- Brown–Forman Corporation, the US-based alcohol beverage producer, reported robust results for for Q2 and H1 of fiscal 2023. For the quarter, reported net sales increased 10% to $1.1 billion (16% on an organic basis) compared to the same prior-year period. Sales came in above estimates of $1 billion.
- Reported operating income decreased 2% to $313 million (8% organic) in the quarter, and diluted earnings per share decreased 4% to $0.47, below consensus estimates of $0.55. Given the strong results, the Brown Forman Board approved a 9% increase to the quarterly cash dividend to $0.2055 per share.
- For the first six months of the fiscal year, reported net sales increased 11% to $2.1 billion (17% organic) compared to the same prior-year period.
- Reported net sales growth was negatively impacted by 6% of foreign currency exchange. In the first half, reported operating income increased 8% to $656 million (19% organic) and diluted earnings per share increased 11% to $0.99.
- Sales growth was led by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey with reported net sales growth of 9% (18% organic). Bourbon brand, Woodford Reserve reported net sales of 39% (40% organic) and Ready-to-Drinks (RTDs) reported net sales growth of 14% (20% organic) boosted by Jack Daniel’s RTDs and New Mix.
- Brown-Forman, a member of the prestigious S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index, has paid regular quarterly cash dividends for 78 consecutive years and has increased the regular dividend for 39 consecutive years. Such a remarkable track record has seen Brown-Forman comfortably outperform the S&P 500 as highlighted in the chart below. Despite the undoubted quality of the business, Brown-Forman trades at a lofty PE multiple of close to 38x and as such continues to remain only on our radar.
By Desmond Esakov