TORONTO, May 11, 2021
/CNW/ - George Weston Limited (TSX: WN) ("GWL" or the "Company")
today announced its consolidated unaudited results for the 12 weeks
ended March 27, 2021.
GWL's 2021 First Quarter Report has been filed on SEDAR and
is available at sedar.com and in the Investor Centre section of
the Company's website at weston.ca.
"We are pleased with the strength and performance of our
businesses in the quarter, as we lapped the onset of the pandemic a
year ago and lockdowns continued." said Galen G. Weston, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, George Weston Limited.
"Both Loblaw and Choice Properties delivered strong operational
and financial performance in the quarter. As expected, results in
Weston Foods were down compared to the first quarter of 2020,
reflecting the negative impact of the resurgence of the pandemic
and resulting stricter lockdown measures on certain segments of the
business. Looking through that impact, the business delivered
strong operational performance metrics and we expect that as
lockdowns ease, Weston Foods will be well positioned to return to
the momentum demonstrated in the fourth quarter of 2020."
Loblaw Companies Limited ("Loblaw") generated strong financial
results in the first quarter of 2021. Revenue increased despite
Loblaw's retail sales lapping the significant increase in demand
for essential items in the final two weeks of the first quarter of
2020. Loblaw's results reflect continued momentum and positive
consumer response to the value and services it provides and its
expanding online solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated
certain longer-term trends, enabling Loblaw to advance its
strategic growth areas of Everyday Digital Retail, Connected
Healthcare Network and Payments and Rewards.
Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust ("Choice
Properties") collected 98% of contractual rents, reflecting the
stability of its necessity-based portfolio. Choice Properties
continued to advance its development initiatives, announcing a
partnership to develop and revitalize the Golden Mile Shopping
Centre in Toronto and, subsequent
to the end of the quarter, it acquired an 85% interest in 300 acres
of future industrial development land in the Greater Toronto Area.
Weston Foods' performance in the first quarter of 2021 reflected
solid underlying fundamentals but was negatively impacted by the
resurgence of COVID-19 in late 2020 and resulting stricter lockdown
measures implemented in many regions of Canada and the
United States. The impact was most significant in retail
celebratory categories such as cakes, certain foodservice channels
and in the Girl Scout cookie business due to restrictions on
in-person sales. The year-over-year negative impact of lower
volumes and a full quarter of COVID-19 related costs was partially
offset by lower distribution costs and other cost savings
initiatives, operational improvements in service levels and
manufacturing efficiencies. As COVID-19 restrictions ease, Weston
Foods is well positioned to return to the positive momentum
delivered in the fourth quarter of 2020.
2021 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
George Weston Limited's net loss available to common
shareholders of the Company was $62 million ($0.41 per common share) compared to net earnings
available to common shareholders of the Company of $582 million ($3.78
per common share) in the same period in 2020. The decrease of
$644 million ($4.19 per common share) was due to the
unfavourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting items totaling
$648 million ($4.23 per common
share), which was primarily due to the unfavourable year-over-year
impact of the fair value adjustment of the Trust Unit liability of
$743 million ($4.85 per common
share) as a result of the increase of Choice Properties' unit price
in the quarter, partially offset by an improvement of
$4 million ($0.04 per common
share) in the Company's consolidated underlying operating
performance.
Adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders of the
Company(1) in the first quarter of 2021 were
$243 million ($1.59 per common share). In comparison to the
same period in 2020, this represented an increase of $4 million ($0.04
per common share), or 1.7%, primarily due to the improvement in the
underlying operating performance of Loblaw, partially offset by the
decline in the underlying operating performance of Weston Foods and
an increase in the adjusted effective tax rate(1). The
increase in adjusted diluted net earnings per common
share(1) of $0.04,
or 2.6%, was due to the performance in adjusted net earnings
available to common shareholders(1) and the favourable
impact of share repurchases.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company's results reflect the impact of COVID-19 and the
year-over-year impact of the fair value adjustment of the Trust
Unit liability as a result of the significant changes in Choice
Properties' unit price, recorded in net interest expense and other
financing charges. The Company's results are impacted by market
price fluctuations of Choice Properties' Trust Units on the basis
that the Trust Units held by unitholders, other than the Company,
are redeemable for cash at the option of the holder and are
presented as a liability on the Company's consolidated balance
sheet. The Company's financial results are negatively impacted when
the Trust Unit price rises and positively impacted when the Trust
Unit price declines.
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ millions except
where otherwise indicated)
|
|
12 Weeks
Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the periods ended
as indicated
|
|
Mar. 27,
2021
|
|
Mar. 21,
2020(3)
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
12,352
|
|
$
|
12,333
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
0.2%
|
Operating
income
|
|
$
|
830
|
|
$
|
598
|
|
$
|
232
|
|
38.8%
|
Adjusted
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$
|
1,335
|
|
$
|
1,300
|
|
$
|
35
|
|
2.7%
|
Adjusted EBITDA
margin(1)
|
|
|
10.8%
|
|
|
10.5%
|
|
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|
Net (loss)
earnings attributable to shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
of the Company
|
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$
|
(52)
|
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$
|
592
|
|
$
|
(644)
|
|
(108.8)%
|
Net (loss)
earnings available to common shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of the Company
|
|
$
|
(62)
|
|
$
|
582
|
|
$
|
(644)
|
|
(110.7)%
|
Adjusted net earnings
available to common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shareholders
of the Company(1)
|
|
$
|
243
|
|
$
|
239
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
1.7%
|
Diluted net (loss)
earnings per common share ($)
|
|
$
|
(0.41)
|
|
$
|
3.78
|
|
$
|
(4.19)
|
|
(110.8)%
|
Adjusted diluted net
earnings per common share(1) ($)
|
|
$
|
1.59
|
|
$
|
1.55
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
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2.6%
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
In the first quarter of 2021, the Company recorded net loss
available to common shareholders of the Company of $62 million
($0.41 per common share), a decrease
of $644 million ($4.19 per common share) compared to the same
period in 2020. The decrease was due to the unfavourable
year-over-year net impact of adjusting items totaling
$648 million ($4.23 per common
share), partially offset by an improvement of $4 million
($0.04 per common share) in the
consolidated underlying operating performance of the Company
described below.
- The unfavourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting items
totaling $648 million ($4.23 per common share) was due to:
-
- the unfavourable year-over-year impact of the fair value
adjustment of the Trust Unit liability of $743 million ($4.85
per common share) as a result of the increase in Choice Properties'
unit price in the first quarter of 2021; and
- the unfavourable year-over-year impact of the fair value
adjustment of the forward sale agreement for 9.6 million Loblaw
common shares of $55 million
($0.36 per common share);
partially offset by,
-
- the favourable year-over-year impact of the fair value
adjustment on investment properties of $123
million ($0.81 per common
share);
- the favourable year-over-year impact of restructuring and other
related costs of $14 million
($0.09 per common share); and
- the favourable year-over-year impact of the fair value
adjustments on derivatives of $12
million ($0.08 per common
share).
- The improvement in the Company's consolidated underlying
operating performance of $4 million
($0.04 per common share) was due
to:
-
- the favourable underlying operating performance of Loblaw
including the impact of COVID-19 and related costs;
partially offset by,
-
- the unfavourable underlying operating performance of Weston
Foods driven by the impact of COVID-19 and related costs; and
- an increase in the adjusted effective tax rate(1)
primarily attributable to the impact of certain other
non-deductible items.
- Diluted net earnings per common share also included the
favourable impact of shares purchased for cancellation in the
fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021.
Adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders of the
Company(1) were $243
million ($1.59 per common
share), an increase of $4 million
($0.04 per common share), or 1.7%,
compared to the same period in 2020 due to the improvement in the
Company's consolidated underlying operating performance described
above. Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share(1)
was $1.59 per common share in the
first quarter of 2021, an increase of $0.04 per common share, or 2.6%, compared to the
same period in 2020. The increase was due to the performance in
adjusted net earnings available to common
shareholders(1) and the favourable impact of share
repurchases.
CONSOLIDATED OTHER BUSINESS MATTERS
COVID-19 RELATED COSTS The Company
incurred COVID-19 related costs of approximately $54 million
in the first quarter of 2021 (2020 - $32
million) primarily related to safety and security measures
to protect colleagues, customers, tenants and other stakeholders.
The estimated COVID-19 related costs incurred by each of the
Company's reportable operating segments were as follows:
(unaudited)
|
|
12 Weeks
Ended
|
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($
millions)
|
|
Mar. 27,
2021
|
|
Mar. 21,
2020
|
Loblaw
|
|
$
|
48
|
|
$
|
32
|
Choice
Properties(i)
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2
|
|
—
|
Weston
Foods
|
|
4
|
|
—
|
Consolidated
|
|
$
|
54
|
|
$
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
Choice Properties
recorded a provision of $2 million in the first quarter of 2021,
for certain past due amounts, reflecting increased
collectability risk and potential abatements.
|
Refer to "COVID-19 Update" of this News Release for more
information.
REPORTABLE OPERATING SEGMENTS
The Company operates through its three reportable operating
segments: Loblaw, Choice Properties and Weston Foods. Other and
Intersegment includes eliminations, intersegment adjustments
related to the consolidation and cash and short-term investments
held by the Company. All other company level activities that are
not allocated to the reportable operating segments, such as
interest expense, corporate activities and administrative costs are
included in Other and Intersegment.
Loblaw has two reportable operating segments, retail and
financial services. Loblaw's retail segment consists primarily of
food retail and drug retail. Loblaw provides Canadians with
grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise
and financial services.
Choice Properties owns, manages and develops a high-quality
portfolio of commercial retail, industrial, office and residential
properties across Canada.
Weston Foods is a North American bakery making bread,
rolls, cupcakes, donuts, cookies, cakes, pies, cones and wafers,
artisan baked goods and more.
Loblaw Operating Results
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ millions except
where otherwise indicated)
|
|
12 Weeks
Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the periods ended
as indicated
|
|
Mar. 27,
2021
|
|
Mar. 21,
2020(3)
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
11,872
|
|
$
|
11,800
|
|
$
|
72
|
|
0.6%
|
Operating
income
|
|
$
|
615
|
|
$
|
539
|
|
$
|
76
|
|
14.1%
|
Adjusted
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$
|
1,216
|
|
$
|
1,163
|
|
$
|
53
|
|
4.6%
|
Adjusted EBITDA
margin(1)
|
|
10.2%
|
|
|
9.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization(i)
|
|
$
|
610
|
|
$
|
594
|
|
$
|
16
|
|
2.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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(i)
|
Depreciation and
amortization in the first quarter of 2021 includes
$117 million (2020 – $119 million) of amortization of
intangible assets acquired with Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation
("Shoppers Drug Mart").
|
Revenue Loblaw revenue in the first quarter of 2021
was $11,872 million, an increase
of $72 million, or 0.6%, compared to the same period in
2020, primarily driven by retail sales, partially offset by a
decrease in financial services revenue.
Retail sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased by
$86 million, or 0.7%, compared to the same period in 2020
and included food retail sales of $8,479
million (2020 – $8,332
million) and drug retail sales of $3,191 million (2020 – $3,252 million). The increase was primarily
driven by the following factors:
- food retail same-store sales growth was 0.1% for the quarter.
During the first quarter of 2021, retail experienced continued
strong same-store sales growth before the lapping of the late first
quarter of 2020 stock-up from the initial onset of the COVID-19
pandemic. Food retail basket size increased and traffic decreased
in the quarter, as compared to the first quarter of 2020;
- Loblaw's food retail average article price was higher by 3.9%
(2020 – 1.5%), which reflects the year-over-year growth in food
retail revenue over the average number of articles sold in Loblaw's
stores in the quarter. The increase in average article price was
due to sales mix; and
- drug retail same-store sales decreased by 1.7% for the quarter.
The drug retail same-store sales decline reflects the initial
demand for grocery and pharmacy products late in the first
quarter of 2020 following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in
Canada. Pharmacy same-store sales
growth was 3.5% and front store same-store sales declined by
6.4%.
In the last 12 months, 20 food and drug stores were opened and
nine food and drug stores were closed, resulting in a net
increase in retail square footage of 0.4 million square feet, or
0.6%.
Financial services revenue in the first quarter of 2021
decreased by $13 million compared to
the same period in 2020 due to lower interest income and credit
card related fees attributable to a lower volume of credit card
receivables, partially offset by higher sales attributable to
The Mobile Shop and higher interchange income due to an
increase in customer spending.
Operating income Loblaw operating income in the
first quarter of 2021 was $615 million, an increase of
$76 million, or 14.1%, compared to the same period in 2020.
The increase included an improvement in underlying operating
performance of $35 million and the favourable year-over-year
net impact of adjusting items totaling $41 million, as
described below:
- the improvement in underlying operating performance of
$35 million was primarily due to the
improvement in the underlying operating performance of financial
services, partially offset by a decline in the underlying operating
performance of retail driven by the lapping of the late first
quarter of 2020 stock-up from the initial onset of the COVID-19
pandemic;
- the favourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting items
totaling $41 million was primarily
due to the following:
-
- the favourable year-over-year impact of the fair value
adjustments on derivatives of $23
million;
- the favourable year-over-year impact of restructuring and other
related costs of $11 million;
and
- the favourable impact of the gain on sale of non-operating
properties of $5 million.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) Loblaw adjusted
EBITDA(1) in the first quarter of 2021 was
$1,216 million, an increase of
$53 million, or 4.6%, compared to the same period in 2020. The
increase was primarily due to an increase in financial services of
$65 million, partially offset by a
decline in retail of $12 million.
Retail adjusted EBITDA(1) in the first
quarter of 2021 decreased by $12 million driven by the
lapping of the late first quarter of 2020 stock-up from the initial
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unfavourable increase in
SG&A, partially offset by an increase in retail gross
profit.
- Retail gross profit percentage of 30.3% increased by 50 basis
points compared to the same period in 2020 from underlying
improvements in business initiatives.
- Retail SG&A as a percentage of sales was 20.5%, an increase
of 70 basis points compared to the same period of 2020. The
unfavourable increase of 70 basis points was primarily due to
COVID-19 related costs and incremental e-commerce labour costs as a
result of increased online sales.
Financial services adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by
$65 million compared to the same period in 2020, primarily
driven by a $20 million reduction in
the expected credit loss provision in the current quarter and the
lapping of the $50 million increase
in the expected credit loss provision recorded in the first quarter
of 2020, lower contractual charge-off, lower funding costs due to
lower credit card receivables, and reversal of certain commodity
taxes remitted. The increase was partially offset by lower revenue
as described above and higher customer acquisition costs.
Depreciation and Amortization Loblaw's depreciation
and amortization in the first quarter of 2021 was
$610 million, an increase of $16 million compared to the
same period in 2020, primarily driven by an increase in information
technology ("IT") assets, an increase in depreciation of leased
assets and an increase in depreciation and amortization in
financial services due to the launch of PC Money
Account. Included in depreciation and amortization is the
amortization of intangible assets acquired with Shoppers Drug Mart
of $117 million (2020 – $119
million).
Consolidation of Franchises Loblaw has more than
500 franchise food retail stores in its network. Non-controlling
interests at Loblaw represent the franchise's earnings in food.
Loblaw's net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests was
$19 million in the first quarter of
2021. When compared to the first quarter of 2020, this represented
a decrease of $14 million or
42.4%. The decrease in non-controlling interests was
primarily driven by lower franchise earnings in comparison to the
first quarter of 2020 when franchises experienced improved
profitability from the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Choice Properties Operating Results
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ millions except
where otherwise indicated)
|
|
12 Weeks
Ended
|
|
|
|
|
For the periods ended
as indicated
|
|
Mar. 27,
2021
|
|
Mar. 21,
2020
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
327
|
|
$
|
325
|
|
$
|
2
|
|
0.6%
|
Net interest expense
(income) and other financing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
charges(i)
|
|
$
|
347
|
|
$
|
(256)
|
|
$
|
603
|
|
(235.5)%
|
Net (loss)
income
|
|
$
|
(62)
|
|
$
|
333
|
|
$
|
(395)
|
|
118.6%
|
Funds from
Operations(1)(ii)
|
|
$
|
171
|
|
$
|
171
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
—%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
Net interest expense
(income) and other financing charges includes a fair value
adjustment on Exchangeable Units.
|
(ii)
|
Funds from operations
is calculated in accordance with the Real Property Association of
Canada's White Paper on Funds from Operations & Adjusted
Funds from Operations for IFRS issued in February 2019.
|
Revenue Revenue in the first quarter of 2021
was $327 million, an increase of
$2 million, or 0.6%, compared to the same period in 2020, and
included $182 million (2020 –
$186 million) generated from tenants
from Loblaw retail.
The increase in revenue was primarily driven by:
- the net contribution from acquisitions and development
transfers completed in 2020; and
- an increase in lease surrender revenue;
partially offset by,
- foregone revenue from dispositions in 2020;
- vacancies in select retail and office assets; and
- a reduction in transient parking revenue in the office
portfolio due to the impact of the pandemic on city centres.
Net Interest Expense (Income) and Other Financing
Charges Net interest expense and other financing charges
in the first quarter of 2021 were $347
million compared to net interest income and other financing
charges of $256 million in the same period in 2020. The change
of $603 million was primarily driven
by the unfavourable year-over-year impact of the fair value
adjustment on Class B LP units ("Exchangeable Units") of
$604 million.
Net (Loss) Income Net loss in the first quarter of
2021 was $62 million, compared to net
income of $333 million in the same
period in 2020. The decrease of $395 million was primarily
driven by:
- the unfavourable impact of higher net interest expense and
other financing charges described above;
partially offset by,
- a favourable change in the adjustment to fair value of
investment properties, including those held within equity accounted
joint ventures.
Funds from Operations(1) Funds from
Operations(1) in the first quarter of 2021 was
$171 million, which was flat compared to the same period in
2020, as an increase in non-recurring lease surrender revenue and
savings from lower borrowing costs was offset by higher bad debt
expense and a decline in interest income due to fewer mortgages
receivable outstanding as compared to prior year.
Choice Properties Other Business Matters
Investment Property Transactions Subsequent
to the quarter end, Choice Properties acquired an 85% interest in
approximately 300 developable acres of future industrial
development land in Caledon,
Ontario, for $138 million. The
purchase price comprised of a $100
million cash payment and a commitment to pay the remaining
$38 million balance contingent on
certain milestones being met over the development lifecycle.
Weston Foods Operating Results
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ millions except
where otherwise indicated)
|
|
12 Weeks
Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the periods ended
as indicated
|
|
Mar. 27,
2021
|
|
Mar. 21,
2020
|
|
$ Change
|
|
% Change
|
Sales
|
|
$
|
472
|
|
$
|
535
|
|
$
|
(63)
|
|
(11.8)%
|
Operating
income
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
(1)
|
|
(100.0)%
|
Adjusted
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
$
|
(18)
|
|
(34.6)%
|
Adjusted EBITDA
margin(1)
|
|
|
7.2%
|
|
|
9.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization(i)
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
$
|
43
|
|
$
|
(7)
|
|
(16.3)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
Depreciation and
amortization in the first quarter of 2020 included $9 million
of accelerated depreciation related to restructuring and other
related costs.
|
Sales Weston Foods sales in the first quarter
of 2021 were $472 million, a decrease of $63 million, or
11.8%, compared to the same period in 2020. Sales included
the unfavourable impact of foreign currency translation of
approximately 2.6%. Excluding the unfavourable impact of foreign
currency translation, sales decreased by 9.2%. Sales were impacted
by a decrease in volumes mainly due to the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic. Volumes declined in retail celebratory categories and
certain foodservice channels, and reflect the impact of lapping
strong performance and stockpiling in the last two weeks of the
first quarter of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. In addition,
Girl Scout cookie sales in the United
States were lower compared to the same period in 2020 due to
restrictions on in-person sales. The combined impact of pricing and
changes in sales mix had a nominal impact on sales when compared to
the same period in 2020.
Operating Income Weston Foods operating income in
the first quarter of 2021 was a nominal loss compared to
$1 million in the first quarter of
2020, a decrease of $1 million. The decrease was due to the
decline in the underlying operating performance of $20 million
including an increase in depreciation and amortization, partially
offset by the favourable year-over-year net impact of adjusting
items totaling $19 million. The year-over-year net impact of
adjusting items included the following:
- the favourable year-over-year impact of restructuring and other
related costs of $16 million;
and
- the favourable year-over-year impact of the fair value
adjustment of derivatives of $3
million.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) Weston Foods adjusted
EBITDA(1) in the first quarter of 2021 was
$34 million compared to $52 million in the same period in
2020, a decrease of $18 million, or 34.6%. The decrease was
driven by the decline in sales as described above, higher input
costs and an increase in COVID-19 related expenses, partially
offset by lower distribution costs and other cost savings
initiatives.
Weston Foods adjusted EBITDA margin(1) in the first
quarter of 2021 decreased to 7.2% compared to 9.7% in the same
period in 2020. The decline in adjusted EBITDA margin(1)
in the first quarter of 2021 was driven by the factors described
above.
Depreciation and Amortization Weston
Foods depreciation and amortization in the first quarter of 2021
was $36 million, a decrease of $7 million compared to the
same period in 2020. Depreciation and amortization in the first
quarter of 2020 included $9 million of accelerated
depreciation related to Weston Foods' transformation program.
Excluding this amount, depreciation and amortization in the first
quarter of 2021 increased by $2 million due to capital
investments.
Weston Foods Other Business Matters
Restructuring and other related
costs Weston Foods continuously evaluates
strategic and cost reduction initiatives related to its
manufacturing assets, distribution networks and administrative
infrastructure with the objective of ensuring a low cost
operating structure. There were no restructuring and other related
costs at Weston Foods recorded in the first quarter of 2021. In the
first quarter of 2020, Weston Foods recorded restructuring and
other related costs of $16 million which were primarily
related to Weston Foods' transformation program.
COVID-19 UPDATE(2)
The COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact the Company's
operating segments, colleagues, customers, tenants and other
stakeholders. The duration and longer-term impact of the COVID-19
pandemic cannot be predicted.
In the second quarter of 2021, Loblaw will lap last year's surge
in revenues and its highest periods of COVID-19 related costs. In
the four weeks following the end of the first quarter, food
same-store sales have declined slightly, while drug same-store
sales have trended positively, compared to same-store sales growth
of 10.0% in food retail and a decline of 1.1% in drug retail in
the second quarter of last year. Loblaw expects to incur
COVID-19 related costs in the range of approximately $65 million to $75 million in the second
quarter of 2021 compared to $282
million in COVID-19 related costs incurred in the second
quarter of 2020.
Choice Properties remains confident that its business model and
disciplined approach to financial management will enable it to
weather the impact of the pandemic. Rent collection at 98% of
contractual rents for the first quarter of 2021 was at the higher
end of collection within the industry and was primarily due to the
stability of Choice Properties' necessity-based portfolio.
In the second quarter of 2021, Weston Foods will lap the
negative impact of COVID-19 on sales and the period of its highest
pandemic-related costs. Looking ahead to the second quarter,
although continued lockdowns will negatively impact sales in
certain categories, we expect sales to be higher and COVID-19
related costs to be lower, in each case compared to the second
quarter of 2020. In the four weeks following the end of the first
quarter, sales excluding the impact of foreign currency translation
were 6% higher compared to the same period in 2020 and the weekly
run rate for COVID-19 related costs was approximately $0.3 million compared to $1.5 million in the same period in 2020.
OUTLOOK(2)
For 2021, the Company expects adjusted net
earnings(1) to increase due to the results from its
operating segments as described below. Additionally, the Company
expects to return capital to shareholders through share repurchases
by allocating a portion of the free cash flow received from its
operating businesses and proceeds from participating in Loblaw's
normal course issuer bid.
Loblaw Loblaw cannot predict the precise impacts of
COVID-19 on 2021 financial results. However, Loblaw anticipates
that grocery sales will remain elevated due to continued impact of
the pandemic, including the impact of lockdown measures in many
jurisdictions. As economies reopen, revenue growth will be
challenged while lapping elevated 2020 sales. Costs are expected to
improve, as Loblaw laps elevated COVID-19 related expenses, and as
Process & Efficiencies and Data-Driven Insights programs
continue to deliver benefits. Moderate levels of regulatory reform
are anticipated.
Loblaw previously announced that, on a full year basis, it
expects:
- its core retail business to grow earnings faster than
sales;
- growth in financial services profitability;
- EPS growth in the low double digits, excluding the impact of
the 53rd week in the fourth quarter of 2020;
- to invest approximately $1.2
billion in capital expenditures, net of proceeds from
property disposals; and
- to return capital to shareholders by allocating a significant
portion of free cash flow to share repurchases.
Loblaw delivered strong financial performance in the first
quarter and that momentum has continued into the first four weeks
of the second quarter, positioning Loblaw to exceed its full year
EPS growth outlook. However, it is still early in the year and
given the on-going uncertainty and volatility caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic, Loblaw will not update its full year outlook at
the current time.
Choice Properties Choice Properties' goal is to
provide net asset value appreciation, stable net operating income
growth and capital preservation, all with a long-term focus.
Although there remains uncertainty on the longer-term impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic, Choice Properties remains confident that its
business model and disciplined approach to financial management
will continue to position it well. Choice Properties' diversified
portfolio of office, retail and industrial properties is 97.0%
occupied and leased to high-quality tenants across Canada. Its retail portfolio is primarily
leased to grocery stores, pharmacies and other necessity-based
tenants, who continue to perform well in this environment, and the
diversification of income provided by Choice Properties' industrial
and office assets provides stability to Choice Properties' overall
portfolio.
Choice Properties continues to advance its development
initiatives, which provide Choice Properties with the best
opportunity to add high-quality real estate to its portfolio at a
reasonable cost. Choice Properties has a mix of development
projects ranging in size, scale, and complexity, including retail
intensification projects, which provide incremental growth to its
existing sites, to larger, more complex mixed-use developments
which are expected to drive net asset value growth in the
future.
In 2021, Choice Properties plans to continue improving its
portfolio quality and seek out opportunities to strengthen its
balance sheet. In addition, Choice Properties has approximately
$470 million in debt obligations
coming due, which is a manageable amount which Choice Properties
intends to refinance with longer term debt or repay with excess
cash on hand.
Weston Foods The uncertainty associated with the
pandemic makes it difficult to reliably estimate future sales
trends and the overall financial performance of the business. The
current assumption of management is that stricter
government-mandated lockdowns implemented in many regions in the
fourth quarter of 2020 will ease by the second half of 2021. On
that basis, Weston Foods expects:
- sales to be modestly higher compared to 2020, after excluding
the impact of foreign currency translation and the impact of the
53rd week in fiscal 2020;
- adjusted EBITDA(1) to be higher compared to
2020;
- capital expenditures to decrease to approximately $145 million; and
- depreciation to increase compared to 2020.
DECLARATION OF QUARTERLY DIVIDENDS
Subsequent to the end of the first quarter of 2021, the
Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on GWL
Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Series I, Preferred Shares, Series
III, Preferred Shares, Series IV and Preferred Shares,
Series V payable as follows:
Common
Shares
|
$0.550 per share
payable July 1, 2021, to shareholders of
record as of June 15, 2021;
|
|
|
Preferred Shares,
Series I
|
$0.3625 per share
payable June 15, 2021, to shareholders of
record as of May 31, 2021;
|
|
|
Preferred Shares,
Series III
|
$0.3250 per share
payable July 1, 2021, to shareholders of
record as of June 15, 2021;
|
|
|
Preferred Shares,
Series IV
|
$0.3250 per share
payable July 1, 2021, to shareholders of
record as of June 15, 2021; and
|
|
|
Preferred Shares,
Series V
|
$0.296875 per share
payable July 1, 2021, to shareholders of
record as of June 15, 2021.
|
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures as it believes
these measures provide useful information to both management and
investors with regard to accurately assessing the Company's
financial performance and financial condition.
Management uses these and other non-GAAP financial measures to
exclude the impact of certain expenses and income that must be
recognized under GAAP when analyzing underlying consolidated and
segment operating performance, as the excluded items are not
necessarily reflective of the Company's underlying operating
performance and make comparisons of underlying financial
performance between periods difficult. The Company excludes
additional items if it believes doing so would result in a more
effective analysis of underlying operating performance. The
exclusion of certain items does not imply that they are
non-recurring.
These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by
GAAP and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures presented by other publicly traded companies, and should
not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures
determined in accordance with GAAP.
For reconciliation to, and description of the Company's non-GAAP
financial measures and financial metrics, see Section 9, "Non-GAAP
Financial Measures", of the MD&A in the Company's 2021 First
Quarter Report.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures Policy Change Effective First
Quarter of 2021 In 2020, management undertook a review of
historical adjusting items as part of an effort to reduce the
number of items it excludes from its non-GAAP financial measures.
Management concluded that, in order to present adjusting items in a
manner more consistent with that of its Canadian and U.S. peers,
the Company will no longer adjust for fixed asset and other related
impairments (net of recoveries), certain restructuring and other
related costs, pension settlement costs, statutory income tax rate
changes or other items. For further details please refer to Section
9.1 "Non-GAAP Financial Measures Policy Change Effective First
Quarter of 2021" of the MD&A in the Company's 2021 First
Quarter Report.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This News Release contains forward-looking statements about the
Company's objectives, plans, goals, aspirations, strategies,
financial condition, results of operations, cash flows,
performance, prospects, opportunities and legal and regulatory
matters. Specific forward-looking statements in this News Release
include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the
Company's anticipated future results, events and plans, strategic
initiatives and restructuring, regulatory changes including further
healthcare reform, future liquidity, planned capital investments,
and the status and impact of IT systems implementations. These
specific forward-looking statements are contained throughout this
News Release including, without limitation, in the "COVID-19
Update" and "Outlook" section of this News Release. Forward-looking
statements are typically identified by words such as "expect",
"anticipate", "believe", "foresee", "could", "estimate", "goal",
"intend", "plan", "seek", "strive", "will", "may", "should" and
similar expressions, as they relate to the Company and its
management.
Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's estimates,
beliefs and assumptions, which are based on management's perception
of historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate
in the circumstances. The Company's expectation of operating and
financial performance in 2021 is based on certain assumptions,
including assumptions about the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare
reform impacts, anticipated cost savings and operating efficiencies
and anticipated benefits from strategic initiatives. The Company's
estimates, beliefs and assumptions are inherently subject to
significant business, economic, competitive and other uncertainties
and contingencies regarding future events, including the COVID-19
pandemic and as such, are subject to change. The Company can give
no assurance that such estimates, beliefs and assumptions will
prove to be correct.
Numerous risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's
actual results to differ materially from those expressed, implied
or projected in the forward-looking statements, including those
described in "Enterprise Risks and Risk Management" section,
of the MD&A in the Company's 2020 Annual Report and the
Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended
December 31, 2020.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's
expectations only as of the date of this News Release. Except as
required by law, the Company does not undertake to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has three reportable operating segments: Loblaw,
Choice Properties and Weston Foods. Other and Intersegment includes
eliminations, intersegment adjustments related to the
consolidation, cash and short-term investments held by the Company
and all other company level activities that are not allocated to
the reportable operating segments, as further illustrated
below.
The accounting policies of the reportable operating segments are
the same as those described in the Company's 2020 audited annual
consolidated financial statements. The Company measures each
reportable operating segment's performance based on adjusted
EBITDA(1) and adjusted operating income(1).
No reportable operating segment is reliant on any single external
customer.
|
|
12 Weeks
Ended
|
|
|
Mar. 27,
2021
|
|
Mar. 21,
2020(3)
|
(unaudited)
($ millions of Canadian dollars)
|
|
Loblaw
|
|
Choice
Properties
|
|
Weston
Foods
|
|
Other and
Intersegment
|
|
Total
|
|
Loblaw
|
|
Choice
Properties
|
|
Weston
Foods
|
|
Other and
Intersegment
|
|
Total
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
11,872
|
|
$
|
327
|
|
$
|
472
|
|
$
|
(319)
|
|
$
|
12,352
|
|
$
|
11,800
|
|
$
|
325
|
|
$
|
535
|
|
$
|
(327)
|
|
$
|
12,333
|
Operating income
(loss)
|
|
$
|
615
|
|
$
|
285
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
(70)
|
|
$
|
830
|
|
$
|
539
|
|
$
|
77
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
(19)
|
|
$
|
598
|
Net interest
expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(income) and other
financing charges
|
|
160
|
|
347
|
|
1
|
|
38
|
|
546
|
|
172
|
|
(256)
|
|
(1)
|
|
(173)
|
|
(258)
|
Earnings (loss)
before
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
income taxes
|
|
$
|
455
|
|
$
|
(62)
|
|
$
|
(1)
|
|
$
|
(108)
|
|
$
|
284
|
|
$
|
367
|
|
$
|
333
|
|
$
|
2
|
|
$
|
154
|
|
$
|
856
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
income
|
|
$
|
615
|
|
$
|
285
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
(70)
|
|
$
|
830
|
|
$
|
539
|
|
$
|
77
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
(19)
|
|
$
|
598
|
Depreciation
and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amortization
|
|
610
|
|
1
|
|
36
|
|
(87)
|
|
560
|
|
594
|
|
1
|
|
43
|
|
(78)
|
|
560
|
Adjusting
items(i)
|
|
(9)
|
|
(61)
|
|
(2)
|
|
17
|
|
(55)
|
|
30
|
|
149
|
|
8
|
|
(45)
|
|
142
|
Adjusted
EBITDA(i)
|
|
$
|
1,216
|
|
$
|
225
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
$
|
(140)
|
|
$
|
1,335
|
|
$
|
1,163
|
|
$
|
227
|
|
$
|
52
|
|
$
|
(142)
|
|
$
|
1,300
|
Depreciation
and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amortization(ii)
|
|
493
|
|
1
|
|
36
|
|
(87)
|
|
443
|
|
475
|
|
1
|
|
34
|
|
(78)
|
|
432
|
Adjusted
operating
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
income(i)
|
|
$
|
723
|
|
$
|
224
|
|
$
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
(53)
|
|
$
|
892
|
|
$
|
688
|
|
$
|
226
|
|
$
|
18
|
|
$
|
(64)
|
|
$
|
868
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
Certain items are
excluded from operating income to derive adjusted
EBITDA(1). Adjusted EBITDA(1) is used
internally by management when analyzing segment underlying
operating performance.
|
(ii)
|
Excludes
$117 million (2020 – $119 million) of amortization of
intangible assets acquired with Shoppers Drug Mart, recorded by
Loblaw and $9 million in the first quarter of 2020 of
accelerated depreciation recorded by Weston Foods, related to
restructuring and other related costs.
|
2021 FIRST QUARTER REPORT
The Company's 2020 Annual Report and 2021 First Quarter Report
are available in the Investor Centre section of the Company's
website at www.weston.ca and have been filed on SEDAR and are
available at www.sedar.com.
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Shareholders, security analysts and investment professionals
should direct their requests to Tara
Speers, Senior Director, Investor Relations,
at the Company's Executive Office or by e-mail at
investor@weston.ca.
Additional financial information has been filed electronically
with various securities regulators in Canada through SEDAR. This News Release
includes selected information on Loblaw, a public company with
shares trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"). For
information regarding Loblaw, readers should refer to the materials
filed by Loblaw on SEDAR from time to time. These filings are also
maintained on Loblaw's corporate website at www.loblaw.ca.
This News Release also includes selected information on Choice
Properties, a public real estate investment trust with units
trading on the TSX. For information regarding Choice Properties,
readers should refer to the materials filed by Choice Properties on
SEDAR from time to time. These filings are also maintained on
Choice Properties' website at www.choicereit.ca.
FIRST QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
George Weston Limited will host a conference call as well as an
audio webcast on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
(ET). To access via tele-conference, please dial
(647) 427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191. The playback will be
available two hours after the event at (416) 849-0833 or
1-855-859-2056, passcode: 9786507#. To access via audio webcast,
please visit the Investor Centre section of www.weston.ca.
Pre-registration will be available.
ANNUAL MEETING
The George Weston Limited Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be
held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 11:00
a.m. (ET). Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the
meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only. Shareholders
will be able to listen, participate and vote at the meeting in real
time through a live webcast online at
https://web.lumiagm.com/439305643. See "How do I attend and participate at the
virtual Meeting?" in the Management Proxy Circular dated
March 26, 2021, which can
be viewed online at www.weston.ca or under George Weston
Limited's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, for detailed instructions
on how to attend and vote at the meeting. Please refer to the "News
and Events" page at www.weston.ca for additional details on the
virtual meeting.
Ce rapport est disponible en français.
|
|
Endnotes
|
|
|
(1)
|
See the "Non-GAAP
Financial Measures" section of the Company's 2021 First Quarter
Results, which includes the reconciliation of such non-
GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP
measures.
|
|
|
(2)
|
This News Release
contains forward-looking information. See "Forward-Looking
Statements" section of this News Release and the
Company's 2021 First Quarter Report for a discussion of material
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
the
forecasts and projections herein and of the material factors and
assumptions that were used when making these statements. This
News
Release should be read in conjunction with GWL's filings with
securities regulators made from time to time, all of which can be
found at
www.weston.ca and www.sedar.com.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Certain figures have
been restated due to the non-GAAP financial measures policy
change. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures Policy
Change Effective First Quarter of 2021" section of the Company's
2021 First Quarter Results.
|
|
|
SOURCE George Weston Limited