The Group’s provisional unaudited results for the first-half are as follows: 

Key figures             1st-half    1st-half      Change   1st-half 2000
     (EUR millions)            1999         2000                 (FrF millions)

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Sales 6,847 7,254 +5.9% 47,582
Operating income 698 770 +10.2% 5,049
Operating margin 10.2% 10.6% + 40 bp 10.6%
Net income (*) 341 352 +3.3% 2,311

Earnings per share (fully diluted):
Excluding capital
gains/losses Eur 2.12 Eur 2.50 +17.9% FrF 16.43
Excluding capital
gains/losses and
Depreciation of
goodwill Eur 2.48 Eur 2.96 +19.4% FrF 19.44

(*):Net income for the first-half of 1999 included a EUR 28 million
capital gain on disposals; excluding this capital gain, net income
rose 12.6% in the first-half of 2000.

1/ Organic Growth Quickens: sales + 8.1%

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DANONE Group recorded vigorous organic growth once again, with first-half 2000 sales up 8.1% at constant structure and exchange rates.

Historical data shows a rise of 5.9%, including an 8.1% like-for-like rise, a +3.7% for changes in exchange rates and a 5.9% decline reflecting disposals.

Changes in structure consist primarily of the disposal of operations in containers and groceries in 1999, partially offset by the first-time consolidation of Villavicencio, McKesson, Robust and Aymore in the six months to June 30.

Sales break down as follows:

By business line          1st-half      1st-half       Change at
     (EUR millions)            1999          2000           constant
                                                            structure and
                                                            exchange rates

Fresh Dairy products 2,935 3,223 +7.6%
Beverages 1,829 2,334 +9.8%
Biscuits 1,327 1,517 +6.9%
Other food business 349 187 +5.5%
Containers 501 — —
Intra-group sales -94 -7 —
Group 6,847 7,254 +8.1%

By geographical area 1st-half 1st-half Change at
(EUR millions) 1999 2000 constant
structure and
exchange rates

France 2,735 2,441 +5.7%
Rest of European Union 2,550 2,582 +6.6%
Rest of World 1,926 2,650 +11.7%
Inter-regional sales -364 -419 —
Group 6,847 7,254 +8.1%

First-half growth by business and geographical area was as follows, on a comparable basis:

  • By business line 1st Q 2nd Q 1st-half
  • Fresh Dairy products +6.9% +8.3% +7.6%
  • Beverages +10.7% +9.3% +9.8%
  • Biscuits +7.7% +6.1% +6.9%

Other food business         +5.4%       +5.6%       +5.5%
     Group                       +8.1%       +8.2%       +8.1%

By geographical area 1st Q 2nd Q 1st-half
France +6.6% +4.6% +5.7%
Rest of European Union +5.8% +7.6% +6.6%
Rest of World +11.8% +11.7% +11.7%
Group +8.1% +8.2% +8.1%

2/ A significant rise in operating margin: 10.2% to 10.6%

Operating margin rose from 10.2% in the first-half of 1999 to 10.6% for the same period of 2000.

Operating income breaks down as follows:

By business line           Operating income          Operating margin
     (EUR millions)          1st-half      1st-half    1st-half      1st-half
                               1999          2000        1999          2000

Fresh Dairy products 310 351 10.6% 10.9%
Beverages 233 297 12.7% 12.7%
Biscuits 85 111 6.4% 7.3%
Other food business 19 21 5.4% 11.3%
Containers 51 0 10.3% —

Unallocated items 0 -10 — —
Group 698 770 10.2% 10.6%

By geographical area Operating income Operating margin
(EUR millions) 1st-half 1st-half 1st-half 1st-half
1999 2000 1999 2000

France 326 302 11.9% 12.4%
Rest of European Union 227 253 8.9% 9.8%
Rest of World 145 225 7.5% 8.5%
Unallocated Items 0 -10 — —
Group 698 770 10.2% 10.6%

3/ Earnings per share up 17.9% (excluding capital gains on disposals)

Growth in net earnings combined with the impact of a major share buyback program launched by DANONE Group has led to:
* a 17.9% rise in earnings per share excluding capital gains on disposals
* a 19.4% rise in earnings per share excluding capital gains on disposals and depreciation of goodwill

Final figures for the first half of 2000 will be published on September 13th.

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