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| Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British American Tobacco Plc | LSE:BATS | London | Ordinary Share | GB0002875804 | ORD 25P |
| Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -16.00 | -0.67% | 2,355.00 | 2,360.00 | 2,361.00 | 2,386.00 | 2,360.00 | 2,371.00 | 4,175,430 | 16:35:03 |
| Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes | 27.72B | -14.37B | -6.4241 | -3.67 | 52.78B |
From May 2019 to May 2024
TIDMBATS
RNS Number : 2733E
British American Tobacco PLC
27 February 2020
27 February 2020
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO p.l.c.
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT - YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2019
Hot Features
Premium
STRONG OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE DRIVES DELEVERAGING
KEY FINANCIALS 2019 Change vs 2018
------------------------ -------------------
Current Constant Current Constant
IFRS rates rates Rates rates
----------- ----------- -------- ---------
Revenue GBP25,877m +5.7%
Profit from operations GBP9,016m -3.2%
Basic earnings per share (EPS) 249.7p -5.4%
Diluted EPS 249.0p -5.4%
Net cash generated from operating
activities GBP8,996m -12.6%
Borrowings GBP45,366m -4.5%
Non-GAAP:
Adjusted revenue GBP25,827m GBP25,683m +6.2% +5.6%
Adjusted profit from operations GBP11,130m GBP11,032m +7.6% +6.6%
Adjusted diluted EPS 323.8p 321.6p +9.1% +8.4%
Adjusted cash generated from operations
(ACGFO) GBP6,831m GBP6,753m -15.4% -16.3%
Adjusted net debt GBP41,726m -3.9%
------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -------- ---------
The use of non-GAAP measures, including adjusting items and constant currencies, are further discussed on pages 47 to 53, with reconciliations from the most comparable IFRS measure provided.
Jack Bowles, Chief Executive said: "When I became CEO, my commitment was to maximise value growth from combustibles, deliver a step change in New Categories and develop a simpler, stronger, faster, more agile organisation to create a better tomorrow. I am delighted with the progress we have made in all areas. We have delivered value growth from our combustible business and grown our New Categories business, now providing potentially reduced risk products to close to 11 million consumers. In September, we announced a significant restructuring and simplification programme, which is largely complete. This will create the capabilities and resources to continue investing in New Categories and allow us to deliver on our financial commitments. Looking into 2020, we are confident of another year of high single figure adjusted constant currency earnings growth."
Key highlights, at current rates unless otherwise stated:
-- Reported diluted EPS of 249.0p down 5.4%, impacted by a number of adjusting items discussed below;
-- Adjusted diluted EPS of 323.8p up 9.1%, or 321.6p up 8.4% at constant rates;
-- Cigarette and THP volume share(1) increased by 20bps, with value share(2) up 30bps in key markets;
-- New Categories revenue grew 36.9% or 32.4% to GBP1,214m at constant rates with strong growth in all categories, despite the slowdown in US vapour. Excluding US vapour, New Categories revenue grew 39% at constant rates;
-- Reported revenue of GBP25,877m (up 5.7%);
-- Adjusted revenue of GBP25,827m (up 6.2%), or GBP25,683m on a constant currency basis (up 5.6%);
-- Reported profit from operations of GBP9,016m down 3.2% driven by adjusting items of GBP2,114m (2018: GBP1,034m) partly due to the charges incurred in respect of Canada (Quebec), Quantum (simplification programme), other smoking and health litigation including Engle in the US, Russia (excise dispute) and Indonesia (goodwill impairment), the majority of which are non-cash items;
-- Adjusted profit from operations of GBP11,130m (up 7.6%), an increase of 6.6% on a constant currency basis;
-- Reported operating margin declined 320 bps to 34.8%, largely due to the adjusting items; -- Adjusted operating margin up 50 bps with significantly increased investment in New Categories;
-- At constant rates of exchange, the US delivered a strong year with adjusted revenue up 4.4%, value share up 30 bps and adjusted profit from operations up 6.4%;
-- Operating cash flow conversion was 97%, with adjusted cash generated from operations down 16.3% (on a constant currency basis). Normalising for the timing of the 2018 MSA payment, ACGFO increased 1.2%;
-- Free cash flow after dividends of GBP1,921m drove deleveraging of 0.5x to 3.5x (0.4x at constant rates); and
-- Dividend up 3.6% to 210.4p, in line with our commitment to a 65% pay-out ratio of adjusted diluted EPS.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - SUMMARY
IFRS
-- Reported revenue increased 5.7% to GBP25,877m;
-- Reported profit from operations was down 3.2% to GBP9,016m, with reported operating margin down 320 bps at 34.8%, as the Group was impacted by a number of financial headwinds totalling GBP2,114m. These include charges related to Canada (Quebec GBP436m), amortisation and impairment of trademarks (GBP481m), the Group's restructuring programme Quantum (GBP264m), other litigation including Engle in the US (GBP236m), Russia (in relation to an excise dispute, GBP202m) and Indonesia (goodwill impairment GBP172m);
-- Reported basic and diluted EPS both declined 5.4% to 249.7p and 249.0p respectively;
-- Borrowings decreased to GBP45,366m (2018: GBP47,509m), driven by the net repayment of borrowings, foreign exchange tailwinds and cash generation more than offsetting the non-cash recognition of lease liabilities under IFRS 16 of GBP607m; and
-- Net cash generated from operating activities declined 12.6% to GBP8,996m, due to the timing of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) in the US in prior periods.
Volume and Share
-- Total cigarette and THP volume declined 4.4% to 677bn sticks, with cigarette volume down 4.7% and THP volume up 31.6%. Group volume was particularly impacted by a one-off stock reduction in Russia, combined volume decline in Egypt (due to a change in local taxes impacting Pall Mall) and Venezuela (where macroeconomic conditions remain challenging). The remainder of the Group performed largely in line with the industry(3) with combined cigarettes and THP volume down 3.2%. In the key markets, value share(2) increased 30 bps while volume share(1) was 20 bps up against 2018; and
-- Strategic Cigarette and THP volume was down 2.5%, with volume share up by 70 bps (or 30 bps excluding migrations), with growth in all regions.
Non-GAAP adjusted basis
-- Adjusted revenue(4) increased 6.2% to GBP25,827m, or 5.6% to GBP25,683m on a constant currency basis , as cigarette price/mix of 9% and growth in revenue from New Categories and Traditional Oral, more than offset lower cigarette volume;
-- Revenue from the Strategic Portfolio (defined on page 49) was up 8.9%, or 7.3% on a constant rate basis, with the growth driven (at constant rates) by:
-- 5.6% growth in revenue from the strategic combustible brands;
-- 32.4% increase in revenue from New Categories to GBP1,214m, with volume growth across all categories:
-- THP revenue up 22.7% to GBP693m, with consumable volume up 31.6% to 9bn sticks, driven by Japan, Ukraine and Russia;
-- Vapour revenue up 23.4% to GBP392m, with consumables volume increasing 19.5% to 226m units, with volume higher across ENA and Canada, which more than offset the slowdown in the US. In the US, volume returned to growth in the final quarter of the year; and
-- Modern oral revenue up 273% to GBP129m, with volume 188% higher (to 1,194m pouches) driven by Scandinavia, US and Russia; and
-- 11.0% increase in revenue from strategic traditional oral to GBP980m;
-- Adjusted profit from operations grew 7.6% to GBP11,130m, or 6.6% to GBP11,032m at constant rates of exchange as adjusted revenue growth and the continued drive for efficiency gains (including product rationalisation to remove complexity) more than offset the increased investment in New Categories;
-- A djusted operating margin, at current rates, was 50 bps higher than 2018 at 43.1%; -- Adjusted diluted earnings per share at constant rates of exchange increased 8.4% to 321.6p ;
-- Adjusted cash generated from operating activities was down by 15.4% to GBP6,831m due to the timing of payments related to the MSA in prior periods described on page 7, and working capital movements. Operating cash conversion was 97% (2018: 113%);
-- Adjusted net debt(5) decreased to GBP41,726m (2018: GBP43,407m). The decrease in free cash flow (after dividends paid to shareholders) to GBP1,921m (2018: GBP3,337m) was largely due to the timing of payments related to the MSA in prior periods. Adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA reduced by 0.5x in 2019, 0.4x on a constant currency basis; and
-- Dividend per share increased 3.6% to 210.4p, payable in four quarterly dividend payments of 52.6p per share, being a pay-out ratio of 65% of adjusted diluted EPS, in line with the Group's dividend pay-out policy.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - SUMMARY continued
2020 outlook
We anticipate global industry cigarette and THP volume to be down c.4%, with US industry volume down c.5%, in 2020. We expect adjusted revenue growth in the 3-5% guidance range (at constant rates of exchange), together with continued operating margin improvement and further progress in New Categories towards our 2023/24 ambition of GBP5bn in revenue. Results, in particular New Category revenue growth, will be weighted to the second half of the year. The business is performing well and we are confident of delivering another year of high single figure constant currency adjusted EPS growth, with strong operating cashflow conversion in excess of 90%. Extrapolating today's foreign exchange spot rates for the full year, we would expect a headwind of around 4% on full year adjusted EPS growth.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Definition of key terms
Adjusting items and constant currency measures
To provide a more comprehensive understanding of the performance of the Group, this announcement also presents the adjusted performance of the Group, at current and constant translational rates of exchange. This excludes the adjusting items explained on pages 31 to 35.
Adjusting items within this report represent certain items of income and expense which the Group considers distinctive based upon their size, nature or incidence. In addition, certain adjusting items within this report represent the potentially distorting impact of foreign exchange on certain of the Group's results. As explained on page 47, the Group does not adjust for normal transactional gains or losses in profit from operations which are generated by exchange rate movements.
Cigarettes
The term cigarette principally refers to factory made cigarettes (FMC) and includes products that have similar characteristics and are manufactured in the same manner, but due to specific features may not be recognised as cigarettes for regulatory, duty or similar reasons.
Strategic Portfolio
Adjusted Revenue Growth of the Strategic Portfolio is a management measure, included within the Group's short-term incentive scheme.
The Strategic Portfolio is comprised of:
-- Strategic Combustibles and Strategic Traditional Oral products; and -- New Categories products.
Strategic Combustibles
Strategic combustibles comprise the Strategic Cigarette and OTP (defined below) brands Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Newport, Camel (US) and Natural American Spirit (US).
Traditional Oral* comprises:
-- Strategic Traditional Oral
o Strategic moist oral tobacco brands (including Grizzly and Kodiak);
o Strategic snus products (including Camel and Granit); and
-- Other traditional moist oral brands and snus products (including Lundgrens).
New Categories* comprises:
-- Tobacco Heating Products (THP) including glo, Neo sticks and our hybrid products;
-- Vapour products including Vype, Vuse* (including Alto and Vibe), Ten Motives (including CIRRO) and ViP; and
-- Modern Oral including all white modern oral brands: EPOK, Lyft and Velo.
Based on the available science, products within "New Categories" and "Traditional Oral" have been shown to be reduced-risk; are likely to be reduced-risk; or may have the potential to be reduced-risk, in each case if switched to exclusively as compared to continuing to smoke cigarettes.*
Other tobacco products (OTP) comprises largely the sales of roll-your-own (RYO), make-your-own (MYO), pipe and cigarillos.
*Our vapour product Vuse (including Alto and Vibe), and certain oral products including Grizzly, Granit, Camel Snus, Kodiak and Velo, which are sold in the US, are subject to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation and no reduced-risk claims will be made as to these products without agency clearance.
1. Key Market offtake volume share, as independently measured by retail audit agencies (including Nielsen), shipment share estimates, and share of retail for the US business, based upon latest available validated data. The Group's Key Markets represent over 80% of the Group's cigarette volume.
2. Value share represents the retail sales value of the product sold as a proportion of total retail sales value in that category.
3. Source - internal estimates.
4. Adjusted revenue excludes excise on bought-in goods, acquired and sold under short-term contract manufacturing agreements, discussed on page 31 which distort revenue and operating margin on a temporary basis. Such adjustment only applies to revenue related to certain non-strategic combustible volume in ENA.
5. Adjusted net debt is net debt excluding the impact of the purchase price allocation (PPA) adjustments of GBP848m (31 December 2018: GBP944m).
PERFORMANCE IN NUMBERS
Year ended 31 December 2019
Reported Adjusted(6) Adjusted(6) at
CC(7)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
2019 Vs 2018 2019 Vs 2018 2019 Vs 2018
Cigarettes and THP Volume (bn
sticks)
Cigarettes 668 -4.7%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Strategic cigarettes 430 -3.0%
Other 238 -7.7%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
THP 9 +31.6%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
677 -4.4%
By region:
US 73 -6.0%
APME 221 -3.0%
AMSSA 152 -3.1%
ENA 231 -6.0%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Total 677 -4.4%
------------------------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Other volume
Traditional Oral
- bn sticks equivalent 8 -0.6%
Modern Oral -
mn pouches 1,194 +188%
Vapour - mn pods/10ml
units 226 +19.5%
OTP (incl RYO
and MYO) - bn sticks
equivalent 21 -7.1%
------------------------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Revenue (GBPm):
US 10,373 +9.2% 10,373 +9.2% 9,917 +4.4%
APME 5,153 +5.6% 5,153 +5.6% 5,157 +5.6%
AMSSA 4,261 +3.6% 4,261 +3.6% 4,491 +9.2%
ENA 6,090 +1.4% 6,040 +3.7% 6,118 +5.0%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Total 25,877 +5.7% 25,827 +6.2% 25,683 +5.6%
Revenue from:
Combustibles 23,001 +4.2% 22,951 +4.8% 22,892 +4.6%
New Categories 1,255 +36.9% 1,255 +36.9% 1,214 +32.4%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Vapour 401 +26.1% 401 +26.1% 392 +23.4%
THP 728 +28.9% 728 +28.9% 693 +22.7%
Modern Oral 126 +267% 126 +267% 129 +273.1%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Traditional Oral 1,081 +15.0% 1,081 +15.0% 1,036 +10.2%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Other 540 -4.0% 540 -4.0% 541 -3.8%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Total Revenue 25,877 +5.7% 25,827 +6.2% 25,683 +5.6%
Of which:
Strategic (see
page 49) 18,793 +8.9% 18,793 +8.9% 18,509 +7.3%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Strategic Combustibles 16,515 +6.8% 16,515 +6.8% 16,315 +5.6%
New Categories 1,255 +36.9% 1,255 +36.9% 1,214 +32.4%
Strategic Traditional
Oral 1,023 +15.8% 1,023 +15.8% 980 +11.0%
------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
PERFORMANCE IN NUMBERS
Year ended 31 December 2019
Reported Adjusted(6) Adjusted(6)
at CC(7)
------------------ -------------------------------------- -------------------
2019 Vs 2018 2019 Vs 2018 2019 Vs 2018
Profit from operations (GBPm)
US 4,410 +10.1% 5,036 +11.6% 4,798 +6.4%
APME 1,753 -5.7% 2,059 +5.7% 2,102 +7.9%
AMSSA 1,204 -22.0% 1,842 +6.0% 1,912 +10.0%
ENA 1,649 -13.4% 2,193 +2.0% 2,220 +3.3%
------- --------- ------------ ------------------------ -------- ---------
Total 9,016 -3.2% 11,130 +7.6% 11,032 +6.6%
----------- ------- --------- ------------ ------------------------ -------- ---------
Operating Margin
(%)
US 42.5% +30 bps 48.5% +100 bps
APME 34.0% -410 bps 40.0% +10 bps
AMSSA 28.3% -930 bps 43.2% +100 bps
ENA 27.1% -460 bps 36.3% -60 bps
------- --------- ------------ ------------------------ -------- ---------
Total 34.8% -320 bps 43.1% +50 bps
Earnings
per share
(pence)
Basic 249.7p -5.4%
Diluted 249.0p -5.4% 323.8p +9.1% 321.6p +8.4%
----------- ------- --------- ------------ ------------------------ -------- ---------
Cash flow, borrowings and net
debt
Year ended 31 Variance
December
-------------------- ---------
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm %
Net cash generated from
operating
activities 8,996 10,295 -12.6%
Adjusted cash generated from
operations 6,831 8,071 -15.4%
Operating cash flow conversion 97% 113%
Operating cash flow conversion
(normalised*) 97% 100%
* Normalised for the timing of
MSA
payments related to 2018 (paid
in
2017)
Free cash flow - before
payment of
dividends 6,519 7,684 -15.1%
Free cash flow - after payment
of
dividends 1,921 3,337 -42.4%
As at 31 December Variance
-------------------- ---------
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm %
Borrowings (see page 36 for a reconciliation
to net debt) (45,366) (47,509) -4.5%
Adjusted net debt (41,726) (43,407) -3.9%
------------------------------- ------------ --------- --------- -------- ---------
6. Adjusting items represent certain items which the Group considers distinctive based upon their size, nature or incidence. See pages 31 to 35. Reconciliations from the most comparable IFRS measures have been provided, for revenue, on page 49, for profit from operations on page 49, for net finance costs, on page 50, for tax, on page 51, for cash conversion, on page 52, and for diluted earnings per share, on page 51. For additional information on the use of non-GAAP measures, see the discussion regarding other "Non-GAAP Measures" under the section "Other Information" on pages 47 to 53.
7. CC - constant currency - measures are calculated based on a re-translation, at the prior year's exchange rates, of the current year's results of the Group and, where applicable, its segments. For additional information on the use of non-GAAP measures, see the discussion regarding "Non-GAAP Measures" under the section "Other Information" on pages 47 to 53.
Note: In respect of the United States region, all financial statements and financial information provided by or with respect to the US business or RAI (and/or RAI and its subsidiaries (collectively the "RAI Group")) are prepared on the basis of US GAAP and constitute the primary financial statements or financial information of the US business or RAI (and/or the RAI Group). Solely for the purpose of consolidation within the results of BAT p.l.c. and the BAT Group, this financial information is then converted to International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB and adopted by the European Union. To the extent any such financial information provided in these financial statements relates to the US business or RAI (and/or the RAI Group), it is provided as an explanation of the US business's or RAI's (and/or the RAI Group's) primary US GAAP based financial statements and information.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
The following review presents the Group's key financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2019.
TOTAL GROUP REVENUE
On a reported basis, revenue increased by 5.7% to GBP25,877 million , with over 67% of the growth driven by combustibles (with price/mix in cigarettes of 9%) and supported by higher revenue in both New Categories and Traditional Oral. These factors, combined with a translational foreign exchange tailwind of 0.6%, more than offset the impact of a 4.4% decline in total cigarettes and THP volume. Excluding the foreign exchange tailwind and the effect of excise on bought-in goods, adjusted revenue increased 5.6% at constant rates of exchange.
The decline in Group cigarette and THP volume in 2019 to 677 billion sticks (2018: 708 billion) was despite growth in Japan, the Middle East, South Africa, Romania and Poland. These were more than offset by lower volume in Russia (partly due to the one-off stock reduction), Egypt (largely due to the change in local taxes particularly impacting Pall Mall), Venezuela (due to the ongoing macro-economic challenges) and the impact of market decline in the US, Indonesia, Pakistan and Ukraine.
Revenue from the Strategic Portfolio increased 8.9% (to GBP18,793 million), driven by robust cigarette pricing (including a reduction in discounting in the US) and growth in revenue from New Categories (up 37% to GBP1,255 million) and strategic Traditional Oral (up 15.8% to GBP1,023 million). On a constant currency basis, this was an increase of 7.3% (to GBP18,509 million) .
PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS AND OPERATING MARGIN
Profit from operations, on a reported basis, was down 3.2% at GBP9,016 million, with operating margin down 320 bps to 34.8%, as an improvement in the Group's operating performance was more than offset by the impact of charges in respect of the Quebec Class Action (GBP436 million), amortisation and impairment of trademarks (GBP481 million), an excise dispute in Russia (GBP202 million), other litigation costs (including in the US related to Engle) of GBP236 million, in respect of Quantum (GBP264 million) and the Group's other restructuring programmes (including the continued factory downsizing mainly in South East Asia and Germany), and the impairment of goodwill in Indonesia (GBP172 million).
Adjusted profit from operations and adjusted operating margin
Adjusted profit from operations at constant rates of exchange was 6.6% higher at GBP11,032 million. The Group's performance was driven by an increase in revenue and operational efficiencies realised across all categories fuelling the increased marketing spend behind the expansion of New Categories in 2019. Adjusted operating margin was up 50 bps at current rates of exchange to 43.1% partly due to the substantial margin enhancement in the US.
NET FINANCE COSTS
Net finance costs were GBP1,602 million, compared to GBP1,381 million in 2018. This was largely driven by the increase in short-term borrowings to fund local operational requirements, interest on leases recognised under IFRS 16, working capital movements in the period (as discussed on page 7) and the impact of the translational headwind on costs due to the relative weakness of sterling against the US dollar. On a constant currency basis, and after adjusting for items including the finance costs related to the Franked Investment Income Group Litigation Order (FII GLO, as described on page 44) and interest of GBP50 million (in respect of the Russia excise dispute), adjusted net finance costs were GBP1,466 million, an increase of 5.8%. For a full reconciliation of net finance costs to adjusted net finance costs at constant rates, see page 50.
RESULTS OF ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES
The Group's share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures increased from GBP419 million to GBP498 million which largely relates to the performance of the Group's main associate, ITC Ltd (ITC) in India. The Group's share of ITC's post-tax results was 19.5% higher at GBP485 million (2018: GBP406 million) primarily due to improved operational performance and the benefit from lower corporate tax following the change in rates in India. Excluding adjusting items of GBP25 million (2018: GBP32 million) largely related to the deemed gain on dilution of the Group's holding in ITC as described on page 34, and the impact of translational foreign exchange, on an adjusted constant rate basis, the Group's share of post-tax results from ITC was an increase of 21.1% to GBP453 million. Please refer to page 34 for discussion of the adjusting items within the Group's share of post-tax results from associates and joint ventures.
Financial Performance summary cont...
TAXATION
The tax rate in the income statement was a charge of 26.1% (2018: 25.6%). The Group's tax rate is affected by the impact of the adjusting items referred to on pages 32 to 35 and by the inclusion of the share of associates' and joint ventures' post-tax profit in the Group's pre-tax results. Excluding these, the Group's underlying tax rate for subsidiaries reflected in the adjusted earnings per share on page 39 was 26.0% in 2019 (2018: 26.4%). A full reconciliation from taxation on ordinary activities to the underlying to tax rate is provided on page 51.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share were 5.4% down at 249.7p (2018: 264.0p) as the growth in revenue across all categories and higher returns from associates and joint ventures was more than offset by the charges in respect of Canada (discussed on page 20), Russian excise dispute (discussed on page 21), impairment of goodwill in Indonesia (discussed on page 33), other litigation charges (including Engle in the US) and charges in respect of Quantum and other restructuring programs.
Before adjusting items and including the dilutive effect of employee share schemes, adjusted diluted earnings per share grew by 9.1% to 323.8p (2018: 296.7p). On a constant translational foreign exchange basis, adjusted diluted earnings per share were 8.4% higher at 321.6p.
For a full reconciliation of diluted earnings per share to adjusted diluted earnings per share, at constant rates, see page 51.
CASH FLOW
In the Group's cash flow, prepared in accordance with IFRS and presented on page 29, net cash generated from operating activities declined by 12.6% to GBP8,996 million (2018: GBP10,295 million) primarily due to timing of the payment of the MSA in prior periods (GBP1.4 billion of the 2018 payment was paid in 2017) in the US and working capital movements largely in Australia, where the payment terms related to excise were changed in the year, removing bonded warehousing and increasing inventory values. The MSA returned to the standard payment date in 2019 and consequently impacted the Group's conversion rate (defined as net cash generated from operating activities as a proportion of profit from operations) which declined from 111% to 100% in 2019.
Adjusted cash generated from operations (ACGFO) and free cash flow (before and after dividends paid to shareholders)
The Group generated GBP6,831 million adjusted cash generated from operations, a decrease of 15.4% (2018: GBP8,071 million) or 16.3% at constant rates, with an operating cash conversion rate (based upon adjusted profit from operations and defined on page 52) of 97% (2018: 113%). Normalising 2018 for the timing of the MSA payment that was brought forward to December 2017, ACGFO would have been 1.2% ahead of the prior year (2018: GBP6,674 million), with an operating cash flow conversion of 97% compared to 100% in 2018.
Free cash flow (before the payment of dividends), as defined on page 52, was GBP6,519 million (2018: GBP7,684 million). This change was driven by the timing of the MSA payments in prior periods and the working capital movements noted above which more than offset the enhanced cash generation across the remainder of the Group.
After paying dividends of GBP4,598 million (2018: GBP4,347 million), free cash flow (after dividends paid to shareholders), as defined on page 52, was an inflow of GBP1,921 million compared to an inflow of GBP3,337 million in the same period in 2018. However, normalising 2018 for the timing of the MSA payment (made in 2017), free cash flow (after dividends to shareholders) in 2018 would have been an inflow of GBP1,940 million.
For a full reconciliation of net cash generated from operating activities to adjusted cash generated from operations, at constant rates, see page 53.
Financial Performance summary cont...
BORROWINGS AND NET DEBT
Total borrowings were GBP45,366 million at 31 December 2019, a decrease of 4.5% (31 December 2018: GBP47,509 million) largely due to the net repayment of borrowings in the year and a foreign exchange tailwind due to the relative movements of the US$ against sterling. These were partly offset by the recognition of lease liabilities under IFRS 16 (GBP607 million), which are included in "borrowings", and the increase in dividends paid to shareholders in the period.
The Group defines net debt as borrowings including related derivatives, less cash and cash equivalents and current investments held at fair value. Closing net debt was GBP42,574 million (31 December 2018: GBP44,351 million).
The movement in net debt includes the free cash flow, after payment of dividends to shareholders, of GBP1,921 million ( 31 December 2018: GBP 3,337 million ) as described on page 7. Also impacting the carrying value of net debt at the balance sheet date are other cash outflows related to share schemes and investing activities totalling GBP312 million ( 31 December 2018: GBP 341 million ), other non-cash movements of GBP98 million and foreign exchange tailwind related to the revaluation of foreign currency denominated net debt balances of GBP873 million ( 31 December 2018: GBP1,963 million headwind). These movements can be summarised as follows:
As at 31 December 2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Opening net debt (44,351) (45,571)
Lease liabilities (adoption of IFRS 16) (607) -
--------- ---------
Opening net debt (including IFRS 16) (44,958) (45,571)
Free cash inflow (after dividends) 1,921 3,337
Other cash payments (312) (341)
Net debt acquired - 1
Other non-cash movements (98) 186
Foreign exchange 873 (1,963)
--------- ---------
Closing net debt (42,574) (44,351)
========= =========
Adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA
For the purposes of assessing the Group's ability to service and repay borrowings, the Group uses the ratio of adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as profit for the year (earnings) before net finance costs, taxation on ordinary activities, share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures, depreciation, amortisation, impairment costs and adjusting items.
The Group also adjusts net debt for the purchase price allocation adjustment to the debt, included within borrowings, acquired as part of the acquisition of RAI. This is an accounting adjustment and does not reflect the enduring repayment of the instrument. The Group management board believes that this additional measure, which is used internally to assess the Group's financial capacity, is useful to the users of the financial statements in helping them to see how the Group's financial capacity has changed over the year. The adjusted net debt position is provided below:
As at 31 December 2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
(44,351
Net debt (42,574) )
Purchase price allocation (PPA) adjustment
to acquired debt 848 944
--------- --------
(43,407
Adjusted net debt (41,726) )
========= ========
The Group's ratio of adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA as at 31 December 2019, was 3.5x (2018: 4.0x), or 3.6x on a constant currency basis, as the Group's exposure to foreign exchange, particularly due to short-term volatility around the reporting date, notably in relation to the US$ denominated borrowings, led to a tailwind on the ratio. The calculation of adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA is provided on page 53.
CATEGORY PERFORMANCE REVIEW
-------
Year ended 31 December 2019
Volume Revenue
2019 2018 Vs 2019 Vs Adj Impact Adj 2019 Vs
2018 2018 items of Exchange at CC 2018
UoM UoM % GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Cigarettes 668 701 -4.7%
Other (incl
MYO / RYO) 21 22 -7.1%
------ ----- ------
Combustible 689 723 -4.8% 23,001 +4.2% (50) (59) 22,892 +4.6%
Vapour 226 189 +19% 401 +26.1% - (9) 392 +23.4%
THP 9 7 +32% 728 +28.9% - (35) 693 +22.7%
Modern Oral 1,194 414 +188% 126 +267% - 3 129 +273%
------ ----- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------------- --------- -------
New Categories 1,255 +36.9% - (41) 1,214 +32.4%
------ ----- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------------- --------- -------
US Vapour 207 +12.4% - (9) 198 +7.4%
New Categories
(ex US vapour) 1,048 +43.0% - (32) 1,016 +38.6%
------ ----- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------------- --------- -------
Traditional
Oral 8 8 -0.6% 1,081 +15.0% - (45) 1,036 +10.2%
Other 540 -4.0% - 1 541 -3.8%
------ ----- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------------- --------- -------
Total Revenue 25,877 +5.7% (50) (144) 25,683 +5.6%
UoM (Unit of Measure) - please refer to page 55 for definition
COMBUSTIBLES
Group cigarette volume declined 4.7% in 2019 to 668 billion sticks (2018: 701 billion) as growth in Japan, the Middle East, South Africa, Romania and Poland was more than offset by Russia (partly due to the one-off stock reduction), Egypt (largely due to the change in local taxes impacting Pall Mall), Venezuela (due to the ongoing macro-economic challenges) and the impact of market decline in the US, Indonesia, Pakistan and Ukraine.
Group cigarette value share increased 20 bps, with volume share up 20 bps in 2019, maintaining the momentum of 8 successive years of growth. This was driven by a 70 bps increase in volume share of the strategic cigarette portfolio, benefiting from migrations in Brazil. Excluding migrations, the increase in strategic cigarette volume share was 30 bps with growth in all regions. Cigarette volume share was higher in Japan (driven by the success of Lucky Strike and Kool), Pakistan (as Pall Mall outperformed the declining market), Bangladesh (as the Group's portfolio outperformed the declining market), Mexico (Pall Mall), Ukraine (Kent and Rothmans) and Russia (Rothmans).
Volume of the strategic cigarette brands, collectively, declined 3.0% :
-- Dunhill's volume share was stable as growth in Bulgaria, Netherlands and Romania was offset by down-trading in Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Volume was 5.5% lower as growth in Bulgaria and Netherlands was more than offset by the effect of the down-trading and industry contraction in Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea;
-- Kent's volume share grew 10 bps. Volume was down 1.3% as growth in the Middle East, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Romania and Peru was more than offset by lower volume in Russia, due to the one-off stock reduction;
-- Lucky Strike's volume share was in line with 2018, as growth in Colombia, Japan, Spain, Bulgaria and Argentina was offset by Chile, Belgium and Indonesia. Volume was 3.5% down as growth in Japan was more than offset by the impact of industry contraction in Indonesia;
-- Rothmans' volume share continued to grow, increasing 50 bps with volume up 2.5%, driven by Pakistan, Colombia, Bulgaria and the full-year impact of migrations in Brazil and Poland, which more than offset lower volume in Russia and Ukraine which were impacted by competitive pricing in the low-price segment and higher illicit trade;
Category performance review cont...
-- Pall Mall volume share was up 10 bps, as higher share in Pakistan, Australia, Chile, South Africa and Mexico was partly offset by reductions in the US and Turkey. Volume declined 6.7% as growth in Kenya, South Africa, Australia and Romania was more than offset by lower volume in Egypt (largely due to the change in local tobacco taxes), Pakistan (following the excise-led price increases), Venezuela (partly due to the ongoing macroeconomic challenges) and in the US (partly due to the competitive pricing in the low-price segment); and
-- T he Group's US strategic combustibles portfolio performed well, in a market that was estimated to be down 5.3% in volume :
-- Newport volume share increased 40 bps, while volume declined 3.9%;
-- Natural American Spirit performed well with volume share, including premium volume share, up 10 bps on 2018. Volume was up 0.5% against 2018; and
-- Camel's volume share declined 10 bps with volume lower by 6.0%, as the capsule and menthol variants performed well but were more than offset by a decline in the remainder of the Camel portfolio.
Volume of other tobacco products (OTP) declined 7.1% to 20.6 billion sticks equivalent (being 3% of the Group's combustible portfolio).
Revenue from combustibles grew 4.2% to GBP23,001 million driven by higher pricing across the Group, notably in the US (including a reduction in discounting), Canada, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand , Germany, France, Turkey and Ukraine . An improved performance in high value markets such as Japan, South Africa, Romania and Australia, combined with reduced volumes in lower value markets such as Pakistan and Egypt led to an enhanced geographic mix. These were offset by an unfavourable portfolio mix due to the relative growth of lower value products such as Rothmans and Pall Mall.
After adjusting for the short-term impact of excise on bought in goods and a marginal foreign exchange tailwind, adjusted revenue from combustibles at constant rates of exchange was up 4.6% at GBP22,892 million (2018: GBP21,892 million).
2019 is the last year where the Group will adjust for the excise on bought in goods as short-term contract manufacturing agreements in ENA, to which such adjustments relate, have either ended in 2019 or will be immaterial in 2020.
TOBACCO HEATING PRODUCTS
The Group's THP portfolio continued to grow, with consumable volume up 32% to 9.0 billion sticks in 2019 (2018: 6.8 billion sticks), while revenue increased 28.9% to GBP728 million (2018: GBP565 million), or 22.7% to GBP693 million at constant rates of exchange as the Group's reported performance benefited from the relative movements in sterling.
-- In Japan, the Group's volume share grew to 5.0% in December 2019, an increase of 60 bps on 2018, while the Group's THP category volume share reached 19.6%. Consumable volume grew 21% against 2018 driven by the launches of new device upgrades, 'glo Pro', 'glo Nano' and 'glo Sens' together with a new range of consumables which achieved national distribution by the end of 2019. We are pleased with the performance of Pro and Nano but, with respect to 'glo Sens', after an encouraging launch, we will be reviewing the in-market execution and seeking to broaden device penetration and drive increased consumer uptake in 2020. The Group's integrated, cross-category approach to marketing has seen the Group's volume share of total nicotine increase to 18.9% in December 2019 (up 210 bps from December 2018).
-- In other markets, the Group continued to grow volume and glo is above 1% volume share in key cities in Eastern Europe, including Moscow.
-- The Group's THP products are now available in 17 markets with further expansion planned for 2020.
Category performance review cont...
VAPOUR
By December 2019, the Group's vapour products were present in a total of 27 markets as the Group continued to expand its geographic footprint during 2019, with the Group being the leading vapour company in the key European markets.
The Group's vapour portfolio continues to perform strongly despite a slowdown in the category growth rate in the US and in a number of other markets in the second half of 2019, partly impacted by the US regulatory environment. The Group welcomes the US FDA's recent clarification of regulations in the US vapour market.
Total volume of vapour consumables was up 19.5% to 226 million units in 2019 (2018: 189 million units), driving revenue growth of 26.1% to GBP401 million (2018: GBP318 million) or 23.4% at constant rates of exchange.
-- In the US, total revenue from vapour was GBP207 million, an increase of 12.4% on 2018, or 7.4% on a constant currency basis, with Alto vapour value share increasing to 15.4% in December 2019. This drove an increase in the total Vuse value share to 21.2% in December 2019 (December 2018: 12.5%), despite a 6.2% decline in consumable volume.
On 2 January 2020, the US FDA announced that all flavoured cartridges/pods (excluding menthol and tobacco flavours) must be withdrawn until they have cleared through the Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) process. A Group subsidiary in the US has submitted a PMTA covering 15 products. On 2 November, a letter from the US FDA was received, accepting the Vuse SOLO PMTAs for substantive scientific review. The Group believes it is well positioned to submit applications for the remaining Vuse portfolio and a range of flavours by 22 May 2020. It is expected that, as required by the PMTA process to remain on the market, all these will be shown to be appropriate for the protection of public health. There is no intention to submit a PMTA for the VapeWild products and consequently the Group has recognised an impairment charge of GBP37 million as described on page 33.
-- Vype continued to perform strongly, largely driven by the success of ePen3 and ePod:
-- In the UK, the Group maintained value leadership of the category with 38% vapour value share driven by Vype which performed well, with vapour value share increasing 290 bps to 12.1% (December 2019), due to the success of ePen3 with 10.3% vapour value share (December 2019);
-- In France, vapour value share reached 23.3% (December 2019), an increase of 1,210 bps (versus December 2018), driven by ePen3 and ePod, which was launched during the year;
-- In Germany, Vype continues to grow with an increase in Vype's total share of vapour consumers to 17%;
-- In South Africa, Twisp, a leading vaping products company, was acquired in 2019. Twisp has close to 70 dedicated stores nationally, nationwide retailer distribution and a modern e-commerce platform; and
-- In Canada, following a period of value share decline as competition reacted to the legalisation of the category , Vype returned to growth and was the fastest growing vapour brand in the second half of the year, with value share in December 2019 of 28.2% (34.7% in December 2018).
Following the announcement on 28 November 2019 regarding the intention to simplify the New Categories product portfolio, the Group expects to migrate certain vapour brands (including Vype, Chic, High End Smoke and ViP) to Vuse during 2020, where possible.
Category performance review cont...
MODERN ORAL
The Group is the leader in Modern Oral (on a pouch basis), with volume of 1.2 billion pouches in 2019 (2018: 0.4 billion pouches). Revenue increased 267% to GBP126 million (2018: GBP34 million) or 273% at constant rates of exchange. Notable highlights include:
-- The expansion in the US of Velo to over 100,000 retail outlets, achieving a category volume share of 10.1% in December 2019;
-- Norway, where volume share increased to 13.9% of the total oral category; -- Switzerland, where volume share of the total oral category reached 41%;
-- Denmark, where the Group continues to lead the development of the oral category with 75% volume share of the total oral category; and
-- Following the launch in Russia in 2019, the Group achieved 27% volume share (December 2019) within the total oral category in tracked channels. In December 2019, following concerns in Russia regarding irresponsible marketing by our competitors, all sales of modern oral have been temporarily suspended. There is no indication of a concern regarding the Group's products or practices and we expect a regulatory framework to be implemented in 2020.
In line with the simplification agenda, the Group will migrate the majority of its Modern Oral portfolio to Velo during 2020.
TRADITIONAL ORAL
In the Traditional Oral category, volume was marginally lower than the prior year (down 0.6% to 8.4 bn stick equivalents). Total revenue was up 15.0% to GBP1,081 million or 10.2% at constant rates of exchange, driven by pricing.
In the US, moist value share grew 80 bps, largely due to the performance of Grizzly, with total volume share of moist up 10 bps. Total volume declined 1.5%.
The Modified Risk Tobacco Products (MRTP) application for Camel Snus was discussed by the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) in September 2018. A response is expected soon .
Outside the US, volume was higher in Sweden with volume share increasing 50 bps to 10.9% of the total oral category, driven by growth in Lundgrens.
REGIONAL REVIEW
The performances of the regions are discussed below. The following discussion is based upon the Group's internal reporting structure.
UNITED STATES (US):
Volume Revenue
-------------------- --------------------------------------------------
2019 2018 Vs 2019 Vs 2018 Adj Exch 2019 Vs 2018
2018 Adj adj
CC CC
UoM UoM % GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Cigarettes 73 77 -6.0%
Other (incl - - -
MYO/RYO)
----- ----- ------
Combustibles 73 77 -6.0% 9,078 +8.6% - (399) 8,679 +3.8%
Vapour 103 109 -6.2% 207 +12.4% - (9) 198 +7.4%
THP - - n/m 1 -7.7% - - 1 -11.7%
Modern Oral 112 - n/m 9 n/m - (1) 8 n/m
----- ----- ------ ------- -------- ----- ------ ------ --------
New Categories 217 +17.1% - (10) 207 +11.9%
Traditional Oral 7.6 7.7 -1.5% 1,052 +14.5% - (46) 1,006 +9.5%
Other 26 -21.2% - (1) 25 -27.1%
Total Revenue 10,373 +9.2% - (456) 9,917 +4.4%
Profit from Operations / Operating
Margin
--------------------------------------------------
2019 Vs 2018 Adj Exch 2019 Vs 2018
Adj adj
CC CC
GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Profit from Operations 4,410 +10.1% 626 (238) 4,798 +6.4%
Operating Margin
(%) 42.5% +30 bps 48.4%
Use of the term "at cc" refers to the variance between the 2019 adjusted performance, at 2018 exchange rates, against the adjusted 2018 performance.
Volume and Share
The cigarette industry was estimated to be 5.3% lower (in volume) than 2018, largely due to the growth of vapour and the timing and frequency of pricing in the year .
Total cigarette value share increased 30 bps, with volume share from the strategic cigarette portfolio up 20 bps driven by Newport and Natural American Spirit (which combined to drive premium volume share up 50 bps). This was partly offset by Pall Mall (largely due to competitive pricing in the low-price segment). Total cigarette volume share was down 10 bps as the strategic cigarette portfolio performance was more than offset by declines across the remainder of the portfolio. Cigarette volume from the US business declined 6.0% to 73 billion sticks, largely due to industry contraction and the timing and frequency of pricing (including a reduction in discounting) in the year.
In vapour, the Vuse portfolio performed well as the category faced a number of challenges in the US, with Alto vapour value share increasing to 15.4% in December 2019. This drove an increase in the total Vuse value share to 21.2% in December 2019 (December 2018: 12.5%), despite a 6.2% decline in consumable volume.
Value share of traditional moist oral increased 80 bps, largely due to the performance of Grizzly, with total volume share of moist up 10 bps. Total volume of traditional oral declined 1.5%.
In the Modern Oral category, Velo was rolled out to over 100,000 retail outlets, achieving a category volume share of 10.1% in December 2019 .
Regional review continued...
Revenue
Reported revenue increased 9.2% to GBP10,373 million, driven by combustibles revenue, up 8.6% to GBP9,078 million, as pricing led to an increase in price/mix on cigarettes of 10%. This more than offset the lower cigarette volume described earlier. Revenue from vapour increased 12.4% to GBP207 million, Traditional Oral revenue grew 14.5% to GBP1,052 million and Modern Oral revenue reached GBP9 million in the period of roll-out. Excluding the favourable translational foreign exchange tailwind (of 5%), total revenue was up 4.4%, on a constant currency basis, with combustibles (up 3.8%), vapour (7.4% higher than 2018) and Traditional Oral growing 9.5%.
Profit from operations
Reported profit from operations increased 10.1% to GBP4,410 million. This was driven by the increase in revenue and lower MSA charges which more than offset an increase in marketing investment behind New Categories. The performance also benefited from efficiencies delivered since the acquisition of RAI, with total annualised savings of over US$400 million fully realised by the end of 2019, a year ahead of the Group's initial schedule.
Excluding adjusting items largely related to US litigation (including Engle), the impairment of certain acquired brands, Quantum and the translational foreign exchange tailwind discussed previously, adjusted profit from operations was GBP4,798 million, an increase of 6.4% on an adjusted constant currency basis.
Regulatory activity
The Group continues to welcome reasonable regulation that supports the use of our products by adults. In December 2019, an amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as enforced by the FDA) was signed into law that increased the federal minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21. It is our understanding that 40% of the US industry cigarette volume is sold in states where the legal age to acquire tobacco was already over 21 prior to the beginning of 2019.
On 2 January 2020, the US FDA announced that all flavoured cartridges/pods (excluding menthol and tobacco flavours) must be withdrawn until they have cleared through the PMTA process. A Group subsidiary in the US has submitted a PMTA covering 15 products. On 2 November, a letter from the US FDA was received, accepting the Vuse SOLO PMTAs for substantive scientific review. The Group believes it is well positioned to submit applications for the remaining Vuse portfolio and a range of flavours by 22 May 2020. It is expected that, as required by the PMTA process to remain on the market, these will be shown to be appropriate for the protection of public health.
In relation to the proposed FDA rules on menthol and nicotine reduction, the Group is not aware of any plans to advance the rule making process in these areas following the issuance of the FDA's unified agenda in November 2019. In any event, the Group believes it can manage any such proposals given the need for a thorough review of the science and all unintended consequences for any rule to withstand judicial review.
The Modified Risk Tobacco Products (MRTP) application for Camel Snus was discussed by the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) in September 2018. A response is expected soon.
Regional review continued...
ASIA-PACIFIC AND MIDDLE EAST (APME):
Volume Revenue
---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
2019 2018 Vs 2018 2019 Vs 2018 Adj Exch 2019 Vs 2018
Adj adj
CC CC
UoM UoM % GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Cigarettes 213 221 -3.7%
Other (incl
MYO/RYO) 2 2 +1.5%
----- ----- --------
Combustibles 215 223 -3.7% 4,387 +3.4% - 42 4,429 +4.4%
Vapour 1 - n/m 4 +906% - - 4 +902%
THP 8 7 +20.1% 671 +23.2% - (35) 636 +16.8%
Modern Oral 3 - n/m - - - - - -
----- ----- -------- ------ -------- ----- ----- ------ --------
New Categories 675 +23.9% - (35) 640 +17.5%
Traditional Oral - - n/m - - - - - -
Other 91 -3.5% - (3) 88 -6.9%
Total Revenue 5,153 +5.6% - 4 5,157 +5.6%
Profit from Operations / Operating
Margin
------------------------------------------------
2019 Vs 2018 Adj Exch 2019 Vs 2018
adj adj
CC CC
GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Profit from Operations 1,753 -5.7% 306 43 2,102 +7.9%
Operating Margin -410
(%) 34.0% bps 40.8%
Use of the term "at cc" refers to the variance between the 2019 adjusted performance, at 2018 exchange rates, against the adjusted 2018 performance.
Volume and Share
Cigarette and THP value share increased 30 bps driven by the strategic cigarette and THP portfolio, which increased volume share by 20 bps. Total cigarette and THP volume share was up 50 bps, led by Japan (driven by Kool, Lucky Strike and glo), Vietnam (driven by Craven A) and Pakistan (driven by Pall Mall). This more than offset lower Lucky Strike volume share in Indonesia, and Dunhill volume share in Malaysia and South Korea. Cigarette volume declined 3.7% as growth in Japan (partly due to the success of Lucky Strike and Kool), Vietnam (driven by the growth of Craven A) and the Middle East (driven by Kent) was more than offset by the impact of industry contraction (following excise-led price increases) in Bangladesh and Pakistan, and macroeconomic pressures impacting consumer disposable income in Indonesia .
THP volume increased 20% to 7.9 billion sticks (2018: 6.5 billion) driven by continued growth of glo Neo in Japan following the launch of 'glo Pro', 'glo Nano' and 'glo Sens', with volume share increasing 60 bps to 5.0% in December 2019. 'glo Pro' introduced a new induction heating technology, improving consumer satisfaction and their sensorial experience. With regards to 'glo Sens', after an encouraging launch, we will be reviewing the in-market execution and seeking to broaden device penetration and drive increased consumer uptake in 2020. The Group's share of nicotine in Japan increased from 17% (December 2018) to 19% (December 2019).
Revenue
Reported revenue grew 5.6% to GBP5,153 million. This was partly driven by pricing in a number of markets, including Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand. New Categories revenue grew by 23.9% driven by the higher THP volume, notably in Japan, which, combined with combustibles pricing, more than offset the impact of lower cigarette volume. On a constant currency basis, revenue grew 5.6%.
Profit from operations
Reported profit from operations decreased 5.7% to GBP1,753 million. Growth in Japan (driven by an increase in combustibles revenue and higher THP volume which more than offset an increase in marketing related to the launch of the new THP products) and the Middle East (driven by pricing and volume) was more than offset by lower volume in Bangladesh and Malaysia, and the impact of the impairment to Indonesian goodwill (GBP172 million) following the substantial change in excise which is applicable from 2020 and is anticipated to affect the total market. Excluding adjusting items, which primarily relate to Indonesia goodwill, Quantum, the ongoing factory rationalisation programme (principally in South East Asia) and the impact of foreign exchange on the regional results, adjusted profit from operations grew 7.9% to GBP2,102 million, at constant rates of exchange.
Regional review continued...
AMERICAS AND SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (AMSSA):
Volume Revenue
---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
2019 2018 Vs 2018 2019 Vs 2018 Adj Exch 2019 Vs 2018
adj adj
CC CC
UoM UoM % GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Cigarettes 152 157 -3.1%
Other (incl
MYO/RYO) 2 2 -8.2%
----- ----- --------
Combustibles 154 159 -3.1% 3,992 +2.7% - 225 4,217 +8.5%
Vapour 14 5 +191% 43 +120% - (1) 42 +117%
THP - - n/m - - - - - -
Modern Oral 8 - n/m 1 n/m - - 1 -
----- ----- -------- ------ -------- ----- ----- ------ --------
New Categories 44 +119% - (1) 43 +116%
Traditional Oral - - n/m - - - - -
Other 225 +10.2% - 6 231 +13.1%
Total Revenue 4,261 +3.6% - 230 4,491 +9.2%
Profit from Operations / Operating
Margin
------------------------------------------------
2019 Vs 2018 Adj Exch 2019 Vs 2018
Adj adj
CC CC
GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Profit from Operations 1,204 -22.0% 638 70 1,912 +10.0%
Operating Margin -930
(%) 28.3% bps 42.6%
Use of the term "at cc" refers to the variance between the 2019 adjusted performance, at 2018 exchange rates, against the adjusted 2018 performance.
Volume and Share
Cigarette value share was up 20 bps, driven by growth in the strategic cigarette brands volume share of 465 bps largely driven by the migrations in Brazil and Colombia. Excluding migrations the increase was 50 bps. Total cigarette volume share was down 10 bps as growth in Colombia (driven by Lucky Strike and Rothmans), Mexico (driven by Pall Mall) and Canada (driven by Pall Mall), was more than offset by Brazil and South Africa, where growth in Rothmans and Pall Mall, respectively, was outweighed by lower volume share in the remainder of the portfolio.
Cigarette volume was 3.1% lower at 152 billion sticks as higher volume in South Africa (due to lower illicit trade) was more than offset by the continued difficult macroeconomic environment in Venezuela, continued growth in illicit trade (albeit at a reduced rate) in Brazil and the impact of market contraction in Canada.
In vapour, following a period of value share decline in Canada as the competition reacted to the legalisation of the category, Vype returned to growth and was the fastest growing vapour brand in the second half of the year, with value share in December 2019 of 28.2% (34.7% in December 2018) . Twisp, a South African vaping products company, was acquired by the Group in 2019. Twisp has close to 70 dedicated stores nationally, nationwide retailer distribution and a modern e-commerce platform.
Modern oral was launched in Nairobi, Kenya, with full national expansion planned in early 2020.
Revenue
Revenue grew 3.6% to GBP4,261 million, led by pricing in combustibles across the region (notably in Canada, Kenya, Chile, Mexico and Nigeria) and the growth of revenue from New Categories, particularly vapour which was up 120% to GBP43 million (2018: GBP20 million) driven by Canada and Mexico. These more than offset the lower total cigarette volume described above and the translational foreign exchange headwind of 6%. On a constant currency basis, revenue grew by 9.2% to GBP4,491 million.
Profit from operations
Reported profit from operations was down 22.0% to GBP1,204 million, mainly due to the GBP436 million charge in relation to Quebec (as previously announced and described on page 20), charges related to Quantum and the translational foreign exchange headwinds. Excluding these effects, adjusted profit from operations on a constant currency basis grew 10.0% to GBP1,912 million, driven by increases in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Nigeria and Mexico, despite the increased investment in New Categories, specifically related to ePod.
Regional review continued...
EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA (ENA):
Volume Revenue
----------------------- ------------------------------------------------
2019 2018 Vs 2018 2019 Vs 2018 Adj Exch 2019 Vs 2018
adj adj
CC CC
UoM UoM % GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Cigarettes 230 246 -6.3%
Other (incl
MYO/RYO) 17 18 -7.9%
------ ----- --------
Combustibles 247 264 -6.4% 5,544 -0.7% (50) 73 5,567 +3.0%
Vapour 108 75 +44% 147 +29.2% - 1 148 +30.1%
THP 1.1 0.3 +334% 56 +200% - - 56 +200%
Modern Oral 1,071 414 +157% 116 +234% - 4 120 +246%
------ ----- -------- ------ -------- ----- ----- ------ --------
New Categories 319 +91.0% - 5 324 +93.6%
Traditional Oral 0.8 0.8 +8.3% 29 +33.4% - 1 30 +38.5%
Other 198 -14.2% - (1) 197 -14.3%
Total Revenue 6,090 +1.4% (50) 78 6,118 +5.0%
Profit from Operations / Operating
Margin
------------------------------------------------
2019 Vs 2018 Adj Exch 2019 Vs 2018
Adj adj
CC CC
GBPm % GBPm GBPm GBPm %
Profit from Operations 1,649 -13.4% 544 27 2,220 +3.3%
Operating Margin -460
(%) 27.1% bps 36.3%
Use of the term "at cc" refers to the variance between the 2019 adjusted performance, at 2018 exchange rates, against the adjusted 2018 performance.
Volume and Share
Cigarette value share was marginally higher, with strategic cigarette volume share up 50 bps. Total cigarette volume share was up 10 bps as growth in Rothmans (which outperformed the market in Ukraine and Russia), Kent (in Ukraine) and higher total cigarette volume share in Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain was partially offset by a reduction in Kazakhstan and the UK.
Cigarette volume declined 6.3% to 230 billion sticks as growth in Poland, Romania, Denmark and Spain was more than offset by lower volume in Russia ( partly due to a one-off reduction in stock) , Ukraine (largely due to the growth of illicit trade and competition in the low-price segment) and Egypt (driven by excise-led price increases in the low-price segment particularly affecting Pall Mall).
The Group's New Category portfolio continued to develop extremely well across all the platforms.
THP volume was up over 330%, with growth in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, while also developing in the other launch markets of Romania, Italy, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Poland.
Vapour volume was 44% higher than 2018. This was driven by the success of Vype (particularly ePen3) in the UK (where the Group's portfolio of products maintained value leadership with 38% vapour value share in December 2019) , France (where ePen3 and ePod combined reached 20% vapour value share in December 2019) and in Germany, where Vype reached 17% share of total vapour consumers.
Regional review continued...
The Group's Modern Oral portfolio increased volume by 157% to 1.1 billion pouches in 2019 (2018: 0.4 billion pouches), largely due to higher volume in Scandinavia, notably in Denmark and Norway, reaching 75% and 14% volume share of the total oral category, respectively. In Russia, Lyft achieved 27% volume share of the total oral category (in tracked channels) in December 2019. In December 2019, following concerns in Russia regarding the irresponsible marketing by our competitors, all sales of modern oral have been temporarily suspended. There is no indication of a concern regarding the Group's products or practices and we expect a regulatory framework will be implemented in 2020.
In Sweden, the Group's oral portfolio performed well, increasing total volume share of the oral category to 13.2% (December 2019). This was driven by the Traditional Oral brands, up 50 bps to 10.9%, principally due to the success of Lundgrens, and the Modern Oral portfolio (Lyft) which increased to 2.3% volume share of the total oral category.
Revenue
Reported revenue increased 1.4% to GBP6,090 million as strong combustibles pricing across the region (notably in Germany, Turkey and Ukraine) and an increase in revenue from New Categories by 91% (to GBP319 million) were partly offset by the end of a short-term contract manufacturing arrangement (that led to the Group recognising, for the period of the arrangement, excise within revenue in prior periods), lower regional volume and translational foreign exchange headwinds of 1.3%.
Adjusted revenue, at constant rates, increased 5.0% to GBP6,118 million. This was driven by pricing across the combustible portfolio as noted above, as well as the 94% growth in revenue from New Categories to GBP324 million driven by:
-- Vapour revenue increasing 30% due to the performance of Vype in the UK, France and Germany; -- THP revenue growing 200% driven by Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan; and
-- Modern Oral revenue increasing 246% following the increase in volume in Norway and Denmark, and the launch in Russia.
Profit from operations
Reported profit from operations fell 13.4% to GBP1,649 million, as the Group increased investment behind New Categories, recognised a charge of GBP202 million in respect of the Russian excise dispute as discussed on page 21, recognised additional impairment charges of GBP29 million related to the Group's brand consolidation programme to simplify the New Categories portfolio and incurred charges in relation to Quantum. Profit from operations was up in Germany, Turkey, Romania, Denmark and Poland, which more than offset declines in Russia and the UK. Excluding adjusting items, referred to above, and the impact of the foreign currency headwind, adjusted profit from operations at constant rates was up 3.3% at GBP2,220 million.
OTHER INFORMATION
FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The principal exchange rates used to convert the results of the Group's foreign operations to pound sterling for the purposes of inclusion and consolidation within the Group's financial statements are indicated in the table below. Where the Group has provided results "at constant rates of exchange" this refers to the translation of the results from the foreign operations at rates of exchange prevailing in the prior period - thereby eliminating the potentially distorting impact of the movement in foreign exchange on the reported results.
The principal exchange rates used were as follows:
Average Closing
------------------
2019 2018 2019 2018
--------
Australian dollar 1.836 1.786 1.885 1.809
Brazilian real 5.035 4.868 5.329 4.936
Canadian dollar 1.694 1.730 1.718 1.739
Euro 1.140 1.130 1.180 1.114
Indian rupee 89.898 91.227 94.558 88.916
Japanese yen 139.234 147.376 143.967 139.733
Russian rouble 82.623 83.677 82.282 88.353
South African rand 18.437 17.643 18.525 18.321
US dollar 1.277 1.335 1.325 1.274
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
During the year, the Directors carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency, liquidity and viability. The principal risks facing the Group remain broadly unaltered and are summarised under the headings of:
-- Competition from illicit trade; -- Tobacco, New Categories and other regulation interrupts the growth strategy; -- Inability to develop, commercialise and deliver the New Category strategy; -- Market size reduction and consumer down-trading; -- Litigation; -- Geopolitical tensions; -- Disputed taxes, interest and penalties;
-- Significant increases or structural changes in tobacco, nicotine and New Categories related taxes;
-- Foreign exchange rate exposures; -- Solvency and liquidity; and -- Injury, illness or death in the workplace.
A summary of all the risk factors (including the principal risks) which are monitored by the Board through the Group's risk register will be included in the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2019.
Other information continued...
UK PENSION FUND - BUY-IN
On 31 May 2019, the Trustee of the British American Tobacco UK Pension Fund ("UK Fund") entered into an agreement with Pension Insurance Corporation plc ("PIC") to acquire an insurance policy that operates as a UK Fund investment asset, with the intent of matching a specific part of the UK Fund's future cash flow arising from the accrued pension liabilities of pensioners and deferred (i.e. individuals who have left the Group but have yet to take their pension) pensioner members. Such an arrangement is commonly termed as a "Buy-In". The Buy-In reduces the UK Fund's value at risk in relation to key risks associated with improved longevity, inflation and interest rate movements whilst improving the security to the UK Fund and its members. The Group consequently benefits from the Buy-In as it reduces the UK Fund's reliance on the Group for future cash funding requirements.
The Buy-In transaction involved the transfer of GBP3.4 billion of assets held by the UK Fund to PIC and, as such, has no cash effect to the Group. In accordance with IAS 19, the fair value of the insurance policy will match the present value of the liabilities being insured and a loss of GBP0.7 billion has been recognised through the statement of other comprehensive income on the revaluation of the insurance asset with no impact to the income statement.
UPDATE ON INVESTIGATIONS INTO MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS
The Group has been investigating, and is aware of governmental authorities' investigations into, allegations of misconduct. It has been liaising with relevant authorities, including the UK's Serious Fraud Office, which is conducting an investigation into suspicions of corruption in the conduct of business by Group companies and associated persons, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the United States, which are conducting investigations into suspicions of breach of sanctions. The Group is cooperating with the authorities' investigations.
The potential for fines, penalties or other consequences cannot currently be assessed. As the investigations are ongoing, it is not yet possible to identify the timescale in which these matters might be resolved.
UPDATE ON QUEBEC CLASS ACTION AND CCAA
In 2015, the plaintiffs in the two certified classes in Quebec were awarded damages and interest in the amount of CAD$15.6 billion (GBP9 billion), of which Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd's (ITCAN) share is CAD$10.4 billion (GBP6 billion). Also in 2015, the Quebec Court of Appeal upheld the Order for Security, of which ITCAN's share was CAD$758 million (GBP436 million), which has been paid in full to the Court escrow account as required by the judgment and was held on the balance sheet as a receivable at 31 December 2018.
Please refer to the 2018 Annual Report and Form 20-F, note 28 Contingent Liabilities and Financial Commitments paragraph 72 (page 204) for further discussion of the development of the case.
On 1 March 2019, the Quebec Court of Appeal in Montreal upheld the Superior Court's decision of May 2015 (reducing ITCAN's share of the judgment due to a change in interest computation to a maximum of CAD$9.2 billion). The Court of Appeal also upheld the previously stated requirements for the defendants to deposit CAD$1.1 billion into an escrow account. The Board of Directors of ITCAN reassessed the recoverability of the deposit and, accordingly, the Group recognised a charge against the income statement of GBP436 million in the period, reflecting the amount of the judgment that is considered to be probable and estimable in line with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. As a consequence, in the Group's consolidated balance sheet the deposit has been utilised against the current estimate of the liability.
Further, on 12 March 2019, ITCAN obtained an Initial Order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granting it protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). This has the effect of staying all current tobacco litigation in Canada against ITCAN and other Group companies (the "Stays"). On 20 February 2020, the Stays were extended until 30 September 2020. While the Stays are in place, no steps are to be taken in connection with the Canadian tobacco litigation with respect to ITCAN, certain of its subsidiaries or any other Group company.
Other information continued...
Update on Quebec Class Action continued...
In addition to Quebec, across Canada, other tobacco plaintiffs and provincial governments are collectively seeking significant damages which substantially exceed ITCAN's total assets. In seeking protection under the CCAA, ITCAN will look to resolve not only the Quebec case but also all other tobacco litigation in Canada under an efficient and court supervised process, while continuing to trade in the normal course.
Under the terms of CCAA, the court has appointed FTI Consulting Canada Inc. to act as a monitor. This monitor has no operational input and is not involved in the management of the business. The Group considers that ITCAN continues to meet the requirements of IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, and, until such requirements are not met, the Group will continue to consolidate the results of ITCAN. The GBP2.3 billion of goodwill relating to ITCAN on the Group's balance sheet at 31 December 2019 will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis. Any potential future impairment charge would result in a non-cash charge to the income statement that would be treated as an adjusting item.
Please refer to "Contingent Liabilities and Financial Commitments" below (page 41) and the 2018 Annual Report and Form 20-F, note 28 Contingent Liabilities and Financial Commitments for a full discussion.
Additional information regarding the Court of Appeal's decision and its anticipated impact on the Group will be included in the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20--F.
RUSSIA - DISPUTE RELATED TO EXCISE AND VAT
On 12 August 2019, the Russian tax authority issued a Final audit report to JSC British American Tobacco-SPb (BAT SpB) related to the application of legislation introduced in 2017 that prospectively limited the amount of production that could take place prior to excise tax increases, without being subject to higher excise tax rates. The Final audit report seeks to retrospectively apply the legislation to the years 2015 to 2017. On 13 September 2019, BAT SpB submitted an appeal to the Federal Tax Services (FTS) objecting to the findings which was discussed in October 2019. The FTS accepted some of BAT SpB's arguments and, on 27 January 2020, a final claim was issued by the FTS. As a consequence, the Group recognised a charge of GBP202 million within profit from operations and an interest charge of GBP50 million within net finance costs. Both charges were treated as adjusting items. In line with Russian law, the amounts were paid in January 2020. Accordingly, at 31 December 2019, the Group has provided for the full amount in line with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.
BANGLADESH
In Bangladesh, on 25 July 2018, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh reversed the decision of the High Court against BAT Bangladesh in respect of the retrospective demands for VAT and Supplementary Duty amounting to approximately GBP170 million. On 3 February 2020, the certified Court Order was received. The Attorney General has 30 days to file a review petition with the Court. The Group is not, at the date of this announcement, aware of any filing.
CHANGES IN THE GROUP
In 2019, following approval from the South African Competition Commission, the Group completed the acquisition of Twisp, a leading South African vaping products company. Twisp is the largest, multi-channel distributor of vaping products and flavours in South Africa, with close to 70 dedicated stores nationally in prime locations, nationwide retailer distribution and a modern e-commerce platform.
In 2019, the Group acquired 60% of VapeWild Holdings LLC (VapeWild), a vertically integrated vapour manufacturer and retailer in the US, with 13 branded vape shops and an e-commerce platform. The total consideration was US$48 million (GBP36 million).
The acquisitions had an immaterial impact on the results of 2019 and accordingly the Group has not provided results on an organic basis for 2019.
Other information continued...
CHANGES TO THE MAIN BOARD
As previously announced, the following changes to the Board of British American Tobacco p.l.c. took place in 2019:
-- Jack Bowles was appointed as Chief Executive on 1 April 2019 following the retirement of Nicandro Durante.
-- Tadeu Marroco was appointed as Finance Director on 5 August 2019, following the retirement of Ben Stevens, having been Deputy Finance Director since 1 March 2019.
-- Jeremy ('Jerry') Fowden was appointed as an independent Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit Committee and Nominations Committee with effect from 1 September 2019.
BOARD SUCCESSION
The Board considers the length of service of the Directors of the Board as a whole and the need for membership to be refreshed progressively is kept under regular review.
During 2018 and 2019, the Nominations Committee prioritised effective succession planning for the Chief Executive and the Finance Director. Having overseen the orderly transition for both those roles, the Nominations Committee has focused on succession planning for the role of Chairman, mindful of the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and that Richard Burrows has served as a Director for just over ten years.
To facilitate the ongoing succession process and to best serve the interests of the Company's shareholders, it is intended that Mr Burrows will retire from the Board at or prior to the Annual General Meeting in 2021 and will continue to lead the Board in the interim. Accordingly, the Board will be proposing Mr Burrows for re-election as Chairman at the forthcoming 2020 Annual General Meeting.
Kieran Poynter will retire from the Board with effect from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 30 April 2020. Mr Poynter has served as a Non-Executive Director since July 2010, as Senior Independent Director since October 2016, and is currently a member of the Audit and Nominations Committees.
Dimitri Panayotopoulos will succeed Mr Poynter as the Company's Senior Independent Director with effect from the conclusion of the 2020 Annual General Meeting. Mr Panayotopoulos has also taken over responsibility for leading the process for succession planning for the role of Chairman. Mr Panayotopoulos has served as a Non-Executive Director since February 2015, is the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and is a member of the Nominations Committee.
EXTERNAL RECOGNITION IN RESPECT OF SUSTAINABILITY
In 2019, the Group received a number of independent awards and recognition in respect of the Group's efforts in respect of sustainability. These include:
-- Named as one of the most sustainable companies in the world in 2019 by SEAL Business Sustainability Awards - receiving the SEAL Organizational Award, which recognises overall corporate sustainability performance;
-- Included, for the 18th consecutive year, in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices - being the only tobacco company included in the World Index which represents the top 10% of ESG performers;
-- Named within CDP's Climate A List (recognising our actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy) and awarded a position on CPD's Supplier Engagement Leaderboard, recognising our actions to engage with suppliers to manage climate risk and reduce Scope 3 carbon emissions in our supply chain;
-- Accredited as a Global Top Employer - acknowledging our commitment to provide best-in-class working environments and career opportunities;
-- Ranked in the top 10% of companies in the Financial Times Diversity Leaders report; and
-- Recognised for best practice by the International Women's Day Association with regards to our global campaigns.
Other information continued...
GOING CONCERN
A description of the Group's business activities, its financial position, cash flows, liquidity position, facilities and borrowings position, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position, are set out in this announcement. Further information will be provided in the Strategic Report and in the notes to the financial statements, all of which will be included in the 2019 Annual Report and Form 20-F.
The Group has, at the date of this announcement, sufficient existing financing available for its estimated requirements for at least the next 12 months. This, together with the ability to generate cash from trading activities, the performance of the Group's Strategic Portfolio, its leading market positions in a number of countries and its broad geographical spread, as well as numerous contracts with established customers and suppliers across different geographical areas and industries, provides the Directors with the confidence that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully in the context of current financial conditions and the general outlook in the global economy.
After reviewing the Group's annual budget, plans and financing arrangements for the next three years, the Directors consider that the Group has adequate resources to continue operating and that it is therefore appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Annual Report and Form 20-F.
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Financial Statements (Unaudited)
GROUP INCOME STATEMENT
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Revenue (1) 25,877 24,492
Raw materials and consumables used (4,599) (4,664)
Changes in inventories of finished goods and
work in progress 162 114
Employee benefit costs (3,221) (3,005)
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment costs (1,512) (1,038)
Other operating income 163 85
Loss on reclassification from amortised cost
to fair value (3) (3)
Other operating expenses (7,851) (6,668)
-------- --------
Profit from operations 9,016 9,313
Net finance costs (1,602) (1,381)
-------- --------
Finance income 210 103
Finance costs (1,812) (1,484)
-------- --------
Share of post-tax results of associates and
joint ventures 498 419
Profit before taxation 7,912 8,351
Taxation on ordinary activities (2,063) (2,141)
-------- --------
Profit for the year 5,849 6,210
======== ========
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 5,704 6,032
Non-controlling interests 145 178
-------- --------
5,849 6,210
======== ========
Earnings per share
Basic 249.7p 264.0p
======== ========
Diluted 249.0p 263.2p
======== ========
All of the activities during both years are in respect of continuing
operations.
The accompanying notes on pages 30 to 44 form an integral part
of this condensed consolidated financial information.
(1) Revenue is net of duty, excise and other taxes of GBP39,826
million and GBP38,553 million for the years ended 31 December
2019 and 31 December 2018, respectively.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Profit for the year (page 24) 5,849 6,210
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to
profit or loss: (3,216) 3,099
-------- ------
Differences on exchange (2,967) 3,868
Cash flow hedges
- net fair value losses (246) (58)
- reclassified and reported in profit for the
year 53 17
Net investment hedges
- net fair value gains/(losses) 21 (472)
- differences on exchange on borrowings (18) (236)
Associates - share of OCI, net of tax (115) (38)
Tax on items that may be reclassified 56 18
-------- ------
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss: (507) 115
-------- ------
Retirement benefit schemes
- net actuarial (losses)/gains (582) 138
- surplus recognition (7) 4
Associates - share of OCI, net of tax 7 6
Tax on items that will not be reclassified 75 (33)
-------- ------
Total other comprehensive (expense)/income for
the year, net of tax (3,723) 3,214
-------- ------
Total comprehensive income for the year, net of
tax 2,126 9,424
======== ======
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 2,000 9,239
Non-controlling interests 126 185
-------- ------
2,126 9,424
======== ======
The accompanying notes on pages 30 to 44 form an integral part of this
condensed consolidated financial information.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
2019 Attributable to owners of the
parent
---------------------------------------
Share
premium,
capital Total
redemption attributable
Share and merger Other Retained to owners Non-controlling Total
capital reserves reserves earnings of parent interests equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- -------
Balance at 1
January
2019 614 26,606 (333) 38,557 65,444 244 65,688
Total
comprehensive
(expense)/income
for
the year
comprising:
(page 25) - - (3,190) 5,190 2,000 126 2,126
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- -------
Profit for the
year
(page 24) - - - 5,704 5,704 145 5,849
Other
comprehensive
expense the year
(page
25) - (3,190) (514) (3,704) (19) (3,723)
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- -------
Cash flow hedges
reclassified
and reported in
total
assets - - (32) - (32) - (32)
Employee share
options
- value of
employee
services - - - 115 115 - 115
- proceeds from
shares
issued - 3 - - 3 - 3
Dividends and
other
appropriations
- ordinary shares - - - (3,476) (3,476) - (3,476)
- to
non-controlling
interests - - - - - (148) (148)
Purchase of own
shares
- held in
employee
share ownership
trusts - - - (117) (117) - (117)
Other movements
non-controlling
interests - - - - - 36 36
Other movements - - - (35) (35) - (35)
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- -------
Balance at 31
December
2019 614 26,609 (3,555) 40,234 63,902 258 64,160
================= ======= ========== ======== ======== ============ =============== =======
2018 Attributable to owners of the parent
-----------------------------------------------------
Share
premium,
capital Total
redemption attributable
Share and merger Other Retained to owners Non-controlling Total
capital reserves reserves earnings of parent interests equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- ----------
Balance at 31
December
2017 - revised 614 26,602 (3,392) 36,935 60,759 222 60,981
Accounting policy
change (IFRS 9) - - (9) (29) (38) - (38)
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- ----------
Revised balance
at
1 January 2018 614 26,602 (3,401) 36,906 60,721 222 60,943
Total
comprehensive
income for the
year
comprising:
(page
25) - - 3,090 6,149 9,239 185 9,424
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- ----------
Profit for the
year
(page 24) - - - 6,032 6,032 178 6,210
Other
comprehensive
income for the
year
(page 25) - - 3,090 117 3,207 7 3,214
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- ----------
Cash flow hedges
reclassified
and reported in
total
assets - - (22) - (22) - (22)
Employee share
options
- value of
employee
services - - - 121 121 - 121
- proceeds from
shares
issued - 4 - - 4 - 4
Dividends and
other
appropriations
- ordinary shares - - - (4,463) (4,463) - (4,463)
- to
non-controlling
interests - - - - - (163) (163)
Purchase of own
shares
- held in
employee
share ownership
trusts - - - (139) (139) - (139)
Non-controlling
interests
- acquisitions - - - (11) (11) - (11)
Other movements - - - (6) (6) - (6)
----------------- ------- ---------- -------- -------- ------------ --------------- ----------
Balance at 31
December
2018 614 26,606 (333) 38,557 65,444 244 65,688
================= ======= ========== ======== ======== ============ =============== ==========
The accompanying notes on pages 30 to 44 form an integral part
of this condensed consolidated financial information.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
GROUP BALANCE SHEET
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 118,787 124,013
Property, plant and equipment 5,518 5,166
Investments in associates and joint ventures 1,860 1,737
Retirement benefit assets 430 1,147
Deferred tax assets 424 344
Trade and other receivables 248 685
Investments held at fair value 12 39
Derivative financial instruments 452 556
-------- -------
Total non-current assets 127,731 133,687
-------- -------
Current assets
Inventories 6,094 6,029
Income tax receivable 122 74
Trade and other receivables 4,093 3,588
Investments held at fair value 123 178
Derivative financial instruments 313 179
Cash and cash equivalents 2,526 2,602
-------- -------
13,271 12,650
Assets classified as held-for-sale 3 5
-------- -------
Total current assets 13,274 12,655
-------- -------
Total assets 141,005 146,342
======== =======
The accompanying notes on pages 30 to 44 form an integral part
of this condensed consolidated financial information.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
GROUP BALANCE SHEET - cont...
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Equity - capital and reserves
Share capital 614 614
Share premium, capital redemption and merger
reserves 26,609 26,606
Other reserves (3,555) (333)
Retained earnings 40,234 38,557
-------- -------
Owners of the parent 63,902 65,444
Non-controlling interests 258 244
-------- -------
Total equity 64,160 65,688
-------- -------
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 37,804 43,284
Retirement benefit liabilities 1,459 1,665
Deferred tax liabilities 17,050 17,776
Other provisions for liabilities 388 331
Trade and other payables 1,034 1,055
Derivative financial instruments 287 214
-------- -------
Total non-current liabilities 58,022 64,325
-------- -------
Current liabilities
Borrowings 7,562 4,225
Income tax payable 683 853
Other provisions for liabilities 670 318
Trade and other payables 9,727 10,631
Derivative financial instruments 181 302
-------- -------
Total current liabilities 18,823 16,329
-------- -------
Total equity and liabilities 141,005 146,342
======== =======
The accompanying notes on pages 30 to 44 form an integral part
of this condensed consolidated financial information.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operating activities (page
35) 10,948 11,972
Dividends received from associates 252 214
Tax paid (2,204) (1,891)
-------- -------
Net cash generated from operating activities 8,996 10,295
-------- -------
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received 80 52
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (664) (758)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and
equipment 34 38
Purchases of intangibles (151) (185)
Purchases of investments (191) (320)
Proceeds on disposals of investments 339 167
Investment in associates and acquisitions of
other subsidiaries net of cash acquired (86) (32)
Proceeds on disposal of non-core business net
of cash disposed - 17
Net cash used in investing activities (639) (1,021)
-------- -------
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid (1,601) (1,557)
Interest element of lease liabilities (32) (2)
Capital element on lease liabilities (154) (10)
Proceeds from increases in and new borrowings 4,247 2,111
(Outflows)/inflows relating to derivative financial
instruments (564) 49
Purchases of own shares held in employee share
ownership trusts (117) (139)
Reductions in and repayments of borrowings (5,640) (5,586)
Dividends paid to owners of the parent (4,598) (4,347)
Capital injection from/(purchase of) non-controlling
interests 20 (11)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (157) (142)
Other 3 4
-------- -------
Net cash used in financing activities (8,593) (9,630)
-------- -------
Net cash flows used in operating, investing
and financing activities (236) (356)
Differences on exchange (57) (138)
-------- -------
Decrease in net cash and cash equivalents in
the year (293) (494)
Net cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2,328 2,822
-------- -------
Net cash and cash equivalents at year end 2,035 2,328
======== =======
Cash and cash equivalents per balance sheet 2,526 2,602
Overdrafts and accrued interest (491) (274)
-------- -------
Net cash and cash equivalents at year end 2,035 2,328
======== =======
The accompanying notes on pages 30 to 44 form an integral part of this condensed consolidated financial information. The net cash outflows relating to the adjusting items on pages 32 and 33, included in the above, are GBP564 million (31 December 2018: GBP601 million).
Notes to the Financial Statements
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION
The condensed consolidated financial information for the year ended 31 December 2019 is unaudited. Audited financial statements will be included in the Annual Report and Form 20-F. This condensed consolidated financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.
The Group prepares its annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), IFRS as adopted by the European Union (EU) and in accordance with the provisions of the UK Companies Act 2006. IFRS as adopted by the EU differs in certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB. The differences have no impact on the Group's consolidated financial statements for the periods presented.
These condensed financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except in respect of certain financial instruments. They are prepared on a basis consistent with the IFRS accounting policies as set out in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2018, except as required to be revised for the implementation of accounting standards effective 1 January 2019, noted below.
With effect from 1 January 2019, the Group has applied IFRS 16 Leases to contractual arrangements which are, or contain, leases of assets, and consequently recognises right-of-use assets and lease liabilities at the commencement of the leasing arrangement, with the assets included as part of property, plant and equipment and the liabilities included as part of borrowings.
In adopting IFRS 16, the Group has applied the modified retrospective approach with no restatement of prior periods, as permitted by the Standard. Total assets and total equity and liabilities on 1 January 2019 have both increased by GBP607 million. The Group has taken advantage of certain practical expedients available under the Standard, including "grandfathering" previously recognised lease arrangements such that contracts were not reassessed at the implementation date as to whether they were, or contained, a lease, and leases previously classified as finance leases under IAS 17 remained capitalised on the adoption of IFRS 16. In addition, as part of the implementation, the Group has applied a single discount rate to portfolios of leases with reasonably similar characteristics, has assessed whether individual leases are onerous prior to applying the Standard, has applied hindsight in determining the lease term if the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease, and has not applied the capitalisation requirements of the Standard to leases for which the lease term ends within 12 months of the date of initial application.
With effect from 1 January 2019, the Group has adopted the requirements of IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax payments. This interpretation clarifies how to apply the recognition and measurement requirements in IAS 12 when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. There was no impact on the Group's profit and equity.
The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of these condensed consolidated financial statements. Such estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable in the circumstances and constitute management's best judgement at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. In the future, actual experience may deviate from these estimates and assumptions, which could affect these condensed consolidated financial statements as the original estimates and assumptions are modified, as appropriate, in the year in which the circumstances change.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Accounting policies and basis of preparation cont...
During the year, as an outcome of the Financial Reporting Council's (FRC's) review of the Group's 2018 Annual Report and Accounts, the Group received correspondence related to a number of areas, including the accounting treatment for interim dividends. It was agreed that the recognition of an accrual at 31 December 2017 (in respect of the dividend paid in February 2018) and 31 December 2018 (in respect of the dividend paid in February 2019) was incorrect. Accordingly, from 1 January 2019, the Group has revised the treatment with respect to dividends, to recognise interim dividends in the period in which they are paid. The review conducted by the FRC was based solely on the Group's published report and accounts and does not provide any assurance that the report and accounts are correct in all material respects.
ADJUSTING ITEMS
Adjusting items are significant items of income or expense in revenue, profit from operations, net finance costs, taxation and the Group's share of the post-tax results of associates and joint ventures which individually or, if of a similar type, in aggregate, are relevant to an understanding of the Group's underlying financial performance because of their size, nature or incidence. In identifying and quantifying adjusting items, the Group consistently applies a policy that defines criteria that are required to be met for an item to be classified as adjusting. These items are separately disclosed in the segmental analyses or in the notes to the accounts as appropriate.
The Group believes that these items are useful to users of the Group financial statements in helping them to understand the underlying business performance and are used to derive the Group's principal non-GAAP measures of adjusted revenue, adjusted profit from operations, adjusted diluted earnings per share, operating cash flow conversion ratio and adjusted cash generated from operations, all of which are before the impact of adjusting items and which are reconciled from revenue, profit from operations, diluted earnings per share, cash conversion ratio and net cash generated from operating activities.
ANALYSIS OF REVENUE BY SEGMENT
2019 2018
Reported Adj Items(1) Adjusted Exchange Adjusted Reported Adj Items(1) Adjusted
at CC
(2)
Revenue GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
US 10,373 - 10,373 (456) 9,917 9,495 - 9,495
APME 5,153 - 5,153 4 5,157 4,882 - 4,882
AMSSA 4,261 - 4,261 230 4,491 4,111 - 4,111
ENA 6,090 (50) 6,040 78 6,118 6,004 (180) 5,824
--------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ---------
Total Region 25,877 (50) 25,827 (144) 25,683 24,492 (180) 24,312
--------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ---------
ADJUSTING ITEMS INCLUDED IN REVENUE
Adjusting items in revenue relate to certain third-party contract manufacturing arrangements. The Group acquires and sells goods inclusive of excise, acquired from a third party under short-term arrangements, and then passed on to customers. This increases both revenue and cost of sales, with no impact to profit from operations but distorts operating margin. To better reflect the underlying performance of the Group, this uplift from excise in both revenue and cost of sales has been adjusted for, given the temporary nature of the arrangement.
Notes to the Financial Statements
ANALYSIS OF PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE BY SEGMENT
2019 2018
Reported Adj Items(1) Adjusted Exchange Adjusted Reported Adj Items(1) Adjusted
at CC
(2)
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Profit from Operations
US 4,410 626 5,036 (238) 4,798 4,006 505 4,511
APME 1,753 306 2,059 43 2,102 1,858 90 1,948
AMSSA 1,204 638 1,842 70 1,912 1,544 194 1,738
ENA 1,649 544 2,193 27 2,220 1,905 245 2,150
--------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ---------
Total Region 9,016 2,114 11,130 (98) 11,032 9,313 1,034 10,347
Net finance
costs (1,602) 80 (1,522) 56 (1,466) (1,381) (4) (1,385)
Associates
and joint (25
ventures 498 ) 473 (7) 466 419 (32) 387
--------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ---------
Profit before
tax 7,912 2,169 10,081 (49) 10,032 8,351 998 9,349
Taxation (2,063) (438) (2,501) 3 (2,498) (2,141) (223) (2,364)
Non-controlling
interests (145) (17) (162) (5) (167) (178) (6) (184)
--------- ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ---------
Profit attributable
to shareholders 5,704 1,714 7,418 (51) 7,367 6,032 769 6,801
Diluted
number of
shares (m) 2,291 2,291 2,291 2,292 2,292
--------- ------------- ---------
Diluted
earnings
per share
(pence) 249.0 323.8 321.6 263.2 296.7
Notes to the analysis of revenue and profit from operations above:
(1) Adjusting items represent certain items which the Group considers distinctive based upon their size, nature or incidence.
(2) CC: constant currency - measures are calculated based on a re-translation, at the prior year's exchange rates, of the current year's results of the Group and, where applicable, its segments.
ADJUSTING ITEMS INCLUDED IN PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS
Adjusting items are significant items in the profit from operations that individually or, if of a similar type, in aggregate, are relevant to an understanding of the Group's underlying financial performance. Full details of the Group's adjusting items will be included in the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2019.
In summary, in 2019, the Group incurred GBP2,114 million (2018: GBP1,034 million) of adjusting items within profit from operations:
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Restructuring and integration costs 565 363
Amortisation and impairment of trademarks
and similar intangibles 481 377
Impairment of goodwill in Indonesia, Highendsmoke 194 -
and VapeWild
Charge in respect of an excise dispute in 202 -
Russia
Charge in respect of Quebec 436 -
Fixed asset impairment in hyperinflationary
economies - 110
Other adjusting items (including Engle) 236 184
Total adjusting items included in profit
from operations 2,114 1,034
(a) Restructuring and integration costs
Restructuring costs reflect the costs incurred as a result of initiatives to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of the Group as a globally integrated enterprise, including the relevant operating costs of implementing the operating model. These costs represent additional expenses incurred that are not related to the normal business and day-to-day activities.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Adjusting items included in profit from operations cont...
The operating model includes revised organisation structures, standardised processes and shared back office services underpinned by a global single instance of SAP. These initiatives also include a review of the Group's manufacturing operations, supply chain, overheads and indirect costs, organisational structure and systems and software used. The costs of these initiatives, together with the costs of integrating acquired businesses into existing operations, including acquisition costs, are included in profit from operations under the following headings:
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Employee benefit costs 364 176
Depreciation and impairment costs 63 48
Other operating expenses 145 145
Other operating income (7) (6)
Total 565 363
The adjusting charge in 2019 relates to the ongoing restructuring costs associated with the implementation of revisions to the Group's operating model. These costs are mainly in relation to Quantum, a programme to simplify the business and create a more efficient, agile and focused Group, as announced in September 2019. This includes the cost of packages in respect of permanent headcount reductions and permanent employee benefit reductions in the Group. The costs also cover the downsizing and factory rationalisation activities in Germany, Russia and APME. Included in other operating income are amounts related to the reversal of a deferred consideration provision in relation to the acquisition of TDR d.o.o. (TDR).
Restructuring and integration costs in 2018 relates to the integration costs associated with the acquisition of RAI and ongoing costs of implementing the revisions to the Group's operating model. This includes the cost of packages in respect of permanent headcount reductions and permanent employee benefit reductions in the Group. The costs also cover the downsizing activities in Germany, Russia and in APME, partially offset by the income from sale of certain assets that have become available as part of the downsizing activities.
(b) Amortisation and impairment of trademarks and similar intangibles
Acquisitions including RAI, TDR and Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni in previous years, have resulted in the capitalisation of trademarks and similar intangibles that are amortised over their expected useful lives, which do not exceed 20 years. The amortisation and impairment charge of GBP481 million (2018: GBP377 million) is included in depreciation, amortisation and impairment costs in the income statement. The charge in 2019 includes GBP63 million in relation to Kodiak, GBP29 million in respect of acquired new category brands that will migrate to the Group's global new category brands in line with the portfolio simplification agenda and GBP37 million in respect of VapeWild.
(c) Other
In 2019, the Group incurred GBP1,068 million (2018: GBP294 million) of other adjusting items.
The charge in 2019 includes GBP436 million related to the Quebec Class Action (as described on page 20) and a charge in relation to an excise dispute in Russia (GBP202 million) as explained on page 21. The charge also includes GBP236 million (2018: GBP178 million) related to other litigation (including Engle progeny litigation in the US) offset by credits (in 2018) related to the Non-Participating Manufacturers settlement which have been adjusted within "other operating expenses".
During 2019, the Group impaired goodwill of GBP194 million, related to Indonesia from the Bentoel acquisition (GBP172 million), VapeWild (GBP12 million) and Highendsmoke (GBP10 million). These have been adjusted within "depreciation, amortisation and impairment costs".
Notes to the Financial Statements
Adjusting items included in profit from operations cont...
The net assets of the Group's Venezuelan operations are subject to accounting adjustments under IAS 29, Financial Accounting in Hyperinflationary Economies, as they are revalued, for accounting purposes, from their acquisition date to the balance sheet date. This led to an increase in the sterling carrying value that did not reflect the recoverable value of those assets. Accordingly, in 2018 an impairment charge of GBP110 million was recognised and treated as an adjusting item within "depreciation, amortisation and impairment costs".
ADJUSTING ITEMS INCLUDED IN NET FINANCE COSTS
In 2019, the Group incurred interest on adjusting tax payables of GBP80 million (2018: GBP41 million). This included interest of GBP28 million (2018: GBP25 million) in relation to the Franked Investment Income Group Litigation Order (FII GLO), as described on page 44 and interest of GBP50 million in respect of the Russia excise dispute. 2018 also included a charge of GBP12 million in relation to retrospective tax authority guidance on overseas withholding tax.
In 2018, the Group recognised a monetary gain of GBP45 million related to the application of hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela. As this was not reflective of the underlying performance of the Group, this has been treated as an adjusting item.
All of the adjustments noted above have been included in the adjusted earnings per share calculation on page 39.
ADJUSTING ITEMS INCLUDED IN RESULTS OF ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES
The following is a summary of the adjusting items incurred in respect of the Group's associates and joint ventures, shown reflecting the Group's share of post-tax results:
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Reversal of tax claim in ITC - 10
Dilution of interest in ITC 25 22
Total 25 32
The Group's interest in ITC decreased from 29.57% to 29.46% as a result of ITC issuing ordinary shares under the company's Employees Share Option Scheme. The issue of these shares and change in the Group's share of ITC resulted in a gain of GBP25 million (2018: GBP22 million), which is treated as a deemed partial disposal and included in the income statement. In 2018, ITC also recognised an adjusting gain related to the release of certain provisions related to a tax claim, the Group's share of which, net of tax, was GBP10 million.
The share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures is after the adjusting items shown above which are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per share as set out on page 39.
Notes to the Financial Statements
ADJUSTING ITEMS INCLUDED IN TAXATION
The Group's tax rate is affected by the adjusting items referred to below and by the inclusion of the share of associates' and joint ventures' post-tax profit in the Group's pre-tax results.
Adjusting items in 2019 include a credit of GBP65 million (2018: GBP79 million) primarily related to changes in the US state tax rates in the year, relating to the revaluation of deferred tax liabilities arising on trademarks recognised on the RAI acquisition in 2017. In 2018, the Group also recognised a GBP55 million tax charge related to retrospective guidance regarding the application of overseas withholding tax in prior periods.
As the above items are not reflective of the ongoing business, they have been recognised as adjusting items within taxation. The adjusting tax item includes GBP373 million (2018: GBP199 million) in respect of the taxation on other adjusting items, which are described on pages 32 to 34. Refer to page 44 for the Franked Investment Income Group Litigation Order update.
CASH FLOW
Net cash generated from operating activities
Net cash generated from operating activities in the IFRS cash flows on page 29 includes the following items:
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Profit from operations 9,016 9,313
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 1,512 1,038
Increase in inventories (371) (192)
Decrease in receivables related to the charge
in respect of the Quebec Class Action 436 -
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (699) 502
(Decrease)/increase in provision for MSA (124) 1,364
Increase in trade and other payables 730 123
Decrease in net retirement benefit liabilities (40) (100)
Increase/(decrease) in other provisions 382 (107)
Other non-cash items 106 31
Cash generated from operating activities 10,948 11,972 Dividends received from associates 252 214 Tax paid (2,204) (1,891) Net cash generated from operating activities 8,996 10,295
Net cash generated from operating activities decreased by GBP1,299 million largely due to the timing impact of the MSA payment that was made in 2017 (GBP1.4 billion) which would otherwise have been paid in 2018. Other movements relate to working capital, particularly in Australia where the payment terms related to excise were changed in the year, to be payable from the date of importation, as such increasing inventory values.
Expenditure on research and development was approximately GBP376 million in 2019 (2018: GBP258 million) with a focus on products that could potentially reduce the risk associated with smoking conventional cigarettes.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Cash flow cont...
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities declined by GBP382 million to GBP639 million (2018: GBP1,021 million) largely due to a net inflow of GBP148 million (2018: GBP153 million net outflow) from short-term investment products, including treasury bills and a reduction in purchases of property, plant and equipment of GBP94 million.
Included within investing activities is gross capital expenditure which includes purchases of property, plant and equipment and purchases of intangibles. This includes the investment in the Group's global operational infrastructure (including, but not limited to, the manufacturing network, trade marketing and IT systems). In 2019, the Group invested GBP807 million, a decrease of 8.6% on the prior year (2018: GBP883 million).
The Group expects gross capital expenditure in 2020 of GBP650 million mainly related to the ongoing investment in the Group's operational infrastructure including the expansion of our New Categories portfolio.
Net cash used in financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities was an outflow of GBP8,593 million in 2019 (2018: GBP9,630 million outflow). The 2019 outflow was mainly due to the repayment (at maturity) or early redemption (as part of the Group's liquidity management strategy) of bonds in the year totalling GBP5.1 billion. This more than offset the inflow from the four bonds issued (totalling US$3.5 billion or GBP2.7 billion) in September 2019, following the successful shelf registration in the US.
The 2019 outflow also included the increased dividend payment of GBP4,598 million (2018: GBP4,347 million) due to the higher dividend per share and interest paid in the year of GBP1,601 million (2018: GBP1,557 million).
BORROWINGS AND NET DEBT
Total borrowings were GBP45,366 million at 31 December 2019, a decrease of 4.5% (31 December 2018: GBP47,509 million) with the movement principally related to the repayment of borrowings in the year and a foreign exchange tailwind due to the relative movements of the US$ against sterling. This was partly offset by the recognition of lease liabilities under IFRS 16 (GBP607 million, which are included as "borrowings") and the payment of dividends to shareholders in the period.
The Group remains confident in its ability to access the debt capital markets successfully and reviews its options on a continuing basis. As part of the management of liquidity, funding and interest rate risk the Group regularly evaluates market conditions and may enter into transactions, from time to time, to repurchase outstanding debt, pursuant to open market purchases, tender offers or other means.
The Group defines net debt as borrowings including related derivatives, less cash and cash equivalents and current investments held at fair value. Closing net debt was GBP42,574 million (31 December 2018: GBP44,351 million). A reconciliation of borrowings to net debt is provided below.
As at 31 December 2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
(47,509
Total borrowings (45,366) )
Derivatives in respect of net debt:
Assets 527 647
Liabilities (384) (269 )
Cash and cash equivalents 2,526 2,602
Current investments held at fair value 123 178
(42,574
Net debt ) (44,351)
Maturity profile of net debt:
(1,447
Net debt due within one year (4,947) )
(42,904
Net debt due beyond one year (37,627) )
--------- --------
(42,574 (44,351
Net debt ) )
Notes to the Financial Statements
LIQUIDITY
The Treasury function is responsible for raising finance for the Group, managing the Group's cash resources and the financial risks arising from underlying operations. All these activities are carried out under defined policies, procedures and limits, reviewed and approved by the Board, delegating oversight to the Finance Director and Treasury function.
The Group has targeted an average centrally managed bond maturity of at least five years with no more than 20% of centrally managed debt maturing in a single rolling year. As at 31 December 2019, the average centrally managed debt maturity of bonds was 9.1 years (31 December 2018: 8.8 years) and the highest proportion of centrally managed debt maturing in a single rolling 12-month period was 18.6% (31 December 2018: 18.4%).
The Group continues to maintain investment-grade credit ratings, with ratings from Moody's/S&P at Baa2 (stable outlook)/BBB+ (stable outlook) respectively, with a medium-term target of Baa1/BBB+. The strength of the ratings has underpinned debt issuance and the Group is confident of its ability to successfully access the debt capital markets. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. A credit rating may be subject to withdrawal or revision at any time. Each rating should be evaluated separately of any other rating.
All contractual borrowing covenants have been met and these covenants are not expected to inhibit the Group's operations or funding plans. The only externally imposed capital requirement the Group has is in respect of its centrally managed banking facilities, which require a gross interest cover of 4.5 times. The Group targets a gross interest cover, as calculated under its key central banking facilities, of greater than 5 times. For 2019, it was 7.1 times (2018: 7.2 times).
In order to manage its interest rate risk, the Group maintains both floating rate and fixed rate debt. The Group sets targets (within overall guidelines) for the desired ratio of floating to fixed rate debt on a net basis (at least 50% fixed on a net basis in the short to medium term). At 31 December 2019, the relevant ratios of floating* to fixed rate borrowings were 18:82 (2018: 21:79) on a net basis.
It is Group policy that short-term sources of funds (including drawings under both the US$4 billion commercial paper programme and GBP3 billion euro commercial paper programme) are backed by undrawn committed lines of credit and cash. As at 31 December 2019, the outstanding commercial paper was GBP1,056 million (31 December 2018: GBP536 million).
The Group maintains a two-tranche GBP6 billion revolving credit facility. This consists of a GBP3 billion 364-day revolving credit facility (which, in July 2019, was extended to mature in July 2020) and a GBP3 billion revolving credit facility maturing in 2021. The Group intends to refinance both tranches during the first half of 2020 with a new two-tranche GBP6 billion revolving credit facility consisting of a GBP3 billion 364-day tranche (with two one-year extension options and a one-year term-out option), and a GBP3 billion five-year tranche (with two one-year extension options). In July 2019, the Group also arranged short-term bilateral facilities with some of its core banks for a total amount of GBP745 million.
In July 2019, the Group filed a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to which B.A.T Capital Corporation and B.A.T. International Finance p.l.c. may issue debt securities guaranteed by certain members of the Group from time to time. The SEC shelf programme, together with the EMTN programme, will be the basis for future normal issuances in the capital markets.
* The Group has early adopted the Amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments in respect of the Interest Rate Benchmark Reform as a result of the UK Financial Conduct Authority's announcement on 27 July 2017. Considering the relevant hedge relationships impacted by these amendments, as at 31 December 2019, the Group has floating rate borrowings with nominal value of GBP1,929 million and US$750 million (GBP566 million) that are due to mature in January 2022 and August 2022, respectively.
In relation to the Group's floating rate borrowings and hedge instruments, there is exposure to uncertainty arising from changes in the USD LIBOR, EURIBOR and GBP LIBOR benchmarks. The Group believes that its contracts with interest rates based on these benchmarks adequately provide for alternate calculations of interest in the event that they are unavailable. The Group believes that any resulting ineffectiveness consequent to the Interest Rate Benchmark Reform is likely to be immaterial. Although these calculations may cause an administrative burden, the Group does not believe that these would materially adversely affect the Group or its ability to manage its interest rate risk.
Notes to the Financial Statements
RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The Group's related party transactions and relationships for 2018 were disclosed on page 190 of the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2018. In the year ended 31 December 2019, there were no material changes in related parties or related party transactions. Full details of the Group's related party transactions as at 31 December 2019 will be included in the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2019.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share were 5.4% down at 249.7p (2018: 264.0p) as the impact of the charges in respect of Quebec, the Russian excise dispute, amortisation and impairment of trademarks, the impairment of goodwill in Indonesia, costs of litigation (including related to Engle in the US) and charges in respect of the ongoing restructuring programmes more than offset higher profit from operations (before such adjusting charges) and an improved performance from the Group's main associate (ITC) . Before adjusting items and including the dilutive effect of employee share schemes, adjusted diluted earnings per share grew by 9.1% to 323.8p (2018: 296.7p) as the Group's improved operating performance, an increase in profit from associates and joint ventures and the translational foreign exchange tailwind on the Group's results, was partially offset by the higher interest charges. On a constant translational foreign exchange basis, adjusted diluted earnings per share were 8.4% higher at 321.6p.
2019 2018
pence pence
Earnings per share
- basic 249.7 264.0
- diluted 249.0 263.2
Adjusted earnings per share
- basic 324.8 297.6
- diluted 323.8 296.7
Headline earnings per share
- basic 268.1 269.9
- diluted 267.3 269.1
Basic earnings per share are based on the profit for the year attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period (excluding treasury shares). For the calculation of the diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of shares reflects the potential dilutive effect of employee share schemes.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Earnings per share cont...
Adjusted diluted earnings per share are calculated by taking the following adjustments into account (see pages 32 to 35):
2019 2018
pence pence
Diluted earnings per share 249.0 263.2
Effect of restructuring and integration costs 20.3 12.2
Effect of amortisation of trademarks and similar
intangibles 24.5 13.0
Effect of hyperinflation on Venezuela's retained
earnings - 2.8
Effect of Quebec Class Action charge 13.6 -
Effect of the Russian excise dispute 8.1 -
Effect of other adjusting items 8.1 8.5
(1.1
Effect of associates' adjusting items ) (1.4)
Effect of other adjusting items in net finance
costs 3.5 1.8
Effect of adjusting items in respect of deferred
taxation (2.2) (3.4)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 323.8 296.7
The presentation of headline earnings per share, as an alternative measure of earnings per share, is mandated under the JSE Listing Requirements. It is calculated in accordance with Circular 1/2019 'Headline Earnings' as issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Diluted headline earnings per share are calculated by taking the following adjustments into account:
2019 2018
pence pence
Diluted earnings per share 249.0 263.2
Effect of impairment of intangibles and property,
plant and equipment and held-for-sale assets
(net of tax) 19.1 7.5
Effect of gains on disposal of property, plant
and equipment and held-for-sale assets (net
of tax) 0.3 (0.3)
Issue of shares and changes in shareholding
of associates (1.1) (1.0)
Other (net of tax) - (0.3)
Diluted headline earnings per share 267.3 269.1
The following is a reconciliation of earnings to headline earnings, in accordance with the JSE Listing Requirements:
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Earnings 5,704 6,032
Effect of impairment of intangibles and property,
plant and equipment and held-for-sale assets
(net of tax) 439 173
Effect of gains on disposal of property, plant
and equipment and held-for-sale assets (net
of tax) 6 (7)
Issue of shares and changes in shareholding
of associates (25) (22)
Other (net of tax) - (8)
Headline earnings 6,124 6,168
Notes to the Financial Statements
Earnings per share cont...
The earnings per share are based on:
2019 2018
Earnings Shares Earnings Shares
Earnings per share GBPm m GBPm m
- basic 5,704 2,284 6,032 2,285
- diluted 5,704 2,291 6,032 2,292
Adjusted earnings per share
- basic 7,418 2,284 6,801 2,285
- diluted 7,418 2,291 6,801 2,292
Headline earnings per share
- basic 6,124 2,284 6,168 2,285
- diluted 6,124 2,291 6,168 2,292
ADOPTION OF IFRS 16 "LEASES"
With effect from 1 January 2019, the Group adopted IFRS 16 Leases with no revision of prior periods, as permitted by the Standard. In accordance with IFRS 16, the distinction between operating leases and finance leases has been removed. As a result, substantially all leasing arrangements were added to the balance sheet as lease liabilities and right-of-use assets.
As disclosed in the Notes on the Accounts in the 2018 Annual Report on Form 20-F, the anticipated impact of IFRS 16 to the Group's balance sheet at 1 January 2019 was the capitalisation of GBP565 million right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of GBP562 million.
In 2019, as part of the implementation of IFRS 16, further lease commitments were identified resulting in an increase to right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The impact of the new Standard to the Group's balance sheet at 1 January 2019 is shown below:
Minimum lease commitments GBPm GBPm
Property
Within one year 126
Between one and five years 290
Beyond five years 149
565
Plant and equipment and other
Within one year 63
Between one and five years 106
169
Total minimum lease commitments 734
Additional commitments on the exercise of
options 30
Low value leases and short-term leases excluded (24)
Discounted to present value (133)
Capitalised as lease liabilities at 1 January
2019 607
Prepaid leases reclassified from receivables 3
Capitalised as right-of-use assets at 1
January 2019 610
The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied in discounting lease commitments was 5.60%.
Notes to the Financial Statements
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
The Group has contingent liabilities in respect of litigation, taxes and guarantees in various countries. These are described below, are further described in Note 28 to the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F and will be included in the 2019 Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F. The Group is subject to contingencies pursuant to requirements that it complies with relevant laws, regulations and standards. Failure to comply could result in restrictions in operations, damages, fines, increased tax, increased cost of compliance, interest charges, reputational damage or other sanctions. These matters are inherently difficult to quantify.
In cases where the Group has an obligation as a result of a past event existing at the balance sheet date, it is probable that an outflow of economic resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated, a provision will be recognised based on best estimates and management judgment. There are, however, contingent liabilities in respect of litigation, taxes in some countries and guarantees for which no provisions have been made. While the amounts that may be payable or receivable could be material to the results or cash flows of the Group in the period in which they are recognised, the Board does not expect these amounts to have a material effect on the Group's financial condition.
Taxes
The Group has exposures in respect of the payment or recovery of a number of taxes. The Group is and has been subject to a number of tax audits covering, among others, excise tax, value-added taxes, sales taxes, corporate taxes, overseas withholding taxes and payroll taxes. The estimated costs of known tax obligations have been provided in these accounts in accordance with the Group's accounting policies. In some countries, tax law requires that full or part payment of disputed tax assessments be made pending resolution of the dispute. To the extent that such payments exceed the estimated obligation, they would not be recognised as an expense.
There are disputes that may proceed to litigation in a number of countries including Brazil and Netherlands. The challenge from the South African Revenue Service regarding the debt financing of British American Tobacco South Africa was resolved in 2019.
In Bangladesh, on 25 July 2018, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in Bangladesh reversed the decision of the High Court against BAT Bangladesh in respect of the retrospective demands for VAT and Supplementary Duty amounting to approximately GBP170 million. On 3 February 2020, the certified Court Order was received. The Attorney General has 30 days to file a review petition with the Court. The Group is not, at the date of this announcement, aware of any filing.
On 12 August 2019, the Russian tax authority issued a Final audit report to JSC British American Tobacco-SPb (BAT SpB) related to the application of legislation introduced in 2017 that prospectively limited the amount of production that could take place prior to excise tax increases, without being subject to higher excise tax rates. The Final audit report seeks to retrospectively apply the legislation to the years 2015 to 2017. On 13 September 2019, BAT SpB submitted an appeal to the Federal Tax Services (FTS) objecting to the findings which was discussed in October 2019. The FTS accepted some of BAT SpB's arguments and, on 27 January 2020, a final claim was issued by the FTS. As a consequence, the Group recognised a charge of GBP202 million within profit from operations and an interest charge of GBP50 million within net finance costs. Both charges were treated as adjusting items. In line with Russian law, the amounts were paid in January 2020. Accordingly, at 31 December 2019, the Group has provided for the full amount in line with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Contingent liabilities and financial commitments cont...
British American Tobacco Egypt LLC is subject to two ongoing civil cases concerning the imposition of sales tax on low price category brands brought by the Egyptian tax authority for GBP113 million. Management believes that the tax claims are unfounded and has appealed the tax claims. These cases are under review by the Council of State and hearings are scheduled for early 2020, for reviewing and submission of memoranda.
The Group is also appealing the ruling in respect of sales taxes and penalties in South Korea.
Group litigation
Group companies, as well as other leading cigarette manufacturers, are defendants in a number of product liability cases. In a number of the cases, the amounts of compensatory and punitive damages sought are significant. While it is impossible to be certain of the outcome of any particular case or of the amount of any possible adverse verdict, the Group believes that the defences of the Group's companies to all these various claims are meritorious on both the law and the facts, and a vigorous defence is being made everywhere. If an adverse judgment is entered against any of the Group's companies in any case, avenues of appeal will be pursued as necessary. Such appeals could require the appellants to post appeal bonds or substitute security in amounts that could in some cases equal or exceed the amount of the judgment. At least in the aggregate, and despite the quality of defences available to the Group, it is not impossible that the Group's results of operations or cash flows in a particular period could be materially affected by this and by the final outcome of any particular litigation.
In Canada, following the implementation of legislation enabling provincial governments to recover healthcare costs directly from tobacco manufacturers, ten actions for recovery of healthcare costs arising from the treatment of smoking and health-related diseases were commenced in ten provinces. Damages sought have not yet been quantified by all ten provinces; however, in respect of five provinces, the damages quantified in each of the provinces range between CAD$10 billion (approximately GBP5.8 billion) and CAD$118 billion (approximately GBP69 billion), and the province of Ontario delivered an expert report quantifying its damages in the range of CAD$280 billion (approximately GBP163 billion) and CAD$630 billion (approximately GBP367 billion) in 2016/2017 dollars. Ontario has amended its Statement of Claim to claim damages of CAD$330 billion (approximately GBP192 billion). On 31 January 2019, the Province delivered a further expert report claiming an additional CAD $9.4-10.9 billion in damages (approximately GBP5.5 billion - GBP6.3 billion) in respect of environmental tobacco smoke. No trial date has been set. In respect of New Brunswick, on 7 March 2019, the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench released a decision requiring the Province to produce a substantial amount of additional documentation and data to the defendants. As a result, the original trial date of 4 November 2019 has been delayed.
In addition to the actions commenced by the provincial governments, there are numerous class actions outstanding against Group companies. As set out below, all of these actions are currently subject to stays of proceedings. On 1 March 2019, the Quebec Court of Appeal handed down a judgment which largely upheld and endorsed the lower court's previous decision in the two Quebec class actions. ITCAN's share of the judgment is a maximum of CAD$ 9.2 billion. As a result of this judgment, the attempts by the Quebec plaintiffs to obtain payment out of the CAD$758 million on deposit with the court, the fact that JTI-MacDonald Corp (a co-defendant in the cases) filed for protection under the CCAA on 8 March 2019 and obtained a court ordered stay of all tobacco litigation in Canada as against all defendants (including the RJR Group Companies) until 4 April 2019, and the need for a process to resolve all of the outstanding litigation across the country, on 12 March 2019, ITCAN filed for protection under the CCAA. In its application ITCAN asked the Ontario Superior Court to stay all pending or contemplated litigation against ITCAN, certain of its subsidiaries and all other Group companies that were defendants in the Canadian tobacco litigation (the "Stays"). On 20 February 2020, the Stays were extended until 30 September 2020. While the Stays are in place, no steps are to be taken in connection with the Canadian tobacco litigation with respect to ITCAN, certain of its subsidiaries or any other Group company.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Contingent liabilities and financial commitments cont...
As at 31 December 2019, the Group's subsidiaries, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company ("RJRT"), Lorillard Tobacco Company and Brown & Williamson Holdings, Inc., had collectively been served in 1,773 pending Engle progeny cases filed on behalf of approximately 2,228 individual plaintiffs. Many of these are in active discovery or nearing trial. In 2019, RJRT or Lorillard Tobacco paid judgments in 22 Engle progeny cases. Those payments totalled US$142 million (approximately GBP107 million) in compensatory or punitive damages. Additional costs were paid in respect of attorneys' fees and statutory interest. In addition, from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019, outstanding jury verdicts in favour of the Engle progeny plaintiffs had been entered against RJRT or Lorillard Tobacco Company for US$117 million (approximately GBP89 million) in compensatory damages (as adjusted) and US$238 million (approximately GBP180 million) in punitive damages. A significant majority of these verdicts are in various stages in the appellate process and have been bonded as required by Florida law under the US$200 million (approximately GBP151 million) bond cap passed by the Florida legislature in 2009. Although the Group cannot currently predict when or how much it may be required to bond and pay, the Group's subsidiaries will likely be required to bond and pay additional judgments as the litigation proceeds.
In January 2017, NCR and Appvion entered into a Consent Decree with the US Government to resolve how the remaining clean-up will be funded and to resolve further outstanding claims between them. The Consent Decree was approved by the District Court of Wisconsin in August 2017. The US Government enforcement action against NCR was terminated as a result of that order and contribution claims from the Potentially Responsible Parties ("PRPs") against NCR were dismissed. On 4 January 2019, the US Government, P. H. Glatfelter and Georgia-Pacific (the remaining Fox River PRPs) sought approval for a separate Consent Decree settling the allocation of costs on the Fox River. This Consent Decree was approved by the District Court in the Eastern District of Wisconsin on 14 March 2019, and concludes all existing litigation on the Fox River clean-up. Considering these developments, the provision has been reviewed. No adjustment has been proposed, other than as related to the payments above, with the provision standing at GBP73 million at 31 December 2019.
In July 2016, the High Court ruled in favour of a Group subsidiary, BTI 2014 LLC ("BTI"), stating that a dividend of EUR135 million (approximately GBP114 million) paid by Windward to Sequana in May 2009 was a transaction made with the intention of putting assets beyond the reach of BTI and of negatively impacting its interests. On 10 February 2017, further to a hearing in January 2017 to determine the relief due, the Court found in BTI's favour, ordering that Sequana must pay an amount up to the full value of the dividend plus interest which equates to around US$185 million (approximately GBP140 million), related to past and future clean-up costs. The Court granted all parties leave to appeal and Sequana a stay in respect of the above payments. The appeal was heard in June 2018 . Judgment was given on 6 February 2019 and the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's findings against Sequana. The Court of Appeal refused applications made by both parties for a further appeal to the U.K. Supreme Court. Both parties applied directly to the U.K. Supreme Court for permission to appeal in March 2019. On 31 July 2019, BTI was granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. On the same day, the Supreme Court refused Sequana permission to appeal. A hearing of BTI's appeal has been listed to take place on 25 and 26 March 2020. In February 2017, Sequana entered into a process in France seeking court protection (the "Sauvegarde"), exiting the Sauvegarde in June 2017. No payments have been received.
Investigations
The Group has been investigating, and is aware of governmental authorities' investigations into, allegations of misconduct. It has been liaising with relevant authorities, including the UK's Serious Fraud Office, which is conducting an investigation into suspicions of corruption in the conduct of business by Group companies and associated persons, and the DOJ and OFAC in the United States, which are conducting an investigation into suspicions of breach of sanctions. The Group is cooperating with the authorities' investigations.
The potential for fines, penalties or other consequences cannot currently be assessed. As the investigations are ongoing, it is not yet possible to identify the timescale in which these matters might be resolved.
Notes to the Financial Statements
Contingent liabilities and financial commitments cont...
Summary
Having regard to all these matters, with the exception of Fox River, Russia, Quebec and potentially certain Engle progeny cases, the Group does not consider it appropriate to make any provision or charge in respect of any pending litigation. The Group does not believe that the ultimate outcome of this litigation will significantly impair the Group's financial condition. If the facts and circumstances change, then there could be a material impact on the financial statements of the Group.
Full details of the litigation against Group companies and tax disputes as at 31 December 2019 will be included in the Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2019. Whilst there has been some movement on new and existing cases against Group companies, there have been, except as otherwise stated, no material developments in 2019 or to date in 2020 that would impact on the financial position of the Group.
FRANKED INVESTMENT INCOME GROUP LITIGATION ORDER
The Group is the principal test claimant in an action in the United Kingdom against HM Revenue and Customs ("HMRC") in the FII GLO. There are 25 corporate groups in the FII GLO. The case concerns the treatment for UK corporate tax purposes of profits earned overseas and distributed to the UK. The Supreme Court has notified the parties in the FII GLO that the outstanding appeal issues will be heard in two separate trials in 2020. Full details will be provided in the 2019 Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F. The Supreme Court judgment in the CFC & Dividend Group Litigation Order, of which Prudential is the test case, was delivered on 25 July 2018. Applying the Prudential judgment reduces the value of the FII claim to approximately GBP0.6 billion, mainly as the result of the application of simple interest.
During 2015, HMRC paid to the Group a gross amount of GBP1.2 billion in two separate payments, less a deduction (withheld by HMRC) of GBP0.3 billion. The payments made by HMRC have been made without any admission of liability and are subject to refund were HMRC to succeed on appeal. Due to the uncertainty of the amounts and eventual outcome the Group has not recognised any impact in the Income Statement in the current or prior period in respect of the receipt (being net GBP0.9 billion) and is held as deferred income. Any future recognition as income will be treated as an adjusting item, due to the size of the order, with interest of GBP28 million in respect of 2019 (2018: GBP25 million) accruing on the balance, which was also treated as an adjusting item.
RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES
The Group's subsidiaries operate over 190 retirement benefit arrangements worldwide. The majority of the scheme members belong to defined benefit schemes, most of which are funded externally and many of which are closed to new entrants. The Group also operates a number of defined contribution schemes.
The present value of total funded scheme liabilities as at 31 December 2019 was GBP11,726 million (2018: GBP11,317 million), while unfunded scheme liabilities amounted to GBP1,135 million (2018: GBP1,106 million). The fair value of scheme assets declined from GBP11,925 million in 2018 to GBP11,860 million in 2019. The overall net liability for all pension and healthcare schemes in Group subsidiaries amounted to GBP1,029 million at the end of 2019, compared to GBP518 million at the end of 2018.
The increase in net liability may be largely attributed to lower discount rates applied in the US (2019: 3.3%; 2018: 4.3%) and the UK (2019: 2.0%; 2018: 2.9%) and to the agreement with Pension Insurance Corporation plc ("PIC"), whereby the Trustees of the British American Tobacco UK Pension Fund ("UK Fund") agreed to acquire an insurance policy that operates as a UK Fund investment asset, as explained on page 20.
Other Information
DIVIDS
The Board has declared an interim dividend of 210.4p per ordinary share of 25p, for the year ended 31 December 2019, payable in four equal quarterly instalments of 52.60p per ordinary share in May 2020, August 2020, November 2020 and February 2021. This represents an increase of 3.6% on 2018 (2018: 203.0p per share), and a payout ratio, on 2019 adjusted diluted earnings per share, of 65.0%.
The quarterly dividends will be paid to shareholders registered on either the UK main register or the South Africa branch register and to holders of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each on the applicable record dates set out under the heading 'Key Dates' below.
General dividend information
Under IFRS, the dividend is recognised in the year that it is approved by shareholders or, if declared as an interim dividend by directors, in the period that it is paid.
During the year, as an outcome of the Financial Reporting Council's (FRC's) review of the Group's 2018 Annual Report and Accounts, the Group received correspondence related to a number of areas, including the accounting treatment for interim dividends. It was agreed that the recognition of an accrual at the year-end in respect of the dividend paid in February 2018 and February 2019 was incorrect. Accordingly, from 1 January 2019, the Group has revised the treatment to recognise the interim dividends in the period in which they are paid. The review conducted by the FRC was based solely on the Group's published report and accounts and does not provide any assurance that the report and accounts are correct in all material respects.
The cash flow, prepared in accordance with IFRS, reflects the total cash paid in the period, amounting to GBP4,598 million (2018: GBP4,347 million) and was unaffected by the change.
2019 2018
Pence USD per Pence USD per
Dividends declared: per share ADS per share ADS
Quarterly payment 1 (paid
May 2019) 50.75 0.6596990 48.8 0.661142
Quarterly payment 2 (paid
August 2019) 50.75 0.6155970 48.8 0.628153
Quarterly payment 3 (paid
November 2019) 50.75 0.6521370 48.8 0.621712
Quarterly payment 4 (paid
February 2020) 50.75 0.6571610 48.8 0.632496
203.0 2.5845940 195.2 2.543503
Holders of ADSs
For holders of ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the record dates and payment dates are set out below. The equivalent quarterly dividends receivable by holders of ADSs in US dollars will be calculated based on the exchange rate on the applicable payment date. A fee of US$0.005 per ADS will be charged by Citibank, N.A. in its capacity as depositary bank for the BAT American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") programme in respect of each quarterly dividend payment.
South Africa Branch Register
In accordance with the JSE Limited (JSE) Listing Requirements, the finalisation information relating to shareholders registered on the South Africa branch register (comprising the amount of the dividend in South African rand, the exchange rate and the associated conversion date) will be published on the dates stated below, together with South Africa dividends tax information.
The quarterly dividends are regarded as 'foreign dividends' for the purposes of the South Africa Dividends Tax. For the purposes of South Africa Dividends Tax reporting, the source of income for the payment of the quarterly dividends is the United Kingdom.
Other Information
Dividends cont...
Key dates
In compliance with the requirements of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), the NYSE and Strate, the electronic settlement and custody system used by the JSE, the following salient dates for the quarterly dividends payments are applicable. All dates are 2020, unless otherwise stated.
Event Payment No. Payment No. Payment No. Payment No.
1 2 3 4
Preliminary announcement 27 February
(includes declaration
data required for
JSE purposes)
Publication of finalisation 17 March 30 June 21 September 7 December
information (JSE)
No removal requests 17 March 30 June to 21 September 7 December
permitted between to 10 July (inclusive) to 2 October to 18 December
the UK main register 27 March (inclusive) (inclusive)
and the South Africa (inclusive)
branch register
Last Day to Trade 24 March 7 July 29 September 14 December
(LDT) cum dividend
(JSE)
Shares commence trading 25 March 8 July 30 September 15 December
ex-dividend (JSE)
No transfers permitted 25 March 8 July to 30 September 15 December
between the UK main to 10 July (inclusive) to to 18 December
register and the South 27 March 2 October (inclusive)
Africa branch register (inclusive) (inclusive)
No shares may be dematerialised 25 March 8 July to 30 September 15 December
or rematerialised to 10 July (inclusive) to to 18 December
on the South Africa 27 March 2 October (inclusive)
branch register (inclusive) (inclusive)
Shares commence trading 26 March 9 July 1 October 17 December
ex-dividend (LSE and
NYSE)
Record date 27 March 10 July 2 October 18 December
(JSE, LSE and NYSE)
Last date for receipt 21 April 29 July 22 October 13 January
of Dividend Reinvestment 2021
Plan (DRIP) elections
(LSE)
Payment date (LSE 13 May 19 August 12 November 3 February
and JSE) 2021
ADS payment date (NYSE) 18 May 24 August 17 November 8 February
2021
Note:
(1) The dates set out above may be subject to any changes to public holidays arising and changes or revisions to the LSE, JSE and NYSE timetables. Any confirmed changes to the dates will be announced.
Other Information
NON-GAAP MEASURES
To supplement the presentation of the Group's results of operations and financial condition in accordance with IFRS, the Group also presents several non-GAAP measures used by management to monitor the Group's performance. The Group's management regularly reviews the measures used to assess and present the financial performance of the Group and, as relevant, its geographic segments.
Although the Group does not believe that these measures are a substitute for IFRS measures, the Group does believe such results excluding the impact of adjusting items provide additional useful information to investors regarding the underlying performance of the business on a comparable basis.
The principal non-GAAP measures which the Group uses are adjusted revenue, adjusted revenue from the strategic portfolio, adjusted revenue from New Categories, adjusted profit from operations, adjusted diluted earnings per share, operating cash flow conversion ratio, free cash flow ( before dividends paid to shareholders) , free cash flow ( after dividends paid to shareholders) and adjusted cash generated from operations which are before the impact of adjusting items and are reconciled from revenue, profit from operations, diluted earnings per share, cash conversion ratio and net cash generated from operating activities. Adjusting items, as identified in accordance with the Group's accounting policies, represent certain items of income and expense which the Group considers distinctive based on their size, nature or incidence. These include significant items in revenue, profit from operations, net finance costs, taxation and the Group's share of the post-tax results of associates and joint ventures which individually or, if of a similar type, in aggregate, are relevant to an understanding of the Group's underlying financial performance. The adjusting items are used to calculate the non-GAAP measures of adjusted revenue, adjusted profit from operations, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net finance costs, adjusted taxation, adjusted share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures, underlying tax rate and adjusted diluted earnings per share. In addition to the operating cash flow conversion ratio, free cash flow ( before dividends paid to shareholders) , free cash flow ( after dividends paid to shareholders) and the adjusted cash generated from operations, the Group also provides other non-GAAP measures of net debt, adjusted net debt and adjusted net debt to adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and post-tax income from associates and joint-ventures (adjusted EBITDA), which the Group uses to monitor its financial position.
The Management Board, as the chief operating decision maker, reviews a number of our IFRS and non-GAAP measures for the Group and its geographic segments at constant rates of exchange. This allows comparison of the Group's results, had they been translated at the previous year's average rates of exchange. The Group does not adjust for the normal transactional gains and losses in profit from operations that are generated by exchange movements. Although the Group does not believe that these measures are a substitute for IFRS measures, the Group does believe that such results excluding the impact of currency fluctuations year-on-year provide additional useful information to investors regarding the operating performance on a local currency basis.
Other Information
Non-GAAP measures cont...
The Group also supplements its presentation of cash flows in accordance with IFRS by presenting the non-GAAP measures of adjusted cash generated from operations, free cash flow (before dividends paid to shareholders) , free cash flow ( after dividends paid to shareholders) and operating cash flow conversion ratio. The Group's management believes these measures, which are used internally, are useful to the users of the financial statements in helping them understand the underlying business performance and can provide insights into the cash flow available to, among other things, reduce debt and pay dividends. Adjusted cash generated from operations, free cash flow (before dividends paid to shareholders) , free cash flow ( after dividends paid to shareholders) and operating cash flow conversion ratio have limitations as an analytical tool. They are not presentations made in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to net cash generated from operating activities determined in accordance with IFRS. Adjusted cash generated from operations, free cash flow (before dividends paid to shareholders) , free cash flow ( after dividends paid to shareholders) and operating cash flow conversion ratio are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, readers should not consider these measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Group's results of operations or cash flows as determined in accordance with IFRS.
The Group also presents net debt and adjusted net debt, non-GAAP measures, on pages 8 and 36. The Group uses adjusted net debt to assess its financial capacity. The Management Board believes that this additional measure, which is used internally, is useful to the users of the financial statements in helping them to see how business financing has changed over the year. Net debt and adjusted net debt have limitations as an analytical tool. It is not a presentation made in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to borrowings or total liabilities determined in accordance with IFRS. Net debt and adjusted net debt are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, you should not consider this measure in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Group's measures of financial position as determined in accordance with IFRS.
Due to the secondary listing of the ordinary shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. on the main board of the JSE Limited (JSE) in South Africa, the Group is required to present headline earnings per share and diluted headline earnings per share, as alternative measures of earnings per share, calculated in accordance with Circular 1/2019 'Headline Earnings' issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. These are shown on pages 39 and 40.
The Group also presents underlying tax rate, a non-GAAP measure, on page 7 and page 35. The Group uses underlying tax rate to assess the tax rate applicable to the Group's underlying operations, excluding the Group's share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures in BAT's pre-tax results and adjusting items. The Management Board believes that this additional measure, which is used internally, is useful to the users of the financial statements because it excludes the contribution from the Group's associates, recognised after tax but within the Group's pre-tax profits, and adjusting items, thereby enhancing users' understanding of underlying business performance. Underlying tax rate has limitations as an analytical tool. It is not a presentation made in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to the Group's headline effective tax rate as determined in accordance with IFRS. Underlying tax rate is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, this measure should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Group's underlying tax rate as determined in accordance with IFRS.
Other Information
Non-GAAP measures cont...
Adjusted Revenue
Definition: Revenue before the impact of
adjusting items.
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Revenue 25,877 24,492
Less: Excise on goods bought-in on short-term
arrangements (50) (180)
-------
Adjusted revenue 25,827 24,312
Impact of foreign exchange (144) -
-------
Adjusted revenue re-translated at constant
exchange rates 25,683 24,312
Adjusted Revenue from the Strategic Portfolio
Definition: Revenue before the impact of adjusting items derived
from the Strategic Portfolio. This measure enables users of
the financial statements to better compare the Group's business
performance across periods and with reference to the Group's
investment activity.
2019 Adj Impact 2019 adj 2018 Adj 2018
items of exchange at 2018 items adjusted
CC
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Strategic Portfolio
Strategic Combustibles 16,515 - (200) 16,315 15,457 - 15,457
Vapour 401 - (9) 392 318 - 318
THP 728 - (35) 693 565 - 565
Modern Oral 126 - 3 129 34 - 34
---------
New Categories 1,255 - (41) 1,214 917 - 917
Traditional Oral 1,023 - (43) 980 883 - 883
---------
Total Strategic
Revenue 18,793 - (284) 18,509 17,257 - 17,257
Non-Strategic portfolio
Combustibles 6,486 (50) 141 6,577 6,615 (180) 6,435
Traditional Oral 58 - (2) 56 58 58
Other 540 - 1 541 562 562
---------
Total Non-Strategic
revenue 7,084 (50) 140 7,174 7,235 (180) 7,055
Total Revenue 25,877 (50) (144) 25,683 24,492 (180) 24,312
Adjusted profit from operations
Definition: Profit from operations before the impact of adjusting
items (described on pages 32 and 33).
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Profit from operations 9,016 9,313
Restructuring and integration costs 565 363
Amortisation and impairment of trademarks
and similar intangibles 481 377
Impairment of goodwill in Indonesia, Highendsmoke 194 -
and VapeWild
Charge in respect of an excise dispute in 202 -
Russia
Charge in respect of Quebec 436 -
Fixed asset impairment in hyperinflationary
economies - 110
Other adjusting items (including Engle) 236 184
-------
Adjusted profit from operations 11,130 10,347
Impact of foreign exchange (98) -
-------
Adjusted profit from operations re-translated
at constant exchange rates 11,032 10,347
Other Information
Non-GAAP measures cont...
Adjusted net finance costs
Definition: Net finance costs before the impact of adjusting
items (described on page 34).
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Finance costs (1,812) (1,484)
Finance income 210 103
Net finance costs (1,602) (1,381)
Less: adjusting items 80 (4)
Interest related to adjusting tax payables 80 41
Gain arising due to hyperinflationary
accounting - (45)
Net adjusted finance costs (1,522) (1,385)
Comprising:
Interest payable (1,718) (1,606)
Interest and dividend income 84 68
Fair value changes - derivatives (367) 154
Exchange differences 479 (1)
Net adjusted finance costs (1,522) (1,385)
Impact of foreign exchange 56
Net adjusted finance costs (at constant
rates of exchange) (1,466)
Adjusted taxation
Definition: Taxation before the impact of adjusting items
(described on page 35).
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
UK
* current year tax 41 66
* adjustment in respect of prior periods (33) (6)
Overseas
- current year tax 2,074 2,460
- adjustment in respect of prior periods (27) (5)
Current tax 2,055 2,515
Deferred tax 8 (374)
2,063 2,141
Adjusting items 438 223
Net adjusted tax charge 2,501 2,364
The tax rate in the income statement was a charge of 26.1% (2018: 25.6%).
Other Information
Non-GAAP measures cont...
Underlying tax rate
Definition: Tax rate incurred before the impact of adjusting
items (described on page 35) and to adjust for the inclusion
of the Group's share of post-tax results of associates and
joint ventures within the Group's pre-tax results.
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Profit before taxation 7,912 8,351
Less: Share of post-tax results of associates
and joint ventures (498) (419)
Adjusting items within profit from operations 2,114 1,034
Adjusting items within finance costs 80 (4)
Adjusted profit before taxation, excluding
associates and joint ventures 9,608 8,962
Taxation on ordinary activities (2,063) (2,141)
Adjusting items within taxation (65) (24)
Taxation on adjusting items (373) (199)
Adjusted taxation (2,501) (2,364)
Underlying tax rate 26.0% 26.4%
Headline effective tax rate 26.1% 25.6%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share, at constant rates of exchange
Definition: diluted earnings per share before the impact of
adjusting items, presented in the prior year's rate of exchange.
2019 2018
pence pence
Diluted earnings per share 249.0 263.2
Effect of restructuring and integration
costs 20.3 12.2
Effect of amortisation of trademarks and
similar intangibles 24.5 13.0
Effect of hyperinflation on Venezuela's
retained earnings - 2.8
Effect of Quebec Class Action 13.6 -
Effect of Russia excise dispute 8.1 -
Effect of retrospective guidance on overseas
withholding tax - 2.4
Effect of other adjusting items 8.1 6.1 Effect of associates' adjusting items (1.1) (1.4) Effect of other adjusting items in net finance costs 3.5 1.8 Effect of adjusting items in respect of deferred taxation (2.2) (3.4) Adjusted diluted earnings per share 323.8 296.7 Impact of foreign exchange (2.2) Adjusted diluted earnings per share, at constant exchange rates 321.6
Other Information
Non-GAAP measures cont...
Operating cash flow conversion ratio
Definition: net cash generated from operating activities before
the impact of adjusting items and dividends from associates
and excluding trading loans to third parties, pension short
fall funding, taxes paid and net capital expenditure, as a
proportion of adjusted profit from operations.
In 2018, operating cash flow conversion ratio was positively
impacted by the payment (in 2017) of the MSA which would otherwise
have been paid in 2018. In 2019, the payment of the MSA returned
to the normal payment terms. To assist the user of the financial
statements, operating cash flow conversion ratio in 2018 is
also presented on a normalised basis - to provide more direct
comparison with 2019.
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Net cash generated from operating activities 8,996 10,295
Cash related to adjusting items 564 601
Dividends from associates (252) (214)
Tax paid 2,204 1,891
Net capital expenditure (774) (845)
Pension fund short fall funding - 75
Trading loans to third parties 4 (93)
Other - 2
Operating cash flow 10,742 11,712
Adjusted profit from operations 11,130 10,347
Operating cash flow conversion ratio 97% 113%
MSA normalisation - (1,397)
Operating cash flow (normalised for MSA) 10,742 10,315
Operating cash flow conversion ratio (normalised
for MSA) 97% 100%
Cash conversion ratio 100% 111%
Cash conversion is net cash generated from
operating activities as a proportion of
profit from operations
Free cash flow (before and after dividends paid to shareholders)
Definition: net cash generated from operating activities before
the impact of trading loans provided to a third party and after
dividends paid to non-controlling interests, net interest paid
and net capital expenditure. This measure is presented before
and after dividends paid to shareholders.
In 2018, free cash flow was positively impacted by the payment
(in 2017) of the MSA which would otherwise have been paid in
2018. In 2019, the payment of the MSA returned to the normal
payment terms. To assist the user of the financial statements,
free cash flow (after dividends) in 2018 is also presented
on a normalised basis - to provide more direct comparison with
2019.
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Net cash generated from operating activities 8,996 10,295
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (157) (142)
Net interest paid (1,550) (1,533)
Net capital expenditure (774) (845)
Trading loans to third parties 4 (93)
Other - 2
Free cash flow (before dividends paid to
shareholders) 6,519 7,684
Dividends paid to shareholders (4,598) (4,347)
Free cash flow (after dividends paid to
shareholders) 1,921 3,337
MSA normalisation - (1,397)
Free cash flow (after dividends) - normalised 1,921 1,940
Other Information
Non-GAAP measures cont...
Adjusted cash generated from operations
Definition: net cash generated from operating activities before
the impact of adjusting items (including FII GLO) and trading
loans provided to a third party, excluding dividends received
from associates, and after dividends paid to non-controlling
interests, net interest paid and capital expenditure.
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Net cash generated from operating activities 8,996 10,295
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (157) (142)
Net interest paid (1,550) (1,533)
Net capital expenditure (774) (845)
Trading loans to third parties 4 (93)
Other - 2
Cash impact of adjusting items 564 601
Dividends from associates (252) (214)
ACGFO 6,831 8,071
Exchange (78) -
ACGFO at constant rates of exchange 6,753 8,071
Normalisation of MSA payment - (1,397)
ACGFO, normalised for MSA (at constant rates
of exchange) 6,753 6,674
Ratio of adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA
Definition: net debt, excluding the impact of the revaluation
of RAI acquired debt arising as part of the purchase price
allocation process, as a proportion of profit for the year
(earnings) before net finance costs (interest), tax, depreciation,
amortisation, impairment, associates and adjusting items.
2019 2018
GBPm GBPm
Total borrowings 45,366 47,509
Derivatives in respect of net debt:
- Assets (527) (647)
- Liabilities 384 269
Cash and cash equivalents (2,526) (2,602)
Current assets held at fair value (123) (178)
Total net debt 42,574 44,351
Purchase price adjustment (PPA) to RAI debt (848) (944)
Adjusted net debt 41,726 43,407
Profit for the year 5,849 6,210
Taxation on ordinary activities 2,063 2,141
Net finance costs 1,602 1,381
Depreciation, amortisation or impairment
costs 1,512 1,038
Share of post-tax results of associates
and joint ventures (498) (419)
Other adjusting items (excluding depreciation,
amortisation and impairment) 1,376 499
Adjusted EBITDA 11,904 10,850
Adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA 3.5x 4.0x
Translational foreign exchange impact to
adjusted net debt 854
Adjusted net debt at constant rates 42,580
Translational foreign exchange impact to
adjusted EBITDA (102)
Adjusted EBITDA at constant rates 11,802
Adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA (at
constant exchange rates) 3.6x
Other Information
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
British American Tobacco is one of the world's leading consumer products businesses, with brands sold in more than 200 markets. We have strategic combustible and THP brands - Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Neo, Newport, Camel (in the US) and Natural American Spirit (in the US) - and over 200 brands in our portfolio, including a growing portfolio of other potentially reduced-risk products. We hold robust market positions in each of our regions and have leadership positions in more than 55 markets.
References in this document to information on websites, including the web address of BAT, have been included as inactive textual references only. These websites and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be incorporated into or to form part of this report.
ANNUAL REPORT and FORM 20-F
Statutory accounts
The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2019 or 2018. Statutory accounts for 2018 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2019 will be delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditors' report on the 2018 accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) of Companies Act 2006 or equivalent preceding legislation.
Publication
The Annual Report and Form 20-F will be published on bat.com on or around 26 March 2020. A printed copy will later be mailed to shareholders on the UK main register who have elected to receive it. At the same time, shareholders will be notified of the availability of the Annual Report and Form 20-F on the website and of the Performance Summary together with other ancillary documents in accordance with their elections. Specific local mailing and/or notification requirements will apply to shareholders on the South Africa branch register. In addition, the Company files its Annual Report on Form 20-F and other documents with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). BAT's filings are available to the public, together with the public filings of other issuers, at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov .
The Group financial statements (including the notes to the financial statements and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm (for US purposes) for the year ended 31 December 2019), the consent of KPMG LLP and management's report on internal control over financial reporting will be furnished on a Form 6-K with the SEC on or around 18 March 2020 and will be available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . That Form 6-K will be submitted to the U.K. National Storage Mechanism thereafter and will be available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM .
DISTRIBUTION OF PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
This announcement is released or otherwise made available or notified to the London Stock Exchange, the JSE Limited and the New York Stock Exchange and filed in accordance with applicable regulations. It may be viewed and downloaded from our website www.bat.com .
Copies of the announcement may also be obtained during normal business hours from: (1) the Company's registered office; (2) the Company's representative office in South Africa; (3) British American Tobacco Publications; and (4) Citibank Shareholder Services. Contact details are set out below.
This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 26 February 2020
Other Information
OTHER PRODUCTS
The Group reports volumes as additional information. This is done, where appropriate, with cigarette sticks as the basis, with usage levels applied to other products to calculate the equivalent number of cigarette units.
The conversion rates that are applied:
Equivalent to one cigarette
Tobacco Heat sticks 1 heat stick
Cigars 1 cigar (regardless of size)
Oral
- Pouch 1 pouch
- Moist Snuff 2.8 gram
- Dry Snuff 2.0 gram
- Loose leaf, plug, twist 7.1 gram
Pipe tobacco 0.8 gram
Roll-your-own 0.8 gram
Make-your-own
- Expanded tobacco 0.5 grams
- Optimised tobacco 0.7 grams
Roll-your-own (RYO)
Loose tobacco designed for hand rolling, normally a finer cut with higher moisture, compared to cigarette tobacco.
Make-your-own (MYO)
MYO expanded tobacco; also known as volume tobacco.
Loose cigarette tobacco with enhanced filling properties - to allow higher yields of cigarettes/kg - designed for use with cigarette tubes and filled via a tobacco tubing machine.
MYO non-expanded tobacco; also known as optimised tobacco.
Loose cigarette tobacco designed for use with cigarette tubes and filled via a tobacco tubing machine.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
FINANCIAL CALAR 2020*
Wednesday 18 March Capital Markets Day
Thursday 30 April Annual General Meeting at 11.30am
Hilton London Bankside, 2-8 Great Suffolk
Street,
London SE1 0UG
Friday 31 July Half-Year Report
* Indicated dates are subject to change
Other Information
Forward looking statements
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements, including "forward-looking" statements made within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe," "anticipate," "could," "may," "would," "should," "intend," "plan," "potential," "predict," "will," "expect," "estimate," "project," "positioned," "strategy," "outlook", "target" and similar expressions. These include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries and markets in which the Group operates.
In particular, these forward-looking statements include, among other statements, statements regarding the BAT Group's future financial performance, planned product launches and future regulatory developments, as well as: (i) certain statements in the Financial Performance Review section (pages 6 to 8); (ii) certain statements in the Category Performance Review section (pages 9 to 12); (iii) certain statements in the Regional Review section (pages 13 to 18); (iv) certain statements under the headings "Update on investigations into Misconduct Allegations", "Update on Quebec Class Action and CCAA", "Board Succession", "Changes in the Group" and "Going Concern" (pages 20 to 23); (v) certain statements in the Notes to the Interim Financial Statements section (pages 30 to 44), including the Liquidity and Contingent Liabilities and Financial Commitments sections; (vi) certain statements in the Other Information section (pages 45 to 56), including the Non-GAAP Measures section and under the heading "Dividends"; and (vii) certain statements in the Chief Executive introduction (page 1).
All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual future financial condition, performance and results to differ materially from the plans, goals, expectations and results expressed in the forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data within this announcement. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are uncertainties related to the following: the impact of competition from illicit trade; the impact of adverse domestic or international legislation and regulation; changes in domestic or international tax laws and rates and the impact of an unfavourable ruling by a tax authority in a disputed area; adverse litigation and dispute outcomes and the effect of such outcomes on the Group's financial condition; changes or differences in domestic or international economic or political conditions; adverse decisions by domestic or international regulatory bodies; the impact of market size reduction and consumer down-trading; translational and transactional foreign exchange rate exposure; the impact of serious injury, illness or death in the workplace; the ability to maintain credit ratings and to fund the business under the current capital structure; the inability to develop, commercialise and deliver New Category products; and changes in the market position, businesses, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Group.
It is believed that the expectations reflected in this announcement are reasonable but they may be affected by a wide range of variables that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this announcement and the Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
No statement in this communication is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this communication should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of BAT for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of BAT.
Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in the Company's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on 15 March 2019 and Current Reports on Form 6-K, which may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov, and the Company's Annual Reports, which may be obtained free of charge from the British American Tobacco website www.bat.com .
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Premium listing
London Stock Exchange (Share Code: BATS; ISIN: GB0002875804)
Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZZ, UK
tel: 0800 408 0094; +44 370 889 3159
Share dealing tel: 0370 703 0084 (UK only)
Your account: www.computershare.com/uk/investor/bri
Share dealing: www.computershare.com/dealing/uk
Web-based enquiries: www.investorcentre.co.uk/contactus
S econdary listing
JSE (Share Code: BTI)
Shares are traded in electronic form only and transactions settled electronically through Strate.
Computershare Investor Services Proprietary Limited
Private Bag X9000, Saxonwold 2132, South Africa
tel: 0861 100 634; +27 11 870 8216
email enquiries: web.queries@computershare.co.za
Sponsor for the purpose of the JSE
UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)
NYSE (Symbol: BTI; CUSIP Number: 110448107)
BAT's shares are listed on the NYSE in the form of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) and these are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), each one of which represents one ordinary share of British American Tobacco p.l.c. Citibank, N.A. is the depositary bank for the sponsored ADR programme.
Citibank Shareholder Services
PO Box 43077, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3077, USA
tel: +1 888 985 2055 (toll-free) or +1 781 575 4555
email enquiries: citibank@shareholders-online.com
website: www.citi.com/dr
Publications
British American Tobacco Publications
Unit 80, London Industrial Park, Roding Road, London E6 6LS, UK
tel: +44 20 7511 7797; facsimile: +44 20 7540 4326
e-mail enquiries: bat@team365.co.uk or the Company's Representative office in South Africa using the contact details shown below.
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
Registered office
Globe House, 4 Temple Place, London, WC2R 2PG, UK
tel: +44 20 7845 1000; facsimile: +44 20 7240 0555
British American Tobacco p.l.c. is a public limited company which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and the JSE Limited in South Africa. British American Tobacco p.l.c. is incorporated in England and Wales (No. 3407696) and domiciled in the UK.
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
Representative office in South Africa
Waterway House South
No 3 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8000
South Africa
PO Box 631, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
tel: +27 21 003 6712
DEFINITIONS and GLOSSARY
The following is a summary of the key definitions and terms used within this report:
Term Definition
AMSSA Americas (excluding US) and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The key markets are:
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico,
Nigeria, South Africa
APME Asia Pacific and Middle East. The key markets are:
Australia, Bangladesh, Gulf Cooperation Council,
Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand,
Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam
British American When the reference denotes an opinion, this refers
Tobacco, BAT, to British American Tobacco p.l.c. and when the
Group, we, reference denotes tobacco business activity this
us and our refers to British American Tobacco Group operating
companies, either collectively or individually,
as the case may be.
ENA Europe and North Africa. The Key Markets are:
Algeria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, Denmark,
France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Netherlands,
Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey,
United Kingdom, Ukraine
Modern Oral Includes EPOK, Lyft, Velo and other modern white
snus
New Categories Includes vapour, THP and Modern Oral
PRRP Potentially Reduced-Risk Products - THP, vapour,
Modern Oral and Traditional Oral categories
RAI Reynolds American Inc.
RAI Group RAI, together with its subsidiaries
Strategic combustible Includes Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall,
and THP brands Rothmans, Newport, Natural American Spirit (US),
Camel (US), glo and Neo
Strategic Portfolio Includes Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall,
Rothmans, Newport, Natural American Spirit (US),
Camel (US), Vype, Vuse, glo, Neo, Chic, Ten Motives,
ViP, EPOK, Lyft, Velo, Granit, Mocca, Grizzly, Camel
Snus, Kodiak
THP Tobacco heating products, which include glo and
our hybrid products
Traditional Moist Snuff (Granit, Mocca, Grizzly, Kodiak) and
Oral other traditional snus products (including Camel
Snus)
US United States of America
Value share The retail sales value of the product sold as a
proportion of total retail sales value in that category
Vapour Rechargeable, battery-powered devices that heat
liquid formulations - e-liquids - to create a vapour
which is inhaled. Vapour products include Vype,
Vuse, Chic, ViP and Ten Motives
Volume share The amount of volume of the product sold as a proportion
of the total volume sold in the industry / category
/ market
Based on the available science, New Categories and Traditional Oral products have been shown to be reduced-risk; are likely to be reduced-risk; or may have the potential to be reduced-risk, in each case if switched to exclusively as compared to continuing to smoke cigarettes.*
*Our vapour product Vuse (including Alto and Vibe), and oral products Grizzly, Camel Snus, Kodiak and Velo, which are only sold in the US, are subject to FDA regulation and no reduced-risk claims will be made as to these products without agency clearance.
APPENDIX - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVENUE, BY CATEGORY BY REGION
Year ended 31 December 2019 (GBPm)
Combustibles Vapour THP Modern Total New Traditional Other Total
Oral Categories Oral Revenue
GBPm (at ACTUAL / CURRENT
rates)
US 9,078 207 1 9 217 1,052 26 10,373
Vs 2018 +8.6% +12.4% -7.7% n/m +17.1% +14.5% -21.2% +9.2%
APME 4,387 4 671 - 675 - 91 5,153
Vs 2018 +3.4% +906% +23.2% - +23.9% - -3.5% +5.6%
AMSSA 3,992 43 - 1 44 - 225 4,261
Vs 2018 +2.7% +120% - n/m +119% - +10.2% +3.6%
ENA 5,544 147 56 116 319 29 198 6,090
Vs 2018 -0.7% +29.2% +200% +234% +91.0% +33.4% -14.2% +1.4%
-----------
Total 23,001 401 728 126 1,255 1,081 540 25,877
Vs 2018 +4.2% +26.1% +28.9% +267% +36.9% +15.0% -4.0% +5.7%
Adj items (50) - - - - - - (50)
Exchange (59) (9) (35) 3 (41) (45) 1 (144)
-----------
Total
Adj Rev
at cc 22,892 392 693 129 1,214 1,036 541 25,683
Vs 2018 +4.6% +23.4% +22.7% +273% +32.4% +10.2% -3.8% +5.6%
Adjusted at CONSTANT
US 8,679 198 1 8 207 1,006 25 9,917
Vs 2018 +3.8% +7.4% -11.7 n/m +11.9% +9.5% -27.1% +4.4%
APME 4,429 4 636 - 640 - 88 5,157
Vs 2018 +4.4% +902% +16.8% - +17.5% - -6.9% +5.6%
AMSSA 4,217 42 - 1 43 - 231 4,491
Vs 2018 +8.5% +117% - n/m +116% - +13.1% +9.2%
ENA 5,567 148 56 120 324 30 197 6,118
Vs 2018 +3.0% +30.1% +200% +246% +94% +38.5% -14.3% +5.0%
-----------
Total 22,892 392 693 129 1,214 1,036 541 25,683
Vs 2018 +4.6% +23.4% +22.7% +273% +32.4% +10.2% -3.8% +5.6%
Note - n/m - not meaningful
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
FR KKABPDBKBFBB
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 27, 2020 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
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