Company Delivers Strong Net Sales Momentum, with all Business Segments Posting Growth in the Quarter

BURLINGTON, Mass. and FRISCO, Texas, Oct. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ: KDP) today reported strong results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022 and reaffirmed its full-year guidance for constant currency net sales growth in the low-double-digit range and Adjusted EPS growth in the mid-single-digit range.

Commenting on the announcement, CEO Ozan Dokmecioglu stated, “The third quarter was another strong one for KDP, as we again demonstrated the advantages of our all-weather business model, which has proven adept at performing well in an evolving macro environment to meet the needs of consumers.  While the macro landscape remains challenging, our cold beverages portfolio continues to perform exceptionally well, with strong in-market execution and increased marketing investment driving consistent growth in LRB market share.  At the same time, our coffee business has steadily recovered from the significant supply chain disruption earlier this year and is poised to deliver strong sales and earnings growth in the fourth quarter.” 

Third Quarter Consolidated Results
Net sales for the third quarter of 2022 increased 11.4% to $3.62 billion, compared to $3.25 billion in the year-ago period and, on a constant currency basis, net sales advanced 11.8%.  All four segments grew sales during the quarter.  Driving the consolidated net sales growth was favorable net price realization of 12.1%, only slightly offset by lower volume/mix of 0.3%, reflecting the strength of the portfolio and continued strong in-market execution.  

KDP in-market performance in the Liquid Refreshment Beverages (LRB) category remained strong in the quarter, with retail dollar consumption² advancing 11.2% and total LRB dollar share posting another quarter of growth, largely reflecting strength in premium unflavored waters, seltzers, teas, apple juice and fruit drinks, combined with continued solid performance in CSDs³.  This performance was driven by CORE Hydration, Polar seltzers, Snapple, Mott’s, Hawaiian Punch and Dr Pepper, Crush, Canada Dry, A&W and Squirt CSDs.  

In coffee, retail dollar consumption of single-serve pods manufactured by KDP increased 4.0% in IRi tracked channels, led by higher pricing in both KDP owned and licensed and partner brands, with stronger growth registered in untracked channels.  KDP Manufactured share remained strong at 81.7% in the quarter.

GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2022 decreased 50.4% to $394 million, compared to $795 million in the year-ago period, primarily reflecting a $311 million non-cash impairment charge in the current quarter on the Bai brand.  Also impacting results in the quarter was higher gross profit, partially offset by continued broad-based inflationary pressures and increased marketing investment.  

Adjusted operating income increased 2.0% in the quarter to $947 million, fueled by 8.6% growth in Adjusted gross profit, partially offset by continued broad-based inflationary pressures in transportation, warehousing and retail labor, as well as increased marketing investment.  On a percent of net sales basis, Adjusted operating income was 26.1%.

GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2022 decreased 66.0% to $180 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to $530 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, in the year-ago period.  This performance primarily reflected the unfavorable year-over-year impact of items affecting comparability.

Adjusted net income in the quarter advanced 4.3% to $656 million, driven by the growth in Adjusted operating income and reduced interest expense.  Adjusted diluted EPS in the quarter increased 4.5% to $0.46, compared to $0.44 in the year-ago period.

Operating cash flow in the third quarter of 2022 declined slightly to $759 million, while free cash flow increased slightly to $686 million. 

On September 14, 2022, the Company announced a 6.7% increase in its annualized dividend rate to $0.80 per share, from $0.75 per share, effective with the Company’s regular dividend that was payable on its common stock on October 14, 2022.

Third Quarter Segment Results

Coffee Systems
Net sales for the third quarter of 2022 increased 4.7% to $1.21 billion, compared to $1.16 billion in the year-ago period and, on a constant currency basis, net sales advanced 5.2%.  The constant currency net sales growth was driven by a 7.8% increase in net price realization, partially offset by a 2.6% decrease in volume/mix.

The higher net price realization of 7.8% in the quarter was primarily driven by pricing actions taken in late 2021 and the second quarter of 2022, while the volume/mix decrease of 2.6% was due to pod shipment growth of 3.5%, more than offset by a brewer shipment decline of 15%.  The brewer performance is consistent with the Company’s expectation of returning to its long-term target of adding two million new households into the Keurig system in 2022, which now requires selling fewer brewers than the COVID-driven, elevated level of three million new households having been added in each of the prior two years.

GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2022 decreased 19.2% to $295 million, compared to $365 million in the year-ago period.  This performance largely reflected broad-based inflationary pressure, primarily in green coffee costs, which reached the highest level of the year for KDP due to timing of the Company’s hedges.  Also impacting the results was the unfavorable year-over-year impact of items affecting comparability.  Partially offsetting these factors were the benefits of the net sales growth and productivity.  Adjusted operating income decreased 15.7% to $343 million and, on a percent of net sales basis, totaled 28.4%.

Packaged Beverages
Net sales for the third quarter of 2022 increased 13.5% to $1.76 billion, compared to $1.55 billion in the year-ago period and, on a constant currency basis, net sales advanced 13.6%.  This strong and balanced performance was driven by higher net price realization of 13.6%, with volume/mix even with year-ago, reflecting the strength of the portfolio and continued strong in-market execution.  Broad-based strength across the portfolio was led by CSDs, Snapple, Mott’s, CORE Hydration, Hawaiian Punch, Evian and Polar seltzers.

GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2022 decreased 96.6% to $10 million, compared to $291 million in the year-ago period, primarily reflecting the unfavorable year-over-year impact of items affecting comparability, including the aforementioned $311 million non-cash impairment charge on the Bai brand.  Also impacting the performance was the strong net sales growth and productivity that more than offset broad-based inflation and significantly higher marketing investment in the period.  Adjusted operating income increased 7.9% to $340 million and, on a percent of net sales basis, totaled 19.4%.

Beverage Concentrates
Net sales for the third quarter of 2022 increased 17.1% to $459 million, compared to $392 million in the year-ago period and, on a constant currency basis, advanced 17.3%.  This strong and balanced net sales performance was driven by higher net price realization of 16.6% and favorable volume/mix of 0.7%, reflecting the ongoing strength of the portfolio.  

Total shipment volume was essentially even with the year-ago period, reflecting increases in Dr Pepper and Crush, largely offset by declines in Schweppes and A&W.  Bottler case sales volume in the quarter declined 1.0% versus the year-ago period.

GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2022 increased 20.9% to $347 million, compared to $287 million in the year-ago period, primarily reflecting the strong net sales performance and lower marketing, partially offset by broad-based inflation.  Adjusted operating income increased 21.0% to $350 million and, on a percent of net sales basis, totaled 76.3%.

Latin America Beverages
Net sales for the third quarter of 2022 increased 26.9% to $198 million, compared to net sales of $156 million in the year-ago period and, on a constant currency basis, advanced 28.8%.  This strong and balanced performance was driven by higher net price realization of 17.3% and increased volume/mix of 11.5%, reflecting the strength of the portfolio and continued strong in-market execution.  Leading the net sales growth were Peñafiel, Clamato, Mott’s and Squirt.  

GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2022 increased 5.4% to $39 million, compared to $37 million in the year-ago period, reflecting the strong net sales growth and productivity, partially offset by broad-based inflationary pressures, significantly higher marketing investment and the unfavorable year-over-year impact of items affecting comparability.  Adjusted operating income increased 13.5% to $41 million and, on a percent of net sales basis, totaled 20.7%.

During the quarter, KDP announced a strategic partnership with Red Bull, the iconic global energy brand, to sell and distribute Red Bull in Mexico.  The partnership leverages KDP’s powerful distribution network in Mexico to expand availability of Red Bull in the country.  This agreement furthers KDP’s commitment to win-win partnerships and is expected to strengthen the company’s energy category position, improve its go-to-market scale and drive efficiencies over time.    

KDP 2022 Guidance
KDP reaffirmed its 2022 guidance for constant currency net sales growth in the low-double-digit range and Adjusted EPS growth in the mid-single-digit range.

Investor Contacts:
Steve Alexander
T: 972-673-6769 / [email protected]

Chethan Mallela
T: 646-620-8761 / [email protected]

Media Contact:
Katie Gilroy
T: 781-418-3345 / [email protected]

About Keurig Dr Pepper
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is a leading beverage company in North America, with annual revenue approaching $13 billion and approximately 27,000 employees. KDP holds leadership positions in soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, water, juice and juice drinks and mixers, and markets the #1 single serve coffee brewing system in the U.S. and Canada. The Company’s portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner brands is designed to satisfy virtually any consumer need, any time, and includes Keurig®, Dr Pepper®, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters®, Canada Dry®, Snapple®, Bai®, Mott’s®, CORE® and The Original Donut Shop®. Through its powerful sales and distribution network, KDP can deliver its portfolio of hot and cold beverages to nearly every point of purchase for consumers. The Company is committed to sourcing, producing and distributing its beverages responsibly through its Drink Well. Do Good. corporate responsibility platform, including efforts around circular packaging, efficient natural resource use and supply chain sustainability. For more information, visit www.keurigdrpepper.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as “outlook,” “guidance,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “feel,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These statements are based on the current expectations of our management, are not predictions of actual performance, and actual results may differ materially.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the SEC. We are under no obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income, Adjusted diluted EPS, free cash flow and financial measures presented on a constant currency basis, which differ from results using U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as supplements to the GAAP reported measures, should not be considered replacements for, or superior to, the GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures typically exclude certain charges, including one-time costs that are not expected to occur routinely in future periods. The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures internally to focus management on performance excluding these special charges to gauge our business operating performance. Management believes this information is helpful to investors because it increases transparency and assists investors in understanding the underlying performance of the Company and in the analysis of ongoing operating trends. Additionally, management believes that non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by analysts and investors in their evaluation of companies, and their continued inclusion provides consistency in financial reporting and enables analysts and investors to perform meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to non-GAAP financial measures are set forth in the appendix to this release and included in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

To the extent that the Company provides guidance, it does so only on a non-GAAP basis and does not provide reconciliations of such forward-looking non-GAAP measures to GAAP due to the inability to predict the amount and timing of impacts outside of the Company’s control on certain items, such as non-cash gains or losses resulting from mark-to-market adjustments of derivative instruments, among others.

¹ Adjusted financial metrics presented in this release are non-GAAP and with growth rates presented on a constant currency basis. See reconciliations of GAAP results to Adjusted results on a constant currency basis in the accompanying tables.
² Retail consumption data based on Keurig Dr Pepper’s custom IRi category definitions for the 13-week period ending 9/25/2022.
³ CSDs refer to “Carbonated Soft Drinks”.

KEURIG DR PEPPER INC.
RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN NON-GAAP INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)

The company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures that reflect the way management evaluates the business may provide investors with additional information regarding the company’s results, trends and ongoing performance on a comparable basis.

Specifically, investors should consider the following with respect to our financial results:

Adjusted: Defined as certain financial statement captions and metrics adjusted for certain items affecting comparability.

Items affecting comparability: Defined as certain items that are excluded for comparison to prior year periods, adjusted for the tax impact as applicable. Tax impact is determined based upon an approximate rate for each item. For each period, management adjusts for (i) the unrealized mark-to-market impact of derivative instruments not designated as hedges in accordance with U.S. GAAP that do not have an offsetting risk reflected within the financial results, as well as the unrealized mark-to-market impact of our Vita Coco investment; (ii) the amortization associated with definite-lived intangible assets; (iii) the amortization of the deferred financing costs associated with the DPS Merger; (iv) the amortization of the fair value adjustment of the senior unsecured notes obtained as a result of the DPS Merger; (v) stock compensation expense and the associated windfall tax benefit attributable to the matching awards made to employees who made an initial investment in KDP; (vi) non-cash changes in deferred tax liabilities related to goodwill and other intangible assets as a result of tax rate or apportionment changes; and (vii) other certain items that are excluded for comparison purposes to prior year periods.

For the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, the other certain items excluded for comparison purposes include (i) restructuring and integration expenses related to significant business combinations; (ii) productivity expenses; (iii) costs related to significant non-routine legal matters; (iv) the loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of debt; (v) incremental costs to our operations related to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; (vi) the gain on the sale of our investment in BodyArmor as a result of the settlement of the associated holdback liability; (vii) the gain on the settlement of our prior litigation with BodyArmor, excluding recoveries of previously incurred litigation expenses which were included in our adjusted results; (viii) losses recognized with respect to our equity method investment in Bedford as a result of funding our share of their wind-down costs; (ix) transaction costs for significant business combinations (completed or abandoned) excluding the DPS Merger; (x) foundational projects, which are transformative and non-recurring in nature; and (xi) impairment recognized on the Bai brand.

For the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, the other certain items excluded for comparison purposes include (i) restructuring and integration expenses related to significant business combinations; (ii) productivity expenses; (iii) costs related to significant non-routine legal matters; (iv) the loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of debt; (v) incremental costs to our operations related to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; and (vi) gains from insurance recoveries related to the February 2019 organized malware attack on our business operation networks in the Coffee Systems segment.

Costs related to significant non-routine legal matters relate to the antitrust litigation. Incremental costs to our operations related to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic include incremental expenses incurred to either maintain the health and safety of our front-line employees or temporarily increase compensation to such employees to ensure essential operations continue during the pandemic.

We believe removing these costs reflects how management views our business results on a consistent basis.

Constant currency adjusted: Defined as certain financial statement captions and metrics adjusted for certain items affecting comparability, calculated on a constant currency basis by converting our current period local currency financial results using the prior period foreign currency exchange rates.

For the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 and 2021, the supplemental financial data set forth below includes reconciliations of adjusted and constant currency adjusted financial measures to the applicable financial measure presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the same period.