Britvic (LON:BVIC) has successfully managed two potential threats – the Soft Drinks Levy (SDIL) and the industry CO2 shortage – to confirm modest earnings growth prospects for FY18. The recent heatwave might otherwise have driven outperformance. But with redirected marketing driving double-digit stills growth, the position was held. Looking forward, as BVIC’s business capability program completes and benefits start to flow, more meaningful earnings growth may narrow the discount to peers.
Resilient performance in Q3
Three factors complicated Q3: the SDIL (from April), CO2 shortages and the heatwave. BVIC managed these resiliently, with Q3 total revenue growth of 3.4%, taking the year to date to 4.2% (H1: 4.5%). On an ex-SDIL basis Q3 declined 0.6%. That was led by GB sales +1.9% with outstanding stills growth of 11.7%, where, responding to the CO2 issue, marketing was switched from carbonates, -2.9%. Regions mainly grew strongly: Ireland +6.6% ex-SDIL, Brazil +10.2%, international (mainly US) +8.7%. France declined 15.0%, on strong comps and poor weather.
Market share growth in major brands
Within carbonates, Pepsi continued to gain share, led by the no-sugar Pepsi Max. Meanwhile, buoyed by the marketing switch, stills showed strong growth for both Robinsons, which has been re-establishing share, and J2O. A range of H2 activation actions, highlighted at interim, are being executed effectively in wider regions. Management, which has guided to a net zero profit effect from SDIL, should be able to give a clearer analysis of any net impact at the year end.
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