Dr Pepper Snapple Group reports Q1 net earnings of US$102M, down 11% from year-ago period amid rising input costs, lower volume of non-carbonated beverages; sales up 2.3% to US$1.36B

Nevin Barich

PLANO, Texas , April 25, 2012 (press release) – Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (NYSE: DPS) reported first quarter 2012 EPS of $0.48 compared to $0.50 in the prior year period. Excluding $0.02 per share of unrealized commodity mark-to-market gains, Core EPS were $0.46 compared to $0.50 in the prior period.

For the quarter, reported net sales increased 2% reflecting 4 percentage points of price/mix, partially offset by lower branded volumes, a reclassification of certain customer transportation allowances that were previously recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses and foreign currency translation. Reported segment operating profit (SOP) decreased 4%, or $12 million, as the benefits of higher sales and productivity improvements were more than offset by higher packaging and ingredient costs, other operating cost increases and higher marketing investments of $8 million. Reported income from operations for the quarter was $192 million including $6 million of unrealized mark-to-market gains. Reported income from operations was $202 million in the prior year period including $2 million of unrealized mark-to-market gains.

DPS President and CEO Larry Young said, “Despite expected commodity headwinds and higher pricing across our CSD brands and Hawaiian Punch and Mott’s trademarks, our business continued to perform well in the quarter, and consistent with our expectations. We outperformed the industry in both volume and dollar share in both the CSD and Tea categories. Now in its second year, Rapid Continuous Improvement (RCI) is delivering results for our customers and in our financial performance. With solid marketing plans in place for the remainder of the year and RCI further expanding across the organization, I remain confident in our plans for the year.”

BCS Volume

For the quarter, BCS volume was flat with carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) growing 2% and non-carbonated beverages (NCBs) declining 7%.

In CSDs, Dr Pepper volume increased 2%. Canada Dry, A&W and Sunkist soda all grew mid-single digits, while 7UP increased low-single digits. Peñafiel and Squirt also posted solid gains, while Crush declined mid-single digits and Sun Drop declined double-digits, as we cycled the national launch of the brand in the prior year period. Fountain foodservice volume grew 5%, cycling 7% volume growth in the prior year period.

In NCBs, Hawaiian Punch volume declined 21% and Mott’s volume declined 16% due to cycling price increases that were taken in mid-year 2011. Clamato increased 27% and Snapple volume grew 5%, cycling 10% growth in the prior year period.

By geography, U.S. and Canada volume was flat while volume grew 4% in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Sales volume

For the quarter, sales volume decreased 1%. Branded volume declined just over 1%, while contract manufacturing volume increased.

Beverage Concentrates

Net sales for the quarter were flat as 4 percentage points of concentrate pricing were offset by a 3% volume decline and higher discounts. SOP decreased 10% principally due to increased marketing investments and higher ingredient costs.

Packaged Beverages

Net sales for the quarter were up 3% reflecting favorable mix and 2 percentage points of pricing, partially offset by the reclassification of certain customer transportation allowances that were previously recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. SOP increased 3% as the benefits of higher sales were partially offset by cost inflation in packaging and ingredients and other operating costs.

Latin America Beverages

Net sales for the quarter increased 6% reflecting favorable product mix and a 4% increase in volume. Net sales growth was partially offset by the reclassification of certain customer transportation allowances that were previously recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses. SOP increased 60% reflecting net sales growth and favorable operating leverage, partially offset by higher packaging, ingredient and manufacturing costs.

Corporate and other items

For the quarter, corporate costs totaled $65 million, including $6 million of unrealized commodity-related mark-to-market gains. Corporate costs in the prior year period were $67 million, including $2 million of unrealized commodity-related mark-to-market gains.

Net interest expense increased $6 million compared to the prior year, as the company re-financed low floating rate debt in November 2011.

For the quarter, the effective tax rate was 37.4% compared to 36.0% last year, as last year’s rate included certain one-time tax benefits related to the PepsiCo, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company licensing agreements.

Cash flow

For the quarter, the company used $325 million of cash in operating activities, which included the payment of $508 million in taxes related to the PepsiCo, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company licensing agreements. Capital spending totaled $51 million. The company returned $153 million to shareholders in the form of stock repurchases ($85 million) and dividends ($68 million).

2012 full year guidance

The company continues to expect full year reported net sales growth near the low end of its long-term 3% to 5% range and Core EPS to be in the $2.90 to $2.98 range.

Packaging and ingredient costs are expected to increase COGS between 2% and 3%, on a constant volume/mix basis.

The company expects its tax rate to be approximately 37%.

The company expects capital spending to be approximately 4.0% of net sales.

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

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, 2011, 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 2012. 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 page A-5 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, Inc. (NYSE: DPS) is the 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 11 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes Sunkist soda, 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Crush, Mott's, Squirt, Hawaiian Punch, Peñafiel, Clamato, Schweppes, Rose's and Mr & Mrs T mixers. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit www.drpeppersnapple.com.

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