SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of Abril 2018

 

FOMENTO ECONÓMICO MEXICANO, S.A.B. DE C.V.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Mexican Economic Development, Inc.

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

United Mexican States

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

General Anaya No. 601 Pte.

Colonia Bella Vista

Monterrey, Nuevo León 64410

México

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports

under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

 

Form 20-F    x     Form 40-F    ¨

  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as

permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): _______

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as

permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): _______

 

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this

Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the

Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

  

Yes   ¨    No    x

  

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in

connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____________

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

FEMSA Announces First Quarter 2018 Results

 

Monterrey, Mexico, April 26, 2018 — Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (“FEMSA”) (NYSE: FMX; BMV: FEMSAUBD) announced today its operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2018.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

 

·40 basis points of gross margin expansion at FEMSA Consolidated
·22.5% Income from operations growth at FEMSA Comercio’s Retail Division
·11.6% Income from operations growth at FEMSA Comercio’s Health Division
·Operating margin recovery to 1.3% of total revenues at FEMSA Comercio’s Fuel Division
·2.5% volume growth at Coca-Cola FEMSA Brazil

 

FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2018

Change vs. same period of last year

 

   Revenues   Gross Profit   Income
from Operations		   Same-Store Sales 
                 
FEMSA CONSOLIDATED   4.0%   5.1%   3.9%     
FEMSA COMERCIO                    
Retail Division   13.9%   15.1%   22.5%   7.5%
Health Division   3.6%   8.3%   11.6%   0.8%
Fuel Division   16.2%   42.6%   121.0%   3.6%
COCA-COLA FEMSA   (3.2)%   (1.7)%   (3.4)%     

 

Eduardo Padilla, FEMSA’s CEO, commented:

 

“There are a number of reasons to be cautiously optimistic in our results for the first quarter. FEMSA Comercio’s Retail Division showed solid growth trends across its income statement, although we must remember that some of that came from the Holy Week calendar shift and we will likely give it back in the month of April. Nevertheless, profitability trends were structurally positive. The Health Division delivered improved results from Mexico, which may be the first signs that we are turning a corner in this key market after much hard work, while the Fuel Division faced an undemanding comparable base and thus delivered another quarter of gradual sequential recovery in profitability. And at Coca-Cola FEMSA, we continued to see promising signs in our key Brazilian operations, as well as a resilient environment in Mexico, while the team again navigated challenging consumer, cost and tax conditions across several of our markets.

 

It is also encouraging to see inflation coming down fast in Mexico, bolstering real wage growth, although we continue to expect volatility in the exchange rate in the coming months that could yet spill over and reverse those positive inflation trends. All told, FEMSA’s first quarter results came in a little better than we expected in several of our operations, but the second quarter will be tougher based on the calendar shift, and we continue to expect choppy waters ahead.”

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Quarterly results are compared to the same period of previous year

 

femsa consolidated

 

FEMSA CONSOLIDATED

1Q18 Financial Summary

(Millions of Ps.)

   1Q18   1Q17   Var. 
Revenues   115,337    110,862    4.0%
Income from Operations   8,412    8,093    3.9%
Income from Operations Margin (%)   7.3    7.3    0 bps 
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA)   13,006    13,175    -1.3%
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA) Margin (%)   11.3    11.9    -60 bps 
Net Income   1,478    6,590    -77.6%

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Millions of Ps.) 

As of March 31, 2018  Ps.   US$3 
Cash   81,112    4,465 
Short-term debt   12,470    686 
Long-term debt   105,852    5,826 
Net debt4   37,210    2,048 

 

Total revenues increased 4.0% in 1Q18 compared to 1Q17, mainly reflecting solid growth at FEMSA Comercio’s Retail Division. On an organic basis,1 total revenues grew 5.2%.

 

Gross profit increased 5.1%. Gross margin increased 40 basis points, reflecting gross margin expansion across all businesses.

 

Income from operations increased 3.9%. On an organic basis,1 income from operations decreased 0.8%. Consolidated operating margin remained stable at 7.3% of total revenues.

 

Our effective income tax rate was 49.9% in 1Q18. A lower Income before income tax base magnified the impact of certain recurrent and permanent tax effects.

 

Net consolidated income decreased 77.6%, mainly driven by a non-cash foreign exchange loss related to FEMSA’s U.S. dollar-denominated cash position as impacted by the appreciation of the Mexican peso, which was partially offset by lower interest expense and an increase in income from operations.

 

Net majority income in 1Q18 was not significant, representing Ps. 0.0006 per FEMSA Unit2 and US$ 0.0003 per FEMSA ADS.

 

Capital expenditures amounted to Ps. 4,091 million in 1Q18, reflecting lower investments at Coca-Cola FEMSA.

 

 

1 Excludes the effects of significant mergers and acquisitions in the last twelve months. Includes the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Inc., as if consolidation had taken place at the beginning of January 2017. Excludes the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela in 2017.

2 FEMSA Units consist of FEMSA BD Units and FEMSA B Units. Each FEMSA BD Unit is comprised of one Series B Share, two Series D-B Shares and two Series D-L Shares. Each FEMSA B Unit is comprised of five Series B Shares. The number of FEMSA Units outstanding as of March 31, 2018 was 3,578,226,270, equivalent to the total number of FEMSA Shares outstanding as of the same date, divided by 5.

3 The exchange rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for March 30, 2018 was 18.1676 MXN per USD.

4 Includes the effect of derivative financial instruments on long-term debt.

 

April 26, 20182

 

 

FEMSA COMERCIO – RETAIL DIVISION

 

FEMSA COMERCIO – RETAIL DIVISION

1Q18 Financial Summary

(Millions of Ps. except same-stores sales)

   1Q18   1Q17   Var. 
Same-store sales (thousands of Ps.)   729    678    7.5%
Revenues   38,806    34,070    13.9%
Income from Operations   1,873    1,529    22.5%
Income from Operations Margin (%)   4.8    4.5    30 bps 
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA)   3,166    2,660    19.0%
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA) Margin (%)   8.2    7.8    40 bps 

 

 

Total revenues increased 13.9% in 1Q18 compared to 1Q17, reflecting the opening of 237 net new OXXO stores in the quarter to reach 1,362 total net new store openings for the last twelve months. As of March 31, 2018, FEMSA Comercio’s Retail Division had a total of 16,763 OXXO stores. OXXO’s same-store sales increased an average of 7.5%, reflecting resilient consumer demand as well as the benefit from the Holy Week calendar shift. This performance was driven by a 5.1% increase in average customer ticket and an increase of 2.4% in store traffic.

 

Gross profit increased by 15.1%, resulting in a gross margin expansion of 40 basis points to 36.0% of total revenues. This expansion mainly reflects i) sustained growth of the services category, including income from financial services; and ii) healthy trends in our commercial income activity.

 

Income from operations increased 22.5%. Operating expenses increased 14.1% to Ps. 12,101 million, slightly above revenues, reflecting a combination of: i) a favorable calendar and profitability comparison base in 1Q17, when retail operating income and margin fell; ii) a decrease in electricity tariffs; iii) investments related to certain IT projects; and iv) increased secure cash transportation costs driven by incremental volume. The healthy growth in revenues drove higher operating leverage, and therefore operating margin expanded by 30 basis points to 4.8% of total revenues.

 

April 26, 20183

 

 

FEMSA COMERCIO – HEALTH DIVISION

 

FEMSA COMERCIO – HEALTH DIVISION

1Q18 Financial Summary

(Millions of Ps. except same-stores sales) 

   1Q18   1Q17   Var. 
Same-store sales (thousands of Ps.)   1,547    1,535    0.8%
Revenues   12,454    12,024    3.6%
Income from Operations   280    251    11.6%
Income from Operations Margin (%)   2.2    2.1    10 bps 
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA)   531    498    6.6%
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA) Margin (%)   4.3    4.1    20 bps 

 

 

Total revenues increased 3.6% in 1Q18 compared to 1Q17, facing a tough comparison base and reflecting moderate growth in our South American operations, and the early signs of improving trends in Mexico. As of March 31, 2018 FEMSA Comercio’s Health Division had a total of 2,235 points of sale across our territories, reflecting the addition of 10 net new stores in the quarter to reach 99 total net new store openings for the last twelve months. Same-store sales for drugstores increased by an average of 0.8%.

 

Gross profit increased by 8.3%, resulting in a gross margin expansion of 130 basis points to 29.7% of total revenues, reflecting positive sales mix as well as a more effective collaboration and execution with key supplier partners across our operations and to benefits that are gradually beginning to materialize in Mexico, through the incipient leverage of our recently integrated operating platform.

 

Income from operations increased 11.6%. Operating expenses increased 8.0% to Ps. 3,416 million. Operating margin expanded by only 10 basis points to 2.2% of total revenues, reflecting higher expenses in Mexico as we strengthen our commercial team and our distribution capabilities.

 

April 26, 20184

 

 

FEMSA COMERCIO – FUEL DIVISION

 

FEMSA COMERCIO – FUEL DIVISION

1Q18 Financial Summary

(Millions of Ps. except same-stations sales)

   1Q18   1Q17   Var. 
Same-station sales (thousands of Ps.)   8,163    7,877    3.6%
Revenues   10,593    9,114    16.2%
Income from Operations   137    62    121.0%
Income from Operations Margin (%)   1.3    0.7    60 bps 
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA)   174    92    89.1%
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA) Margin (%)   1.6    1.0    60 bps 

 

 

Total revenues increased 16.2% in 1Q18 compared to 1Q17, reflecting the addition of 15 net new OXXO GAS stations in the quarter to reach 79 total net new stations for the last twelve months. As of March 31, 2018, FEMSA Comercio’s Fuel Division had a total of 467 OXXO GAS service stations. Same-station sales increased an average of 3.6%, as average price per liter increased by 8.9%, while average volume decreased 4.8%.

 

Gross profit increased by 42.6% resulting in a gross margin recovery of 160 basis points to 8.4% of total revenues, reflecting a low comparable base as gross profit per liter remained flat in 1Q17 versus 2016 in peso terms.

 

Income from operations increased 121.0%. Operating expenses increased 33.9% to Ps. 750 million, above revenues. However, operating margin recovered 60 basis points to 1.3% of total revenues, reflecting better operating leverage that more than offset higher regulatory expenses.

 

April 26, 20185

 

 

coca-cola femsa

 

Coca-Cola FEMSA’s financial results and discussion thereof are incorporated by reference from Coca-Cola FEMSA’s press release, which is attached to this press release or may be accessed by visiting www.coca-colafemsa.com.

 

 

·On March 16, 2018, FEMSA held its Annual Ordinary General Shareholders Meeting, during which the shareholders approved the Company’s annual report for 2017 prepared by the Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the election of the Board of Directors and its Committees for 2018. The shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend in the amount of Ps. 9,221 million, consisting of Ps. 0.5748 per each Series "D" share and Ps. 0.4598 per each Series "B" share, which amounts to Ps. 2.7590 per "BD" Unit (BMV: FEMSAUBD) or Ps. 27.590 per ADS (NYSE: FMX), and Ps. 2.2991 per "B" Unit (BMV: FEMSAUB). The dividend payment will be split in two equal payments, payable on May 4, 2018 and November 6, 2018. In addition, the shareholders established the amount of Ps. 7,000 million as the maximum amount that could potentially be used for the Company’s share repurchase program during 2018.

 

April 26, 20186

 

 

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:

 

Our First Quarter 2018 Conference Call will be held on: Thursday, April 26, 2018, 10:00 AM Eastern Time (9:00 AM Mexico City Time). To participate in the conference call, please dial: Domestic US: (888) 500 6975; International: (719) 325 2140; Conference Id: 4396866. The conference call will be webcast live through streaming audio. For details please visit www.femsa.com/investor.

 

If you are unable to participate live, the conference call audio will be available on http://ir.FEMSA.com/results.cfm.

 

FEMSA is a leading company that participates in the beverage industry through Coca-Cola FEMSA, the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world by volume; and in the beer industry, through its ownership of the second largest equity stake in Heineken, one of the world's leading brewers with operations in over 70 countries. In the retail industry it participates through FEMSA Comercio, comprising a Retail Division operating various small-format store chains including OXXO, a Fuel Division, operating the OXXO GAS chain of retail service stations, and a Health Division, which includes drugstores and related operations. Additionally, through its Strategic Businesses unit, it provides logistics, point-of-sale refrigeration solutions and plastics solutions to FEMSA's business units and third-party clients.

 

The translations of Mexican pesos into US dollars are included solely for the convenience of the reader, using the noon buying rate for Mexican pesos as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on March 30, 2018, which was 18.1676 Mexican pesos per US dollar.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning our future performance that should be considered as good faith estimates made by us. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations and are based upon currently available data. Actual results are subject to future events and uncertainties, which could materially impact our actual performance.

 

Seven pages of tables and Coca-Cola FEMSA’s press release to follow

 

April 26, 20187

 

 

FEMSA

Consolidated Income Statement

Millions of Pesos

 

   For the first quarter of: 
   2018   % of rev.   2017   % of rev.   % Var.   % Org (A) 
Total revenues   115,337    100.0    110,862    100.0    4.0    5.2 
Cost of sales   73,973    64.1    71,507    64.5    3.4      
Gross profit   41,364    35.9    39,355    35.5    5.1      
Administrative expenses   4,292    3.7    4,226    3.8    1.6      
Selling expenses   28,463    24.7    27,371    24.7    4.0      
Other operating expenses (income), net (1)   197    0.2    (335)   (0.3)   (158.8)     
Income from operations(2)   8,412    7.3    8,093    7.3    3.9    (0.8)
Other non-operating expenses (income)   189         (2,261)        (108.4)     
Interest expense   2,592         3,108         (16.6)     
Interest income   767         339         126.3      
Interest expense, net   1,825         2,769         (34.1)     
Foreign exchange loss (gain)   4,933         1,666         196.1      
Other financial expenses (income), net.   256         (1,027)        (124.9)     
Financing expenses, net   7,014         3,408         105.8      
Income before income tax and participation in associates results   1,209         6,946         (82.6)     
Income tax   603         1,649         (63.4)     
Participation in associates results(3)   872         1,293         (32.6)     
Net consolidated income   1,478         6,590         (77.6)     
Net majority income   2         3,291         (99.9)     
Net minority income   1,476         3,299         (55.3)     
                               
Operative Cash Flow & CAPEX   2018    % of rev.    2017    % of rev.    % Var.    % Org (A) 
Income from operations   8,412    7.3    8,093    7.3    3.9    (0.8)
Depreciation   3,818    3.3    3,803    3.4    0.4      
Amortization & other non-cash charges   776    0.7    1,279    1.2    -39.3      
Operative Cash Flow (EBITDA)   13,006    11.3    13,175    11.9    -1.3    1.3 
CAPEX   4,091         5,835                
                               
Financial Ratios   2018         2017         Var. p.p.       
Liquidity(4)   1.46         1.73         (0.27)     
Interest coverage(5)   7.13         4.76         2.37      
Leverage(6)   0.83         0.75         0.08      
Capitalization(7)   28.28%        27.80%        0.48      

 

(A)Organic basis (% Org.) Includes the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Inc., as if consolidation had taken place at January 2017. Excludes the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Venezuela in 2017.
(1)Other operating expenses (income), net = other operating expenses (income) +(-) equity method from operated associates.
(2)Income from operations = gross profit - administrative and selling expenses - other operating expenses (income), net.
(3)Mainly represents the equity method participation in Heineken´s results, net.
(4)Total current assets / total current liabilities.
(5)Income from operations + depreciation + amortization & other / interest expense, net.
(6)Total liabilities / total stockholders' equity.
(7)Total debt / long-term debt + stockholders' equity.

Total debt = short-term bank loans + current maturities of long-term debt + long-term bank loans.

 

April 26, 20188

 

 

FEMSA

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Millions of Pesos

 

ASSETS  Mar-18   Dec-17   % Var. 
Cash and cash equivalents   81,112    96,944    (16.3)
Investments   13,048    2,160     N.S.  
Accounts receivable   25,985    32,316    (19.6)
Inventories   34,323    34,840    (1.5)
Other current assets   18,781    14,928    25.8 
Total current assets   173,249    181,188    (4.4)
Investments in shares   92,278    96,097    (4.0)
Property, plant and equipment, net   112,193    116,712    (3.9)
Intangible assets (1)   148,232    154,093    (3.8)
Other assets   45,118    40,451    11.5 
TOTAL ASSETS   571,070    588,541    (3.0)
                
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS´ EQUITY               
Bank loans   2,453    2,830    (13.3)
Current maturities of long-term debt   10,017    10,760    (6.9)
Interest payable   1,358    976    39.1 
Operating liabilities   105,186    90,456    16.3 
Total current liabilities   119,014    105,022    13.3 
Long-term debt (2)   105,852    110,917    (4.6)
Labor liabilities   5,260    5,373    (2.1)
Other liabilities   28,435    30,317    (6.2)
Total liabilities   258,561    251,629    2.8 
Total stockholders’ equity   312,509    336,912    (7.2)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   571,070    588,541    (3.0)

 

   March 31, 2018 
DEBT MIX (2)  % of Total   Average Rate 
Denominated in:          
Mexican pesos   41.4%   8.0%
U.S. Dollars   0.9%   3.0%
Euros   18.3%   1.8%
Colombian pesos   2.1%   7.6%
Argentine pesos   0.1%   22.4%
Brazilian reais   33.7%   7.1%
Chilean pesos   3.5%   5.9%
Total debt   100.0%   6.5%
           
Fixed rate(2)   84.9%     
Variable rate(2)   15.1%     

 

DEBT MATURITY PROFILE  2018   2019   2020   2021   2022   2023+ 
% of Total Debt   12.5%   6.1%   9.1%   5.8%   1.8%   64.7%

 

(1)Includes mainly the intangible assets generated by acquisitions.
(2)Includes the effect of derivative financial instruments on long-term debt.

 

April 26, 20189

 

 

FEMSA Comercio - Retail Division

Results of Operations

Millions of Pesos

 

   For the first quarter of: 
   2018   % of rev.   2017   % of rev.   % Var. 
Total revenues   38,806    100.0    34,070    100.0    13.9 
Cost of sales   24,832    64.0    21,934    64.4    13.2 
Gross profit   13,974    36.0    12,136    35.6    15.1 
Administrative expenses   867    2.2    775    2.3    11.9 
Selling expenses   11,165    28.8    9,764    28.6    14.3 
Other operating expenses (income), net   69    0.2    68    0.2    1.5 
Income from operations   1,873    4.8    1,529    4.5    22.5 
Depreciation   1,171    3.0    1,014    3.0    15.5 
Amortization & other non-cash charges   122    0.4    117    0.3    4.3 
Operative cash flow   3,166    8.2    2,660    7.8    19.0 
CAPEX   1,503         1,625         (7.5)
                          
Information of OXXO Stores                         
Total stores   16,763         15,401         8.8 
Net new convenience stores:                        
vs. Last quarter   237         176         34.7 
Last-twelve-months   1,362         1,203         13.2 
                          
Same-store data: (1)                         
Sales (thousands of pesos)   729.0         677.8         7.5 
Traffic (thousands of transactions)   21.9         21.4         2.4 
Ticket (pesos)   33.3         31.7         5.1 

 

(1)Monthly average information per store, considering same stores with more than twelve months of operations, income from services are included.

 

April 26, 201810

 

 

FEMSA Comercio - Health Division

Results of Operations

Millions of Pesos

 

   For the first quarter of: 
   2018   % of rev.   2017   % of rev.   % Var. 
Total revenues   12,454    100.0    12,024    100.0    3.6 
Cost of sales   8,758    70.3    8,610    71.6    1.7 
Gross profit   3,696    29.7    3,414    28.4    8.3 
Administrative expenses   485    3.9    453    3.8    7.1 
Selling expenses   2,910    23.4    2,700    22.4    7.8 
Other operating expenses (income), net   21    0.2    10    0.1    110.0 
Income from operations   280    2.2    251    2.1    11.6 
Depreciation   166    1.3    161    1.3    3.1 
Amortization & other non-cash charges   85    0.8    86    0.7    (1.2)
Operative cash flow   531    4.3    498    4.1    6.6 
CAPEX   351         196         79.1 
                          
Information of Stores                         
Total stores   2,235         2,136         4.6 
Net new stores (1):                         
vs. Last quarter   10         16         (37.5)
Last-twelve-months   99         201         (50.7)
                          
Same-store data: (2)                         
 Sales (thousands of pesos)   1,547.1         1,534.8         0.8 

 

(1)Aquisitions are included.
(2)Monthly average information per store, considering same stores with more than twelve months of all the operations of FEMSA Comercio - Health Division.

 

April 26, 201811

 

 

FEMSA Comercio - Fuel Division

Results of Operations

Millions of Pesos

 

   For the first quarter of: 
   2018   % of rev.   2017   % of rev.   % Var. 
Total revenues   10,593    100.0    9,114    100.0    16.2 
Cost of sales   9,706    91.6    8,492    93.2    14.3 
Gross profit   887    8.4    622    6.8    42.6 
Administrative expenses   52    0.5    37    0.4    40.5 
Selling expenses   697    6.6    521    5.7    33.8 
Other operating expenses (income), net   1    -    2    -    - 
Income from operations   137    1.3    62    0.7    121.0 
Depreciation   30    0.3    24    0.3    25.0 
Amortization & other non-cash charges   7    -    6    -    16.7 
Operative cash flow   174    1.6    92    1.0    89.1 
CAPEX   64        38        68.4 
                       
Information of OXXO GAS Service Stations                         
Total service stations   467         388         20.4 
Net new service stations                         
vs. Last quarter   15         6         150.0 
Last-twelve-months   79         69         14.5 
                          
Volume (million of liters) total stations   674.1         631.1         6.8 
                          
Same-stations data: (1)                         
Sales (thousands of pesos)   8,162.6         7,876.5         3.6 
Volume (thousands of liters)   519.1         545.5         (4.8)
 Average price per liter   15.7         14.4         8.9 

 

(1)Monthly average information per station, considering same stations with more than twelve months of operations.

 

April 26, 201812

 

 

Coca-Cola FEMSA

Results of Operations

Millions of Pesos

 

   For the first quarter of: 
   2018   % of rev.   2017   % of rev.   % Var.(A)   % Org.(B) 
Total revenues   49,713    100.0    51,357    100.0    (3.2)   (0.9)
Cost of sales   27,796    55.9    29,060    56.6    (4.3)     
Gross profit   21,917    44.1    22,297    43.4    (1.7)     
Administrative expenses   2,521    5.1    2,271    4.4    11.0      
Selling expenses   13,413    27.0    14,373    27.9    (6.7)     
Other operating expenses (income), net   100    0.2    (437)   (0.9)   (122.9)     
Income from operations   5,883    11.8    6,090    11.9    (3.4)   (9.2)
Depreciation   2,353    4.7    2,496    4.9    (5.7)     
Amortization & other non-cash charges   470    1.0    968    1.8    (51.4)     
Operative cash flow   8,706    17.5    9,554    18.6    (8.9)   (5.6)
CAPEX   1,865         3,834         (51.3)     
                               
Sales volumes                              
(Millions of unit cases)                              
Mexico and Central America   474.9    52.2    473.0    53.7    0.4      
South America   118.3    13.0    126.0    14.3    (6.1)     
Brazil   194.8    21.5    190.1    21.6    2.5      
Philippines   119.9    13.2    92.3    10.5    29.9      
Total   907.8    100.0    881.3    89.5    3.0      

 

(A)The consolidation of Coca- Cola Philippines started on February 1, 2017 additionally the results from Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela are no longer included as of January 1, 2018
(B)Organic basis (% Org.) Includes the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Inc., as if consolidation had taken place at January 2017 and excludes the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Venezuela in 2017.

 

April 26, 201813

 

 

FEMSA

Macroeconomic Information

 

   Inflation   End-of-period Exchange Rates 
   1Q 2018   LTM(1) Mar-18   Mar-18   Dec-17 
           Per USD   Per MXN   Per USD   Per MXN 
Mexico   1.30%   5.13%   18.34    1.0000    19.74    1.0000 
Colombia   2.05%   3.07%   2,780.47    0.0066    2,984.00    0.0066 
Venezuela   216.31%   4394.50%   71,176.12    0.0003    22,793.30    0.0009 
Brazil   0.93%   2.83%   3.32    5.5191    3.31    5.9660 
Argentina   6.74%   25.48%   20.15    0.9104    18.65    1.0583 
Chile   0.55%   1.79%   605.26    0.0303    615.22    0.0321 
Philippines   2.59%   4.41%   52.21    0.3514    49.92    0.3953 
Euro Zone   -1.43%   0.00%   0.81    22.6404    0.84    23.5729 

 

(1)LTM = Last twelve months.

 

April 26, 201814

 

 

2018 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Mexico City, April 25, 2018, Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: KOFL, NYSE: KOF) (“Coca-Cola FEMSA” or the “Company”), the largest Coca-Cola franchise bottler in the world by sales volume, announces results for the first quarter of 2018.

 

 (1)Comparability

 

The comparability of our financial and operating performance in the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the same period of 2017, was affected by the following factors: (a) as previously announced, due to a change in reporting method, the results from Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela are no longer included in our consolidated financial statements as of January 1, 2018; and (b) the consolidation of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines commencing on February 1, 2017. In addition, the consolidation generated a one-time non-cash gain during the first quarter of 2017.

 

In order to better describe the performance of our business, for certain information we present the comparable figures excluding the effects of: (i) mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, (ii) translation effects resulting from exchange rate movements, (iii) the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela in 2017; and including the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., as if its consolidation had taken place at the beginning of first quarter 2017.

 

Furthermore, as of January 1, 2018, margin comparability in the Philippines was impacted by the excise tax on soft drink production, accounted for in cost of goods sold.

 

Operational and Financial Highlights

 

·Revenues declined 3.2%, impacted by an unfavorable currency translation effect, while comparable revenues grew 7.2% for the quarter.
·Volume increased in Brazil, Central America and Colombia driven by the rollout of our portfolio and affordability initiatives, while transactions outperformed volumes in key markets such as Argentina, Brazil and the Philippines.
·Operating income declined 3.4%, while comparable operating income declined 1.1% for the quarter, driven mainly by cost pressures in Central America, Mexico, and the Philippines, partially offset by raw material tailwinds in South America.
·Majority net income decreased 59.0% during the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the same period of 2017 which included a one-time non-cash gain related to the consolidation of the Philippines.

 

Results Summary

 

  First Quarter
  as Reported   Comparable (1)
Expressed in millions of Mexican pesos. 2018 D%   D%
Total revenues 49,713 (3.2%)   7.2%
Gross profit 21,917 (1.7%)   6.1%
Operating income 5,883 (3.4%)   (1.1%)
Operating cash flow (2) 8,706 (8.9%)   4.0%
Net income attributable to equity holders of the company 2,414 (59.0%)    
Earnings per share (3) 1.15      

 

(2) Operating cash flow = operating income + depreciation + amortization & other operative non-cash charges.

(3) Quarterly earnings / outstanding shares as of the end of the period. Outstanding shares as of 1Q'18 were 2,100.8 million

 

Message from the Chief Executive Officer

 

“At the start of the year, we faced a mixed macroeconomic environment across our operations, coupled with a new tax environment in the Philippines. However, our ability to adapt to ever-changing market and consumer dynamics, combined with our transformational initiatives, enabled us to deliver comparable revenue and operating cash flow growth of 7.2% and 4.0%, respectively. By leveraging our clear strategy, the encouraging recovery of our South America division, a resilient Mexico, and an adaptable Philippines, we aim to continue Coca-Cola FEMSA’s growth, while hitting new milestones in transforming our operating model, protecting our short-term results, and ensuring sustainable social and economic value for all of our stakeholders,” said John Santa Maria Otazua, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 15
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Consolidated results for the first quarter

 

Comparable figures:(1) 

Revenues: Comparable total revenues grew 7.2% in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period of 2017, driven by average price per unit case growth in Argentina and Mexico, coupled with volume growth in Brazil, Central America, and Colombia, partially offset by volume declines in the rest of our operations.

 

Transactions: Comparable number of transactions increased 1.0%. Our sparkling beverage category grew 0.4%, driven by 1.3% growth in our colas portfolio, partially offset by a 2.3% decline in flavors. Our positive performance in colas was driven by growth in Argentina, Brazil, Central America and Colombia, partially offset by a decline in Mexico and the Philippines. Our decline in flavors was driven by Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, partially offset by growth in Argentina, Central America, and the Philippines. Our still beverage category grew 0.8%, driven mainly by the positive performance of Brazil, Central America, and Mexico. Finally, our water category’s transactions increased by 7.7%, driven by growth in almost all of our operations, partially offset by a decline in Argentina.

 

Volume: Comparable sales volume remained flat in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. Our sparkling beverage portfolio’s volume remained flat, driven by 1.5% growth in our colas portfolio, partially offset by a 4.4% decline in flavors. Growth in our colas portfolio was driven mainly by the performance of Brazil, Central America, and Colombia, while our decline in flavors was driven mainly by declines in Brazil, Colombia, and the Philippines. Our still beverage category’s volume declined 6.6%, as growth in most of our operations was offset by declines in Argentina, Colombia, and the Philippines. Our personal water portfolio’s volume grew 10.6% due to positive performance in most of our operations. Finally, our bulk water portfolio’s volume declined 1.2%, driven by Mexico and Colombia, partially offset by growth in the rest of our operations.

 

Gross profit: Comparable gross profit grew 6.1%. Our pricing initiatives, coupled with lower sweetener prices in most of our operations, were offset by an unfavorable currency hedging position, higher sweetener and concentrate prices in Mexico, higher sweetener and PET costs and the inclusion of the excise tax on beverage production in the Philippines, which is applied as a cost, and the depreciation in the average exchange rate of the Argentine Peso, the Brazilian Real, and the Philippine Peso as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs.

 

Operating Income: Comparable operating income declined 1.1% for the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period of 2017.

 

Operating cash flow: Comparable operating cash flow increased 4.0% in the first quarter of 2018.

 

As reported figures:  

Revenues: Total revenues declined 3.2% to Ps. 49,713 million in the first quarter of 2018, mainly due to the negative translation effect resulting from the depreciation of all of our operating currencies as compared to the Mexican Peso, combined with the deconsolidation of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela as of December 31, 2017, and an unfavorable price/mix in Brazil, Central America and Colombia. These effects were partially offset by price increases aligned with or above inflation in key territories such as Argentina and Mexico, supported by volume growth in Brazil, Central America and Colombia.

 

Transactions: Reported total number of transactions increased 6.9% to 6,137.6 million in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Volume: Reported total sales volume increased 3.0% to 907.8 million unit cases in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Gross profit: Gross profit declined 1.7% to Ps. 21,917 million, and gross margin expanded 70 basis points to 44.1%.

 

(Continued on next page)

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 16
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Equity method: The reported share of the profits of associates and joint ventures recorded a loss of Ps. 49 million in the first quarter of 2018, compared to a gain of Ps. 46 million recorded in the first quarter of 2017. This is mainly due to: (i) a loss in our dairy joint venture in Panama; (ii) larger gains in our joint ventures in Brazil during the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the first quarter of 2018; and (iii) the consolidation of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., which is no longer included in the equity method as of February 2017.

 

Operating Income: Operating income decreased 3.4% to Ps. 5,883 million, and operating margin contracted 10 basis points to 11.8% during the first quarter 2018 as compared with the same period of 2017, which benefited from the reversal of expense-related provisions that did not materialize.

 

Other non-operative expenses, net: Other non-operative expenses, net, recorded an expense of Ps. 62 million, compared to a gain of Ps. 2,471 million during the first quarter of 2017, due mainly to the consolidation of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., starting February 2017.

 

Comprehensive financing result: Comprehensive financing result in the first quarter of 2018 recorded an expense of Ps. 2,072 million, compared to an expense of Ps. 1,286 million in the same period of 2017.

 

During the first quarter of 2018, we recorded an interest expense, net, of Ps. 1,598 million, compared to Ps. 2,328 million in the first quarter of 2017. This decrease was driven by the decline of short-term interest rates in Brazil; the average exchange rate depreciation of the Brazilian Real compared to the Mexican Peso as applied to existing Brazilian Real-denominated interest expense; and the reduction of debt in Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. However, these effects were partially offset by: (i) an interest rate increase in Mexico; (ii) additional debt in Mexico; and (iii) an interest rate increase resulting from swapping U.S. dollar-denominated debt to Brazilian Real and Mexican Peso-denominated debt, as part of our strategy to eliminate our U.S. dollar net debt exposure.

 

In addition, for the first quarter, we recorded a foreign exchange loss of Ps. 228 million as compared to a gain of Ps. 53 million in 2017, which resulted from the quarterly appreciation of the Mexican Peso as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated cash position.

 

Additionally, due to the announced change in the reporting method, the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela are no longer included in our consolidated financial statements, for this reason no monetary position in hyperinflationary subsidiaries was recorded as of January 1, 2018.

 

Market value on financial instruments recorded a loss of Ps. 246 million as compared to a gain of Ps. 434 million in the first quarter of 2017 due to the decrease during the quarter in the long-term interest rates in Brazil as applied to our fixed rate cross-currency swaps.

 

Income tax: During the first quarter of 2018, reported income tax as a percentage of income before taxes was 32.0%, compared to 17.1% in the same period of 2017. The lower tax rate in the first quarter of 2017 was driven mainly by one-time non-cash gain recorded in connection with the consolidation of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc.

 

Net income: Consolidated net controlling interest income decreased 59.0% to Ps. 2,414 million in the first quarter of 2018, resulting in earnings per share (EPS) of Ps. 1.15 (Ps. 11.49 per ADS), in the face of a high comparable driven mainly by one-time non-cash gain recorded in connection with the consolidation of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc.

 

Operating cash flow: Operating cash flow decreased 8.9% to Ps. 8,706 million, and operating cash flow margin contracted 110 basis points to 17.5%.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 17
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Balance Sheet (1)

 

As of March 31, 2018, we had a cash balance of Ps. 19,549 million, including US$353 million denominated in U.S. dollars, an increase of Ps. 777 million as compared to December 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2018, total short-term debt was Ps. 11,238 million, and long-term debt was Ps. 67,463 million. Total debt decreased by Ps. 4,664 million, and net debt decreased by Ps. 5,447 million compared to year-end 2017, due mainly to our cash flow generation during the year and the positive translation effect resulting from the appreciation of the end-of-period exchange rate of the Mexican Peso as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated debt position.

 

The weighted average cost of debt for the quarter, including the effect of debt swapped to Brazilian Reals and Mexican Pesos, was 7.67%, a reduction as compared to the fourth quarter 2017, due mainly to the reduction of interest rates in Brazil. The following charts set forth the Company’s debt profile by currency and interest rate type and by maturity date as of March 31, 2018.

 

Currency % Total Debt(2) % Interest Rate Floating(2)(3)
Mexican Pesos 45.9% 3.1%
U.S. Dollars 1.4% 0.0%
Colombian Pesos 2.9% 71.8%
Brazilian Reals 49.7% 50.9%
Argentine Pesos 0.1% 0.0%

 

Debt Maturity Profile

 

Maturity Date 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023+
% of Total Debt 13.9% 8.7% 12.1% 8.1% 2.00% 55.23%

 

(1)See page 14 for detailed information.
(2)After giving effect to cross-currency swaps.
(3)Calculated by weighting each year’s outstanding debt balance mix.

 

Selected Financial Ratios

 

  LTM 2018 FY 2017 D %
Net debt including effect of hedges (1)(3) 64,321 68,973 -6.7%
Net debt including effect of hedges / Operating cash flow (1)(3) 1.65 1.74  
Operating cash flow/ Interest expense, net (1) 5.45 4.99  
Capitalization (2) 38.1% 39.3%  

 

(1) Net debt = total debt - cash

(2) Total debt / (long-term debt + shareholders' equity)

(3) After giving effect to cross-currency swaps.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 18
April 25, 2018 

 

 

Mexico & Central America Division

 

(Costa Rica, Guatemala, México, Nicaragua, and Panama)

 

Comparable figures: (1) 

Revenues: Comparable total revenues from our Mexico and Central America division increased 5.2% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, driven by an increase in average price per unit case in Mexico and volume growth in Central America, partially offset by a slight volume decline in Mexico and an unfavorable price/mix effect in Central America.

 

Transactions: Total transactions in our Mexico and Central America division remained flat in the first quarter of 2018. Our sparkling beverage portfolio’s transactions contracted 0.8%, driven mainly by a 0.7% decline in our colas portfolio and a 1.5% decline in flavors. Our still beverage category’s transactions increased 2.0% in the division, driven by 1.4% growth in Mexico and 4.3% growth in Central America, while our water transactions, including bulk water, increased 3.1%, driven by 3.0% growth in Mexico and 4.7% growth in Central America.

 

Volume: Total sales volume for the division remained flat in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period of 2017. Our sparkling beverage category’s volume remained flat, driven by a 0.6% increase in our colas portfolio and flat performance in flavors. Our performance in colas was driven mainly by 14.2% growth in Central America, while our performance in flavors was driven by 2.2% growth Central America. Our still beverage category’s volume increased 1.6%, driven by growth in both Mexico and Central America. Our personal water portfolio’s volume increased 6.8%, driven by 6.2% growth in Mexico and 13.0% growth in Central America. Our bulk water portfolio’s volume declined 3.0% in the division due to a contraction in Mexico, partially offset by growth in Central America.

 

Gross profit: Comparable gross profit grew 1.9% in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. In Mexico, our pricing initiatives and the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Mexican Peso as applied to U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs were offset by the increase in concentrate cost, higher prices of sweeteners, and an unfavorable currency hedging position. In Central America, lower sweetener prices were offset by higher PET prices, an unfavorable price/mix, and the depreciation of the average exchange rates of the Costa Rican Colon and the Nicaraguan Cordoba as applied to U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs.

 

Operating income: Comparable operating income in the division decreased 10.5% in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Operating cash flow: Comparable operating cash flow decreased 1.7% in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

 

As reported figures: 

Revenues: Reported total revenues increased 3.7% in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period of 2017.

 

Gross profit: Reported gross profit increased 0.6% in the first quarter of 2018, and gross profit margin reached 47.1%, a gross margin contraction of 150 basis points.

 

Operating income: Reported operating income decreased 11.0% in the first quarter of 2018, and operating income margin reached 11.9%, contracting 200 basis points during the period.

 

Operating cash flow: Reported operating cash flow decreased 3.3% in the first quarter of 2018, resulting in a margin contraction of 130 basis points to 18.4%.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 19
April 25, 2018 

 

  

South America Division

 

(Argentina, Brazil and Colombia)

 

Comparable figures: (1) 

Revenues: Comparable total revenues increased 6.7%, driven mainly by volume growth in Brazil and Colombia, coupled with an average price per unit case increase in Argentina, which was partially offset by an unfavorable price/mix in Brazil and Colombia.

 

Transactions: Comparable transactions in the division increased 4.4% during the first quarter of 2018. Our sparkling beverage portfolio’s transactions increased 3.7%, driven by 7.9% growth in our colas portfolio, partially offset by an 8.9% contraction in flavors. Our positive performance in colas was driven by growth across our South American operations. However, flavors’ negative performance was driven by Colombia and Brazil, partially offset by growth in Argentina. Our still beverage category’s transactions increased 2.0%, driven by growth in Brazil, partially offset by a decline in Argentina and Colombia. Our water transactions, including bulk water, increased 12.0%, driven by growth in Brazil and Colombia, partially offset by a decline in Argentina.

 

Volume: Comparable total sales volume in South America grew 3.2% during the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period of 2017. Our sparkling beverage category’s volume increased 2.3%, driven by 6.4% growth in our colas portfolio, which was partially offset by a 9.3% decline in flavors. Colas’ positive performance was driven by growth in Brazil and Colombia, while our decline in flavors was also driven by Brazil and Colombia. Our still beverage category’s volume increased 1.5%, driven by growth in Brazil, partially offset by a decline in Colombia. Our personal water category’s volume increased 18.2%, driven by growth in Brazil and Colombia, offset by a decline in Argentina. Our bulk water business’s volume declined 9.0%, driven by a decline in Colombia, partially offset by growth in Argentina and Brazil.

 

Gross profit: Comparable gross profit increased 16.2% as a result of lower sweetener prices, a favorable currency hedging position, and the appreciation of the Colombian Peso as applied to U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs, which offset higher PET prices in Colombia, an unfavorable raw material hedging position, and the depreciation of the average exchange rate of the Brazilian Real and the Argentine Peso as applied to U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs.

 

Operating income: Comparable operating income in the division increased 11.7% as compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Operating cash flow: Comparable operating cash flow increased 12.3% as compared to the same period of 2017.

 

As reported figures: 

Revenues: Reported total revenues declined 16.9% to Ps. 21,845 million in the first quarter of 2018, driven by an unfavorable currency translation effect resulting from the depreciation of all of our operating currencies as compared to the Mexican Peso, the deconsolidation of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela, and the unfavorable price-mix effect in Brazil and Colombia. These effects were partially offset by volume growth in Brazil and Colombia, coupled with an average price per unit case increase in Argentina.

 

Transactions: Reported total number of transactions decreased 0.3% to 2,011.5 million in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Volume: Reported total sales volume decreased 1.0% to 313.0 million unit cases in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Gross profit: Reported gross profit decreased 6.7% to Ps. 9,732 million in the first quarter of 2018, and gross profit margin expanded 480 basis points to 44.5%.

 

Operating income: Reported operating income grew 8.1% to Ps. 3,103 million in the first quarter of 2018, resulting in a margin expansion of 330 basis points to 14.2%.

 

Operating cash flow: Reported operating cash flow declined 13.8% to Ps. 4,068 million in the first quarter of 2018, resulting in a margin expansion of 70 basis points to 18.6%.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 20
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Asia Division

 

(The Philippines)

As of January 1, 2018, the Philippines implemented a comprehensive tax reform to fund infrastructure investments. As part of this reform, among other initiatives, excise taxes on sweetened beverages were applied as follows: (i) 6 Philippine Pesos per liter on beverages containing sugar or non-caloric sweeteners; and (ii) 12 Philippine Pesos per liter on beverages containing high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

 

As this excise tax is applied to soft drink production, margins in this operation are incomparable with margins from 2017. This impact in comparability is caused by the recognition of this excise tax in cost of goods sold and the Company’s increased prices to adjust to this change, resulting in increased revenues.

 

Comparable figures: (1) 

Revenues: Comparable total revenues increased 18.5% during the first quarter of 2018, driven by average price per unit case increase as an adjustment to the excise tax, partially offset by a volume decline.

 

Transactions: Comparable transactions decreased 1.2% in the first quarter of 2018. Our sparkling beverage portfolio’s transactions decreased 1.4%, driven by a 3.5% decline in our colas portfolio, partially offset by 2.6% growth in flavors. Our still beverage category’s transactions, not including powders, increased by 35.1%. Our water transactions, including bulk water, increased 8.2%.

 

Volume: Comparable total sales volume decreased 8.1% in the first quarter of 2018. Our sparkling beverage category’s volume decreased 7.0%, driven by an 8.4% decline in our colas portfolio and a 4.2% decline in flavors. Our still beverage category’s volume, excluding powders, increased 18.8%. Our personal water category’s volume decreased 1.3%. Our bulk water business’s volume grew 20.6%.

 

Gross profit: Comparable gross profit decreased 14.9% as compared to the same period of 2017, driven mainly by the inclusion of the excise tax on soft drink production as a cost of goods sold, as well as higher sweetener and PET resin prices and the devaluation of the Philippine Peso as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs.

 

Operating income: Comparable operating income decreased 38.8% to Ps. 117 million during the first quarter of 2018.

 

Operating cash flow: Comparable operating cash flow decreased 6.4% to Ps. 541 million as compared to the same period of 2017.

 

As reported figures:  

Revenues: Reported total revenues increased 55.2% to Ps. 5,591 million for the first quarter 2018 as compared to the results of February and March 2017. Additionally, total revenues were driven by an average price per unit case increase, as an adjustment to the excise tax, partially offset by a volume decline and the negative translation effect resulting from the depreciation the Philippine Peso as compared to the Mexican Peso.

 

Transactions: Reported total number of transactions increased 39.0% to 1,452.1 million in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period of 2017.

 

Volume: Reported total sales volume increased 29.9% to 119.9 million unit cases in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period of 2017.

 

Gross profit: Gross profit grew 17.9% to Ps. 1,701.3 million, and gross margin contracted 970 basis points to 30.4%.

 

Operating income: Reported operating income declined 48.7% to Ps. 117.3 million in the first quarter of 2018, resulting in a margin of contraction of 430 basis points to 2.1%.

 

Operating cash flow: Reported operating cash flow declined 9.8% to Ps. 541.1 million in the first quarter of 2018, resulting in a margin of contraction of 700 basis points to 9.7%.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 21
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Recent Developments

 

·On March 9, 2018, Coca-Cola FEMSA held its Annual Ordinary General Shareholders Meeting, during which its shareholders approved the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, the annual report presented by the Board of Directors, the declaration of dividends corresponding to fiscal year 2017, and the composition of the Board of Directors and the Finance and Planning, Audit, and Corporate Practices Committees for 2018. Shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend in the amount of Ps. 3.35 per share outstanding, equivalent to Ps. 7,038 million, to be paid in two installments as of May 3, 2018, and November 1, 2018.

 

Conference Call Information

 

Our first quarter 2018 conference call will be held on April 25, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time (10:00 A.M. Mexico City Time). To participate in the conference call, please dial: Domestic U.S.: 888-726-2418 or International: 719-785-1753. Participant code: 6219919. We invite investors to listen to the live audio cast of the conference call on the Company’s website, www.coca-colafemsa.com. If you are unable to participate live, the conference call audio will be available at www.coca-colafemsa.com.

 

Mexican Stock Exchange Quarterly Filing

 

Coca-Cola FEMSA encourages the reader to refer to our quarterly filing to the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores or BMV) for more detailed information. This filing contains a detailed cash flow statement and selected notes to the financial statements, including segment information. This filing is available at www.bmv.com.mx in the Información Financiera section for Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF) and on our corporate website at www.coca-colafemsa.com/inversionistas/registros-bmv.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 22
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Additional Information

 

This news release may contain forward-looking statements concerning Coca-Cola FEMSA’s future performance, which should be considered as good faith estimates by Coca-Cola FEMSA. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations and are based upon currently available data. Actual results are subject to future events and uncertainties, many of which are outside Coca-Cola FEMSA’s control, which could materially impact the Company’s actual performance. References herein to “US$” are to United States dollars. This news release contains translations of certain Mexican peso amounts into U.S. dollars for the convenience of the reader. These translations should not be construed as representations that Mexican peso amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated.

 

All of the financial information presented in this report was prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

 

In an effort to provide our readers with a more useful representation of our company's underlying financial and operating performance, we are including the term “Comparable.” This means, with respect to a year-over-year comparison, the change in a given measure excluding the effects of: (i) mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, (ii) translation effects resulting from exchange rate movements, (iii) the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela in 2017; and including the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., as if its consolidation had taken place at the beginning of first quarter 2017. In preparing this measure, management has used its best judgment, estimates, and assumptions in order to maintain comparability.

 

Earnings per share were computed based on 2,100.8 million shares (each ADS represents 10 local shares).

 

For reporting purposes, all corporate expenses, including the equity method recorded from our stake of the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., were included in the results of the Mexico and Central America division. Starting on February 2013 and ending on January 2017, we incorporated our stake of the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc. through the equity method.

 

About the Company

 

Stock listing information: Mexican Stock Exchange, Ticker: KOFL | NYSE (ADR), Ticker: KOF | Ratio of KOF L to KOF = 10:1

 

Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. is the largest franchise bottler in the world by sales volume. The company produces and distributes trademark beverages of The Coca-Cola Company, offering a wide portfolio of 169 brands to more than 349 million consumers daily. With over 96 thousand employees, the company markets and sells approximately 3.8 billion unit cases through 2.6 million points of sale a year. Operating 60 manufacturing plants and 300 distribution centers, Coca-Cola FEMSA is committed to generating economic, social, and environmental value for all of its stakeholders across the value chain. The company is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index, Dow Jones Sustainability MILA Pacific Alliance Index, FTSE4Good Emerging Index, and the Mexican Stock Exchange’s IPC and Social Responsibility and Sustainability Indices, among others. Its operations encompass franchise territories in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Guatemala and, nationwide, in the Philippines, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. For further information, please visit www.coca-colafemsa.com

 

For additional information or inquiries, contact the Investor Relations team:

·Maria Dyla Castro | mariadyla.castro@kof.com.mx | (5255) 1519-5186
·Jorge Collazo | jorge.collazo@kof.com.mx | (5255) 1519-5218
·Maria Fernanda Garcia | maria.garciacr@kof.com.mx | (5255) 1519-6240

 

(7 pages of tables to follow)

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 23
April 25, 2018 

 

 

Quarter - Consolidated Income Statement
Expressed in millions of Mexican pesos(1)

 

   1Q 18   % Rev   1Q 17   % Rev   D %
Reported		   D %
Comparable (8)		 
Transactions (million transactions)   6,137.6         5,741.7         6.9%   1.0%
Volume (million unit cases) (2)   907.8         881.3         3.0%   0.1%
Average price per unit case (2)   50.69         54.17         -6.4%     
Net revenues   49,596         51,262         -3.2%     
Other operating revenues   117         96         22.3%     
Total revenues (3)   49,713    100.0%   51,357    100.0%   -3.2%   7.2%
Cost of goods sold   27,796    55.9%   29,060    56.6%   -4.3%     
Gross profit   21,917    44.1%   22,297    43.4%   -1.7%   6.1%
Operating expenses   15,934    32.1%   16,644    32.4%   -4.3%     
Other operative expenses, net   51    0.1%   (391)   -0.8%   NA      
Operative equity method (gain) loss in associates(4)   49    0.1%   (46)   -0.1%   NA      
Operating income (5)   5,883    11.8%   6,090    11.9%   -3.4%   -1.1%
Other non operative expenses, net   62         (2,471)        NA      
Non Operative equity method (gain) loss in associates(6)   12         (37)        NA      
Interest expense   2,012         2,513         -19.9%     
Interest income   414         185         123.8%     
Interest expense, net   1,598         2,328         -31.4%     
Foreign exchange loss (gain)   228         (53)        NA      
Loss (gain) on monetary position in inflationary subsidiries   -         (555)        NA      
Market value (gain) loss on financial instruments   246         (434)        NA      
Comprehensive financing result   2,072         1,286         61.1%     
Income before taxes   3,737         7,312         -48.9%     
Income taxes   1,196         1,254         -4.6%     
Consolidated net income   2,541         6,058         -58.1%     
Net income attributable to equity holders of the company   2,414    4.9%   5,887    11.5%   -59.0%     
Non-controlling interest   127         171         -25.6%     
Operating income (5)   5,883    11.8%   6,090    11.9%   -3.4%     
Depreciation   2,353         2,496         -5.7%     
Amortization and other operative non-cash charges   470         968         -51.4%     
Operating cash flow (5)(7)   8,706    17.5%   9,554    18.6%   -8.9%   4.0%
                               
CAPEX   1,786         3,834                

 

(1) Except volume and average price per unit case figures.

(2) Sales volume and average price per unit case exclude beer results.

(3) Includes total revenues of Ps. 19,084 million from our Mexican operation, Ps. 14,848 million from our Brazilian operation, Ps. 3,600 million from our Colombian operation, Ps. 3,397 million from our Argentine operation, and Ps. 5,591 million from our Philippines operation for the first quarter of 2018; and Ps. 18,113 million from our Mexican operation, Ps. 16,074 million from our Brazilian operation, Ps. 3,635 from our Colombian operation, and Ps. 3,707 million from our Argentine operation for the same period of the previous year. Total Revenues includes Beer revenues in Brazil of Ps. 3,586 million for the first quarter of 2018 and Ps. 3,525 million for the same period of the previous year.

(4) Includes equity method in Jugos del Valle, Leao Alimentos, Estrella Azul, among others. For January '17 includes Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc.

(5) The operating income and operative cash flow lines are presented as non-gaap measures for the convenience of the reader.

(6) Includes equity method in PIASA, IEQSA, Beta San Miguel, IMER and KSP Participacoes among others.

(7) Operative cash flow = operating income + depreciation, amortization & other operative non-cash charges.

(8) Comparable means, with respect to a year-over-year comparison, the change in a given measure excluding the effects of of: (i) mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, (ii) translation effects resulting from exchange rate movements, (iii) the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela in 2017, and including the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., as if its consolidation had taken place at the beginning of first quarter 2017.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 24
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Mexico & Central America Division
Expressed in millions of Mexican pesos(1)
Quarterly information

 

   1Q 18   % Rev   1Q 17   % Rev   D %
Reported		   D %
Comparable(6)		 
Transactions (million transactions)   2,674.0         2,680.4         -0.2%   -0.2%
Volume (million unit cases)   474.9         472.9         0.4%   0.4%
Average price per unit case   46.89         45.37         3.4%     
Net revenues   22,269         21,459                
Other operating revenues   9         14                
Total revenues (2)   22,277    100.0%   21,472    100.0%   3.7%   5.2%
Cost of goods sold   11,794    52.9%   11,047    51.4%          
Gross profit   10,484    47.1%   10,425    48.6%   0.6%   1.9%
Operating expenses   7,866    35.3%   7,509    35.0%          
Other operative expenses, net   (103)   -0.5%   (79)   -0.4%          
Operative equity method (gain) loss in associates (3)   59    0.3%   4    0.0%          
Operating income (4)   2,662    11.9%   2,991    13.9%   -11.0%   -10.5%
Depreciation, amortization & other operative non-cash charges   1,434    6.4%   1,245    5.8%          
Operating cash flow (4)(5)   4,096    18.4%   4,237    19.7%   -3.3%   -1.7%

 

(1) Except volume and average price per unit case figures.

(2) Includes total revenues of Ps. 19,084 million from our Mexican operation for the first quarter of 2018 and 18,113 for the same period of the previous year

(3) Includes equity method in Jugos del Valle, Estrella Azul, among others. For January '17 includes Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc.

(4) The operating income and operative cash flow lines are presented as non-gaap measures for the convenience of the reader.

(5) Operative cash flow = operating income + depreciation, amortization & other operative non-cash charges.

(6) Comparable means, with respect to a year-over-year comparison, the change in a given measure excluding the effects of: (i) mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, (ii) translation effects resulting from exchange rate movements, (iii) the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela in 2017, and including the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., as if its consolidation had taken place at the beginning of first quarter 2017.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 25
April 25, 2018 

 

  

South America Division
Expressed in millions of Mexican pesos(1)
Quarterly information

 

   1Q 18   % Rev   1Q 17   % Rev   D %
Reported		   D %
Comparable(7)		 
Transactions (million transactions)   2,011.5         2,016.7         -0.3%   4.4%
Volume (million unit cases) (2)   313.0         316.1         -1.0%   3.2%
Average price per unit case (2)   57.98         71.75         -19.2%     
Net revenues   21,737         26,202                
Other operating revenues   108         82                
Total revenues (3)   21,845    100.0%   26,284    100.0%   -16.9%   6.7%
Cost of goods sold   12,113    55.5%   15,855    60.3%          
Gross profit   9,732    44.5%   10,429    39.7%   -6.7%   16.2%
Operating expenses   6,504    29.8%   7,932    30.2%          
Other operative expenses, net   135    0.6%   (323)   -1.2%          
Operative equity method (gain) loss in associates (4)   (10)   -0.0%   (50)   -0.2%          
Operating income (5)   3,103    14.2%   2,870    10.9%   8.1%   11.7%
Depreciation, amortization & other operative non-cash charges   965    4.4%   1,848    7.0%          
Operating cash flow (5)(6)   4,068    18.6%   4,717    17.9%   -13.8%   12.3%

 

(1) Except volume and average price per unit case figures.

(2) Sales volume and average price per unit case exclude beer results.

(3) Includes total revenues of Ps. 14,848 million from our Brazilian operation, Ps. 3,600 million from our Colombian operation, and Ps. 3,397 million from our Argentine operation for the first quarter of 2018; and Ps. 16,074 million from our Brazilian operation, Ps. 3,635 from our Colombian operation, and Ps. 3,707 million from our Argentine operation for the same period of the previous year. Total Revenues includes Beer revenues in Brazil of Ps. 3,586 million for the first quarter of 2018 and Ps. 3,525 million for the same period of the previous year.

(4) Includes equity method in Leao Alimentos, Verde Campo, among others.

(5) The operating income and operative cash flow lines are presented as non-gaap measures for the convenience of the reader.

(6) Operative cash flow = operating income + depreciation, amortization & other operative non-cash charges.

(7) Comparable means, with respect to a year-over-year comparison, the change in a given measure excluding the effects of: (i) mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, (ii) translation effects resulting from exchange rate movements, (iii) the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela in 2017, and including the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., as if its consolidation had taken place at the beginning of first quarter 2017.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 26
April 25, 2018 

 

 

Asia Division
Expressed in millions of Mexican pesos(1)
Quarterly information

 

   1Q 18   % Rev   1Q 17 (2)   % Rev   D %
Reported		   D %
Comparable(4)		 
Transactions (million transactions)   1,452.1         1,044.6         39.0%   -1.2%
Volume (million unit cases)   119.9         92.3         29.9%   -8.1%
Average price per unit case   46.64         39.03         19.5%     
Net revenues   5,591         3,601                
Other operating revenues   -         -                
Total revenues (3)   5,591    100.0%   3,601    100.0%   55.2%   18.5%
Cost of goods sold   3,889    69.6%   2,158    59.9%          
Gross profit   1,701    30.4%   1,443    40.1%   17.9%   -14.9%
Operating expenses   1,564    28.0%   1,203    33.4%          
Other operative expenses, net   20    0.4%   12    0.3%          
Operating income (5)   117    2.1%   229    6.4%   -48.7%   -38.8%
Depreciation, amortization & other operative non-cash charges   424    7.6%   371    10.3%          
Operating cash flow (5)(6)   541    9.7%   600    16.7%   -9.8%   -6.4%

 

(1) Except volume and average price per unit case figures.

(2) Includes only February and March for 2017

(3) Operative cash flow = operating income + depreciation, amortization & other operative non-cash charges.

(4) Comparable means, with respect to a year-over-year comparison, the change in a given measure excluding the effects of: (i) mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, (ii) translation effects resulting from exchange rate movements, (iii) the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA de Venezuela in 2017, and including the results of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc., as if its consolidation had taken place at the beginning of first quarter 2017.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 27
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Consolidated Balance Sheet
Expressed in millions of Mexican pesos.

 

   Mar-18   Dec-17 
Assets          
Current Assets          
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities  Ps.19,549   Ps.18,767 
Total accounts receivable   13,132    17,576 
Inventories   12,142    11,364 
Other current assets   10,374    7,950 
Total current assets   55,197    55,657 
Property, plant and equipment          
Property, plant and equipment   118,382    121,968 
Accumulated depreciation   (47,137)   (46,141)
Total property, plant and equipment, net   71,244    75,827 
Investment in shares   12,033    12,540 
Intangibles assets and other assets   119,533    124,243 
Other non-current assets   17,751    17,410 
Total Assets  Ps.275,759   Ps.285,677 
           
Liabilities and Equity          
Current Liabilities          
Short-term bank loans and notes payable  Ps.11,233   Ps.12,171 
Suppliers   18,440    19,956 
Other current liabilities   30,041    23,467 
Total current liabilities   59,714    55,595 
Long-term bank loans and notes payable   67,463    71,189 
Other long-term liabilities   19,637    18,184 
Total liabilities   146,813    144,968 
Equity          
Non-controlling interest   16,538    18,141 
Total controlling interest   112,408    122,568 
Total equity   128,946    140,710 
Total Liabilities and Equity  Ps.275,759   Ps.285,677 

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 28
April 25, 2018 

 

 

Quarter - Volume & Transactions
For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Volume
Expressed in million unit cases

 

  1Q 2018   1Q 2017
  Sparkling Water (1) Bulk
Water (2)		 Still Total   Sparkling Water (1) Bulk
Water (2)		 Still Total
Mexico 310.1 25.2 66.5 28.2 430.0   312.0 23.7 68.6 28.0 432.4
Central America 36.8 2.9 0.2 5.0 44.9   33.2 2.6 0.2 4.6 40.5
Mexico & Central America 347.0 28.1 66.7 33.1 474.9   345.2 26.3 68.8 32.6 472.9
Colombia 50.4 8.8 3.1 4.4 66.7   44.9 5.4 4.8 5.8 60.9
Venezuela - - - - -   10.5 1.5 0.1 0.6 12.7
Brazil 169.3 12.4 2.1 10.9 194.8   168.1 11.2 1.8 9.1 190.2
Argentina 40.8 5.3 1.5 4.0 51.6   41.7 5.8 0.8 4.1 52.4
South America 260.5 26.5 6.7 19.3 313.0   265.2 23.9 7.4 19.6 316.1
Philippines (3) 97.1 5.9 10.2 6.7 119.9   73.4 4.3 5.9 8.7 92.3
Asia 97.1 5.9 10.2 6.7 119.9   73.4 4.3 5.9 8.7 92.3
Total 704.6 60.5 83.6 59.1 907.8   683.8 54.5 82.1 60.9 881.3

 

(1) Excludes water presentations larger than 5.0 Lt ; includes flavored water

(2) Bulk Water = Still bottled water in 5.0, 19.0 and 20.0 - liter packaging presentations; includes flavored water

(3) Philippines information reported for 2017 includes only February and March.

 

Transactions
Expressed in million transactions

 

  1Q 2018   1Q 2017
  Sparkling Water Still Total   Sparkling Water Still Total
Mexico 1,886.4 182.7 230.3 2,299.4   1,922.5 177.4 227.0 2,327.0
Central America 295.2 16.3 63.1 374.6   277.3 15.6 60.5 353.4
Mexico & Central America 2,181.6 199.0 293.4 2,674.0   2,199.8 193.0 287.5 2,680.4
Colombia 373.5 83.6 48.7 505.8   350.2 67.4 59.9 477.6
Venezuela - - - -   71.4 14.8 3.8 90.0
Brazil 1,024.3 108.3 116.0 1,248.7   994.3 100.0 99.9 1,194.2
Argentina 204.4 27.5 25.1 257.0   200.1 28.5 26.4 255.0
South America 1,602.2 219.4 189.9 2,011.5   1,616.1 210.7 189.9 2,016.7
Philippines (1) 1,290.5 72.5 89.1 1,452.1   927.4 48.6 68.7 1,044.6
Asia 1,290.5 72.5 89.1 1,452.1   927.4 48.6 68.7 1,044.6
Total 5,074.3 490.9 572.3 6,137.6   4,743.3 452.3 546.1 5,741.7

 

(1) Philippines information reported for 2017 includes only February and March.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 29
April 25, 2018 

 

  

Macroeconomic Information
First quarter 2018

 

Inflation(1)

 

  LTM 1Q 18          
Mexico 5.13% 1.30%          
Colombia 3.07% 2.05%          
Brazil 2.83% 0.93%          
Argentina 25.48% 6.74%          
Philippines 4.41% 2.59%          

 

(1) Source: inflation estimated by the company based on historic publications from the Central Banks of each country.

 

Average Exchange Rates for each Period (2)

 

  Quarterly Exchange Rate (local currency per USD)        
  1Q 18 1Q 17 D %        
Mexico 18.76 20.39 -8.0%        
Guatemala 7.37 7.43 -0.9%        
Nicaragua 30.98 29.50 5.0%        
Costa Rica 571.95 564.72 1.3%        
Panama 1.00 1.00 0.0%        
Colombia 2,860.36 2,922.07 -2.1%        
Brazil 3.24 3.14 3.2%        
Argentina 19.70 15.67 25.7%        
Philippines 51.45 49.99 2.9%        

 

End of Period Exchange Rates

 

  Quarter Exchange Rate (local currency per USD)   Previous Quarter Exchange Rate (local currency per USD)
  Mar 2018 Mar 2017 D %   Dec 2017 Dec 2017 D %
Mexico 18.34 18.81 -2.5%   19.74 20.66 -4.5%
Guatemala 7.40 7.34 0.8%   7.34 7.52 -2.4%
Nicaragua 31.16 29.68 5.0%   30.79 29.32 5.0%
Costa Rica 569.31 567.34 0.3%   572.56 561.10 2.0%
Panama 1.00 1.00 0.0%   1.00 1.00 0.0%
Colombia 2,780.47 2,880.24 -3.5%   2,984.00 3,000.71 -0.6%
Brazil 3.32 3.17 4.9%   3.31 3.26 1.5%
Argentina 20.15 15.39 30.9%   18.65 15.89 17.4%
Philippines 52.21 50.19 4.0%   49.92 49.81 0.2%

 

(2) Average exchange rate for each period computed with the average exchange rate of each month.

 

Press Release 1Q 2018Page 30
April 25, 2018 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the

registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the

undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

 

  FOMENTO ECONÓMICO MEXICANO, S.A. DE C.V.
     
  By: /s/ Eduardo Padilla
    Eduardo Padilla
    Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: April 26, 2018