Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (NYSE: DPS) reported first quarter 2014 EPS of $0.78 compared to $0.51 in the prior year period. Core EPS were $0.74 compared to $0.53 in the prior year.

For the quarter, reported net sales increased 1% as a sales volume increase of 1%, favorable product and package mix and net pricing were partially offset by unfavorable segment mix and 1 percentage point of foreign currency. Reported segment operating profit (SOP) increased 14%, or $40 million, on net sales growth, lower commodity costs, including an unfavorable year-over-year LIFO comparison, and ongoing productivity improvements.

Reported income from operations for the quarter was $260 million, including $12 million of unrealized commodity mark-to-market gains. Reported income from operations was $197 million in the prior year period, including $7 million of unrealized commodity mark-to-market losses. Core income from operations was $248 million, up 21.6% compared to the prior year period.

DPS President and CEO Larry Young said, “We had a strong start to the year. Once again, our teams remained focused and executed against our strategy in a highly competitive and challenged environment. We maintained distribution and availability across our key CSD brands and packages and gained distribution on our key juice and tea brands and packages. We continued to invest behind our well-loved brands and engaged with our consumers and shoppers through innovative marketing programs. Rapid Continuous Improvement (RCI) continues to be embedded throughout the organization and we’re making good progress on our lean tracks. Our 2014 priorities remain unchanged. Our teams will continue to build the TEN platform with programming focused on driving awareness and trial, provide consumers with a range of products that meet their evolving needs and execute with excellence in the marketplace.”

EPS reconciliation     First Quarter
    2014     2013     Percent

Change

Reported EPS $0.78     $0.51     53
 

Unrealized commodity mark-to-market net (gain)/loss

(0.04) 0.02
Core EPS     $0.74     $0.53     40

EPS – earnings per share

Net sales and SOP in the tables and commentary below are presented on a currency neutral basis.For a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures see pages A-5 through A-8 accompanying this release.

Summary of 2014 results

(Percent change)

    First Quarter
    As Reported    

Currency
Neutral

BCS Volume     (1)     (1)
Sales Volume     1     1
Net Sales     1     2
SOP     14     16

BCS - bottler case sales

BCS Volume

For the quarter, BCS volume declined 1% with carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) declining 1% and non-carbonated beverages (NCBs) declining 2%.

In CSDs, the category continued to face significant headwinds. Dr Pepper volume decreased 4%. Our Core 4 brands, which include TEN, were flat as a mid-single digit increase in Canada Dry was partially offset by a mid-single digit decrease in Sunkist soda and a low-single digit decline in A&W. 7UP was flat in the quarter. Peñafiel increased double-digits on new product innovation, and Squirt declined high-single digits. Fountain foodservice volume decreased 3% in the quarter.

In NCBs, Hawaiian Punch volume declined 8% on category headwinds and increased competitive activity. Mott’s declined 1% in the quarter, lapping double-digit growth in the prior year. These declines were partially offset by a 2% increase in Snapple and a 3% increase in Clamato.

By geography, U.S. and Canada volume declined 2%, and Mexico and the Caribbean volume increased 3%.

Sales Volume

Sales volume increased 1% for the quarter primarily driven by concentrate shipment timing.

2014 Segment results
(Percent Change)

    First Quarter
As Reported       Currency Neutral
   

Sales
Volume

   

Net
Sales

   

SOP

     

Sales
Volume

   

Net
Sales

   

SOP

Beverage Concentrates     3     7     13       3     8     14
Packaged Beverages     0     (1)     15       0     (1)     16
Latin America Beverages     2     12     30       2     17     63
Total     1     1     14       1     2     16
               

Beverage Concentrates

Net sales for the quarter increased 8% on a 3% volume increase driven by concentrate shipment timing, concentrate price increases taken at the beginning of the year and favorable discounts driven by shipment volume timing. SOP increased 14% on net sales growth and lower marketing investments of $4 million.

Packaged Beverages

Net sales declined 1% for the quarter as growth in contract manufacturing was more than offset by branded volume declines. SOP increased 16% on favorable commodity costs, including an unfavorable LIFO comparison, ongoing productivity improvements and lower labor and benefit costs. These were partially offset by lower net sales.

Latin America Beverages

Net sales for the quarter increased 17% reflecting favorable mix, higher retail pricing associated with the pass-through of the sugar tax in Mexico and a 2% volume increase, which was partially offset by increased discounts. SOP increased 63% as net sales growth and ongoing productivity improvements were partially offset by increases in transportation costs.

Corporate and Other Items

For the quarter, corporate costs totaled $57 million, including a $12 million unrealized commodity mark-to-market gain and lower professional fees and information technology expenses. Corporate costs in the prior year period were $80 million, including a $7 million unrealized commodity mark-to-market loss.

Net interest expense decreased $9 million for the quarter compared to the prior year.

For the quarter, the reported effective tax rate was 34.3%, as a $2 million deferred tax benefit due to a New York State law change decreased the effective tax rate by 0.9%.

Cash Flow

For the quarter, the company generated $129 million of cash from operating activities compared to $77 million in the prior year period. Capital spending totaled $37 million compared to $46 million in the prior year period. The company returned $135 million to shareholders in the form of stock repurchases ($60 million) and dividends ($75 million).

2014 Full Year Guidance

The company continues to expect full year reported net sales to be flat to up 1% and Core EPS to be in the $3.38 to $3.46 range.

Packaging and ingredient costs, including LIFO impacts, are expected to decrease COGS by 2% on a constant volume/mix basis.

The company expects its core tax rate to be approximately 35.5%.

The company continues to expect capital spending to be approximately 3% of net sales.

The company expects to repurchase $375 million to $400 million of its common stock.

Definitions

Bottler case sales (BCS) volume: Sales of finished beverages, in equivalent 288 fluid ounce cases, sold by the company and its bottling partners to retailers and independent distributors and excludes contract manufacturing volume. Volume for products sold by the company and its bottling partners is reported on a monthly basis, with the first quarter comprising January, February and March.

Sales volume: Sales of concentrates and finished beverages, in equivalent 288 fluid ounce cases, shipped by the company to its bottlers, retailers and independent distributors and includes contract manufacturing volume.

Pricing refers to the impact of list price changes.

Unrealized mark-to-market: We recognize the change in the fair value of open commodity derivative positions between periods in corporate unallocated expenses, as these instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. As the underlying commodity is delivered, the realized gains and losses are subsequently reflected in the segment results.

EPS represents diluted earnings per share.

Core tax rate is defined as the effective tax rate on core earnings.

Core income from operations is defined as income from operations adjusted for the unrealized mark-to-market impact of commodity derivatives and certain items that are excluded for comparison to prior year periods.

Core operating margin is defined as the core income from operations divided by core net sales.

Core Earnings is defined as earnings adjusted for the unrealized mark-to-market impact of commodity derivatives and certain items that are excluded for comparison to prior year periods.

Core EPS represents Core Earnings per share.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, in particular, statements about future events, future financial performance including earnings estimates, plans, strategies, expectations, prospects, competitive environment, regulation, and cost and availability of raw materials. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements have been based on our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Our actual financial performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of estimates, forecasts and projections, and our financial performance may be better or worse than anticipated. Given these uncertainties, you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date that they were made. We do not undertake any duty to update the forward-looking statements, and the estimates and assumptions associated with them, after the date of this release, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

Conference Call

At 10 a.m. (CDT) today, the company will host a conference call with investors to discuss first quarter results and the outlook for 2014. The conference call and slide presentation will be accessible live through DPS’s website at http://www.drpeppersnapple.com and will be archived for replay for a period of 14 days.

In discussing financial results and guidance, the company may refer to certain non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations of any such non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP can be found on pages A-5 through A-8 accompanying this release and under "Financial Press Releases" on the company's website at http://www.drpeppersnapple.com in the “Investors” section.

About Dr Pepper Snapple Group

Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott's, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose's, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit www.DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates, follow us at www.Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or www.Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple.

   
DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
 
For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2014     2013
Net sales $ 1,398 $ 1,380
Cost of sales   554     590  
Gross profit 844 790
Selling, general and administrative expenses 554 563
Depreciation and amortization 29 29
Other operating expense, net   1     1  
Income from operations 260 197
Interest expense 26 34
Interest income (1 )
Other income, net   (1 )   (3 )
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 236 166
Provision for income taxes   81     60  
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 155 106
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of tax        
Net income $ 155   $ 106  
Earnings per common share:
Basic $ 0.78 $ 0.52
Diluted 0.78 0.51
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 197.9 204.6
Diluted 199.5 206.3
Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.41 $ 0.38
 
 

A- 1

 
       
DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
(Unaudited, in millions, except share and per share data)
 
March 31, December 31,
2014 2013
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 120 $ 153
Accounts receivable:
Trade, net 557 564
Other 63 58
Inventories 226 200
Deferred tax assets 64 66
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   143     78  
Total current assets 1,173 1,119
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,149 1,173
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries 15 15
Goodwill 2,988 2,988
Other intangible assets, net 2,692 2,694
Other non-current assets 130 127
Non-current deferred tax assets   80     85  
Total assets $ 8,227   $ 8,201  
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 295 $ 271
Deferred revenue 65 65
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term obligations 152 66
Income taxes payable 63 33
Other current liabilities   530     595  
Total current liabilities 1,105 1,030
Long-term obligations 2,523 2,508
Non-current deferred tax liabilities 771 755
Non-current deferred revenue 1,301 1,318
Other non-current liabilities   301     313  
Total liabilities 6,001 5,924
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
Common stock, $.01 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 198,069,065 and 197,979,971 shares issued and outstanding for 2014 and 2013, respectively 2 2
Additional paid-in capital 939 970
Prepaid forward repurchase of common stock (90 )
Retained earnings 1,466 1,393
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (91 )   (88 )
Total stockholders' equity   2,226     2,277  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 8,227   $ 8,201  
 
 

A- 2

 
   
DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2014     2013
Operating activities:
Net income $ 155 $ 106
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation expense 50 48
Amortization expense 10 9
Amortization of deferred revenue (16 ) (16 )
Employee stock-based compensation expense 11 9
Deferred income taxes 14 15
Other, net (19 ) 5
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition:
Trade accounts receivable 6 (29 )
Other accounts receivable (5 ) (1 )
Inventories (26 ) (18 )
Other current and non-current assets (66 ) (55 )
Other current and non-current liabilities (55 ) (42 )
Trade accounts payable 32 51
Income taxes payable   38     (5 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 129 77
Investing activities:
Acquisition of business (10 )
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (37 ) (46 )
Purchase of intangible assets (5 )
Other, net   (1 )    
Net cash used in investing activities (38 ) (61 )
Financing activities:
Net issuance of commercial paper 85
Repurchase of shares of common stock (60 ) (101 )
Cash paid for shares not yet received (90 )
Dividends paid (75 ) (70 )
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of certain stock awards (15 ) (11 )
Proceeds from stock options exercised 24 3
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation   8     4  
Net cash used in financing activities (123 ) (175 )
Cash and cash equivalents — net change from:
Operating, investing and financing activities (32 ) (159 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (1 ) 1
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   153     366  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 120   $ 208  
 
 

A- 3

 
   
DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.
OPERATIONS BY OPERATING SEGMENT
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
(Unaudited, in millions)
 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

2014     2013
Segment Results – Net sales
Beverage Concentrates $ 281 $ 263
Packaged Beverages 1,006 1,018
Latin America Beverages   111     99  
Net sales $ 1,398   $ 1,380  
 
 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

2014 2013
Segment Results – SOP
Beverage Concentrates $ 174 $ 154
Packaged Beverages 131 114
Latin America Beverages   13     10  
Total SOP 318 278
Unallocated corporate costs 57 80
Other operating expense, net   1     1  
Income from operations 260 197
Interest expense, net 25 34
Other income, net   (1 )   (3 )
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries $ 236   $ 166  
 
 

A- 4

 

DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

The company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP measures, that reflect the way management evaluates the business, may provide investors with additional information regarding the company's results, trends and ongoing performance on a comparable basis. Specifically, investors should consider the following with respect to our quarterly results:

Net sales and Segment Operating Profit, as adjusted to currency neutral: Net sales and Segment Operating Profit are on a currency neutral basis.

Free Cash Flow: Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for capital spending and certain items excluded for comparison to prior year periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no certain items excluded for comparison to prior year periods.

Core Earnings: Core Earnings is defined as Reported Earnings adjusted for the unrealized mark-to-market impact of commodity derivatives and certain items that are excluded for comparison to prior year periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no certain items excluded for comparison to prior year periods.

The tables on the following pages provide these reconciliations.

A- 5

   
RECONCILIATION OF NET SALES AND SOP
AS REPORTED TO AS ADJUSTED TO CURRENCY NEUTRAL
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Beverage     Packaged     Latin

America

   
Percent change Concentrates Beverages Beverages Total
Reported net sales 7 % (1 )% 12 % 1 %
Impact of foreign currency 1 % % 5 % 1 %
Net sales, as adjusted to currency neutral 8 % (1 )% 17 % 2 %
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Beverage Packaged Latin

America

Percent change Concentrates Beverages Beverages Total
Reported SOP 13 % 15 % 30 % 14 %
Impact of foreign currency 1 % 1 % 33 % 2 %
SOP, as adjusted to currency neutral 14 % 16 % 63 % 16 %
 
       
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,  
2014     2013 Change
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 129 $ 77 $ 52
Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (37 )   (46 )
Free Cash Flow $ 92   $ 31   $ 61
 
 

A- 6

 
   
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO CORE EARNINGS
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Reported     Mark to Market     Core
Net sales $ 1,398 $ $ 1,398
Cost of sales   554     12     566  
Gross profit 844 (12 ) 832
Selling, general and administrative expenses 554 554
Depreciation and amortization 29 29
Other operating expense, net   1         1  
Income from operations 260 (12 ) 248
Interest expense 26 26
Interest income (1 ) (1 )
Other income, net   (1 )       (1 )
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 236 (12 ) 224
Provision for income taxes   81     (4 )   77  
 
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 155 (8 ) 147
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of tax            
Net income $ 155   $ (8 ) $ 147  
Earnings per common share:
Diluted $ 0.78 $ (0.04 ) $ 0.74
Effective tax rate 34.3 % 34.4 %
Operating margin 18.6 % 17.7 %
 
 

A- 7

 
   
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO CORE EARNINGS - (Continued)
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Reported     Mark to Market     Core
Net sales $ 1,380 $ $ 1,380
Cost of sales   590     (6 )   584  
Gross profit 790 6 796
Selling, general and administrative expenses 563 (1 ) 562
Depreciation and amortization 29 29
Other operating expense, net   1         1  
Income from operations 197 7 204
Interest expense 34 34
Interest income
Other income, net   (3 )       (3 )
 
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 166 7 173
Provision for income taxes   60     3     63  
 
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 106 4 110
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of tax            
Net income $ 106   $ 4   $ 110  
Earnings per common share:
Diluted $ 0.51 $ 0.02 $ 0.53
Effective tax rate 36.1 % 36.4 %
Operating margin 14.3 % 14.8 %
 
 

A- 8