Earnings release
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Q2 sales and H1 2021 results Solid H1 2021 performance , driven by France Strong increase in net free cash flow : + € 203m Full - year net FCF expected comfortably above € 1bn Additional € 200m share buyback program July 28 , 2021 • Sustained commercial activity : + 3.6 % on a like - for - like basis ( LFL ) in Q2 , on a high comparable base ( + 6.3 % in Q2 2020 ) ; LFL in H1 : + 3.9 % • Strong growth in France : + 4.7 % LFL in Q2 , of which + 4.3 % in hypermarkets , with continuous market share gains in each format ( ¹ ) ● Continuous growth in e - commerce : + 26 % in H1 2021 , + 120 % over two years Further improvement in profitability : Recurring Operating Income ( ROI ) ( ² ) of € 740m in H1 , up + 11.2 % ( + € 81m ) at constant FX ( 3 ) after + 29.1 % in H1 2020 O France's ROI up + 45.1 % ( + € 58m ) ● Further cost - reduction momentum ( € 430m in H1 ) ● EPS Growth of 34.3 % in H1 2021 , at € 0.42 • Strong + € 203m improvement in net free cash flow ( 4 ) to € ( 1,990 ) m in H1 2021 ● Carrefour anticipates net free cash flow generation comfortably above € 1bn in FY 2021 Additional € 200m share buyback program in 2021. Completion of the € 500m program at end - July • A Digital Day , presenting the Group's digital strategy , will be held on November 9 , 2021 Alexandre Bompard , Chairman and CEO , declared : " Once again this half , Carrefour has delivered excellent results . This performance reflects both the relevance of our strategic plan and the effectiveness of its execution , thanks to the tremendous commitment of all employees . We continue our steady improvement in customer service and are gaining market share in all our key markets . Our organic growth is strong , while the value - creating acquisitions in recent periods are rapidly integrated . Finally , our new cost savings plan is quickly showing its first effects . While the sanitary and macroeconomic context remains uncertain , the Group is moving forward with great serenity towards achieving its objectives , both for full - year 2021 , which will be another record year in terms of cash generation , and for the medium term . Hence , we are complementing the € 500m share buyback completed at end - July with an additional € 200m program . In addition , in the coming months , we will considerably amplify our digital transformation , whose main strategic drivers will be presented at a Digital Day to be held on November 9 in Paris . " Notes : ( 1 ) based on NielsenIQ RMS data ; ( 2 ) ROI includes income and expenses related to COVID - 19 effects . Exceptional bonuses and similar benefits to Group employees in 2020 ( € 128m , in H1 ) are accounted for under other non - current income and expenses ; ( 3 ) H1 2020 comparable base is restated for the IFRS IC decision on IFRS 16 ; ( 4 ) Net Free Cash Flow corresponds to free cash flow after net finance costs and net lease payments . It includes cash - out of exceptional charges PAGE 1