The Jean Coutu Group: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2015 Results

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Jan 8, 2015) - The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (the "Corporation" or the "Jean Coutu Group") (TSX:PJC.A) reported today its financial results for the quarter ended November 29, 2014.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

(Unaudited, in millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

Third quarter

39-week period

2015

2014

2015

2014

$

$

$

$

Revenues

736.7

712.5

2,099.7

2,047.9

Operating income before amortization ("OIBA")

84.8

88.0

247.8

247.0

Gains related to the investment in Rite Aid

-

-

-

212.7

Net profit

56.0

62.5

163.7

379.3

Per share

0.30

0.30

0.87

1.79

Net profit before gains related to the investment in Rite Aid (1)

56.0

62.5

163.7

166.6

Per share

0.30

0.30

0.87

0.79

(1)

See the "Non-IFRS financial measure" section.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Revenues increased by 3.4% to $736.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2015.

  • OIBA decreased by $3.2 million to $84.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 following an increase in expenses related to share-based payments instruments of $4.0 million.

  • The Corporation cancelled a portion of $250.0 million of the $500.0 million aggregate amount available under the credit facility in order to reduce standby fees.

Financial results

"The front end sales increased during the third quarter despite a very competitive environment which reflects a successful implementation of our strategies" stated Mr. Francois J. Coutu". "We will continue dedicating the necessary efforts to reach our objectives, thus sustain our long term growth."

Revenues

Revenues consist mainly of sales and other revenues derived from franchising activities. Merchandise sales to PJC franchisees made mostly through our distribution centres account for the greater part of our revenues.

Revenues amounted to $736.7 million during the quarter ended November 29, 2014, compared with $712.5 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2013. During the 39-week period of fiscal year 2015, revenues amounted to $2,099.7 million compared with 2,047.9 million for the same period of the previous fiscal year, an increase of 2.5%. This increase is attributable to overall market growth and the expansion of the PJC network of franchised stores despite the deflationary impact on revenues of the volume increase in prescriptions of generic drugs compared with brand name drugs as well as the price reductions of generic drugs.

OIBA

OIBA decreased by $3.2 million to $84.8 million during the quarter ended November 29, 2014 compared with $88.0 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2013. For the third quarter of fiscal year 2015, OIBA was negatively impacted by the share-based payments instruments (stock appreciation rights and deferred share units) expenses of $4.4 million, compared with $0.4 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2013. The increase of this expense is mainly due to the growth of the Corporation's share market price. OIBA as a percentage of revenues ended the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 at 11.5% compared with 12.4% for the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.