TOP NEWS: Coca-Cola HBC 2020 Volumes Hit By Virus But Payout Lifted

(Alliance News) - Coca-Cola HBC AG on Thursday posted a fall in profit for 2020 with volumes hit ...

Alliance News 11 February, 2021 | 8:40AM
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(Alliance News) - Coca-Cola HBC AG on Thursday posted a fall in profit for 2020 with volumes hit by the pandemic, though noted improving trends over the second half of the year.

Shares in the soft drinks bottler were up 4.7% at 2,367.00 pence in London early Thursday, making the stock the top performer in the FTSE 100.

Net sales revenue for 2020 fell 12% to EUR6.13 billion. According to the market consensus cited by Vuma, total reported revenue was expected to fall by 12% in 2020 to EUR6.15 billion.

Full-year like-for-like currency-neutral revenue declined by 8.5%.

Annual pretax profit was 10% lower at EUR593.9 million from EUR661.2 million. But the bottler edged its payout 3.2% higher to EUR0.64, with consensus forecasts tipping a 16% cut to EUR0.52.

Unit cases fell 5.7% annually, demonstrating how badly volumes were hit by Covid-19 lockdowns. However, a slightly greater fall of 6.0% was expected.

Coca-Cola HBC noted improving volume trends in the second half, with fourth quarter like-for-like volumes down 0.7% and full-year like-for-like volume decline "contained" at 4.6%.

"The improved second-half trading was driven by a return to growth in the at-home and greater resilience in the out-of-home, despite a resurgence of infections in many of our markets towards the end of the year. Partnering closely with The Coca-Cola Company team on rigorous prioritisation of our joint market investments, coupled with our rapid adaptation of the route-to-market and excellent execution, resulted in strong value share gains in both Non-alcoholic ready-to-drink and Sparkling across the majority of our markets," said Chief Executive Zoran Bogdanovic.

Coca-Cola HBC has operations in 28 countries, including Greece, Ireland, Poland and Nigeria. It is a strategic partner of US brand owner Coca-Cola Co. HBC stands for Hellenic Bottling Co.

While the outlook for the global economy in 2021 remains uncertain, Coca-Cola HBC said it is "encouraged" by the resilient performance in 2020. It expects a "strong" currency-neutral revenue recovery in 2021, and believes it will be able to achieve a "small expansion" in its margin.

The earnings before interest and tax margin for 2020 was 8.3%, down 2 percentage points on 10.3% in 2019.

Peer Coca-Cola European Partners PLC on Thursday posted a 12% decline in 2020 revenue, to EUR10.61 billion from EUR12.02 billion, while pretax profit plunged 52% to EUR695 million from EUR1.45 billion.

Coca-Cola European Partners currently operates in the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, the Benelux region, and Sweden and Norway.

By Lucy Heming; lucyheming@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
Coca-Cola HBC AG 2,536.00 GBX 0.71 -
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC 64.60 EUR 0.31 -

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