Danone: A strong first half; Consistently delivering quality results

Core Insights - The company reported a strong performance in H1 2025, with sales increasing by +4.2% on a like-for-like basis, driven by a volume-mix increase of +2.6% and a price increase of +1.7% [4][6][8] - Recurring operating income reached €1,811 million, with a recurring operating margin of 13.2%, reflecting a +49 basis points improvement compared to H1 2024 [19][20] - 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 [23] Financial Performance - H1 2025 sales amounted to €13,737 million, a slight decrease of -0.1% on a reported basis, primarily due to negative currency impacts of -2.9% and scope effects of -1.5% [8][12] - Recurring net income for the group was €1,231 million, up +5.9% from H1 2024, while reported net income decreased by -14.7% to €1,040 million [20][21] - Free cash flow for H1 2025 was €1,172 million, down -6.1% from the previous year [22][43] Geographical Performance - Sales in Europe increased by +2.3% on a like-for-like basis, with strong growth in Dairy and Plant-based products [11][16] - North America saw a decline in reported sales by -4.6%, but like-for-like sales grew by +3.0%, supported by double-digit growth in High Protein [12][16] - China, North Asia & Oceania experienced robust growth, with sales up +12.4% on a like-for-like basis, driven by strong performance in Specialized Nutrition [13][16] Strategic Developments - The company is actively investing in its portfolio, including the acquisition of Kate Farms, a leading plant-based nutrition brand in the U.S., and The Akkermansia Company, focusing on gut health [5][27] - The CEO emphasized the importance of a consumer-centric and science-based strategy to drive future growth [4][6] Operational Metrics - The recurring operating margin improved to 13.2%, driven by operational efficiencies, despite reinvestments impacting margins [19] - The effective tax rate for H1 2025 was 26.9%, slightly higher than the previous year [20]