Quarterly Earnings Report                                                                                 February 27, 2009
4Q08

 

Sales Increased 7.91%

 


Financial Highlights:
(All December 2007 figures are expressed in millions of Mexican pesos as of December 31, 2007 while the figures for December 2008 are expressed in millions of current Mexican pesos. Comparisons are made with the same period of 2007, unless otherwise stated. Figures may vary due to rounding practices. “bp” stands for basis points)


o Sales for the quarter totaled $7,807.03 million
o Gross income increased 17.86%
o Gross margin for the quarter was 12.21%
o Quarterly operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 7.80%
o The operating margin for the quarter was 4.41%
o Net profit for the quarter reached $222.79 million
o Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter was $524.21 million

Mexico City, Mexico, February 27, 2009. Grupo Casa Saba (“Saba”, “GCS”, “the Company” or “the Group”), one of the leading Mexican distributors of pharmaceutical products, beauty aids, personal care and consumer goods, general merchandise, publications and other products announces its consolidated financial and operating results for the fourth quarter of 2008.


QUARTERLY EARNINGS


NET SALES

During the fourth quarter, GCS’s sales were $7,807.03 million, an increase of 7.91%.

Sales for our Private Pharma division rose 8.46% during the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the consolidation of investments made within the sector, including the most recent acquisition of Drogasmil Medicamento e Perfumeria, S.A.(1), a Brazilian pharmacy chain.

Sales in our Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other division increased 14.77% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This growth was due to commercial agreements that enabled us to increase promotions and discounts which, in turn, increased our sales.

Sales in our Government Pharma division rose 30.37% due to an increase in sales to Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), as well as the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (“ISSSTE”), or the Mexican Social Security and Service Institute for Government Employees. 

Publication sales decreased 45.02%, primarily as a result of lower unit sales.  This decrease was due to the fact that Citem stopped distributing some publications that did not meet our minimal profitability requirements.

The sales mix did not change significantly this quarter. Private Pharma sales represented 85.74% of total sales (compared to 85.30% during the fourth quarter of 2007), while Government Pharma accounted for 4.08% (versus 3.37% during the fourth quarter of 2007). Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other represented 8.47% (compared to 7.97% in the fourth quarter of 2007) and Publications made up the remaining 1.71% (versus 3.36% during the fourth quarter of 2007).


(1) The aquisition took place on May 15, 2008.


SALES BY DIVISION



PRIVATE PHARMA

Sales in our Private Pharma division rose 8.46% during the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the consolidation of investments that were made within the sector. This includes the most recent acquisition of Drogasmil Medicamento e Perfumeria, S.A.(2), a Brazilian pharmacy chain.
 

Sales reached $6,693.86 million and represented 85.74% of the Group’s total sales.

(2) The aquisition took place on May 15, 2008.

GOVERNMENT PHARMA

Sales in our Government Pharma division grew 30.37% due to an increase in sales to PEMEX as well as the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (“ISSSTE”).

Government Pharma sales reached $318.16 million during 4Q08 and accounted for 4.08% of our total sales.

 

HEALTH, BEAUTY, CONSUMER GOODS, GENERAL MERCHANDISE AND OTHER

Sales in our Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other division reached $661.54 million, an increase of 14.77% versus the fourth quarter of 2007. This was due to commercial agreements that enabled us to increase promotions and discounts which, in turn, increased our sales.

As a percentage of total sales, this division went from representing 7.97% in 4Q07 to 8.47% during the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

PUBLICATIONS

Publication sales decreased 45.02% during the quarter, primarily as a result of lower unit sales.  This decrease was mainly due to the fact that Citem stopped distributing some publications that no longer met our minimal profitability requirements.

This division’s participation as a percentage of total sales went from 3.36% in 4Q07 to 1.71% in the fourth quarter of 2008.


                                                  Division                               % of sales
                                              Private Pharma                             85.74%
                                          Government Pharma                          4.08%
                                Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods,
                                  General Merchandise and Other              8.47%
                                                Publications                                1.71%

                                                   TOTAL                                    100.00%


GROSS INCOME

During the fourth quarter of the year, Grupo Casa Saba’s gross income increased 17.86% to reach $953.38 million. The company’s gross margin improved as a result of the recent investments, to 12.21% compared to 11.18% during 4Q07.


OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating expenses reached $608.78 million, an increase of 50.94% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.  This was due to the investments that were made over the past months.  Operating expenses represented 7.80% of our total sales


OPERATING INCOME

As a result of the increase in operating expenses, operating income declined 15.04%, to reach $344.59 million.  The operating margin was 4.41%, 120 b.p. lower than the 5.61% margin registered in the fourth quarter of 2007. 


OPERATING INCOME PLUS DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Operating income plus depreciation and amortization for 4Q08 was $374.30 million, a decrease of 12.23% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.  Depreciation and amortization for the period was $29.71 million, 42.50% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2007

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter of 2008 was $524.21 million.


COMPREHENSIVE COST OF FINANCING

During the fourth quarter of 2008, GCS’s comprehensive cost of financing (CCF) was $69.35 million, due primarily due to an increase in the amount of interest income paid.

The interest payments were related to the long-term credit that was obtained as a result of our most recent acquisition in Brazil as well as the interest that was generated from the utlitization of short-term credits for our operations in Mexico and Brazil.

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company registered an income of $31.55 million in other expenses (income). The expenses (income) from this line item were derived from activities that are distinct from the company’s everyday business operations.

TAX PROVISIONS

During the fourth quarter, tax provisions were $84.01 million. These provisions included $77.30 million for income tax and $6.7 million for deferred income tax. 


NET INCOME

GCS’s net income for the fourth quarter was $222.79 million, a decrease of 39.34% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a higher comprehensive cost of financing (CCF).

The net margin for the period was 2.85%, lower than the 5.08% net margin obtained during the fourth quarter of 2007.

WORKING CAPITAL

During the fourth quarter of 2008, our accounts receivable days were 61.9, compared to 56.5 days during the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, our accounts payable days increased by 6.9 days compared to 4Q07, to reach 66.1 days.  Finally, our inventory days were 67.4 days, 0.8 fewer days than in 4Q07.

The 265.4 million shares issued by Grupo Casa Saba are listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange and its ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange, both under the symbol “SAB”. One ADR equals 10 ordinary shares.


Grupo Casa Saba is one of the leading distributors of pharmaceutical products, beauty, personal care and consumer goods, general merchandise, publications and other goods in Mexico. With 115 years of experience, the Company distributes to the majority of pharmacies, chains, self-service and convenience stores, as well as other specialized national chains.

As a precautionary note to investors, except for the historic information contained herein, certain topics discussed in this document constitute forward-looking statements. Such topics imply risks and uncertainties, including the economic conditions in Mexico and other countries in which Casa Saba operates, as well as variations in the value of the Mexican peso as compared with the US dollar.


Contacts:
GRUPO CASA SABA                                  IR Communications:
Rodrigo Echagaray, IRO                               Jesús Martínez Rojas
+52 (55) 5284-6672                                      +52 (55) 5644-1247
rechagar@casasaba.com                             jesus@irandpr.com

Alejandro Sadurni, CFO
asadurni@casasaba.com


                  GRUPO CASA SABA S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET December 2007 figures are expressed in thousands of Mexican pesos of purchasing power as of December 31, 2007 December 2008 figures are expressed in thousands of current Mexican pesos                     ITEM   Dec-08 Dec-07 Variation                     TOTAL ASSETS
14,680,895
12,039,715
2,641,179
   
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
11,720,500
10,370,073
1,350,426
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
524,219
684,312
(160,094)
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (NET)
5,368,221
4,538,524
829,697
INTERCOMPANY
OTHER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (NET)
594,998
257,743
337,255
INVENTORIES
5,130,789
4,872,712
258,077
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
102,273
16,782
85,491
LONG TERM
 
 
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY SHARES AND
UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
OTHER INVESTMENTS
NET PROPERY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
1,368,439
1,269,821
98,618
PROPERTY  
1,351,902
1,306,662
45,240
MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
495,859
420,762
75,097
OTHER EQUIPMENT
648,893
558,055
90,838
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
1,128,215
1,049,503
78,712
BUILDINGS IN PROCESS
33,845
(33,845)
DEFERRED ASSETS (NET)
1,307,200
217,214
1,089,986
OTHER ASSETS
284,756
182,607
102,149
   
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
7,998,882
5,946,995
2,051,887
   
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
6,443,610
5,249,819
1,193,791
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
5,846,673
5,178,161
668,512
BANK DEBT  
267,241
267,241
DEBT SECURITIES
ACCRUED TAXES
3,145
3,145
OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
326,550
71,658
254,892
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
1,053,000
1,053,000
BANK DEBT  
1,053,000
1,053,000
DEBT SECURITIES
OTHER DEBT
DEFERRED LIABILITIES
OTHER LIABILITIES
502,272
697,176
(194,904)
   
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
6,682,013
6,092,720
589,292
   
 
 
 
MINORITY STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
4,092
4,092
MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
6,682,013
6,092,720
589,292
PAID-IN CAPITAL
1,993,642
1,993,642
(0)
CAPITAL STOCK
167,903
167,903
0
RESTATEMENT IN CAPITAL STOCK
955,861
955,861
(0)
PREMIUM ON STOCK SOLD
869,878
869,878
(0)
RESERVE FOR RESTATEMENT ON SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
CAPITAL INCREASE (DECREASE)
4,688,371
4,099,078
589,293
CUMMULATIVE RESULTS AND EQUITY RESERVE
5,521,465
4,763,352
758,113
RESERVE FOR SHARES REPURCHASE
1,062,201
1,062,201
0
OVERAGE (DEFICIT) ON RESTATEMENT ON STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
(2,631,562)
(2,631,562)
0
NET INCOME
736,266
905,087
(168,821)
                 



GRUPO CASA SABA, S.A.B. DE C.V. December 2007 figures are expressed in thousands of Mexican pesos of purchasing power as of December 31, 2007 December 2008 figures are expressed in thousands of current Mexican pesos.   Jan-Dec   Jan-Dec   Variation    Oct-Dec   Oct-Dec   Variation  Income Statement 2007 % of sales 2008 % of sales $ %   2007 % of sales 2008 % of sales $ % NET SALES
25,259,662
100.00%
28,382,509
100.00%
3,122,848
12.36%
7,234,906
100.00%
7,807,038
100.00%
572,132
7.91%
COST OF SALES
22,775,405
90.17%
25,290,435
89.11%
2,515,030
11.04%
6,425,991
88.82%
6,853,656
87.79%
427,666
6.66%
Gross Profit
2,484,256
9.83%
3,092,074
10.89%
607,818
24.47%
808,915
11.18%
953,381
12.21%
144,466
17.86%
Operating Expenses
Sales Expenses
594,300
2.35%
778,986
2.74%
184,686
31.08%
184,289
2.55%
259,312
3.32%
75,023
40.71%
Administrative Expenses
830,552
3.29%
1,241,962
4.38%
411,410
49.53%
219,029
3.03%
349,474
4.48%
130,444
59.56%
OPERATING EXPENSES
1,424,852
5.64%
2,020,947
7.12%
596,096
41.84%
403,319
5.57%
608,786
7.80%
205,467
50.94%
 
Operating Income
1,059,404
4.19%
1,071,127
3.77%
11,723
1.11%
405,596
5.61%
344,595
4.41%
-61,001
(15.04%)
COMPREHENSIVE COST OF FINANCING
Interest Paid
11,156
0.04%
182,079
0.64%
170,923
1532.14%
2,234
0.03%
65,265
0.84%
63,031
2821.95%
Interest (Earned)
-16,625
(0.07%)
-1,146
(0.00%)
15,479
(93.11%)
-2,548
(0.04%)
2,677
0.03%
5,225
(205.05%)
Exchange Loss (Gain)
1,884
0.01%
3,167
0.01%
1,283
68.09%
335
0.00%
1,410
0.02%
1,075
320.60%
Monetary Position (gain)
21,433
0.08%
0
(0.00%)
-21,433
(100.00%)
6,873
0.10%
0
(0.00%)
-6,873
(100.00%)
Comprehensive Cost of Financing
17,847
0.07%
184,100
0.65%
166,253
931.52%
6,894
0.10%
69,352
0.89%
62,458
905.98%
 
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME), net
-108,454
(0.43%)
-69,677
(0.25%)
38,777
(35.75%)
-11,410
(0.16%)
-31,557
(0.40%)
-20,148
176.59%
 
 
 
NET INCOME BEFORE TAXES
1,150,011
4.55%
956,704
3.37%
-193,307
(16.81%)
410,112
5.67%
306,801
3.93%
-103,311
(25.19%)
 
PROVISIONS FOR:
Income Tax
340,192
1.35%
316,923
1.12%
-23,269
(6.84%)
118,984
1.64%
77,307
0.99%
-41,677
(35.03%)
Asset Tax
31,063
0.12%
0
0.00%
-31,063
0.00%
31,063
0.43%
0
0.00%
-31,063
0.00%
Deferred Income Tax
-126,331
(0.50%)
-100,285
(0.35%)
26,046
(20.62%)
-107,232
(1.48%)
6,705
0.09%
113,936
(106.25%)
Profit sharing due
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
Deferred Profit sharing due
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
Total taxes
244,923
0.97%
216,637
0.76%
-28,286
(11.55%)
42,814
0.59%
84,011
1.08%
41,197
96.22%
 
Net Income Before Extraordinary Items
905,087
3.58%
740,066
2.61%
-165,021
(18.23%)
367,298
5.08%
222,790
2.85%
-144,508
(39.34%)
 
Extraordinary Items (Income)
0
0.00%
3,800
0.01%
3,800
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
Net Income
905,087
3.58%
736,266
2.59%
-168,821
-18.65%
367,298
5.08%
222,790
2.85%
-144,508
-39.34%
 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
101,120
0.40%
88,819
0.31%
(12,301)
(12.17%)
20,850
0.29%
29,712
0.38%
8,862
42.50%
Operating income plus Depreciation and Amortization
1,160,525
4.59%
1,159,946
4.09%
(579)
(0.05%)
426,446
5.89%
374,307
4.79%
(52,139)
(12.23%)
 
Minority Interest
 
 
4,092
0.01%
4,092
0.00%
 
 
4,092
0.05%
4,092
0.00%