Fuller’s has reported a strong performance with profit growing 8% on revenue up 6%. Highlights:
Financial Performance
- Adjusted earnings per share up 9% to 24.79p (2012: 22.78p)
- Adjusted profit before tax up 8% to £18.1 million (2012: £16.8 million)
- Revenue up 6% to £146.3 million (2012: £137.9 million)
- EBITDA up 4% to £28.1 million (2012: £26.9 million)
- Interim dividend up 8% to 5.80p (2012: 5.35p)
- Net debt to EBITDA 2.5 times (2012: 2.7 times)
Corporate Progress
- Industry leading like for like sales growth of 7.9% in Managed Pubs and Hotels led by strong food growth
- Managed Pubs and Hotels profits up 16% with good operating margins
- Tenanted Inns profits level with like for like profits up 1%
- Total Beer and Cider volumes down 1%
- Good progress on Fuller’s Beer Company long term strategic initiatives:
Cornish Orchards premium cider business acquired in June; successfully integrated and trading strongly
Successful launch of Frontier, the new wave craft lager
Creative “Made of London” advertising campaign well received
Commenting on the results
Simon Emeny, Chief Executive of Fuller’s, said:
“I am pleased to report a strong first half for the Group with adjusted profit before tax growing 8% to £18.1 million and our adjusted earnings per share increasing 9% to 24.79p.
“Our results have been driven by another excellent performance from Managed Pubs and Hotels, with industry leading like for like sales growth of 7.9% and profits up 16%, clearly demonstrating the ongoing appeal of our freshly prepared food offer.
“The second half has started well and the underlying momentum which characterised our trading in the first half has continued over the last seven weeks, with Managed Pubs and Hotels like for like sales up 7.8% over the 33 weeks. Our London and South East based portfolio of well invested quality pubs, a strong balance sheet and consistent long term strategy leave us well placed for the future as we continue to invest in our people, our pubs and our brands. We remain confident of another year of progress for the Group.”