- Earnings per share ("EPS") and adjusted EPS(1) of
$0.54 and$0.62 respectively - Prior year EPS of
$0.49 and adjusted EPS of$0.64 - Same-store sales, excluding fuel, increased by 1.9%
- Gross margin, excluding fuel, increased by 87 basis points, partially due to impact of the Cybersecurity Event(2) in the prior year
- Strong free cash flow generation of
$349 million - Share buyback program on track; Repurchased
$340 million of shares to date in fiscal 2024
"Our team delivered solid results, in line with our expectations, given a cautious consumer navigating the impacts of higher interest rates," said
(1) | Adjusted Metrics include adjusted operating income, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), adjusted net earnings, and adjusted earnings per share ("EPS"). The Company is excluding from its Adjusted Metrics: costs incurred to plan and implement strategies to optimize the organization and improve efficiencies and expenses related to the Cybersecurity Event. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
(2) | On |
COMPANY PRIORITIES
Over the last six years, the Company has successfully completed two transformation strategies, Project Sunrise and Project Horizon. These strategies have comprehensively reset Empire's foundation, enhanced the Company's data capabilities, deepened the understanding of customers, and prepared the business to effectively capture emerging trends. With these transformation strategies now accomplished and the turnaround complete, the Company aims to grow total adjusted EPS over the long-term through net earnings growth and share repurchases. The Company intends to continue improving sales, gross margin (excluding fuel) and adjusted EBITDA margin by focusing on priorities such as:
Continued Focus on Stores:
Over recent years, the Company has accelerated investments in renovations, conversions, and new stores along with store processes, communications, training, technology and tools. Investing in the store network will remain a priority, demonstrated by a sustained emphasis on renovations and continued store expansion in discount. The Own Brands program enhancement will remain a priority through increased distribution, shelf placement and product innovation.
The Company intends to invest capital in its store network and is planning to renovate approximately 20% to 25% of the network over the next three years. This capital investment includes important sustainability initiatives such as refrigeration system upgrades, heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") system upgrades and other energy efficiency initiatives.
Enhanced Focus on Digital and Data:
The focus on digital and data will include continued e-commerce expansion with Voilà, loyalty, through Scene+ (see "Business Updates – Voilà" and "Business Updates – Scene+" for more information), personalization, improved space productivity and the continued improvement of promotional optimization. Space productivity will further enhance the customer experience by improving store layouts, optimizing category and product adjacencies and tailoring product assortment for each store. The advanced analytics tools built for promotional optimization will continue to be refined through the partnership between the advanced analytics team and category merchants.
Efficiency and Cost Control:
The Company has significantly improved its efficiency and cost effectiveness through sourcing efficiencies, optimizing supply chain productivity and improving systems and processes. The Company will continue to focus on driving efficiency and cost effectiveness through initiatives related to sourcing of goods not for resale, supply chain productivity and the organizational structure.
SUMMARY RESULTS – THIRD QUARTER
($ in millions, except per | 13 Weeks Ended | $ | 39 Weeks Ended | $ | ||||||||||||||
share amounts) | Change | Change | ||||||||||||||||
Sales | $ | 7,494.4 | $ | 7,489.3 | $ | 5.1 | $ | 23,321.1 | $ | 23,069.7 | $ | 251.4 | ||||||
Gross profit(1) | 1,987.3 | 1,900.6 | 86.7 | 6,065.3 | 5,833.7 | 231.6 | ||||||||||||
Operating income | 250.6 | 232.8 | 17.8 | 1,019.5 | 910.8 | 108.7 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted operating income(1) | 275.9 | 285.4 | (9.5) | 959.4 | 963.4 | (4.0) | ||||||||||||
EBITDA(1) | 521.5 | 492.5 | 29.0 | 1,824.9 | 1,670.7 | 154.2 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | 546.8 | 545.1 | 1.7 | 1,764.8 | 1,723.3 | 41.5 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings(2) | 134.2 | 125.7 | 8.5 | 576.3 | 503.1 | 73.2 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted net earnings(1)(2)(3) | 153.1 | 164.8 | (11.7) | 527.6 | 542.2 | (14.6) | ||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share | ||||||||||||||||||
EPS(2) | $ | 0.54 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 2.31 | $ | 1.93 | $ | 0.38 | ||||||
Adjusted EPS(1)(2)(3) | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.02) | $ | 2.11 | $ | 2.08 | $ | 0.03 | ||||||
Diluted weighted average number | ||||||||||||||||||
of shares outstanding (in millions) | 246.8 | 258.4 | 249.7 | 260.7 | ||||||||||||||
Dividend per share | $ | 0.1825 | $ | 0.1650 | $ | 0.5475 | $ | 0.4950 |
13 Weeks Ended | 39 Weeks Ended | |||
Gross margin(1) | 26.5 % | 25.4 % | 26.0 % | 25.3 % |
EBITDA margin(1) | 7.0 % | 6.6 % | 7.8 % | 7.2 % |
Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) | 7.3 % | 7.3 % | 7.6 % | 7.5 % |
Same-store sales(1) growth | 1.3 % | 0.6 % | 1.9 % | 2.5 % |
Same-store sales growth, excluding fuel | 1.9 % | 0.1 % | 2.6 % | 1.1 % |
Effective income tax rate | 24.0 % | 20.7 % | 25.2 % | 24.4 % |
(1) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
(2) | Attributable to owners of the Company. |
(3) | See "Adjusted Impacts on Net Earnings" Section of this News Release. |
Sales
Sales for the quarter ended
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the quarter ended
Gross margin for the quarter ended
Excluding the mix impact of fuel sales, gross margin for the quarter ended
Operating Income
13 Weeks Ended | $ | 39 Weeks Ended | $ | |||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Change | Change | ||||||||||||||||
Food retailing | $ | 233.7 | $ | 212.3 | $ | 21.4 | $ | 984.4 | $ | 835.6 | $ | 148.8 | ||||||
Investments and other operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Crombie REIT(1) | 10.5 | 18.5 | (8.0) | 31.6 | 66.4 | (34.8) | ||||||||||||
Real estate partnerships | 5.3 | 5.4 | (0.1) | 9.2 | 10.0 | (0.8) | ||||||||||||
Other operations, net of | ||||||||||||||||||
corporate expenses | 1.1 | (3.4) | 4.5 | (5.7) | (1.2) | (4.5) | ||||||||||||
16.9 | 20.5 | (3.6) | 35.1 | 75.2 | (40.1) | |||||||||||||
Operating income | $ | 250.6 | $ | 232.8 | $ | 17.8 | $ | 1,019.5 | $ | 910.8 | $ | 108.7 | ||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Western Canada Fuel Sale(2) | - | - | - | (90.8) | - | (90.8) | ||||||||||||
Cybersecurity Event(2) | 0.1 | 52.6 | (52.5) | (21.0) | 52.6 | (73.6) | ||||||||||||
Restructuring(2) | 25.2 | - | 25.2 | 51.7 | - | 51.7 | ||||||||||||
25.3 | 52.6 | (27.3) | (60.1) | 52.6 | (112.7) | |||||||||||||
Adjusted operating income(3) | $ | 275.9 | $ | 285.4 | $ | (9.5) | $ | 959.4 | $ | 963.4 | $ | (4.0) |
(1) | Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust ("Crombie REIT"). |
(2) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release for a description of the types of costs and recoveries included. |
(3) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
For the quarter ended
Operating income from the Investments and other operations segment for the quarter ended
EBITDA
13 Weeks Ended | $ | 39 Weeks Ended | $ | |||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Change | Change | ||||||||||||||||
EBITDA(1) | $ | 521.5 | $ | 492.5 | $ | 29.0 | $ | 1,824.9 | $ | 1,670.7 | $ | 154.2 | ||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Western Canada Fuel Sale(2) | - | - | - | (90.8) | - | (90.8) | ||||||||||||
Cybersecurity Event(2) | 0.1 | 52.6 | (52.5) | (21.0) | 52.6 | (73.6) | ||||||||||||
Restructuring(2) | 25.2 | - | 25.2 | 51.7 | - | 51.7 | ||||||||||||
25.3 | 52.6 | (27.3) | (60.1) | 52.6 | (112.7) | |||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 546.8 | $ | 545.1 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 1,764.8 | $ | 1,723.3 | $ | 41.5 | ||||||
(1) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
(2) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release for a description of the types of costs and recoveries included. |
For the quarter ended
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for the quarter ended
Net Earnings
13 Weeks Ended | $ | 39 Weeks Ended | $ | |||||||||||||||
($ in millions, except per share |
|
| Change |
|
| Change | ||||||||||||
Net earnings(1) | $ | 134.2 | $ | 125.7 | $ | 8.5 | $ | 576.3 | $ | 503.1 | $ | 73.2 | ||||||
EPS (fully diluted) | $ | 0.54 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 2.31 | $ | 1.93 | $ | 0.38 | ||||||
Adjustments:(2) | ||||||||||||||||||
Western Canada Fuel Sale(3) | - | - | - | (71.5) | - | (71.5) | ||||||||||||
Cybersecurity Event(3) | 0.1 | 39.1 | (39.0) | (15.5) | 39.1 | (54.6) | ||||||||||||
Restructuring(3) | 18.8 | - | 18.8 | 38.3 | - | 38.3 | ||||||||||||
18.9 | 39.1 | (20.2) | (48.7) | 39.1 | (87.8) | |||||||||||||
Adjusted net earnings(1)(4)(5) | $ | 153.1 | $ | 164.8 | $ | (11.7) | $ | 527.6 | $ | 542.2 | $ | (14.6) | ||||||
Adjusted EPS (fully diluted)(4) | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.02) | $ | 2.11 | $ | 2.08 | $ | 0.03 | ||||||
Diluted weighted average number of | ||||||||||||||||||
shares outstanding (in millions) | 246.8 | 258.4 | 249.7 | 260.7 |
(1) | Attributable to owners of the Company. |
(2) | Total adjustments for the quarter and year-to-date are net of income taxes of |
(3) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release for a description of the types of costs and recoveries included. |
(4) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
(5) | See "Adjusted Impacts on Net Earnings" section of this News Release. |
Adjusted Impacts on Net Earnings
On
In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, Empire began to pursue strategies to optimize its organization and improve efficiencies, including changes to its leadership team and organizational structure (the "Restructuring"). Expenses relate to costs incurred to plan and implement the Restructuring. The impact to net earnings for the quarter and year-to-date ended
On
Capital Expenditures
The Company invested
(1) | Capital expenditures are calculated on an accrual basis and includes acquisitions of property, equipment and investment properties, and additions to intangibles. |
Free Cash Flow
13 Weeks Ended | $ | 39 Weeks Ended | $ | ||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) |
|
| Change |
|
| Change | |||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 668.8 | $ | 438.1 | $ | 230.7 | $ | 1,517.8 | $ | 1,100.7 | $ | 417.1 | |||||||
Add: | proceeds on disposal of assets(1) and lease | ||||||||||||||||||
modifications and terminations | 27.2 | 2.2 | 25.0 | 148.5 | 19.5 | 129.0 | |||||||||||||
Less: | interest paid | (11.5) | (10.3) | (1.2) | (38.2) | (48.6) | 10.4 | ||||||||||||
payments of lease liabilities, net of payments | |||||||||||||||||||
received for finance subleases | (168.1) | (164.4) | (3.7) | (504.1) | (489.8) | (14.3) | |||||||||||||
acquisitions of property, equipment, | |||||||||||||||||||
investment property and intangibles | (167.4) | (187.6) | 20.2 | (497.1) | (599.5) | 102.4 | |||||||||||||
Free cash flow(2) | $ | 349.0 | $ | 78.0 | $ | 271.0 | $ | 626.9 | $ | (17.7) | $ | 644.6 |
(1) | Proceeds on disposal of assets include property, equipment, and investment property. |
(2) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
Free cash flow for the quarter ended
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE BY SEGMENT
Food Retailing
13 Weeks Ended | $ | 39 Weeks Ended | $ | |||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Change | Change | ||||||||||||||||
Sales | $ | 7,494.4 | $ | 7,489.3 | $ | 5.1 | $ | 23,321.1 | $ | 23,069.7 | $ | 251.4 | ||||||
Gross profit | 1,987.3 | 1,900.6 | 86.7 | 6,065.3 | 5,833.7 | 231.6 | ||||||||||||
Operating income | 233.7 | 212.3 | 21.4 | 984.4 | 835.6 | 148.8 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted Operating Income(1) | 259.0 | 264.9 | (5.9) | 924.3 | 888.2 | 36.1 | ||||||||||||
EBITDA(1) | 504.6 | 471.9 | 32.7 | 1,789.5 | 1,595.1 | 194.4 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | 529.9 | 524.5 | 5.4 | 1,729.4 | 1,647.7 | 81.7 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings(1)(2) | 123.0 | 110.3 | 12.7 | 568.4 | 446.6 | 121.8 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted net earnings(1)(2) | 141.9 | 149.4 | (7.5) | 519.7 | 485.7 | 34.0 | ||||||||||||
(1) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
(2) | Attributable to owners of the Company. |
Investments and Other Operations
13 Weeks Ended | $ | 39 Weeks Ended | $ | |||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Change | Change | ||||||||||||||||
Crombie REIT | $ | 10.5 | $ | 18.5 | $ | (8.0) | $ | 31.6 | $ | 66.4 | $ | (34.8) | ||||||
Real estate partnerships | 5.3 | 5.4 | (0.1) | 9.2 | 10.0 | (0.8) | ||||||||||||
Other operations, net of | ||||||||||||||||||
corporate expenses | 1.1 | (3.4) | 4.5 | (5.7) | (1.2) | (4.5) | ||||||||||||
$ | 16.9 | $ | 20.5 | $ | (3.6) | $ | 35.1 | $ | 75.2 | $ | (40.1) |
For the quarter ended
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION
($ in millions, except per share and ratio calculations) | ||||||
Shareholders' equity, net of non-controlling interest | $ | 5,320.8 | $ | 5,200.4 | $ | 5,151.7 |
Book value per common share(1) | $ | 21.60 | $ | 20.09 | $ | 19.98 |
Long-term debt, including current portion | $ | 941.7 | $ | 1,012.3 | $ | 1,011.9 |
Long-term lease liabilities, including current portion | $ | 6,343.3 | $ | 6,184.6 | $ | 6,198.3 |
Funded debt to total capital(1) | 57.8 % | 58.1 % | 58.3 % | |||
Funded debt to adjusted EBITDA(1)(2) | 3.0x | 3.1x | 3.1x | |||
Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense(1)(3) | 8.8x | 8.8x | 8.4x | |||
Trailing four-quarter adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 2,423.7 | $ | 2,322.1 | $ | 2,309.5 |
Trailing four-quarter interest expense | $ | 276.1 | $ | 263.1 | $ | 276.4 |
Current assets to current liabilities | 0.8x | 0.8x | 0.8x | |||
Total assets | $ | 16,508.0 | $ | 16,483.7 | $ | 16,355.3 |
Total non-current financial liabilities | $ | 7,374.8 | $ | 7,289.5 | $ | 7,343.9 |
(1) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
(2) | Calculation uses trailing four-quarter adjusted EBITDA. |
(3) | Calculation uses trailing four-quarter adjusted EBITDA and interest expense. |
Rating Agency | Credit Rating (Issuer rating) | Trend/Outlook | |
Morningstar DBRS | BBB | Stable | |
S&P Global | BBB- | Stable |
Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB")
On
Shares purchased are shown in the table below:
13 Weeks Ended | 39 Weeks Ended | |||||||||||
($ in millions, except per share amounts) | Feb. 3, 2024 | Feb. 4, 2023 | Feb. 3, 2024 | Feb. 4, 2023 | ||||||||
Number of shares | 2,710,109 | 2,228,582 | 8,291,081 | 6,334,622 | ||||||||
Weighted average price per share | $ | 36.14 | $ | 36.14 | $ | 36.16 | $ | 37.62 | ||||
Cash consideration paid | $ | 97.9 | $ | 80.6 | $ | 299.8 | $ | 238.3 | ||||
The Company engages in an automatic share purchase plan with its designated broker allowing the purchases of Class A shares for cancellation under its NCIB program during trading black-out periods.
As at
BUSINESS UPDATES
Scene+
In
The Company's key priority with Scene+ is to accelerate program engagement by focusing on scaling personalization. By using machine learning and Artificial Intelligence algorithms, personalization recommendations will be improved, delivering the right message to the right customer at the right time, through the right channels.
In fiscal 2018, the Company announced plans to expand its
Through the
As at
Voilà
In fiscal 2021, the Company introduced its new e-commerce platform, Voilà, which is the future of online grocery home delivery in
The Company has three active CFCs located in
In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company completed its merger of Longo's e-commerce business, Grocery Gateway, into Voilà, thereby capturing logistics and delivery synergies. Operating as a 'shop in shop' has increased the reach of Longo's within
In the quarter ended
Voilà's future earnings will primarily be impacted by the rate of sales growth, with operational efficiencies, strong margins, and cost discipline serving as important drivers to manage financial performance.
Cybersecurity Event
On
The Company maintains a variety of insurance coverages, including cyber insurance. Empire is in the process of working with its insurance providers to finalize claims under its policies. Due to the complexity of the cyber insurance coverage and related claims, there is a time lag between the initial incurrence of costs and the recognition of anticipated insurance proceeds. While the operational impact of the Cybersecurity Event is behind the Company, management expects that there will be insurance recoveries recognized throughout fiscal 2024.
The financial impact of insurance recoveries on net earnings in the quarter and year-to-date ended
Empire estimates, based on available information, that the final impact of the Cybersecurity Event on net earnings over fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024 remains unchanged at approximately
(1) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Financial Metrics" section of this News Release. |
Other Items
Farm Boy – acquisition of remaining interest
As part of the Farm Boy acquisition, members of the Farm Boy senior management team (the "Stakeholders"), retained a 12% interest in Farm Boy, resulting in a non-controlling interest. The parties entered into put and call options such that the Stakeholders could put, and
Subsequent to the quarter ended
Labour Buyouts
On
Distribution Centre Strike
On
Western Canada Fuel Sale
On
OUTLOOK
Management aims to grow total adjusted EPS over the long-term through net earnings growth and share repurchases. The Company intends to continue improving sales, gross margin (excluding fuel) and adjusted EBITDA margin by focusing on priorities such as: a continued focus on stores (investing in renovations, discount expansion, and Own Brands program enhancement), an expanded focus on digital and data (through key strategic initiatives including Voilà, Scene+, personalization, space productivity and promotional optimization), and driving efficiency and cost effectiveness through initiatives related to sourcing of goods not for resale, supply chain productivity and the organizational structure.
For fiscal 2024, capital spend is expected to be approximately
The Company entered into an agreement to purchase a parcel of land for approximately
During fiscal 2024, the Company intends to purchase approximately
The industry continues to experience heightened levels of inflationary pressures, particularly related to cost of goods sold. During the quarter ended
The Company continues to be well positioned to pursue long-term growth despite the impacts of global economic uncertainties. Same-store sales will fluctuate over the short term, given the negative sales impact in the prior year related to the Cybersecurity Event, and the continued impacts of inflation and interest rates on consumer behaviour and its effect on current year sales.
DIVIDEND DECLARATION
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document contains forward-looking statements which are presented for the purpose of assisting the reader to contextualize the Company's financial position and understand management's expectations regarding the Company's strategic priorities, objectives and plans. These forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are identified by words or phrases such as "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "estimates", "intends", "could", "may", "plans", "predicts", "projects", "will", "would", "foresees" and other similar expressions or the negative of these terms.
These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following items:
- The Company's aim to increase total adjusted EPS through net earnings, growth, and share repurchases, as well as its intention to continue improving sales, gross margin (excluding fuel) and adjusted EBITDA margin, all of which could be impacted by several factors including a prolonged unfavourable macro-economic environment and unforeseen business challenges, as well as the factors identified in the "Risk Management" section of the fiscal 2023 annual MD&A;
- The Company's plans to further grow and enhance the Own Brands portfolio, which may be impacted by future operating costs and customer response;
- The Company's expectation that it will continue its e-commerce expansion with Voilà, which may be impacted by future operating and capital costs, customer response and the performance of its technology provider, Ocado;
- The Company's expectation that it will continue to focus on driving efficiency and cost effectiveness initiatives which could be impacted by supplier relationships, labour relations, and other macro-economic impacts;
- The Company's plans to purchase for cancellation Class A shares under the normal course issuer bid, which may be impacted by market and macro-economic conditions, availability of sellers, changes in laws and regulations, and the results of operations;
- The Company's expectations regarding the amount and timing of expenses relating to the completion of the future CFC, which may be impacted by supply of materials and equipment, construction schedules and capacity of construction contractors;
- The Company's expectations regarding the impact of the Cybersecurity Event, and the estimate of the impact on its financial results in fiscal 2024. These statements and expectations may be impacted by several factors including the nature, amount and timing of the insurance outcome;
- The Company's expectations related to the timing and amount of expenses relating to voluntary buyouts, which may be impacted by employee participation and labour relations;
- The Company's plan to invest
$775 million capital in its network in fiscal 2024, (excluding the parcel of land it intends to purchase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024) including store expansions and renovations and renovate approximately 20% to 25% of the network over the next three years which could be impacted by cost of materials, availability of contractors, operating results, and other macro-economic impacts; - The Company's expectation that the transaction to purchase a parcel of land will close in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, which may be impacted by due diligence procedures; and
- The Company's expectation of the impacts of cost inflationary pressures, which may be impacted by supplier relationships and negotiations and the macro-economic environment.
By its nature, forward-looking information requires the Company to make assumptions and is subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements made. For more information on risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may impact the Company's forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the "Risk Management" section of the fiscal 2023 annual MD&A.
Although the Company believes the predictions, forecasts, expectations or conclusions reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, it can provide no assurance that such matters will prove correct. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this document reflects the Company's current expectations and is subject to change. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made by or on behalf of the Company other than as required by applicable securities laws.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES & FINANCIAL METRICS
There are measures and metrics included in this News Release that do not have a standardized meaning under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures and metrics presented by other publicly traded companies. Management believes that certain of these measures and metrics, including gross profit and EBITDA, are important indicators of the Company's ability to generate liquidity through operating cash flow to fund future working capital requirements, service outstanding debt and fund future capital expenditures and uses these metrics for these purposes.
In addition, management adjusts measures and metrics, including operating income, EBITDA and net earnings in an effort to provide management, investors and analysts with a more comparable year-over-year performance metric than the basic measure by excluding certain items. These items may impact the analysis of trends in performance and affect the comparability of the Company's core financial results. By excluding these items, management is not implying they are non-recurring.
The Company includes these measures and metrics because it believes certain investors use these measures and metrics as a means of assessing financial performance. Empire's definition of the non-GAAP terms included in this News Release are as follows:
- The Western Canada Fuel Sale adjustment includes the impact of the gain on sale which is comprised of the purchase price less the write off of tangible assets and goodwill, legal and professional fees as well as lease termination impacts.
- The Cybersecurity Event adjustment includes the impact of incremental direct costs such as inventory shrink, hardware and software restoration costs, legal and professional fees, labour costs and insurance recoveries. Management believes that the Cybersecurity Event adjustment results in a useful economic representation of the underlying business on a comparative basis. The adjustment does not include management's estimate of the full financial impact of the Cybersecurity Event, as it excludes the net earnings impacts related to the estimated decline in sales and operational effectiveness from impacts such as the temporary loss of advanced planning, promotion and fresh item management tools, the temporary closure of pharmacies, and customers' temporary inability to redeem gift cards and loyalty points.
- The Restructuring adjustment includes costs incurred to plan and implement strategies to optimize the organization and improve efficiencies, including severance, professional fees and voluntary labour buyouts.
- Same-store sales are sales from stores in the same location in both reporting periods.
- Same-store sales, excluding fuel are sales from stores in the same location in both reporting periods excluding the fuel sales from stores in the same location in both reporting periods.
- Gross profit is calculated as sales less cost of sales.
- Gross margin is gross profit divided by sales.
- Adjusted operating income is operating income excluding certain items to assist in analyzing trends in performance. These items are excluded to allow for useful period over period comparison of ongoing operating results. Adjusted operating income is reconciled to operating income in its respective subsection of the "Summary Results – Third Quarter" section.
- EBITDA is calculated as net earnings before finance costs (net of finance income), income tax expense, depreciation and amortization of intangibles.
- EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by sales.
The following table reconciles net earnings to EBITDA on a consolidated basis and for the Food retailing segment:
13 Weeks Ended | ||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Food | Investment | Total | Food retailing | Investment | Total | ||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 126.3 | $ | 11.2 | $ | 137.5 | $ | 115.2 | $ | 15.6 | $ | 130.8 | ||||
Income tax expense | 39.8 | 3.7 | 43.5 | 30.3 | 3.9 | 34.2 | ||||||||||
Finance costs, net | 67.6 | 2.0 | 69.6 | 66.8 | 1.0 | 67.8 | ||||||||||
Operating income | 233.7 | 16.9 | 250.6 | 212.3 | 20.5 | 232.8 | ||||||||||
Depreciation | 240.4 | - | 240.4 | 229.5 | 0.1 | 229.6 | ||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles | 30.5 | - | 30.5 | 30.1 | - | 30.1 | ||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 504.6 | $ | 16.9 | $ | 521.5 | $ | 471.9 | $ | 20.6 | $ | 492.5 | ||||
39 Weeks Ended | ||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Food | Investment | Total | Food retailing | Investment | Total | ||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 599.1 | $ | 7.9 | $ | 607.0 | $ | 483.2 | $ | 56.6 | $ | 539.8 | ||||
Income tax expense | 182.5 | 21.9 | 204.4 | 157.5 | 16.7 | 174.2 | ||||||||||
Finance costs, net | 202.8 | 5.3 | 208.1 | 194.9 | 1.9 | 196.8 | ||||||||||
Operating income | 984.4 | 35.1 | 1,019.5 | 835.6 | 75.2 | 910.8 | ||||||||||
Depreciation | 714.1 | 0.4 | 714.5 | 678.6 | 0.4 | 679.0 | ||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles | 90.9 | - | 90.9 | 80.9 | - | 80.9 | ||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 1,789.4 | $ | 35.5 | $ | 1,824.9 | $ | 1,595.1 | $ | 75.6 | $ | 1,670.7 | ||||
- Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA excluding certain items to assist in analyzing trends in performance. These items are excluded to allow for useful period over period comparison of ongoing operating results. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to EBITDA in its respective subsection of the "Summary Results – Third Quarter" section.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by sales.
- Adjusted net earnings is net earnings, net of non-controlling interest, excluding certain items to assist in analyzing trends in performance. These items are excluded to allow for useful period over period comparison of ongoing operating results. Adjusted net earnings is reconciled in its respective subsection of the "Summary Results – Third Quarter" section.
- Adjusted EPS (fully diluted) is calculated as adjusted net earnings divided by diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding.
- Free cash flow is calculated as cash flows from operating activities, plus proceeds on disposal of property, equipment and investment property and lease modifications and terminations, less acquisitions of property, equipment, investment property and intangibles, interest paid and payments of lease liabilities, net of payments received from finance subleases.
- Book value per common share is shareholders' equity, net of non-controlling interest, divided by total common shares outstanding.
The following table shows the calculation of Empire's book value per common share:
($ in millions, except per share information) | |||||||||
Shareholders' equity, net of non-controlling interest | $ | 5,320.8 | $ | 5,200.4 | $ | 5,151.7 | |||
Shares outstanding (basic) | 246.3 | 258.8 | 257.9 | ||||||
Book value per common share | $ | 21.60 | $ | 20.09 | $ | 19.98 | |||
- Funded debt is all interest-bearing debt, which includes bank loans, bankers' acceptances, long-term debt and long-term lease liabilities.
- Total capital is calculated as funded debt plus shareholders' equity, net of non-controlling interest.
The following table reconciles the Company's funded debt and total capital to GAAP measures as reported on the balance sheets:
($ in millions) | |||||||||
Long-term debt due within one year | $ | 123.1 | $ | 101.0 | $ | 103.1 | |||
Long-term debt | 818.6 | 911.3 | 908.8 | ||||||
Lease liabilities due within one year | 580.7 | 563.7 | 545.0 | ||||||
Long-term lease liabilities | 5,762.6 | 5,620.9 | 5,653.3 | ||||||
Funded debt | $ | 7,285.0 | $ | 7,196.9 | $ | 7,210.2 | |||
Total shareholders' equity, net of non-controlling interest | 5,320.8 | 5,200.4 | 5,151.7 | ||||||
Total capital | $ | 12,605.8 | $ | 12,397.3 | $ | 12,361.9 |
- Funded debt to total capital ratio is funded debt divided by total capital.
- Funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio is funded debt divided by trailing four-quarter adjusted EBITDA.
- Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense ratio is trailing four-quarter adjusted EBITDA divided by trailing four-quarter interest expense.
- Management calculates interest expense as interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortized cost and interest expense on lease liabilities.
The following table reconciles finance costs, net to interest expense:
13 Weeks Ended | 39 Weeks Ended | |||||||||||||
($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||
Finance costs, net | $ | 69.6 | $ | 67.8 | $ | 208.1 | $ | 196.8 | ||||||
Plus: | finance income, excluding interest income on | |||||||||||||
lease receivables | 3.0 | 1.2 | 5.8 | 3.6 | ||||||||||
Less: | pension finance costs, net | (1.8) | (1.1) | (5.6) | (5.1) | |||||||||
Less: | accretion expense on provisions | (0.7) | (0.4) | (1.1) | (1.1) | |||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 70.1 | $ | 67.5 | $ | 207.2 | $ | 194.2 |
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
The Company will hold an analyst call on
To secure a line, please call 10 minutes prior to the conference call; you will be placed on hold until the conference call begins. The media and investing public may access this conference call via a listen mode only. You may also listen to a live audiocast of the conference call by visiting the "Quick Links" section of the Company's website located at www.empireco.ca, and then navigating to the "Empire Company Limited Quarterly Results Call" link.
The replay will be available by dialing (888) 390-0541 and entering access code 675305# until midnight
ABOUT EMPIRE
Additional financial information relating to Empire, including the Company's Annual Information Form, can be found on the Company's website at www.empireco.ca or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
For further information, please contact:
Media Contact,
SOURCE
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