As previously announced, discussions on the potential sale of assets in France are ongoing, and management remains confident that – subject to regulatory approval – the transaction will complete later in 2020. Separately, the company has announced its first sustainability-linked revolving credit facility, which includes a number of KPIs linked to its sustainable business strategy. Meeting KPIs will result in a reduction in margin payable, and Britvic will donate the saving to agreed charities.

Britvic’s strategy has evolved as consumer tastes and preferences are changing. The strategy builds on previous pillars, and revolves around: (1) focusing on core brands; (2) redefining the role of each market; (3) delivering efficiency to fuel growth while building capability to access new opportunities (potentially through selected M&A); and (4) increased focus on building trust and respect through its ‘healthy people, healthy planet’ initiative. Britvic’s strategy has generated good returns, with a six-year EPS CAGR to FY19 of 9.2% and DPS CAGR of 8.5%, and management believes the business can continue to deliver dependable and profitable growth. Following temporary increased capex to implement the Business Capability Programme (BCP), net debt should begin to normalise while the BCPenabled cost savings and simplification should underpin long-term growth. 

Britvic trades at a consensus FY20e P/E of 14.8x, a c 35% discount to the UK beverages sector, and a c 25% discount to AG Barr (calendarised), reflecting its geared balance sheet and the fact some of its brands are part-owned by third parties. However, we believe that with sustained earnings and income delivery, and reducing balance sheet leverage, those discounts should narrow.