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Philip Morris Int'l (PM) Cuts FY14 EPS Outlook; Updates on Objectives

June 26, 2014 6:13 AM EDT

Philip Morris Int'l (NYSE: PM) senior management will offer its perspective on the company’s business outlook and long-term growth strategies at a two-day investor meeting starting today at approximately 9:00 a.m. (Swiss time) at its Operations Center in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“2014 is proving to be a complex and truly atypical year for PMI,” said André Calantzopoulos, Chief Executive Officer.

“In addition to our exciting plans for the global roll-out of our Marlboro Architecture 2.0 and our new commercial approach, we are on the verge of leading a paradigm shift with the accelerated commercialization of our Reduced-Risk Products.”

“We continue to face significant currency headwinds, an improving but weak macro-economic environment in the EU and known challenges in Asia, partly offset by a robust performance in a number of markets and the contribution of our business development initiatives. Furthermore, we have recently witnessed significant price discounting at the low end of the market in Australia which, were it to persist, could lead us to be at the lower end of our 2014 guidance for full-year currency-neutral adjusted diluted EPS growth of 6%-8%.”

2014 Full-Year Forecast

The company revises its 2014 full-year reported diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) forecast to be in a range of $4.87 to $4.97, versus $5.26 in 2013, compared to a range of $5.09 to $5.19 as previously announced on May 7, 2014.

*** The Street sees FY14 EPS of $5.25.

On an adjusted basis, diluted EPS are projected to increase in the range of 6% to 8% versus adjusted diluted EPS of $5.40 in 2013, reflecting:

  • a $0.01 per share charge recorded as asset impairment and exit costs in the first quarter of 2014 relating to the decision to cease cigarette production in Australia by the end of 2014;
  • a pre-tax charge, related to the contemplated decision to discontinue cigarette production in the Netherlands in 2014, of approximately $495 million, or $0.24 per share, the majority of which is expected to be recorded in the second quarter of 2014; and
  • an unfavorable currency impact, at prevailing exchange rates, of approximately $0.61 for the full-year 2014.

The adjusted diluted EPS of $5.40 in 2013 is calculated as reported diluted EPS of $5.26, plus a $0.02 per share charge related to discrete tax items and a $0.12 per share charge related to asset impairment and exit costs.

This forecast includes a productivity and cost savings target of $300 million and a share repurchase target of $4.0 billion. This forecast excludes the impact of any future acquisitions, unanticipated asset impairment and exit cost charges, future changes in currency exchange rates and any unusual events.

The factors described in the Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements section of this release represent continuing risks to these projections.

Global Footprint Optimization

On April 4, 2014, the company announced the initiation by its affiliate, Philip Morris Holland B.V. (“PMH”), of consultations with employee representatives on a proposal to discontinue cigarette production at its factory located in Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands. PMH has reached an agreement with the Trade Unions and their members on a social plan and, subject to the fulfillment of certain other conditions, PMH plans to cease cigarette production by September 1, 2014.

As a result, PMI expects to incur a pre-tax charge of approximately $495 million, or $0.24 per share, the majority of which is expected to be recorded in the second quarter of 2014, reflecting approximately $356 million related to employee separation costs and approximately $139 million related to asset impairment costs. Of the $495 million, approximately $418 million will be paid in cash, of which $181 million will be paid in 2014.

E-Vapor Acquisition

The company announced its acquisition of 100% of Nicocigs Limited (“Nicocigs”), a leading U.K.-based e-vapor company whose principal brand is Nicolites. The transaction is not subject to regulatory approval and is not material to PMI’s 2014 consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

“This acquisition is complementary to our previously announced agreement for the license and distribution of Altria Group, Inc.’s e-vapor products. In addition, it provides PMI with immediate access to, and a significant presence in, the growing e-vapor category in the U.K. market, as well as a strong retail presence, which further complements the current restructuring of our distribution arrangements in the U.K.," said Drago Azinovic, PMI’s President, European Union Region.

Nicocigs was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Birmingham, U.K. The company employs a field force of approximately 40 sales representatives and distributes to more than 20,000 points of sale within the UK. Nicocigs’ 2014 April year-to-date retail share, as measured by Nielsen, was 27.3%.

The U.K.’s e-vapor category has an estimated retail value of approximately $350 million.



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