Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. Reports Second-Quarter 2013 Results, Provides Full-Year Earnings Outlook

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. Reports Second-Quarter 2013 Results, Provides Full-Year Earnings Outlook

• Second-quarter diluted earnings per share totaled 66 cents on a reported basis, or 77 cents on a comparable basis, including a currency benefit of approximately 1 cent.

• Net sales totaled $2.2 billion, down 2½ percent on a reported basis, or down 3 percent on a currency neutral basis; volume declined 2½ percent.

• Operating income totaled $272 million on a reported basis, or $314 million on a comparable basis. Comparable operating income declined 4 percent, or 5 percent on a currency neutral basis.

• CCE expects to repurchase at least $1 billion of its shares in 2013, with a year-end net debt to EBITDA ratio within its long-term range of 2½ to 3 times.

• For 2013, CCE now expects comparable earnings per diluted share in a range of $2.45 to $2.50, including a negative currency impact of less than 1 percent at recent rates.

• CCE affirms 2013 free cash flow guidance of $450 to $500 million.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (NYS: CCE) (Euronext Paris: CCE) today reported second-quarter diluted earnings per share of 66 cents on a reported basis, or 77 cents on a comparable basis. Currency translation had a positive impact of approximately 1 cent per share compared to second-quarter 2012. Second-quarter reported net income was $182 million, or $213 million on a comparable basis. Items affecting comparability are detailed on pages 10 through 13 of this release.

For the second quarter, net sales totaled $2.2 billion, a decline of 2½ percent from the same quarter in 2012 on a reported basis, or 3 percent on a currency neutral basis.

Second-quarter reported operating income totaled $272 million, a decline of 9½ percent. Comparable operating income totaled $314 million, a decline of 5 percent on a comparable and currency neutral basis.

"Our first half results were impacted by headwinds in the operating environment and marketplace that also have impacted our full-year outlook," said John F. Brock, chairman and chief executive officer. "These factors include ongoing macroeconomic weakness, poor weather, continuing customer challenges from the impact of the French excise tax increase last year, and the competitive environment in Great Britain. Recent weather improvements and a solid summer program have helped restore growth in our business as we begin the third quarter, although much of the key summer selling season is still ahead of us," Mr. Brock said.

"Our focus remains on our ultimate objective - delivering growth in shareowner value. To that end, and given the sustained impact of these issues in the operating environment, we continue to evaluate each element of our company to improve our growth outlook. We will also utilize all available business levers, including our solid free cash flow and strong balance sheet to continue returning cash to shareowners through our share repurchase program and dividends," Mr. Brock said.

OPERATING REVIEW

Total second-quarter volume declined 2½ percent. Sparkling drinks declined approximately 2½ percent, with Coca-Cola trademark brands down 2½ percent, though Coca-Cola Zero achieved growth of more than 13 percent. CCE's portfolio of energy brands grew 3 percent, with Monster achieving growth of approximately 15 percent. Still beverages declined 2 percent, including a 5 percent decline in water and high single-digit growth for Capri-Sun. Total volume in Great Britain declined approximately 1½ percent, and volume in continental Europe (including Norway and Sweden) declined 2½ percent.

Net pricing per case in the second quarter declined ½ percent, compared to an increase of 4 percent in the same quarter a year ago. Cost of sales per case increased 2 percent, compared to an increase of 3 percent in the same quarter a year ago. Gross margins were affected by prior year hurdles, a more modest pricing strategy, and a negative mix impact, most notably in Great Britain. Operating expenses declined 8 percent, reflecting timing and the benefits of ongoing expense control. These figures are comparable and currency neutral.

"At every level of our business, our people continue to seek ways to improve our customer relationships, optimize service levels, and build on the value of our brands," said Hubert Patricot, executive vice president and president, European Group. "We are also improving our overall pricing and promotion strategies, and our operating effectiveness and efficiency.

"These efforts, combined with favorable July weather and our Share-a-Coke program, have resulted in an encouraging start to the third quarter," Mr. Patricot said.

FULL-YEAR 2013 OUTLOOK

CCE now expects 2013 comparable earnings per diluted share in a range of $2.45 to $2.50, including a negative currency translation impact of less than 1 percent at recent rates. Full-year net sales are now expected to grow in a low single-digit range versus prior year. Operating income is now expected to grow in a low to mid-single-digit range. Guidance for net sales and operating income is comparable and currency neutral.

As previously announced, CCE began a new $1.5 billion share repurchase program in January 2013, and the company now expects to repurchase at least $1 billion of its shares by the end of 2013. The company also expects its year-end net debt to EBITDA ratio to be within its long-term range of 2½ to 3 times, reflecting the impact of its plan to return cash to shareowners and incremental optimization of its capital structure. These plans may be adjusted depending on economic, operating, or other factors, including acquisition opportunities.

The company continues to expect 2013 free cash flow in a range of $450 to $500 million after including a year-over-year increase in cash restructuring expenses of approximately $125 million. Capital expenditures are now expected to be approximately $325 million. Weighted average cost of debt is expected to be approximately 3 percent and the comparable effective tax rate for 2013 is expected to be in a range of 26 percent to 28 percent.

CONFERENCE CALL

CCE will host a conference call with investors and analysts today at 10 a.m. EDT. The call can be accessed through the company's website at www.cokecce.com.

ABOUT CCE

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (CCE) is the leading Western European marketer, producer, and distributor of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages and one of the world's largest independent Coca-Cola bottlers. CCE is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. We operate with a local focus and have 17 manufacturing sites across Europe, where we manufacture nearly 90 percent of our products in the markets in which they are consumed. Corporate responsibility and sustainability is core to our business, and we have been recognized by leading organizations in North America and Europe for our progress in water use reduction, carbon footprint reduction, and recycling initiatives. For more information about our company, please visit our website at www.cokecce.com and follow us on Twitter at @cokecce.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Included in this news release are forward-looking management comments and other statements that reflect management's current outlook for future periods. As always, these expectations are based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data along with our current operating plans and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release should be read in conjunction with the risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission("SEC"), including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and other SEC filings.