UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of February 2020
Commission File Number 1-12260

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Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-__.

Coca-Cola FEMSA Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results

Mexico City, February 26, 2020, Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: KOFUBL, NYSE: KOF) (“Coca-Cola FEMSA,” “KOF” or the “Company”), the largest Coca-Cola franchise bottler in the world by sales volume, announces results for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2019.

FOURTH QUARTER OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

·      Volumes increased in Brazil, Central America, and Colombia, while remaining stable in Mexico; transactions outperformed volumes in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.

·      Revenues increased 3.1%, while comparable revenues grew 10.0%. Solid pricing, revenue management initiatives across our operations, and volume growth were partially offset by unfavorable currency translation effects into Mexican Pesos.

·      Operating income decreased 13.2%, while comparable operating income decreased 5.1%. A favorable price mix, stable sweetener prices, and declining PET prices were mainly offset by higher concentrate costs, higher operating expenses, and the depreciation of the Brazilian Real, the Argentine Peso and Colombian Peso as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs.

   FULL YEAR OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

·      For the full year, volumes increased in Brazil and Central America; transactions outperformed volumes in Brazil and Argentina.

·      Revenues increased 6.7%, while comparable revenues grew 10.8%, driven by solid pricing, revenue management initiatives, and volume growth. These factors were partially offset by unfavorable currency translation effects into Mexican Pesos.

·      Operating income increased 3.0%, while comparable operating income increased 9.5%, driven mainly by a favorable price mix, stable sweetener prices, declining PET prices, and operating expense efficiencies. These factors were partially offset by higher concentrate costs, restructuring severance payments related to our efficiency program, and the depreciation of all of our operating currencies as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs.

·      Majority net income decreased 13.0%, facing a demanding comparable result for 2018, driven by the results of discontinued operations related to the sale of our operation in the Philippines. Earnings per share⁽¹⁾ were Ps. 0.72 (Earnings per unit were Ps. 5.76 and per ADS were Ps. 57.60.).

John Santa Maria, Coca-Cola FEMSA’s CEO, commented:

“Our 2019 results reflect a year of transformation and capability building: Initiatives that position us for future growth. Our full-year comparable revenues grew 10.8%, while our comparable operating income grew 9.5%. These results reflect continuous growth in Mexico and Brazil—encouraging underlying operating performance from our two largest markets—in the face of challenging environments and profound restructuring costs throughout the year. Importantly, we continued revamping our portfolio across territories, through innovation, affordability, and revenue management initiatives, to ensure that our customers are offered the highest value at the best possible price point. Moreover, we functionalized our operations while installing best-in-class practices to create a more agile organization. Finally, our development and rollout of cutting-edge comercial cabilities is far from over, as our omnichannel initiatives will begin deployment during 2020.

I am confident that the strides we took during 2019 to put together the right set of capabilities and talent will position our organization to generate increased value for all of our stakeholders for many years to come.”

⁽¹⁾              Quarterly earnings / outstanding shares. Earnings per share (EPS) for all periods are adjusted to give effect to the stock split resulting in 16,806.7 million shares outstanding. For the convenience of the reader, as a KOF UBL Unit is comprised of 8 shares (3 Series B shares and 5 Series L shares), earnings per unit are equal to EPS multiplied by 8. Each ADS represents 10 KOF UBL Units.

⁽²⁾              According to IFRS 5, figures for 2018 do not include the Philippines as it is presented as a discontinued operation as of January 1, 2018.

⁽³⁾              Please refer to page 9 for our definition of “comparable” and a description of the factors affecting the comparability of our financial and operating performance.

Page 1 of 16

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

·        On November 1, 2019, Coca-Cola FEMSA paid the second installment of the 2018 dividend in the amount of Ps. 0.4425 per share (equivalent to Ps. 3.54 per unit).

·        In January 2020, Coca-Cola FEMSA issued US$1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2030. The notes priced at US Treasury +100 basis points and a coupon of 2.750%. The transaction received broad participation from investment grade dedicated investors, confirming Coca-Cola FEMSA’s financial discipline and strong credit profile. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2030 notes were used to repurchase and redeem its 3.875% senior notes due 2023 and for general corporate purposes.

·        On January 30, 2020, recognizing our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) practices, Coca-Cola FEMSA was included in the FTSE4Good BIVA Index. The new sustainability Index by BIVA (“Bolsa Institucional de Valores”) and FSTE Russell aims to align the Mexican market with best international ESG standards.

·        In February 2020, Coca-Cola FEMSA announced the successful placement of two tranches of Mexican Peso-denominated bonds or certificados bursátiles in the Mexican market for an aggregate amount of Ps. 3,000 million for 8 years bearing an annual fixed interest rate of 7.35% and certificados bursátiles for an aggregate amount of Ps. 1,727 million for 5.5 years bearing a variable interest rate of TIIE + 0.08%. This transaction received broad participation from investors and was over-subscribed by almost four times.

·        Coca-Cola FEMSA is proud to be a member of the Bloomberg 2020 Gender-Equality Index (“GEI”). This Index recognizes Coca-Cola FEMSA for the second consecutive year for its commitment to both workplace equality and transparency. 

·        On February 25, 2020, Coca-Cola FEMSA’s Board of Directors agreed to propose for approval at the annual Shareholders meeting, held on March 17, 2020, an ordinary dividend of Ps. 4.86 per unit (Ps. 0.6075 per share) to be paid in two installments in May and November of 2020. This dividend represents an increase of 37% versus the previous year’s dividend, underscoring our commitment to total shareholder return.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

CONSOLIDATED FOURTH-QUARTER RESULTS

Volume increased 2.1% to 889.6 million unit cases, driven mainly by 7.9% growth in Brazil, 4.0% growth in Central America, 0.7% growth in Colombia, and stable performance in Mexico, partially offset by volume declines in Argentina and Uruguay. On a comparable basis, total volumes would have increased 2.7%.

Total revenues increased 3.1% to Ps. 51,735 million. Our revenues were driven mainly by healthy pricing in key territories such as Mexico, Central America, Brazil, and Colombia, revenue management initiatives across our territories, volume growth in Brazil and Central America, and a favorable mix effect driven by transactions growing ahead of volumes mainly in Brazil and Mexico. These factors were partially offset by the negative translation effect resulting from the depreciation of most our operating currencies as compared to the Mexican Peso, combined with volume declines in Argentina and Uruguay. On a comparable basis, total revenues would have increased 10.0%.

Gross profit remained flat at Ps. 22,928 million, and gross margin contracted 160 basis points to 44.3%. This was driven mainly by: i) the reduction of tax credits on concentrate purchased from the Manaus Free Trade Zone, resulting from our temporary decision to suspend such tax credits; ii) higher concentrate costs in Mexico; iii) the depreciation in the average exchange rate of the Brazilian Real, the Argentine Peso, and Colombian Peso as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs; and iv) an unfavorable currency hedging position mainly in Mexico. These factors were partially offset by lower PET prices and stable sweetener prices. On a comparable basis, gross profit would have increased 5.7%.

⁽¹⁾              According to IFRS 5, figures from 2018 do not include the Philippines as it is presented as a discontinued operation as of January 1, 2018.

⁽²⁾              Please refer to page 9 for our definition of “comparable” and a description of the factors affecting the comparability of our financial and operating performance.

⁽³⁾              Operating cash flow = operating income + depreciation + amortization & other operating non-cash charges. 

Operating income decreased 13.2% to Ps. 6,373 million, and operating margin contracted 230 basis points to 12.3%. This decrease was driven mainly by higher labor, maintenance, and freight expenses. These factors were partially offset by operating expense efficiencies. On a comparable basis, operating income would have decreased 5.1%.

Comprehensive financing result recorded an expense of Ps. 1,507 million, compared to an expense of Ps. 2,149 million in the same period of 2018. This decrease was driven mainly by a reduction in our interest expense, net, as compared to the same period of 2018 related to debt reduction, and a reduction in our foreign exchange loss—as our cash exposure in U.S. dollars was negatively impacted by the appreciation of the Mexican Peso.

Income tax as a percentage of income before taxes was 44.0% as compared to 30.1% during the same period of the previous year. This increase was driven mainly by an impairment of Ps. 948 million in our Estrella Azul dairy joint venture in Panama, coupled with an increase in non-deductible items from taxes paid in foreign subsidiaries. Despite this increase in the fourth quarter, the annualized income tax as a percentage of income before taxes was 30.9%.

Net income attributable to equity holders of the company was Ps. 1,995 million as compared to Ps. 5,541 million during the same period of the previous year. This decrease was driven mainly by a demanding comparable driven by the results of discontinued operations related to the sale of the operation in the Philippines. Earnings per share¹ were Ps. 0.12 (Earnings per unit were Ps. 0.95, and earnings per ADS were Ps. 9.50.).

⁽¹⁾           Quarterly earnings / outstanding shares. Earnings per share (EPS) for all periods are adjusted to give effect to the stock split resulting in 16,806.7 million shares outstanding. For the convenience of the reader, as a KOF UBL Unit is comprised of 8 shares (3 Series B shares and 5 Series L shares), earnings per unit are equal to EPS multiplied by 8. Each ADS represents 10 KOF UBL Units.

CONSOLIDATED FULL YEAR RESULTS

Volume increased 1.4% to 3,368.9 million unit cases for the full year 2019 as compared to 2018, driven mainly by solid growth in Brazil and Central America, combined with the consolidation of acquired territories in Guatemala and Uruguay as of May and July 2018, respectively, partially offset by volume declines in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. On a comparable basis, total volumes would have increased 1.4%.

Total revenues increased 6.7% to Ps. 194,471 million for the full year 2019 as compared to 2018. Total revenues were driven mainly by healthy pricing, revenue management initiatives across our territories, volume growth in Brazil, the consolidation of recently acquired territories in Guatemala and Uruguay, and a favorable mix effect driven by transactions outperforming volumes in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. This figure includes extraordinary other operating revenues income related to an entitlement to reclaim tax payments in Brazil recognized in the third quarter. These factors were partially offset by the negative translation effect resulting from the depreciation of most of our operating currencies as compared to the Mexican Peso, combined with volume declines in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. On a comparable basis, total revenues would have increased 10.8%.

Gross profit increased 4.3% to Ps. 87,507 million for the full year 2019 as compared to 2018, and gross margin contracted 100 basis points to 45.0%. More stable sweetener and declining PET prices were offset by: i) the reduction of tax credits on concentrate purchased from the Manaus Free Trade Zone, coupled with our temporary decision to suspend such tax credits; ii) higher concentrate costs in Mexico; and iii) the depreciation in the average exchange rate of most of our operating currencies as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs. On a comparable basis, gross profit would have increased 8.0%.

⁽¹⁾           According to IFRS 5, figures from 2018 do not include the Philippines as it is presented as a discontinued operation as of January 1, 2018.

⁽²⁾           Please refer to page 9 for our definition of “comparable” and a description of the factors affecting the comparability of our financial and operating performance.

⁽³⁾           Operating cash flow = operating income + depreciation + amortization & other operating non-cash charges. 

Operating income increased 3.0% to Ps. 25,423 million for the full year of 2019 as compared to 2018, and operating margin contracted 40 basis points to 13.1%. This increase was driven mainly by operating expense efficiencies and tax reclaims in Brazil, partially offset by restructuring severance payments of Ps. 1,062 million related to our efficiency program, other tax-related provisions, and higher freight and labor expenses. On a comparable basis, operating income would have increased 9.5%.

Comprehensive financing result recorded an expense of Ps. 6,071 million for 2019 compared to an expense of Ps. 6,943 for 2018. This 12.6% decrease was driven mainly by a reduction in our interest expense, net, and a reduction in other financial expenses as compared to 2018. These factors were partially offset by a foreign exchange loss—as our cash exposure in U.S. dollars was negatively impacted by the appreciation of the Mexican Peso.

Income tax as a percentage of income before taxes was 30.9% for 2019 as compared to 31.0% for the previous year. This decrease was driven mainly by the increase in the relative weight of our Mexico operation’s profits in our consolidated results, which have a lower tax rate. These factors were partially offset by an impairment of Ps. 948 million in our Estrella Azul dairy joint venture in Panama, coupled with an increase in non-deductible items from taxes paid in foreign subsidiaries.

Net income attributable to equity holders of the company was Ps. 12,101 million for 2019 as compared to Ps. 13,910 million for the previous year. This decrease was driven mainly by a demanding comparable driven by the results of discontinued operations related to the sale of the operation in the Philippines and an impairment of Ps. 948 million in our Estrella Azul dairy joint venture in Panama. Earnings per share were Ps. 0.72 (Earnings per unit were Ps. 5.76, and earnings per ADS were Ps. 57.60.). On a comparable basis, our net income attributable to equity holders of the company would have increased 24.8%.

⁽¹⁾           Earnings / outstanding shares. Earnings per share (EPS) for all periods are adjusted to give effect to the stock split resulting in 16,806.7 million shares outstanding. For the convenience of the reader, as each KOF UBL Unit is comprised of 8 shares (3 Series B shares and 5 Series L shares), earnings per unit are equal to EPS multiplied by 8. Each ADS represents 10 KOF UBL Units.

MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA DIVISION FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

(Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua)

Volume increased 0.6% to 506.9 million unit cases, driven by high single-digit volume growth in Guatemala, coupled with solid growth in Costa Rica and stable performance in Mexico, partially offset by volume declines in Nicaragua and Panama.

Total revenues increased 7.2% to Ps. 27,253 million, driven by pricing ahead of inflation in Mexico and a favorable mix driven by transactions outperforming volumes, coupled with volume growth in Guatemala and Costa Rica and stable volumes in Mexico. These factors were partially offset by volume declines in Nicaragua and Panama. On a comparable basis, total revenues would have increased 7.7%.

Gross profit increased 6.7% to Ps. 13,050 million, and gross profit margin contracted 20 basis points to 47.9%, driven mainly by higher concentrate costs in Mexico and an unfavorable currency hedging position. These factors were partially offset by our pricing initiatives, lower PET costs, and stable sweetener prices. On a comparable basis, gross profit would have increased 7.2%.

Operating income increased 3.5% to Ps. 3,524 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, and operating income margin contracted 50 basis points to 12.9% during the period, driven mainly by labor, freight, and maintenance expenses and the onetime disposal of certain idle assets. These factors were partially offset by an operative foreign exchange gain. On a comparable basis, operating income would have increased 4.1%.

⁽¹⁾              According to IFRS 5, figures from 2018 do not include the Philippines as it is presented as a discontinued operation as of January 1, 2018.

⁽²⁾              Please refer to page 9 for our definition of “comparable” and a description of the factors affecting the comparability of our financial and operating performance.

⁽³⁾              Operating cash flow = operating income + depreciation + amortization & other operating non-cash charges. 

SOUTH AMERICA DIVISION FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

(Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay)

Volume increased 4.0% to 382.7 million unit cases, driven by strong volume growth of 7.9% in Brazil and slight growth of 0.7% in Colombia, partially offset by volume declines in Argentina and Uruguay. On a comparable basis, volume would have increased 5.9%.

Total revenues decreased 1.0% to Ps. 24,482 million. Revenues were driven mainly by strong volume growth in Brazil, pricing ahead of inflation in Brazil and Colombia, and a favorable mix effect driven by transactions outperforming volumes in the division. However, these factors were offset by volume contractions in Argentina and Uruguay, coupled with an unfavorable currency translation effect resulting from the depreciation of the all of our operating currencies in the division as compared to the Mexican Peso. On a comparable basis, total revenues would have increased 12.8%.

Gross profit decreased 8.4% to Ps. 9,878 million, and gross profit margin contracted 330 basis points to 40.3%. This is a result of higher concentrate costs in Brazil related to the reduction of tax credits on concentrate purchased from the Manaus Free Trade Zone, resulting from our temporary decision to suspend such tax credits, the depreciation of the average exchange rate of all our local currencies in the division as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated raw material costs, and an unfavorable raw material hedging position. These factors were partially offset by lower PET prices in the division and lower sweetener prices mainly in Brazil, combined with our revenue management initiatives. On a comparable basis, gross profit would have increased 3.6%.

Operating income decreased 27.7% to Ps. 2,848 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, resulting in a margin contraction of 430 basis points to 11.6%. This was driven mainly by the previously mentioned factors that affected our gross margin, combined with higher labor and freight expenses, and other restructuring expenses. These factors were partially offset by operating expense efficiencies. On a comparable basis, operating income would have decreased 14.7%.

⁽¹⁾              According to IFRS 5, figures from 2018 do not include the Philippines as it is presented as a discontinued operation as of January 1, 2018.

⁽²⁾              Please refer to page 9 for our definition of “comparable” and a description of the factors affecting the comparability of our financial and operating performance.

⁽³⁾              Operating cash flow = operating income + depreciation + amortization & other operating non-cash charges. 

DEFINITIONS

Volume is expressed in unit cases. Unit case refers to 192 ounces of finished beverage product (24 eight-ounce servings) and, when applied to soda fountains, refers to the volume of syrup, powders, and concentrate that is required to produce 192 ounces of finished beverage product.

Transactions refers to the number of single units (e.g., a can or a bottle) sold, regardless of their size or volume or whether they are sold individually or in multipacks, except for soda fountains, which represent multiple transactions based on a standard 12 oz. serving.

Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure computed as “gross profit – operating expenses – other operating expenses, net + operative equity method (gain) loss in associates.”

Operating cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure computed as “operating income + depreciation + amortization & other operating non-cash charges.”

Earnings per share are equal to “earnings / outstanding shares.” Earnings per share (EPS) for all periods are adjusted to give effect to the stock split resulting in 16,806,658,096 shares outstanding. For the convenience of the reader, as each KOF UBL Unit is comprised of 8 shares (3 Series B shares and 5 Series L shares), earnings per unit are equal to EPS multiplied by 8. Each ADS represents 10 KOF UBL Units.

COMPARABILITY

In an effort to provide our readers with a more useful representation of our company's underlying financial and operating performance, we are including the term “Comparable.” This means, with respect to a year-over-year comparison, the change of a given measure excluding the effects of: (i) mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, including acquisitions made in Guatemala and Uruguay as of May and July 2018, respectively; (ii) translation effects resulting from exchange rate movements; and (iii) the results of hyperinflationary subsidiaries in both periods: Argentina’s results from 2019 and 2018. In preparing this measure, management has used its best judgment, estimates, and assumptions in order to maintain comparability. The relation between our reported and comparable figures is described in the following chart:

ABOUT THE COMPANY           

Stock listing information: Mexican Stock Exchange, Ticker: KOFUBL | NYSE (ADS), Ticker: KOF | Ratio of KOFUBL to KOF = 10:1

Coca-Cola FEMSA files reports, including annual reports and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” and the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, or the “BMV”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC (that apply to foreign private issuers) and of the BMV. Filings we make electronically with the SEC and the BMV are available to the public on the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, the BMV’s website at www.bmv.com.mx, and our website at www.coca-colafemsa.com.

Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. is the largest Coca-Cola franchise bottler in the world by sales volume. The Company produces and distributes trademark beverages of The Coca-Cola Company, offering a wide portfolio of 131 brands to a population of more than 257 million. With over 83 thousand employees, the Company markets and sells approximately 3.3 billion unit cases through close to 2 million points of sale a year. Operating 49 manufacturing plants and 269 distribution centers, Coca-Cola FEMSA is committed to generating economic, social, and environmental value for all of its stakeholders across the value chain. The Company is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index, Dow Jones Sustainability MILA Pacific Alliance Index, FTSE4Good Emerging Index, and the Mexican Stock Exchange’s IPC and Social Responsibility and Sustainability Indices, among others. Its operations encompass franchise territories in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, and Argentina, and, nationwide, in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay, and Venezuela through its investment in KOF Venezuela. For further information, please visit www.coca-colafemsa.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All of the financial information presented in this report was prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

This news release may contain forward-looking statements concerning Coca-Cola FEMSA’s future performance, which should be considered as good faith estimates by Coca-Cola FEMSA. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations and are based upon currently available data. Actual results are subject to future events and uncertainties, many of which are outside Coca-Cola FEMSA’s control, which could materially impact the Company’s actual performance. References herein to “US$” are to United States dollars. This news release contains translations of certain Mexican peso amounts into U.S. dollars for the convenience of the reader. These translations should not be construed as representations that Mexican peso amounts actually represent such U.S. dollars amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated.

(6 pages of tables to follow)

(1) Except volume and average price per unit case figures.

(2) Please refer to pages 14 and 15 for revenue breakdown.

(3) Includes equity method in Jugos del Valle and Estrella Azul, among others.

(4) The operating income and operating cash flow lines are presented as non-GAAP measures for the convenience of the reader.

(5) Operating cash flow = operating income + depreciation, amortization & other operating non-cash charges.

(6) Please refer to page 9 for our definition of “comparable” and a description of the factors affecting the comparability of our financial and operating performance.                 

(1) Except volume and average price per unit case figures.

(2) Please refer to pages 14 and 15 for revenue breakdown.

(3) Includes equity method in Leao Alimentos and Verde Campo, among others.

(4) The operating income and operating cash flow lines are presented as non-GAAP measures for the convenience of the reader.

(5) Operating cash flow = operating income + depreciation, amortization & other operating non-cash charges.

(6) Please refer to page 9 for our definition of “comparable” and a description of the factors affecting the comparability of our financial and operating performance.