Keurig Dr Pepper Reports Strong Third Quarter 2018 Results

BURLINGTON, Mass. and PLANO, Texas, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NYSE: KDP) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.  During the quarter, the company successfully completed the merger of Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple Group ("the merger"), effective July 9, 2018.

GAAP performance in the third quarter primarily reflected the impact of the merger, with net sales advancing 140% versus year-ago to $2.7 billion and operating income increasing 45% to $344 million.  Earnings per diluted share ("diluted EPS") of $0.11 in the third quarter of 2018 also reflected the impact of the merger and compared to diluted EPS of $0.14 in the year-ago quarter.  

On an Adjusted pro forma¹ basis, net sales in the third quarter grew 2.9%, while Adjusted pro forma operating income increased 14.3%, or 240 basis points on a percentage of Adjusted pro forma net sales basis.  Adjusted pro forma diluted EPS grew 43% to $0.30, compared to $0.21 in the year-ago period.   

Commenting on the announcement, Keurig Dr Pepper CEO Bob Gamgort stated, "We're off to a great start as a combined company.  Our new organization is working well and delivered a strong quarter, with both top- and bottom-line growth and market share strength across our major categories.  We also repaid approximately $550 million of debt since the merger close.  We remain confident in our outlook for 2018 and the long-term value creation framework we shared at the time of the announcement of the merger."

During the quarter, KDP completed the acquisition of Big Red, a strong regional CSD² brand, and entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Core^®, a rapidly-growing brand that participates in the premium enhanced water segment.  The Company also added Forto^®, a rapidly-growing brand of coffee energy shots, to its partner portfolio and expanded its distribution relationship with Peet's^®, a premium specialty coffee company, for the expansion of the Peet's RTD Iced Espresso line.   In late October, KDP entered into a long-term partnership with Danone Waters of America to sell, distribute and merchandise evian^®, the leading global brand of premium natural spring water, across the U.S.

Third Quarter Consolidated Results
Net sales in the third quarter of 2018 more than doubled to $2.73 billion, compared to $1.14 billion in the year-ago quarter, primarily reflecting the impact of the merger.  Adjusted pro forma net sales of $2.86 billion in the third quarter of 2018 grew 2.9%, driven by volume/mix growth of 3.6%, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation of 0.5% and modestly lower net realized price of 0.2%. 

Retail market performance, as measured by IRI, remained strong in the quarter.  The Company's CSD portfolio registered market share growth in both units and dollars, driven by strong performance of Dr Pepper and Canada Dry.   Likewise, the coffee portfolio also performed well in the quarter, driven by single-serve pod category unit growth, combined with an increase in market share of pods manufactured by KDP. 

Operating income increased 45% to $344 million, compared to $238 million in the year-ago period, primarily reflecting the impact of the merger, partially offset by the unfavorable year-over-year impact of items affecting comparability.  Adjusted pro forma operating income advanced 14.3% to $697 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $610 million in the year-ago period.  This performance primarily reflected the benefit of the net sales growth, strong productivity and lower marketing expense due to timing, despite inflation in input costs and logistics.  On a percentage of Adjusted pro forma net sales basis, Adjusted operating income grew 240 basis points to 24.4% in the third quarter of 2018, compared to 22.0% in the year-ago period. 

Net income increased approximately 28% to $148 million, compared to $116 million in the year-ago period, largely reflecting the impact of the merger, partially offset by the unfavorable year-over-year impact of items affecting comparability.   Adjusted pro forma net income advanced 39% to $414 million, compared to $297 million in the year-ago period, primarily reflecting the growth in Adjusted pro forma operating income and a significantly lower effective tax rate, due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as a cash distribution from BODYARMOR, in connection with KDP's interest in it as a unitholder.  Adjusted diluted EPS increased 43% to $0.30 per diluted share, compared to $0.21 per diluted share in the year-ago period. 

Since the merger close, KDP repaid approximately $550 million of debt, due to strong operating profit results and effective working capital management.

¹ Adjusted pro forma metrics used in this release are non-GAAP financial measures and assume the merger occurred on December 31, 2016 and adjusts for other items affecting comparability.  See reconciliation of GAAP results to Pro forma results and Adjusted pro forma results in the accompanying financial tables.
² Refers to carbonated soft drinks.

Third Quarter Segment Results

Beverage Concentrates
Net sales for Beverage Concentrates in the third quarter of 2018 totaled $317 million.  Adjusted pro forma net sales advanced 3.1% to $331 million, compared to $321 in the year-ago period, reflecting the benefits of increased volume/mix of 0.7% and higher net price realization of 2.7%, partially offset by unfavorable currency translation of 0.3%.

The Adjusted pro forma net sales growth in the quarter was fueled by higher net pricing across the portfolio, as well as shipment volume growth of 0.5%.  The increase in net sales was driven by Dr Pepper and A&W, partially offset by Sunkist, while the increase in shipment volume was driven by Canada Dry, due to product innovation and continued growth in the ginger ale segment, as well as growth of Crush and Hawaiian Punch, partially offset by Dr Pepper and Sunkist.

Bottler case sales volume increased 0.8%, driven by growth in Canada Dry, partially offset by a decline in Sunkist.  Dr Pepper case sales volume was even with year-ago in the quarter, with growth in regular offset by a decline in diet.  Fountain foodservice volume increased 1.7% in the quarter, led by Dr Pepper and Hawaiian Punch. 

Operating income for Beverage Concentrates in the third quarter of 2018 was $193 million.   Adjusted pro forma operating income of $204 million was even with year-ago, primarily reflecting the benefit of the net sales growth offset by higher SG&A, largely due to increased performance-based compensation and inflation in input costs and logistics. 

Packaged Beverages
Net sales for Packaged Beverages in the third quarter of 2018 totaled $1,238 million.  Adjusted pro forma net sales advanced 4.9% to $1,336 million, compared to $1,273 million in the year-ago period, reflecting higher volume/mix of 5.7%, partially offset by lower net price realization of 0.7% and unfavorable foreign currency translation of 0.1%.

The Adjusted pro forma net sales growth in the quarter was fueled by shipment volume growth of 4.5%, due to increases in contract manufacturing and growth in Canada Dry, BODYARMOR, Core and Bai, partially offset by lower shipment volume of 7UP and Dr Pepper.   

Operating income for Packaged Beverages in the third quarter of 2018 totaled $61 million.  Adjusted pro forma operating income declined 16% to $164 million, compared to $195 million in the year-ago period.  This performance reflected the strong growth in Adjusted pro forma net sales and productivity, more than offset by inflation in input costs and logistics not yet fully covered by pricing actions taken during the quarter.  Also impacting the performance was investment behind the Company's front-line sales, delivery and merchandising workforce. 

Latin America Beverages
Net sales for Latin America Beverages in the third quarter of 2018 totaled $124 million.  Adjusted pro forma net sales increased 2.3% to $136 million, compared to $133 million in the year-ago period, reflecting higher net price realization of 8.7%, partially offset by lower volume/mix of 0.6% and unfavorable currency translation of 5.8%.

Operating income for Latin America Beverages in the third quarter of 2018 totaled $15 million.  Adjusted pro forma operating income more than doubled in the third quarter of 2018 to $27 million, compared to $11 million in the year-ago period.  This performance reflected the benefit of the Adjusted pro forma net sales growth and the favorable impact of comparison to the prior year write-off of prepaid resin inventory, partially offset by inflation in input costs and logistics.

Coffee Systems
Net sales for Coffee Systems were $1,053 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $1,140 million in the year-ago period which included an extra shipping week.   Adjusted pro forma net sales grew 0.4% to $1,053 million in the third quarter of 2018, driven by volume/mix growth of 2.5%, almost entirely offset by lower net price realization of 1.7%, which continued to moderate significantly on a sequential quarterly basis, and unfavorable foreign currency translation of 0.4%.    

The net sales growth in the third quarter was fueled by volume growth of approximately 3% for pods and 8% for brewers, as well as higher brewer pricing due to innovation, partially offset by the aforementioned strategic pod pricing investment, which continued to moderate, as expected.

During the third quarter of 2018, the Coffee Systems segment added Tim Horton's®, an iconic coffee brand in Canada, and Panera®, a successful bakery-café brand, as new Keurig system partners.  In addition, KDP launched its new coffeehouse brewers—namely the K-Café and the K-Latte—enabling consumers to make lattes and cappuccinos at home using any K-Cup pod.  The Company also launched its updated K-Mini platform, with new features and a modern, sleek design.  The new innovations, designed to drive household penetration of the Keurig system, are performing well in the market, with each of the new brewers receiving strong consumer reviews.

Operating income for Coffee Systems in the third quarter of 2018 advanced 16% to $334 million, compared to $288 million in the year-ago period.   Adjusted pro forma operating income advanced 22% to $380 million, compared to $312 million in the year-ago period, primarily reflecting the net sales performance, strong productivity and lower marketing expense due to timing, despite inflation in input costs and logistics.

KDP Adjusted Pro forma Outlook
The Company's outlook for Adjusted pro forma diluted EPS in 2018 remains unchanged in the range of $1.02 to $1.07, after the impact of preliminary Purchase Price Accounting adjustments currently estimated at $0.04 per diluted share.  

In addition, KDP continues to expect merger synergies totaling $600 million over the 2019-2021 period, with $200 million in savings expected each year, as well as ongoing productivity across the business. The Company also continues to expect significant cash flow generation and rapid deleveraging, with a targeted leverage ratio below 3.0x in two to three years from the closing of the merger.  Finally, KDP continues to expect to achieve average annualized growth of 15-17% in Adjusted pro forma diluted EPS from 2018 to 2021.

Investor Contacts:
Maria Sceppaguercio
Keurig Dr Pepper
T: 781-418-8136 / maria.sceppaguercio@keurig.com

Steve Alexander
Keurig Dr Pepper
T: 972-673-6769 / steve.alexander@dpsg.com

Media Contact:
Katie Gilroy
Keurig Dr Pepper
T: 781-418-3345 / katie.gilroy@keurig.com

ABOUT KEURIG DR PEPPER
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is a leading coffee and beverage company in North America, with annual revenue in excess of $11 billion. KDP holds leadership positions in soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, water, juice and juice drinks and mixers, and markets the #1 single serve coffee brewing system in the U.S. The Company maintains an unrivaled distribution system that enables its portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner brands to be available nearly everywhere people shop and consume beverages. With a wide range of hot and cold beverages that meet virtually any consumer need, KDP key brands include Keurig®, Dr Pepper®, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters®, Canada Dry®, Snapple®, Bai®, Mott's® and The Original Donut Shop®. The Company employs more than 25,000 employees and operates more than 120 offices, manufacturing plants, warehouses and distribution centers across North America.   For more information, visit www.keurigdrpepper.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "could," "estimate," "feel," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "project," "should," "will," "would," and similar words, phrases or expressions and variations or negatives of these words, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements regarding the estimated or anticipated future results of the combined company following the combination of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. ("KGM") and Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. ("DPSG" and such combination, the "transaction"), the anticipated benefits of the transaction, including estimated synergies and cost savings, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of our management and are not predictions of actual performance.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding the combined company's business and the combination and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) the impact the significant additional debt incurred in connection with the transaction may have on our ability to operate our combined business, (ii) risks relating to the integration of the KGM and DPS operations, products and employees into the combined company and assumption of certain potential liabilities of KGM and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of the combination, including cost savings, will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected timeframe, and (iii) risks relating to the combined businesses and the industries in which our combined company operates. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties, are more fully discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, including our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 9, 2018, and our subsequent filings with the SEC. While the lists of risk factors presented here and in our public filings are considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement made herein speaks only as of the date of this document. We are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
On July 9, 2018 (the "Merger Date"), Maple Parent Holdings Corp. ("Maple"), a Delaware corporation and the parent entity of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. ("Keurig") completed its merger (the "Transaction") with a wholly owned subsidiary of Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. ("DPS"), at which time Maple became a wholly owned subsidiary of DPS and DPS changed its name to "Keurig Dr Pepper Inc." ("KDP" or the "Company").

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (the "financial information") is presented to illustrate the estimated effects of the Transaction as if it had been consummated on December 31, 2016. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income by quarter for 2017 and for the first two quarters of 2018 combines the historical financial statements of DPS and Maple after giving effect to the Transaction and reflects the assumptions, reclassifications and adjustments described in the accompanying notes to this financial information. Refer to the Summary of Reclassifications and Summary of Pro Forma Adjustments in the attached schedules for details of the reclassifications and adjustments applied to the historical financial statements of DPS and of Maple.

The financial information was prepared using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination be recognized at their fair values as of the completion of the acquisition. We utilized estimated fair values at the Merger Date for the preliminary allocation of consideration to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. During the measurement period, we will continue to obtain information to assist in determining the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which may differ materially from these preliminary estimates. The historical consolidated financial statements have been adjusted in the accompanying financial information to give effect to unaudited pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the transaction, (2) factually supportable, and (3) are expected to have a continuing impact on the results of operations of the combined company.

The financial information has been prepared based upon currently available information and assumptions deemed appropriate by the Company's management. This financial information is not necessarily indicative of what our results of operations actually would have been had the Transaction been completed as of December 31, 2016. In addition, the financial information is not indicative of future results or current financial conditions and does not reflect any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, cost savings or any integration costs that may result from the Transaction. The financial information should be read in conjunction with historical financial statements and accompanying notes filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including Adjusted pro forma net sales, Adjusted pro forma operating income, and Adjusted diluted EPS, which differ from results using U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as supplements to the GAAP reported measures, should not be considered replacements for, or superior to, the GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures typically exclude certain charges, [including one-time costs related to the Transaction and integration activities,] which are not expected to occur routinely in future periods. The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures internally to focus management on performance excluding these special charges to gauge our business operating performance, and to provide a meaningful comparison of the Company's performance to periods prior to the Transaction. Management believes this information is helpful to investors because it increases transparency and assists investors in understanding the underlying performance of the Company and in the analysis of ongoing operating trends. Additionally, management believes that non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by analysts and investors in their evaluation of companies, and its continued inclusion provides consistency in financial reporting and enables analysts and investors to perform meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to non-GAAP financial measures are set forth in the appendix to this presentation and included in the Company's filings with the SEC.

See the attached schedules for the supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations of KDP Adjusted pro forma net sales, Adjusted pro forma operating income, and Adjusted diluted EPS.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

On January 29, 2018, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. ("DPS") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") by and among DPS, Maple Parent Holdings Corp. ("Maple") and Salt Merger Sub, Inc. ("Merger Sub"), whereby Merger Sub will be merged with and into Maple, with Maple surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of DPS (the "Transaction"). The Transaction was consummated on July 9, 2018 (the "Merger Date"), at which time DPS changed its name to "Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.".

Immediately prior to the consummation of the Transaction (the "Effective Time"), each share of common stock of Maple  issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of common stock of Merger Sub determined pursuant to an exchange ratio set forth in the Merger Agreement (the "Acquisition Shares"). As a result of the Transaction, the stockholders of Maple as of immediately prior to the Effective Time own approximately 87% of DPS common stock following the closing and the stockholders of DPS as of immediately prior to the Effective Time own approximately 13% on a fully diluted basis. Upon consummation of the Transaction, DPS declared a special cash dividend equal to $103.75 per share, subject to any withholding of taxes required by law, payable to holders of its common stock as of the record date for the special dividend.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (the "financial information") is presented to illustrate the estimated effects of the Transaction. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income for the third quarter of 2018 are based on the actual third quarter financial statements of Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. with the inclusion of the 8 days of activity of DPS from July 1, 2018 through July 9, 2018, after giving effect to the Transaction and the assumptions, reclassifications and adjustments described in the accompanying notes to this financial information. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income are presented as if the Transaction had been consummated on December 31, 2016, and combines the historical results of DPS and Maple Parent. Refer to the Summary of Pro Forma Adjustments and Summary of Reclassifications below for details of the reclassifications and adjustments applied to the historical financial statements of DPS and of Maple.

The financial information was prepared using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination be recognized at their fair values as of the completion of the acquisition. We utilized estimated fair values at the Merger Date for the preliminary allocation of consideration to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. During the measurement period, we will continue to obtain information to assist in determining the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which may differ materially from these preliminary estimates. The historical consolidated financial statements have been adjusted in the accompanying financial information to give effect to unaudited pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the transaction, (2) factually supportable, and (3) are expected to have a continuing impact on the results of operations of the combined company.

The financial information has been prepared based upon currently available information and assumptions deemed appropriate by the Company's management. This financial information is not necessarily indicative of what our results of operations actually would have been had the Transaction been completed as of December 31, 2016. In addition, the financial information is not indicative of future results or current financial conditions and does not reflect any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, cost savings or any integration costs that may result from the Transaction. The financial information should be read in conjunction with historical financial statements and accompanying notes filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Summary of Pro Forma Adjustments

Pro forma adjustments included in the Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income are as follows:

Summary of Reclassifications

Reclassifications included in the Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 are as follows: