George Weston's Q4 earnings rose less than 1% to C$173M as revenue grew 3.5% to C$7.64B; for 2012, company estimates yearly decline in EPS, primarily because of incremental costs at Loblaw

Cindy Allen

March 1, 2012 (CNW) – George Weston Limited (TSX: WN) ("GWL") and its subsidiaries (collectively the "Company") today is announcing its unaudited results for the fourth quarter of 2011 and the release of its 2011 Annual Report.

The Company's 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders, including the Company's audited annual consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, is available in the Investor Centre section of the Company's website at www.weston.ca and has been filed with the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") and will be available at www.sedar.com.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
George Weston Limited's fourth quarter 2011 adjusted basic net earnings per common share(2) were $1.01 compared to $0.92 in the same period in 2010, an increase of $0.09 or 9.8%. The increase in the fourth quarter of 2011 was due to improved operating results at Weston Foods and a decrease in income tax expense, partially offset by a decline in adjusted operating income(2) at Loblaw Companies Limited ("Loblaw") compared to the same period in 2010.

Due to the Company's transition to International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS" or "GAAP"), effective the first quarter of 2011, all comparative figures that were previously reported in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles have been restated to conform with IFRS.

As previously noted in the first quarter of 2011, the Company is using three new non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted basic net earnings per common share(2), adjusted operating income(2) and adjusted EBITDA(2). Under GAAP, certain expenses and income must be recognized that are not necessarily reflective of the Company's underlying operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of certain items and are used internally when analyzing consolidated and segment underlying operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also helpful in assessing underlying operating performance on a consistent basis. Adjusted operating income(2) and adjusted EBITDA(2) exclude restructuring and other charges, a commodity derivatives fair value adjustment at Weston Foods, foreign currency translation gains and losses, the impact of share-based compensation net of equity derivatives, net insurance proceeds recorded by Weston Foods, a gain related to the sale of a portion of a Loblaw property, and the effect of certain prior years' commodity tax matters at Loblaw. Adjusted basic net earnings per common share(2) also exclude the impact of the accounting for Weston Holdings Limited's ("WHL"), a subsidiary of GWL, forward sale agreement for 9.6 million Loblaw common shares and the impact of federal tax legislation changes. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this News Release for more information on the Company's non-GAAP financial measures.

OPERATING SEGMENTS

Weston Foods
(unaudited) 12 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
($ millions) Dec. 31, 2011 Dec. 31, 2010 Dec. 31, 2011 Dec. 31, 2010
Sales $ 410 $ 386 $ 1,772 $ 1,624
Operating income $ 57 $ 57 $ 208 $ 285
Operating margin 13.9% 14.8% 11.7% 17.5%
Adjusted operating income(2) $ 56 $ 48 $ 265 $ 235
Adjusted operating margin(2) 13.7% 12.4% 15.0% 14.5%
Adjusted EBITDA(2) $ 71 $ 63 $ 325 $ 290
Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) 17.3% 16.3% 18.3% 17.9%

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Weston Foods sales of $410 million increased by 6.2% and volumes decreased by 0.5% when compared to the same period in 2010. The acquisition of ACE Bakery Ltd. ("ACE") on November 1, 2010 positively impacted sales growth and volume by approximately 1.4% and 0.8%, respectively, and foreign currency translation positively impacted sales growth by approximately 0.4%. Excluding the acquisition and foreign currency translation, sales increased 4.4% due to the positive impact of higher pricing across key product categories of 5.7%, partially offset by a decrease in volume of 1.3%. Price increases were implemented during 2011 to mitigate higher commodity and fuel costs.

Weston Foods operating income was $57 million in the fourth quarters of both 2011 and 2010 and operating margin was 13.9% compared to 14.8% in the same period in 2010.

Weston Foods adjusted operating income(2) was $56 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $48 million in the same period in 2010, an increase of 16.7%. Weston Foods adjusted operating margin(2) was 13.7% compared to 12.4% in the same period in 2010. Adjusted operating income(2) was positively impacted by sales growth mainly as a result of higher pricing in key product categories and the acquisition of ACE, and by the benefits realized from productivity improvements and other cost reduction initiatives, which were partially offset by significant increases in commodity and fuel costs in the fourth quarter of 2011, when compared to the same period in 2010. Weston Foods adjusted operating income(2) excludes restructuring and other charges, a commodity derivatives fair value adjustment, the impact of share-based compensation net of equity derivatives and net insurance proceeds. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this News Release for more information on the Company's non-GAAP financial measures.

Loblaw
(unaudited) 12 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended
($ millions) Dec. 31, 2011 Dec. 31, 2010 Dec. 31, 2011 Dec. 31, 2010
Sales $ 7,373 $ 7,119 $ 31,250 $ 30,836
Operating income $ 313 $ 322 $ 1,376 $ 1,339
Operating margin 4.2% 4.5% 4.4% 4.3%
Adjusted operating income(2) $ 317 $ 330 $ 1,435 $ 1,424
Adjusted operating margin(2) 4.3% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6%
Adjusted EBITDA(2) $ 487 $ 482 $ 2,134 $ 2,052
Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) 6.6% 6.8% 6.8% 6.7%

Loblaw sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 3.6% to $7.4 billion compared to $7.1 billion in the same period in 2010. Same-store retail sales growth was 2.5% (2010 - 1.6% decline), with an extra day of store operations having a positive impact estimated to be between 0.8% and 1.0%. Sales growth in food was strong, partially driven by the extra day of operations, sales growth in drugstore was flat, gas bar sales growth was strong, sales in general merchandise, excluding apparel, declined marginally and sales growth in apparel was strong. Loblaw experienced moderate average quarterly internal food price inflation during the fourth quarter of 2011, which was lower than the average quarterly national food price inflation of 5.2% (2010 - 1.5%) as measured by "The Consumer Price Index for Food Purchased from Stores". Loblaw sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 were also positively impacted by an increase in Financial Services segment revenue driven by increased credit card transaction values resulting in higher interchange fee income when compared to the same period in 2010 and higher PC Telecom revenues as a result of the new Mobile Shop kiosk launch in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Loblaw operating income in the fourth quarter of 2011 decreased by 2.8% to $313 million from $322 million in the same period in 2010 and operating margin was 4.2% compared to 4.5% in the same period in 2010.

Loblaw adjusted operating income(2) was $317 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $330 million in the same period in 2010, a decrease of 3.9%. Loblaw adjusted operating margin(2) was 4.3% compared to 4.6% in the same period in 2010. The decreases in adjusted operating income(2) and adjusted operating margin(2) were mainly attributable to costs associated with the transition of certain Ontario conventional stores to the more cost effective and efficient operating terms under collective agreements ratified in 2010, the incremental costs related to the investments in information technology ("IT") and supply chain, increases in promotional pricing programs and transportation costs, start up costs associated with the launch of Loblaw's Joe Fresh brand in the United States, the decrease in operating income from Loblaw's Financial Services segment and fixed asset impairment charges net of recoveries, partially offset by growth and performance of Loblaw's franchisees, continued labour, supply chain and other operating cost efficiencies, improved control label profitability and improved shrink. Loblaw adjusted operating income(2) excludes other charges and the impact of share-based compensation net of equity derivatives. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this News Release for more information on the Company's non-GAAP financial measures.

NET INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER FINANCING CHARGES
Net interest expense and other financing charges in the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by $21 million to $108 million compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to a $21 million decrease in non-cash income related to the fair value adjustment of WHL's forward sale agreement for 9.6 million Loblaw common shares. Excluding the impact of the fair value adjustment, net interest expense and other financing charges in the fourth quarter of 2011 was flat when compared to the same period in 2010 reflecting the net impact of a decrease in interest expense due to the repayment by Loblaw of its $350 million; 6.50% Medium Term Note in the first quarter of 2011, offset by lower short term interest income due to lower cash and short term investment balances.

INCOME TAXES
The fourth quarter 2011 effective income tax rate decreased to 29.1% from 38.6% in the same period in 2010. The decrease in the effective income tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 was primarily due to the decrease in non-deductible items, a decrease in income tax expense related to certain prior year income tax matters and reductions in the federal and Ontario statutory income tax rates. Changes in federal tax legislation that resulted in the elimination of the Company's ability to deduct costs associated with cash-settled stock options resulted in a charge of $18 million which was recorded in income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2010.

OUTLOOK(1)
This outlook reflects the underlying operating performance of the Company's operating segments as discussed below.

In 2012, Weston Foods expects to deliver modest sales growth with market conditions expected to remain challenging. Higher commodity and input costs are expected in the first half of 2012, and these higher costs will put increased pressure on operating margins when compared to the same period in 2011. Weston Foods is continuing its efforts to reduce costs through improved efficiencies and ongoing cost reduction initiatives in an effort to achieve full year operating margins in line with those in 2011.

In 2012, Loblaw will continue to strengthen its customer proposition, while the completion of its IT systems will remain a key priority. Loblaw expects there to be incremental costs related to net investments in IT and supply chain in 2012, as well as continued investment in its customer proposition. Loblaw does not expect its operations to cover these incremental costs, and as a result, anticipates full year 2012 operating income to be down year-over-year, with more pressure in the first half of the year.

For 2012, George Weston Limited anticipates adjusted basic net earnings per common share(2) to be down year-over-year, primarily due to the impact of the incremental costs at Loblaw, as discussed above.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This News Release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's objectives, plans, goals, aspirations, strategies, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, performance, prospects and opportunities. These forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "foresee", "could", "estimate", "goal", "intend", "plan", "seek", "strive", "will", "may" and "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company and its management. In this News Release, forward-looking statements include the Company's expectation that:

For Weston Foods:

sales growth will be modest;
commodity and input costs in the first half of 2012 will be higher than the comparable period in 2011, putting increased pressure on operating margins in the first half of 2012 when compared to the same period in 2011; and
efforts will be made to achieve full year operating margins in line with those in 2011.

For Loblaw:

there will be incremental costs related to investments in IT and supply chain in 2012, as well as continued investment in Loblaw's customer proposition; and
full year 2012 operating income will be down year-over-year, with more pressure in the first half of the year, as a result of Loblaw's expectation that operations will not cover the incremental costs related to the investments in IT and supply chain and its customer proposition.

For the Company:

full year 2012 adjusted basic net earnings per common share(2) will be down year-over-year.

These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future results and events. They also reflect management's current assumptions regarding the risks and uncertainties referred to below and their respective impact on the Company. In addition, the Company's expectation with regard to Weston Foods' operating margins in 2012 is based in part on the assumptions that there will be no significant unanticipated increase in the price of commodities and other input costs that Weston Foods will not be able to offset through pricing, improved efficiencies and ongoing cost reduction initiatives. The Company's expectation with regard to Loblaw's operating income in 2012 is based in part on the assumptions that Loblaw achieves its plan to increase net retail square footage by 1% and there are no unexpected adverse events or costs related to Loblaw's investments in IT and supply chain. The Company's expectation with regard to adjusted basic net earnings per common share(2) in 2012 is based in part on the assumption that interest rates, tax rates and the Company's ownership interest in Loblaw will be similar to those in 2011.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to:

failure to realize sales growth, anticipated cost savings or operating efficiencies from the Company's major initiatives, including investments in the Company's IT systems and the Company's IT systems implementation, or unanticipated results from these initiatives;
the inability of the Company's IT infrastructure to support the requirements of the Company's business;
unanticipated results associated with the Company's strategic initiatives and the impact of acquisitions or dispositions of businesses on the Company's future revenues and earnings;
heightened competition, whether from current competitors or new entrants to the marketplace;
changes in economic conditions including the rate of inflation or deflation, changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates and changes in derivative and commodity prices;
public health events;
risks associated with product defects, food safety and product handling;
failure to achieve desired results in labour negotiations, including the terms of future collective bargaining agreements which could lead to work stoppages;
the inability of the Company to manage inventory to minimize the impact of obsolete or excess inventory and to control shrink;
failure by the Company to maintain appropriate records to support its compliance with accounting, tax or legal rules, regulations and policies;
the availability and increased costs relating to raw materials, ingredients and utilities, including electricity and fuel;
failure of the Company's franchised stores to perform as expected;
reliance on the performance and retention of third-party service providers including those associated with the Company's supply chain and apparel business;
supply and quality control issues with vendors;
changes to or failure to comply with laws and regulations affecting the Company and its businesses, including changes to the regulation of generic prescription drug prices and the reduction of reimbursement under public drug benefit plans and the elimination or reduction of professional allowances paid by drug manufacturers;
changes in the Company's income, commodity, other tax and regulatory liabilities including changes in tax laws, regulations or future assessments;
any requirement of the Company to make contributions to its registered funded defined benefit pension plans or the multi-employer pension plans in which it participates in excess of those currently contemplated;
the risk that the Company would experience a financial loss if its counterparties fail to meet their obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of their contracts with the Company; and
the inability of the Company to collect on its credit card receivables.

This is not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material could also cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, including Section 12, "Enterprise Risks and Risk Management", of MD&A included in GWL's 2011 Annual Report. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's expectations only as of the date of this News Release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

(1) This News Release contains forward-looking information. See Forward-Looking Statements for a discussion of material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the conclusions, forecasts and projections herein and of the material factors and assumptions that were applied in presenting the conclusions, forecasts and projections presented herein. This News Release must be read in conjunction with George Weston Limited's filings with securities regulators made from time to time, all of which can be found at www.weston.ca and www.sedar.com.
(2) See non-GAAP financial measures.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In this News Release the Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted basic net earnings per common share. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors in measuring the financial performance of the Company for the reasons outlined below. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, and they should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
The following tables reconcile adjusted operating income and adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company reported for the periods ended as indicated. Under GAAP, certain expenses and income must be recognized that are not necessarily reflective of the Company's underlying operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of certain items and are used internally when analyzing consolidated and segment underlying operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also helpful in assessing underlying operating performance on a consistent basis. From time to time, the Company may exclude additional items if it believes doing so would result in a more effective analysis of underlying operating performance. The exclusion of the items listed in the following tables does not imply that they are non-recurring. Loblaw does not report its results on an adjusted basis, however the Company excludes the impact of the below items, as applicable, when reporting the results of the Loblaw segment.

The Company believes adjusted operating income is useful in assessing the Company's underlying operating performance and in making decisions regarding the ongoing operations of its business. The Company believes adjusted EBITDA is also useful in assessing the underlying operating performance of the Company's ongoing operations and in assessing the Company's ability to generate cash flows to fund its cash requirements, including its capital investment program.

Adjusted operating margin is calculated as adjusted operating income divided by sales. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by sales.

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