Accor: High Quality First-Half 2008 Results

    PARIS, August 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    - Solid first-half revenue performance: up 5.2%
      like-for-like(1), up 11.8% in Services and up 5.1% in Hotels

    - Improvement in operating margin: 0.8 points like-for-like,
      particularly a strong increase in Services (up 1.1 pt)

    - Operating profit before tax and non-recurring items: EUR393
      million, up 16.0% like-for-like and 25.0% like-for-like and excluding
      the impact of the return to shareholders

    - Sharp improvement in profitability: ROCE(2) of 14.5%, vs.
      12.8% at June-end 2007


    - Full-year target for operating profit before tax and
      non-recurring items: between EUR910 million and EUR930 million, up
      16.0% like-for-like and excluding the impact of the return to
      shareholders

At a time of transformation

The Group's first-half 2008 results reflect the impact of the strategic initiatives deployed since early 2006.

Disposals of non-strategic businesses and restructuring of real estate to improve profitability

To refocus the Group on its two core Hotels and Services businesses, a number of non-strategic assets have been sold, for a total of EUR1.4 billion.

As part of the Hotels business' "Asset Right" strategy, hotel ownership structures have been changed in a commitment to improving return on capital employed and reducing earnings volatility. This process has generated nearly EUR4 billion since 2005.

This strategy has also benefited Accor shareholders, who have had EUR2.4 billion returned to them since 2006 in the form of share buybacks and special dividends.

    This transformation has one-off impacts on interim results:

    - Revenue declined 6.2% (EUR249 million) year-on-year, due to
      a loss of 12.6% (EUR507 million) in revenue from asset disposals.

    - Operating profit before tax and non-recurring items rose by
      3.6% as reported, reduced by 4% (EUR14 million) due to asset sales
      and 9% (EUR35 million) due to the return to shareholders.

    On a like-for-like basis, operating profit before tax and
    non-recurring items increased by 16.0%, and by 25.0% excluding the impact
    on financial expense of the return to shareholders.

    - Net profit stood at EUR310 million versus EUR596 million in
      first-half 2007, a 48.0% decline that primarily reflected the EUR255
      million decrease in capital gains.

    This transformation has long-term positive impacts on Group
    performance:

    - Operating margin, improved by 1.6 points over the period.

    - Return on capital employed, at 14.5% at June 30, 2008, has
      improved by 1.7 points since June 30, 2007. The Group has disposed
      of EUR749 million in US Economy Hotels assets and EUR653 million in
      non-strategic assets, while at the same time focusing on higher return
      businesses like Economy Hotels in Europe, with a 22.8% ROCE, and
      Services, with a 21.0% ROCE at June 30, 2008.

    - A less cyclical Group: Accor is now relying on the two
      businesses - Economy hotels in Europe and Services - that are low
      cyclical businesses and account for nearly 70% of EBIT compared to 44%
      in 2001. Those two activities proved strong resilience during the last
      cycle (2001-2003). In first half 2008, their combined margin improved
      by 1.0 point.

As a result of those transformations, the full-year target is to report profit before tax and non-recurring items of between EUR910 million and EUR930 million, reflecting a 16% increase in profit before tax for the year (like-for-like and excluding the impact of the return to shareholders) which takes into account a more uncertain economic environment.

Anticipating an economic environment that might remain difficult in 2009, Accor will implement an EUR75-million cost savings plan over 2009 and 2010, covering particularly corporate overheads, organization of head offices in Latin America andthe United States, marketing expenditure, purchasing, and new IT projects.

    High quality first-half 2008 results


    (in EUR millions)           H1 2007 H1 2008 % Change      % Change
                                                reported Like-for-like

    Revenue                       4,015   3,766    -6.2%         +5.2%
    EBITDAR                       1,095   1,088    -0.6%         +7.9%
    EBITDAR margin                 27.3%   28.9%   +1.6 pts      +0.8 pts
    Operating profit before tax     379     393    +3.6%        +16.0%

    and non-recurring items
    Net profit, Group share         596     310   -48.0%
    ROCE                           12.8%   14.5%   +1.7 pts

Consolidated revenue totaled EUR3,766 million for the first six months of 2008, up 5.2% like-for-like but down 6.2% as reported due to the large number of asset disposals in 2007.

EBITDAR amounted to EUR1,088 million, up 7.9% like-for-like compared with first-half 2007. A favorable economic environment in the first half and the impact of the Dynamic Pricing policy, as well as sustained demand in the Services business, helped lift EBITDAR margin 1.6 points as reported (0.8 points like-for-like) to 28.9% of revenue.

Services

Services delivered a good set of results in first half. EBITDAR margin stood at 42.4% for the period, a 1.1-point like-for-like increase. This performance confirms the business' robust performance in its core markets, in spite of the loss of a contract inBelgium and the change in tax law in Argentina. Furthermore, the Services started to migrate from paper vouchers to cards, improving the operating margin. As a result, EBITDAR margin in Europe was up 0.3 points with a flow-through rate(3) of 49%. InLatin America, EBITDAR margin improved by 2.0 points and the flow-through rate reached 64% overall and 77% inBrazil, where the EBITDAR margin gained 3.1 points.

Upscale and Midscale Hotels

In Upscale and Midscale Hotels, EBITDAR margin widened by a 0.5 points like-for-like to 27.7%, with a flow-through rate of 35%.

InFrance, revenue was up 6.8% and EBITDAR margin increased by 0.4 points like-for-like. The effective flow-through rate of 34% would have been 49% excluding the negative impact of the January 1 discontinuation of payroll tax relief on low salaries.

InEurope (excludingFrance), revenue and EBITDAR margin increased respectively by 3.7% and 0.8 points, with a flow-through rate of 52%.

Economy hotels (outsidethe United States)

In Economy Hotels, EBITDAR margin improved by 1.0 point like-for-like to 35.8%, with a flow-through rate of 53%.

InFrance, like-for-like revenue increased by 5.4%, with flow-through rate of 22% reflecting the impact of both F1 hotel renovations and the above-mentioned discontinuation of payroll tax relief on low salaries since January 1. Adjusted for these impacts, the flow-through rate would have been 36% for the period. InGermany, revenue improved by 4.1% like-for-like with a flow-through rate of 72%, while in the UK, the flow-through rate was 68%, with revenue up 8.5% like-for-like.

Economy Hotels inthe United States

In Economy Hotels in the US, EBITDAR margin improved by 0.2 points to 37.9% in a difficult economic environment, demonstrating disciplined control of costs.

EBIT rose by 1.8% to EUR425 million as reported and by 15.4% like-for-like.

Operating profit before tax and non-recurring items amounted to EUR393 million, an increase of 3.6% as reported. This figure takes into account an EUR18 million negative currency effect due mainly to the British pound and the US dollar. On a like-for-like basis, operating profit before tax and non-recurring items was up by 16.0%, or by 25.0% excluding the impact on financial expense of the return to shareholders.

Net profit, Group share came to EUR310 million, compared with EUR596 million for the year-earlier period. Most of the decline was attributable to a decrease in capital gains from EUR533 million in first-half 2007, mainly from the disposal of Go Voyages and property divestments, to EUR130 million in first-half 2008. This differential in capital gains explains most of the reduction in net profit in first half 2008.

Operating profit before non-recurring items, net of tax amounted to EUR263 million, compared with EUR258 million in first-half 2007.

Net earnings per share amounted to EUR1.40, based on the weighted average 221.7 million shares outstanding during the period.

Funds from operations totaled EUR487 million in first-half 2008. In first-half 2007, they included EUR39 million from businesses that have since been divested (Go Voyages, Red Roof Inn and the Foodservices inItaly and Brazil). At constant scope of consolidation, funds from operations were up 2.3% for the period.

Net debt amounted to EUR931 million at June 30, 2008. It takes into account EUR368 million in expansion capex and the EUR226 million cost of acquiring assets held for sale (mainly by exercising call options as part of the restructuring of hotel property assets) and EUR503 million in proceeds from asset sales. Dividends paid in first-half 2008 amounted to EUR714 million, including EUR332 million in a special dividend of EUR1.50 per share.

The main financial ratios reflect the Group's robust financial position. Gearing stood at 28.0% at June 30, 2008, while the ratio of adjusted funds from operations to adjusted net debt(4) came to 24.2%.

Return on capital employed continued to improve, rising to 14.5% at June 30, 2008, from 12.8% at June 30, 2007. ROCE in the Hotels business has improved by 2.9 points since December 31, 2006, from 11.1% to 14.0% at June 30, 2008.

Significant progress in implementing the strategic plan

Accor Services: extending the range of prepaid services and products

Active in the prepaid market for more than 40 years with Ticket Restaurant meal vouchers and Ticket Alimentation food vouchers, the Services business is expanding its lineup with Prepaid Gifts, Prepaid Car and Prepaid Transport products to meet the expectations of employers and employees alike. This development is being led by a growing emphasis on new technological solutions, such as smart cards and cell phones, as well as on innovative marketing techniques.

    In first-half 2008, Accor Services launched:

    - The UUB prepaid card, aimed at Un- and UnderBanked employees
      in the United Kingdom.

    - The Commuter Check card (transit and parking) in the United
      States to promote the use of public transportation.

    - The "Ma Kadeos" range of customizable gift cards.

Accor Services is relying on acquisitions that enable it either to strengthen its technological expertise - as was the case with UK-based Prepay Technologies, acquired in 2007 - or to immediately increase market share. An annual budget of EUR100 million has been allocated for acquisitions to help drive additional revenue growth of around 5% a year.

The Services business is also enjoying sustained organic growth in revenue of 8% to 16% a year in accordance to Group's objectives, with increases of 15.5% in 2006, 11.9% in 2007 and 11.8% in first-half 2008.

Ramp-up of the Hotel brands

The repositioning of Sofitel in the Luxury segment has led to the rebranding of 19 hotels since 2007 and to a 9.7% increase in average room rates for the period. At June 30, the Sofitel network was comprised of 161 hotels, of which 68 will display the new visual identity by the end of 2008. A number of high-profile units are undergoing renovation, including Sofitel Amsterdam The Grand, Sofitel Aswan Old Cataract in and Sofitel Brussels Le Louise. The July rollout of the "Life is Magnifique" advertising campaign has revitalized the brand's visibility.

Pullman, the new Upscale brand launched last December, performed well in the first half, with RevPAR rising by 3.5% for a network comprised of 20 hotels at June 30, 2008. Forty-six new hotels are already planned, including 30 rebrandings and 16 openings.

In the non-standardized Economy segment, the All Seasons brand introduced in September 2007 already had a network of 14 hotels inFrance at June 30. In addition, 50 new hotels are commited, including 35 openings and 15 rebrandings.

MGallery and Accor Loyalty program scheduled for launch in September

The MGallery label, designating a collection of upscale hotels with distinctive personality comprised of rebranded Mercure and Sofitel units, will be introduced on September 3.

Accor Hospitality's new online, multi-brand loyalty program will be launched on September 12, with deployment in 2,000 hotels in 80 countries.

Further expansion in the Hotels business

During the first half, 11,000 rooms were opened, of which 37% inEurope, 31% inAsia-Pacific, 19% in other emerging markets, and 13% inNorth America. InChina, where the network includes 63 hotels, expansion has been especially robust, as illustrated by the openings of the Novotel Beijing West and Mercure Wanshang inBeijing in time for the Summer Olympics. At June 30, 2008, there were 86 hotels in the pipeline, including 24 new contracts signed in the first half.

In all, there were 101,000 rooms in the pipeline at June 30, 2008, compared with 93,000 at December 31, 2007. A total of 23,000 rooms were signed during the first half, compared with 21,325 during the prior-year period.

Hotel property disposals proceeding as scheduled

Of the targeted EUR978 million in disposals over the year, assets totaling EUR482 million were divested in the first half, while agreements to sell an additional EUR119 million in assets have been signed, with closing scheduled during the second half. As a result, more than 60% of the expected full-year program has already been completed.

Outlook for 2008

Business in July

In the Services business, revenue increased by 16.3% like-for-like in July.

During the month, like-for-like RevPAR in the Upscale and Midscale Hotels inEurope rose by 3.0%, with increases of 4.2% inFrance, 4.7% inGermany and 0.4% in the rest ofEurope. In Economy Hotels inEurope, like-for-like RevPAR was up 1.7% overall, rising 3.1% inFrance, 1.0% inGermany, and 0.4% in the rest ofEurope. These trends confirm the resistance of the Group's two core markets,France andGermany.

In Economy Hotels in the US, RevPAR was down 3.0% in July, in line with the market.

    - 2008 earnings objective

    Over the full year, the Group is aiming to report profit
    before tax and non-recurring items of between EUR910 million to EUR930
    million. This target takes into account the following factors:

    - Growth in profit before tax and non-recurring items
      (excluding the impact of the return to shareholders) of 25% in the
      first half and of around 10% in the second, in light of the less
      favorable economic environment.

    - An additional negative EUR85-million impact on profit before
      tax of the Group transformation which is made of a negative EUR55-
      million impact on net financial expense of the return to shareholders
      (share buybacks and the payment of special dividends in 2007 and 2008)
      and a negative EUR30-million impact of assets divested in 2007-Go
      Voyages, the Foodservices in Italy and Brazil, and Red Roof Inn.

    - An estimated negative EUR40-million currency effect due to
      the weak US dollar and British pound.

    - An estimated negative EUR17-million impact of expansion
      (hotel openings or acquisitions).

This earnings objective would represent around 16% growth in profit before tax like-for-like for the year, excluding the impact of the return to shareholders.

    Upcoming events

    - October 14: Third-quarter revenue

    - October 20, 21 & 22: Investor Days


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    (1) At constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates.

(2) Return on capital employed (ROCE) corresponds to EBITDA expressed as a percentage of fixed assets at cost plus working capital.

(3) Defined as the like-for-like change in EBITDAR expressed as a percentage of the like-for-like change in revenue.

(4) The ratio of funds from operations before non-recurring items to adjusted net debt is calculated according to a method used by the main rating agencies, with net debt adjusted for the 8% discounting of future minimum lease payments and funds from operations adjusted for interest expense on these payments. Funds from operations before non-recurring items corresponds to cash flow from operating activities before non-recurring items and changes in working capital requirement.

SOURCE Accor

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