McDonald's Reports Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2019 Results And Quarterly Cash Dividend

CHICAGO, Jan. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's Corporation today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

"2019 marked a year of significant milestones for McDonald's - including surpassing $100 billion in Systemwide sales and achieving our highest global comparable sales growth in over a decade," said McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski. "Through the execution of our Velocity Growth Plan, we once again served more customers the food they crave, marking three consecutive years of global comparable guest count growth."

Fourth quarter highlights:

• Strong global comparable sales growth of 5.9% demonstrated broad-based strength with increases in the International Operated segment of 6.2%, the U.S. of 5.1%, and the International Developmental Licensed segment of 6.6%.
• Consolidated revenues increased 4% (4% in constant currencies).
• Systemwide sales increased 6% (7% in constant currencies).
• Consolidated operating income increased 15% (16% in constant currencies), reflecting $140 million of prior year impairment charges. Excluding these charges, operating income increased 7% (9% in constant currencies).
• Diluted earnings per share of $2.08 increased 14% (15% in constant currencies). Results for the fourth quarter 2019 included $0.11 per share of income tax benefit due to new regulations issued in the fourth quarter 2019 related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Act"). Excluding this item, diluted earnings per share was $1.97.**

Full year highlights:

• Global comparable sales grew 5.9%, reflecting increases in the International Operated segment of 6.1%, the U.S. of 5.0%, and the International Developmental Licensed segment of 7.2%.
• Consolidated revenues were relatively flat with the prior year (increased 3% in constant currencies) at $21.1 billion.
• Systemwide sales increased 4% (7% in constant currencies) to $100.2 billion.*
• Diluted earnings per share of $7.88 increased 5% (7% in constant currencies).**
• Cash provided by operations was $8.1 billion and free cash flow was $5.7 billion, a 36% increase over the prior year.

The Company returned $2.3 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in the fourth quarter and $8.6 billion for the full year, marking successful achievement of the Company's targeted return of $25 billion for the three-year period ended 2019.

On January 23, 2020, McDonald's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.25 per share of common stock payable on March 16, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2020.

"In 2019, we completed our three-year cash return to shareholders target of $25 billion. This was a significant achievement given our substantial investments in Experience of the Future and technology," said Kevin Ozan, McDonald's Chief Financial Officer. "Our Velocity Growth Plan helped produce strong operating performance over the past several years, and our underlying financial strength continues to build long-term value for our shareholders. As we begin 2020, we remain committed to our capital allocation philosophy to reinvest in the business to drive profitable growth and return all free cash flow to shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases."

Kempczinski concluded, "The broad-based momentum around the world continues to demonstrate the strength of the Velocity Growth Plan and the dedication of millions of global crew members executing that plan in McDonald's restaurants each and every day.  As we look to 2020, we will continue to deliver delicious food and optimize our investments as we further transform the experience for our customers through added convenience and digital engagement."

Results for the quarter and year reflected stronger operating performance primarily due to an increase in sales-driven franchised margin dollars, partly offset by higher G&A spend. Results for the year also reflected lower gains on sales of restaurant businesses, mostly in the U.S.

Foreign currency translation had a negative impact of $0.02 and $0.21 on diluted earnings per share for the quarter and year, respectively.

Outlined below is additional information for the quarter and full year:

Fourth Quarter

• Fourth quarter 2019 diluted earnings per share of $2.08 increased 14% (15% in constant currencies). Included in the fourth quarter 2019 results was:
• $84 million, or $0.11 per share, of income tax benefit due to new regulations issued in the fourth quarter 2019 related to the Tax Act.
• Included in the fourth quarter 2018 results were:
• $140 million of pre-tax, non-cash impairment charges, or $0.18 per share; and
• $24 million, or $0.03 per share, of income tax benefit associated with the final 2018 adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded in December 2017 under the Tax Act.
• Excluding the above current year and prior year items, net income for the quarter decreased 3% (2% in constant currencies) and diluted earnings per share was flat with the prior year (increased 1% in constant currencies).

Full Year

• Full year 2019 diluted earnings per share of $7.88 increased 5% (7% in constant currencies). Included in the full year 2019 results were:
• $84 million, or $0.11 per share, of income tax benefit due to new regulations issued in the fourth quarter 2019 related to the Tax Act; and
• $74 million of pre-tax strategic charges, or $0.07 per share, primarily related to impairment associated with the purchase of our joint venture partner's interest in the India Delhi market, partly offset by gains on the sales of property at the former Corporate headquarters.
• Included in the full year 2018 results were:
• $140 million of pre-tax, non-cash impairment charges, or $0.17 per share;
• $94 million of pre-tax strategic restructuring charges, or $0.09 per share; and
• $75 million, or $0.10 per share, of net tax cost associated with the final 2018 adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded in December 2017 under the Tax Act.
• Excluding the above current year and prior year items, net income for the full year decreased 3% (1% in constant currencies) and diluted earnings per share decreased 1% (increased 2% in constant currencies).

THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS APPLY TO THESE TERMS AS USED THROUGHOUT THIS RELEASE

Comparable sales represent sales at all restaurants and comparable guest counts represent the number of transactions at all restaurants, whether operated by the Company or by franchisees, in operation at least thirteen months including those temporarily closed. Some of the reasons restaurants may be temporarily closed include reimaging or remodeling, rebuilding, road construction and natural disasters. Comparable sales exclude the impact of currency translation and sales from hyper-inflationary markets (currently, only Venezuela). Management generally identifies hyper-inflationary markets as those markets whose cumulative inflation rate over a three-year period exceeds 100%. Management believes that these exclusions more accurately reflect the underlying business trends. Comparable sales are driven by changes in guest counts and average check, which is affected by changes in pricing and product mix. Management reviews the increase or decrease in comparable sales and comparable guest counts compared with the same period in the prior year to assess business trends.

Systemwide sales include sales at all restaurants, whether operated by the Company or by franchisees. While franchised sales are not recorded as revenues by the Company, management believes the information is important in understanding the Company's financial performance, because these sales are the basis on which the Company calculates and records franchised revenues and are indicative of the financial health of the franchisee base. The Company's revenues consist solely of sales by Company-operated restaurants and fees from franchised restaurants operated by conventional franchisees, developmental licensees and affiliates.

Information in constant currency is calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates. Management reviews and analyzes business results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation, impairment and other strategic charges and gains, as well as income tax provision adjustments related to the Tax Act, and bases incentive compensation plans on these results, because the Company believes this better represents underlying business trends.

RELATED COMMUNICATIONS

This press release should be read in conjunction with Exhibit 99.2 in the Company's Form 8-K filing for supplemental information related to the Company's results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

McDonald's Corporation will broadcast its investor earnings conference call live over the Internet at 7:30 a.m. (Central Time) on January 29, 2020. A link to the live webcast will be available at www.investor.mcdonalds.com. There will also be an archived webcast available for a limited time thereafter.

UPCOMING COMMUNICATIONS

For important news and information regarding McDonald's, including the timing of future investor conferences and earnings calls, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's Internet home page at www.investor.mcdonalds.com. McDonald's uses this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.

ABOUT McDONALD'S

McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 38,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 93% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors discussed in Exhibit 99.2 in the Company's Form 8-K filing on January 29, 2020. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as may otherwise be required by law.

SOURCE McDonald's Corporation