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In the second quarter, sales increased by +7.7% on a like-for-like basis, with a +6.8% contribution from price and +0.9% contribution from volume/mix. On a reported basis, sales increased by +14.5%, benefiting from a positive forex impact of +6.0% and a positive organic contribution of hyperinflation countries to growth of +0.8%, while the scope effect was slightly negative (-0.5%).

Recurring Operating Margin

Danone’s recurring operating income reached €1.6 bn in H1 2022. Recurring operating margin stood at 12.1%, down -101 basis points (bps) on a reported basis and -88 bps on a like-for-like basis compared to last year. This decrease was mainly driven by the strong negative impact of input-cost inflation net of productivity, estimated at c. -610 bps. This negative effect was partially offset by the positive effect of topline drivers – which include volume, mix and price – for a combined estimated impact of c. +440 bps.

Danone has kickstarted its reinvestment journey, focusing notably on product superiority and capabilities, with reinvestments having a negative effect of -10 bps in H1. Finally, Overheads before reinvestments had a positive effect of +111 bps, reflecting the savings achieved as part of Local First.

In addition to like-for-like effects, reported margin also includes the negative impact of Forex and others, changes in scope and an organic contribution from hyperinflation countries for a total combined effect of -29 bps.

Performance by geographical zone

• EUROPE

Europe posted sales growth of +5.4% in H1 2022 on a like-for-like basis and recurring operating margin stood at 13.1%, down -199 bps compared to last year.

In the second quarter, sales increased by +5.1% on a like-for-like basis, driven by +4.9% growth in price and +0.2% growth in volume/mix. The performance varied from country to country, and was led by the UK, Spain and Poland. By category, growth was driven by a strong momentum in Specialized Nutrition, led by Aptamil, and in Waters, led by evian, Zywiec Zdroj and Font Vella. In EDP, sales increased by low single digits, driven by Actimel, Alpro and YoPro.

• NORTH AMERICA

North America posted +7.2% sales growth in H1 2022 on a like-for-like basis and recurring operating margin decreased by -235 bps to 8.1%.

In the second quarter, sales increased by +8.9% on a like-for-like basis, driven by +6.8% growth in price and +2.0% growth in volume/mix. In the US, this strong growth was driven by continued momentum across categories and brands. In EDP, coffee creamers, yogurts and plant-based posted high single-digit competitive growth, driven by International Delight, Oikos, Activia, Danimals and Silk. In Specialized Nutrition, Danone stepped up exports of Neocate specialized formula and Aptamil baby formula to help address baby formula shortages. In Canada, growth was led by Activia, Silk and Oikos.

• CHINA, NORTH ASIA & OCEANIA

China, North Asia & Oceania posted sales growth of +8.3% in H1 2022 on a like-for-like basis and recurring operating margin was up +240 bps to 32.0%.

In the second quarter, sales increased by +3.3% on a like-for-like basis, with volume/mix up +4.4% and price down
-1.0%. In China, Infant Milk Formula posted mid-to-high single digit growth with continued resilient market share on both Domestic and International labels. Chinese Labels grew by double digits, while International labels saw continued growth, with indirect channels (Daigous, Friends & Family) now representing less than 15% of the segment’s revenues in Q2. Special Pediatric solutions and Adult Nutrition continued their good momentum, while in Waters, Mizone declined in the mid-teens range, impacted by mobility restrictions and lockdowns across China. Beyond China, Japan delivered double-digit growth, led by Activia, Danone and Oikos, while Oceania platforms showed strong momentum in Specialized Nutrition.

• REST OF THE WORLD

Rest of the World registered sales growth of +9.7% in H1 2022 on a like-for-like basis and recurring operating margin was broadly stable at 6.1% (-16 bps).

In the second quarter, sales increased by +12.3% on a like-for-like basis, with volume/mix down -0.9% and price up +13.1%. In Indonesia, sales were up double-digits, led by strong growth in Aqua in all formats, with stable market shares, and strong momentum in Specialized Nutrition. In Latin America, sales increased double-digits, led by all categories, while operating conditions remain extremely constrained in Russia and Ukraine.

Net income and Earnings per share

Other operating income and expense reached -€233 million vs -€700 million in the prior year. In 2021, Other operating income and expense resulted primarily from one-off implementation costs of the Local First project and by investments related to the transformation of Danone’s operations. As a result, reported operating margin was up +316 bps in H1 2022, from 7.2% to 10.4%.

Net financial costs increased by -€12 million to -€141 million, resulting from appreciation of the US dollar against the euro. Net income from associates decreased significantly from €602 million to -€89 million, reflecting the impact of the Mengniu disposal in H1 2021 and impairment related to the disposal of the remaining minority investments in Mengniu partnerships announced in H1 2022.

As a result, Reported EPS decreased by -29.8% to €1.14, while Recurring EPS was up +7.2% to €1.63.

Cash flow and Debt

Free cash flow reached €674 million in H1 2022, down -33.2% from last year, reflecting the decrease in cash-flow from operating activities. Capex stood at €318 million, down from last year (€390 million in H1 2021).

As of June 30, 2022, Danone’s net debt stood at €11.5 bn, up €1.0 bn from December 31, 2021.

II. 2022 GUIDANCE

Price-led like-for-like sales growth now expected between +5 and +6%, versus +3 to +5% previously; recurring operating margin expected above 12%.

III. MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE PERIOD

• April 26, 2022: At Danone’s 2022 Annual General Meeting, shareholders approved all resolutions submitted for approval by the Board of Directors, including the distribution of a dividend of €1.94 per share in cash, in line with last year, as well as the appointment of all candidates proposed to join the Board of Directors – Antoine de Saint-Affrique, Patrice Louvet, Géraldine Picaud and Susan Roberts – and the ratification of the co-opting of Valérie Chapoulaud-Floquet as Director.

• April 29, 2022: Danone and Compañía Cervecerías Unidas (CCU) announced a strategic alliance, as CCU Argentina has acquired a large minority stake in Aguas Danone de Argentina. This partnership will allow both companies to enrich their beverage offerings and strengthen their operations in the country.

• May 6, 2022: Danone announced that it agreed to sell to Mengniu the 25% stake the company holds in Yashili and the 20% stake it holds in the Inner Mongolia Dairy Joint Venture. In parallel, Danone will acquire from Yashili 100% of Dumex Baby Food Co Ltd, a Chinese manufacturer of Infant Milk Formula products. China remains highly strategic for Danone, and the announcement will notably allow the company to further expand its ability to manufacture Infant Milk Formula products locally. In line with Danone’s capital allocation priorities, the expected proceeds will be dedicated to further deleveraging the company.

IV. IFRS STANDARDS AND FINANCIAL INDICATORS NOT DEFINED IN IFRS

IAS29: impact on reported data

Danone has been applying IAS 29 in hyperinflation countries as defined in IFRS, except for Turkey in view of the unmaterial impact for the first semester 2022. Adoption of IAS 29 in these hyperinflationary countries requires its non-monetary assets and liabilities and its income statement to be restated to reflect the changes in the general pricing power of its functional currency, leading to a gain or loss on the net monetary position included in the net income. Moreover, its financial statements are converted into euros using the closing exchange rate of the relevant period.

Breakdown by quarter of first-half 2022 sales after application of IAS 29
H1 2022 sales correspond to the addition of:

• Q2 2022 reported sales;

• Q1 2022 sales resulting from the application of IAS29 until June 30, 2022 to sales of entities of hyperinflation countries (application of the inflation rate until June 30, 2022 and translation into euros using June 30, 2022 closing rate) and provided in the table below for information (unaudited data).

¹Results from the application of IAS29 until June 30, 2022 to Q1 sales of entities of hyperinflation countries.

Financial indicators not defined in IFRS

Due to rounding, the sum of values presented may differ from totals as reported. Such differences are not material.

Like-for-like changes in sales, recurring operating income and recurring operating margin reflect Danone's organic performance and essentially exclude the impact of:

• changes in consolidation scope, with indicators related to a given fiscal year calculated on the basis of previous-year scope, both previous-year and current-year scopes excluding entities in countries under hyperinflation according to IAS 29 during the previous year (as for Argentinian entities since January 1^st, 2019, and except for Turkey);

• changes in applicable accounting principles;

• changes in exchange rates with both previous-year and current-year indicators calculated using the same exchange rates (the exchange rate used is a projected annual rate determined by Danone for the current year and applied to both previous and current years).

Bridge from reported data to like-for-like data

Recurring operating income is defined as Danone’s operating income excluding Other operating income and expenses. Other operating income and expenses comprise items that, because of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to Danone’s recurring activity and have limited predictive value, thus distorting the assessment of its recurring operating performance and its evolution. These mainly include:

• capital gains and losses on disposals of fully consolidated companies;

• impairment charges on intangible assets with indefinite useful lives;

• costs related to strategic restructurings or transformation plans;

• costs related to major external growth transactions;

• costs related to major crisis and major litigations;

• in connection with of IFRS 3 (Revised) and IAS 27 (Revised) relating to business combinations, (i) acquisition costs related to business combinations, (ii) revaluation profit or loss accounted for following a loss of control, and (iii) changes in earn-outs relating to business combinations and subsequent to acquisition date.

Recurring operating margin is defined as Recurring operating income over Sales ratio.

Other non-recurring financial income and expense corresponds to financial income and expense items that, in view of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be considered as inherent to Danone’s recurring financial management. These mainly include changes in value of non-consolidated interests.

Non-recurring income tax corresponds to income tax on non-recurring items as well as tax income and expense items that, in view of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be considered as inherent to Danone’s recurring performance.

Recurring effective tax rate measures the effective tax rate of Danone’s recurring performance and is computed as the ratio income tax related to recurring items over recurring net income before tax.

Non-recurring results from associates include items that, because of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to the recurring activity of those companies and thus distort the assessment of their recurring performance and its evolution. These mainly include (i) capital gains and losses on disposal and impairment of Investments in associates, and (ii) non-recurring items, as defined by Danone, included in the net income from associates.

Recurring net income (or Recurring net income – Group Share) corresponds to the Group share of the consolidated Recurring net income. The Recurring net income excludes items that, because of their significant or unusual nature, cannot be viewed as inherent to Danone’s recurring activity and have limited predictive value, thus distorting the assessment of its recurring performance and its evolution. Such non-recurring income and expenses correspond to Other operating income and expenses, Other non-recurring financial income and expenses, Non-recurring income tax, and Non-recurring income from associates. Such income and expenses, excluded from Net income, represent Non-recurring net income.

Recurring EPS (or Recurring net income – Group Share, per share after dilution) is defined as the ratio of Recurring net income adjusted for hybrid financing over Diluted number of shares. In compliance with IFRS, income used to calculate EPS is adjusted for the coupon related to the hybrid financing accrued for the period and presented net of tax.

Free cash flow represents cash flows provided or used by operating activities less capital expenditure net of disposals and, in connection with IFRS 3 (Revised), relating to business combinations, excluding (i) acquisition costs related to business combinations, and (ii) earn-outs related to business combinations and paid subsequently to acquisition date.

¹ Represents acquisition costs related to business combinations paid during the period.

Net financial debt represents the net debt portion bearing interest. It corresponds to current and non-current financial debt (i) excluding Liabilities related to put options granted to non-controlling interests and earn-outs on acquisitions resulting in control and (ii) net of Cash and cash equivalents, Short term investments and Derivatives – assets managing net debt. 

¹ Managing net debt only

o o O o o

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Danone. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by forward-looking words, such as “estimate”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “believe”, “forecast”, “guidance”, “foresee”, “likely”, “may”, “should”, “goal”, “target”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “predict”, “continue”, “convinced” and “confident,” the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, predictions of future activities, operations, direction, performance and results of Danone.

Although Danone believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. For a detailed description of these risks and uncertainties, please refer to the “Risk Factor” section of Danone’s Universal Registration Document (the current version of which is available at www.danone.com).

Subject to regulatory requirements, Danone does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy Danone securities.

The presentation to analysts and investors will be broadcast live today from 8:30 a.m. (Paris time)
on Danone’s website (www.danone.com).
Related slides will also be available on the website in the Investors section.

APPENDIX – Sales by geographical zone and by category (in € million)

                                     

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All references in this document to Like-for-like (LFL) changes, Recurring operating income and margin, Recurring net income, Recurring income tax rate, Recurring EPS, Free cash-flow and net financial debt, correspond to financial indicators not defined in IFRS. Their definitions, as well as their reconciliation with financial statements, are listed on pages 6 and 7.

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