Nestlé full year sales reached CHF94.4bn, which was almost entirely driven by higher prices as the group looked to offset cost inflation. On an organic basis, sales were up 8.3%. Both developed and emerging markets performed well. Purina PetCare was the biggest contributor to organic growth and Infant Nutrition saw double digit growth.
Underlying operating margins fell 40 basis points to 17.1%, ignoring the effect of exchange rates. That reflects higher costs. Despite this, underlying operating profit rose 6.5% to CHF16.1bn.
Net debt was CHF48.2bn as at December 31, 2022, compared to CHF32.9bn a year earlier. The increase is due to the group's share buyback programme.
For the new financial year, organic sales are expected to grow between 6% and 8% and underlying operating profit margins are expected between 17.0% and 17.5%.
A final dividend of CHF2.95 was proposed, a 15-centime increase.
Nestlé shares were broadly flat following the announcement.
View the latest Nestlé share price and how to deal
Our view
With input costs on the rise, Nestlé had to resort to price increases to keep things ticking along. That's contrary to the group's usual, volume led, strategy (more on that later) - but no one's immune to the wider inflationary pressures so it's a necessary flex.
The good news is that so far volumes are still managing to edge higher thanks to a strong range of products, and price hikes mean overall sales growth is strong.
More broadly, the underlying performance has been very impressive. A global footprint and varied product base mean the group's been able to move with the market over the past couple of years. Exposure to pet care, health and at-home coffee products in particular helped in lockdown conditions. They're also exactly the kind of thing people buy over and over again in normal times.
We also admire the operating model, which focuses on volume instead of price increases. That's helped deliver underlying sales growth of at least 2% for over 20 years. And, despite obvious challenges to the model, sales are expected to keep moving in the right direction over the medium-term.
Mounting pressures from inflation are starting to take their toll on margins, that are trying their best to hold firm. For now, price hikes are pushing revenue high enough to offset lower margins. Though, there's a limit to how long that'll last.
Nestlé relies on hefty research & development spending to provide fuel for volume growth. New varieties and formats of existing popular brands benefit from the much larger marketing and admin budgets, ensuring they're front and centre of consumers' minds. That in turn encourages reliable revenues. Extra sales boost profits, and profits can be paid out as dividends or reinvested in next year's products.
That virtuous cycle has seen the group increase the dividend every year for 29 years - although remember all dividends are variable and not guaranteed.
The group has been doing a bit of housekeeping recently, clearing out low potential brands and stocking up in growth areas such as The Bountiful Company's nutrition and supplements business. A higher growth portfolio can only be a good thing, and the group's been trimming its stake in L'Oréal which stood at 20.1% last we heard.
Nestlé's not a company likely to deliver dizzying levels of growth from here. It's more steady-eddie than stellar growth stock. However, Nestlé's not immune to wider pressures and the valuation has come down this year. Trading back in line with the longer-term average is still a reflection of the group's strengths, but also means there's pressure for sales to keep moving forwards.
Nestlé key facts
All ratios are sourced from Refinitiv. Please remember yields are variable and not a reliable indicator of future income. Keep in mind key figures shouldn't be looked at on their own - it's important to understand the big picture.
This article is original Hargreaves Lansdown content, published by Hargreaves Lansdown. It was correct as at the date of publication, and our views may have changed since then. Unless otherwise stated estimates, including prospective yields, are a consensus of analyst forecasts provided by Refinitiv. These estimates are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Yields are variable and not guaranteed. Investments rise and fall in value so investors could make a loss.
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