the persons included in the target group. The decision was announced in a stock exchange release on 2 February 2012. Further information on the Board's authorities is available at www.kesko.fi.
At the end of March 2012, the number of shareholders was 43,456, which is 2,241 more than at the end of 2011. Foreign ownership of all shares was 18%, and foreign ownership of B shares was 26% at the end of March.
Flagging notifications
Kesko Corporation did not receive flagging notifications during the reporting period.
Main events during the reporting period
The second phase of the transfer of the Kesko Group companies' statutory pension insurance liability portfolio, agreed between the Kesko Pension Fund and Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company, was carried out with effect from 1 January 2012. (Stock exchange release on 15 February 2012)
Main events after the reporting period
Kesko transferred a total of 90,889 own B shares held by the company itself to the about 150 Kesko management employees and other named key persons included in the target group of the 2011 vesting period of Kesko's three-year share-based compensation plan. After the transfers, the company itself holds at least 607,249 own B shares. (Stock exchange release on 12 April 2012)
Resolutions of the 2012 Annual General Meeting and decisions of the Board's organisational meeting
Kesko Corporation's Annual General Meeting, held on 16 April 2012, adopted the financial statements for 2011 and discharged the Board members and the Managing Director from liability. The General Meeting also resolved to distribute EUR1.20 per share as dividends on 98,035,931 shares held outside the company at the date of dividend distribution, or a total amount of EUR117,643,117.20. The dividend pay date is 26 April 2012. The General Meeting also resolved to leave the number of Board members unchanged at seven and elected Esa Kiiskinen, Ilpo Kokkila, Tomi Korpisaari (new member), Maarit Näkyvä, Seppo Paatelainen, Toni Pokela (new member) and Virpi Tuunainen (new member) as Board members for a three-year term of office as stated in the Articles of Association. The General Meeting elected PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy as the company's auditor, with Johan Kronberg, APA, as the company's auditor with principal responsibility. The General Meeting also approved the Board's proposal to issue a total maximum of 20,000,000 new B shares until 30 June 2015, and the Board's proposal that it be authorised until the 2013 Annual General Meeting to decide on the donation of a total maximum of EUR300,000 for charitable or corresponding purposes.
The organisational meeting of Kesko Corporation's Board of Directors, held after the Annual General Meeting, elected Esa Kiiskinen as its Chair and Seppo Paatelainen as its Deputy Chair. The Board elected Maarit Näkyvä as the Chair, Seppo Paatelainen as the Deputy Chair and Virpi Tuunainen as a member of the Audit Committee, and Esa Kiiskinen as the Chair, Seppo Paatelainen as the Deputy Chair and Ilpo Kokkila as a member of the Remuneration Committee. The Board elects the Board Chair and Deputy Chair for the whole three-year term of a Board member, and the Committee Chairs, Deputy Chairs and members for one year at a time.
The resolutions of the Annual General Meeting and the decisions of the Board's organisational meeting were announced in more detail in stock exchange releases on 16 April 2012.
Responsibility
In January, Kesko was included on 'The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World' list for the eighth time.
In February, Kesko was awarded by World Finance Magazine for 'the Best Corporate Governance in Finland' in terms of corporate governance development and reporting for the second time in succession.
In March, the US Ethisphere Institute listed Kesko as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for 2012.
In March, the K-Retailers' Association and the Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAIDD) started a cooperation project to support the employment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the K-Group stores.
Risk management
The Kesko Group has an established and comprehensive risk management process. Risks and their management responses are regularly assessed within the Group and reported to the Group management. Kesko's risk management and risks associated with business operations are described in more detail on Kesko's website in the Corporate Governance section.
The most significant near-future risks in Kesko's business operations are associated with the general economic development, the euro zone financial market and consumer confidence in Kesko's operating area, as well as their impact on the Kesko Group's sales and profit performance. It is estimated that in other respects, no material changes have taken place in the risks described in the report by the Board of Directors and financial statements for 2011 and the risks described on Kesko's website.
Risks and uncertainties associated with economic development are described in the future outlook section of this release.
Future outlook
Estimates of the future outlook for the Kesko Group's net sales and operating profit excluding non-recurring items are given for the 12 months following the reporting period (4/2012-3/2013) in comparison with the 12 months preceding the reporting period (4/2011-3/2012).
Resulting from the problems of European national economies, the outlook for the general economic situation continues to be characterised by significant uncertainty. In addition, cuts in public finances and tightening taxation increase the uncertainty about the development of consumer demand. However, the outlook for consumer demand as a whole has improved during the first months of 2012.
The steady growth in the grocery trade and home and speciality goods trade is expected to continue. Growth in the building and home improvement trade in Finland is expected to even out as the growth of building construction slows down. In the car and machinery trade, the market is expected to turn down as a result of the car tax change effective 1 April 2012.
The Kesko Group's n et sales are expected to grow during the next twelve months. Owing to the costs involved in the expansion of the store site network and Russian business operations, as well as a sales decrease in the car trade, we are prepared for the operating profit excluding non-recurring items for the next twelve months to be lower than the operating profit excluding non-recurring items for the preceding twelve months.
Helsinki, 25 April 2012
Kesko Corporation
Board of Directors
The information in the interim report release is unaudited.
Further information is available from Jukka Erlund, Senior Vice President, CFO, telephone +358 1053 22113, and Eva Kaukinen, Vice President, Corporate Controller, telephone +358 1053 22338. A Finnish-language webcast from the media and analyst briefing on the interim report can be accessed at www.kesko.fi at 11.00. An English-language web conference on the interim report will be held today at 14.30 (Finnish time). The web conference login is available at www.kesko.fi.
Kesko Corporation's interim report for January-June will be released on 25 July 2012. In addition, the Kesko Group's sales figures are published each month. News releases and other company information are available on Kesko's website at www.kesko.fi.
KESKO CORPORATION
Merja Haverinen
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility
ATTACHMENTS: TABLES
Accounting policies
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Consolidated statement of financial position
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Consolidated cash flow statement
Group's performance indicators
Net sales by segment
Operating profit by segment
Operating profit excl. non-recurring items by segment
Operating margin excl. non-recurring items by segment
Capital employed by segment
Return on capital employed excl. non-recurring items by segment
Capital expenditure by segment
Segment information by quarter
Personnel average and at the end of the reporting period
Group's contingent liabilities
Calculation of performance indicators
K-Group's retail and B2B sales
DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main news media
www.kesko.fi
TABLES:
Accounting policies
This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the IAS 34 standard, applying the same accounting policies as to the annual financial statements for 2011, with the exception of the following changes due to the adoption of new and revised IFRS standards and IFRIC interpretations:
IFRS 7 (amendment), Financial instruments: Disclosures - D erecognition
IAS 12 (amendment), Income taxes - Deferred tax
Annual amendments to the IFRS
(Annual Improvements)
The above amendments to standards and interpretations do not have a material impact on the reported income statement, statement of financial position or notes.
(..) Change over 100%
(..) Change over 100%
Consolidated statement of changes in equity (EUR million )
Consolidated cash flow statement (EUR million), condensed
(..) Change over 100%
Segment information
* Net sales in countries other than Finland.
(..) Change over 100%
Segment information by quarter
Personnel, average and at 31 March
* total number incl. part-time employees
Calculation of performance indicators
* Indicators for return on capital have been annualised.
K-Group's retail and B2B sales, VAT 0% (preliminary data):
(..) Change over 100%
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