Kesko Oyj Pörssitiedote 16
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KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 15.05.2002 AT 08.00 1(13) INTERIM REPORT 1-3/2002 PROFIT BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS EUR 12 MILLION Kesko Group´s net sales for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2002 were EUR 1,450 million, which is 1.3 percent more than in the previous year (EUR 1,432 million). The Group’s profit before extraordinary items was EUR 12.4 million (EUR 0.7 million). Earnings per share were EUR 0.10 (EUR 0.01). Equity per share was EUR 15.03 (EUR 15.31). The figures are unaudited. Market review According to the advance information, the volume of wholesale trade in Finland in January-February 2002, adjusted for the annual number of trading days, increased by 1.8% over the corresponding period of the previous year. The increase in the retail trade was 1.7%. In 2002, the wholesale trade is expected to grow by 3.0% and the retail trade by 2.5% (Research Institute of the Finnish Economy). Consumer prices are forecast to rise by less than 2%, private consumption by about 2.5% and private investments to decrease by about one percent in 2002. According to Statistics Finland’s consumer survey in April, Finnish consumers’ confidence in their own finances was strong. The confidence in the Finnish economy was also strengthening. Favourable economic development has continued in the Baltic countries. According to the European Union’s forecast, the GDP will grow this year by about 4.7% in Estonia, by about 4.5% in Latvia and by about 3.5% in Lithuania. Structural change is progressing rapidly in the trading sector in these countries and those retail stores that operate in chains are increasing their share of total sales. The value of the total grocery market is forecast to increase to EUR 4.5 billion this year. In Sweden, investments in housing production are estimated to grow by about 3% and in other construction by about 10%. Private consumption is estimated to grow more rapidly in 2002 than in the previous year. Net sales and performance Net sales Kesko Group´s net sales for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2002 were EUR 1,450 million, which is 1.3 percent more than in the previous year (EUR 1,432 million). This growth in sales can be attributed to favourable developments in the domestic and foreign operations of Kesko Food. 2 Net sales by division 1-3/2002 1-3/2001 Change EUR million EUR million % Kesko Food 811 758 7.0 Rautakesko 153 172 -10.8 Kesko Agro 154 162 -5.0 Keswell 146 154 -5.3 VV-Auto 126 130 -2.5 Kaukomarkkinat 70 73 -4.0 Other units - eliminations -10 -17 - Group total 1,450 1,432 1.3 Exports and foreign operations accounted for 7.4% (5.4%) of net sales during the review period. The growth in the proportion of foreign operations in the Group’s net sales can mainly be attributed to the growth in the foreign operations of Kesko Food. Performance The Group´s profit before extraordinary items and taxes was EUR 12.4 million (EUR 0.7 million), which was 0.9 percent of net sales (0.1%). The Group´s operating profit was EUR 12.2 million (EUR -0.4 million). The operating profit includes profits and losses from sales of fixed assets and business operations and value adjustments to a total value of EUR 3.5 million (EUR -0.4 million). The increase in the Group´s operating profit was mainly attributable to the progress of the chain reform and the cost savings initiated. The Group´s financial income and expenses were EUR 0.2 million (EUR 1.1 million). Earnings per share were EUR 0.10 (EUR 0.01). Equity per share was EUR 15.03 (EUR 15.31). Operating profit by division 1-3/2002 1-3/2001 Change EUR million EUR million % Kesko Food 9.3 -4.2 - Rautakesko -1.7 -1.8 3.3 Kesko Agro 1.6 1.7 -8.3 Keswell -11.6 -11.9 3.0 VV-Auto 5.1 5.5 -4.8 Kaukomarkkinat 2.5 1.5 63.8 Common operations 7.0 8.8 -17.6 Group’s operating profit 12.2 -0.4 - Net financial income 0.0 1.0 - Associated companies 0.2 0.1 61.4 Profit before extraordinary items 12.4 0.7 - 3 The operating profit of common operations includes the operating profit from real estate. Common operations also include the net expenses or income of other common operations, as well as Group items such as corporate management expenses and amortisation on consolidation. Investments The Group´s investments totalled EUR 33.3 million (EUR 47.9 million), which is 2.3% (3.3%) of net sales. Investments in the buildings, fixtures and information technology of retail stores totalled EUR 27.1 million, while investments in the real estate, fixtures and information technology of Kesko’s and subsidiaries’ wholesale operations amounted to EUR 6.2 million. Finance Cash flow from operating activities was EUR -61.8 million (EUR -51.1 million) and from investing activities EUR-1.0 million (EUR -31.8 million). At the end of the review period the equity ratio was 52.8 percent (55.4%). The interest-bearing net debt was EUR 243.5 million (EUR 264.5 million). Liquid assets totalled EUR 91.7 million (EUR 30.5 million). Personnel The Group’s average number of employees in the review period was 11,761 (10,761), divided as follows: 1-3/2002 1-3/2001 31.3.2002 Kesko Food 5,941 4,798 7,019 Rautakesko 1,138 1,173 1,321 Kesko Agro 738 668 786 Keswell 2,461 2,375 3,162 VV-Auto 110 110 113 Kaukomarkkinat 799 841 815 Others 574 796 621 Total 11,761 10,761 13,837 (The comparable figures have been adjusted to correspond with the new organisation. In calculating the average number of employees, part-time employees have been converted to full-time employees in relation to their working hours.) The total number of employees increased overall, mainly because of the expansion of Kesko Food’s, Rautakesko’s and Kesko Agro’s operations in the Baltic countries and Rautakesko’s operations in Sweden. The number of Kesko Food employees in Finland increased due to the establishment of new K-citymarket hypermarkets, while Keswell’s 4 retailing subsidiaries Interwell Oy and Jättipörssi Oy also increased the total number of employees in the company. On the other hand, the number was decreased by the outsourcing of service and support activities. At the beginning of June 2001, the majority shareholding (80%) of the Group’s IT company, Tietokesko Oy, was sold to TietoEnator Corporation, which decreased the Group’s number of employees by 170. The number of Rautakesko employees in Finland declined due to the establishment of a logistical joint venture with the Finland Post Corporation. At the beginning of March 2002, Carrols Oy sold the Carrols hamburger chain, decreasing the average number of Kesko Food employees by about 350. The Group employed 2,157 persons (1,156) abroad. Development of divisions Kesko Food Kesko Food´s net sales were EUR 811 million, an increase of 7.0% over the corresponding period in 2001. The foreign subsidiaries’ net sales were EUR 36.6 million and their share of total net sales was 4.5%. The operating profit was EUR 9.3 million (EUR -4.2 million). The main factors contributing to the increased profit were the growth in sales and the progress of chain operations. On the other hand, investments in the expansion of business operations in the Baltic countries decreased the operating profit. The investments of Kesko Food totalled EUR 15.2 million, of which investments in the retail store network were EUR 12,9 million. In Finland, the chain operations of K-food stores have progressed satisfactorily during the period. The effects of the new business operations system are gradually beginning to show. There are, however, great differences in the retail sales development of individual K-stores. The combined sales of K-food stores increased by 3.4%. Sales progressed best in the K-superstore chain, by 11.1%. At the end of March 2002, the total number of K-food stores in Finland was 1,149. The net sales of Citymarket Oy, which carries out the non-food trade in the K-citymarket hypermarkets, were EUR 72.7 million, representing a decrease of 3.9%. The operating loss was EUR 6.4 million (EUR 6.7 million). During the first quarter of the year, the general development of the non-food trade remained at the level of the previous year. Sales of new K-citymarket stores have started well. The expansion of Kesko Food’s operations in the Baltic countries is progressing according to plan. Estonia’s first Citymarket was opened in Pärnu in February and the first Citymarket in Tallinn will be opened in late 2002. The Säästumarket hard discounter chain has 35 retail stores in Estonia. In addition, Kesko Food also has in Estonia three Supernetto stores and a logistical centre that serves the expanding network of retail stores. Kesko Food’s share of the Estonian food trade was about 20% at the beginning of the year. The second Citymarket in Latvia was opened in the Krasta area in Riga at the end of March. 5 The net sales of Kespro Ltd, which provides services to catering customers, kiosks, service stations and restaurants, increased by 4.7%, despite the decrease by three in the number of cash-and-carry outlets compared with the same period in 2001.