Presentation Operator Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Danone Third Quarter 2025 Sales Conference Call and Webcast. [Operator Instructions] Please note that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to your speaker, Mathilde Rodie, Head of Investor Relations of Danone. Please go ahead. Mathilde RodieHead of Investor Relations & Sustainable Finance Good morning, everyone. Mathilde Rodie speaking. Thank you for being with us this morning for Da ...

Core Insights - Danone's like-for-like sales growth in Q3 exceeded market expectations, driven by strong performance in the China, North Asia, and Oceania (CNAO) region [1][2] - The CNAO region achieved a remarkable 13.8% like-for-like sales growth, significantly outperforming the overall group growth of 3.2% [2] Sales Performance - Danone's like-for-like sales grew 4.8% to €6.88 billion ($8 billion), marking the sixteenth consecutive quarter above the 4% growth threshold, surpassing consensus estimates of 4.3% [2] - The volume/mix in the CNAO region increased by 15.1%, contributing to the overall strong sales performance [2] Regional Analysis - Within the CNAO region, China showed a 17% like-for-like sales performance in specialized nutrition, raising concerns due to fluctuations in birth rates [3][4] - North America experienced a modest volume/mix growth of just 0.3%, with like-for-like sales at 1.5%, falling short of the consensus estimate of 1.8% [4] Product Categories - Danone noted challenges in the plant-based category in North America, although high-protein products showed strong momentum [5] - The company highlighted a consistent improvement in Europe, with positive volume/mix growth for eight consecutive quarters [6]

Core Insights - The company achieved a sales growth of 4.8% on a like-for-like basis, driven by accelerating growth in China while facing a continued slowdown in North America [1] Group 1 - Sales growth of 4.8% on a like-for-like basis indicates positive performance overall [1] - Accelerating growth in China suggests strong market demand and potential for future expansion [1] - Continued slowdown in North America highlights regional challenges that may impact future performance [1]

Core Insights - The company reported strong and consistent growth in Q3 2025, with consolidated sales reaching €6,876 million, reflecting a 4.8% increase on a like-for-like basis, driven primarily by volume/mix growth of 3.2% and price growth of 1.6% [6][10][14] Sales Performance by Geography - **Europe**: Sales increased by 2.6% on a like-for-like basis, with volume/mix contributing 2.1% and positive price growth of 0.5%. This marks eight consecutive quarters of positive volume/mix growth [8][10] - **North America**: Sales grew by 1.5% on a like-for-like basis, with volume/mix contributing 0.3% and price growth of 1.2%. High protein products maintained strong momentum [9][10] - **China, North Asia & Oceania**: Outstanding performance with sales up 13.8% on a like-for-like basis, driven by a volume/mix increase of 15.1% [10][11] - **Latin America**: Sales increased by 4.3% on a like-for-like basis, despite a volume/mix decline of 2.3% [11] - **Asia, Middle East & Africa**: Sales growth accelerated to 6.8% on a like-for-like basis, with volume/mix contributing 2.6% [12] Sales Performance by Category - **EDP (Essential Dairy Products)**: Sales were up 3.5% on a like-for-like basis, with notable growth in functional dairy products [8][10] - **Specialized Nutrition**: Achieved 8.3% growth on a like-for-like basis, with double-digit growth in adult medical nutrition [8][10] - **Waters**: Sales increased by 2.3% on a like-for-like basis, with strong growth driven by brands like evian [8][10] Strategic Developments - The company confirmed its 2025 guidance, expecting like-for-like sales growth between 3% and 5%, with recurring operating income anticipated to grow faster than sales [14] - Recent acquisitions, including Kate Farms, are expected to enhance the company's portfolio in the plant-based nutrition segment [20]

Core Insights - Danone New Zealand is the largest exporter of infant nutrition products in New Zealand, with approximately 90% of its products being exported, 70% of which are sold to China [3] - China is Danone's second-largest global market, driving the company to build a new production line at its Auckland factory, increasing production capacity by 20% [3] - In the first eight months of this year, China imported $970 million worth of infant formula milk powder, marking a historical high [5] Group 1 - Danone New Zealand's significant export percentage highlights its reliance on international markets, particularly China [3] - The new production line in Auckland reflects Danone's commitment to meeting the growing demand in the Chinese market [3] - The record import value of infant formula milk powder into China indicates a robust market for foreign brands, including Danone [5] Group 2 - The presence of foreign enterprises like Danone is crucial for China's high-quality development, as emphasized by the consul [5] - Danone's consistent participation in the China International Import Expo demonstrates its long-term strategy and confidence in the Chinese market [5] - The expansion and upgrade of Danone's production base in Wuxi further signify its dedication to deepening its market presence in China [5]

Core Insights - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has initiated a special action for "millisecond computing" in urban areas, focusing on the development of computing power networks [1] - The goal is to establish a high-speed, large-capacity, low-latency, and widely accessible urban network that provides millisecond-level computing resource connectivity [1] - By 2027, the aim is to form a comprehensive, efficient urban millisecond computing network capability system across the country [1] Summary by Categories Action Plan - The special action aims to facilitate millisecond interconnection of computing centers (<1 millisecond) and ensure millisecond access to computing resources in key locations (<1 millisecond) [1] - It also targets achieving millisecond accessibility for application terminals with network latency under 10 milliseconds [1] Development Goals - The initiative is expected to drive various industry stakeholders to focus on establishing smooth millisecond computing channels [1] - The plan outlines a phased approach to advance the construction of the millisecond computing network nationwide [1]

Core Insights - Danone's subsidiary, Nutricia Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., has completed the topping-out of its factory expansion project, which will add multiple fully automated sterilization production lines to enhance the production capacity of enteral nutrition suspensions [1][2] - The expansion reflects Danone's commitment to the Chinese market and its medical nutrition business, which is seen as a key growth driver for the company [1][2] Group 1 - The Wuxi factory, established in 2000, has developed a comprehensive product system covering enteral nutrition products and related medical devices for the Chinese market [1] - In 2023, Danone launched a new specialized medical nutrition product, "Nutritional Formula for Special Medical Purposes," aimed at individuals over 10 years old with eating restrictions, digestive absorption issues, or metabolic disorders [1] - The products manufactured at the Wuxi factory not only meet domestic demand but are also exported to nearly 30 countries and regions worldwide, covering areas such as oncology, stroke, and elderly nutrition [1] Group 2 - Danone's mid-term development strategy for 2025-2028 emphasizes accelerating the growth of its medical nutrition business, with significant investments and innovations in the Chinese market [2] - The successful topping-out of the Wuxi factory expansion project demonstrates Danone's strong commitment to the Chinese market and reflects the company's recognition of the favorable business environment in Wuxi High-tech Zone [2] - The new facility will become one of Danone's most advanced production sites globally, enhancing the resilience of Danone's supply chain in China and enabling more efficient and stable delivery of high-quality products to the global market [2]

Core Insights - The Chinese wind power industry is becoming a significant force in global clean energy, with leading positions in key technologies and equipment [1] - The industry is transitioning from "green electricity supply" to "green energy services," establishing a comprehensive global presence [1] - Technological innovation is enhancing China's international influence in the wind power sector, with a focus on collaborative innovation and new business models [1] Industry Overview - China's wind power enterprises are gaining confidence to expand internationally, supported by a robust supply chain and competitive pricing [1] - The industry has accumulated rich experience across diverse scenarios, leading to improved standards and technological advancements [1] - The cost advantages of wind power generation are becoming more pronounced as technology improves and scales up [1] Company Strategy - Yunda Energy, as a transitioning new energy company, emphasizes innovation as a key driver for development [1] - The company aims to deepen international cooperation and enhance exchanges in various areas to contribute to global low-carbon energy transitions [1] - Yunda Energy offers zero-carbon solutions that cater to both traditional and emerging industries, promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction [1]

Core Insights - Danone Nutricia's Wuxi factory expansion project has officially topped out, aiming to build multiple fully automated sterilization production lines to enhance the production capacity of enteral nutrition suspensions [1] Company Overview - Danone Nutricia Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. was established in 2000 and has developed a comprehensive product system covering enteral nutrition products and supporting medical devices in the Chinese market [1] - The Wuxi factory produces enteral nutrition formulations such as EnfaCare and Peptamen, as well as the Nutricia enteral nutrition infusion system, which serves various clinical fields including oncology, stroke, allergies, digestive system diseases, and elderly nutrition [1] Market Position - China is Danone's second-largest global market and a crucial driver for future growth [1] - The expansion of advanced medical nutrition production capacity in Wuxi will enable the company to provide more efficient and precise personalized medical nutrition solutions to consumers [1]

Core Insights - Danone Nutricia Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. has officially completed the topping-out of its factory expansion project, which aims to enhance the production capacity of enteral nutrition suspensions through the establishment of multiple fully automated sterilization production lines [1] Group 1: Company Development - The expansion project signifies that Danone Nutricia's medical nutrition business in China is entering a phase of accelerated growth [1] - Danone has outlined a mid-term development strategy for 2025-2028 that emphasizes the acceleration of its medical nutrition business [1] Group 2: Product and Market Focus - Danone Nutricia Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. was established in 2000 and has developed a comprehensive product system covering enteral nutrition products and supporting medical devices in the Chinese market [1] - The Wuxi factory produces enteral nutrition formulations such as Nengquan and Baipuli, as well as the Fulekai enteral nutrition infusion system, which serve various clinical fields including oncology, stroke, allergies, gastrointestinal diseases, and elderly nutrition [1] - In 2018, the Wuxi factory initiated a special medical nutrition food project and launched the Nengquanli Yijia special medical purpose full-nutrition formula food in 2023, targeting individuals over 10 years old with eating restrictions, digestive absorption disorders, or metabolic disorders [1]