-- Total revenues reached Ps. 22,526 million in the first quarter of
2009, an increase of 30.5% compared to the first quarter of 2008; the
acquisition of Refrigerantes Minas Gerais ("REMIL") contributed more than
25% of this growth.
-- Consolidated operating income grew 17.3% to Ps. 3,305 million for the
first quarter of 2009, mainly driven by double-digit operating income
growth recorded in our Mercosur and Latincentro divisions. Our operating
margin reached 14.7% for the first quarter of 2009.
-- Consolidated majority net income decreased 18.1% to Ps. 1,327 million
in the first quarter of 2009, mainly reflecting the devaluation of the
Mexican peso as applied to our U.S. dollar-denominated net debt, resulting
in earnings per share of Ps. 0.72 in the first quarter of 2009.
"Our Company achieved healthy top- and bottom-line results for the quarter,
growing volumes, revenues and EBITDA by 7, 30 and 20 percent respectively.
Among other factors, we benefited from the consolidation of our REMIL
franchise territory in Brazil, the continued successful rollout of the
Jugos del Valle line of juice-based beverages in Mexico, Colombia and
Central America, and organic growth. We have the flexibility to adapt our
business through initiatives that sustain our cash flow and meet our
strategic objectives. Importantly, our company is in a very strong
financial position as exemplified by the dividends of more than 1.3 billion
Mexican pesos that we paid our shareholders in the month of April," said
Carlos Salazar Lomelin, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Our first quarter 2009 Conference Call will be held on: April 29, 2009, at
11:00 A.M. Eastern Time (10:00 A.M. Mexico City Time). To participate in
the conference call, please dial: Domestic U.S.: 866-700-7477 or
International: 617-213-8840. We invite investors to listen to the live
audiocast of the conference call on the Company's website,
www.coca-colafemsa.com
If you are unable to participate live, an instant replay of the conference
call will be available through May 6, 2009. To listen to the replay, please
dial: Domestic U.S.: 888-286-8010 or International: 617-801-6888. Pass
code: 48063967.
Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. produces and distributes Coca-Cola, Sprite,
Fanta, Lift and other trademark beverages of The Coca-Cola Company in
Mexico (a substantial part of central Mexico, including Mexico City and
southeast Mexico), Guatemala (Guatemala City and surrounding areas),
Nicaragua (nationwide), Costa Rica (nationwide), Panama (nationwide),
Colombia (most of the country), Venezuela (nationwide), Brazil (greater São
Paulo, Campiñas, Santos, the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, part of the state
of Goias and Minas Gerais) and Argentina (federal capital of Buenos Aires
and surrounding areas), along with bottled water, beer and other beverages
in some of these territories. The Company has 30 bottling facilities in
Latin America and serves over 1,500,000 retailers in the region. The
Coca-Cola Company owns a 31.6% equity interest in Coca-Cola FEMSA.
Please click on this link to view the full version of the Press Release on
our Web Site
http://www.coca-colafemsa.com
Contact Information: Roland Karig Investor Relations KOF +52-55-50-81-51-86 www.coca-colafemsa.com