Monterrey, Mexico, February 23, 2024 — Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (“FEMSA”) (NYSE: FMX; BMV: FEMSAUBD, FEMSAUB) announced today its operational and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023.
FEMSA: Total Consolidated Revenues grew 4.6% against 4Q22.
- FEMSA Retail: Proximity Americas total Revenues increased 14.2% against 4Q22.
- DIGITAL: Spin by OXXO had 6.9 million active users[2] while Spin Premia had 19.3 million active loyalty users2 and an average tender[3] of 31.0%.
- COCA-COLA FEMSA: Total volume and revenues grew 6.1% and 8.1%, respectively, agains
José Antonio Fernandez Carbajal, FEMSA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“Our results for the fourth quarter were strong, but less uniform across business units than what we saw earlier in the year. Revenues were robust, even as we cycled tough comparison bases at certain business units. However, on the expense side we felt more directly the cumulative effect from increased labor costs in Mexico, as well as some business- and country-specific situations that impacted our profitability.
Proximity Americas increased revenues by more than 14%, driven by high-single-digit comparable sales at OXXO and reflecting an accelerated store expansion, while we continued to see healthy growth trends in South America and across formats. In Europe, Valora achieved a strong operating result with substantial growth in a challenging macro environment. FEMSA Health delivered stable revenues, but a deteriorating dynamic in the institutional business in Colombia hurt our profitability. For its part, Coca-Cola FEMSA again delivered strong results across its income statement, while Digital@FEMSA continued to add users at a brisk pace.
On the strategic front, we recently provided incremental information regarding our capital allocation framework, and we stand ready to begin executing the plan in order to reach our stated leverage objective within two to three years.
In short, we wrapped up a unique year that was transformational on the strategic front, with remarkable results resulting from our FEMSA Forward strategy. Today, we are a leaner, more focused company, ideally positioned to pursue and capture the most compelling opportunity set we have ever had before us. Once again, I thank the entire FEMSA team for their excellent work, as we get ready to write another exciting chapter.”
QUARTERLY RESULTS
Total revenues increased 4.6% in 4Q23 compared to 4Q22, driven by growth across our business units. On an organic basis, total revenues increased 4.3%.
Gross profit increased 8.5%. Gross margin expanded 140 basis points, reflecting margin expansions at Proximity Americas, Fuel, and Coca-Cola FEMSA. This was partially offset by a margin contraction in Health and Proximity Europe.
Income from operations decreased 1.4%. On an organic basis, income from operations decreased 0.7%. Consolidated operating margin decreased 60 basis points to 9.2% of total revenues, reflecting margin contractions in Coca-Cola FEMSA, Proximity Americas, and Health; this was partially offset by margin expansions in Fuel and Proximity Europe.
Net consolidated income was Ps. 6,337 million, reflecting: i) higher gross profit; and ii) a decrease in net interest expenses during the quarter. This was partially offset by: i) a non-cash foreign exchange loss of Ps. 6,302 million related to our U.S. dollar-denominated cash position impacted by the appreciation of the Mexican peso; and ii) a Ps. 3,235 million net loss from discontinued operations, mostly reflecting the accounting re-measurement from historical cost to fair value of FEMSA’s investment in Solistica and Alpunto businesses, net of impairments.
Net majority income was Ps. 0.91 per FEMSA Unit and US$0.64 per FEMSA ADS.
Capital expenditures amounted Ps. 15,679 million, driven by ongoing investment activities across our business units.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- On October 31, 2023, FEMSA announced that the transaction bringing together BradyIFS and Envoy Solutions had closed successfully, after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals. The transaction combines the strengths and complementary footprints of Envoy Solutions and BradyIFS to create a strong customer-focused platform to effectively provide its customers with high-value solutions, and its supplier partners with excellent market reach, delivering more products and solutions in more locations across the United States. With this transaction, FEMSA continues to deliver on its FEMSA Forward strategy.
- On November 9, 2023, FEMSA announced the final results of its previously announced offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding US$552,830,000 principal amount of 4.375% Senior Notes due 2043 (CUSIP/ISIN: 344419 AB2 / US344419AB20) (the “Securities”) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase, dated October 31, 2023 (the “Offer to Purchase”) and the related notice of guaranteed delivery (the “Notice of Guaranteed Delivery” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer Documents”).
The Tender Offer expired on November 6, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) (the “Expiration Date”) and settled on November 9, 2023 (the “Settlement Date”). No Notice of Guaranteed Delivery was received by FEMSA prior to the Expiration Date. The aggregate amount paid by FEMSA to Holders whose Securities were accepted for purchase, including Accrued Interest and Additional Amounts, was approximately US$117 million.
- On November 14, 2023, FEMSA announced that in order to meet the needs of the populations affected by Otis, FEMSA through Coca-Cola FEMSA, OXXO, OXXO GAS, Farmacias Yza, Spin by OXXO, Fundación FEMSA, and Solistica continue to add support for the prompt recovery of Acapulco.
- With the commissioning of two “Ven por Agua” water treatment vehicles, as of November 13, Coca-Cola FEMSA has filled 5,323 bottles (20L) of drinking water.
- The Spin Premia loyalty coalition program adds to the fundraising efforts. From November 6 to December 6, users of the program could contribute their points to a fund that was transformed into support through the collaboration between FEMSA Foundation and World Vision Mexico (More than 3.6 million pesos).
- Among the actions that OXXO implemented as a priority were the delivery of 7,600 food pantries for employees and the community and the delivery of 6,000 hydration products in the most affected areas and 5,520 bottles of water.
- On February 15, 2024, FEMSA provided additional information regarding its future capital allocation plans. These plans have been approved by the Board of Directors of FEMSA and are an integral part of, and fully consistent with, the FEMSA Forward strategy presented in February of 2023.
FEMSA´s capital allocation strategy is focused on driving the long-term intrinsic per-share value. FEMSA believes they have abundant attractive capital deployment opportunities. Over the next five years they expect to invest capital in core organic growth initiatives in excess of Ps. 237,000 million, with close to Ps. 170,000 million of that deployed in Mexico, where they are one of the largest employers (over 280,000 employees), and taxpayers, expecting to pay over Ps. 100,000 million in aggregate income taxes for the period between fiscal 2023 and 2028. Considering the remarkable speed and success with which the FEMSA Forward-related divestments have been executed, and after accounting for expected organic and inorganic capital needs, FEMSA believes that returning capital to shareholders should be an important part of the overall strategy.
FEMSA look at the portfolio of investment opportunities available, privileging organic investments within their proven business models that can generate returns well in excess of cost of capital, and with a relatively low level of risk. Also favoring investments in initiatives and capabilities with attractive risk-reward profiles that create and drive, through market expansion and innovation, future value creation opportunities. In addition, inorganic investments will be focused on meeting the strategic objectives of core verticals and scrutinized to meet strict financial criteria: value creation and cash flow generation.
Furthermore, subject to business performance and capital deployment opportunities and beyond the ordinary dividend, FEMSA will endeavor to return to shareholders an aggregate amount equivalent to approximately six percent of FEMSA’s current public market value over the next two to three years, through a combination of additional dividends and share buybacks. This capital return framework will have the overarching tenet of not maintaining idle capital on the balance sheet, and maximizing per-share value accretion as they strive to reach and maintain a 2x Net Debt/EBITDA ex-KOF objective.
FEMSA expects to use a combination of dividends and a multi-year share buyback program to return capital to its shareholders in 2024 and beyond. To this end, the Board of Directors has approved to submit to the 2024 Annual Shareholders Meeting the following proposals: i) Increase ordinary dividends by approximately 20% compared to 2023 on an aggregate basis by paying four quarterly installments of Ps. 0.9161 per FEMSAUB unit and Ps. 1.0993 per FEMSAUBD unit (Ps. 10.9931 per ADS); ii) pay an additional dividend in four quarterly installments of Ps. 0.6418 per FEMSAUB unit and Ps. 0.7701 per FEMSAUBD unit (Ps. 7.7010 per ADS), over and above the approved ordinary dividends, to be disbursed on the same dates as the ordinary dividends; and iii) double maximum share buyback capacity from the currently existing authorization.
Consistent with the plans described above, FEMSA intends to utilize a mix of the share buyback program and additional dividends as needed. Intending to continue to use these mechanisms in the medium term, focused on per-share value accretion and maintaining our stated leverage objective.
- On February 23, 2023, FEMSA announced that, as part of its commitment to the FEMSA Forward strategy, it is implementing changes in its corporate organization.
Consistent with the FEMSA Forward strategy, each of the three core business verticals will continue strengthening their already robust teams to ensure they capture the significant growth opportunities ahead of them. Their size and complexity require a strong team, dedicated to the execution of their strategies, and the achievement of their business objectives. FEMSA corporate organization will focus on setting the overall strategic direction and providing guidance and support for the core businesses, including all major strategic, financial, and capital market-related matters.
In this context, and having largely concluded the transformational transactions stemming from FEMSA Forward, FEMSA announces two changes in FEMSA’s senior leadership team.
Francisco Camacho Beltrán, FEMSA’s Chief Corporate Officer, has decided to complete his cycle at the Company and pursue new professional challenges, stepping down from his role effective April 30, 2024. Since joining the Company in 2020, Francisco successfully led most of the corporate functions of FEMSA, while also playing a pivotal role in defining FEMSA’s Strategic Priorities Framework, ensuring its alignment with the new FEMSA Forward strategy, and coordinating the development of the current long-range plans of FEMSA and its business units. He leaves the Company with a clear roadmap for sustained growth, and in an enviable position to meet all the ambitious goals that the Company has set in its sustainability efforts.
Eugenio Garza y Garza, FEMSA’s Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has also decided to finish his cycle at the Company and step down as CFO effective April 30, 2024. Since joining FEMSA in 2018, Eugenio has played an instrumental role in the strategic and corporate development of FEMSA, including the design and implementation of the FEMSA Forward strategy in record time, the successful divestment of FEMSA’s stake in Heineken, JRD, and Envoy, as well as numerous other benchmark-setting M&A and capital market transactions. His leadership, financial acumen, and strategic vision have been key to the continued success and financial strength of FEMSA and its Business Units.
Martin Arias Yaniz has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective April 30, 2024. Martin has been an integral part of FEMSA’s finance and strategy team for 25 years. He began working with FEMSA in 1999 as a strategic advisor before formally joining FEMSA in 2003, occupying different leadership positions in the Corporate Development, Strategic Planning, and Treasury teams at both Coca-Cola FEMSA and FEMSA. From 2014 until 2019, he was FEMSA’s Director of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development. Since his departure from this role, Martin has continued as a close and trusted advisor of the Company for strategic projects, including FEMSA Forward and the implementation of its related transactions. He will serve as FEMSA’s CFO on an interim basis, and FEMSA will conduct a thorough search process to appoint a permanent replacement in due course. FEMSA’s CFO will report to José Antonio Fernández Carbajal, FEMSA’s Executive Chairman and CEO.
Martin will work closely with Francisco and Eugenio over the next two months to facilitate a seamless handover. In addition, during this period, Eugenio will launch the implementation of the capital allocation elements of the FEMSA Forward strategy that was announced on February 15, transitioning to Martin in due course to ensure its continued success. Following his departure from the CFO position, Eugenio will remain working with FEMSA in an advisory role for key strategic projects.
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ABOUT FEMSA
FEMSA is a company that creates economic and social value through companies and institutions and strives to be the best employer and neighbor to the communities in which it operates. Across its business units, FEMSA has more than 350,000 employees in 18 countries. FEMSA is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability MILA Pacific Alliance, the FTSE4Good Emerging Index and the Mexican Stock Exchange Sustainability Index: S&P/BMV Total México ESG, among other indexes that evaluate its sustainability performance.
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