France's Remy Cointreau RCOP.PA has predicted a strong start to its new financial year, as broad demand for its premium spirits helps to offset inflationary pressures and the impact of COVID lockdowns in China.
Details
The maker of Remy Martin cognac and Cointreau liquor made the upbeat comments after reporting higher-than-expected operating profit growth for its financial year ended 31 March.
"On the strength of our progress against our strategic goals, new consumption trends and our robust pricing power, we are starting the year 2022-23 with confidence," CEO Eric Vallat said in a statement.
The pandemic has helped Remy's long-term drive towards higher-priced spirits to boost profit margins, accelerating a shift towards premium drinks, at-home consumption, cocktails and e-commerce.
Vallat told journalists that for the new fiscal year, Remy expected "solid profitable growth" as price increases and cost control would help mitigate inflationary pressures.
Finance chief Luca Marotta told analysts he was "comfortable" with the market consensus for 10.2% organic sales growth for the full year 2022/23.
In the short term, Vallat said: "I can confirm we are expecting double-digit organic sales growth in the first quarter despite the lockdown in China and high comparables."
With China accounting for 15-20% of group sales, growth in the quarter would be led by demand from other regions, notably the United States.
Confident About China
Vallat told analysts that COVID restrictions in China since early April had had a "very severe" impact on business in the country. On the positive side, he said there would be pent-up demand in China as consumers emerge from such lockdown restrictions.
"I am quite confident that we will see demand bouncing back," he said.
Strong demand for its premium cognac in China and the United States, along with tight cost management, lifted the company's 2021/22 organic operating profit by 39.9% to €334.4 million, beating the 38.6% forecast by analysts.
Reflecting its confidence, Remy said it would pay shareholders an ordinary dividend of €1.85 per share in cash and an exceptional dividend of €1.
"Remy guides to another year of strong growth and margin improvement, led by its strong pricing power, which suggests upside to consensus organic EBIT of +10%," Credit Suisse analysts said in a note.
Remy Cointreau shares opened up 3% on Thursday 2 June, before handing back some gains. They had bounced back, up 3.9%, by 0900 GMT on Thursday 2 June.
The company reiterated its 2030 goals for a gross margin of 72% and an operating margin of 33%. That compares with the 68.6% and 25.5% achieved respectively in 2021/22.
Remy Cointreau Upbeat Despite Chinese Lockdown As Annual Profit Beats Expectations
The above news followed news that French spirits group Remy Cointreau RCOP.PA reported higher-than-expected operating profit growth for its 2021/22 fiscal year and said that it was starting this year with confidence after strong sales in China and the United States.
The maker of Remy Martin cognac predicted strong sales in the first quarter of its 2022/23 financial year that started on April 1, despite a high comparison base and the impact of COVID-related lockdowns in China.
Strong demand for its premium cognac in China and the US, along with tight cost control, lifted the company's full-year organic operating profit by 39.9% to €334.4 million, beating the 38.6% seen by analysts.
News by Reuters, edited by Hospitality Ireland. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
