Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2014 Results

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: CCE)(Euronext Paris: CCE) today reported full-year 2014 earnings per diluted share of $2.63, or $2.85 on a comparable basis. Currency translation had a positive impact of approximately 6 cents on full-year comparable earnings per diluted share.

Reported operating income for the year totaled $1.0 billion; comparable operating income totaled $1.1 billion, up 5 percent and up 3 percent on a comparable and currency-neutral basis versus a year ago. Items affecting comparability are detailed on pages 11 through 14 of this release.

Reported earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter were 46 cents, or 58 cents on a comparable basis. Currency translation had a negative impact of approximately 5 cents on fourth-quarter comparable earnings per diluted share.

“Throughout 2014, persistent macroeconomic and marketplace headwinds continued to affect our business and our top-line growth,” said John F. Brock, chairman and chief executive officer. “While this impacted our ability to achieve our full-year net sales and operating income objectives, we adjusted our plans, focused on generating strong free cash flow, and achieved our earnings per share growth objective.

“As we go forward into 2015, we will continue to adapt to these operating conditions, with a solid emphasis on innovation in every aspect of our business,” Mr. Brock said. “We will remain flexible in our approach and continue to manage each element of our business to deliver on our most important objective, creating value for our shareowners.”

OPERATING REVIEW

For the full year, total volume was flat. Sparkling drinks declined ½ percent, including flat volume for our total Coca-Cola trademark brands. Coca-Cola Zero contributed substantial growth of 11 percent for the year. Sparkling flavors declined 2 percent, with growth of 6½ percent for our energy portfolio. Still beverages grew 1½ percent, with juices down ½ percent and water up 5½ percent, led by Chaudfontaine and the introduction of smartwater in Great Britain. Total volume in Great Britain declined ½ percent and volume in continental Europe (including Norway and Sweden) increased ½ percent for the full year.

Full-year net sales totaled $8.3 billion, up ½ percent on a reported basis, or down ½ percent on a currency-neutral basis. Net pricing per case for the full year declined ½ percent, and cost of sales per case declined 1 percent. Operating expenses increased approximately 1 percent. These figures are presented on a comparable and currency-neutral basis. Free cash flow for 2014 totaled $677 million.

For the fourth quarter, volume grew 2 percent, driven primarily by growth in Coca-Cola trademark brands, including 9 percent growth for Coca-Cola Zero and introductory volume for Coca-Cola Life. Sparkling flavors grew 1 percent, with growth of 11 percent for our energy portfolio. Still beverages grew 7½ percent, with juices up 4 percent and water up 12½ percent in the quarter. Fourth-quarter volume in Great Britain grew 6 percent, and continental European volume declined 1 percent.

Fourth-quarter net sales totaled $1.9 billion, down 5½ percent on a reported basis, or up 1½ percent on a currency-neutral basis. Reported operating income totaled $195 million, a decline of 10 percent. On a comparable basis, operating income totaled $227 million, a decline of 2 percent, or an increase of 5 percent on a comparable and currency-neutral basis. Fourth-quarter net pricing per case declined 2 percent, and cost of sales per case declined 2½ percent, both on a comparable and currency-neutral basis.

“Despite the continued challenges in our markets, we believe our commitment to customer service and innovation, as well as continued focus on improving efficiency and effectiveness, will allow us to realize available growth opportunities,” said Hubert Patricot, executive vice president and president, European Group.

“Our business plan for 2015 includes solid brand, package, and marketplace initiatives, including expanding the distribution of new products such as Coca-Cola Life and Finley. We also will continue to increase our penetration in the convenience channel, grow our digital sales presence, and optimize the high levels of service we provide our customers,” Mr. Patricot said.

SHARE REPURCHASE

CCE repurchased approximately $925 million of its shares in 2014, reflecting our commitment to generate cash from operations, optimize our capital structure, and to return excess cash to shareowners. In 2015, the company expects to repurchase approximately $600 million of its shares. These plans may be adjusted depending on economic, operating, or other factors, including acquisition opportunities.

FULL-YEAR 2015 OUTLOOK

CCE expects 2015 earnings per diluted share to grow in a range of 6 percent to 8 percent on a comparable and currency-neutral basis. Although it is too early to predict the impact, based on recent exchange rates, currency translation would negatively impact full-year earnings per diluted share by approximately 16 percent.

Net sales and operating income are expected to be slightly positive on a comparable and currency-neutral basis. The company also expects 2015 free cash flow in a range of $600 million to $650 million, including the expected negative impact of currency translation based on recent rates. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $325 million. Weighted-average cost of debt is expected to be approximately 3 percent. The comparable effective tax rate for 2015 is expected to be in a range of 27 percent to 28 percent.

CONFERENCE CALL

CCE will host a conference call with investors and analysts today at 10 a.m. ET. The call can be accessed through the company’s website at www.cokecce.com.

ABOUT CCE

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (CCE) is the leading Western European marketer, producer, and distributor of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages and one of the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottlers. CCE is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. We operate with a local focus and have 17 manufacturing sites across Europe, where we manufacture nearly 90 percent of our products in the markets in which they are consumed. Corporate responsibility and sustainability is core to our business, and we have been recognized by leading organizations in North America and Europe for our progress in water use reduction, carbon footprint reduction, and recycling initiatives. For more information about our company, please visit our website at www.cokecce.com and follow us on Twitter at @cokecce.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Included in this news release are forward-looking management comments and other statements that reflect management’s current outlook for future periods. As always, these expectations are based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data along with our current operating plans and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release should be read in conjunction with the risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our most recent Form 10-K and other SEC filings.

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share data)
		Fourth Quarter (a)												Full Year
		2014						2013						2014						2013
Net sales		$	1,925					$	2,032					$	8,264					$	8,212
Cost of sales		1,256						1,344						5,291						5,350
Gross profit		669						688						2,973						2,862
Selling, delivery, and administrative expenses		474						471						1,954						1,948
Operating income		195						217						1,019						914
Interest expense, net		30						28						119						103
Other nonoperating expense		(7		)				(3		)				(7		)				(6		)
Income before income taxes		158						186						893						805
Income tax expense		46						51						230						138
Net income		$	112					$	135					$	663					$	667
Basic earnings per share		$	0.46					$	0.52					$	2.68					$	2.49
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.46					$	0.51					$	2.63					$	2.44
Dividends declared per share		$	0.25					$	0.20					$	1.00					$	0.80
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		242						258						247						268
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		246						264						252						273

___________________________

(a) Amounts presented for the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2013 have not been audited.

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013
Net income			$	663			$	667
Components of other comprehensive (loss) income:
Currency translations
Pretax activity, net			(482		)		82
Tax effect			—				—
Currency translations, net of tax			(482		)		82
Net investment hedges
Pretax activity, net			256				(61		)
Tax effect			(90		)		21
Net investment hedges, net of tax			166				(40		)
Cash flow hedges
Pretax activity, net			(15		)		21
Tax effect			4				(6		)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax			(11		)		15
Pension plan adjustments
Pretax activity, net			(79		)		57
Tax effect			23				(15		)
Pension plan adjustments, net of tax			(56		)		42
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax			(383		)		99
Comprehensive income			$	280			$	766

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
		December 31,
		2014						2013
ASSETS
Current:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	223					$	343
Trade accounts receivable		1,514						1,515
Amounts receivable from The Coca-Cola Company		67						89
Inventories		388						452
Other current assets		268						169
Total current assets		2,460						2,568
Property, plant, and equipment, net		2,101						2,353
Franchise license intangible assets, net		3,641						4,004
Goodwill		101						124
Other noncurrent assets		240						476
Total assets		$	8,543					$	9,525
LIABILITIES
Current:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	1,872					$	1,939
Amounts payable to The Coca-Cola Company		104						145
Current portion of debt		632						111
Total current liabilities		2,608						2,195
Debt, less current portion		3,320						3,726
Other noncurrent liabilities		207						221
Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities		977						1,103
Total liabilities		7,112						7,245
SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY
Common stock		3						3
Additional paid-in capital		3,958						3,899
Reinvested earnings		1,991						1,577
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(714		)				(331		)
Common stock in treasury, at cost		(3,807		)				(2,868		)
Total shareowners’ equity		1,431						2,280
Total liabilities and shareowners’ equity		$	8,543					$	9,525

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income		$	663			$	667
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash derived from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		309				308
Share-based compensation expense		28				33
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		65				(77		)
Pension expense less than contributions		(3		)		(19		)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivables		(151		)		(45		)
Inventories		15				(57		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(110		)		(21		)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		94				100
Other changes, net		72				(56		)
Net cash derived from operating activities		982				833
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital asset investments		(332		)		(313		)
Capital asset disposals		27				4
Settlement of net investment hedges		21				(21		)
Net cash used in investing activities		(284		)		(330		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net change in commercial paper		146				—
Issuances of debt		347				931
Payments on debt		(114		)		(623		)
Share repurchases under share repurchase programs		(912		)		(1,006		)
Dividend payments on common stock		(246		)		(213		)
Other financing activities, net		(10		)		15
Net cash used in financing activities		(789		)		(896		)
Net effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(29		)		15
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents		(120		)		(378		)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year		343				721
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year		$	223			$	343

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP (a)
(Unaudited; in millions, except per share data which is calculated prior to rounding)
		Fourth-Quarter 2014
		Cost of Sales				Selling, Delivery, and Administrative Expenses			Operating Income			Other Nonoperating (Expense) Income			Income Tax Expense			Net Income				Diluted Earnings Per Share
Reported (GAAP)		$	1,256			474			195			(7	)		46			$	112			$	0.46
	Items Impacting Comparability:
	Mark-to-Market Effects (b)	(1		)		(11	)		12			—			3			9				0.04
	Restructuring Charges (c)	—				(18	)		18			—			5			13				0.05
	Other Items (d)	(2		)		—			2			8			2			8				0.03
Comparable (non-GAAP)		$	1,253			445			227			1			56			$	142			$	0.58
						Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding																246
		Fourth-Quarter 2013
		Cost of Sales				Selling, Delivery, and Administrative Expenses			Operating Income			Other Nonoperating (Expense) Income			Income Tax Expense			Net Income				Diluted Earnings Per Share
Reported (GAAP)		$	1,344			471			217			(3	)		51			$	135			$	0.51
	Items Impacting Comparability:
	Mark-to-Market Effects (b)	1				—			(1	)		—			—			(1		)		—
	Restructuring Charges (c)	(1		)		(10	)		11			—			6			5				0.02
	Tax Indemnification Changes (e)	—				(5	)		5			—			2			3				0.01
Comparable (non-GAAP)		$	1,344			456			232			(3	)		59			$	142			$	0.54
						Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding																264

___________________________

(a) These non-GAAP measures are provided to allow investors to more clearly evaluate our operating performance and business trends. Management uses this information to review results excluding items that are not necessarily indicative of ongoing results. The adjusting items are based on established defined terms and thresholds and represent all material items management considered for year-over-year comparability.

(b) Amounts represent the net out of period mark-to-market impact of non-designated commodity hedges.

(c) Amounts represent nonrecurring restructuring charges.

(d) Amounts represent charges related to the impairment of our investment in our recycling joint venture in Great Britain.

(e) Amounts represent post-Merger changes to certain underlying tax matters covered by our indemnification to TCCC for periods prior to the Merger.

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP (a)
(Unaudited; in millions, except per share data which is calculated prior to rounding)
			Full-Year 2014
			Cost of Sales				Selling, Delivery, and Administrative Expenses			Operating Income			Other Nonoperating (Expense) Income			Income Tax Expense			Net Income				Diluted Earnings Per Share
Reported (GAAP) (b)			$	5,291			1,954			1,019			(7	)		230			$	663			$	2.63
	Items Impacting Comparability:
	Mark-to-Market Effects (c)		13				(11	)		(2	)		—			(1	)		(1		)		—
	Restructuring Charges (d)		—				(81	)		81			—			26			55				0.22
	Other Items (e)		(2		)		—			2			8			2			8				0.03
	Net Tax Items (g)		—				—			—			—			6			(6		)		(0.03		)
Comparable (non-GAAP)			$	5,302			1,862			1,100			1			263			$	719			$	2.85
							Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding																252
			Full-Year 2013
			Cost of Sales				Selling, Delivery, and Administrative Expenses			Operating Income			Other Nonoperating (Expense) Income			Income Tax Expense			Net Income				Diluted Earnings Per Share
Reported (GAAP) (b)			$	5,350			1,948			914			(6	)		138			$	667			$	2.44
	Items Impacting Comparability:
	Mark-to-Market Effects (c)		(7		)		—			7			—			2			5				0.02
	Restructuring Charges (d)		(5		)		(115	)		120			—			37			83				0.30
	Tax Indemnification Changes (f)		—				(5	)		5			—			2			3				0.01
	Net Tax Items (g)		—				—			—			—			71			(71		)		(0.26		)
Comparable (non-GAAP)			$	5,338			1,828			1,046			(6	)		250			$	687			$	2.51
							Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding																273

___________________________

(a) These non-GAAP measures are provided to allow investors to more clearly evaluate our operating performance and business trends. Management uses this information to review results excluding items that are not necessarily indicative of ongoing results. The adjusting items are based on established defined terms and thresholds and represent all material items management considered for year-over-year comparability.

(b) As reflected in CCE's U.S. GAAP Consolidated Financial Statements.

(c) Amounts represent the net out of period mark-to-market impact of non-designated commodity hedges.

(d) Amounts represent nonrecurring restructuring charges.

(e) Amounts represent charges related to the impairment of our investment in our recycling joint venture in Great Britain.

(f) Amounts represent post-Merger changes to certain underlying tax matters covered by our indemnification to TCCC for periods prior to the Merger.

(g) Amounts represent the tax impact of both cumulative nonrecurring items and changes in income tax rates on the year.

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP SEGMENT INCOME (a)
(Unaudited; in millions)
			Full-Year 2014
			Europe				Corporate				Operating Income
Reported (GAAP) (b)			$	1,151			$	(132	)		$	1,019
	Items Impacting Comparability:
	Mark-to-Market Effects (c)		—				(2		)		(2		)
	Restructuring Charges (d)		81				—				81
	Other Items (e)		2				—				2
Comparable (non-GAAP)			$	1,234			$	(134	)		$	1,100
			Full-Year 2013
			Europe				Corporate				Operating Income
Reported (GAAP) (b)			$	1,063			$	(149	)		$	914
	Items Impacting Comparability:
	Mark-to-Market Effects (c)		—				7				7
	Restructuring Charges (d)		120				—				120
	Tax Indemnification Changes (f)		—				5				5
Comparable (non-GAAP)			$	1,183			$	(137	)		$	1,046
			Fourth-Quarter 2014
			Europe				Corporate				Operating Income
Reported (GAAP)			$	240			$	(45	)		$	195
	Items Impacting Comparability:
	Mark-to-Market Effects (c)		—				12				12
	Restructuring Charges (d)		18				—				18
	Other Items (e)		2				—				2
Comparable (non-GAAP)			$	260			$	(33	)		$	227
			Fourth-Quarter 2013
			Europe				Corporate				Operating Income
Reported (GAAP)			$	259			$	(42	)		$	217
	Items Impacting Comparability:
	Mark-to-Market Effects (c)		—				(1		)		(1		)
	Restructuring Charges (d)		11				—				11
	Tax Indemnification Changes (f)		—				5				5
Comparable (non-GAAP)			$	270			$	(38	)		$	232

___________________________

(a) Amounts represent post-Merger changes to certain underlying tax matters covered by our indemnification to The Coca-Cola Company for periods prior to the Merger.

(b) As reflected in CCE's U.S. GAAP Consolidated Financial Statements.

(c) Amounts represent the net out of period mark-to-market impact of non-designated commodity hedges.

(d) Amounts represent nonrecurring restructuring charges.

(e) Amounts represent charges related to the impairment of our investment in our recycling joint venture in Great Britain.

(f) Amounts represent post-Merger changes to certain underlying tax matters covered by our indemnification to The Coca-Cola Company for periods prior to the Merger.

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
(Unaudited; in millions, except percentages)
				Fourth-Quarter 2014 Change Versus Fourth-Quarter 2013					Full-Year 2014 Change Versus Full-Year 2013
Net Sales Per Case
Change in Net Sales per Case				(8.5)%					0.5%
	Impact of Excluding Post Mix, Non-Trade, and Other			(0.5)					—
Bottle and Can Net Pricing Per Case				(9.0)					0.5
	Impact of Currency Exchange Rate Changes			7.0					(1.0)
Currency-Neutral Bottle and Can
	Net Pricing Per Case (a)			(2.0)%					(0.5)%
Cost of Sales Per Case
Change in Cost of Sales per Case				(9.5)%					(1.0)%
	Impact of Excluding Post Mix, Non-Trade, and Other			—					1.0
Bottle and Can Cost of Sales Per Case				(9.5)					—
	Impact of Currency Exchange Rate Changes			7.0					(1.0)
Currency-Neutral Bottle and Can
	Cost of Sales Per Case (a)			(2.5)%					(1.0)%
Physical Case Bottle and Can Volume
Change in Volume				3.5%					—%
	Impact of Selling Day Shift			(1.5)					N/A
Comparable Bottle and Can Volume (b)				2.0%					—%
				Full Year
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow (c)				2014					2013
Net Cash Derived From Operating Activities				$	982				$	833
Less: Capital Asset Investments				(332		)			(313		)
Add: Capital Asset Disposals				27					4
Free Cash Flow				$	677				$	524
Reconciliation of Net Debt (d)				December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
Current Portion of Debt				$	632				$	111
Debt, Less Current Portion				3,320					3,726
Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents				(223		)			(343		)
Net Debt				$	3,729				$	3,494

___________________________

(a) The non-GAAP financial measures "Currency-Neutral Bottle and Can Net Pricing Per Case" and "Currency-Neutral Bottle and Can Cost of Sales per Case" are used to more clearly evaluate bottle and can pricing and cost trends in the marketplace. These measures exclude items not directly related to bottle and can pricing or cost and currency exchange rate changes.

(b) The non-GAAP measure "Comparable Bottle and Can Volume" is used to analyze the performance of our business on a constant period basis. There was one additional selling day in the fourth-quarter of 2014 versus the fourth-quarter of 2013. There were the same number of selling days in the full year 2014 versus the full year 2013.

(c) The non-GAAP measure "Free Cash Flow" is provided to focus management and investors on the cash available for debt reduction, dividend distributions, share repurchase, and acquisition opportunities.

(d) The non-GAAP measure "Net Debt" is used to more clearly evaluate our capital structure and leverage.