Top-Tier Financial Performance Expected to Continue
Citing excellent progress in the integration of Cadbury, CFO Dave Brearton said the company has already generated about $400 million in revenue synergies to date, which is on track to reach the company's goal of $1 billion. Concurrently, Kraft has already captured more than 80% of its targeted $750 million in annual cost synergies. In fact, based on the gains to date, the company now expects to deliver approximately $800 million in cost synergies by year-end, exceeding the original target and doing so about one year ahead of schedule.
"Despite the additional activities to ready each business for independence, we're confident that the strong momentum of our base businesses will allow us to deliver another year of top-tier performance," Brearton said. For 2012, the company expects Organic Net Revenue growth of approximately 5% . Operating EPS is expected to grow at least 9% on a constant currency basis, despite higher pension and tax costs.
Brearton also said that the company will incur one-time restructuring, transition and transaction costs of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion as it prepares to separate into two companies later this year. In addition, the company estimates that it may incur between $400 million and $800 million of potential debt breakage and financing fees as it executes a migration of debt to the North American grocery company. Brearton underscored that both companies will be investment-grade with access to commercial paper.
The Path to Successful Separation
Concluding the presentation, Rosenfeld said that Kraft's operating momentum will enable the company to execute the separation of its businesses from a position of great strength.
The North American grocery company, with roughly $18 billion in sales, will retain the Kraft Foods name and be a major force in the industry. By growing with its categories and capturing significant cost savings opportunities, the business is expected to deliver strong margins and substantial free cash flow with a highly competitive dividend payout.
The global snacks company, whose proposed name will be announced in March, will have sales of about $35 billion. With a diverse geographical profile and significant exposure to high-growth Developing Markets, it is expected to deliver strong revenue growth and top-tier earnings growth while paying a modest dividend.
Until the companies separate later this year, Kraft Foods will continue to report as one company. It expects to file its initial Form 10 with historical carve-out financials early in the second quarter and receive tax rulings from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service around the middle of the year. Organizational structures and personnel decisions will be finalized by mid-year, so that both companies can hit the ground running when they launch before the end of 2012. Just prior to the spinoff, separate investor events for each company will be held.
Kraft Foods' presentation was accompanied by slides. Access to a replay of the CAGNY webcast with accompanying slides is available at www.kraftfoodscompany.com.
