Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) Holds 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Regulatory News:
Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE / Euronext Paris: PM) held its
2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders today. Louis C. Camilleri, Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, addressed shareholders and
answered questions. André Calantzopoulos, Chief Operating Officer, gave
the business presentation, focusing on PMI’s performance since its
spin-off in March 2008, which has seen total shareholder return reach
135% through April 30, 2013.
“I firmly believe that we still have great opportunities to continue to
grow our existing tobacco business through the further expansion of our
terrific brand portfolio, additional investments in consumer-relevant
innovation and communication, the continued roll-out of our commercial
approach, judicious pricing, and a continued focus on efficiency and
productivity savings,” noted Mr. Calantzopoulos, who went on to describe
the company’s mid to longer-term additional growth opportunities of
further geographic expansion, reducing the prevalence of illicit trade
and the commercialization of Next Generation Products.
Mr. Calantzopoulos also paid tribute to Louis Camilleri, whom, as
previously announced on March 13, 2013, he succeeded as Chief Executive
Officer effective immediately following the Meeting. He cited Mr.
Camilleri’s “passion for the company, his vision and critical and
insightful analysis, his regard for the well-being and development of
our employees, and his devotion to the integrity and transparency of
communications to investors and to enhancing shareholder value.” Mr.
Camilleri will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board.
Stating that “the bulk of our EPS growth this year is expected to occur
in the latter part of the year, and we anticipate a particularly strong
fourth quarter,” Mr. Calantzopoulos reaffirmed the company’s 2013
full-year reported diluted earnings per share forecast to be in a range
of $5.55 to $5.65, versus $5.17 in 2012, as previously announced on
April 18, 2013. Excluding an unfavorable currency impact, at then
prevailing exchange rates, of approximately $0.19 for the full-year
2013, reported diluted earnings per share are projected to increase by
approximately 10-12% versus adjusted diluted earnings per share of $5.22
in 2012, calculated as reported diluted EPS of $5.17, plus a $0.02 per
share charge related to discrete tax items and a $0.03 per share charge
related to asset impairment and exit costs.
This forecast excludes the impact of any potential future acquisitions,
unanticipated asset impairment and exit cost charges, changes in
currency exchange rates and any unusual events. The factors described in
the Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements section of this release
represent continuing risks to these projections.
Matters put before the Meeting were: the nomination for election of
thirteen nominees for director named in the Company’s Proxy Statement;
the ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA as
independent auditors; and, the approval on an advisory basis of the
compensation of named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s
Proxy Statement. Final voting results will be included in a Form 8-K
that will be filed with the SEC.
An archived copy of the audio webcast of PMI’s Annual Meeting of
Shareholders will be available until 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 6,
2013 at www.pmi.com/webcasts.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release contains projections of future results and other
forward-looking statements. Achievement of projected results is subject
to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. In the event that
risks or uncertainties materialize, or underlying assumptions prove
inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those contained in
such forward-looking statements. Pursuant to the “safe harbor”
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, PMI
is identifying important factors that, individually or in the aggregate,
could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those
contained in any forward-looking statements made by PMI.
PMI’s business risks include: significant increases in cigarette-related
taxes; the imposition of discriminatory excise tax structures;
fluctuations in customer inventory levels due to increases in product
taxes and prices; increasing marketing and regulatory restrictions,
often with the goal of reducing or preventing the use of tobacco
products; health concerns relating to the use of tobacco products and
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; litigation related to tobacco
use; intense competition; the effects of global and individual country
economic, regulatory and political developments; changes in adult smoker
behavior; lost revenues as a result of counterfeiting, contraband and
cross-border purchases; governmental investigations; unfavorable
currency exchange rates and currency devaluations; adverse changes in
applicable corporate tax laws; adverse changes in the cost and quality
of tobacco and other agricultural products and raw materials; and the
integrity of its information systems. PMI’s future profitability may
also be adversely affected should it be unsuccessful in its attempts to
produce products with the potential to reduce the risk of
smoking-related diseases; if it is unable to successfully introduce new
products, promote brand equity, enter new markets or improve its margins
through increased prices and productivity gains; if it is unable to
expand its brand portfolio internally or through acquisitions and the
development of strategic business relationships; or if it is unable to
attract and retain the best global talent.
PMI is further subject to other risks detailed from time to time in its
publicly filed documents, including the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2013. PMI cautions that the foregoing list of important
factors is not a complete discussion of all potential risks and
uncertainties. PMI does not undertake to update any forward-looking
statement that it may make from time to time, except in the normal
course of its public disclosure obligations.
Philip Morris International Inc.
Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) is the leading international
tobacco company, with seven of the world’s top 15 brands, including Marlboro,
the number one cigarette brand worldwide. PMI’s products are sold in
more than 180 markets. In 2012, the company held an estimated 16.3%
share of the total international cigarette market outside of the U.S.,
or 28.8% excluding the People’s Republic of China and the U.S. For more
information, see www.pmi.com.