Oak Brook / IL. (mdc) McDonald´s Corporation announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014, reflecting lower revenues, operating income and earnings per share. «McDonald´s third quarter results reflect a significant decline versus a year ago, with our business and financial performance pressured by a variety of factors – from a higher effective tax rate, to unusual events in the operating environments in APMEA and Europe, to under-performance in the U.S., our largest geographic segment», said McDonald´s President and Chief Executive Officer Don Thompson.
«While our ability to withstand these factors is a testament to the Company´s enduring brand and strong financial foundation, by all measures our performance fell short of our expectations». Don Thompson continued, «We recognize that we must demonstrate to our customers and the entire McDonald´s System that we understand the problems we face and are taking decisive action to fundamentally change the way we approach our business».
The Company is implementing a new global approach designed to increase its relevance with customers and drive guest traffic. This is focused on three specific areas:
- McDonald´s Experience of the Future – a comprehensive restaurant execution concept that elevates the menu and customer experience elements that are hallmarks of the McDonald´s brand, and capitalizes on investments in re-imaging, service and technology enhancements to improve the look, feel and convenience of the McDonald´s experience in ways that are in-tune with today´s consumer needs,
- Digital Strategy – a global strategy built around simplifying the customer journey across ordering, payment and mobile offers – beginning with the implementation of exciting and relevant new options, such as Apple Pay,
- Resourcing for Growth – a diligent review of the organization´s structure and use of resources in order to redirect spending toward those initiatives, such as the digital strategy and the McDonald´s Experience of the Future, that will support the Company´s key long-term growth initiatives.
Third quarter results included:
- Global comparable sales decrease of 3.3 percent, reflecting negative guest traffic in all major segments and the impact of the previously-disclosed supplier issue in certain markets in APMEA
- Consolidated revenues decrease of five percent (four percent in constant currencies), partly due to the impact of the supplier issue
- Consolidated operating income decrease of 14 percent (14 percent in constant currencies), approximately half due to the impact of the supplier issue, and the remainder largely due to soft operating performance in the U.S. and certain markets in Europe
- Effective tax rate of 44.4 percent, primarily due to an increase in tax reserves related to certain foreign tax matters
- Diluted earnings per share of 1.09 USD, a decrease of 28 percent (28 percent in constant currencies). The following items, which total 0.42 USD per share, negatively impacted diluted earnings per share by 28 percent (28 percent in constant currencies) for the quarter:
- 0.26 USD per share due to an increase in tax reserves related to certain foreign tax matters
- 0.15 USD per share due to the estimated impact of the supplier issue resulting from lost sales and profitability
- 0.01 USD per share due to the estimated impact of temporary store closures in Russia and Ukraine
- Excluding the impact of these items, earnings per share for the quarter would have been relatively flat compared to last year. This supplemental information is provided to help investors understand the impact of recent events on the Company´s results.
- Returned 4.6 billion USD year-to-date September to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, in connection with our 18 million USD to 20 billion USD, three-year cash return target
In addition, the Company previously announced the following:
- On September 18, 2014, McDonald´s Board of Directors increased the quarterly cash dividend by five percent to 0.85 USD per share – the equivalent of 3.40 USD per share annually – effective for the fourth quarter 2014
In the U.S., third quarter comparable sales decreased 3.3 percent driven by negative guest traffic amid sustained competitive activity. Operating income for the quarter declined ten percent as initiatives to address the current market dynamics did not translate into improved financial results. Under the leadership of the segment´s recently elected President, Mike Andres, McDonald´s U.S. is moving quickly to implement new initiatives designed to deliver:
- A flatter, more nimble organization that ensures key business decisions are made closer to the customer, by people with local market expertise,
- A revamped marketing approach that links national messaging around our food quality, brand transparency and people initiatives – complemented by local ad campaigns that are responsive to individual market preferences, and
- A simplified menu that showcases the Company´s core products and features locally-relevant menu options – available in new, customizable ways.
Europe´s third quarter comparable sales declined 1.4 percent and operating income decreased two percent (two percent in constant currencies). While consumer confidence and other issues related to the operating environment in Russia and Ukraine and ongoing weakness in Germany negatively impacted the segment´s quarterly results, the U.K. delivered positive comparable sales and operating income performance. Looking ahead, McDonald´s Europe will work to build guest traffic by pursuing targeted opportunities that leverage everyday value, classic core favourites, blended-ice beverages and key day-part initiatives.
APMEA´s third quarter comparable sales decreased 9.9 percent and operating income declined 55 percent (56 percent in constant currencies) due primarily to the impact of the supplier issue on sales and profitability in China, Japan and certain other markets. APMEA is diligently working to restore consumer trust and confidence in McDonald´s brand and strengthen the segment´s financial results to continue driving the long-term potential of this segment.
Don Thompson concluded, «We began 2014 mindful of the challenges we faced in driving sales and profitability. The internal factors and external headwinds have proven more formidable than expected and will continue into the fourth quarter, with global comparable sales for October expected to be negative. These significant challenges call for equally significant changes in the way we do business. In the U.S., we are driving decision making from headquarters back into the field, where our restaurants serve the daily needs of our customers in their local communities. In our international markets, we are taking action to restore customer trust and regain business momentum. We understand the depth of the challenges and we are responding with the sense of urgency required to improve our performance».
The following items, which total 0.42 USD per share, negatively impacted diluted earnings per share by 28 percent (28 percent in constant currencies) for the quarter and ten percent (ten percent in constant currencies) for the nine months:
- 0.26 USD per share due to an increase in tax reserves for 2003 to 2008 resulting from an unfavorable lower tax court ruling in a foreign tax jurisdiction, as well as an increase in tax reserves related to audit progression in other foreign tax jurisdictions.
- 0.15 USD per share due to the estimated impact of the previously-disclosed supplier issue in China. In mid-July, food quality issues were discovered at a supplier to McDonald´s and other food companies in China. As a consequence, results in China, Japan and certain other markets were negatively impacted due to lost sales and profitability, including expenses associated with our recovery efforts.
- 0.01 USD per share due to the estimated impact of temporary store closures in Russia and Ukraine.
- Excluding the impact of these items, earnings per share for the quarter would have been relatively flat compared to last year. This supplemental information is provided to help investors understand the impact of recent events on the Company´s results.
In addition, foreign currency translation had a negative impact of 0.01 USD and 0.04 USD on diluted earnings per share for the quarter and nine months, respectively.
