[b]2008 Full-Year[/b]
Full-year diluted earnings per share of $3.32, up 16.1% from $2.86 in 2007, including the items detailed on Schedule 8.
Adjusted 2008 full-year diluted earnings per share of $3.32, up 18.6% from the 2007 pro-forma adjusted earnings per share of $2.80. Excluding currency, adjusted 2008 full-year diluted earnings per share were up 13.2%.
[b]2008 Fourth-Quarter[/b]
Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share of $0.71, down 4.1% from $0.74 for the same period in 2007, including the items detailed on Schedule 7
Adjusted fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share of $0.71, down 1.4% for the same period in 2007 from the pro-forma adjusted earnings per share of $0.72. Excluding currency, adjusted fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share were up 12.5%.
Spent a total of $5.4 billion to repurchase 106.8 million shares of its common stock in 2008; increased the dividend by 17.4% in 2008 to an annualized rate of $2.16 per share.
During 2008, acquired Rothmans Inc. of Canada and the fine cut trademark Interval.
Forecasts 2009 full-year diluted earnings per share to a range of $2.85 to $3.00, at current exchange rates, versus $3.32 in 2008. Excluding an adverse currency impact of $0.80 per share, 2009 guidance is projected to increase by 10%-14%.
As announced on February 3, 2009, PMI entered into an exclusive 50:50 joint venture agreement with Swedish Match AB to commercialize smoke-free tobacco products worldwide, excluding Scandinavia and the USA.
Announces an agreement to acquire the rights to the Petteroes trademark, the leading fine cut brand in Norway.
Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE / Euronext Paris: PM) today announced its 2008 full-year and fourth-quarter results and provided its forecast for 2009 full-year diluted earnings per share…
"Our operating performance in 2008 was exceptionally strong and our results exceeded our constant currency growth targets for both the full year and the fourth quarter. Our first year as an independent company was also marked by significant progress on numerous strategic fronts and specifically behind our efforts to improve our speed to market and enhance the vibrancy and equity of our strong brand portfolio," said Louis Camilleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"The global economic crisis obviously results in uncertainty, particularly on the currency front, and at current exchange rates we face a steep hurdle. Nevertheless, we enter 2009 with solid momentum and confident in our ability to meet our constant currency income growth targets. Our commitment to judiciously invest in the growth of our business and deliver superior returns to our shareholders over the long term remains as steadfast as ever."
[b]Conference Call[/b]
A conference call, hosted by Louis Camilleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Hermann Waldemer, Chief Financial Officer, with members of the investment community and news media will be webcast at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 4, 2009. Access is available at www.pmintl.com.
[b]Dividends and Share Repurchase Program[/b]
During the fourth quarter, PMI announced a regular quarterly dividend of $0.54. PMI increased its dividend by 17.4% in August 2008 to an annualized rate of $2.16 per share.
In the fourth-quarter, PMI spent $888 million to repurchase 20.6 million shares of its common stock. Since May 2008, when PMI began its previously-announced $13 billion, two-year share repurchase program, the company has spent a total of $5.4 billion to repurchase 106.8 million shares.
[b]Acquisitions[/b]
In 2008, PMI acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Rothmans Inc. of Canada for CAD $30.00 per share in cash, representing an aggregate transaction value of approximately CAD $2.0 billion. The Canadian business' results were incorporated into the renamed Latin America & Canada segment as of September 19, 2008. These results were not material to PMI's operating results for the fourth quarter 2008 or for the full-year 2008.
During the year, PMI also acquired the fine cut trademark Interval for 254 million euros.
[b]Certain PMI Subsidiaries Revise their Closing Date[/b]
Prior to 2008, certain of PMI's subsidiaries reported their results up to ten days before the end of December, rather than on December 31. During 2008, these subsidiaries moved to a December 31 closing date. Accordingly, the first and fourth quarter results of previous periods have been revised to reflect this change. The unfavorable impact of this change on 2008 diluted earnings per share in the first quarter is essentially offset by a favorable impact in the fourth quarter. The effect of this change for the year ended December 31, 2008 was not material to PMI's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Schedules 9-12 for more information.
[b]PMI Enters into Agreement with Swedish Match AB[/b]
As separately announced on February 3, 2009, PMI has entered into an agreement with Swedish Match AB (SWMA) to establish an exclusive 50:50 joint venture to commercialize Swedish style snus and other smoke-free tobacco products worldwide, outside of Scandinavia and the USA. PMI and SWMA will license exclusively to the joint venture an agreed list of trademarks and intellectual property.
PMI has further licensed to SWMA certain PMI trademarks in Sweden and Norway, including 1847 by Philip Morris, PMI's first product in the Swedish snus category launched in June 2008.
[b]Acquisition of Petteroes[/b]
PMI has reached an agreement to acquire the rights to the Petteroes fine cut tobacco trademark worldwide and other cigarette trademarks sold primarily in Norway and Sweden.
In 2008, Petteroes had a 58% share of the Norwegian roll-your-own segment and a 7% share of the cigarette category. The brand recorded net revenues, excluding excise taxes, of approximately NOK 370 million (USD 54 million), and operating companies income of approximately NOK 260 million (USD 38 million), in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.
The transaction is subject to approval by the European Commission and certain individual country regulatory agencies and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2009. The transaction is projected be modestly accretive to net earnings in 2009.
[b]2009 Full-Year Forecast[/b]
PMI forecasts 2009 full-year diluted earnings per share to a range of $2.85 to $3.00, at current exchange rates, versus $3.32 in 2008. Excluding an adverse currency impact of $0.80 per share, 2009 guidance is projected to increase by 10%-14%. This guidance excludes the impact of any potential future acquisition.
The factors described in the Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements section of this release represent continuing risks to this projection.
[b]2008 FULL-YEAR AND FOURTH-QUARTER CONSOLIDATED RESULTS[/b]
Management reviews operating companies income, which is defined as operating income before corporate expenses and amortization of intangibles, to evaluate segment performance and to allocate resources. Management believes it is appropriate to disclose this measure to help investors analyze business performance and trends. For a reconciliation of operating companies income to operating income, see the Condensed Statements of Earnings contained in this release. References to international tobacco market shares are PMI estimates based on a number of sources.
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* Net revenues, excluding excise taxes.
Reported net revenues, excluding excise taxes, of $25.7 billion for the full-year 2008 were up 12.7%, driven by growth in all business segments. Net revenues increased by 6.6% for the full-year, excluding favorable currency of $1.4 billion. Excluding currency and acquisitions, net revenues increased by 5.6%.
In the fourth quarter, reported net revenues, excluding excise taxes, of $6.1 billion, were up 3.6%. Net revenues increased by 8.5% for the quarter, excluding unfavorable currency of $288 million. Excluding currency and acquisitions, net revenues increased by 5.6%.
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Reported operating companies income increased 16.7% to $10.4 billion for the full-year 2008, due primarily to higher pricing of $1.2 billion, across all business segments, improved volume/mix and favorable currency of $481 million. Adjusted for the items shown in the table below, operating companies income grew 16.5%. Excluding currency, operating companies income was up 11.3%. Excluding currency and acquisitions, operating companies income increased by 9.9%.
Fourth-quarter 2008 reported operating companies income was essentially flat at $2.3 billion, reflecting higher pricing across all business segments and the favorable impact of the Canadian acquisition, offset by unfavorable currency of $237 million and by increased expenditures in marketing, trade and selling activities, principally in Asia of approximately $100 million. Adjusted for the items shown in the table below, operating companies income declined 1.7%. Excluding currency, operating companies income was up 10.4%. Excluding currency and acquisitions, operating companies income increased by 7.4%.
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* Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.
**Margins are calculated as adjusted operating companies income, divided by net revenues, excluding excise taxes.
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[b]2008 Full-Year Results[/b]
PMI cigarette shipment volume of 869.8 billion units was up 2.5% for the full-year 2008. On an organic basis, excluding acquisitions, PMI's cigarette shipment volume was up 1.0%, benefiting from strong performances in EEMA, Asia and Latin America & Canada, partially offset by the EU. The performance in the EU was adversely affected by a decline in the total market, the build-up of trade inventories in the Czech Republic in the fourth quarter of 2007 in anticipation of the January 2008 excise tax increase, and the impact of tax-driven pricing in Poland. Absent the distortions in the Czech Republic and Poland, PMI cigarette shipment volume in the EU declined by 2.9%.
Marlboro cigarette shipment volume of 310.7 billion units was up 0.2%, with a combined growth in EEMA, Asia and Latin America & Canada of 4.3%, partially offset by the EU, down 6.0%, primarily reflecting cigarette consumption declines.
Total cigarette shipments of L&M of 92.4 billion units were down 4.6%, mainly due to a decline in EEMA, partially offset by growth in the EU. Led by double-digit growth in EEMA and an increase in the EU, total cigarette shipments of Chesterfield grew 13.7%. Total cigarette shipments of Parliament recorded strong growth, up 20.0%, led by gains in EEMA and Asia. Virginia Slims grew 8.2%, driven by gains across all business segments.
Shipment volume of other tobacco products (in cigarette equivalent units) grew 30.9%, driven by strong growth in France, Germany and Poland. Excluding acquisitions, shipment volume of other tobacco products was up 18.1%.
Total shipment volume for cigarettes and other tobacco products was up 2.8%, or up 1.2% excluding acquisitions.
PMI's full-year market share performance improved versus 2007 in a number of markets, including Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
[b]2008 Fourth-Quarter Results[/b]
PMI cigarette shipment volume of 217.2 billion units was up 2.0%, driven by EEMA, Asia and Latin America & Canada, partially offset by a decline in the EU due to the factors mentioned above for the full-year. Absent the distortions in the Czech Republic and Poland, PMI cigarette shipment volume in the EU declined 3.6%. On an organic basis, excluding acquisitions, PMI's cigarette shipment volume was up 0.6%, benefiting from particularly strong performances in Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia and Turkey, partially offset by EU markets, mainly the Czech Republic and Poland.
Total cigarette shipments of Marlboro of 78.5 billion units were up 2.0%, with combined growth in EEMA, Asia and Latin America & Canada of 6.4%, partially offset by a 5.2% decline in the EU.
Total cigarette shipments of L&M of 22.0 billion units were down 4.0%, mainly due to a decline in EEMA. Total cigarette shipments of Chesterfield grew 4.8% versus the prior-year quarter, driven by continued growth in the EU and EEMA. Total cigarette shipments of Parliament continued to record strong growth, up 16.4%, led by gains in EEMA and Asia. Virginia Slims grew 2.4%, driven by gains in the EU and EEMA.
Shipment volume of other tobacco products (in cigarette equivalent units) grew 30.0%, driven by strong growth in Belgium, France and Poland. Excluding acquisitions, shipment volume of other tobacco products was up 4.4%.
Total shipment volume for cigarettes and other tobacco products was up 2.4%, or up 0.6% excluding acquisitions.
PMI's market share performance improved versus the same period in 2007 in a number of markets, including Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
[b]EUROPEAN UNION (EU)[/b]
[b]2008 Full-Year Results[/b]
In the EU, net revenues, excluding excise taxes, increased by 9.7% to reach $9.7 billion, due to favorable currency of $899 million. Excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, net revenues decreased 0.8%, mainly due to: an unfavorable volume/mix of $454 million, especially in the Czech Republic driven by the impact of unfavorable trade inventory movements in anticipation of the January 2008 excise tax increase; the total market decline, primarily in Poland due to tax-driven price increases; and lower share in some markets, principally France and Poland. These factors were partially offset by higher pricing in most markets of $382 million, net of a total tax absorption cost of $75 million in the Czech Republic and Poland where PMI absorbed taxes as a result of shorter inventory durations of old tax products compared to its competitors.
Operating companies income grew by 12.9% to $4.7 billion, mainly due to favorable currency of $432 million and higher pricing. Excluding currency, operating companies income increased in all main markets with the exception of the Czech Republic, France and Poland for the reasons mentioned above. Operating companies income grew 10.9% in 2008 when adjusted for the impact of the items shown in the table below. Excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, adjusted operating companies income increased by 0.5%.
The total cigarette market in the EU declined by 4.8%. Adjusted for the Czech Republic inventory distortion and excluding the tax-driven pricing impact in Poland, the total cigarette market in the EU was down 1.8%.
PMI's cigarette shipment volume in the EU declined by 5.5%, reflecting a lower total market. Absent the distortions in the Czech Republic and the total market decline in Poland, PMI cigarette shipment volume in the EU declined 2.9%. PMI's share was down 0.2 share points at 39.2%. Marlboro's share in the EU was down 0.1 share point for the year, with declines in France, Germany, Italy and Spain partially offset by gains in Greece and Hungary.
[b]2008 Fourth-Quarter Results[/b]
Net revenues, excluding excise taxes, declined by 6.0% to $2.1 billion, due to unfavorable currency of $83 million. Excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, net revenues decreased 2.9%, principally due to an unfavorable volume/mix of $184 million, due to total market declines and the inventory distortion in the Czech Republic mentioned above, partially offset by higher pricing across almost all markets of $119 million.
Operating companies income declined by 9.4% to $959 million, mainly due to unfavorable volume/mix, and unfavorable currency of $91 million, partially offset by higher pricing. Operating companies income declined 12.4% for the fourth quarter when adjusted for the impact of the items shown in the table below. Excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, adjusted operating companies income decreased by 5.0%.
The total cigarette market in the EU declined by 8.7%, impacted by the unfavorable factors mentioned above for the full year. Adjusted for these factors, the total cigarette market in the EU was down 3.1%.
PMI's cigarette shipment volume in the EU declined by 8.6%, reflecting a lower total market. PMI's share was essentially flat at 39.3%. However, Marlboro's share in the EU was up 0.3 share points versus the third quarter 2008.
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*Margins are calculated as adjusted operating companies income, divided by net revenues, excluding excise taxes.
[b]EU Key Market Commentaries[/b]
In France, the total cigarette market was down 2.5% in 2008, reflecting the impact of the August 2007, 0.30 euros per pack price increase as well as the expansion of public smoking restrictions in January 2008. In the fourth quarter, the total cigarette market was down only 0.3%, reflecting the annualization of the price increase impact. PMI's shipments were down 6.1% in 2008 and, while market share in the fourth quarter was flat against the third quarter 2008, total share for the year decreased 1.7 share points to 40.8%. Marlboro share in 2008 was down 2.9 share points to 27.3%, reflecting the impact of crossing the 5.00 euros per pack threshold, and down 0.2 share points in the fourth quarter versus the third quarter of 2008.
In Germany, the total cigarette market was down 2.7% in 2008, primarily reflecting the impact of public smoking restrictions that came into force during the year. While PMI's cigarette shipments were down 1.7%, market share was up 0.4 share points to 36.9%, reflecting the continued strong momentum of L&M, the fastest growing major cigarette brand in Germany, up 1.9 share points versus 2007. PMI's market share in the fourth quarter of 2008 was up 0.8 share points versus the prior-year quarter.
In Italy, the total market was down 0.9% in 2008, reflecting the impact of 2008 price increases. PMI's shipments declined 2.9%, reflecting distributor inventory adjustments, and market share declined 0.2 share points to 54.4%. Marlboro's share was down 0.3 share points.
In Poland, the total cigarette market was down 9.7% in 2008, reflecting the impact of the 2007 and 2008 price increases driven by EU tax harmonization. PMI's shipments declined 12.8% and market share declined 1.3 share points to 37.6%, reflecting the loss incurred by PMI's low priced brands. Following the closure of price gaps with competitive brands that had widened as a result of the tax-driven price increases during the third quarter of 2008, PMI's market share is showing early signs of recovery, as evidenced by total share and Marlboro share in December 2008, up 0.7 and 0.2 share points respectively, versus the same period in 2007.
In Spain, the total market was up 1.2% in 2008. PMI's shipments increased 0.4% and PMI's market share was essentially flat at 31.9%, benefiting from the October 2008 launch of Marlboro Pocket Pack which captured a 0.7% share in the fourth quarter.
[b]EASTERN EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EEMA)[/b]
[b]2008 Full-Year Results[/b]
In EEMA, net revenues, excluding excise taxes, increased by 18.2% to reach $7.5 billion, including favorable currency of $296 million. Excluding currency, net revenues grew 13.6% due to higher pricing and favorable volume/mix, principally in Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Operating companies income surged 28.3%, including favorable currency of $21 million, or 27.7% when adjusted for the impact of the items shown in the table below. Excluding the impact of currency, adjusted operating companies income was up a strong 26.9%, driven by continued gains across the region and especially in Eastern Europe and Turkey. The income gain reflects a combination of strong volume growth, particularly in Russia and Ukraine, favorable product mix due to up-trading in Eastern Europe and Turkey and improved pricing across the region.
PMI's cigarette shipment volume increased 4.4%, driven by gains in Algeria, Egypt, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine, as well as favorable trade inventory movements in Bulgaria.
[b]2008 Fourth-Quarter Results[/b]
Net revenues, excluding excise taxes, increased by 8.2% to reach $1.8 billion, including unfavorable currency of $109 million. Excluding currency, net revenues grew 14.7% due to the same factors mentioned above for the full year.
Operating companies income grew 8.3%, including unfavorable currency of $104 million. Excluding the impact of currency, adjusted operating companies income was up a strong 24.8% driven by strong growth in Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
In the fourth quarter, PMI's cigarette shipment volume increased 4.8%, driven by Algeria, Egypt, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine, as well as favorable trade inventory movements in Bulgaria.
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*Margins are calculated as adjusted operating companies income, divided by net revenues, excluding excise taxes.
[b]EEMA Key Market Commentaries[/b]
In Russia, PMI's shipment volume was up 7.9% in 2008, benefiting from up-trading to our higher-priced brands. PMI's market share was up 0.2 share points, with the premium brands Marlboro and Parliament, and the medium-priced brand Chesterfield, all registering share gains. PMI's premium brand portfolio increased market share by 0.5 share points for the full year 2008. In the fourth quarter, PMI's shipment volume was up 4.7% and market share was up 0.5 share points versus the prior year and up 0.2 share points versus the third quarter 2008.
In Turkey, PMI's shipment volume was up 4.9% in 2008, fueled by improved product mix, with double-digit growth of the premium brand portfolio, comprised of Parliament, Marlboro and Virginia Slims, launched in the first quarter of 2008, partially offset by the decline of lower-margin brands. Total market share in 2008 of 40.5% was up 0.2 share points. PMI's share has recovered strongly in 2008 and gained 1.5 share points to reach 41.4% in the fourth quarter.
In Ukraine, PMI's shipment volume was up 6.6% in 2008 and market share rose 1.3 share points versus 2007 to 35.2%, reflecting share gains by our higher-margin brands Marlboro, Parliament and Chesterfield. In the fourth quarter, PMI's shipment volume was up 3.5%.
[b]ASIA[/b]
[b]2008 Full-Year Results[/b]
In Asia, net revenues, excluding excise taxes, increased by 9.5% to reach $6.2 billion, including favorable currency of $140 million. Excluding currency and acquisitions, net revenues grew 6.2%.
Operating companies income grew 14.1% to $2.1 billion, due primarily to strong performances in Australia, Indonesia and Korea. Operating companies income grew 13.1% in 2008 when adjusted for the impact of the items shown in the table below. Excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, adjusted operating companies income grew 11.1%, primarily due to higher pricing, mainly in Australia, Indonesia and Thailand, and favorable volume/mix, mainly in Indonesia and Korea.
PMI's cigarette shipment volume increased 5.8%, due to gains in Indonesia, Korea, acquisition volume in Pakistan, and the Philippines, partially offset by Japan.
[b]2008 Fourth-Quarter Results[/b]
In the fourth quarter, net revenues, excluding excise taxes, increased by 4.5% to reach $1.5 billion, including unfavorable currency of $63 million. Excluding currency, net revenues grew 9.0%.
In the fourth quarter, operating companies income was up 0.5%, due primarily to higher pricing and favorable volume mix, partially offset by increased expenditures in marketing, trade and selling activities, principally in Japan and Indonesia. Operating companies income was down 0.9% when adjusted for the impact of the items shown in the table below. Excluding the impact of currency, adjusted operating companies income grew 4.4%. The decrease in adjusted operating companies income margin reflects additional expenditures in marketing, trade and selling activities.
In the fourth quarter, PMI's cigarette shipment volume increased 5.4%, reflecting gains in Indonesia, Korea and the Philippines, partially offset by Japan.
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*Margins are calculated as adjusted operating companies income, divided by net revenues, excluding excise taxes.
[b]Asia Key Market Commentaries[/b]
In Indonesia, PMI's shipment volume rose 9.7% in 2008, reflecting overall industry growth and portfolio share gains, notably by Marlboro, up 0.4 share points to 4.8%, and A Mild, up 0.4 share points to 10.0%. The A Mild brand family continued to perform strongly, helped by the successful launch of A Volution, the first super slims kretek in the Indonesian market. PMI's shipment volume rose 5.6% in the fourth quarter versus the prior-year period and market share remained stable at 29.6%.
In Japan, the total cigarette market declined 4.4% in 2008. However, adjusting for the impact of the completed implementation of vending machine age verification and resultant trade inventory movements, the total market is estimated to have declined 3.8%. PMI's shipments were down 5.0%, primarily reflecting the lower total market. Although PMI's market share in 2008 declined 0.4 share points to 23.9%, share in the fourth quarter of 2008 was stable compared to the previous quarter and versus prior year. Marlboro's share for 2008 was up 0.1 share point at 10.1% and up 0.6 share points to 10.4% in the fourth quarter of 2008 versus the prior year, driven by the August launch of Marlboro Black Menthol, an innovative product in the growing menthol segment, which captured 1.0% share of market in the fourth quarter, and the November launch of Marlboro Filter Plus One, which achieved a 0.3% share of market in the fourth quarter. Share of Lark in 2008 was 6.6%, down 0.2 share points versus 2007.
In Korea, the total market was up 3.6% in 2008 and PMI's shipment volume increased 24.9%, driven by market share increases. Following a record market share of 12.3% in the fourth quarter, up 2.0 share points compared to the prior year, PMI's share in 2008 reached 11.8%, up 2.0 share points, due mainly to the continued strong performance of Parliament, up 1.4 share points, Marlboro, up 0.6 share points, and Virginia Slims, up 0.2 share points.
[b]LATIN AMERICA & CANADA[/b]
[b]2008 Full-Year Results[/b]
In Latin America & Canada, net revenues, excluding excise taxes, increased by 17.5% to reach $2.3 billion, including favorable currency of $47 million, due largely to higher pricing in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico and higher volume in Argentina and Mexico. Excluding currency and acquisitions, net revenues, excluding excise taxes, grew 7.2%, due mainly to higher pricing and positive volume/mix.
Operating companies income grew 1.2% to $520 million, due primarily to the favorable impact of acquisitions in Canada and Mexico. Operating companies income grew 21.6% when adjusted for the impact of the items shown in the table below. Excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, adjusted operating companies income increased 3.6%.
Cigarette shipment volume increased by 11.3%, primarily reflecting gains in Argentina and Mexico and the inclusion of acquisition volume in Canada and Mexico. Excluding acquisitions, shipments increased 2.7%.
[b]2008 Fourth-Quarter Results[/b]
Net revenues, excluding excise taxes, increased by 26.2% to reach $727 million, due largely to the Canadian acquisition, partially offset by unfavorable currency of $33 million. Excluding these items, net revenues grew 4.7%, due mainly to higher pricing in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
Operating companies income increased 25.3%, due primarily to the favorable impact of the Canadian acquisition. Excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, adjusted operating companies income grew 4.7%.
Cigarette shipment volume increased by 13.3%, reflecting the same factors as for the total year. Excluding acquisitions, shipments increased 1.4%.
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* Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.
**Margins are calculated as adjusted operating companies income, divided by net revenues, excluding excise taxes.
[b]Latin America & Canada Key Market Commentaries[/b]
In Argentina, the total cigarette market grew 5.7% in 2008. PMI's cigarette shipment volume increased 8.8% and share increased 2.0 share points to 71.0%, driven by Marlboro, up 1.3 share points and the Philip Morris brand, up 1.9 share points. In the fourth quarter, PMI cigarette shipment volume increased 7.4% and market share increased 1.8 share points to 71.6%.
In Canada, the total cigarette market declined 2.3% in 2008. PMI recorded cigarette shipment volume of 2.8 billion units following the acquisition. Pro forma share for the full year 2008 increased 1.2 share points to 33.8% and for the fourth quarter increased 1.0 share point to 34.4%.
In Mexico, the total cigarette market was down 1.3% in 2008, reflecting the impact of price increases in October 2007 and related trade inventory movements, and tax-driven price increases in January and December 2008. However, PMI's cigarette shipment volume rose by 22.6% and share increased 3.4 share points to 67.7%, led by Benson & Hedges, up 0.6 share points and Delicados, up 1.3 share points. The share of Marlboro, the market leader, was 48.7%, up 0.9 share points.
[b]Philip Morris International Inc. Profile[/b]
Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) is the leading international tobacco company, with seven of the world's top 15 brands, including Marlboro, the number one cigarette brand worldwide. PMI has more than 75,000 employees and its products are sold in approximately 160 countries. In 2007, the company held an estimated 15.6% share of the total international cigarette market outside of the U.S. For more information, see www.pmintl.com.
Trademarks and service marks mentioned in this release are the registered property of, or licensed by, the subsidiaries of Philip Morris International Inc.
A complete copy of PMI's audited 2008 financial statements will be available through PMI's website after they are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about February 9, 2009. Those without internet access who would like to receive a copy of the 2008 audited financial statements for PMI, may call our Shareholder Publications Center toll-free on +1-866-713-8075 to request a copy.
[b]Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements[/b]
This press release contains projections of future results and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements.
Philip Morris International Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries (PMI) are subject to intense price competition; changes in consumer preferences and demand for their products; fluctuations in levels of customer inventories; increases in raw material costs; the effects of foreign economies and local economic and market conditions; unfavorable currency movements and changes to income tax laws. Their results are dependent upon their continued ability to promote brand equity successfully; to anticipate and respond to new consumer trends; to develop new products and markets and to broaden brand portfolios in order to compete effectively; and to improve productivity.
PMI is also subject to legislation and governmental regulation, including actual and potential excise tax increases; discriminatory excise tax structures; increasing marketing and regulatory restrictions; the effects of price increases related to excise tax increases on consumption rates and consumer preferences within price segments; health concerns relating to the use of tobacco products and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; privately imposed smoking restrictions; and governmental investigations.
PMI is subject to litigation, including risks associated with adverse jury and judicial determinations, and courts reaching conclusions at variance with the company's understanding of applicable law. It is possible that PMI's consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position could be materially affected in a particular fiscal quarter or fiscal year by an unfavorable outcome or settlement of certain pending litigation.
PMI is further subject to other risks detailed from time to time in its publicly filed documents, including the Form 10 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008. PMI cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that it may make. Enditem
