Transcript • Jul. 29, 2026 9:00 AM • Kerry Group plc (KRYAY)
Transcript
Jul. 29, 2026 9:00 AM
Kerry Group plc (KRYAY)
William Lynch: Good morning, and welcome to our 2026 half year results. I'd like to start with a quick logistics update this morning as we're conscious it's a busy period of earnings releases. As usual, our CEO, Edmond Scanlon; and our CFO, Marguerite Larkin, will take you through our H1 results presentation. We have also today released our 2030 financial targets. A separate webcast with our prepared remarks is available on our website. At 8:30 a.m. today, we will host our analyst Q&A call, which will cover both our half year results and our 2030 financial targets. Before we begin, please take note of the disclaimer on the H1 presentation regarding forward-looking statements. I'll now hand over to Edmond.
Edmond Scanlon: Thanks, William. Good morning, everyone. Beginning with Slide 4 and the summary overview of H1 2026. We're pleased to report a strong performance in the first half, reflecting a step-up in volume growth in the second quarter, combined with continued strong margin expansion, driving high single-digit constant currency adjusted EPS growth. Firstly, on revenue, we delivered 3.3% volume growth in the half, which was well ahead of end market and channel growth and reflected an acceleration in volume growth from 3.1% in Q1 to 3.5% in Q2. This increase in growth was broad-based across each of our 3 regions and also across both the retail and foodservice channels. Growth was led by a strong performance in the foodservice channel with a range of new menu innovations, seasonal launches and cost reduction solutions. Growth in the retail channel was supported by continued product renovation activity and innovation in high-growth areas across a range of customers. On EBITDA margins, we delivered margin expansion of 60 basis points in H1 with margin progression across all 3 regions. This was driven by Accelerate 2.0, net price, operating leverage and portfolio mix benefits. This volume growth and margin expansion we achieved in the first half supported our constant currency adjusted earnings per share growth of 7.9%. From a strategic perspective, we continue to evolve our business through targeted capital investments and portfolio development activity. And today, we're excited to share our updated financial targets. In the presentation webcast, which is available on our website, we're outlining the key dynamics in our industry right now and the key drivers of our business performance. Moving next to the H1 business overview on Slide 5. Volume growth in the first half represented a strong market outperformance. Volume growth across our end-use markets was led by snacks, meat, dairy and beverage EUMs. This was supported by good growth across a broad range of taste and biotechnology solutions, including Tastesense salt and sugar reduction technologies, botanicals, natural extracts, taste solutions for high-protein applications, enzymes and natural preservation solutions. And in emerging markets, we had volume growth of 5%, led by good performances in the Middle East, Africa and LATAM. Turning next to the performance by region and starting with the Americas on Slide 6, where we delivered continued strong performance. Reported revenue for the region was EUR 1.8 billion with volume growth of 3.7% in H1 and 3.9% in Q2. EBITDA margins for the region increased by 40 basis points to 18.9%, driven by Accelerate 2.0, operating leverage and product mix. In North America, we had strong growth in snacks through innovations and renovations utilizing Kerry's range of savory taste profiles and Tastesense salt reduction technologies as well as new innovations focused on delivering science-backed health and wellness benefits. Growth in meat was driven by innovations with new signature taste profiles and natural preservation systems, while beverage had good performances in the refreshing and nutritional beverage categories through botanicals, natural extracts and coffee-based solutions. Across our channels, we had a good performance in retail, supported by innovation and renovation activity across both customer and retailer brands, with foodservice continuing to strongly outperform traffic in the channel. Within LATAM, strong growth was achieved in Mexico across the snacks and beverage end markets in particular, and business developments in the region included beverage taste capacity and capability enhancements in North America and progression of our taste footprint expansion in Mexico. Moving to Europe on Slide 7, where the volume performance reflected growth across the retail and foodservice channels. Reported revenue for the region was EUR 687 million, with volume growth of 0.5% in H1 and 0.6% in Q2. On margins, we delivered strong EBITDA margin expansion of 80 basis points. Looking at our end-use markets. Volume growth in beverage was led by refreshing beverage and the performance of low- and no-alcohol solutions through integrated taste, botanicals and Tastesense sugar reduction technologies, while performance in dairy was driven by taste and protein masking solutions. Across our channels, retail growth was led by the performance of snacks with growth in foodservice driven by refreshing beverage innovations. And business investments in the region included expansion of our proactive health capacity and capabilities in Spain. Turning to APMEA on Slide 8, where performance in the region was led by volume growth in the Middle East and Africa, with China returning to growth and a solid performance in Southeast Asia. Reported revenue for the region increased to EUR 831 million, led by volume growth of 4.9% in H1 and 5.2% in Q2. On margins, we had EBITDA margin expansion of 80 basis points for the region in H1. Across our end markets, growth was led by dairy through enzymes and dairy taste. Meat also had good growth, while snacks growth was driven by the continued strong performance of savory taste solutions. Within our channels, retail growth was led by good performance in taste with foodservice growth led by performance with leading regional coffee chains and QSRs. Finally, business developments in the region included commencing footprint expansion in Turkey and capacity expansion in the Middle East. And with that, I'll hand you over to Marguerite for the financial review.
Marguerite Larkin: Thanks, Edmond, and good morning, everyone. Turning to Slide 10 and the financial overview for the first half of the year. Revenue was EUR 3.3 billion with volume growth of 3.3%. EBITDA increased to EUR 558 million, reflecting 5.8% organic growth. We delivered strong EBITDA margin expansion of 60 basis points. Adjusted earnings per share of EUR 2.141 was up 7.9% in constant currency and 2.3% in reported currency. Return on capital employed of 10.5% reflects a currency headwind of 30 basis points and underlying progression of 10 basis points versus the prior year. And free cash flow was EUR 262 million, representing average cash conversion of 76%. Turning to our group revenue bridge on Slide 11. Volume growth was 3.3%, as I mentioned. Pricing was 1% lower with overall input cost deflation in the first half. The organic growth we delivered in the first half was more than offset by adverse translation currency of 4.8% given the significant movement in the U.S. dollar versus the euro. Disposals net of acquisitions had a net impact of 1.1%, which are enabling the execution of our Accelerate 2.0 footprint optimization strategy. Turning now to the margin bridge on Slide 12. EBITDA was EUR 558 million with strong EBITDA margin expansion of 60 basis points. Looking at the key moving parts. Firstly, operating leverage and portfolio mix contributed a 10 basis points improvement. Net price was favorable 20 basis points in the period. Our Accelerate 2.0 program is well on track and delivered 40 basis points of EBITDA margin expansion in the period, led by progress in footprint optimization in both North America and Europe. The expansion and deployment of our digital initiatives to drive efficiencies continued across our manufacturing operations, commercial enablement activities and Global Business Services. Foreign currency was a headwind of 20 basis points, principally due to the movement in the U.S. dollar versus the euro just mentioned, and acquisitions and disposals contributed a positive 10 basis points. Overall, we are pleased with our margin progression in the period and remain on track for strong margin expansion in the full year. Moving now to free cash flow on Slide 13. We generated free cash flow in the period of EUR 262 million, reflecting 76% average cash conversion on earnings with cash conversion of 85% based on the working capital movement between balance sheet dates. Looking at the component parts for H1. Firstly, EBITDA increased to EUR 558 million. Average working capital represented an investment of EUR 81 million, aligned to the growth and business development as well as increased investment in inventories to mitigate supply chain disruption risk given recent geopolitical events. Finance costs of EUR 29 million with the increase year-on-year reflecting the timing of bond interest payments in the prior year and increased capital expenditure of EUR 145 million was reflective of phasing of various strategic capital investments across each of our regions, as Edmond mentioned. Overall, we remain well on track to deliver cash conversion of 80% plus in the full year across both of the cash conversion metrics I just mentioned. On our debt profile and credit metrics on Slide 14, net debt at the end of June was EUR 2.4 billion with a weighted average maturity of 5.8 years. Our credit metrics are strong with a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2x, and we have a very strong balance sheet, which will continue to support the further development of our business. Finally, to cover off a number of other financial matters on Slide 15. Finance costs of EUR 30 million were similar to the prior year. Net nontrading items were EUR 32 million, reflecting the good progress of the Accelerate 2.0 program. On input costs, we had overall deflation in H1, which will turn to limited inflation in H2. On capital returns, we have announced an interim dividend of $0.462 per share, a year-on-year increase of 10%. On share buybacks, we repurchased EUR 173 million worth of shares during the period. And on currency, we now expect a foreign currency translation headwind of 1% to 2% on adjusted earnings per share in the full year. To summarize, we delivered a strong financial performance in the first half, driven by volume growth well ahead of end markets and continued EBITDA margin expansion. And with that, I'll pass you back to Edmond.
Edmond Scanlon: Thanks, Marguerite. Moving to our full year outlook on Slide 17. Our strong end market volume outperformance in the first half of the year demonstrates the strength of our strategic positioning across our markets, channels and customer base. We will continue to develop our business while supporting our customers as their key innovation and renovation partner. Looking to the remainder of the year, while recognizing the current market uncertainty, we remain strongly positioned for volume growth and margin expansion, underpinned by a good innovation pipeline. And we are maintaining our full year adjusted earnings per share guidance of 6% to 10% constant currency growth. Thank you.
