On 26 February 2020, Diageo PLC (LON:DGE) updated on the impact of COVID-19 in Greater China, certain other Asia Pacific markets and Travel Retail, mainly in the Asia Pacific region. We are now providing additional information due to the spread of COVID-19 to most of our other markets. Widespread containment actions put in place by governments across the globe in March, including the closure of bars and restaurants, are having a significant impact on the performance of our business.
Our people and our stakeholders
The safety of our people remains our highest priority. We have stringent safety protocols across all sites, including heightened sanitation measures and restrictions on movement to and from our sites and all employees who can work from home are doing so.
We are working closely with our suppliers and customers to minimise business disruption. We are donating alcohol to make more than eight million bottles of sanitiser for frontline healthcare workers around the world, while providing support packages for bartenders and others impacted by COVID-19 related closures. We will continue to actively help our industry and communities.
Current trading environment
Social distancing measures, including the closure of the on-trade channels, have been introduced in most of our markets. We are tracking changes in consumer behaviour during this time and adjusting our plans and resources in response.
In mainland China, we are beginning to see a very slow return of on-trade consumption, as restaurants and bars have started to gradually re-open. The significant impact on global Travel Retail, referred to in our 26 February update, has extended beyond Asia Pacific into other markets in March due to a steep drop in passenger numbers, as well as new travel restrictions imposed by many countries.
In North America, where the on-trade channel accounts for approximately 20% of US Spirits’ net sales, most States closed bars and restaurants in March. In Europe, there have been significant closures of on-trade premises in most countries. This channel accounts for approximately 50% of Europe net sales, although the size of the on-trade channel varies significantly between individual countries. In both of these regions, we have seen some pick-up in the off-trade channel (retail stores) in recent weeks, although it is unclear whether this will be sustained.
In India, a nationwide lockdown has closed the on and off-trade channels, as well as production facilities across most industries, including United Spirits’ supply operations, for an initial period of three weeks until 14 April 2020.
In our main markets in Africa, the on-trade channels have also been impacted, and we have closed two of our production sites in Nigeria. South Africa has imposed a nationwide lockdown for an initial period of three weeks until 16 April 2020. Governments have also placed restrictions on the on-trade in a number of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Cost mitigation and cash management
In the short term, we are reducing discretionary expenditure and reallocating resources across the group. As part of these mitigation measures, we are stopping A&P spend that will not be effective in the current environment. We are also tightly managing working capital and deferring discretionary capital expenditure projects. We are providing an appropriate level of support to our key suppliers and customers to ensure we are strongly positioned for a recovery in consumer demand.
Financial guidance
Given the global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the uncertainty around the severity and duration of the impact across multiple markets, we are not in a position to accurately assess the impact of this on our future financial performance. We are therefore withdrawing our guidance on group organic net sales growth and organic operating profit growth for fiscal 2020.
Balance sheet and liquidity
We have a strong balance sheet and at 31 December 2019, our adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio was 2.8 times. There are no financial covenants attached to our outstanding short or long-term debt.
We are taking actions to ensure we maintain good liquidity including, as previously announced on 24 March 2020, completing the issuance of new euro and sterling bonds totalling approximately £1.9 billion. We also have available the committed bank facilities of £2.8 billion, which are subject to a single financial covenant of a minimum of two times interest cover.[1]
Returns to shareholders
On 30 January 2020, we announced an interim dividend of 27.41 pence per share to be paid to holders of ordinary shares and ADRs on the register as of 28 February 2020. The ex-dividend date was 27 February 2020 and the interim dividend will be paid to ordinary shareholders as scheduled on 9 April 2020 and to US ADR holders on 14 April 2020.
On 25 July 2019, the Board approved a return of capital programme with up to £4.5 billion to be returned to shareholders over the three-year period to 30 June 2022. Under the first phase of the programme, which ended on 31 January 2020, we returned £1.25 billion via share buybacks. We have not initiated the next phase of the three-year programme and we will not do so during the remainder of fiscal 2020.
Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive, said:
“During this challenging time, our top priority is to safeguard the health and well-being of our people, while taking necessary action to protect our business. I am confident in Diageo’s long-term strategy and our ability to move quickly in this difficult environment. We will continue to execute with discipline and invest prudently to ensure we are strongly positioned for a recovery in consumer demand. I am proud of the resilience and commitment of our people as they work hard to support our partners, customers and communities.”
