ANNUAL REPORT
2019
ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
People and Sites .......................................................................... 2
Highlights ....................................................................................... 3
Map of the Business ................................................................... 4
Message from the Founder and
Executive Chairman of the Board ........................................ 6
Message from the President
and Chief Executive Officer .................................................... 7
5-year Ambition ........................................................................... 8
• Customer Journey ........................................................ 10
• Offering ............................................................................ 12
• Business Systems ......................................................... 15
• Network ............................................................................ 16
• People ............................................................................... 18
Sustainability ............................................................................. 20
Outlook ......................................................................................... 21
Financial Results Section .......................................................22
• Management Discussion and Analysis .................23
• Management’s Report .................................................58
• Management’s Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting .......................... 59
•
Independent Auditor’s Reports .............................. 60
• Consolidated Financial Statements .......................63
• Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements .................................................. 68
OUR PEOPLE 2019
133,000
North America
109,000
Europe
24,000
Europe
2,700
International
2,150
OUR SITES 2019
16,000
North America
11,150
Numbers on this page are approximate figures.
2
HIGHLIGHTS
2019
US EUROPE CANADA
Growth of Same-Store Merchandise Revenues
4.1%
4.8%
Growth of (Decrease in) Same-Store Road Transportation Fuel Volume
0.7%
(0.9%)
5.2%
(1.6%)
Merchandise and
Service Gross Profit
$5,006.0
$5,054.0
$4,468.7
Road Transportation
Fuel Gross Profit
EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA
$3,949.0
$4,006.7
$3,386.8
$2,979.5
$2,980.0
+$537.3
+12.0%
+$585.3
+13.1%
+$562.2
+16.6%
+$619.9
+18.3%
$3,583.0
$3,520.0
+$603.5
+20.3%
+$540.0
+18.1%
2018
2019
2019 (Adj)1
2018
2019
2019 (Adj)1
2018
2018 (Adj)3
2019
2019 (Adj)3
Diluted net earnings per
share and adjusted diluted
net earnings per share
$2.95
$2.60
$3.25
$3.32
Net earnings attributable to
shareholders of the Corporation
and adjusted net earnings
attributable to shareholders
of the Corporation
$1,833.9
$1,874.0
$1,670.6
$1,472.0
Return on Capital
Employed4,5,6
+$0.30
+10.2%
+$0.72
+27.7%
+$163.3
+9.8%
+$402.0
+27.3%
14.1%
12.0%
20182
2018 (Adj)2,3
2019
2019 (Adj)3
20182
2018 (Adj)2,3
2019
2019 (Adj)3
20182
2019
Return on Equity4,6,7
Adjusted Leverage Ratio4,8
Adjusted Free Cash Flow9
24.8%
22.3%
3.13
2.29
$1,273.3
$1,844.1
+$570.8
+44.8%
20182
2019
20182
2019
20182
2019
All dollar figures are in USD millions, except per share amounts which are in USD.
1. Adjusted for the net negative impact from the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars.
2. The information as at April 29, 2018, has been adjusted based on the fair value of the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and the goodwill for the Holiday acquisition.
3. For more information on those performance measures not defined by IFRS, please refer to sections ”Earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA”
and ”Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (”net earnings”) and adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (”adjusted net earnings”)” in the Management’s
Discussions and Analysis of this annual report.
4. As at April 29, 2018, these measures are presented for the 52-week period ended April 29, 2018, on a pro forma basis for the acquisition of CST and Holiday. CST’s and Holiday’s historical earnings and balance
sheet figures have been adjusted to make their presentation in line with our policies.
5. This measure is presented for information purposes only and represents a measure of performance used especially in financial circles. It represents the following calculation: earnings before income taxes and
interests divided by average capital employed for the corresponding period. Capital employed represents total assets less short-term liabilities not bearing interests. It does not have a standardized meaning
prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations.
6. These measures are presented as if our investment in CAPL was reported using the equity method as we believe it allows a more relevant presentation of the underlying performance of the Corporation.
7. This measure is presented for information purposes only and represents a measure of performance used especially in financial circles. It represents the following calculation: net earnings divided by average
equity for the corresponding period. It does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations.
8. This measure is presented for information purposes only and represents a measure of financial condition used especially in financial circles. It represents the following calculation: long term interest-bearing
debt plus the product of eight times rent expense, net of cash and cash equivalents and temporary investments divided by EBITDAR (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortization, Impairment and
Rent expense) adjusted for specific items. It does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations. For
the purpose of this calculation, CAPL’s long-term debt is excluded as it is a non-recourse debt to the Corporation.
9. The Adjusted Free Cash flow is presented for information purposes only and exclude CrossAmerica Partners LP (“CAPL”). It represents the following calculation: adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest,
Income tax, Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment) minus Net CAPEX, Interest paid, Income taxes paid, Dividends paid; plus Proceeds from disposal of assets, CAPL’s distribution received and Incentive
Distribution Rights received from CAPL. It does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations.
3
MAP OF THE BUSINESS
Canada*
Central Canada
Ontario
Québec East and Atlantic
Québec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
Newfoundland and Labrador,
Prince-Edward Island
Québec West
Québec
Western Canada
British Columbia, Alberta,
Saskatchewan, Manitoba
United States*
Coastal Carolinas
North Carolina, South Carolina,
Virginia
Florida
Florida
Grand Canyon
Arizona, Nevada
Great Lakes
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, New Hampshire, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont,
West Virginia
Gulf
Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Florida Panhandle
Heartland
Illinois, Iowa, Missouri
Midwest
Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee
Northern Tier
Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota,
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Rocky Mountains
Colorado, Kansas, Missouri,
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
SouthEast
Georgia, North Carolina
South Carolina, Connecticut,
Delaware, New Jersey
South Atlantic
Florida, Georgia
Texas
Texas
West Coast
California, Hawaï, Oregon,
Washington
CrossAmerica Partners LP
Office in Allentown, Pennsylvania
*Regional business units are listed under Canada and the United States
4
Europe
Denmark
Estonia
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
Norway
Poland
Russia
Sweden
International Footprint
Macau
Mexico
Mongolia
New Zealand
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
Cambodia
China
Costa Rica
Egypt
Guam
Honduras
Hong Kong
Indonesia
5
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
AND EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
OF THE BOARD
Our inspiration
When we opened our first store, my partners
and I had one motivation: to make our
customers’ lives easier by offering them the
products they need when they need them.
From that single convenience-only store in
Laval, Québec, we kept growing across the
globe. To say the least, I am still amazed by
the scope of Couche-Tard’s network today,
which now includes over 16,000 stores in 26
countries and territories. Thirty-nine years
later, after exciting transformations and
changes, our customers and our employees
remain
force guiding our
decisions and actions. To be frank, it hasn’t
always been easy; we’ve had to adjust our
business model and make hard decisions at
times. In the end, the results of all that effort
are undeniable.
the driving
Our vision
Over time, we have seized opportunities to
grow the business, relying on our customary
financial discipline – embedded
in our
DNA – and always focusing on creating value
for our shareholders and employees. We
have grown from our convenience-only roots
into one of the world’s leading merchandise
and fuel destinations, never taking our eye
off serving our customers and growing
organically. We have also brought many
tremendous assets into the network from
across North America and Europe, leveraged
by our merger and acquisition activities, in
order to better serve our global customers.
Our journey
A milestone of the last year is the launch
of our new strategic plan to deliver on our
objective to double our financial results again.
While being undoubtedly ambitious, our
strategy remains true to our core business
and values, maximizing our strengths, and
preparing the company for the future.
Embedded in the strategy are fundamental
elements of diversification, embracing market
changes and building capabilities to grow
both organically and through new business
opportunities. Aligned with a clear vision
and a strong commitment to our customers,
our teams are pushing the boundaries of
possibilities and moving forward together in
our journey to become the world’s preferred
destination for convenience and fuel.
As we look to the future of our business,
we also recognize our responsibility for
a more sustainable future for our global
communities. Our recent commitment to
communicate the company’s sustainability
efforts more transparently is well under way,
with a first Sustainability Report highlighting
our initiatives from around the world. We
are proud of this report, as it reflects the
collaboration of our teams who are driving
clear and impactful actions. With the inaugural
building block of this journey now set, we
look forward to giving you more insight into
our three-year sustainability plan, which we
expect to announce within this fiscal year.
like to communicate my deep
I would
appreciation to our people, our vendors, and
our investors. We look forward to engaging
with you as we continue to grow our story, a
story of how we are daring to succeed while
never forgetting our single-store roots in
Québec.
Alain Bouchard
6
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Our Present
I am truly happy to report that fiscal year 2019
was another successful one for Couche-Tard!
Thanks to the work of our 133,000 people,
we achieved record-breaking net earnings
and strong same-store merchandise revenue
growth across the network. This year, we once
again proved our commitment to organic
growth by initiating a pipeline of activities
focused on bringing more customers to
our locations, enhancing our offerings, and
greatly expanding the Circle K brand across
the globe. We also hit milestones with our
recent acquisitions, as we surpassed our CST
synergies target and are moving along with
the integration of Holiday into the broader
network.
We continue to take great pride in reducing
our debt and further strengthening our
balance sheet. With the exceptional cash
flow generated this year and the faster-than-
anticipated deleveraging plan, we have once
again created impressive return on equity
and positioned ourselves to create more
value for our shareholders.
This year, I am also humbled by and proud of
our initial Sustainability Report, as it reflects
the breadth and depth of our team members’
lasting contributions to the communities
where we work and live.
Our five-year strategy
To keep building on our success, this year we
set ourselves an ambitious objective for the
future: to double our financial results again
by 2023. We started with a top-to-bottom
analysis of where we are, where we want to
go, and what are the next steps to double
again.
7
From there, our strategy was crafted on the
understanding of current and future market
dynamics, upcoming trends in convenience
and fuel, as well as our deeply-rooted
ambition to improve the customer journey
and drive more traffic to our locations. This
prompted us to refine our mission – to make
our customers’ lives a little easier every day –
and develop a detailed roadmap centred on
five fundamental focus areas.
Whether we are working on a differentiated
customer experience, attractive offers,
simplified business systems or growing our
network, we know none of this is possible
without our proud team members across the
network. Our people are a key differentiator
in how we will remain an industry leader and
reach these strategic targets.
Our next steps
Our strategy optimizes our global business
functions while maintaining our super-
local focus on regional business units that
understand the needs and appetites of our
customers. We recognize that we need to
simultaneously be leaders in the digital arena,
fuel and mobility, food and beverage, organic
growth and acquisitions, and be a recognized
positive employer. I am extremely proud
of the teams who developed the business
in 2019 and are already hard at work on
the strategy. By growing together, we will
continue our journey to become the world’s
preferred destination for convenience and
fuel.
Brian Hannasch
5-YEAR AMBITION
In fiscal 2019, we stated our ambition to double our
financial results – again – and we initiated a five-year
strategic plan that will turn the solid platform we have
built into a springboard for the future. It is Alimentation
Couche-Tard Inc.’s (“Couche-Tard”) answer to today’s industry
market dynamics and to tomorrow’s emerging trends. It sets a
clear direction, a roadmap toward creating continued value for
our shareholders: double our financial results again by making
our customers’ lives a little easier every day. To guide our path
toward 2023, we have defined five key focus areas, each with
its own business imperatives and associated key initiatives.
Collectively, these five focus areas will enable us to strengthen
our current business while laying the foundation for the future.
This strategic plan is the culmination of months of extensive and
systematic reflection, during which we have drawn on the experience
and insights of people at all levels from across our network. Many
initiatives are already under way and we are very proud to present
the work and results that have been achieved so far.
Defining these five core focus areas encouraged us to reexamine
our traditional business model, and by the same token, facilitated
the identification of a multitude of dynamic global, regional,
and local opportunities to create value across the Couche-Tard
network. It also helped strengthen our decision-making processes
and boosted our business agility. Many initiatives already in
progress across our network are expected to maximize existing
synergies and deliver superior organic growth across many
business segments.
8
Our strategy
CUSTOMER
JOURNEY
Provide the best customer experience and be
recognized by our customers for a differentiated
experience, in the way we deliver and continuously
improve as we innovate the customer journey.
OFFERING
Succeed with food, capture new product opportunities,
and strengthen our retail capabilities and data quality
to optimize local store offer, staying ahead of emerging
customer expectations and leveraging our scale.
BUSINESS
SYSTEMS
Make our business model ever more agile, cost-efficient
and scalable, further reinforcing our foundation for
growth, and maintain our advantage as a low cost
operator in the industry.
NETWORK
Continue growing through opportunistic acquisitions
and make our global network even more attractive
for consumers.
PEOPLE
Nurture our unique corporate culture, develop first class
retail level recruiting and engaging training for our store
and field employees, and overall make things easier for
our team, which is pivotal to our success.
9
CUSTOMER
JOURNEY
We want our brand to embody the
best customer experience and be
recognized as the world’s preferred
destination for convenience and
fuel.
Every day, our global workforce of
133,000 people makes the daily lives of
nine million customers easier, providing
them with products and services they
need in the minute. We are in a highly
competitive business environment, customer
expectations and needs are changing, and
exciting new opportunities are arising. At
Couche-Tard, we embrace the challenge!
1980
First convenience store located
in Laval, Québec, Canada
1985
Launch in Mac’s
stores in Canada
(later acquired by
Couche-Tard)
Inventing tomorrow’s
customer journey
Creativity, innovation and technology are
at the core of several initiatives we have
launched to provide a unique customer
journey, one that stands apart and will boost
traffic in our stores. We are in the process
of defining and
implementing the best
operational practices across our network, in
order to improve efficiency on an ongoing
basis, both for our employees and customers.
More than ever, people will make a conscious
decision to choose us, because we help them
gain more of a precious commodity: time.
We are introducing multiple added-value
loyalty initiatives, and making sure our
team has the tools, resources and leeway it
needs to continue to deliver time-saving and
excellent customer service that goes beyond
the
in-store experience. LIFT, a digital
solution that uses a customer’s purchase
list to push personalized reminders and
propose tailored promotions, is very close
to full implementation in the United States,
and deployment is about to start in Canada.
Ultimately,
like LIFT should
contribute to an increase in the frequency of
visit and basket size.
initiatives
1986
Entry into the Montreal
Stock Exchange
10
1999
(Québec)
Building a global, trusted brand
A strong brand depends for the most part on a satisfying shopping experience. It also
represents our promise and commitment to deliver consistency in service and offering. For
our team, the brand is also a beacon, a powerful reminder of what we stand for. Our reputation
is rooted in the long history of Couche-Tard, which remains our flagship brand in Québec.
Everywhere else, the Circle K brand, which we adopted globally in 2015, has become a vibrant
symbol of our commitment towards customers and employees. It’s the brand that “makes
their lives a little easier every day.”
The transition to the global Circle K brand is now complete in Europe and close to 75%
complete in North America (excluding Québec). Operating under a single brand is undoubtedly
contributing to our growth, as it has made marketing spending more efficient, allowed for the
rollout of national promotions and exclusive product launches, and improved our purchasing
power. It has had a direct positive impact on brand awareness, customer loyalty and employee
engagement.
The Circle K fuel-branding project
“ In the United States and
Canada, some 900 fueling stations
have already been converted to the
global Circle K brand. This is a
great initiative that increases
brand awareness and loyalty, while
bringing great value to customers.
All our teams have worked together
to make this a reality. It’s fun growing
and winning in the market, that’s
what drives us as a company
and everyone is excited
to pursue on this path. ”
Jeff Burrell
Vice President, Global Fuel Sourcing
and Marketing
LIFT: reinventing the Circle K
experience
“ This new digital solution
delivers a very engaging experience
to our customers and to our associates,
while at the same time driving
significant business value to our
organization over the last two
years and into the future. ”
Todd Isaacs
Senior Director, Customer Loyalty
and Personalization
11
OFFERING
We will remain in tune with emerging
customer expectations in food, fuel,
mobility, and daily needs, to boost
organic growth.
Customer needs continue to evolve in all
product categories, from food to fuel, and
this brings opportunities we aim to seize. We
are expanding the scope of our food offering,
which is key to our success going forward.
We remain deeply committed to acting
as a responsible retailer while providing
a comprehensive range of age-restricted
products. And we have laid the groundwork
to meet the increasing demand for charging
facilities for electric vehicles (EV). All these
actions will help us become the preferred
destination for our customers, translating
into more traffic and sales in our stores.
Customer-centric approach
in food
With our new food initiatives, we strive to
offer the best one-stop shopping experience
for on-the-go food and beverage needs. Our
global approach is designed to drive traffic
in our stores by combining a great tasting
experience, differentiated service, quality,
and choice. By leveraging our critical mass
and working hand in hand with selected
suppliers, we are developing standardized,
scalable programs that are expected to
provide value for the customer and generate
sales growth. For example, a pilot project
in the Southeast business unit in the United
States and proven performance
in our
network in Québec have shown that quality
and tasty baked-on-site pastries raise bakery
sales.
Year-over-year food sales grew globally on
a same-store-sales basis, an increase largely
driven by the success of our enhanced
fresh food offering, including sandwiches,
pastries, pizza and hot-dogs. In Europe,
Circle K introduced an exciting new Mexican
menu in seven markets, after testing in
Ireland and Norway.
2001
225 stores
U.S. breakthrough
2003
2,290 stores
2005
12
European
foodservice
Our
business
continues to grow and delight our customers.
We launched our latest new Circle K stores
across Scandinavia with an expanded
assortment of foods and beverages in a
contemporary setting that our consumers
love. Our product offering blends items
that have been created to leverage the
scale of our large store footprint, with items
that are customized to answer the needs
of our customers in each market we serve.
Our operational model has been refined
to provide fast, efficient and consistent
service. Great-tasting products for people
on the go, at great everyday values, is what
we offer each and every day.
Baked-on-site:
Elevating customer experience
Food as a sales driver
“ We want to tap the full
potential of food, which can become
a key driver of sales as customers
are increasingly looking for on the go
snacks and quick meals, any time of
day, and without compromising taste
and freshness. From hot-dogs
to pastries, from cold beverages
to freshly brewed coffee, we want
to delight our customers during
each of their visits to our stores.
And we want to do this in a way
that is easy for our
people to execute in store. ”
Kevin Lewis
Chief Marketing Officer
“ We offer our customers
fresh-baked pastries which look, feel,
and taste as though they were made
in a local bakery. This elevates the
customer experience in our stores and
shouts out quality. As the convenience
industry continues to evolve, it has
never been more important than now
to offer high-quality products for
people on the go. This is one of
many programs we have launched
to make our customers’ lives
a little easier.
”
Mark Ostoits
Vice President, Operations,
Southeast Business Unit
Bean to cup coffee
“ In North America, we are
improving our Simply Great Coffee
program with the addition of a new
technology that grinds and brews each
cup of coffee fresh for our customers.
We are truly taking convenience store
brewed coffee to the next level with
this all-new coffee-shop-like
experience. So far, customer feedback
has been amazing. Over the
next year, 4,000 machines will be
deployed, as the entire U.S. network
continues to transition to this new
coffee experience. We sell 10 cups
of coffee a second across
the network!
Elisa Goria
Global Lead, Dispensed Beverages,
Project Leader
”
13
Age-restricted products
Catering to the needs of motorists
In the age-restricted products category, which
includes alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vaping,
and lottery, our goal is to meet customer
demand while acting as a responsible retailer,
selling these products in markets where it is
permitted, and strictly respecting local laws
and regulations. Our team’s expertise, on that
front, stands out. For instance, sales of the
tobacco and other tobacco products category,
driven in part by solid growth of new vape
products, reached $5,607M in total and were
up around 7% across our network on a same-
store sales basis.
In early 2019, we entered into a multi-year
agreement with Canopy Growth, Canada’s
leading cannabis producer, that led to the
opening of a “Tweed” retail store in London,
Ontario (Canada), in May 2019. This is a
partnership that paves the way for market
entry in this new and flourishing industry.
2012
2,306 stores
European breakthrough
2012
Simply Great Coffee is
introduced in the European
network of Circle K stores.
Our ambition is to make Circle K the number
one charging destination for EVs in markets
having reached critical mass. During the
last year, we have increased the number of
charging stations available in our European
network, which counts nearly 400 charging
stations in more than 150 sites, including
Circle K 50 kW and 150 kW charging stations.
We have also made great progress with our
partner IONITY for the roll-out of high speed
350 kW charging stations, which are now
available in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
To prepare for the future, we created a
dedicated EV Project Team and our ambition
is to be at the forefront of this emerging
market. Solutions tested and developed in
Europe will be implemented in other markets
when the time is right.
Improving the car-wash experience
Over the last year, we have introduced
a new Circle K car-wash timer and a
companion app, now in the process
of being rolled out throughout our
network. With the app, customers
can choose from various subscription
packages, and benefit from convenient
monthly billing and members-only
discounts. This is a vibrant illustration
of how innovative technology can be
used to improve the experience of our
customers in our 2,600 locations that
offer a car wash service.
We also strive to operate on an eco-
friendly basis, through grime and
chemicals recuperation and disposal, as
well as water and energy consumption
reduction. Car-wash represents a vital
market segment, in part because car-
wash clients are repeat, loyal customers.
14
BUSINESS
SYSTEMS
We want to improve our operating
model and make
it ever more
cost-efficient and scalable, further
reinforcing our foundation for growth.
for
the
simplification
At the end of fiscal 2019, more than 60% of
our U.S. stores had successfully adopted our
integrated, enterprise management
new,
platform
and
standardization of back-office processes,
implemented
which over time will be
across North America. The system has been
designed to be fully scalable, reduce costs
and simplify the life of our in-store teams.
It provides enhanced agility for bringing
marketing and digital innovations to market,
thanks to automation and data leveraging,
and it paves the way for faster integration of
any future acquisition. We have reviewed all
our processes looking for the perfect balance
between global standardization and local
specificities. This is a major cross-functional
endeavour that entails tangible benefits that
will make life easier for both our team and
our customers.
We have not yet tapped the full potential
of big data, artificial intelligence technology
and automation, and the favourable impact
is
on costs and operational efficiency
potentially very significant. We will optimize
supply-chain management and look at on-site
automation and predictive maintenance for
fuel pumps, freezers, beverage dispensers,
and more. Such solutions will decrease
downtime, facilitate planning, reduce costs,
and allow our team to concentrate on
customers.
Enterprise management
system scalability
“ The scalability project is a
major move towards the simplification
and standardization of our enterprise
management ecosystem. It increases
speed to market and plays a catalyst
role in our strategy. Its success
demonstrates our collaborative
culture and integration skills. ”
Kathleen K. Cunnington
Senior Vice President, Global Shared
Services, Project Leader
Global Tech initiatives
“ We continue to drive a global
technology strategy that aims to make
our customers’ and employees’ lives
easier while digitizing our business. In
fiscal 2019 we introduced a European
mobile pay solution, and we expanded
LIFT in the United States. We continue
to leverage our global data lake for
improved decision-making and targeted
content. Over the last year we have
also implemented several standardized
solutions, including the Workday
platform, that makes it easier for over
63,000 of our employees working in our
corporate-owned stores and offices in
the United States to engage, work and
learn at Circle K.
”
Deborah Hall Lefevre
Chief Information Officer
15
NETWORK
In the next five years, our ambition
is to continue growing through
opportunistic acquisitions and to
make our global network even more
attractive for consumers.
Couche-Tard is already well-established as a
leader in key markets in North America. We
have the footprint, buying power, proven
track record and people to seize or create
growth opportunities.
North America: Still room to grow
In addition to remaining on the lookout for
potential acquisitions, we are working on
new store layouts and locations, remodelling
projects, and keeping an eye on expanding in
the convenience-only segment, all of which
will also contribute to a distinctive customer
experience.
The acquisitions of CST Brands Inc. (“CST”)
and Holiday Stationstores, LLC (“Holiday”)
were completed in 2017. CST has been
successfully integrated into our broader
network, and the annual synergies run rate
related to this acquisition has surpassed
the $215 million target earlier than initially
expected. Meanwhile, we are continuing the
integration of Holiday and learning from
their best practices along the way. We have
made strides in piloting programs inspired by
Holiday’s food offer, promotional programs
and operational efficiencies.
In Canada, we have enhanced the Circle K
brand’s presence in the Atlantic region
through a rebranding agreement with Irving
Oil Ltd. (“Irving”) that paved the way for
36 CST sites to become Circle K convenience
stores.
2014
Brian Hannasch is
appointed CEO
16
Europe: A new, appealing
store design
In Europe, we have made strides in the
design and
implementation of a brand-
new, very appealing store concept, which
we first tested in Norway. At the end
of fiscal 2019, 74 stores had been remodelled
in 8 of our 9 European business units.
With their contemporary setting, wooden
counters, ambient lighting and appetizing
food, the new stores have struck a chord
with consumers: traffic and sales are up.
Asia-Pacific: Promising potential
In the longer term, Asia-Pacific, a massive
market with promising potential, represents
an attractive region for growth. We already
benefit from a solid network of licensees
there, who operate around 1,300 stores in
9 countries and territories, and we are looking
at opportunities for further penetration.
2017
Two women appointed in leadership roles:
2016
278 Esso-branded sites
acquired from Imperial Oil
(Ontario and Québec, Canada)
Ina Strand
Chief Human
Resources Officer
Deborah
Hall Lefevre
Chief Information
Officer
2015
Launch of our global brand
17
PEOPLE
In our industry, people make the
difference. We have exceptional
teams, and we want things to be
easier for them too.
Couche-Tard has always embraced a
people first based philosophy. We dedicate
significant resources to attract, develop and
retain the people who have the right set of
competencies and skills. Each strategic pillar
of our strategy and our success, past and
future, rests on the strength of our family of
employees who Act With Pride.
This year, we have focused on instituting
ground-breaking tools for growing and
empowering our talent base. In order to
remain an industry leader, we are committed
to training, sharing best practices, and
creating work environments that engage
and support our employees individually and
the organization as a whole.
Our new online human resources
ecosystem
In 2019, we implemented in the United States
a cloud-based application that brings almost
all of our human resources, training, and
development functions, tasks, and analytics
into a single, secure, and scalable ecosystem.
It became our human resources foundational
platform and had an immediate impact on
63,000 employees in our corporate offices and
stores. This initiative is global in scope: we are
currently in the stabilization and improvement
stage of the project in the United States while
we start to roll out the solution into Canada,
benefiting thousands more employees. With
its self-service capabilities and personalized
communication and feedback tools, this
online human resources platform makes
it easy for employees to access benefits,
payroll information, training, scheduling, and
track professional goals when and where they
want, including on their mobile devices.
A world-class approach
to human resources
“ Through WORKDAY*, we are
profoundly altering how we
communicate and support each other.
We are continually improving the way
we operate in our stores and the work
experience and environment we are
creating for our teams. Our objective is
to enhance how our employees interact
with customers and make their lives a
little easier every day.
Mark Novak
Vice President, Human Resources,
North America & Global
Performance/Reward
”
*WORKDAY is a registered trademark of Workday, Inc.
18
Growing together
Maintaining an attractive culture that makes
our people proud and providing them with
opportunities to grow is a key dimension of
our Employer Value Proposition. It helps us
attract the best people, reduce employee
turnover and nurture the brand.
Our annual engagement survey is one of
our most important initiatives. It allows our
employees from across our network to share
their thoughts and ideas on how to improve
customer satisfaction and strengthen our
corporate culture. The third edition of the
survey in 2018 exceeded our expectations
with a 92% response rate. The quality of
the feedback we received was amazing
and prompted 16,000 local team action
plans, each adding its own lasting colour to
Couche-Tard’s work environment.
Women’s Council
Couche-Tard’s Women’s Council was created
this year, following the adoption of the
diversity policy by the Board of Directors in
fiscal 2018. It is the company’s first business
resource diversity group and represents
a proud moment in our commitment to
growing together. The vision of the Council
is to create winning conditions for women
at Couche-Tard with the goal of striving for
gender parity and advancement at all levels
of the organization. The Council will achieve
its vision through engagement, education,
and empowerment. The team is comprised
of highly-regarded employees who were
named Top Women in Convenience (TWIC)
by Convenience Store News over the years,
as well as male leaders who support the goals
of the Council. To support the Women’s
Council as well as other diversity efforts,
select executive members have formed an
Executive Advisory Committee for Diversity
and Inclusion.
19
TWIC Award
recognizes
The TWIC Award
the
contribution of powerful women from
the convenience industry. We continue
to be very proud of our employees’
yearly
recognition. The work and
contribution of these women are an
inspiration to everyone at Couche-Tard.
“ My advice to young girls who
want to become a business leader:
Say ‘yes’ to all opportunities to
develop and grow. Take on new
tasks that you feel are a bit larger
than you have tried before and
grow with them! ”
Line Aarnes
Vice President, Global Marketing,
Co-Chairwoman, ACT Women’s Council,
and TWIC 2018 Woman of the Year
“ Through this nomination,
my goal is to inspire and mentor
more women to bring forward their
unique ideas and insights. ”
Marie-Noëlle Cano
Senior Director, Global Communications,
and TWIC 2018 Rising Star
2017
1,263 stores
2017
Circle K
enters into
EV partnership
in Europe
SUSTAINABILITY
A commitment to our stakeholders
In July 2019, we hit an important milestone with the release of our first sustainability report,
taking a significant step toward increased transparency in our communications around this
topic. This is our way of acknowledging the tremendous work our people accomplish to
drive our organization forward, be a source of inspiration, and set forth a clear vision for
the future. Within the report, we have established five focus areas that anchor the many
sustainability initiatives underway across our business and align with the 17 United Nations
(‘UN’) Sustainable Development Goals.
Customer Experience
We want to make it easier for our customers to access fresh, healthy, local, and sustainable
food options. We also emphasize cleaner energy, fair trade, and obviously we live by the
highest standards as a responsible retailer of age-restricted products.
Talent Development
Our worldwide community of people is at the heart of our business. It is their commitment,
motivation and talent that make us a successful convenience store operator. We value
diversity and inclusion, as we strive to be an attractive employer and provide our people
with a work environment in which they feel respected.
Environmental Management
Reducing our environmental footprint is obviously a priority. Our focus is to find innovative
ways to protect resources, reduce our carbon footprint and minimize the waste generated
by our products and services. Our report shows that we work hard to reduce our energy
consumption, conserve water and manage waste responsibly.
Community engagement
We are committed to being a good neighbour by contributing to safe, healthy and vibrant
communities. In addition to supporting local community causes, we contribute through
strategic investments and partnerships to support youth and prevent crime.
Governance
We strive to conduct our business in compliance with the highest standards of ethical
conduct and integrity, engaging our partners and transparently reporting as part of our
commitment to be open about our business activities.
This is a summary of our sustainability initiatives.
For the full report, please visit: www.acttoevolve.com.
20
OUTLOOK
The first year of our strategy was
dedicated to its launching, creating
awareness and engagement within
our teams and leadership, as well as
communicating it to the investment
community. Both operational business
units and functional groups embraced
the plan and started planning its
execution.
We will be as dedicated for Year 2 of the
strategy, with continued focus on the
customer journey, developing food at scale,
and delivering enhanced business systems. In
light of the variety of emerging trends, new
opportunities surface, and we are committed
to increase our data analytics capabilities to
benefit from them. We will also keep a sharp
focus on supporting our people. We strive
to make their lives a little easier with each
decision we take, allowing them to focus
on store operations and remain customer-
driven. That is where our success lies.
Our goal of doubling our financial
results over a five-year period is ambitious,
but we have solid foundations to build
on. We have a strong, well-established
brand. We are engaged in the process of
optimizing global functions, while keeping
a strong
regional customer
expectations. And we are actively looking
for opportunities to grow, while remaining
true to our values and financial discipline. In
the next four years, our aim is to continue
to create value for our shareholders and
employees.
focus on
In February of 2020, Alimentation Couche-Tard
will celebrate its 40th anniversary. Those four
decades have been a remarkable journey,
marked by a phenomenal expansion in our
services and our scope, establishing powerful
brands and creating a unique culture. Above
all, we have managed to assemble a team
of hard-working people who are passionate
about fulfilling our mission: making our
customers’ lives a little easier every day.
2017
516 stores
2019
Alain Bouchard is invested
Officer of the Order of Canada
21
FINANCIAL
RESULTS
22
Management Discussion and Analysis
The purpose of this Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is, as required by regulators, to explain management’s
point of view on the financial condition and results of the operations of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (“Couche-Tard”) as well
as its performance during the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019. More specifically, it aims to let the reader better understand our
development strategy, performance in relation to objectives, future expectations, and how we address risk and manage our
financial resources. This MD&A also provides information to improve the reader’s understanding of Couche-Tard’s consolidated
financial statements and related notes. It should therefore be read in conjunction with those documents. By “we”, “our”, “us” and
“the Corporation”, we refer collectively to Couche-Tard and its subsidiaries.
Except where otherwise indicated, all financial information reflected herein is expressed in United States dollars (“US dollars”)
and determined on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board (“IASB”). We also use measures in this MD&A that do not comply with IFRS. Where such measures are
presented, they are defined, and the reader is informed. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the audited annual
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2019 Annual Report, which, along with additional information
relating to Couche-Tard, including the most recent Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR at https://www.sedar.com/
and on our website at https://corpo.couche-tard.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This MD&A includes certain statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws of
Canada. Any statement in this MD&A that is not a statement of historical fact may be deemed to be a forward-looking statement.
When used in this MD&A, the words “believe”, “could”, “should”, “intend”, “expect”, “estimate”, “assume” and other similar
expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. It is important to know that the forward-looking
statements in this MD&A describe our expectations as at July 9, 2019, which are not guarantees of the future performance of
Couche-Tard or its industry, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Couche-Tard’s or the
industry’s outlook, actual results or performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or
implied by such statements. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations if known or unknown risks
affect our business, or if our estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. A change affecting an assumption can also
have an impact on other interrelated assumptions, which could increase or diminish the effect of the change. As a result, we
cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and, accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements do not take into account the effect that transactions
or special items announced or occurring after the statements are made may have on our business. For example, they do not
include the effect of sales of assets, monetization, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or transactions, asset
write-downs or other charges announced or occurring after forward-looking statements are made.
Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise the
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The foregoing risks and uncertainties include the risks set forth under “Business Risks” in our 2019 Annual Report as well as
other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Couche-Tard with securities regulators in Canada.
Our Business
We are the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In the United States, we are the largest independent convenience
store operator in terms of the number of company-operated stores. In Europe, we are a leader in convenience store and road
transportation fuel retail in the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania), as well as in Ireland, and have an important presence in Poland.
As of April 28, 2019, our network comprised 9,866 convenience stores throughout North America, including 8,629 stores with
road transportation fuel dispensing. Our North American network consists of 19 business units, including 15 in the United States
covering 48 states and 4 in Canada covering all 10 provinces. Approximately 109,000 people are employed throughout our
network and at our service offices in North America. In addition, through CrossAmerica Partners LP (“CAPL”), we supply road
transportation fuel under various brands to approximately 1,300 locations in the United States.
23
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
In Europe, we operate a broad retail network across Scandinavia, Ireland, Poland, the Baltics and Russia through ten business
units. As of April 28, 2019, our network comprised 2,709 stores, the majority of which offer road transportation fuel and
convenience products while the others are unmanned automated fuel stations which only offer road transportation fuel. We also
offer other products, including aviation fuel and energy for stationary engines. Including employees at branded franchise stores,
approximately 24,000 people work in our retail network, terminals and service offices across Europe.
In addition, under licensing agreements, more than 2,150 stores are operated under the Circle K banner in 15 other countries
and territories (Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Mexico, Mongolia,
New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam), which brings our worldwide total network to more than
16,000 stores.
Our mission is to make our customers’ lives a little easier every day. To this end, we strive to meet the demands and needs of
people on the go. We offer fast and friendly service, providing food, hot and cold beverages, car wash services, and other
high-quality products and services including road transportation fuel, designed to meet or exceed our customers’ demands in a
clean, welcoming and efficient environment. Our business model is our key to success. We have a decentralized management
structure, routinely compare best practices, and use our global experience to enhance our operational expertise. We also
continually invest in our people and our stores, while maintaining a strong cost discipline.
Value Creation
In the United States, the convenience store sector is fragmented and in a consolidation phase. We are participating in this
process through our acquisitions, the market shares we gain when competitors close sites, and by improving our offering. In
Europe and Canada, the convenience store sector is often dominated by a few major players, including integrated oil companies.
Some of these integrated oil companies are in the process of selling, or are expected to sell, their retail assets. We intend to
study investment opportunities that might come to us through this process.
No matter the context, to create value for our Corporation and its shareholders, acquisitions have to be concluded at reasonable
conditions. Therefore, we do not necessarily favor store count growth to the detriment of profitability. In addition to acquisitions,
the contribution from organic growth has played an important role in the recent growth of our net earnings. Highlights have
included the ongoing improvements we have made to our offer, including fresh products, to our supply terms and to our efficiency.
All these elements, in addition to our strong balance sheet, have contributed to the growth in our net earnings and to value
creation for our shareholders and other stakeholders. We intend to continue in this direction.
Exchange Rate Data
We use the US dollar as our reporting currency, which provides more relevant information given the predominance of our
operations in the United States.
The following tables set forth information about exchange rates based upon closing rates expressed as US dollars per
comparative currency unit:
Average for period(1)
Canadian dollar
Norwegian krone
Swedish krone
Danish krone
Zloty
Euro
Ruble
12-week period
ended
April 28, 2019
12-week period
ended
April 29, 2018
52-week period
ended
April 28, 2019
52-week period
ended
April 29, 2018
53-week period
ended
April 30, 2017
0.7510
0.1165
0.1077
0.1514
0.2627
1.1298
0.0153
0.7840
0.1280
0.1212
0.1654
0.2940
1.2319
0.0171
0.7595
0.1195
0.1108
0.1542
0.2675
1.1499
0.0153
0.7826
0.1241
0.1205
0.1587
0.2800
1.1810
0.0172
0.7598
0.1194
0.1144
0.1468
0.2512
1.0920
0.0161
(1) Calculated by taking the average of the closing exchange rates of each day in the applicable period.
24
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Period end
Canadian dollar
Norwegian krone
Swedish krone
Danish krone
Zloty
Euro
Ruble
As at April 28, 2019
As at April 29, 2018
0.7412
0.1152
0.1053
0.1491
0.2596
1.1133
0.0154
0.7763
0.1250
0.1148
0.1620
0.2863
1.2070
0.0160
As we use the US dollar as our reporting currency in our consolidated financial statements and in this document, unless indicated
otherwise, results from our Canadian, European and corporate operations are translated into US dollars using the average rate
for the period. Unless otherwise indicated, variances and explanations regarding changes in the foreign exchange rate and the
volatility of the Canadian dollar and European currencies which we discuss in the present document are therefore related to the
translation into US dollars of our Canadian, European and corporate operations’ results.
Fiscal 2019 Overview
Financial Results
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (“net earnings”) amounted to $1.8 billion for fiscal 2019, compared
with $1.7 billion for fiscal 2018. Diluted net earnings per share stood at $3.25, compared with $2.95 for the previous year.
The results for fiscal 2019 were affected by a pre-tax impairment charge on CAPL’s goodwill of $55.0 million, pre-tax restructuring
costs of $10.5 million, a compensatory payment to CAPL for divestiture of assets of $6.3 million, which had a negative impact
of $5.0 million on pre-tax earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation, a net tax benefit stemming from the decrease
of the statutory income tax rate in Sweden of $6.2 million, a pre-tax net foreign exchange gain of $5.3 million, a pre-tax gain from
the disposal of the marine fuel business of $3.2 million, as well as pre-tax acquisition costs of $2.2 million.
The results for fiscal 2018 were affected by a net tax benefit of $288.3 million, of which $18.2 million relates to non-controlling
interests, following the approval of the “U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, pre-tax restructuring costs of $56.9 million, of which
$5.2 million relates to non-controlling interests, a $48.4 million pre-tax net foreign exchange loss, a $19.0 million pre-tax
accelerated depreciation and amortization expense and pre-tax incremental costs of $3.0 million, both in connection with our
global brand initiative, a $13.4 million tax benefit following an internal reorganization, pre-tax acquisition costs of $11.8 million,
an $11.5 million pre-tax gain on the disposal of a terminal, an $8.8 million pre-tax gain on the investment we held in CST, pre-
tax incremental expenses caused by hurricanes totaling $6.6 million, as well as a pre-tax negative goodwill of $2.8 million.
Excluding these items, the adjusted net earnings would have been approximately $1.9 billion1 ($3.321 per share on a diluted
basis), compared with $1.5 billion1 (compared with $2.601 per share on a diluted basis) for fiscal 2018, an increase of
$402.0 million or 27.3%, driven by higher fuel margins in the U.S., the contribution from our acquisitions, our organic growth, as
well as by a lower income tax rate, partly offset by a higher level of expense, as well as by the net negative impact from the
translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars.
Changes in our Network
Single-site acquisitions
During fiscal 2019, we acquired six company-operated stores through distinct transactions and added two company-operated
stores through RDK, a joint-venture, for a total of eight acquired company-operated stores since the beginning of fiscal 2019.
Store construction
During fiscal 2019, we completed the construction of 51 stores and the relocation or reconstruction of 41 stores. As of
April 28, 2019, 28 stores were under construction and should open in the upcoming quarters.
1 Please refer to the section “Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (“net earnings”) and adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of
the Corporation (“adjusted net earnings”)” of this Management Discussion & Analysis for additional information on this performance measure not defined by IFRS.
25
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Summary of changes in our store network during the fourth quarter and fiscal 2019
The following table presents certain information regarding changes in our store network over the 12-week period ended
April 28, 2019(1):
Type of site
Number of sites, beginning of period
Acquisitions
Openings / constructions / additions
Closures / disposals / withdrawals
Store conversion
Number of sites, end of period
CAPL network
Circle K branded sites under licensing agreements
Total network
Number of automated fuel stations included in the period-
end figures(6)
12-week period ended April 28, 2019
Company-
operated(2)
9,881
1
19
(52 )
(55 )
9,794
CODO(3)
458
-
-
-
56
514
DODO(4)
1,058
-
11
(16 )
(1 )
1,052
Franchised and
other affiliated(5)
1,245
-
21
(51 )
-
1,215
Total
12,642
1
51
(119 )
-
12,575
1,285
2,181
16,041
976
-
14
-
990
The following table presents certain information regarding changes in our store network over the 52-week period ended
April 28, 2019(1):
Type of site
Number of sites, beginning of period
Acquisitions
Openings / constructions / additions
Closures / disposals / withdrawals
Store conversion
Number of sites, end of period
CAPL network
Circle K branded sites under licensing agreements
Total network
52-week period ended April 28, 2019
Company-
operated(2)
9,718
8
51
(182 )
199
9,794
CODO(3)
722
-
1
(6 )
(203 )
514
DODO(4)
1,051
2
55
(58 )
2
1,052
Franchised and
other affiliated(5)
1,249
-
92
(128 )
2
1,215
Total
12,740
10
199
(374 )
-
12,575
1,285
2,181
16,041
These figures include 50% of the stores operated through RDK, a joint venture.
(1)
(2) Sites for which the real estate is controlled by Couche-Tard (through ownership or lease agreements) and for which the stores (and/or the service stations)
are operated by Couche-Tard or one of its commission agents.
(3) Sites for which the real estate is controlled by Couche-Tard (through ownership or lease agreements) and for which the stores (and/or the service stations)
are operated by an independent operator in exchange for rent and to which Couche-Tard sometimes provides road transportation fuel through supply
contracts. Some of these sites are subject to a franchise agreement, licensing or other similar agreement under one of our main or secondary banners.
(4) Sites controlled and operated by independent operators to which Couche-Tard supplies road transportation fuel through supply contracts. Some of these
sites are subject to a franchise agreement, licensing or other similar agreement under one of our main or secondary banners.
(5) Stores operated by an independent operator through a franchising, licensing or another similar agreement under one of our main or secondary banners.
(6)
These sites sell road transportation fuel only.
Disposal of retail sites
On July 3, 2018, we sold to Irving Oil Ltd. 13 retail sites in the Canadian Atlantic provinces for a cash consideration of
approximately $30.0 million. This transaction resulted in a gain of $4.5 million. These stores, which will continue to be operated
by Couche-Tard, were previously acquired through the CST acquisition.
On February 5, 2019, we sold 19 retail sites in Oregon and West Washington for a cash consideration of approximately
$30.0 million. This transaction resulted in a gain of $17.3 million.
Disposal of Statoil Fuel & Retail Marine AS
On December 1, 2018, we completed the disposal of our marine fuel business to St1 Norge AS through a share purchase
agreement pursuant to which St1 Norge AS acquired 100% of all issued and outstanding shares of Statoil Fuel & Retail
Marine AS. Total proceeds from the disposal were $24.3 million. The transaction resulted in a gain of $3.2 million.
Asset Exchange Agreement with CAPL
On December 17, 2018, we entered into an Asset Exchange Agreement with CAPL under which 192 Circle K U.S.
company-operated stores will be exchanged against the real estate property currently held by CAPL for 56 U.S.
company-operated stores currently leased and operated by Couche-Tard pursuant to a master lease that CAPL had previously
purchased jointly with or from CST Brands Inc. (“CST”), and 17 company-operated stores currently owned and operated by
CAPL in the U.S. Upper Midwest. The aggregate value of this agreement is approximately $185.0 million. The Circle K stores to
be sold to CAPL will remain our property until dealers are secured to operate the sites. The existing fuel supply arrangements
26
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
for the 56 master lease properties will remain unchanged. As CAPL is fully consolidated in our consolidated financial statements,
no gain or loss are expected from these transactions.
On May 22, 2019, subsequent to the end of fiscal 2019, we closed the first transaction of the Asset Exchange Agreement with
CAPL. In this first transaction, 60 Circle K U.S. stores have been exchanged against 17 company-operated stores owned and
operated by CAPL and the real estate for 8 properties held by CAPL, for a total value of approximately $58.0 million. The
remaining transactions are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2020.
Agreement with Canopy Growth Corporation
On February 21, 2019, we announced a multi-year agreement with Canopy Growth Corporation allowing us to licence the
“Tweed” trademark to cannabis retail store operations in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Through this new strategic partnership,
we aim to lean on Canopy Growth’s cannabis expertise and leverage our experience with other age-restricted products to focus
on the safe, responsible and lawful sale of cannabis. On May 17, 2019, a first licensed store was opened under this agreement.
CST Integration
Our annual synergies run rate related to the CST acquisition surpassed our target of $ 215.0 million over the three years following
the transaction, one year earlier than planned. These synergies resulted in reductions in operating, selling, administrative and
general expenses, as well as improvements in road transportation fuel and merchandise distribution and supply costs. As always,
we will continue our efforts towards improving our efficiency and we are confident that additional synergies will be realized.
Global Circle K Brand
On September 22, 2015, we announced the creation of a new global convenience brand, Circle K. The new brand is replacing
our existing Circle K, Statoil, Mac’s, Kangaroo Express, Corner Store, On the Run, and Topaz brands on stores and service
stations across Canada (except in Québec), the United States and Europe. The rollout of the Circle K brand in North America is
progressing steadily.
As of April 28, 2019, more than 5,600 stores in North America, including approximately 720 stores acquired from CST, and more
than 2,000 stores in Europe were proudly displaying our new global brand. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2019, we successfully
finalized our rebranding project in Europe, by completing the rebranding of our network in Ireland.
Restructuring
During fiscal 2019, as part of our cost reduction initiatives and the search for synergies aimed at improving our efficiency, we
made the decision to proceed with the restructuring of certain of our operations. As such, restructuring costs of $10.5 million
were recorded to earnings during fiscal 2019.
CrossAmerica Partners LP
During fiscal 2019, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test. As a result of the reduction in the fair value of the Incentive
Distribution Rights and in CAPL’s market capitalization, we recorded a $55.0 million impairment charge to Depreciation,
amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets, and other assets on the consolidated
statement of earnings.
Compensatory Payment to CAPL for Divestiture of Assets
During fiscal 2019, in connection with divestiture of certain assets, we have paid a compensatory amount of $6.3 million to CAPL.
This compensatory payment was recorded in our operating expenses, was eliminated upon consolidation, but had a negative
pre-tax impact of $5.0 million on earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation.
New Statutory Income Tax in Sweden
During fiscal 2019, we recorded a net tax benefit of $6.2 million, derived from the evaluation of our deferred income tax balances
following the decrease of the statutory income tax rate in Sweden, which will decrease from 22.0% to 20.6% over the next
2 years.
27
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Long-Term Debt
On November 28, 2018, we entered into a new credit agreement consisting of an unsecured non-revolving credit facility of an
aggregate maximum amount of $213.5 million, maturing June 27, 2020 (the “credit facility”).
The credit facility was available exclusively to repay a portion of amounts outstanding in principal, interest and fees under our
acquisition facility. The credit facility was available in US dollars by way of loans bearing interest at the US base rate or the
LIBOR rate plus 0.850%.
During fiscal 2019, we repaid the remaining tranche of our acquisition facility, our credit facility, as well as the majority of our
revolving unsecured credit facility. Net debt repayment totalled $1.8 billion during the year. In addition, subsequent to the end of
fiscal 2019, on May 28, 2019, we repaid $150.0 million of our US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes.
New Share Repurchase Program
On April 8, 2019, we received the approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to implement a new share repurchase program to
repurchase up to 4.0% of our Class B subordinate voting shares. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2019, we repurchased
245,274 shares, for a net amount of $14.4 million. All shares repurchased were cancelled.
Holiday Stationstores, LLC Integration
On December 22, 2017, we acquired all the membership interest of Holiday Stationstores, LLC and certain affiliated companies
(“Holiday”). During fiscal 2019, the adjustments we made to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed had a
net negative impact of $3.0 million on our previously reported net earnings of fiscal 2018. Comparative financial statements were
adjusted accordingly.
Dividends
During its July 9, 2019 meeting, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of CA 12.5¢ per share for the fourth quarter
of fiscal 2019 to shareholders on record as at July 18, 2019, and approved its payment for August 1, 2019. This is an eligible
dividend within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
For fiscal 2019, the Board declared total dividends of CA 45.0¢ per share, an increase of 21.6% compared with fiscal 2018.
Outstanding Shares and Stock Options
As at July 5, 2019, Couche-Tard had 126,903,950 Class A multiple-voting shares and 437,273,218 Class B subordinate voting
shares issued and outstanding. In addition, as at the same date, Couche-Tard had 1,643,741 outstanding stock options for the
purchase of Class B subordinate voting shares.
28
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Statement of Earnings Categories
Merchandise and service revenues. In-store merchandise revenues are comprised primarily of the sale of tobacco and alternative
tobacco products, grocery items, candy and snacks, beverages, beer, wine and fresh food offerings, including quick service
restaurants. These revenues are recognized at the time of the transaction since control of goods and services is considered
transferred when customer makes payment and takes possession of the sold item. Merchandise sales also include the wholesale
of merchandise and goods to certain independent operators and franchisees made from our distribution centers and
commissaries, which are generally recognized on the passing of possession of the goods and when the transfer of the associated
risk is made. Service revenues include commissions on the sale of lottery tickets and the issuance of money orders, fees from
automatic teller machines, sales of calling cards and gift cards, fees for cashing checks, sales of postage stamps and bus tickets
and car wash revenues.
Service revenues also include franchise and license fees as well as commissions from agents, and royalties from franchisees
and licensees. Starting fiscal year 2020, we will also sell cannabis products through licensed stores in Ontario, Canada.
Road transportation fuel revenues. We include in our revenues the total dollar amount of road transportation fuel sales, including
any embedded taxes when they are included in the purchase price, if we take ownership of the road transportation fuel inventory.
In the United States and in Europe, in some instances, we purchase road transportation fuel and sell it to certain independent
store operators at cost plus a mark-up. We record the full value of these revenues (cost plus mark-up) as road transportation
fuel revenues. Where we act as a selling agent for a petroleum distributor, only the commission we earn is recorded as revenue.
Other revenues. Other revenues include sales of aviation fuel, energy for stationary engines and marine fuel (until
November 30, 2018). Other revenues also include rental income from operating leases for certain land and buildings we own.
Gross profit. Gross profit consists mainly of revenues less the cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold is mainly comprised of the
specific cost of merchandise and road transportation fuel sold, including applicable freight less vendor rebates. For in-store
merchandise, the cost of inventory is generally determined using the retail method (retail price less a normal margin), and for
road transportation fuel, it is generally determined using the average cost method. The road transportation fuel gross margin for
stores generating commissions corresponds to the sales commission.
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses. The primary components of operating, selling, administrative and
general expenses are labor, net occupancy costs, electronic payment modes fees, commissions to dealers and agents and
overhead.
Key performance indicators used by management, which can be found under “Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results of
Fiscal 2019 - Other Operating Data”, are merchandise and service gross margin, growth of same-store merchandise revenues,
road transportation fuel gross margin and growth of same-store road transportation fuel volume, return on equity and return on
capital employed.
29
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2019
The following table highlights certain information regarding our operations for the 12-week period ended April 28, 2019 and
12-week period ended April 29, 2018:
(in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise stated)
Revenues
Operating income
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Selected Operating Data – excluding CAPL:
Merchandise and service gross margin(1):
Consolidated
United States
Europe
Canada
Growth of same-store merchandise revenues(2):
United States(3)
Europe
Canada(3)
Road transportation fuel gross margin:
United States (cents per gallon)(3)
Europe (cents per liter)
Canada (CA cents per liter)(3)
Growth of (decrease in) same-store road transportation fuel volume:
United States(3)
Europe(3)
Canada(3)
12-week period ended
April 28, 2019
12-week period ended
April 29, 2018
13,113.3
410.2
293.1
34.6%
33.9%
41.8%
33.0%
3.4%
4.7%
4.2%
18.51
8.28
8.13
0.3%
(1.8% )
(0.4% )
13,614.8
464.4
391.0
34.9%
33.6%
44.0%
34.4%
1.8%
4.3%
3.6%
17.29
8.72
9.44
(0.1% )
0.1%
(2.9% )
Change %
(3.7)
(11.7)
(25.0)
(0.3)
0.3
(2.2)
(1.4)
7.1
(5.0)
(13.9)
(1)
Includes revenues derived from franchise fees, royalties, suppliers rebates on some purchases made by franchisees and licensees, as well as from wholesale
merchandise.
(2) Does not include services and other revenues (as described in footnote 1 above). Growth in Canada and Europe is calculated based on local currencies.
(3) For company-operated stores only.
Revenues
Our revenues were $13.1 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, down by $501.5 million, a decrease of 3.7% compared with
the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2018, mainly attributable to the net negative impact from the translation of revenues of our
Canadian and European operations into US dollars, the one-time sale of Compulsory Stock Obligation (“CSO”) inventory in
Sweden in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, lower revenues in our wholesale business and lower other revenues, partly offset by
a net higher average road transportation fuel selling price, and by organic growth.
Merchandise and service revenues
Total merchandise and service revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $3.3 billion, an increase of $78.3 million
compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s revenues, as well as the net negative impact from
the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, merchandise and service revenues increased by
approximately $133.0 million or 4.1%. This increase is primarily attributable to continued strong organic growth. Same-store
merchandise revenues increased by 3.4% in the United States, by 4.7% in Europe and by 4.2% in Canada, driven by the success
of our rebranding activities, improvements made to our offering, as well as by our various initiatives to drive traffic in our stores.
Road transportation fuel revenues
Total road transportation fuel revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $9.6 billion, a decrease of $429.8 million
compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s revenues, as well as the net negative impact from
the translation of revenues of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, road transportation fuel revenues
decreased by approximately $153.0 million or 1.6%. This decrease is attributable to the one-time sale of CSO inventory in
Sweden in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and to lower revenues in our wholesale business, partly offset by a net higher average
road transportation fuel selling price, which had a positive impact of approximately $111.0 million. Same-store road
transportation fuel volume in the United States increased by 0.3%, despite major fuel shortages in Arizona and Texas. In Europe,
same-store road transportation fuel volume decreased by 1.8% due to the competitive landscape in the Baltics and unfavorable
weather in Scandinavia. In Canada, although same-store road transportation fuel volume decreased by 0.4%, this is a sequential
improvement driven by the momentum of the new loyalty program in our Esso stores.
30
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
The following table shows the average selling price of road transportation fuel of our company-operated stores in our various
markets for the last eight quarters, starting with the first quarter of the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018:
Quarter
52-week period ended April 28, 2019
United States (US dollars per gallon) – excluding CAPL
Europe (US cents per liter)
Canada (CA cents per liter)
52-week period ended April 29, 2018
United States (US dollars per gallon) – excluding CAPL
Europe (US cents per liter)
Canada (CA cents per liter)
Other revenues
1st
2nd
2.76
75.07
117.95
2.21
61.39
99.81
2.72
80.56
115.22
2.47
68.23
101.46
3rd
2.42
75.28
97.59
2.30
71.19
108.11
4th
2.51
74.59
103.45
2.51
78.32
110.39
Weighted
average
2.60
76.32
107.82
2.37
70.52
102.85
Total other revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $217.9 million, a decrease of $150.0 million compared with the
corresponding period of fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s revenues, other revenues decreased by $152.1 million in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2019. The decrease is primarily driven by the disposal of our marine fuel business during the third quarter of
fiscal 2019, which had an impact of approximately $92.0 million, and by the decrease in other fuel products demand, partly offset
by an increase in other fuel products average selling price.
Gross profit
Our gross profit was $2.0 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, down by $32.7 million, or 1.6% compared with the
corresponding quarter of fiscal 2018, mainly attributable to the net negative impact from the translation of our Canadian and
European operations into US dollars, which totalled approximately $54.0 million, partly offset by organic growth.
Merchandise and service gross profit
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, our merchandise and service gross profit was $1.1 billion, an increase of $17.6 million
compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s gross profit, as well as the net negative impact from
the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, merchandise and service gross profit increased by
approximately $39.0 million or 3.5%, mainly attributable to our organic growth. Our gross margin increased by 0.3% in the
United States to 33.9%, and decreased by 2.2% in Europe to 41.8%, due to a different product mix. In Canada, our gross margin
decreased by 1.4% to 33.0%, mainly as a result of the conversion of our Esso stores from the agent model to the corporate
model.
Road transportation fuel gross profit
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, our road transportation fuel gross profit was $780.8 million, a decrease of $38.0 million
compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s gross profit, as well as the net negative impact from
the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, our fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 road transportation
fuel gross profit decreased by approximately $9.0 million or 1.2%. Our road transportation fuel gross margin was 18.51¢ per
gallon in the United States, an increase of 1.22¢ per gallon. In Europe, the road transportation fuel gross margin was US 8.28¢
per liter, a decrease of US 0.44¢ per liter, negatively impacted by last year’s sale of CSO inventory in Sweden, while in Canada,
the road transportation fuel gross margin was CA 8.13¢ per liter, a decrease of CA 1.31¢ per liter due to competitive pressure
in some of our markets and to the impact of the newly implemented carbon tax in some regions.
The road transportation fuel gross margin of our company-operated stores in the United States and the impact of expenses
related to electronic payment modes for the last eight quarters, starting with the first quarter of the fiscal year ended
April 29, 2018, were as follows:
(US cents per gallon)
Quarter
52-week period ended April 28, 2019
Before deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
Expenses related to electronic payment modes
After deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
52-week period ended April 29, 2018
Before deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
Expenses related to electronic payment modes
After deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
1st
22.70
4.21
18.49
20.75
3.79
16.96
2nd
21.88
4.10
17.78
3rd
29.42
3.92
25.50
24.70
4.21
20.49
15.66
3.73
11.93
4th
Weighted
average
18.51
4.40
14.11
17.29
3.62
13.67
23.60
4.10
19.50
19.39
3.82
15.57
31
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
As demonstrated by the table above, road transportation fuel margins in the United States can be volatile from one quarter to
another but tend to be relatively stable over longer periods. Margin volatility and expenses related to electronic payment modes
are not as significant in Europe and Canada.
Other revenues gross profit
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, other revenues gross profit was $52.8 million, a decrease of $12.3 million compared with the
corresponding period of fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s gross profit, other revenues gross profit decreased by $14.4 million. The
decrease is primarily driven by lower demand and increased costs for other fuel products, as well as the disposal of our marine
fuel business, which had an impact of approximately $3.0 million.
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses (“expenses”)
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, expenses increased by 2.9% compared with the corresponding period of fiscal 2018, but
increased by 5.0%, if we exclude certain items that are not considered indicative of future trends:
Total variance, as reported
Adjusted for:
Decrease from the net impact of foreign exchange translation
Increase from higher electronic payment fees, excluding acquisitions
Acquisition costs recognized to earnings of fiscal 2018
Decrease in CAPL’s expenses
Remaining variance
12-week period ended
April 28, 2019
2.9%
2.5%
(0.6%)
0.1%
0.1%
5.0%
Excluding the conversion of our Esso stores from the agent model to the corporate model, as well as the impact from changes
in some assumptions driven by external factors included in the calculation of our provisions, the remaining variance for the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2019 would have been 3.6%. Growth in expenses, amongst other items, was driven by normal inflation, higher
minimum wages in certain regions and higher marketing expenses to support our strategy. We continue to rigorously focus on
controlling costs throughout our organization, while ensuring we maintain the quality of service we offer to our customers.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment (EBITDA) and
adjusted EBITDA
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, EBITDA decreased from $711.1 million to $655.3 million, a decrease of 7.8% compared
with the same quarter last year. Excluding the specific items shown in the table below from EBITDA of the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2019 and of the corresponding period of fiscal 2018, the adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased
by $61.3 million or 8.7% compared with the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, driven by increase in expenses,
due to the higher level of initiatives throughout the organization, and the net negative impact from the translation of our Canadian
and European operations into US dollars, partly offset by organic growth. The variation in exchange rates had a net negative
impact of approximately $21.0 million.
It should be noted that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not performance measures defined by IFRS, but we, as well as
investors and analysts, consider that those performance measures facilitate the evaluation of our ongoing operations and our
ability to generate cash flows to fund our cash requirements, including our capital expenditures program and payment of
dividends. Note that our definition of these measures may differ from the one used by other public corporations.
(in millions of US dollars)
Net earnings including non-controlling interests, as reported
Add:
Income taxes
Net financial expenses
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets, and other
assets
EBITDA
Adjusted for:
EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interests
Restructuring costs attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Acquisition costs
Adjusted EBITDA
12-week periods ended
April 28, 2019
289.9
45.3
78.6
241.5
655.3
(16.2 )
2.6
0.4
642.1
April 29, 2018
395.2
(0.5 )
75.6
240.8
711.1
(15.5 )
6.9
0.9
703.4
32
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill,
intangible assets, and other assets (“depreciation”)
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, our depreciation expense increased by $0.7 million and decreased by $0.9 million, when
excluding CAPL’s results.
Net financial expenses
Net financial expenses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $78.6 million, an increase of $3.0 million compared with the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Excluding the items shown in the table below, net financial expenses increased by $2.9 million.
(in millions of US dollars)
Net financial expenses, as reported
Adjusted for:
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)
CAPL’s financial expenses
Net financial expenses excluding items above
Income taxes
12-week periods ended
April 28, 2019
78.6
1.1
(7.7 )
72.0
April 29, 2018
75.6
(1.0 )
(5.5
)
69.1
The income tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 was 13.5% compared with 17.5% for the corresponding period of
fiscal 2018, when excluding the net tax benefit of $69.7 million stemming from the finalization of the impact analysis of the “U.S.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The decrease of the income tax rate of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019
stems from the impact of a different mix in our earnings across the various jurisdictions.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (“net earnings”) and
adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (“adjusted net
earnings”)
Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $293.1 million, compared with $391.0 million for the fourth quarter of the
previous fiscal year, a decrease of $97.9 million or 25.0%. Diluted net earnings per share stood at $0.52, compared with $0.69 for
the previous year. The translation of revenues and expenses from our Canadian and European operations into US dollars had
a net negative impact of approximately $14.0 million on net earnings of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
Excluding the items shown in the table below from net earnings of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, adjusted net
earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 would have been approximately $295.0 million, compared with $335.0 million for
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, a decrease of $40.0 million or 11.9%. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share would have
remained at $0.52 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 compared with $0.59 for the corresponding period of fiscal 2018, a
decrease of 11.9%.
The table below reconciles reported net earnings to adjusted net earnings:
(in millions of US dollars)
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation, as reported
Adjusted for:
Restructuring costs attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Net foreign exchange (gain) loss
Acquisition costs
Tax benefit stemming from the “U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Accelerated depreciation and amortization expense
Tax impact of the items above and rounding
Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
12-week periods ended
April 28, 2019
293.1
April 29, 2018
391.0
2.6
(1.1 )
0.4
-
-
-
295.0
6.9
1.0
0.9
(65.6 )
4.5
(3.7 )
335.0
It should be noted that adjusted net earnings is not a performance measure defined by IFRS, but we, as well as investors and
analysts, consider this measure useful for evaluating the underlying performance of our operations on a comparable basis. Note
that our definition of this measure may differ from the one used by other public corporations.
33
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results of Fiscal 2019
The following table highlights certain information regarding our operations for the 52-week period ended April 28, 2019, the
52-week period ended April 29, 2018, and the 53-week period ended April 30, 2017. CAPL refers to CrossAmerica Partners LP.
(in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise stated)
Statement of Operations Data:
Merchandise and service revenues(1):
United States
Europe
Canada
CAPL
Elimination of intercompany transactions with CAPL
Total merchandise and service revenues
Road transportation fuel revenues:
United States
Europe
Canada
CAPL
Elimination of intercompany transactions with CAPL
Total road transportation fuel revenues
Other revenues(2):
United States
Europe
Canada
CAPL
Elimination of intercompany transactions with CAPL
Total other revenues
Total revenues
Merchandise and service gross profit(1):
United States
Europe
Canada
CAPL
Elimination of intercompany transactions with CAPL
Total merchandise and service gross profit
Road transportation fuel gross profit:
United States
Europe
Canada
CAPL
Total road transportation fuel gross profit
Other revenues gross profit(2):
United States
Europe
Canada
CAPL
Elimination of intercompany transactions with CAPL
Total other revenues gross profit
Total gross profit
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
Excluding CAPL
CAPL
Elimination of intercompany transactions with CAPL
Total operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
Restructuring costs (including $6.5 million for CAPL for the 52-week period ended
April 29, 2018)
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment and other assets
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill, intangible
assets, and other assets
Excluding CAPL
CAPL
Total depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill,
intangible assets, and other assets
Operating income
Excluding CAPL
CAPL
Elimination of intercompany transactions with CAPL
Total operating income
Net earnings including non-controlling interests
Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Per Share Data:
Basic net earnings per share (dollars per share)
Diluted net earnings per share (dollars per share)
Adjusted diluted net earnings per share (dollars per share)
Cash dividend per share (CA cents per share)
34
52-week period
2019
52-week period
2018
53-week period
2017
10,781.8
1,457.8
2,172.7
95.8
(2.7 )
14,505.4
28,195.6
8,380.7
4,957.9
2,211.8
(444.7 )
43,301.3
21.8
1,220.7
24.5
61.2
(17.3 )
1,310.9
59,117.6
3,646.3
609.0
729.7
23.3
(2.3 )
5,006.0
2,471.5
981.1
392.8
103.6
3,949.0
21.8
149.7
24.5
61.2
(17.3 )
239.9
9,194.9
5,584.8
80.5
(19.2 )
5,646.1
10.5
(21.3 )
927.2
143.5
1,070.7
2,534.0
(44.7 )
(0.4 )
2,488.9
1,821.3
12.6
1,833.9
3.25
3.25
3.32
45.00
9,432.0
1,413.9
2,053.5
76.6
-
12,976.0
23,327.3
7,684.1
4,819.9
1,547.6
(262.4 )
37,116.5
25.1
1,217.7
27.6
47.6
(16.1 )
1,301.9
51,394.4
3,140.1
602.3
707.7
18.6
-
4,468.7
1,868.1
1,024.2
424.9
69.6
3,386.8
23.2
173.7
27.6
47.6
(16.1 )
256.0
8,111.5
5,069.5
67.8
(12.5 )
5,124.8
56.9
(17.7 )
849.5
61.1
910.6
2,040.9
(0.4 )
(3.6 )
2,036.9
1,677.5
(6.9 )
1,670.6
2.95
2.95
2.60
37.00
7,669.8
1,205.8
1,848.5
-
-
10,724.1
16,492.0
6,473.4
3,089.0
-
-
26,054.4
14.0
1,098.4
13.6
-
-
1,126.0
37,904.5
2,545.0
511.4
625.2
-
-
3,681.6
1,407.6
917.5
262.0
-
2,587.1
14.0
185.5
13.6
-
-
213.1
6,481.8
4,096.6
-
-
4,096.6
8.1
11.8
667.6
-
667.6
1,697.7
-
-
1,697.7
1,208.9
-
1,208.9
2.13
2.12
2.21
34.75
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
(in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise stated)
Other Operating Data – excluding CAPL:
Merchandise and service gross margin(1):
Consolidated
United States
Europe
Canada
Growth of same-store merchandise revenues(3)(13):
United States(4)
Europe
Canada(4)
Road transportation fuel gross margin:
United States (cents per gallon)(4)
Europe (cents per liter)
Canada (CA cents per liter)(4)
Total volume of road transportation fuel sold:
United States (millions of gallons)
Europe (millions of liters)
Canada (millions of liters)
Growth of (decrease in) same-store road transportation fuel volume(13):
United States(4)
Europe(4)
Canada(4)
(in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise stated)
Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets (including $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion for CAPL as at April 28, 2019 and as
at April 29, 2018, respectively)
Interest-bearing debt (including $539.2 million and $536.8 million for CAPL as at
April 28, 2019 and as at April 29, 2018, respectively)
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Indebtedness Ratios(5):
Net interest-bearing debt/total capitalization(6)
Leverage ratio(7)(11)
Adjusted leverage ratio(8)(11)
Returns(5):
Return on equity(9)(11)
Return on capital employed(10)(11)
52-week period
2019
52-week period
2018
53-week period
2017
34.6%
33.8%
41.8%
33.6%
4.1%
4.8%
5.2%
23.60
8.61
8.38
34.5%
33.3%
42.6%
34.5%
0.8%
2.7%
0.4%
19.39
8.72
8.84
10,979.5
11,391.2
6,198.9
0.7%
)
(0.9%
(1.6% )
9,794.1
11,747.6
6,161.4
(0.4% )
-
(1.4% )
34.3%
33.2%
42.4%
33.8%
2.0%
3.5%
0.1%
18.56
8.22
7.66
7,643.1
11,160.2
4,550.1
2.6%
1.0%
(0.3% )
April 28, 2019
April 29, 2018(12)
April 30, 2017
22,607.7
23,156.7
14,185.6
6,951.4
8,923.2
0.39 : 1
1.61 : 1
2.29 : 1
22.3%
14.1%
8,906.7
7,560.4
0.50 : 1
2.46 : 1
3.13 : 1
24.8%
12.0%
3,354.9
6,009.6
0.31 : 1
1.09 : 1
2.02 : 1
22.5%
15.8%
(1)
Includes revenues derived from franchise fees, royalties, suppliers rebates on some purchases made by franchisees and licensees, as well as from wholesale
of merchandise.
Includes revenues from the rental of assets and from the sale of aviation fuel, energy for stationary engines and marine fuel (until November 30, 2018).
(2)
(3) Does not include services and other revenues (as described in footnotes 1 and 2 above). Growth in Canada and in Europe is calculated based on local
currencies.
(4) For company-operated stores only.
(5) These measures are presented as if our investment in CAPL was reported using the equity method as we believe it allows a more relevant presentation of
the underlying performance of the Corporation.
(6) This measure is presented for information purposes only and represents a measure of financial condition used especially in financial circles. It represents the
following calculation: long-term interest-bearing debt, net of cash and cash equivalents and temporary investments divided by the addition of shareholders’
equity and long-term debt, net of cash and cash equivalents and temporary investments. It does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and
therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations. For the purpose of this calculation, CAPL’s long-term debt is
excluded as it is a non-recourse debt to the Corporation, as referenced in footnote 5. We believe this ratio is useful to investors and analysts.
(7) This measure is presented for information purposes only and represents a measure of financial condition used especially in financial circles. It represents the
following calculation: long-term interest-bearing debt, net of cash and cash equivalents and temporary investments divided by EBITDA (Earnings before
Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment) adjusted for specific items. It does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and
therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations. For the purpose of this calculation, CAPL’s long-term debt is
excluded as it is a non-recourse debt to the Corporation, as referenced in footnote 5. We believe this ratio is useful to investors and analysts.
(8) This measure is presented for information purposes only and represents a measure of financial condition used especially in financial circles. It represents the
following calculation: long-term interest-bearing debt plus the product of eight times rent expense, net of cash and cash equivalents and temporary investments
divided by EBITDAR (Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortization, Impairment and Rent expense) adjusted for specific items. It does not have
a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations. For the purpose
of this calculation, CAPL’s long-term debt is excluded as it is a non-recourse debt to the Corporation, as referenced in footnote 5. We believe this measure is
useful to investors and analysts.
(9) This measure is presented for information purposes only and represents a measure of performance used especially in financial circles. It represents the
following calculation: net earnings divided by average equity for the corresponding period. It does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and
therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations. We believe this measure is useful to investors and analysts.
(10) This measure is presented for information purposes only and represents a measure of performance used especially in financial circles. It represents the
following calculation: earnings before income taxes and interests divided by average capital employed for the corresponding period. Capital employed
represents total assets less short-term liabilities not bearing interests. It does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other public corporations. We believe this measure is useful to investors and analysts.
(11) As at April 29, 2018, these measures are presented for the 52-week period ended April 29, 2018, on a pro forma basis for the acquisitions of CST and Holiday.
CST’s and Holiday’s historical earnings and balance sheet figures have been adjusted to make their presentation in line with our policies. As at April 30, 2017,
these measures are presented for the 53-week period ended April 30, 2017, on a pro forma basis for the stores network acquired from Imperial Oil.
(12) The information as at April 29, 2018, has been adjusted based on the fair value of the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and the goodwill for the Holiday
acquisition.
(13) For fiscal 2018 and 2017, these measures are presented on a comparable basis of 52 weeks.
35
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Revenues
For fiscal 2019, our revenues increased by $7.7 billion or 15.0% compared with fiscal 2018, mainly attributable to the contribution
from acquisitions, to a higher average road transportation fuel selling price and to organic growth, partly offset by the net negative
impact from the translation of revenues of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars.
Merchandise and service revenues
For fiscal 2019, the growth in merchandise and service revenues was $1.5 billion. Excluding CAPL’s revenues, as well as the
net negative impact from the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, merchandise and service
revenues increased by $1.6 billion or 12.7%. This increase is primarily attributable to the contribution from acquisitions, which
amounted to approximately $1.0 billion, as well as to organic growth. Same-store merchandise revenues increased by 4.1% in
the United States, by 4.8% in Europe and by 5.2% in Canada, driven by the success of our rebranding activities, improvements
made to our offering, as well as by our various initiatives to drive traffic in our stores.
Road transportation fuel revenues
The growth in road transportation fuel revenues was $6.2 billion for fiscal 2019. Excluding CAPL’s revenues, as well as the net
negative impact from the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, road transportation fuel revenues
increased by $6.2 billion or 17.4%. This increase is attributable to the impact of a higher average road transportation fuel selling
price, which had a positive impact of approximately $3.5 billion, as well as to the contribution from acquisitions, which amounted
to approximately $3.1 billion, partly offset by lower revenues in our wholesale business. Same-store road transportation fuel
volume increased by 0.7% in the United States, while it decreased by 0.9% in Europe and by 1.6% in Canada, strongly impacted
at the beginning of the year by the transition to a new loyalty program in our Esso stores.
The following table shows the average selling price of road transportation fuel of our company-operated stores in our various
markets for the last eight quarters, starting with the first quarter of the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018:
Quarter
52-week period ended April 28, 2019
United States (US dollars per gallon) – excluding CAPL
Europe (US cents per liter)
Canada (CA cents per liter)
52-week period ended April 29, 2018
United States (US dollars per gallon) – excluding CAPL
Europe (US cents per liter)
Canada (CA cents per liter)
Other revenues
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
2.76
75.07
117.95
2.21
61.39
99.81
2.72
80.56
115.22
2.47
68.23
101.46
2.42
75.28
97.59
2.30
71.19
108.11
2.51
74.59
103.45
2.51
78.32
110.39
Weighted
average
2.60
76.32
107.82
2.37
70.52
102.85
Total other revenues for fiscal 2019 were $1.3 billion, an increase of $9.0 million compared with fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s
revenues, other revenues decreased by $3.4 million in fiscal 2019. The decrease is primarily driven by the disposal of our marine
fuel business, partly offset by an increase in other fuel products average selling price.
Gross profit
Our gross profit was $9.2 billion for fiscal 2019, up by $1.1 billion, or 13.4% compared with fiscal 2018, mainly attributable to the
contribution from acquisitions, to higher fuel margins in the U.S. and to organic growth, partly offset by the net negative impact
from the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars.
Merchandise and service gross profit
During fiscal 2019, our merchandise and service gross profit was $5.0 billion, an increase of $537.3 million compared with
fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s gross profit, as well as the net negative impact from the translation of our Canadian and European
operations into US dollars, merchandise and service gross profit increased by approximately $583.0 million or 13.1%. This
increase is mostly attributable to the contribution from acquisitions, which amounted to approximately $340.0 million, and to our
organic growth. The gross margin was 33.8% in the United States, an increase of 0.5% and 41.8% in Europe, a decrease of
0.8%, due to a different product mix, while it was 33.6% in Canada, a decrease of 0.9%, mainly as a result of the conversion of
our Esso stores from the agent model to the corporate model, as well as from the increase in taxes on cigarettes and other
tobacco products.
36
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Road transportation fuel gross profit
During fiscal 2019, our road transportation fuel gross profit was $3.9 billion, an increase of $562.2 million compared with
fiscal 2018. Excluding CAPL’s gross profit, as well as the net negative impact from the translation of our Canadian and European
operations into US dollars, road transportation fuel gross profit increased by approximately $586.0 million or 17.7%, as a result
of acquisitions and higher fuel margins. The road transportation fuel gross margin was 23.60¢ per gallon in the United States,
an increase of 4.21¢ per gallon, US 8.61¢ per liter in Europe, a decrease of 0.11¢ per liter mainly as a result of the net negative
impact from the translation of our European operations into US dollars, and CA 8.38¢ per liter in Canada, a decrease of CA
0.46¢ per liter, driven by competitive pressure in some of our markets.
The road transportation fuel gross margin of our company-operated stores in the United States and the impact of expenses
related to electronic payment modes for the last eight quarters, starting with the first quarter of the fiscal year ended
April 29, 2018, were as follows:
(US cents per gallon)
Quarter
52-week period ended April 28, 2019
Before deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
Expenses related to electronic payment modes
After deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
52-week period ended April 29, 2018
Before deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
Expenses related to electronic payment modes
After deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
22.70
4.21
18.49
20.75
3.79
16.96
21.88
4.10
17.78
24.70
4.21
20.49
29.42
3.92
25.50
15.66
3.73
11.93
18.51
4.40
14.11
17.29
3.62
13.67
Weighted
average
23.60
4.10
19.50
19.39
3.82
15.57
As demonstrated by the table above, road transportation fuel margins in the United States can be volatile from one quarter to
another but tend to be relatively stable over longer periods. Margin volatility and expenses related to electronic payment modes
are not as significant in Europe and Canada.
Other revenues gross profit
In fiscal 2019, other revenues gross profit was $239.9 million, a decrease of $16.1 million compared with fiscal 2018. Excluding
CAPL’s gross profit, other revenues gross profit decreased by $28.5 million in fiscal 2019. The decrease is primarily driven by
lower demand and increased costs for other fuel products, as well as the disposal of our marine fuel business, which had an
impact of approximately $3.0 million on fiscal 2019.
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses (“expenses”)
For fiscal 2019, expenses increased by 10.2% compared with fiscal 2018, but increased by only 3.7% if we exclude certain items
that are not considered indicative of future trends:
Total variance, as reported
Adjusted for:
Increase from incremental expenses related to acquisitions
Decrease from the net impact of foreign exchange translation
Increase from higher electronic payment fees, excluding acquisitions
Increase from settlements and reserves adjustments for specific elements recognized to earnings of fiscal 2019(1)
Acquisition costs recognized to earnings of fiscal 2018
Increase in CAPL’s expenses
Incremental costs from our global brand initiatives recognized to earnings of fiscal 2018
Additional costs incurred following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma recognized to earnings of fiscal 2018
Negative goodwill recognized to earnings of fiscal 2018
Compensatory payment to CAPL for divestiture of assets recognized to earnings of fiscal 2019
Remaining variance
52-week period ended April 28, 2019
10.2%
(6.4%)
1.4%
(0.9%)
(0.6%)
0.2%
(0.2%)
0.1%
0.1%
(0.1%)
(0.1%)
3.7%
(1) During fiscal 2019, we settled various claims and adjusted our reserves in connection with specific events of the year, which had a pre-tax negative impact of
$24.2 million on our earnings.
Excluding the conversion of our Esso stores from the agent model to the corporate model, as well as the impact from changes
in some assumptions driven by external factors included in the calculation of our provisions, the remaining variance for fiscal
2019 would have been 3.4%. Growth in expenses, amongst other items, was driven by normal inflation, higher minimum wages
in certain regions and higher expenses to support our growth and strategy. We continue to rigorously focus on controlling costs
throughout our organization, while ensuring we maintain the quality of service we offer to our customers.
37
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment (EBITDA) and
adjusted EBITDA
During fiscal 2019, EBITDA increased from $3.0 billion to $3.6 billion, a growth of 20.3%. Excluding the specific items shown in
the table below from EBITDA of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, the adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2019 increased by $540.0 million or
18.1%, mainly through the contribution of higher fuel margins in the U.S., acquisitions and organic growth, partly offset by a
higher level of expenses, and the net negative impact from the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US
dollars. Acquisitions contributed approximately $269.0 million to the adjusted EBITDA of fiscal 2019, while the variation in
exchange rates had a net negative impact of approximately $45.0 million.
It should be noted that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not performance measures defined by IFRS, but we, as well as
investors and analysts, consider that those performance measures facilitate the evaluation of our ongoing operations and our
ability to generate cash flows to fund our cash requirements, including our capital expenditures program and payment of
dividends. Note that our definition of these measures may differ from the one used by other public corporations.
(in millions of US dollars)
Net earnings including non-controlling interests, as reported
Add:
Income taxes
Net financial expenses
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill, intangible
assets, and other assets
EBITDA
Adjusted for:
EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interests
Restructuring costs attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Compensatory payment to CAPL for divestiture of asset, net of non-controlling interests
Gain on the disposal of the marine fuel business
Acquisition costs
Gain on disposal of a terminal
Gain on investment in CST
Incremental costs related to hurricanes
Incremental costs from our global brand initiatives
Negative goodwill
Adjusted EBITDA
52-week periods ended
April 28, 2019
April 29, 2018
1,821.3
370.9
320.1
1,070.7
3,583.0
(77.5 )
10.5
5.0
(3.2 )
2.2
-
-
-
-
-
3,520.0
1,677.5
56.1
335.3
910.6
2,979.5
(49.5 )
51.7
-
-
11.8
(11.5 )
(8.8 )
6.6
3.0
(2.8 )
2,980.0
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill,
intangible assets, and other assets (“depreciation”)
For fiscal 2019, our depreciation expense increased by $160.1 million, including the $55.0 million impairment charge on CAPL’s
goodwill recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Excluding CAPL’s results, the depreciation expense increased by
$77.7 million for fiscal 2019, mainly driven by the contribution from our acquisitions, the replacement of equipment, the addition
of new stores and the ongoing improvement of our network.
Net financial expenses
Net financial expenses for fiscal 2019 were $320.1 million, a decrease of $15.2 million compared with fiscal 2018. Excluding the
items shown in the table below, net financial expenses increased by $28.6 million, mainly attributable to our higher average
long-term debt in connection with our recent acquisitions, partly offset by the repayments made.
(in millions of US dollars)
Net financial expenses, as reported
Adjusted for:
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)
CAPL’s financial expenses
Net financial expenses excluding items above
52-week periods ended
April 28, 2019
April 29, 2018
320.1
5.3
)
(29.3
296.1
335.3
(48.4 )
)
(19.4
267.5
38
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Income taxes
For fiscal 2019, the income tax rate was 16.9% compared with 20.6% for fiscal 2018, when excluding the net tax benefit of
$288.3 million stemming from the “U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, as well as an adjustment for a tax benefit stemming from an
internal reorganization of fiscal 2018. The income tax rate for fiscal 2019 includes a net tax benefit of $6.2 million derived from
the evaluation of our deferred income tax balances following the decrease of the statutory income tax rate in Sweden. Excluding
this adjustment, the income tax rate would have been 17.2% for fiscal 2019, a decrease compared to fiscal 2018, stemming from
a lower statutory income tax rate in the U.S., as well as from the impact of a different mix in our earnings across the various
jurisdictions.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (“net earnings”) and
adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (“adjusted net
earnings”)
For fiscal 2019, net earnings were $1.8 billion, compared with $1.7 billion for fiscal 2018, an increase of $163.3 million or 9.8%.
Diluted net earnings per share stood at $3.25, compared with $2.95 the previous year. The translation of revenues and expenses
from our Canadian and European operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $30.0 million on net
earnings of fiscal 2019.
Excluding the items shown in the table below from net earnings of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, adjusted net earnings for
fiscal 2019 would have been approximately $1.9 billion, compared with $1.5 billion for fiscal 2018, an increase of $402.0 million
or 27.3%. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share would have been $3.32 for fiscal 2019, compared with $2.60 for fiscal 2018,
an increase of 27.7%.
The table below reconciles reported net earnings to adjusted net earnings:
(in millions of US dollars)
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation, as reported
Adjusted for:
Impairment charge on CAPL’s goodwill
Restructuring costs attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Tax benefit stemming from the decrease of the statutory income tax rate in Sweden
Net foreign exchange (gain) loss
Compensatory payment to CAPL for divestiture of assets, net of non-controlling interests
Gain on the disposal of the marine fuel business
Acquisition costs
Tax benefit stemming from the “U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” attributable to shareholders of the
Corporation
Accelerated depreciation and amortization expense
Tax benefit stemming from an internal reorganization
Gain on disposal of a terminal
Gain on investment in CST
Incremental costs related to hurricanes
Incremental costs from our global brand initiatives
Negative goodwill
Tax impact of the items above and rounding
Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
52-week periods ended
April 28, 2019
1,833.9
April 29, 2018
1,670.6
55.0
10.5
(6.2 )
(5.3 )
5.0
(3.2 )
2.2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(17.9 )
1,874.0
-
51.7
-
48.4
-
-
11.8
(270.1 )
19.0
(13.4 )
(11.5 )
(8.8 )
6.6
3.0
(2.8 )
(32.5 )
1,472.0
It should be noted that adjusted net earnings is not a performance measure defined by IFRS, but we, as well as investors and
analysts, consider this measure useful for evaluating the underlying performance of our operations on a comparable basis. Note
that our definition of this measure may differ from the one used by other public corporations.
CAPL’s results
For fiscal 2019, CAPL’s results were impacted by higher road transportation fuel prices as well as by the fact that fiscal 2018
included 9 months of activities compared to 12 months in fiscal 2019, since CAPL was acquired toward the end of the first quarter
of fiscal 2018.
39
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Financial Position as at April 28, 2019
As shown by our indebtedness ratios included in the “Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results for Fiscal 2019” section and
our net cash provided by operating activities, our financial position is solid.
Our total consolidated assets amounted to $22.6 billion as at April 28, 2019, a decrease of $549.0 million over the balance as
at April 29, 2018, primarily from the negative effect of the variation in exchange rates at the balance sheet date. It should be
noted that we have updated our balance sheet as at April 29, 2018, to reflect the adjustments we made to the fair value
assessment of the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and the goodwill for the Holiday acquisition.
During the 52-week periods ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018, we recorded return on capital employed1 of 14.1% and of
12.0%, respectively.
Significant balance sheet variations are explained as follows:
Long-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt and current portion of long-term debt decreased by $1.9 billion, from $8.9 billion as at April 29, 2018, to
$7.0 billion as at April 28, 2019, mainly as a result of net payments of approximately $1.4 billion made on our revolving unsecured
credit facility, net payments of $413.5 million made on our acquisition and credit facilities as well as the impact of the weakening
of the Canadian dollar and Euro against the US dollar, which was approximately $177.0 million.
Equity
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Corporation amounted to $8.9 billion as at April 28, 2019, up $1.4 billion compared
with April 29, 2018, mainly reflecting net earnings of fiscal 2019, partly offset by other comprehensive loss, as well as dividends
declared for fiscal 2019. For the 52-week period ended April 28, 2019, we recorded a return on equity1 of 22.3%.
As at April 28, 2019, non-controlling interests amounted to $257.9 million, a decrease of $69.1 million compared with
April 29, 2018, mainly reflecting non-controlling interests’ share in CAPL’s losses and distributions.
1 Please refer to the section “Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results of Fiscal 2019” of this Management Discussion & Analysis for additional information on
this performance measure not defined by IFRS.
40
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are our net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings available under our revolving
unsecured credit facilities. Our principal uses of cash are to repay our debt, finance our acquisitions and capital expenditures,
pay dividends, as well as to provide for working capital. We expect that cash generated from operations and borrowings available
under our revolving unsecured credit facilities will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs in the foreseeable future.
Term revolving unsecured operating credit, maturing in December 2023 (“operating credit D”)
Credit agreement consisting of a revolving unsecured facility of a maximum amount of $2,525.0 million. As at April 28, 2019,
$40.0 million of the unsecured line of credit available on our operating credit D had been used, bearing interest at 5.625%, and
standby letters of credit in the amount of $12.6 million were outstanding.
During fiscal 2019, we amended our operating Credit D to extend its maturity to December 2023 and to increase the maximum
amount of the unsecured line of credit from $50.0 million to $115.0 million. All other conditions related to this credit agreement
remain unchanged.
CAPL US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit facility, without recourse to the Corporation, maturing in April 2024
On April 1, 2019, CAPL fully repaid its credit agreement consisting of a US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit
facility of a maximum amount of $650.0 million, under which swing-line loans could be drawn up to $25.0 million and standby
letters of credit could be issued up to an aggregate of $45.0 million (the “Former CAPL US-dollar-denominated senior secured
revolving credit facility”).
On the same day, CAPL entered into a new credit agreement consisting of a US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving
credit facility of a maximum amount of $750.0 million, maturing on April 25, 2024, under which swing-line loans may be drawn
up to $35.0 million and standby letters of credit may be issued up to an aggregate of $65.0 million (the “CAPL
US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit facility“). This facility replaced the Former CAPL US-dollar-denominated
senior secured revolving credit facility and is without recourse to the Corporation.
As at April 28, 2019, the effective interest rate was 4.730% (4.740% as at April 29, 2018) and CAPL was in compliance with the
restrictive provisions and ratios imposed by the credit agreement.
Available liquidities
As at April 28, 2019, excluding CAPL’s US dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit facility, a total of approximately
$2.5 billion was available under our revolving unsecured operating credit facility and we were in compliance with the restrictive
covenants and ratios imposed by the credit agreement at that date. Thus, as at the same date, excluding CAPL’s cash and
revolving credit facility, we had access to approximately $3.2 billion through our available cash and revolving unsecured
operating credit facility.
41
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Selected Consolidated Cash Flows Information
(in millions of US dollars)
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment, intangible assets and other assets
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment and other assets
Proceeds from disposal of marine fuel business
Change in restricted cash
Business acquisitions
Proceeds from disposal of CST’s assets held for sale
Proceeds from disposal of an available-for-sale investment
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in term revolving unsecured operating credit D
Net increase in CAPL senior secured revolving credit facility
Net (decrease) increase in former CAPL senior secured revolving credit
facility
Net (decrease) increase in acquisition facility, net of financing costs
Cash dividends paid
CAPL distributions paid to non-controlling interests
Decrease in other debts
Settlements of derivative financial instruments
Exercise of stock options
Issuance of senior unsecured notes, net of financing costs
Repayments of debts assumed on the CST acquisition
Repayment of senior unsecured notes
Share repurchase
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Credit ratings
S&P Global Ratings – Corporate credit rating
Moody’s - Senior unsecured notes credit rating
Operating activities
April 28, 2019
April 29, 2018
Variation
52-week periods ended
3,083.6
(1,145.1 )
215.6
24.3
(16.9 )
(13.1 )
-
-
(935.2 )
(1,357.4 )
516.0
(512.1 )
(413.5 )
(181.3 )
(56.5 )
(52.2 )
3.0
0.2
-
-
-
-
(2,053.8 )
BBB
Baa2
2,163.1
(1,169.3 )
132.1
-
(13.5 )
(5,380.9 )
895.5
91.6
(5,444.5 )
702.9
-
64.5
412.1
(162.4 )
(50.5 )
(42.9 )
(81.3 )
0.2
3,935.9
(1,075.9 )
(232.5 )
(193.1 )
3,277.0
BBB
Baa2
920.5
24.2
83.5
24.3
(3.4 )
5,367.8
(895.5 )
(91.6 )
4,509.3
(2,060.3 )
516.0
(576.6 )
(825.6 )
(18.9 )
(6.0 )
(9.3 )
84.3
-
(3,935.9 )
1,075.9
232.5
193.1
(5,330.8 )
During fiscal 2019, net cash from our operations reached $3.1 billion, up $920.5 million compared with fiscal 2018, mainly due
to higher net earnings and improvement in working capital.
Investing activities
During fiscal 2019, net investments in property and equipment, intangible assets and other assets amounted to $929.5 million.
The investments were primarily for the replacement of equipment in some of our stores in order to enhance our offering of
products and services, for our rebranding project, for the addition of new stores, for the ongoing improvement of our network, as
well as for information technology.
Financing activities
During fiscal 2019, we repaid net amounts of approximately $1.4 billion on our revolving unsecured operating credit and we
repaid net amounts of $413.5 million on our acquisition and unsecured credit facility.
During fiscal 2019, we also distributed $181.3 million in dividends. In addition, during the same period, CAPL distributions to
non-controlling interests amounted to $56.5 million.
42
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
Set out below is a summary of our material contractual obligations as at April 28, 2019(1):
(in millions of US dollars)
Contractual obligations
Long-term debt(2)
Finance lease obligations and other debts
Operating lease obligations(3)
Total
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter
Total
1,484.9
64.6
459.8
2,009.3
396.9
80.0
425.1
902.0
169.9
51.6
385.6
607.1
1,341.6
43.7
302.0
1,687.3
651.6
38.1
269.6
959.3
4,191.7
210.4
1,418.6
5,820.7
8,236.6
488.4
3,260.7
11,985.6
(1)
(2)
(3)
The summary does not include the payments required under defined benefit pension plans.
Includes CAPL’s non-recourse debt of $514.8 million maturing April 2024.
The minimum lease payments for the next fiscal years are as follows and are including payments under the current lease term as well as payments under one or more options to
extend leases when we are reasonably certain to exercise these options.
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter
Total
Fuel Purchase Obligations
United States (in millions of gallons)
Europe (in millions of liters)
Canada (in millions of liters)
CAPL (in millions of gallons)
1,075.9
7,703.0
3,641.7
470.4
950.6
1,272.8
3,641.7
404.0
312.5
571.9
3,641.7
394.2
312.5
29.6
3,641.7
394.4
37.5
-
3,009.7
337.5
42.4
-
31,172.8
1,092.0
2,731.4
9,577.3
48,749.3
3,092.5
Long-term debt. As at April 28, 2019, our long-term debt totaled $7.0 billion, detailed as follows:
i. Canadian-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes totaling $1.8 billion (CA $2.4 billion), and US-dollar-denominated
senior unsecured notes totaling $3.4 billion, divided as follows:
a. Tranche 2 with a notional amount of CA$450.0 million, maturing on November 1, 2019, bearing interest at 3.319%.
b. Tranche 3 with a notional amount of CA$250.0 million, maturing on November 1, 2022, bearing interest at 3.899%.
c. Tranche 4 with a notional amount of CA$300.0 million, maturing on August 21, 2020, bearing interest at 4.214%.
d. Tranche 5 with a notional amount of CA$700.0 million, maturing on June 2, 2025, bearing interest at 3.600%.
e. Tranche 6 with a notional amount of $1.0 billion, maturing on July 26, 2022, bearing interest at 2.700%.
f. Tranche 7 with a notional amount of CA$700.0 million, maturing on July 26, 2024, bearing interest at 3.056%.
g. Tranche 8 with a notional amount of $1.0 billion, maturing on July 26, 2027, bearing interest at 3.550%.
h. Tranche 9 with a notional amount of $500.0 million, maturing on July 26, 2047, bearing interest at 4.500%.
i. Tranche 10 with a notional amount of $600.0 million, maturing on December 13, 2019, bearing interest at 2.350%.
j. Tranche 11 with a notional amount of $300.0 million, maturing on December 13, 2019, bearing interest at three-month
LIBOR plus 0.500%.
ii. Borrowings of $40.0 million under our revolving unsecured credit facility through its unsecured line of credit denominated in
US and Canadian dollars, maturing in December 2023. The effective interest rate was 5.625% as at April 28, 2019.
iii. Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes totaling $831.2 million, with a notional amount of €750.0 million, maturing on
May 6, 2026, bearing interest at 1.875% and an effective rate of 1.944%.
iv. Borrowings of $514.8 million under CAPL’s credit agreement consisting of a US-denominated senior secured revolving credit
facility, maturing on April 25, 2024. The effective interest rate was 4.730% as at April 28, 2019.
v. NOK-denominated senior unsecured notes totaling $77.4 million, with a notional amount of NOK 675.0 million, maturing on
February 18, 2026, bearing interest at 3.850% and an effective rate of 3.927%.
vi. Other long-term debts of $333.6 million, including obligations related to building and equipment under finance leases.
Finance leases and operating leases obligations. We lease an important portion of our assets using conventional operating
leases and finance leases mainly for the rental of stores, land, equipment and office buildings. Generally, our real estate leases
in North America are for primary terms of 5 to 20 years, usually with options to renew at market prices. In Europe, the lease
terms range from short-term contracts to contracts with maturities up to more than 50 years and most lease contracts include
options to renew at market prices. When leases are determined to be operating leases, obligations and related assets are not
included in our consolidated balance sheets. Under certain leases, we are subject to additional rent based on revenues as well
as future escalations in the minimum lease amount. When leases are determined to be finance leases, obligations and related
assets are included in our consolidated balance sheets.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Fuel purchase obligations. We have entered into various fuel purchase agreements, which require us to purchase minimum
volume of road transportation fuel annually. We have generally exceeded such minimum requirements in the past and expect to
continue doing so for the foreseeable future. Failure to satisfy the minimum purchase requirements could result in financial
penalties for shortfall volumes or changes in the pricing of the products. As at April 28, 2019, our fuel purchase obligation
consisted of multiple contracts under which we have 5,823.9 million of gallons and 58,326.6 million of liters to be purchased over
the next years.
Contingencies. Various claims and legal proceedings have been initiated against us in the normal course of our operations and
through acquisitions. Although the outcome of such matters is not predictable with assurance, we have no reason to believe that
the outcome of any such current matter could reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse impact on our financial
position, results of operations or the ability to carry on any of our business activities.
We are covered by insurance policies that have significant deductibles. At this time, we believe that we are adequately covered
through the combination of insurance policies and self-insurance. Future losses which exceed insurance policy limits or, under
adverse interpretations, could be excluded from coverage would have to be paid out of general corporate funds. In association
with our workers' compensation policies, we issue letters of credit as collateral for certain policies.
Guarantees. We assigned a number of lease agreements for premises to third parties. Under some of these agreements, we
retain ultimate responsibility to the landlord for payment of amounts under the lease agreements, should the sub lessees fail to
pay. As at April 28, 2019, the total future lease payments under such agreements are approximately $3.4 million and the fair
value of the guarantee is not significant. Historically, we have not made any significant payments in connection with these
indemnification provisions. We have also issued guarantees to third parties, and on behalf of third parties, for maximum
undiscounted future payments totaling $16.7 million. These guarantees primarily relate to financial guarantee commitments
under car rental agreements and on behalf of retailers in Sweden. Guarantees on behalf of retailers in Sweden comprise items
such as guarantees towards retailers’ store inventory, in addition to guarantees towards leased store equipment. The carrying
amount and fair value of the guarantee commitments recognized in the balance sheet at April 28, 2019 were not significant.
We also issue surety bonds for a variety of business purposes for our own operations, including surety bonds for taxes, lottery
sales, wholesale distribution and alcoholic beverage sales. In most cases, a municipality or state governmental agency requires
the surety bonds as a condition of operating a store in that area.
Other commitments. We have entered into various property purchase agreements, as well as product purchase agreements
which require us to purchase minimum amounts or quantities of merchandise annually. We have generally exceeded such
minimum requirements in the past and expect to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. Failure to satisfy the minimum
purchase requirements could result in termination of the contracts, changes in the pricing of the products, payments to the
applicable providers of a predetermined percentage of the commitments and repayments of a portion of rebates received.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the normal course of business, we finance some of our off-balance sheet activities through operating leases for properties on
which we conduct our retail business. Our future commitments are included under “Operating lease obligations” in the table
above.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
Our 52-week reporting cycle is divided into quarters of 12 weeks each except for the third quarter, which comprises 16 weeks.
When a fiscal year, such as fiscal 2017, contains 53 weeks, the fourth quarter comprises 13 weeks. The following is a summary
of selected consolidated financial information derived from our interim consolidated financial statements for each of the eight
most recently completed quarters.
(in millions of US dollars, except per share data)
Quarter
Weeks
Revenues
Operating income before depreciation, amortization and
impairment of property and equipment, goodwill,
intangibles assets and other assets
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and
equipment, goodwill, intangibles assets and other assets
Operating income
Share of earnings of joint ventures and associated
companies accounted for using the equity method
Net financial expenses
Net earnings including non-controlling interests
Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the
Corporation
Net earnings per share
Basic
Diluted
52-week period ended April 28, 2019
4th
3rd
2nd
12 weeks
13,113.3
16 weeks
16,515.0
12 weeks
14,702.8
1st
12 weeks
14,786.5
52-week period ended April 29, 2018
3rd
1st
12 weeks 16 weeks 12 weeks 12 weeks
9,847.2
13,614.8 15,791.8 12,140.6
4th
2nd
651.7
1,140.2
864.8
902.9
705.2
714.9
846.3
681.1
241.5
410.2
3.6
78.6
289.9
3.2
293.1
$0.52
$0.52
305.2
835.0
7.3
90.1
611.8
0.3
222.5
642.3
301.5
601.4
240.8
464.4
290.2
424.7
209.3
637.0
170.3
510.8
5.4
73.7
477.0
(3.9 )
7.1
77.7
442.6
13.0
5.9
75.6
395.2
(4.2)
9.2
110.9
489.3
(6.9)
8.3
89.6
433.5
(1.0)
8.6
59.2
359.5
5.2
612.1
473.1
455.6
391.0
482.4
432.5
364.7
$1.08
$1.08
$0.84
$0.84
$0.81
$0.81
$0.69
$0.69
$0.86
$0.85
$0.76
$0.76
$0.64
$0.64
The volatility of road transportation fuel gross margins, mostly in the United States, seasonality and changes in the exchange
rates have an impact on the variability of our quarterly net earnings.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Analysis of Consolidated Results for the Fiscal Year Ended April 29, 2018
Revenues
For fiscal 2018, our revenues increased by $13.5 billion or 35.6% compared with fiscal 2017, mainly attributable to the
contribution from acquisitions, to a higher average road transportation fuel selling price, to organic growth, as well as to the
positive net impact from the translation of revenues of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, partly offset by
one less week during fiscal 2018 compared with fiscal 2017.
Merchandise and service revenues
More specifically, the growth in merchandise and service revenues was $2.3 billion. Excluding CAPL’s revenues, as well as the
net positive impact from the translation of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, merchandise and service
revenues increased by approximately $2.0 billion or 18.9%. This increase is attributable to the contribution from acquisitions,
which amounted to approximately $2.1 billion, as well as to organic growth, partly offset by one less week during fiscal 2018
compared with fiscal 2017. Same-store merchandise revenues grew by 0.8% in the United States, negatively impacted by the
general softness in the retail industry as well as by the significant climatic events of the middle of the year. Same-store
merchandise revenues grew by 2.7% in Europe, a great success considering the replacement of the well-known brand Statoil
with our global Circle K brand. Same-store merchandise revenues grew by 0.4% in Canada.
Road transportation fuel revenues
The growth in road transportation fuel revenues was $11.1 billion. Excluding CAPL’s revenues, as well as the net positive impact
from the translation of our European and Canadian operations into US dollars, road transportation fuel revenues increased by
$9.2 billion or 35.3%. This increase is attributable to the contribution from acquisitions, which amounted to approximately
$6.6 billion, as well as to the impact of a higher average road transportation fuel selling price, which had a positive impact of
approximately $2.6 billion, partly offset by one less week during fiscal 2018 compared with fiscal 2017. Same-store road
transportation fuel volumes decreased by 0.4% in the United States, by 1.4% in Canada and were stable in Europe.
The following table shows the average selling price of road transportation fuel in our various markets, starting with the first
quarter of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017:
Quarter
52-week period ended April 29, 2018
United States (US dollars per gallon) – excluding CAPL
Europe (US cents per liter)
Canada (CA cents per liter)
53-week period ended April 30, 2017
United States (US dollars per gallon) – excluding CAPL
Europe (US cents per liter)
Canada (CA cents per liter)
Other revenues
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
2.21
61.39
99.81
2.20
58.65
92.66
2.47
68.23
101.46
2.30
71.19
108.11
2.10
58.01
90.36
2.18
61.87
94.67
2.51
78.32
110.39
2.25
62.46
97.20
Weighted
average
2.37
70.52
102.85
2.18
60.40
94.35
Total other revenues for fiscal 2018 were $1.3 billion. Excluding CAPL’s revenues, other revenues increased by $144.4 million.
The impact of acquisitions for fiscal 2018 was approximately $24.0 million.
Gross profit
Our gross profit was $8.1 billion for fiscal 2018, up by $1.6 billion, an increase of 25.1% compared with fiscal 2017, mainly
attributable to the contribution from acquisitions, to higher fuel margins, to organic growth, to the net positive impact from the
translation of operations of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, as well as to the contribution from CAPL,
partly offset by one less week during fiscal 2018 compared with fiscal 2017.
Merchandise and service gross profit
During fiscal 2018, our consolidated merchandise and service gross profit was $4.5 billion, an increase of $787.1 million
compared with fiscal 2017. Excluding CAPL’s gross profit, as well as the net positive impact from the translation of our Canadian
and European operations into US dollars, consolidated merchandise and service gross profit increased by approximately
$713.0 million or 19.4%. This increase is mostly attributable to the contribution from acquisitions, which amounted to
approximately $683.0 million, and to our organic growth, partly offset by one less week during fiscal 2018 compared with
fiscal 2017. The gross margin was 33.3% in the United States, an increase of 0.1%, it was 42.6% in Europe, an increase of
0.2%, while in Canada it was 34.5%, an increase of 0.7%, mainly as a result of the conversion of certain Esso agent sites to
company-operated stores.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Road transportation fuel gross profit
The consolidated road transportation fuel gross profit was $3.4 billion for fiscal 2018, an increase of $799.7 million compared
with fiscal 2017. Excluding CAPL’s gross profit, as well as the net positive impact from the translation of our Canadian and
European operations into US dollars, consolidated road transportation fuel gross profit increased by approximately $665.0 million
or 25.7%. The road transportation fuel gross margin was 19.39¢ per gallon in the United States, an increase of 0.83¢ per gallon
or 4.5% over fiscal 2017. Road transportation fuel margin was CA 8.84¢ per liter in Canada, an increase of CA 1.18¢ per liter,
still driven by the inclusion of the CST stores in our network and different pricing strategies, and it was US 8.72¢ per liter in
Europe, an increase of US 0.50¢ per liter.
The road transportation fuel gross margin of our company-operated stores in the United States and the impact of expenses
related to electronic payment modes for the last eight quarters, starting with the first quarter of the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2017, were as follows:
(US cents per gallon)
Quarter
52-week period ended April 29, 2018
Before deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
Expenses related to electronic payment modes
After deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
53-week period ended April 30, 2017
Before deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
Expenses related to electronic payment modes
After deduction of expenses related to electronic payment modes
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
20.75
3.79
16.96
20.86
4.08
16.78
24.70
4.21
20.49
19.87
3.99
15.88
15.66
3.73
11.93
18.33
3.99
14.34
17.29
3.62
13.67
15.47
4.12
11.35
Weighted
average
19.39
3.82
15.57
18.56
4.04
14.52
As demonstrated by the table above, road transportation fuel margins in the United States can be volatile from one quarter to
another but tend to normalize over longer periods. Margin volatility and expenses related to electronic payment modes are not
as significant in Europe and Canada.
Other revenues gross profit
In fiscal 2018, other revenues gross profit was $256.0 million, an increase of $42.9 million compared with fiscal 2017. Excluding
CAPL’s gross profit, other revenues gross profit increased by $11.4 million.
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses (“expenses”)
For fiscal 2018, expenses increased by 25.1% compared with fiscal 2017, but increased by only 2.0%, if we exclude certain
items as demonstrated by the following table:
Total variance, as reported
Adjusted for:
Increase from incremental expenses related to acquisitions
Increase from the net impact of foreign exchange translation
CAPL’s expenses for fiscal 2018
Acquisition costs recognized to earnings of fiscal 2017
Acquisition costs recognized to earnings of fiscal 2018
Increase from higher electronic payment fees, excluding acquisitions
Additional costs incurred following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
Incremental costs from our global brand initiatives
Negative goodwill recognized to earnings of fiscal 2018
Remaining variance
52-week period ended April 29, 2018
25.1%
(18.8%)
(1.9%)
(1.7%)
0.5%
(0.3%)
(0.7%)
(0.2%)
(0.1%)
0.1%
2.0%
The remaining increase is derived from higher minimum wages in certain regions, normal inflation, higher advertising and
marketing activities in connection with our global brand project, higher expenses needed to support our organic growth, the
conversion of CODO stores into company-operated stores and by proportionally higher operational expenses in our recently
built stores, as these stores generally have a larger footprint and higher sales than the average of our existing network, partly
offset by one less week during fiscal 2018 compared with fiscal 2017. We continue to favour a rigorous control of costs throughout
our organization, while ensuring we maintain the quality of service we offer to our customers.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment (EBITDA) and
adjusted EBITDA
During fiscal 2018, EBITDA increased from $2.4 billion to $3.0 billion. Excluding the specific items shown in the table below from
EBITDA, the adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2018 increased by $558.5 million or 23.1% compared with fiscal 2017 mainly through
the contribution from acquisitions, which were approximately $478.0 million, higher fuel margins, organic growth and the net
positive impact from the translation of the results of our Canadian and European operations into US dollars, of approximately
$53.0 million, partly offset by one less week during fiscal 2018 compared with fiscal 2017.
It should be noted that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not performance measures defined by IFRS, but we, as well as
investors and analysts, consider that those performance measures facilitate the evaluation of our ongoing operations and our
ability to generate cash flows to fund our cash requirements, including our capital expenditures program. Note that our definition
of these measures may differ from the one used by other public corporations:
(in millions of US dollars)
Net earnings including non-controlling interests, as reported
Add:
Income taxes
Net financial expenses
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill, intangible
assets, and other assets
EBITDA
Adjusted for:
EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interests
Restructuring costs attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Acquisition costs
Gain on disposal of a terminal
Gain on investment in CST
Incremental costs related to hurricanes
Incremental costs from our global brand initiatives
Negative goodwill
Adjusted EBITDA
52-week period ended
April 29, 2018
53-week period ended
April 30, 2017
1,677.5
56.1
335.3
910.6
2,979.5
(49.5 )
51.7
11.8
(11.5 )
(8.8 )
6.6
3.0
(2.8 )
2,980.0
1,208.9
383.2
136.0
667.6
2,395.7
-
8.1
21.0
-
-
-
-
-
2,424.8
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, intangible assets
and other assets (“depreciation”)
For fiscal 2018, depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses increased by $243.0 million. Excluding CAPL, the
depreciation expense increased by $181.9 million mainly driven by the impact from investments made through acquisitions, the
replacement of equipment, the addition of new stores and the ongoing improvement of our network. The depreciation expense
for fiscal 2018 includes a charge of $19.0 million for the accelerated depreciation and amortization of certain assets in connection
with our global rebranding project.
Net financial expenses
Net financial expenses for fiscal 2018 were $335.3 million, an increase of $199.3 million compared with fiscal 2017. Excluding
the net foreign exchange loss of $48.4 million and the net foreign exchange loss of $9.6 million recorded in fiscal 2018 and
fiscal 2017, respectively, as well as CAPL’s financial expenses of $19.4 million, net financial expenses increased by
$141.1 million. This increase is mainly attributable to our higher average long-term debt in connection with our recent acquisitions,
partly offset by the repayments made, as well as by one less week during fiscal 2018 compared with fiscal 2017. The net foreign
exchange loss of $48.4 million for fiscal 2018 is mainly due to the impact of foreign exchange variations on certain cash balances and
working capital items.
Income taxes
During fiscal 2018, following the approval of the “U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, we recorded a net tax benefit of $288.3 million,
of which $18.2 million relates to non-controlling interests. This net tax benefit is mostly derived from the remeasurement of our
deferred income tax balances using the new U.S. statutory federal income tax rate, which decreased from 35.0% to 21.0%,
partly offset by the Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax (“Transition tax”).
Excluding this adjustment, as well as an adjustment for a tax benefit stemming from an internal reorganization, the income tax
expense for fiscal 2018 would have been approximately $358.0 million, corresponding to an income tax rate of 20.6%, which
compares to an income tax rate of 24.1% for fiscal 2017. This reduction in our income tax rate stems mainly from the decrease
in our U.S. statutory federal income tax rate starting January 1, 2018.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation and adjusted net earnings
attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (“net earnings”)
Net earnings for fiscal 2018 were $1.7 billion, compared with $1.2 billion for fiscal 2017, an increase of $461.7 million or 38.2%.
Diluted net earnings per share stood at $2.95, compared with $2.12 the previous year.
Excluding the items shown in the table below from net earnings of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, net earnings for fiscal 2018 would
have been approximately $1.5 billion, compared with $1.3 billion for fiscal 2017, an increase of $213.0 million or 16.9%. Adjusted
diluted net earnings per share would have been approximately $2.60 for fiscal 2018, compared with $2.21 for fiscal 2017, an
increase of 17.6%. The translation of revenues and expenses from our Canadian and European operations into US dollars had
a net positive impact of approximately $26.0 million on net earnings of fiscal 2018.
(in millions of US dollars)
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation, as reported
Adjusted for:
Tax benefit stemming from the “U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” attributable to shareholders of the
52-week period ended
April 29, 2018
1,670.6
53-week period ended
April 30, 2017
1,208.9
Corporation
Restructuring costs attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Net foreign exchange loss
Accelerated depreciation and amortization expense
Tax benefit stemming from an internal reorganization
Acquisition costs
Gain on disposal of a terminal
Gain on investment in CST
Incremental costs related to hurricanes
Incremental costs from our global brand initiatives
Negative goodwill
Tax impact of the items above and rounding
Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
(270.1 )
51.7
48.4
19.0
(13.4 )
11.8
(11.5 )
(8.8 )
6.6
3.0
(2.8 )
(32.5 )
1,472.0
-
8.1
9.6
27.1
-
21.0
-
-
-
-
-
(15.7 )
1,259.0
It should be noted that adjusted net earnings is not a performance measure defined by IFRS, but we, as well as investors and
analysts, consider this measure useful for evaluating the underlying performance of our operations on a comparable basis. Note
that our definition of this measure may differ from the one used by other public corporations.
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
We maintain a system of internal controls over financial reporting designed to safeguard assets and ensure that financial
information is reliable. We also maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure, in all material
respects, the reliability, completeness and timeliness of the information we disclose in this MD&A and other public disclosure
documents. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports
filed with securities regulatory agencies is recorded and/or disclosed on a timely basis, as required by law, and is accumulated
and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As at April 28, 2019, our management, following its assessment, certifies
the design and operating effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures.
We undertake ongoing evaluations of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and implement control
enhancements, when appropriate. As at April 28, 2019, our management and our external auditors reported that these internal
controls were effective.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Estimates. This MD&A is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
These standards require us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated
financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we review our estimates. These estimates are based on
our best knowledge of current events and actions that we may undertake in the future. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. The most significant accounting judgments and estimates that we have made in the preparation of the consolidated
financial statements are discussed along with the relevant accounting policies when applicable and relate primarily to the
following topics: vendor rebates, useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, income taxes, leases, employee future benefits,
provisions, impairment and business combinations.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Inventory. Our inventory is comprised mainly of products purchased for resale including tobacco products and alternative tobacco
products, fresh goods, beer and wine, grocery items, candies and snacks, other beverages and road transportation fuel.
Inventories are valued at the lesser of cost and net realizable value. Cost of merchandise is generally valued based on the retail
price less a normal margin and the cost of road transportation fuel inventory is generally determined according to the average
cost method. Inherent in the determination of margins are certain management judgments and estimates, which could affect
ending inventory valuations and results of operations.
Impairment of long-lived assets. Property and equipment are tested for impairment, should events or circumstances indicate that
their book value may not be recoverable, as measured by comparing their net book value to their recoverable amount, which
corresponds to the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Should the carrying amount of long-lived assets exceed
their recoverable amount, an impairment loss in the amount of the excess would be recognized. Our evaluation of the existence
of impairment indicators is based on market conditions and our operational performance. The variability of these factors depends
on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events. These factors could cause us to conclude that impairment
indicators exist and require that impairment tests be performed, which could result in determining that the value of certain long-
lived assets is impaired, resulting in a write-down of such long-lived assets.
Goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite-life are evaluated for impairment
annually, or more often if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value of certain goodwill or intangibles may be
impaired. For the purpose of this impairment test, management uses estimates and assumptions to establish the fair value of
our reporting units and intangible assets. If these assumptions and estimates prove to be incorrect, the carrying value of our
goodwill or other intangible assets may be overstated. Our annual impairment test is performed in the first quarter of each fiscal
year.
Asset retirement obligations. Asset retirement obligations primarily relate to estimated future costs to remove underground road
transportation fuel storage tanks. They are based on our prior experience in removing these tanks, estimated tank remaining
useful life, lease terms for those tanks installed on leased properties, external estimates and governmental regulatory
requirements. A discounted liability is recorded for the present value of an asset retirement obligation, with a corresponding
increase to the carrying value of the related long-lived asset at the time an underground storage tank is installed. To determine
the initial liability, the future estimated cash flows are discounted using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments
of the time value of money, and the risks specific to the liability.
Following the initial recognition of the asset retirement obligation, the carrying amount of the liability is increased to reflect the
passage of time and then adjusted for variations in the current market-based discount rate or the scheduled underlying cash
flows required to settle the liability.
Environmental matters. We provide for estimated future site remediation costs to meet government standards for known site
contaminations, when such costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of the anticipated future costs for remediation activities
at such sites are based on our prior experience with remediation sites, and consideration of other factors such as the condition
of the site’s contamination, location of sites and experience of the contractors performing the environmental assessments and
remediation work. In order to determine the initial recorded liability, the present value of estimated future cash flows was
calculated using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the
liability.
In most of the U.S. states in which we operate, with the exception of Alaska, California, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, New York,
Oregon, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin, there is a state fund to cover the cost of certain environmental
remediation activities after the applicable trust fund deductible is met, which varies by state. These state funds provide insurance
for motor fuel facilities operations to cover some of the costs of cleaning up certain environmental contamination caused by the
use of road transportation fuel equipment. Road transportation fuel storage tank registration fees and/or a motor fuel tax in each
of the states finance the trust funds. We pay annual registration fees and remits sales taxes to applicable states. Insurance
coverage and deductibles differ from state to state.
Income taxes. The income tax expense recorded to earnings is the sum of the deferred income taxes and current income taxes
that are not recognized in Other comprehensive income or directly in Equity.
We use the balance sheet liability method to account for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
determined based on differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted or
substantively enacted tax rates and laws, as appropriate, at the date of the consolidated financial statements for the years in
which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are
reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.
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Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and
interests in joint ventures, except where we are able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that
the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary
differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognized to the extent that it is probable that there will be
sufficient taxable profits against which to utilize the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the
foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current
tax liabilities, and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority, and we intend to settle our current tax
assets and liabilities on a net basis.
We are subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision
for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We
recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. Where the final
tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the current
and deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the period in which such determination is made.
Insurance and workers' compensation. In the U.S. and Ireland, we are self-insured for certain losses related to general liability
and workers’ compensation. The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred as of the consolidated balance sheet date is
discounted and is recognized as a liability. This cost is estimated based on analysis of our historical data and actuarial estimates.
In order to determine the initial recorded liability, the present value of estimated future cash flows is calculated using a pre-tax
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.
Accounting standards adopted during the current year
Financial Instruments
As of April 30, 2018, we adopted IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, which includes three requirements for recognition and
measurement, impairment and general hedge accounting. These requirements were applied as follows:
The first requirement, recognition and measurement, requires a new classification of financial assets and liabilities under IFRS 9,
which largely retains requirements under IAS 39. Therefore, it did not have significant impact on our consolidated financial
statements. The second requirement, impairment, replaces the “incurred loss” model in IAS 39 with a forward-looking “expected
credit loss” model. The new impairment model applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost and debt instruments
measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. This requirement had no significant impact on our consolidated
financial statements. The third requirement, general hedge accounting, entails that we must ensure that hedge accounting
relationships are aligned with our risk management objectives and strategy and apply a more qualitative and forward-looking
approach to assessing hedge effectiveness. We have elected not to adopt this last requirement and instead, as permitted by
IFRS 9, to continue to apply the general hedge accounting requirements of IAS 39 until further notice.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
As of April 30, 2018, we adopted IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers retrospectively without restatement of
comparative amounts. We analyzed the impact of the new standard by comparing our current accounting policies with the new
guidance and identified the differences from applying the new requirements to our different revenue streams. Under the previous
accounting policies, we recognized initial franchise fees when all of the initial services required by the franchise agreement were
performed, when there were no material unfulfilled conditions affecting completion of the sale and when there was no remaining
obligation or intent to refund amounts received, which generally occurred when the franchise store opened. Under the new
accounting policy, we recognized a portion of the initial fees when the franchise store opens and defers remaining revenue over
the estimated term of the related franchise agreement. As a result, we adjusted initial franchise fees revenue of $4.1 million (net
of income taxes of $1.3 million) to Retained earnings, with an offset to Deferred credits and other liabilities, Accounts payable
and accrued liabilities and Income taxes payable.
Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions
On April 30, 2018, we applied amendments to IFRS 2, Share-based Payment, clarifying how to account for certain types of
share-based payment transactions, such as the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of
cash-settled share-based payments. The amendments were applied prospectively and had no significant impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
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Recently issued accounting standards not yet implemented
Leases
In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16, Leases, which will replace IAS 17, Leases. On April 29, 2019, we will apply the new
standard retrospectively without restatement of comparative amounts. The new standard requires lessees to recognize a lease
liability reflecting future lease payments and a “right-of-use asset” for virtually all lease contracts, and record it on the balance
sheet, except with respect to lease contracts that meet limited exception criteria.
Given that we have significant contractual obligations accounted for as operating leases under IAS 17, there will be a material
increase to both assets and liabilities upon adoption of IFRS 16, and material changes to the presentation of expenses
associated with the lease arrangements, and, to a lower extent, changes in the timing of expense recognition.
The following outlines the key areas that will be impacted by the adoption of IFRS 16, a summary of the analysis we performed
and the expected impacts of the adoption of the new standard on these key areas:
Financial reporting
The analysis includes which contracts will be in scope as well as the options available under the new standard, such as whether
to early adopt, to apply the two recognition and measurement exemptions and whether to apply the new standard on a full
retrospective application in accordance with IAS 8 or retrospectively without restatement of comparative amounts.
Our preliminary assessment indicates that the increase in both our total assets and total liabilities will range between $2.4 billion
and $2.8 billion on our consolidated balance sheet as at April 29, 2019. We are in the final stages of validating the final amounts
of the impact on our consolidated balance sheet, which will be disclosed in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements of the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Therefore, there could be changes in the amounts specified above.
Lease-related expenses previously recorded in Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses will be recorded as
depreciation expense using the straight-line method on the right-of-use assets and the lease liabilities carrying amount will be
increased to reflect interest on the lease liability using a method based on our incremental borrowing rate. For an individual
lease, the application of these two methods will result in more expenses charged to net earnings earlier in the lease term and
less expenses charged in the later years.
Consequently, the adoption of IFRS 16 will increase total assets, total liabilities, depreciation and amortization, financial
expenses, while reducing Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses. The right-of-use assets will be measured for
the major portion of our leases at an amount equal to the lease liabilities, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued
lease payments relating to each lease as well as other balances related to those contracts. We will also use the exemptions for
short-term leases and leases for which the underlying asset is of low-value.
We will elect to include in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities fixed amounts related to non-lease components including,
but not limited to, utility charges, and common area maintenance charges. Other lease-related expenses not within the scope of
IFRS 16 will continue to be expensed as incurred and recorded in Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses.
Adoption of IFRS 16 will impact the presentation of cash flows relating to leases in our consolidated statements of cash flows,
even though the new standard will not impact the amount of cash transferred between the parties of a lease. Total expenses
recognized over the lease term is equal to total cash paid over the lease term.
The lease terms, for the majority of leases in North America, vary between 5 and 20 years, which include the initial base term
and renewal option(s) when applicable. In Europe, the lease terms range from short-term contracts to contracts with maturities
up to more than 50 years and also include options to renew at market prices when applicable.
Information systems
We analyzed the need to make changes within our information systems environment to optimize the management of more than
9,000 leases that will fall within the scope of the new standard. We have evaluated different IT solutions for the eventual
recognition and measurement of leases in scope. IT solutions have been selected and their implementation is almost completed.
Control environment
We performed an analysis and evaluated the impact that the adoption of IFRS 16 will have on our control environment and
implemented processes to enable the application of the new accounting standard for fiscal year 2020.
Stakeholders
We performed an analysis of the impact that the adoption of IFRS 16 will have on the disclosure to our stakeholders. We
discussed the impact of IFRS 16 to internal and external stakeholders and will keep the discussion open during fiscal year 2020.
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Business Risk
We are constantly looking to control and improve our operations. In this perspective, identification and management of risks are
key components of such activities. We have identified and assessed key risk factors that could negatively impact our objectives
and their ensuing performance.
We manage risks on an ongoing basis and implement a series of measures designed to mitigate key risks described in the
present section as well as their financial impact.
Changes in customer behaviour. In the road transportation fuel and convenience business sector, customer traffic is generally
driven by consumer preferences and spending trends, growth of road traffic and trends in travel and tourism. A decline in the
number of potential customers using our fuel stations and convenience stores due to changes in consumer preferences, changes
in discretionary consumer spending or modes of transportation could adversely impact our business, financial condition and
results of operations. Additionally, developments regarding climate change and the effects of greenhouse gas emissions on
climate change and the environment may decrease the demand for our major product, petroleum-based fuel. Attitudes toward
our product and its relationship to the environment and the “green movement” may significantly affect our sales and ability to
market our product. New technologies developed to steer the public toward non-fuel dependent means of transportation
may create an environment with negative attitude toward fuel, thus affecting the public’s attitude toward our major product and
potentially having a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, new technologies
developed to improve fuel efficiency or governmental mandates to improve fuel efficiency may result in decreased demand for
petroleum-based fuel, which could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Road transportation fuel. Our results are sensitive to the changes in road transportation fuel prices and gross margin. Factors
beyond our control such as market-driven changes in supply terms, road transportation fuel price fluctuations due to, among
other things, general political and economic conditions, as well as the market’s limited ability to absorb road transportation fuel
prices fluctuations, are factors that could influence road transportation fuel selling price and related gross margin. During
fiscal 2019, road transportation fuel revenues accounted for approximately 73.0% of our total revenues, yet the road
transportation fuel gross margin represented about only 43.0% of our overall gross profits.
Tobacco products. Tobacco products represent our largest product category of merchandise and service revenues. For
fiscal 2019, tobacco products represented approximately 39.0% and 11.0% of total merchandise and service revenues and gross
profits, respectively. Significant increases in wholesale cigarette pricing, significant increases or structural changes in tobacco
related taxes, current and future legislation and national and local campaigns to discourage smoking, or prevent use of tobacco
products, competition of illicit trade and introduction of smoking alternative may have an adverse impact on the demand for
tobacco products, and may therefore adversely affect our revenues and profits in light of the competitive landscape and
consumer sensitivity to the price of such products.
In addition, we sell brands of cigarettes that are manufactured to be sold by Couche-Tard on an exclusive basis and we could
be sued for health problems caused by the use of tobacco products. In fact, various health-related legal actions, proceedings
and claims arising out of the sale, distribution, manufacture, development, advertising and marketing of cigarettes had
unfavorable ruling against vendors of tobacco products. Any unfavorable verdict against us in a health-related suit could
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In conformity with accounting standards, we have
not established any reserves for the payment of expenses or adverse results related to any potential health-related litigation.
Legislative and regulatory requirements. Our operations are subject to extensive regulations, including regulations relating to
the sale of alcohol, tobacco and tobacco products, products containing cannabis (through a licensed store), and products
containing cannabidiol (CBD), various food safety and product quality requirements, minimum wage laws, and tax laws and
regulations. Regulations related to employee compensation, benefits and other programs, including minimum wage increases,
could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, convenience store operations are
subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations that are discussed under “Environmental laws and regulations”.
We currently incur substantial operating and capital costs for compliance with existing health, safety, environmental and other
laws and regulations applicable to our operations. If we fail to comply with any laws and regulations or permit limitations or
conditions, or fail to obtain any necessary permits or registrations, or to extend current permits or registrations upon expiry of
their terms, or to comply with any restrictive terms contained in our current permits or registrations, we may be subject to, among
other things, civil and criminal penalties and, in certain circumstances, the temporary or permanent curtailment or shutdown of
a portion of our operations. In addition, the laws and regulations applicable to our operations are subject to change and it is
expected that, given the nature of our business, we will continue to be subject to increasingly stringent health, safety,
environmental laws and regulations and other laws and regulations that may increase the cost of operating our business above
currently expected levels and require substantial future capital and other expenditures. As a result, there can be no assurance
that the effect of any future laws and regulations or any changes to existing laws and regulations, or their current interpretation,
on our business, financial condition and results of operations would not be material.
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In addition, the sale of products containing cannabidiol (CBD) in the United States is based on our position that, with the passing
of the U.S. Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as the 2018 Farm Bill), hemp and hemp products were permanently
removed from the U.S. Controlled Substances Act and out of the jurisdiction of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
There is a risk that our interpretation of the U.S. legislation is inaccurate or that it will be successfully challenged by U.S. federal
or state authorities. A successful challenge to such position by a U.S. state or federal authority could have an adverse impact
on our operations and results, including as a result of civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment of a portion of
our operations or asset seizures and the denial of regulatory applications, as well as on our reputation.
Information technology systems. We depend on information technology systems (“IT systems”) to manage numerous aspects of
our business transactions and to provide complete and reliable information to management. Our IT systems are an essential
component of our business and growth strategies, and obsolescence of or a serious disruption to our IT systems could
significantly limit our ability to manage and operate our business efficiently. These systems are vulnerable to, among other
things, damage and interruption from power outage or natural disasters, computer system and network failures, loss of
telecommunications services, physical and electronic loss of data, security breaches, cyberattacks, computer viruses and laws
and regulations necessitating mandatory upgrades and timelines with which we may not be able to comply. Any serious
disruption could adversely affect our operations, our competitive position and/or reputation, and could lead to claims that could
have an adverse effect on profitability.
Sensitive information – data protection. In the normal course of our business as a fuel and merchandise retailer, we obtain large
amounts of personal data from our customers as well as other sensitive information regarding our employees, business partners
and vendors. While we have invested significant amounts in the protection of our information technology and maintain what we
believe are adequate security controls over individually identifiable customer, employee and vendor data provided to us, a
breakdown or a breach in our systems that results in the unauthorized release of individually identifiable customer or other
sensitive data could nonetheless occur and have a material effect on our reputation, operating results and financial condition.
Such a breakdown or breach could also materially increase the costs we incur to protect against such risks. A material failure
on our part to comply with regulations relating to our obligation to protect such sensitive data or to the privacy rights of our
customers, employees and others could subject us to fines or other regulatory sanctions and potentially to lawsuits.
Environmental laws and regulations. Our operations, particularly those relating to the storage, transportation and sale of fuel
products, are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate. These include laws
and regulations governing the quality of fuel products, ground pollution and emissions and discharges into air and water, the
implementation of targets regarding the use of certain bio-fuel or renewable energy products, the handling and disposal of
hazardous wastes, the use of vapor reduction systems to capture fuel vapor, and the remediation of contaminated sites.
Environmental requirements, and the enforcement and interpretation of these requirements, change frequently and have
generally become more stringent over time. Under various national, provincial, state and local laws and regulations, we may, as
the owner or operator, be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of contamination at our current or former sites, whether
or not we knew of, or caused, the presence of such contamination. We may also be subject to litigation costs, fines and other
sanctions as a result of our failure to comply with these requirements.
Our business may also be affected by laws and regulations addressing global climate change and the role played in it by fossil
fuel combustion and the resulting carbon emissions. Some jurisdictions in which we operate have enacted measures to limit
carbon emissions, and such measures increase the costs of petroleum-based fuels above what they otherwise would be and
may adversely affect the demand for road transportation fuel. Similarly, adoption of other environmental protection measures
affecting the petroleum supply chain, such as more stringent requirements applicable to the exploration, drilling, and
transportation of crude oil and to the refining and transportation of petroleum products, may also increase the costs of
petroleum-based fuels with similar effects on demand for road transportation fuel. The impact of such developments, individually
or in combination, could adversely affect our sales of road transportation fuel and associated gross profit.
Tax incentives and other subsidies in different legislations in which we operate have also made renewable fuels as well as
alternative powered and energy-efficient vehicles more competitive than they otherwise would have been, which may adversely
impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Electronic payment modes. We are exposed to significant fluctuations in expenses related to electronic payment modes resulting
from large changes in road transportation fuel retail prices, because the majority of this expense is based on a percentage of
the retail prices of road transportation fuel. For fiscal 2019, a variation of 10.0% in our expenses associated with electronic
payment modes would have had an impact of approximately $0.08 on earnings per share on a diluted base.
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Competition. The industries and geographic areas in which we operate are highly competitive and marked by a constant change
in terms of the number and type of retailers offering the products and services found in our stores. We compete with other
convenience store chains, independent convenience stores, gas station operators, large and small food retailers, quick service
restaurants, local pharmacies and pharmacy chains and dollar stores. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete
successfully against our competitors. Our business may also be adversely affected if we do not sustain our ability to meet
customer requirements relative to price, quality, customer service and service offerings.
Tax laws and liabilities. We are subject to extensive tax obligations imposed by multiple jurisdictions, including direct and indirect
taxes, payroll taxes, franchise taxes, foreign withholding taxes and property taxes. New or changes to existing tax laws and
regulations could result in increased tax expenses or liabilities in the future and could materially and adversely impact our
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, many tax obligations are subject to periodic audits by tax
authorities which could result in penalties and interest payments.
Acquisitions. Acquisitions have been and should continue to be a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to identify
and complete strategic acquisitions in the future may be limited by different factors, including the number of attractive acquisition
targets with motivated sellers, internal demands on our resources and, to the extent necessary, our ability to obtain regulatory
approval and financing on satisfactory terms for larger acquisitions, if at all.
Achieving anticipated benefits and synergies of an acquisition will depend in part on whether the operations, systems,
management and cultures of our corporation and the acquired business can be integrated in an efficient and effective manner
and whether the presumed bases or sources of synergies produce the benefits anticipated. We may not be able to achieve
anticipated synergies and cost savings for an acquisition for many reasons, including contractual constraints, an inability to take
advantage of expected synergistic savings and increased operating efficiencies, loss of key employees, or changes in tax laws
and regulations. The process of integrating an acquired business may lead to greater than expected operating costs, significant
one-time write-offs or restructuring charges, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in
maintaining relationships with employees, customers, or suppliers). Failure to successfully integrate an acquired business
may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Although we perform a due diligence investigation of the businesses or assets that we acquire, there may be liabilities or
expenses of the acquired business or assets that we do not uncover during our due diligence investigation and for which we, as
a successor owner, may be responsible. The discovery of any material liabilities relating to an acquisition could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Dependence on third party suppliers. Our fuel business is dependent upon the supply of refined oil products from a relatively
limited number of suppliers and upon a distribution network serviced principally by third party tanker trucks. In the case of our
key suppliers, an event causing disruptions to any of these suppliers’ supply chains or refineries could have a significant effect
on our ability to receive refined oil products for resale, or result in us paying a higher cost to obtain such products.
Litigation. In the ordinary course of business, we are a defendant in a number of legal proceedings, suits, and claims common
to companies engaged in our business and an adverse outcome in such proceedings could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations. Effectively, convenience store businesses and other foodservices operators can be
adversely affected by litigation and complaints from customers or government agencies resulting from food quality, illness, or
other health or environmental concerns or operating issues stemming from one or more locations. Lack of fresh food handling
experience among our workforce increases the risk of food borne illness resulting in litigation and reputational damage. Adverse
publicity about these allegations may negatively potentially affect us, regardless of whether the allegations are true, by
discouraging customers from purchasing fuel, merchandise or food at one or more of our convenience stores. We could also
incur significant liabilities if a lawsuit or claim results in a decision against us. Even if we are successful in defending such
litigation, our litigation costs could be significant, and the litigation may divert time and money away from our operations and
adversely affect our performance or our ability to continue operating our stores.
Brand image and reputation. Trademarks and other proprietary rights are important to the Corporation’s competitive position
and we benefit from a well-recognized brand. If the Corporation is unsuccessful in protecting its intellectual property rights, or if
another party prevails in litigation claiming any rights thereto, the value of the brand could be diminished, causing customer
confusion and materially adversely impacting our business and financial results. Failure to maintain product safety and quality
could materially adversely affect our brand image and reputation and lead to potential product liability claims (including
class-action), government agency investigations and damages.
Recruitment and retention of highly qualified employees. We are dependent on our ability to attract and retain a strong
management team and key employees. If, for any reason, we are not able to attract and retain sufficient and appropriately skilled
people, our business, our financial results and our ability to achieve our strategic objectives may be compromised.
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Seasonality and natural disasters. Weather conditions can have an impact on our revenues as historical purchase patterns
indicate that our customers increase their transactions and also purchase higher margin items when weather conditions are
favourable. We have operations in the Southeast and West Coast regions of the United States and, although these regions are
generally known for their mild weather, they are susceptible to severe storms, hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural
disasters.
Hazards and risks associated with fuel products. Our operations expose us to certain risks, particularly at our terminals and other
storage facilities, where large quantities of fuel are stored, and at our fuel stations. These risks include equipment failure, work
accidents, fires, explosions, vapour emissions, spills and leaks at storage facilities and/or in the course of transportation to or
from our or a third party’s terminal, fuel stations or other sites. In addition, we are also exposed to the risk of accidents involving
the tanker trucks used in our fuel product distribution system. These types of hazards and accidents may cause personal injuries
or the loss of life, business interruptions and/or property, equipment and environmental contamination and damage. Further, we
may be subject to litigation, compensation claims, governmental fines or penalties or other liabilities or losses in relation to such
incidents and accidents and may incur significant costs as a result. Such incidents and accidents may also affect our reputation
or our brands, leading to a decline in the sales of our products and services, and may adversely impact our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Indebtedness. We currently have $6.1 billion of bonds with an average effective interest rate of 3.212% with the latest maturity
date being July 26, 2047. This level of indebtedness could have important consequences, such as allocating a portion of cash
flows from operations to the payment of interests on the indebtedness and other financial obligations, and thus making it
unavailable for other purposes and potentially affecting the corporation’s ability to obtain additional financing. The credit
arrangements contain restrictive covenants that may limit our ability to incur, assume or permit to exist additional indebtedness,
guarantees or liens. They also require the corporation to comply with certain coverage ratio tests which may prevent the
corporation from pursuing certain business opportunities or taking certain actions.
Exchange rate. The functional currency of our parent Company is the Canadian dollar. As such, our investments in our U.S. and
European operations are exposed to net changes in currency exchange rates. Should changes in currency exchange rates
occur, the amount of our net investment in our U.S. and European operations could increase or decrease. From time to time,
we use cross-currency interest rate swap agreements to hedge a portion of this risk.
We are also exposed to foreign currency risk with respect to a portion of our long-term debt denominated in US dollars,
Norwegian-krone and Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes and cross-currency interest rate swaps. As at April 28, 2019,
all else being equal, a hypothetical variation of 5.0% of the US dollar would have had a net impact of $36.0 million on Other
comprehensive income (loss) which would be offset by equivalent amounts from the hedged net investments. For the cash and
cash equivalent denominated in foreign currencies, as at April 28, 2019 and with all other variables held constant, a hypothetical
variation of 5.0% of the US-dollar would have had a net impact of $8.3 million on Other comprehensive income (loss).
We use the US dollar as our reporting currency. As such, changes in currency exchange rates could materially increase or
decrease our foreign currency-denominated net assets on consolidation which would increase or decrease, as applicable,
shareholders’ equity. In addition, changes in currency exchange rates will affect the translation of the revenue and expenses of
our Canadian and European operations and will result in lower or higher net earnings than would have occurred had the
exchange rate not changed.
In addition to currency translation risks, we incur a currency transaction risk whenever one of our subsidiaries enters into a
contract with customer or supplier labelled in a different currency than its functional currency. Given the volatility of exchange
rates, we may not be able to manage our currency transaction and/or translation risks effectively, and volatility in currency
exchange rates could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Credit risk. We are exposed to credit risk arising from our indexed deposit contract including an embedded total return swap and
cross-currency interest rate swaps when these swaps result in a receivable from financial institutions. We do not currently use
derivative instruments to mitigate this risk.
Interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate fluctuations associated with changes in the short-term interest rate. Borrowings
under our credit facilities bear interest at variable rates, and other debt we incur could likewise bear interest at variable rates. As
at April 28, 2019, we carried a variable rate debt of approximately $940.0 million. Based on the amount of our variable rate debt
as at April 28, 2019, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would decrease our earnings per share by $0.02 on a
diluted basis. If market interest rates increase, variable-rate debt will create higher debt service requirements, which could
adversely affect our cash flows. We do not currently use derivative instruments to mitigate this risk. We could also be exposed
to a risk of change in cash flows due to changes in interest rates on future debt issuance. To mitigate this risk, we could enter
into derivates in order to hedge the interest rates on forecasted debt issuance.
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Liquidity. Liquidity risk is the risk that we will encounter difficulties in meeting our obligations associated with financial liabilities
and lease commitments. We are exposed to this risk mainly through our long-term debt, accounts payable and accrued
expenses, lease agreements and derivative financial instruments when their fair value is unfavorable for us. Our liquidities are
provided mainly by cash flows from operating activities and borrowings available under our revolving credit facilities.
Accounts receivable. We are exposed to risk related to the creditworthiness and performance of our customers, suppliers and
contract counterparties. As of April 28, 2019, we had outstanding accounts receivable totaling $1.9 billion. This amount primarily
consists of vendor rebates due from our suppliers, credit card receivables, receivables arising from the sale of fuel and other
products to independent franchised or licensed fuel station operators as well as amounts receivable from other industrial and
commercial clients. Contracts with longer payment cycles or difficulties in enforcing contracts or collecting accounts receivable
could lead to material fluctuations in our cash flows and could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Insurance. We carry comprehensive liability, fire and extended coverage insurance on most of our facilities, with policy
specifications and insured limits customarily carried in our industry for similar properties. There can be no assurance that we will
be able to continue to obtain such insurance on favourable terms or at all. Some types of losses, such as losses resulting from
wars, acts of terrorism, or natural disasters, generally are not insured because they are either uninsurable or not economically
practical.
Economic conditions. Our revenues may be negatively influenced by changes in global, national, regional and/or local economic
variables and consumer confidence. Changes in economic conditions could adversely affect consumer spending patterns, travel
and tourism in certain of our market areas.
Global operations. We have significant operations in multiple jurisdictions throughout the world. Some of the risks inherent in the
scope of our international operations include: the difficulty of enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain
foreign legal systems, more expansive legal rights of foreign labor unions and employees, foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, the potential for changes in local economic conditions, potential tax inefficiencies in repatriating funds from foreign
subsidiaries and exchange controls and restrictive governmental actions, such as restrictions on transfer or repatriation of funds
and trade protection matters, including prohibitions or restrictions on acquisitions or joint ventures. Any of these factors could
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Corporate structure. We are a holding company and essentially all of our assets consist of the capital stock of our material
subsidiaries. We conduct substantially all of our business through our subsidiaries, which generate substantially all of our
revenues. Consequently, our cash flows and ability to complete current or desirable future enhancement opportunities are
dependent on the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to us. The ability of these entities to pay
dividends and other distributions will depend on their operating results and will be subject to applicable laws and regulations
which require that solvency and capital standards be maintained by such companies and contractual restrictions contained in
the instruments governing their debt. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of our material subsidiaries,
holders of indebtedness and trade creditors may be entitled to payment of their claims from the assets of those subsidiaries
before us.
Acts of war or terrorism. Acts of war and terrorism could impact general economic conditions and the supply and price of crude
oil. Such events could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Outlook
For fiscal 2020, we want to continue building on our success and drive to attain our very ambitious objective to double our
business again in the next five years. We will continue to work on optimizing our global business functions while maintaining our
super local focus on regional business units that understand the needs and appetites of our customers. We will keep developing
and building upon our global brand, Circle K, throughout our network, leveraging all of our learnings as well as our scale,
delivering on local demand while remaining true to our mission – to make our customers’ lives a little easier every day.
We will, as always, look for and seize opportunities to grow the business, relying on our customary financial discipline –
embedded in our DNA – and always focusing on creating value for our shareholders and employees.
July 9, 2019
57
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Management’s Report
The consolidated financial statements of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and the financial information contained in this Annual
Report are the responsibility of management. This responsibility is applied through a judicious choice of accounting procedures
and principles, the application of which requires the informed judgment of management. The consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), and were approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the financial information
included in the Annual Report is consistent with the consolidated financial statements.
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. maintains accounting and administrative control systems which, in the opinion of management,
ensure the reasonable accuracy, relevance and reliability of financial information and the well-ordered, efficient management of
the Corporation’s affairs.
The Board of Directors is responsible for approving the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, primarily
through its Audit Committee. This committee, which holds periodic meetings with members of management as well as with the
independent auditors, reviewed the consolidated financial statements of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and recommended their
approval to the Board of Directors.
The consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019, and April 29, 2018, were audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a partnership of Chartered Professional Accountants, and their report indicates the extent of their
audit and their opinion on the consolidated financial statements.
July 9, 2019
/s/ Brian Hannasch
Brian Hannasch
President and
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Claude Tessier
Claude Tessier
Chief Financial Officer
58
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for Alimentation
Couche-Tard Inc., as such term is defined in Canadian securities regulations. With our participation, management carried out
an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019. The
framework on which such evaluation was based is contained in the report entitled Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). This evaluation includes the
review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness
of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may
not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, and that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.’s internal
control over financial reporting was effective as at April 28, 2019.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a partnership of Chartered Professional Accountants, audited the effectiveness of Alimentation
Couche-Tard Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as at April 28, 2019 and expressed an unqualified opinion thereon,
which is included herein.
July 9, 2019
/s/ Brian Hannasch
Brian Hannasch
President and
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Claude Tessier
Claude Tessier
Chief Financial Officer
59
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Independent auditor’s report
To the Shareholders of
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Our opinion
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and its subsidiaries (together, the Corporation) as at April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018, and its
financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS).
What we have audited
The Corporation’s consolidated financial statements comprise:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The consolidated balance sheets as at April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018;
The consolidated statements of earnings for the years then ended;
The consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years then ended;
The consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years then ended;
The consolidated statements of cash flows for the years then ended; and
The notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our responsibilities under those
standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements section of our
report.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Independence
We are independent of the Corporation in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the consolidated
financial statements in Canada. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
Other matter – audit of internal control over financial reporting.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards for audits of internal control over financial reporting set out in the CPA
Canada Handbook – Assurance, the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as at April 28, 2019, in accordance with
criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and issued our report dated July 9, 2019.
Other information
Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Management's Discussion and Analysis
and the information, other than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor's report thereon, included in the annual report.
Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of
assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information identified
above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements
or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with
IFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Corporation’s ability to continue
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting
unless management either intends to liquidate the Corporation or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
60
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Corporation’s financial reporting process.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable
assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally
accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error
and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic
decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise professional judgment and
maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error,
design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate
to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for
one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override
of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in
the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related
disclosures made by management.
Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit
evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on
the Corporation’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to
draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures
are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our
auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Corporation to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures,
and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that
achieves fair presentation.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within
the Corporation to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction,
supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit
and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements
regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear
on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Sonia Boisvert.
Montréal, Quebec
July 9, 2019
1
1 FCPA auditor, FCA, public accountancy permit No. A116853
61
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Independent auditor’s report
To the Shareholders of
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
We have audited the effectiveness of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as
at April 28, 2019.
Management’s responsibility
Management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control
over Financial Reporting.
Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion, based on our audit, on whether the entity’s internal control over financial reporting was
effectively maintained in accordance with criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standard for audit of internal control over financial reporting set out in the CPA
Canada Handbook – Assurance. This standard requires that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over
financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and
performing such other procedures, as we considered necessary in the circumstances.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
An entity’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards. An entity’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the
assets of the entity; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and that receipts and expenditures of the
entity are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the entity; and (3) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the entity’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections
of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes
in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Opinion
In our opinion, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and its subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over
financial reporting as at April 28, 2019, in accordance with the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013),
issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, the consolidated financial statements of
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and its subsidiaries as at April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018 and for the years then ended and issued
our report dated July 9, 2019.
2
Montréal, Quebec
July 9, 2019
1 FCPA auditor, FCA, public accountancy permit No. A116853
62
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except per share amounts)
Revenues
Cost of sales (Note 8)
Gross profit
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
Restructuring costs (Note 22)
Gain on disposal of property and equipment and other assets (Note 6)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets
and other assets (Notes 16 and 17)
Total operating expenses (Note 8)
Operating income
Share of earnings of joint ventures and associated companies accounted for using the equity
method (Note 7)
Financial expenses
Financial revenues
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
Net financial expenses (Note 10)
Earnings before income taxes
Income taxes (Note 11)
Net earnings including non-controlling interests
Net loss (earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests (Note 5)
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Net earnings per share (Note 12)
Basic
Diluted
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
2019
$
59,117.6
49,922.7
9,194.9
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
51,394.4
43,282.9
8,111.5
5,646.1
10.5
(21.3 )
1,070.7
6,706.0
2,488.9
23.4
338.7
(13.3 )
(5.3 )
320.1
2,192.2
370.9
1,821.3
12.6
1,833.9
3.25
3.25
5,124.8
56.9
(17.7 )
910.6
6,074.6
2,036.9
32.0
295.8
(8.9 )
48.4
335.3
1,733.6
56.1
1,677.5
(6.9 )
1,670.6
2.95
2.95
63
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2))
Net earnings including non-controlling interests
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to earnings
Translation adjustments
Change in cumulative translation adjustments(1)
Cumulative translation adjustments reclassified to earnings (Note 6)
Change in fair value and net interest on cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as a hedge of the
Corporation’s net investment in certain of its foreign operations(2) (Note 21)
Cash flow hedges
Change in fair value of financial instruments(2) (Note 28)
Loss realized on financial instruments transferred to earnings(2) (Note 28)
Available-for-sale investment
Change in fair value of an available-for-sale investment(2)
Gain realized on an available-for-sale investment transferred to earnings(2) (Note 4)
Items that will never be reclassified to earnings
Net actuarial (loss) gain(3) (Note 27)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Comprehensive income including non-controlling interests
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
2019
$
1,821.3
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
1,677.5
(207.9 )
(0.8 )
(84.5 )
3.3
1.9
-
-
(2.3 )
(290.3 )
1,531.0
12.6
1,543.6
137.3
-
84.2
(11.9 )
5.0
1.1
(8.8 )
25.1
232.0
1,909.5
(6.9 )
1,902.6
(1) For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018, these amounts include losses of $143.1 (net of income taxes of $21.9) and gains of $70.1 (net of income
taxes of $11.1), respectively. These gains and losses arise from the translation of long-term debts denominated in foreign currencies.
(2) For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018, these amounts are net of income taxes of $1.6 and $3.8, respectively.
(3) For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018, these amounts are net of income taxes of $1.5 and $7.6, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
64
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2))
Balance, beginning of year
Adoption of IFRS 15 (Note 3)
Adjusted balance, beginning of period
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings (loss)
Other comprehensive loss
Comprehensive income (loss)
Dividends declared
Distributions to non-controlling interests
(Note 5)
Stock option-based compensation expense
(Note 25)
Exercise of stock options
Balance, end of year
Balance, beginning of year
Acquisition of control of CAPL (Note 4)
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings
Other comprehensive income
Comprehensive income
Dividends declared
Distributions to non-controlling interests
Stock option-based compensation expense
(Note 5)
(Note 25)
Attributable to the shareholders of the Corporation
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
(Note 26)
$
(566.3 )
Contributed
surplus
$
17.7
Retained
earnings
$
7,405.0
Capital
stock
$
704.0
(4.1 )
Non-
controlling
interests
$
327.0
-
Total
$
7,560.4
(4.1 )
2019
Equity
$
7,887.4
(4.1 )
704.0
17.7
7,400.9
(566.3 )
7,556.3
327.0
7,883.3
1,833.9
(181.3 )
(290.3 )
1,833.9
(290.3 )
1,543.6
(181.3 )
2.8
706.8
4.4
(2.6 )
19.5
9,053.5
(856.6 )
4.4
0.2
8,923.2
Attributable to the shareholders of the Corporation
Capital
stock
$
708.7
Contributed
surplus
Retained
earnings
$
$
15.7
6,083.5
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
(Note 26)
$
Total
$
(798.3 )
6,009.6
1,670.6
(162.4 )
232.0
1,670.6
232.0
1,902.6
(162.4 )
3.6
0.1
(12.6 )
-
(12.6 )
1,821.3
(290.3 )
1,531.0
(181.3 )
(56.5 )
(56.5 )
4.4
0.2
9,181.1
257.9
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
Non-controlling
interests
$
-
370.6
6.9
-
6.9
Equity
$
6,009.6
370.6
1,677.5
232.0
1,909.5
(162.4 )
(50.5 )
(50.5 )
3.6
0.1
(193.1 )
7,887.4
Exercise of stock options
Repurchase and cancellation of shares
(Note 24)
Balance, end of year
1.7
(6.4 )
704.0
3.6
(1.6 )
17.7
(186.7 )
7,405.0
(566.3 )
(193.1 )
7,560.4
327.0
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
65
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2))
Operating activities
Net earnings including non-controlling interests
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings including non-controlling interests to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets and other
assets, and amortization of financing costs, net of amortization of deferred credits (Notes 16 and 17)
Deferred credits collected
Gain on disposal of property and equipment and other assets
Deferred income taxes (Note 11)
Share of earnings of joint ventures and associated companies accounted for using the equity method, net of
dividends received (Note 7)
Gain realized on an available-for-sale investment transferred to earnings (Note 4)
Other
Changes in non-cash working capital (Note 13)
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment, intangible assets and other assets
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment and other assets (Note 6)
Proceeds from disposal of marine fuel business (Note 6)
Change in restricted cash
Business acquisitions (Note 4)
Proceeds from disposal of CST’s assets held for sale (Note 4)
Proceeds from disposal of an available-for-sale investment (Note 4)
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in term revolving unsecured operating credit D (Notes 13 and 20)
Net increase in CAPL senior secured revolving credit facility (Notes 13 and 20)
Net (decrease) increase in former CAPL senior secured revolving credit facility (Notes 13 and 20)
Decrease in acquisition facility (Notes 13 and 20)
Increase in unsecured non-revolving credit facility (Notes 13 and 20)
Decrease in unsecured non-revolving credit facility (Notes 13 and 20)
Cash dividends paid
CAPL distributions paid to non-controlling interests (Note 5)
Decrease in other debts (Notes 13 and 20)
Settlement of derivative financial instruments (Note 13)
Exercise of stock options
Increase in acquisition facility, net of financing costs (Notes 13 and 20)
Issuance of senior unsecured notes, net of financing costs (Notes 13 and 20)
Repayments of debts assumed on the CST acquisition (Notes 4 and 13)
Repayment of senior unsecured notes (Note 13)
Share repurchase
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
Supplemental information:
Interest paid
Interest and dividends received
Income taxes paid
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
2019
$
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
1,821.3
1,677.5
1,039.1
61.1
(21.3 )
91.7
2.4
-
9.8
79.5
3,083.6
(1,145.1 )
215.6
24.3
(16.9 )
(13.1 )
-
-
(935.2 )
(1,357.4 )
516.0
(512.1 )
(413.5 )
213.5
(213.5 )
(181.3 )
(56.5 )
(52.2 )
3.0
0.2
-
-
-
-
-
(2,053.8 )
(54.4 )
40.2
666.2
706.4
291.1
57.5
336.7
883.0
51.3
(8.9 )
(209.8 )
(11.5 )
(8.8 )
(3.0 )
(206.7 )
2,163.1
(1,169.3 )
132.1
-
(13.5 )
(5,380.9 )
895.5
91.6
(5,444.5 )
702.9
-
64.5
(3,886.5 )
-
-
(162.4 )
(50.5 )
(42.9 )
(81.3 )
0.2
4,298.6
3,935.9
(1,075.9 )
(232.5 )
(193.1 )
3,277.0
33.0
28.6
637.6
666.2
233.5
36.7
277.5
66
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2))
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable (Note 14)
Inventories (Note 15)
Prepaid expenses
Assets held for sale (Note 6)
Other short-term financial assets (Notes 21 and 28)
Income taxes receivable
Property and equipment (Note 16)
Goodwill (Note 17)
Intangible assets (Note 17)
Other assets (Note 18)
Investment in joint ventures and associated companies (Note 7)
Deferred income taxes (Note 11)
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 19)
Short-term provisions (Note 22)
Other short-term financial liabilities (Notes 21 and 28)
Income taxes payable
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (Note 6)
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 20)
Long-term debt (Note 20)
Long-term provisions (Note 22)
Pension benefit liability (Note 27)
Other long-term financial liabilities (Notes 21 and 28)
Income taxes payable
Deferred credits and other liabilities (Note 23)
Deferred income taxes (Note 11)
Equity
Capital stock (Note 24)
Contributed surplus
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 26)
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Non-controlling interests (Note 5)
2019
$
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
706.4
36.5
1,863.9
1,467.7
83.7
-
-
163.1
4,321.3
11,129.9
5,683.1
944.4
306.6
136.0
86.4
22,607.7
3,917.1
160.0
123.6
70.6
-
1,310.7
5,582.0
5,640.7
590.1
92.6
135.1
-
349.0
1,037.1
13,426.6
706.8
19.5
9,053.5
(856.6 )
8,923.2
257.9
9,181.1
666.2
19.6
2,006.4
1,369.0
106.5
73.8
1.8
233.8
4,477.1
11,285.8
5,845.8
1,048.0
303.1
139.4
57.5
23,156.7
3,809.2
179.4
-
147.1
5.8
44.5
4,186.0
8,862.2
610.7
100.0
173.5
58.9
351.3
926.7
15,269.3
704.0
17.7
7,405.0
(566.3 )
7,560.4
327.0
7,887.4
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
22,607.7
23,156.7
On behalf of the Board,
/s/ Brian Hannasch
Brian Hannasch
Director
/s/ Alain Bouchard
Alain Bouchard
Director
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
1.
GOVERNING STATUTES AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (the “Corporation”) is governed by the Business Corporations Act (Quebec). The Corporation’s
head office is located at 4204 Boulevard Industriel in Laval, Quebec, Canada.
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation operates and licenses 12,575 convenience stores across North America, Ireland,
Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), Poland, the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and Russia, of which 9,794
are company-operated, and generates income primarily from the sale of tobacco products and alternative tobacco products,
grocery items, candy and snacks, beverages, beer, wine and fresh food offerings, including quick service restaurants, car wash
services, other services and road transportation fuel. In addition, through CrossAmerica Partners LP (“CAPL”), the Corporation
supplies road transportation fuel under various brands to approximately 1,300 locations in the United States.
Furthermore, under licensing agreements, more than 2,150 stores are operated under the Circle K banner in 15 other countries
and territories (Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Mexico, Mongolia, New
Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam), which brings the worldwide total network to more than
16,000 stores.
2.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Year-end date
The Corporation’s year-end is the last Sunday of April of each year. The fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
are referred to as “2019” and “2018”.
Basis of presentation
The Corporation prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
(“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
Reporting currency
The parent corporation’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar. However, the Corporation uses the US dollar as its reporting
currency to provide more relevant information considering its predominant operations in the United States.
Approval of the financial statements
On July 9, 2019, the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors, which also
approved their publication.
Comparative figures
During fiscal 2019, the Corporation has made adjustments and finalized its estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed for the acquisition of Holiday Stationstores, LLC (Note 4). As a result, changes were made to the following
consolidated balance sheet accounts as at April 29, 2018: Property and equipment increased by $190.8 (net of a $2.1
depreciation expense), Intangible assets increased by $13.7 (net of a $2.1 depreciation expense), Investment in joint ventures
and associated companies increased by $16.1, Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased by $3.6, Current portion of
long-term debt increased by $1.6, Long-term debt increased by $18.2, Long-term provisions increased by $0.3, Deferred credits
and other liabilities increased by $3.8 and Deferred income taxes decreased by $1.2. Consequently, Goodwill decreased by
$204.5. These changes resulted in a $4.2 increase in Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment,
goodwill, intangible assets and other assets and a $1.2 decrease in income taxes in the consolidated statement of earnings for
the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018 which are reflected in Retained earnings on the consolidated balance sheets.
During fiscal 2019, the Corporation has made adjustments and finalized its estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed for the acquisition of Jet Pep, Inc. As a result, changes were made to the following consolidated balance
sheet accounts as at April 29, 2018: Property and equipment increased by $6.4 and Goodwill decreased by $6.4.
3.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Change in accounting policies
Financial Instruments
As of April 30, 2018, the Corporation adopted IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, which includes three requirements for recognition
and measurement, impairment and general hedge accounting. These requirements were applied as follows:
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The first requirement, recognition and measurement, which was applied retrospectively without restatement of comparative
amounts, requires a new classification of financial assets and liabilities under IFRS 9.
The Corporation's financial instruments are accounted for as follows under IFRS 9 as compared to the Corporation's previous policy
in accordance with IAS 39:
Financial instrument
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Investments
Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments designated as
hedge
Classification – IAS 39
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
Financial assets available for sale
Financial assets/liabilities at fair
value through earnings or loss
Effective hedging instruments
Classification – IFRS 9
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Fair value through earnings or loss (unless fair value
through Other comprehensive income (OCI) is elected)
Fair value through earnings or loss
Fair value through earnings or loss subject to hedge
accounting requirements
Bank indebtedness and long-term debt
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Since IFRS 9 largely retains requirements under IAS 39, the adoption of this requirement had no significant impact on the
Corporation’s financial statements nor was any measurement adjustment required on April 30, 2018.
The second requirement, impairment, replaces the “incurred loss” model in IAS 39 with a forward-looking “expected credit loss”
model. The new impairment model applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost and debt instruments measured at
fair value through other comprehensive income. This requirement had no significant impact on the Corporation’s consolidated
financial statements.
The third requirement, general hedge accounting, entails that the Corporation must ensure that hedge accounting relationships
are aligned with its risk management objectives and strategy and apply a more qualitative and forward-looking approach to
assessing hedge effectiveness. The Corporation has elected not to adopt this requirement and instead, as permitted by IFRS 9,
to continue to apply the general hedge accounting requirements of IAS 39 until further notice.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
As of April 30, 2018, the Corporation adopted IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers retrospectively without
restatement of comparative amounts. The Corporation analyzed the impact of the new standard by comparing its current
accounting policies with the new guidance and identified the differences from applying the new requirements to its different
revenue streams. Under the previous accounting policies, the Corporation recognized initial franchise fees when all of the initial
services required by the franchise agreement were performed, when there were no material unfulfilled conditions affecting
completion of the sale and when there was no remaining obligation or intent to refund amounts received, which generally
occurred when the franchise store opened. Under the new accounting policy, the Corporation recognizes a portion of the initial
fees when the franchise store opens and defers remaining revenue over the estimated term of the related franchise agreement.
As a result, the Corporation adjusted initial franchise fees revenue of $4.1 (net of income taxes of $1.3) to Retained earnings,
with an offset to Deferred credits and other liabilities, Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Income taxes payable.
Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions
As of April 30, 2018, the Corporation applied amendments to IFRS 2, Share-based Payment, clarifying how to account for certain
types of share-based payment transactions, such as the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of
cash-settled share-based payments. The amendments were applied prospectively and had no significant impact on the
Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
Use of estimates and judgments
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing
basis, management reviews its estimates. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and
actions that the Corporation may undertake in the future. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant
accounting judgments and estimates that the Corporation has made in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements
are discussed along with the relevant accounting policies when applicable and relate primarily to the following topics: vendor
rebates, useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, income taxes, leases, employee future benefits, provisions, impairment
and business combinations.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The Corporation is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the
worldwide provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is
uncertain. The Corporation recognizes liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes
will be due. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such
differences impact the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the period in which such determination is made.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, which are generally wholly
owned. They also include the Corporation’s share of earnings of joint ventures and associated companies accounted for using
the equity method. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. See Note 5 for more
details about the consolidation of CAPL.
Subsidiaries are entities over which the Corporation has control, where control is defined as the power to govern financial and
operating policies. The Corporation generally has a direct or indirect shareholding of 100% of the voting rights in its subsidiaries.
These criteria are reassessed regularly and subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date control is transferred to the
Corporation and deconsolidated from the date control ceases.
The Corporation holds contracts with franchisees and independent operators. They manage their store and are responsible for
merchandising and financing their inventory. Their financial statements are not included in the Corporation’s consolidated
financial statements.
Foreign currency translation
Functional currency
The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity operates. The functional currency
of the parent corporation and its Canadian operations is the Canadian dollar. The functional currency of foreign subsidiaries is
generally their local currency, mainly the US dollar for operations in the United States and various other European currencies
for operations in Europe.
Foreign currency transactions
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the relevant functional currency as follows: monetary assets
and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date, whereas revenues and
expenses are translated using the average exchange rate of the period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using
historical rates or using the rate on the date they were valued at fair value. Gains and losses arising from such translations, if
any, are reflected in the earnings except for assets and liabilities designated as part of hedging relationships.
Consolidation and foreign operations
The consolidated financial statements are consolidated in Canadian dollars using the following procedure: assets and liabilities
are translated into Canadian dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. Revenues and
expenses are translated using the average exchange rate of the period. Individual transactions with a significant impact on the
consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income or cash flows are translated using the transaction date exchange
rate.
Gains and losses arising from such translation are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in Equity. The
translation difference derived from each foreign subsidiary, associated company or joint venture is transferred to the consolidated
statements of earnings as part of the gain or loss arising from the divestment or liquidation of such a foreign entity when there
is a loss of control, or a change in ownership of the associated company or joint venture, respectively.
Reporting currency
The Corporation has adopted the US dollar as its reporting currency. The Canadian-dollar consolidated financial statements are
translated into the reporting currency using the procedure described above. Capital stock, Contributed surplus and Retained
earnings are translated using historical rates. Gains and losses arising from such translations are included in Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) in Equity.
Net earnings per share
Basic net earnings per share are calculated by dividing the net earnings available to Class A and Class B shareholders by the
respective weighted average number shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net earnings per share are calculated using
the average weighted number of shares outstanding plus the weighted average number of shares that would be issued upon
the conversion of all potential dilutive stock options into common shares.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Revenue recognition
For the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019, under IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
For its three major product categories, merchandise and services, road transportation fuel and other, the Corporation recognizes
revenue when control of goods or services is transferred to a customer.
For retail operations, merchandise sales primarily comprise the sale of tobacco products and alternative tobacco products,
grocery items, candy and snacks, beverages, beer, wine and fresh food offerings, including quick service restaurants. Service
revenues include commissions on the sale of lottery tickets and the issuance of money orders, fees from automatic teller
machines, sales of calling cards and gift cards, fees for cashing checks, sales of postage stamps and bus tickets and car wash
revenues. Road transportation fuel sales comprise the sale of different types of road transportation fuel via fuel dispensers
located at the Corporation’s convenience stores or automate stations. These revenues are recognized at the time of the
transaction since control of goods and services is considered transferred when customer makes payment and takes possession
of the sold item.
Service revenues also include franchise and license fees, which are recognized in revenues over the period of the agreement,
initial franchise fees for which a portion is recognized when the franchise store opens and the remaining portion is deferred and
recognized over the estimated term of the related agreement, as well as commissions from agents, and royalties from
franchisees and licensees, which are recognized periodically based on sales reported by agents, and franchise and license
operators. Starting fiscal year 2020, the Corporation will also sell cannabis products through its licensed store in Ontario,
Canada.
For its wholesale operations, the Corporation generally recognizes sales of merchandise and goods to certain independent
operators and franchisees made from the Corporation’s distribution centers and sales of road transportation fuel upon delivery
to its customers.
Other revenues include aviation fuel, sales of energy for stationary engines and marine fuel (until November 30, 2018), which
are generally recognized upon delivery to the customer. Other revenues also include rental income from operating leases, which
is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
In markets where refined oil products are purchased excluding excise duties, revenues from sales to customers are reported
net of excise duties. In markets where refined oil products are purchased including excise duties, revenues and costs of goods
sold are reported including these duties.
For the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018, under IAS 18, Revenue
For its three major product categories, merchandise and services, road transportation fuel and other, the Corporation generally
recognizes revenue at the point of sale for convenience operations. For wholesale operations, the Corporation generally
recognizes road transportation fuel revenue upon delivery to its customers. Merchandise sales primarily comprise the sale of
tobacco products and alternative tobacco products, grocery items, candy and snacks, beverages, beer, wine and fresh food
offerings, including quick service restaurants. Merchandise sales also include the wholesale of merchandise and goods to certain
independent operators and franchisees made from the Corporation’s distribution centers, which are generally recognized on the
passing of possession of the goods and when the transfer of the associated risk is made.
Service revenues include commissions on the sale of lottery tickets and issuance of money orders, fees from automatic teller
machines, sales of calling cards and gift cards, fees for cashing checks, sales of postage stamps and bus tickets and car wash
revenues. These revenues are recognized at the time of the transaction. Service revenues also include franchise and license
fees, which are recognized in revenues over the period of the agreement, as well as commissions from agents, and royalties
from franchisees and licensees, which are recognized periodically based on sales reported by agents, and franchise and license
operators.
In markets where refined oil products are purchased excluding excise duties, revenues from sales to customers are reported
net of excise duties. In markets where refined oil products are purchased including excise duties, revenues and costs of goods
sold are reported including these duties.
Other revenues include sales of energy for stationary engines, marine fuel and aviation fuel, which are generally recognized on
the passing of possession of the goods and when the transfer of the associated risk is made. Other revenues also include rental
income from operating leases, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Cost of sales and vendor rebates
Cost of sales mainly comprises the cost of finished goods and input materials, as well as transportation costs when they are
incurred to bring products to the point of sale.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The Corporation records cash received from vendors related to vendor rebates as a reduction in the price of the vendors’
products and reflects them as a reduction of cost of sales and related inventory in its consolidated statements of earnings and
consolidated balance sheets when it is probable that they will be received. The Corporation estimates the probability based on
the consideration of a variety of factors, including quantities of items sold or purchased, market shares and other conditions
specified in the contracts. The accuracy of the Corporation’s estimates can be affected by many factors, some of which are
beyond its control, including changes in economic conditions and consumer buying trends. Historically, the Corporation has not
experienced significant differences in its estimates compared with actual results. Amounts received but not yet earned are
presented in Deferred credits.
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses
The main items comprising Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses are labor, net occupancy costs, electronic
payment modes fees, commissions to dealers and agents and overhead.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash includes cash and demand deposits. Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that can be readily converted into
cash for a fixed amount and which mature less than three months from the date of acquisition.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash comprises, when applicable, escrow deposits held by independent escrow agent to fund pending acquisitions
and future capital expenditures but restricted by certain release conditions.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lesser of cost and net realizable value. The cost of merchandise is generally valued based on the
retail price less a normal margin. The cost of road transportation fuel inventory is generally determined according to the average
cost method.
Income taxes
The income tax expense recorded to earnings is the sum of the Deferred income taxes and Current income taxes that are not
recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) or directly in Equity.
The Corporation uses the balance sheet liability method to account for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets
and liabilities are determined based on differences between the carrying amount and the tax base of assets and liabilities, using
enacted or substantively enacted tax rates and laws, as appropriate, at the date of the consolidated financial statements for the
years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and
are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and
interests in joint ventures, except where the Corporation is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is
probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible
temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognized to the extent that it is probable that
there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilize the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to
reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current
tax liabilities, when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority, and the Corporation intends to settle its
current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
Property and equipment, depreciation, amortization and impairment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives
using the straight-line method based on the following periods:
Buildings and building components
Equipment
Buildings and equipment under finance leases
3 to 40 years
3 to 40 years
Lesser of the lease term and useful life
and leasehold improvements
Building components include air conditioning and heating systems, plumbing and electrical fixtures. Equipment includes signage,
fuel equipment and in-store equipment.
Property and equipment are tested for impairment should events or circumstances indicate that their book value may not be
recoverable, as measured by comparing their net book value to their recoverable amount, which corresponds to the higher of
fair value less costs to sell and value in use of the asset or the cash-generating unit (“CGU”). Should the carrying amount of
property and equipment exceed their recoverable amount, an impairment loss in the amount of the excess would be recognized.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The Corporation performs an annual evaluation of residual values, estimated useful lives and depreciation methods used for
property and equipment and any change resulting from this evaluation is applied prospectively by the Corporation.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair value of underlying net assets acquired from the business
at the time of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized. Rather, it is tested for impairment annually during the Corporation’s first
quarter or more frequently should events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired or if necessary due to
the timing of acquisitions. Should the carrying amount of a CGU’s goodwill exceed its recoverable amount, an impairment loss
would be recognized.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets mainly comprise trademarks, franchise agreements, motor fuel supply agreements, software, favorable leases
and licenses. Licenses and trademarks that have indefinite lives, since they do not expire, are recorded at cost, are not amortized
and are tested for impairment annually during the first quarter or more frequently should events or changes in circumstances
indicate that they might be impaired or if necessary due to the timing of acquisitions. Motor fuel supply agreements, franchise
agreements and trademarks with finite lives are recorded at cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the term
of the agreements they relate to. Favorable leases represent lease terms that are favorable compared to those currently available
in the marketplace, and they are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease. Software and other
intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 3 to 15 years.
Leases
Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease
At inception of an arrangement, the Corporation analyzes whether an arrangement is or contains a lease by assessing if:
•
•
Fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specified asset or assets; and
The arrangement conveys a right to use the asset or assets.
The Corporation has assessed that some arrangements with franchisees contain embedded lease agreements and accordingly
accounts for a portion of those agreements as lease agreements.
The Corporation distinguishes between lease contracts and capacity contracts. Lease contracts provide the right to use a specific
asset for a period of time. Capacity contracts confer the right to and the obligation to pay for availability of certain capacity
volumes related primarily to transportation. Such capacity contracts that do not involve specified single assets or that do not
involve substantially all the capacity of an undivided interest in a specific asset are not considered to qualify as leases for
accounting purposes. Capacity payments are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings in Operating, selling,
administrative and general expenses.
Lease arrangements in which the Corporation is a lessee
The Corporation accounts for finance leases in instances where it has acquired substantially all the benefits and risks incidental
to ownership of the leased property. In some cases, the characterization of a lease transaction is not evident, and management
uses judgment in determining whether the lease is a finance lease arrangement that transfers substantially all the risks and
benefits incidental to ownership to the Corporation. Judgment is required on various aspects that include, but are not limited to,
the fair value of the leased asset, the economic life of the leased asset, whether or not to include renewal options in the lease
term and determining an appropriate discount rate to calculate the present value of the minimum lease payments. The
Corporation’s activities involve a considerable number of lease agreements, most of which are determined to be operational in
nature. The cost of assets under finance leases represents the present value of minimum lease payments or the fair value of
the leased property, whichever is lower, and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or useful life of the
asset, whichever is shorter. Assets under finance leases are presented under Property and equipment in the consolidated
balance sheets.
Leases that do not transfer substantially all the benefits and risks incidental to ownership of the property are accounted for as
operating leases. When a lease contains a predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent, the Corporation recognizes the
related rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and, consequently, records the difference between the
recognized rental expense and the amounts payable under the lease as deferred rent expense.
The Corporation also receives tenant allowances, which are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the
useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Gains and losses resulting from sale and leaseback transactions are recorded in the consolidated earnings at the transaction
date except if:
•
•
The sale price is below fair value and the loss is compensated for by future lease payments below market price, in
which case the loss shall be deferred and amortized in proportion to the lease payments over the period during which
the asset is expected to be used; or
The sale price is above fair value, in which case the excess shall be deferred and amortized over the period during
which the asset is expected to be used.
Lease arrangements in which the Corporation is a lessor
Leases in which the Corporation transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset to a third party are
classified as finance leases. The Corporation recognizes lease payments receivable in the consolidated balance sheets and
presents them as accounts receivable. Lease payments received under finance leases are apportioned between financial
revenues and reduction of the receivable.
Leases that do not transfer substantially all the benefits and risks incidental to ownership of the property to a third party are
accounted for as operating leases. When a lease contains a predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent, the Corporation
recognizes the related rent revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and, consequently, records the difference
between the recognized rental revenue and the rent received under the lease as rent receivable.
Financing costs
Financing costs related to term loans and debt securities are included in the initial carrying amount of the corresponding debt
and are amortized using the effective interest rate method that is based on the estimated cash flow over the expected life of the
liability. Financing costs related to revolving loans are included in other assets and are amortized using the straight-line method
over the expected life of the underlying agreement.
Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments
Stock-based compensation costs are measured at the grant date of the award based on the fair value method.
The fair value of stock options is recognized over the vesting period of each respective vesting portion as compensation expense
with a corresponding increase in contributed surplus taking into account the number of awards that are expected to ultimately
vest. When stock options are exercised, the corresponding contributed surplus is transferred to capital stock.
The Phantom Stock Units (“PSU”) compensation cost and the related liability are recorded on a straight-line basis over the
corresponding vesting period based on the fair market value of Class B shares and the best estimate of the number of PSUs
that will ultimately be paid. The recorded liability is adjusted periodically to reflect any variation in the fair market value of the
Class B shares and revisions to the estimated forfeitures.
Employee future benefits
The Corporation accrues its obligations under employee pension plans and the related costs, net of plan assets. The Corporation
has adopted the following accounting policies with respect to the defined benefit plans:
•
The accrued benefit obligations and the cost of pension benefits earned by active employees are actuarially determined
using the projected unit credit method pro-rated on service, and the pension expense is recorded in earnings as the
services are rendered by active employees. The calculations reflect management’s best estimate of salary escalation
and retirement ages of employees;
• Plan assets are valued at fair value;
• Actuarial gains and losses arise from increases or decreases in the present value of the defined benefit obligation
because of changes in actuarial assumptions and experience adjustments. Actuarial gains and losses are recognized
immediately in Other comprehensive income (loss) with no impact on net earnings;
• Past service costs are recorded to earnings at the earlier of the following dates:
o When the plan amendment or curtailment occurs;
o When the Corporation recognizes related restructuring costs or termination benefits; and
• Net interest on the defined benefit liability (asset) represents the net defined benefit liability (asset), multiplied by the
discount rate and is recorded in financial expenses.
The pension cost recorded in net earnings for the defined contribution plans is equivalent to the contribution, which the
Corporation is required to pay in exchange for services provided by the employees.
The present value of pension obligations depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a
number of assumptions. Any changes in these assumptions will impact the carrying amount of pension obligations. The
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Corporation determines the appropriate discount rate at the end of each fiscal year, which is the rate used to determine the
present value of estimated future cash outflows expected to be required to settle the pension obligations. In determining the
appropriate discount rate, the Corporation considers the interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in
the currency in which the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension
obligation.
Provisions
Provisions are recognized when the Corporation has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is
probable that the Corporation will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can
be made. The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation
at the reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured
using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.
The present value of provisions depends on a number of factors that are assessed on a regular basis using a number of
assumptions, including the discount rate, the expected cash flows to settle the obligation and the number of years until the
realization of the provision. Any changes in these assumptions or in governmental regulations will impact the carrying amount
of provisions. Where the actual cash flows are different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact
earnings in the period in which the payment is made. Historically, the Corporation has not experienced significant differences in
its estimates compared with actual results.
Environmental costs
The Corporation provides for estimated future site remediation costs to meet government standards for known site
contaminations, when such costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of the anticipated future costs for remediation activities
at such sites are based on the Corporation’s prior experience with remediation sites and consideration of other factors such as
the condition of the site’s contamination, location of sites and experience of the contractors performing the environmental
assessments and remediation work. In order to determine the initial recorded liability, the present value of estimated future cash
flows was calculated using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks
specific to the liability.
Asset retirement obligations
Asset retirement obligations primarily relate to estimated future costs to remove road transportation fuel storage tanks and are
based on the Corporation’s prior experience in removing these tanks, estimated tank useful life, remaining lease terms for those
tanks installed on leased properties, external estimates and governmental regulatory requirements. A discounted liability is
recorded for the present value of an asset retirement obligation, with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related
long-lived asset at the time a storage tank is installed. To determine the initial recorded liability, the future estimated cash flows
are discounted using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money, and the risks specific
to the liability.
Following the initial recognition of the asset retirement obligation, the carrying amount of the liability is increased to reflect the
passage of time and then adjusted for variations in the current market-based discount rate or the scheduled underlying cash
flows required to settle the liability.
Obligations related to general liability and workers’ compensation
In the United States and Ireland, the Corporation is self-insured for certain losses related to general liability and workers’
compensation. The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred as of the consolidated balance sheet date is discounted and is
recognized as a liability. This cost is estimated based on an analysis of the Corporation’s historical data and actuarial estimates.
In order to determine the initial recorded liability, the present value of estimated future cash flows is calculated using a pre-tax
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.
Restructuring
Restructuring provisions are recognized only when a detailed formal plan for the restructuring exists and either the plan has
commenced or the plan’s main features have been announced to those affected by it. In order to determine the initial recorded
liability, the present values of estimated future cash flows are calculated using a pre-tax rate that reflects current market
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.
A detailed formal plan usually includes:
Identifying the concerned business or part of the business;
•
• The principal locations affected;
• Details regarding the employees affected;
• The restructuring’s timing; and
• The expenditures that will have to be undertaken.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Financial instruments recognition and measurement
For the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019 under IFRS 9, Financial Instruments
The Corporation has made the following classifications for its financial assets and financial liabilities:
Financial assets and financial
Classification
Subsequent measurement (1)
Classification of gains and
liabilities
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Investments
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Fair value through earnings or loss (unless
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Fair value
fair value through OCI is elected)
Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments
Fair value through earnings or loss
Fair value through earnings or loss subject
Fair value
Fair value
designated as net investment hedges
to hedge accounting requirements
Derivative financial instruments
designated as fair value hedges
Fair value through earnings or loss subject
Fair value
to hedge accounting requirements
losses
Net earnings
Net earnings
Net earnings
Net earnings (Other
comprehensive income (loss)
not subject to reclassification to
net earnings if election made)
Net earnings
Other comprehensive income
(loss) subject to reclassification
to net earnings
Net earnings, with offsetting basis
adjustment recorded to hedged
item
Bank indebtedness and long-term debt
Amortized cost
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Net earnings
Net earnings
(1) Initial measurement of all financial assets and financial liabilities is at fair value.
For the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018 under IAS 39, Financial instruments: recognition and measurement
The Corporation has made the following classifications for its financial assets and financial liabilities:
Financial assets and financial
Classification
Subsequent measurement (1)
Classification of gains and
liabilities
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Investments
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables
Available-for-sale financial assets
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Fair value
losses
Net earnings
Net earnings
Net earnings
Other comprehensive income
(loss) subject to reclassification
to net earnings
Derivative financial instruments
Financial assets or liabilities at fair value
Fair value
Net earnings
Derivative financial instruments
Effective hedging instruments
Fair value
through profit or loss
designated as net investment hedges
Derivative financial instruments
designated as fair value hedges
Effective hedging instruments
Fair value
Bank indebtedness and long-term debt
Other financial liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Other financial liabilities
Amortized cost
Amortized cost
(1) Initial measurement of all financial assets and financial liabilities is at fair value.
Hedging and derivative financial instruments
Embedded total return swap
Other comprehensive income
(loss) subject to reclassification
to net earnings
Net earnings
Net earnings
Net earnings
The Corporation is party to an indexed deposit contract which includes an embedded total return swap to manage current and
forecasted risks related to changes in the fair value of the PSUs and deferred share units (“DSUs”) granted by the Corporation.
Effective April 30, 2018, the indexed deposit contract is recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets under Other
accounts receivable and Other assets and classified as fair value through earnings or loss.
The Corporation has documented and designated the indexed deposit contract as the hedging item in a cash flow hedge of the
anticipated cash settlement transaction related to the granted PSUs and DSUs. The Corporation has determined that the indexed
deposit contract is an effective hedge at the time of the establishment of the hedge and for the duration of the indexed deposit
contract. The changes in the fair value of the indexed deposit contract are initially recorded in other comprehensive income
(loss) and subsequently reclassified to consolidated net earnings in the same period that the change in the fair value of the
PSUs and DSUs affected consolidated net earnings. Should the hedged transaction no longer be expected to occur, any gains,
losses, revenues or expenses associated with the hedging item that had previously been recognized in Other comprehensive
income (loss) as a result of applying hedge accounting will be recognized in the reporting period’s net earnings under Operating,
selling, administrative and general expenses.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Fuel swaps
The Corporation uses fuel swaps to manage the price risk associated with the commodity prices of road transportation fuel. The
changes in fair value of these swaps are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Also, from time to time, the Corporation uses fuel swaps to manage the price risk associated with an anticipated cash settlement
transaction related to a sale of a large volume of fuel. The Corporation documents and designates the fuel swaps as a cash flow
hedge of the anticipated cash settlement transaction related to the sale of fuel. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the
hedging item, the fuel swaps, are recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains in Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) are then reclassified to Revenues in the same period as when the hedged transaction occurs.
Designated long-term debts denominated in foreign currencies
The Corporation designates a portion of its US-dollar- and its Norwegian-krone-denominated long-term debts as a foreign
exchange hedge of its net investment in its United States and Norwegian operations, respectively. The Corporation also
designates a portion of its Euro-denominated long-term debts as a foreign exchange hedge of its net investment in its Eurozone
and Danish operations. Accordingly, the gains and losses arising from the translation of the designated debts that are designated
to be an effective hedge, are recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss), counterbalancing gains and losses arising from
the translation of the Corporation’s net investment its United States, Norwegian, and Eurozone and Danish operations.
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
The Corporation designates cross-currency interest rate swaps as a foreign exchange hedge of its net investment in its foreign
operations. Accordingly, the portion of the gains or losses arising from the translation of the cross-currency interest rate swaps
that are determined to be an effective hedge, are recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss), counterbalancing gains
and losses arising from the translation of the Corporation’s net investment in its foreign operations.
Short-term cross-currency interest rate swaps
Occasionally, the Corporation uses short-term cross-currency interest rate swaps to manage the currency fluctuation risk
associated with forecasted cash disbursements in a foreign currency. Gains or losses arising from the translation of these short-
term cross-currency interest rate swaps are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings as foreign exchange gain or
loss.
Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps
The Corporation uses fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate fair value risk associated with fixed interest
rate debt. The Corporation designated these fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps as a fair value hedge of fixed interest rate debt
issued (the “hedged item”). Accordingly, the hedged item is remeasured to reflect changes in fair value arising from changes in the
hedged risk and such remeasurements are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings as financial expenses. This is
counterbalanced by gains and losses arising from the remeasurement of the swap’s fair value, which are recognized in the
consolidated statements of earnings as financial expenses as well.
Interest rate locks
From time to time, the Corporation uses interest rate locks to manage the interest rate risk associated with forecasted debt
issuance. The Corporation designates these interest rate locks as a cash flow hedge of the anticipated interest from the debt
issuance. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the hedging item, the interest rate locks, are recognized in Other
comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to
Interest expense over the same periods as the Interest expense on the debt will be recognized in earnings.
Guarantees
A guarantee is defined as a contract or an indemnification agreement contingently requiring an entity to make payments to a
third party based on future events. These payments are contingent on either changes in an underlying element or other variables
that are related to an asset, liability, or an equity security of the indemnified party or the failure of another entity to perform under
an obligating agreement. It could also be an indirect guarantee of the indebtedness of another party. Guarantees are initially
recognized at fair value and subsequently revaluated when the loss becomes probable.
Business combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method. The cost of a business combination is measured as the
aggregate of the fair values, at the date of acquisition, of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments
issued by the Corporation in exchange for control of the acquiree. The acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3, “Business Combinations”, are recognized at their fair values at
the acquisition date. Direct acquisition costs are recorded to earnings when incurred.
Goodwill arising from business combinations is recognized as an asset and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the
cost of the business combination over the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognized.
If, after reassessment, the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost
of the business combination, the excess (“Negative goodwill”) is recognized immediately to earnings.
Determination of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and the use of assumptions that,
if changed, may affect the consolidated statements of earnings and consolidated balance sheets.
For purchase price allocation and impairment testing purposes, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives
are allocated to CGUs based on the lowest level at which management reviews the results, a level which is not higher than the
operating segment. The allocation is made to those CGUs, which are expected to benefit from the business combination, and in
which the goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives arose.
Earnings from the businesses acquired are included in the consolidated statements of earnings from their respective dates of
acquisition.
Recently issued accounting standards not yet implemented
Leases
In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16, Leases, which will replace IAS 17, Leases. On April 29, 2019, the Corporation will
apply the new standard retrospectively without restatement of comparative amounts. The new standard requires lessees to
recognize a lease liability reflecting future lease payments and a “right-of-use asset” for virtually all lease contracts, and record
it on the balance sheet, except with respect to lease contracts that meet limited exception criteria.
Given that it has significant contractual obligations accounted for as operating leases under IAS 17, there will be a material
increase to both assets and liabilities upon adoption of IFRS 16, and material changes to the presentation of expenses
associated with the lease arrangements, and, to a lower extent, changes in the timing of expense recognition.
The following outlines the key areas that will be impacted by the adoption of IFRS 16, a summary of the analysis performed by
the Corporation and the expected impacts of the adoption of the new standard on these key areas:
Financial reporting
The analysis includes which contracts will be in scope as well as the options available under the new standard, such as whether
to early adopt, to apply the two recognition and measurement exemptions and whether to apply the new standard on a full
retrospective application in accordance with IAS 8 or retrospectively without restatement of comparative amounts.
The Corporation’s preliminary assessment indicates that the increase in both its total assets and total liabilities will range
between $2,400.0 and $2,800.0 on the consolidated balance sheet as at April 29, 2019. The Corporation is in the final stages of
validating the final amounts of the impact on its consolidated balance sheet, which will be disclosed in the Corporation’s
unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. Therefore, there could be
changes in the amounts specified above.
Lease-related expenses previously recorded in Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses will be recorded as
depreciation expense using the straight-line method on the right-of-use assets and the lease liabilities carrying amount will be
increased to reflect interest on the lease liability using a method based on the Corporation’s incremental borrowing rate. For an
individual lease, the application of these two methods will result in more expenses charged to net earnings earlier in the lease
term and less expenses charged in the later years.
Consequently, the adoption of IFRS 16 will increase total assets, total liabilities, depreciation and amortization, financial
expenses, while reducing Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses. The right-of-use assets will be measured for
the major portion of the leases at an amount equal to the lease liabilities, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued
lease payments relating to each lease as well as other balances related to those contracts. The Corporation will also use the
exemptions for short-term leases and leases for which the underlying asset is of low-value.
The Corporation will elect to include in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities fixed amounts related to non-lease components
including, but not limited to, utility charges, and common area maintenance charges. Other lease-related expenses not within
the scope of IFRS 16 will continue to be expensed as incurred and recorded in Operating, selling, administrative and general
expenses.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Adoption of IFRS 16 will impact the presentation of cash flows relating to leases in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of
cash flows, even though the new standard will not impact the amount of cash transferred between the parties of a lease. Total
expenses recognized over the lease term will be equal to total cash paid over the lease term.
The lease terms, for the majority of leases in North America, vary between 5 and 20 years, which include the initial base term
and renewal option(s) when applicable. In Europe, the lease terms range from short-term contracts to contracts with maturities
up to more than 50 years and also include options to renew at market prices when applicable.
Information systems
The Corporation analyzed the need to make changes within its information systems environment to optimize the management of
more than 9,000 leases that will fall within the scope of the new standard. The Corporation has evaluated different IT solutions for
the eventual recognition and measurement of leases in scope. IT solutions have been selected and their implementation is almost
completed.
Control environment
The Corporation performed an analysis and evaluated the impact that the adoption of IFRS 16 will have on its control
environment and implemented processes to enable the application of the new accounting standard for fiscal year 2020.
Stakeholders
The Corporation performed an analysis of the impact that the adoption of IFRS 16 will have on the disclosure to its stakeholders.
The Corporation discussed the impact of IFRS 16 to internal and external stakeholders and will keep the discussion open during
fiscal year 2020.
4.
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
The Corporation has made the following business acquisitions:
2019
During the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019, the Corporation acquired six company-operated stores and two commission operated
retail sites through distinct transactions. The Corporation owns the land and building for three sites and leases the land and the
building for the remaining three sites. These transactions were settled for a total consideration of $13.1 using available cash and
existing credit facilities and generated goodwill for an amount of $2.2. Acquisition costs of $2.2 in connection with these acquisitions
and other unrealized and ongoing acquisitions are included in Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses for the fiscal
year ended April 28, 2019.
2018
Acquisition of CST Brands Inc.
On June 28, 2017, the Corporation completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of CST Brands Inc. (“CST”)
through an all-cash transaction valued at $48.53 per share, with a total enterprise value of approximately $4,400.0 including net
debt assumed. CST is based in San Antonio, Texas and, before the closing of the acquisition, it employed more than
14,000 people at over 2,000 locations throughout the Southwestern U.S., with an important presence in Texas, the
Southeastern U.S., the State of New York and Eastern Canada.
Pursuant to the acquisition of CST, the Corporation has also acquired the general partner of CAPL, owns 100% of CAPL’s
Incentive Distribution Rights (“IDRs”) and, as at April 29, 2018, held a 21.4% equity investment in it (20.5% as at June 28, 2017).
Non-controlling interests at acquisition date were measured based on proportionate shares. CAPL supplies road transportation
fuel under various brands to approximately 1,300 locations in the United States (see Note 5 for more details).
On the same day, the Corporation sold to Parkland Fuel Corporation a significant portion of CST’s Canadian assets for
approximately CA $986.0 ($752.5). The disposed assets mainly comprised CST’s independent dealers and commission agents’
network, its heating-oil business, 159 company-operated sites, as well as its Montreal head office. As a result, the Corporation
retained 157 of CST’s company-operated sites in Canada. Also, on September 6, 2017, as per the requirements of the U.S.
Federal Trade Commission, the Corporation sold 70 CST U.S. company-operated sites to Empire Petroleum Partners, LLC for
a total consideration of $143.0. No gain or loss was recognized on these sales transactions. The disposed assets and associated
liabilities are presented as held for sale in the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and are recorded at their
respective fair value less costs of disposal.
For the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018, acquisition costs of $5.8 in connection with this acquisition are included in Operating,
selling, administrative and general expenses.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The final estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the CST acquisition are as follows:
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable(a)
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Assets held for sale
Property and equipment
Identifiable intangible assets
Other assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Short-term provisions
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Income taxes payable
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt
Long-term provisions
Deferred credits and other liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Net identifiable assets
Non-controlling interests
Goodwill
Total cash consideration paid
Cash and cash equivalents acquired
Net cash flow for the acquisition
Final estimate
$
215.8
120.8
180.3
13.1
1,111.3
1,641.3
2,445.5
345.7
30.2
4,462.7
402.9
8.6
215.8
20.5
76.4
724.2
1,483.4
80.5
100.6
358.6
2,747.3
1,715.4
(370.6 )
2,340.4
3,685.2
215.8
3,469.4
(a) The fair value of acquired accounts receivable represents the gross contractual amount for accounts receivable of $121.2,
net of the uncollectible amount estimated to $0.4.
None of the goodwill related to this transaction was deductible for tax purposes.
On June 28, 2017, the Corporation repaid all of CST’s borrowings under its revolving credit facilities for an amount of $498.8.
Additionally, on July 28, 2017, the Corporation repaid all of CST’s outstanding senior notes for an amount of $577.1 using its
acquisition facility.
Prior to the CST acquisition, the Corporation held an available-for-sale investment in CST, and the resulting gains and losses
were recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). On June 28, 2017, the Corporation disposed of this
investment for total proceeds of $91.6. As a result, a gain of $8.8 was realized and transferred from Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) to earnings for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018.
The CST acquisition was concluded in order to expand the Corporation’s market share, to penetrate new markets and to increase
its economies of scale, and was financed using the Corporation’s available cash, its existing credit facilities and its acquisition
facility (Note 20). This acquisition generated goodwill mainly due to the significant footprint in the Southwestern United States.
Acquisition of Holiday Stationstores, LLC
On December 22, 2017, the Corporation acquired all the membership interest of Holiday Stationstores, LLC and certain affiliated
companies (“Holiday”) for a total cash consideration of approximately $1,600.0. The fair value of the contingent consideration,
which is based on specific results achieved over a three-year period, was estimated at $25.0 using the Corporation’s best
estimate at the acquisition date. Holiday is an important convenience store and fuel player in the U.S. Midwest region. As of the
closing of the transaction, it had 516 sites, of which 373 were operated by Holiday and 143 were operated by franchisees, as
well as 27 dealer contracts. Holiday also operates a strong car wash business with 234 locations as at closing date, 2 food
commissaries and a fuel terminal in Newport, Minnesota. Its stores are located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington State,
Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan and Alaska.
For the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018, acquisition costs of $4.1 in connection with this acquisition are included in Operating,
selling, administrative and general expenses.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The final estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the Holiday acquisition are as follows:
Preliminary estimate
Changes
Final estimate
$
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable(a)
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Property and equipment
Identifiable intangible assets
Other assets
Investment in joint ventures and associated companies
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Short-term provisions
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt
Long-term provisions
Deferred credits and other liabilities
Net identifiable assets
Goodwill
Total consideration
Consideration receivable
Contingent consideration payable
Cash and cash equivalents acquired
Net cash flow for the acquisition
13.6
64.3
69.5
4.2
151.6
459.2
60.8
15.4
2.9
689.9
194.9
5.0
0.5
200.4
2.7
23.5
1.0
227.6
462.3
1,195.9
1,658.2
4.4
(25.0 )
(13.6 )
1,624.0
-
-
-
-
-
192.9
15.8
-
16.1
224.8
(3.6 )
-
1.6
(2.0 )
18.2
0.3
3.8
20.3
204.5
(204.5 )
-
-
-
-
-
13.6
64.3
69.5
4.2
151.6
652.1
76.6
15.4
19.0
914.7
191.3
5.0
2.1
198.4
20.9
23.8
4.8
247.9
666.8
991.4
1,658.2
4.4
(25.0 )
(13.6 )
1,624.0
(a) The fair value of acquired accounts receivable represents the gross contractual amount for accounts receivable of $65.3, net of the uncollectible amount
estimated to $1.0.
All of the goodwill related to this transaction was deductible for tax purposes.
The Holiday acquisition was concluded in order to expand the Corporation’s market share, to penetrate new markets and to
increase its economies of scale and was financed using the Corporation’s available cash and existing credit facilities. This
acquisition generated goodwill mainly due to the significant footprint of Holiday in the Midwest region of the United States and
the high profitability of its store network.
Other acquisitions
• On May 30, 2017, the Corporation acquired 53 company-operated sites located in Louisiana, United States, from
American General Investments, LLC and North American Financial Group, LLC. The convenience stores operate under
the Cracker Barrel brand. The Corporation owns the land and building for 47 sites and assumes the leases for the
remaining 6 locations. On the same date, the Corporation closed seven of those stores.
• On July 7, 2017, the Corporation acquired from Empire Petroleum Partners, LLC, 53 fuel supply contracts with
independent operators in the Atlanta, GA, metro area. As part of this transaction, the Corporation also acquired real
estate for two sites.
• On November 28, 2017, the Corporation acquired certain assets from Jet Pep, Inc., including a fuel terminal, associated
trucking equipment and 18 retail sites located in Alabama. The Corporation owns the land and building for 17 sites and
assumes the lease for the remaining location.
In addition, through a distinct transaction, CAPL purchased other assets of Jet Pep, Inc. consisting of 101 commission
operated retail sites, including 92 owned sites, 5 leased sites and 4 independent commission accounts.
• During fiscal 2018, the Corporation also acquired 11 company-operated stores through distinct transactions. The
Corporation owns the land and building for eight sites, leases the land and owns the building for two sites, and leases
the land and the building for the remaining site.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
These transactions were settled for a total consideration of $289.7 using available cash and existing credit facilities. For the
fiscal year ended April 29, 2018, acquisition costs of $1.9 in connection with these acquisitions and other unrealized and ongoing
acquisitions are included in Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses.
The final estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for other acquisitions are as follows:
Preliminary estimate
Changes
Final estimate
$
Tangible assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Income taxes receivable
Property and equipment
Other assets
Assets held for sale
Total tangible assets
Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Provisions
Long-term debt
Deferred credits and other liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Total liabilities
Net tangible assets acquired
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Negative goodwill
Total cash consideration paid
Cash and cash equivalents acquired
Net cash flow for the acquisition
2.2
0.8
25.6
0.2
0.3
185.7
0.3
2.0
217.1
6.8
4.8
0.8
3.9
7.7
24.0
193.1
30.1
69.3
(2.8 )
289.7
2.2
287.5
-
-
-
-
-
6.4
-
-
6.4
-
-
-
-
-
-
6.4
-
(6.4 )
-
-
-
-
2.2
0.8
25.6
0.2
0.3
192.1
0.3
2.0
223.5
6.8
4.8
0.8
3.9
7.7
24.0
199.5
30.1
62.9
(2.8 )
289.7
2.2
287.5
Almost all of the goodwill related to these transactions was deductible for tax purposes.
These acquisitions were concluded in order to expand the Corporation’s market share, to penetrate new markets and to increase
its economies of scale. These acquisitions generated goodwill mainly due to the strategic location of stores acquired.
5.
CROSSAMERICA PARTNERS LP
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation owns 100% of the equity interests of the sole member of the General Partner, 100% of the
IDRs and 21.7% of the outstanding common units of CAPL. Following the Corporation’s evaluation of its relationship with CAPL,
the Corporation concluded that it controls the partnership’s operations and activities even though it does not have a majority
ownership of CAPL’s outstanding common units. As a result, the Corporation fully consolidates CAPL in its consolidated financial
statements.
CAPL’s accounting periods do not coincide with the Corporation’s accounting periods. The consolidated statement of earnings,
comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019 include those of CAPL for the
period beginning April 1, 2018 and ending March 31, 2019 (June 28, 2017 to March 31, 2018 for the fiscal year ended
April 29, 2018), adjusted for significant transactions, if any. The consolidated balance sheet as at April 28, 2019 includes the
balance sheet of CAPL as at March 31, 2019 (March 31, 2018 for the consolidated balance sheet as at April 29, 2018), adjusted
for significant transactions, if any.
All transactions between the Corporation and CAPL are eliminated from the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
These transactions consist of motor fuel purchased and sold between the Corporation and CAPL, rent charged by CAPL to the
Corporation, earnings from CAPL’s equity ownership interest in CST Fuel Supply, a subsidiary of the Corporation, the
Corporation’s portion of CAPL’s common unit distributions and the Corporation’s revenues from CAPL’s IDRs. Additionally, the
Corporation provides management and corporate support services to CAPL and charges CAPL a management fee under the
terms of the Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, as well as an allocation of certain incentive compensation.
Approximately 78.3% of CAPL’s operating results were attributable to non-controlling interests for the fiscal year ended
April 28, 2019 (78.3% for the fiscal year 2018). Therefore, the Corporation’s shareholders do not have rights to a substantial
portion of the operating results of CAPL. The earnings attributable to CAPL’s other units holders are presented as non-controlling
interests.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
CAPL is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership and its common units are listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol “CAPL.” As a result, CAPL is required to file reports with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”), where additional information about its results of operations prepared in accordance with US Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles can be found and should be read in conjunction with the table below, which highlights the results
of its operations and certain of its financial metrics since June 28, 2017, which are in accordance with IFRS:
Statements of Earnings for the periods from(1)
April 1, 2018 to
March 31, 2019
Revenues
Gross profit
Total operating expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment of property
and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets and other assets)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property and equipment, goodwill, intangible
assets and other assets (Notes 16 and 17)
Net financial expenses
Loss before income taxes
Income tax recovery
Net (loss) earnings
Statements of Cash Flows for the periods from(1)
April 1, 2018 to
March 31, 2019
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities, including $15.7 and $13.3 of distributions
paid to the Corporation, respectively
Balance Sheets as at(1)
Cash and cash equivalents
Current assets (other than cash and cash equivalents)
Long-term assets
Current liabilities
Long-term liabilities
(1) Adjusted for significant transactions, if any.
Assets exchange agreement
June 28, 2017 to
March 31, 2018
$
1,671.8
135.8
$
2,368.8
188.1
89.3
143.5
29.3
(74.0 )
(2.8 )
(71.2 )
75.1
61.1
19.4
(19.8
)
(28.6 )
8.8
June 28, 2017 to
March 31, 2018
$
30.4
(52.8 )
$
86.8
(14.9 )
)
(67.3
13.5
March 31,
2019
$
6.3
49.5
1,089.6
64.7
676.0
March 31,
2018
$
1.7
68.0
1,224.9
64.9
665.2
On December 17, 2018, the Corporation entered into an asset exchange agreement with CAPL under which 192 of the Circle K
U.S. company-operated stores will be exchanged against the real estate property currently held by CAPL for 56 U.S.
company-operated stores currently leased and operated by the Corporation pursuant to a master lease that CAPL had previously
purchased jointly with or from CST, and 17 company-operated stores currently owned and operated by CAPL in the U.S. Upper
Midwest. The aggregate value of this agreement is approximately $185.0. As CAPL is fully consolidated in the Corporation’s
consolidated financial statements, no gains or losses are expected from these transactions.
As at April 28, 2019, no assets had been exchanged under the asset exchange agreement.
On May 22, 2019, subsequent to the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019, the first transaction was closed for an approximative value
of $58.0. The remaining transactions are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2020.
6.
DISPOSAL OF BUSINESS
Disposal of retail sites
On February 5, 2019, the Corporation sold 19 retail sites in Oregon and West Washington for a cash consideration of approximately
$30.0. This transaction resulted in a gain of $17.3 for the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019.
On July 3, 2018, the Corporation sold to Irving Oil Ltd. 13 retail sites in the Canadian Atlantic provinces for a cash consideration of
approximately $30.0. This transaction resulted in a gain of $4.5 for the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019. These stores, which will
continue to be operated by the Corporation, were previously acquired through the CST acquisition.
83
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Statoil Fuel & Retail Marine AS
On November 27, 2017, the Corporation reached an agreement to sell 100% of its shares in Statoil Fuel & Retail Marine AS to St1
Norge AS. The transaction was subject to the customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Therefore, as at
April 29, 2018, criteria for its classification as an asset for sale had been met. The Corporation’s marine fuel business’ contribution
to each line of its consolidated balance sheet as at April 29, 2018 has been grouped under the lines Assets held for sale and
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale and stated at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.
On December 1, 2018, the Corporation completed the disposal of its marine fuel business through a share purchase agreement
pursuant to which St1 Norge AS acquired 100% of all issued and outstanding shares of Statoil Fuel & Retail Marine AS. Total
proceeds from the disposal were $24.3. The Corporation recognized a gain on disposal of $3.2 in relation to this transaction. The
disposal also resulted in a $0.8 cumulated gain on translation adjustments being reclassified to earnings. These gains are included
in Gain on disposal of property and equipment and other assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the fiscal year ended
April 28, 2019.
7.
INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES
Investment in joint ventures
Investment in associated companies
2019
$
134.5
1.5
136.0
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
138.0
1.4
139.4
The Corporation’s investment in joint ventures and associated companies, none of which are individually significant to the
Corporation, are recorded according to the equity method. The following amounts represent the Corporation’s share of the joint
ventures’ and associated companies’ net earnings and comprehensive income:
Joint ventures’ net earnings and comprehensive income
Associated companies’ net earnings and comprehensive income
8.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION RELATING TO EXPENSES
Cost of sales
Selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Other operating expenses
Total operating expenses
2019
$
23.2
0.2
23.4
2019
$
49,922.7
5,852.6
758.4
95.0
6,706.0
2018
$
31.9
0.1
32.0
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
43,282.9
5,160.3
805.4
108.9
6,074.6
The above expenses include rent expense of $416.8 ($412.8 in 2018), net of sub-leasing income of $28.7 ($25.8 in 2018).
Employee benefit charges
Salaries
Fringe benefits and other employer contributions
Employee future benefits (Note 27)
Termination benefits
Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments (Note 25)
9.
COMPENSATION OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
Salaries and other current benefits
Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments
Employee future benefits (Note 27)
2019
$
2,373.4
280.1
126.0
10.0
15.4
2,804.9
2019
$
14.5
9.5
2.9
26.9
2018
$
1,991.7
260.6
107.1
4.9
8.5
2,372.8
2018
$
12.7
7.0
2.8
22.5
Key management personnel comprise members of the Board of Directors and senior management.
84
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
10.
NET FINANCIAL EXPENSES
Financial expenses
Interest expense
Interest on long-term debt
Interest on finance lease obligations
Accretion of provisions (Note 22)
Interest on bank overdrafts and bank loans
Net interest on defined benefit plans (Note 27)
Other finance costs
Financial revenues
Interest on bank deposits
Other financial revenues
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
Net financial expenses
11.
INCOME TAXES
Current income tax expense
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)
2019
$
259.0
28.5
20.4
3.2
1.8
25.8
338.7
(5.0 )
(8.3 )
(13.3 )
(5.3 )
320.1
2018
$
214.9
28.2
17.2
19.1
2.4
14.0
295.8
(5.0 )
(3.9 )
(8.9 )
48.4
335.3
2019
$
279.2
91.7
370.9
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
265.9
(209.8 )
56.1
The principal items which resulted in differences between the Corporation’s effective income tax rates and the combined statutory
rates in Canada are detailed as follows:
Combined statutory income tax rate in Canada(a)
Impact of other jurisdictions’ tax rates
Impact of tax rate changes
Other permanent differences
Effective income tax rate
2019
%
26.67
(4.59 )
(0.23 )
(4.93 )
16.92
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
%
26.77
0.31
(22.73 )
(1.11 )
3.24
(a) The Corporation’s combined statutory income tax rate in Canada includes the appropriate provincial income tax rates.
The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
Balance as at
April 29, 2018
$
Recognized
to earnings
$
Recognized
directly to other
comprehensive
income (loss) or
equity
$
Recognized
through business
acquisitions and
disposals
(Note 4)
$
2019
Balance as at
April 28, 2019
$
Deferred income tax assets
Property and equipment
Expenses deductible during the following
years
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Deferred charges
Tax losses and tax credits carried
forward
Asset retirement obligations
Deferred credits
Revenues taxable during the following
years
Unrealized exchange loss
1.2
(2.0 )
25.0
-
18.9
3.4
1.2
(4.6 )
-
14.4
57.5
(7.9 )
(0.1 )
(5.0 )
(0.1 )
7.8
16.5
6.8
(1.1 )
3.2
2.6
22.7
85
(1.8 )
(0.3 )
0.3
-
(1.2 )
(5.3 )
(0.4 )
(1.1 )
(0.2 )
15.7
5.7
0.5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.5
(8.0 )
(2.4 )
20.3
(0.1 )
25.5
14.6
7.6
(6.8 )
3.0
32.7
86.4
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Balance as at
April 29, 2018
$
Recognized
to earnings
$
Recognized
directly to other
comprehensive
income (loss) or
equity
$
Recognized
through business
acquisitions and
disposals
(Note 4)
$
2019
Balance as at
April 28, 2019
$
Deferred income tax liabilities
Property and equipment
Expenses deductible during the following
years
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Deferred Charges
Tax losses and tax credits carried
forward
Asset retirement obligations
Deferred credits
Revenues taxable during the following
years
Unrealized exchange (loss) gain
Investment
Other
841.8
(14.2 )
53.8
174.4
(56.3 )
(51.0 )
(58.2 )
(46.8 )
-
37.2
38.0
8.0
926.7
126.3
(52.1 )
(7.4 )
62.9
(16.8 )
77.8
(28.4 )
(4.8 )
28.8
(49.2 )
(14.2 )
(8.5 )
114.4
(16.7 )
(6.7 )
(2.4 )
(1.6 )
(1.1 )
23.1
3.0
0.4
(2.0 )
-
-
-
(4.0 )
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
951.4
(73.0 )
44.0
235.7
(74.2 )
49.9
(83.6 )
(51.2 )
26.8
(12.0 )
23.8
(0.5 )
1,037.1
Balance as at
April 30, 2017
$
Recognized
to earnings
$
Recognized
directly to other
comprehensive
income (loss) or
equity
$
Recognized
through business
acquisitions and
disposals
(Note 4)
$
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
Balance as at
April 29, 2018
$
Deferred income tax assets
Property and equipment
Expenses deductible during the following
years
Intangible assets
Goodwill
Deferred charges
Unused tax losses and unused tax
credits
Asset retirement obligations
Deferred credits
Revenues taxable during the following
years
Unrealized exchange loss (gain)
Other
Deferred income tax liabilities
Property and equipment
Goodwill
Expenses deductible during the following
years
Intangible assets
Asset retirement obligations
Unused tax losses and unused tax
credits
Deferred charges
Deferred credits
Revenues taxable during the following
years
Investment
Unrealized exchange gain
Other
21.1
16.5
-
(4.0 )
3.7
-
1.8
(7.3 )
-
1.8
6.1
39.7
742.1
94.2
(130.2 )
81.7
(63.5 )
(34.0 )
(2.7 )
(17.7 )
69.0
-
15.8
(6.6 )
748.1
(19.9 )
(18.5 )
25.0
4.0
14.9
1.4
(0.6 )
2.7
0.2
14.6
(22.9 )
0.9
(167.0 )
79.8
109.7
(39.6 )
15.8
(13.6 )
(125.4 )
(12.4 )
(69.0 )
(20.9 )
18.4
15.3
(208.9 )
-
-
-
-
0.3
2.0
-
-
(0.2 )
(2.0 )
16.8
16.9
8.4
-
(0.1 )
2.5
(0.3 )
5.7
0.1
0.1
-
(1.4 )
3.0
3.2
21.2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
258.3
0.4
6.4
9.2
(10.2 )
(9.1 )
71.7
(16.8 )
-
60.3
-
(3.9 )
366.3
1.2
(2.0 )
25.0
-
18.9
3.4
1.2
(4.6 )
-
14.4
-
57.5
841.8
174.4
(14.2 )
53.8
(58.2 )
(51.0 )
(56.3 )
(46.8 )
-
38.0
37.2
8.0
926.7
On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted the “U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, commonly referred to as the U.S. tax reform,
which resulted in the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to be reduced to 21.0% from the previous rate of 35.0%, effective
January 1, 2018.
86
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The Corporation recorded a net tax benefit of $288.3 for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018, which is mostly derived from the
remeasurement of the Corporation’s deferred income tax balances using the new U.S. statutory federal income tax rate, partly offset
by the Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax (“Transition tax”).
The losses carried forward and deductible temporary differences for which deferred tax assets have not been recognized amounted
to $1,272.5 as at April 28, 2019 ($783.3 as at April 29, 2018), of which $554.2 will reverse through Other comprehensive income
(loss) ($321.0 as at April 29, 2018).
Of these amounts, approximately $705.6 as at April 28, 2019 had no expiration date ($479.3 as at April 29, 2018). Net capital losses
can be carried forward indefinitely and can only be used against future taxable gains. Other losses carried forward and deductible
temporary differences will expire as follows:
Less than one year
One to two years
Two to three years
Three to four years
Four to five years
Five to ten years
Ten to twenty years
$
-
9.5
6.4
26.5
231.8
15.9
276.8
566.9
Deferred income tax liabilities that would be payable upon repatriation of the retained earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries
have not been recognized because such amounts are not expected to materialize in the foreseeable future. Temporary
differences related to these investments amounted to $2,685.1 ($2,177.7 in 2018).
12.
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table presents the information for the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share:
Net earnings available to Class A and B shareholders
Weighted average number of shares (in thousands)
Dilutive effect of stock options (in thousands)
Weighted average number of diluted shares (in thousands)
Basic net earnings per share available to Class A and B shareholders
Diluted net earnings per share available to Class A and B shareholders
2019
$
1,833.9
564,289
766
565,055
3.25
3.25
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
1,670.6
566,090
788
566,878
2.95
2.95
In calculating diluted net earnings per share for 2019, 161,768 stock options are excluded due to their antidilutive effect
(315,938 stock options excluded in 2018).
For fiscal 2019, the Board declared total dividends of CA 45.00¢ per share (CA 37.00¢ per share in 2018).
13.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION RELATING TO THE STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Changes in non-cash working capital
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
2019
$
40.2
(126.3 )
14.8
205.9
(55.1 )
79.5
2018
$
(299.7 )
(204.5 )
(14.4 )
343.9
(32.0 )
(206.7 )
87
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Changes in debt arising from financing activities
2019
Obligations under
finance leases and
other debts
$
372.2
Long-term debt,
excluding
obligations under
finance leases and
other debts
$
8,534.5
Obligations
under finance
leases and other
debts
$
304.7
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
Long-term
debt, excluding
obligations
under finance
leases and
other debts
$
3,050.2
(1,767.0 )
(42.9 )
4,882.9
-
-
)
(1,075.9
Balance, beginning of year
Cash flows
Net (decrease) increase in long-term debt
Repayment of debts assumed on the CST
acquisition (Note 4)
Non-cash movements
New obligations under finance leases, net
of disposals
Business acquisitions
Change in fair value of associated swaps
Amortization of financing costs
Reclassified to assets held for sale
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations
Balance, end of year
(52.2 )
-
29.6
-
-
-
-
(16.0 )
333.6
-
-
2.9
8.3
-
(160.9 )
6,617.8
29.2
63.2
-
-
(0.7 )
18.7
372.2
Changes in net other financial liabilities arising from financing activities
Balance, beginning of year
Cash flows
Settlement of derivative financial instruments
Non-cash movements
Change in fair value
Balance, end of year
14.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Trade accounts receivable and vendor rebates receivable(a)
Credit and debit cards receivable(a)
Provision for credit losses
Credit and debit cards receivable and trade accounts receivable and vendor
rebates receivable – net
Other accounts receivable
Provision for credit losses
2019
$
171.7
3.0
84.0
258.7
2019
$
846.9
801.8
(30.8 )
1,617.9
246.0
-
1,863.9
-
1,520.4
)
(6.8
6.9
-
156.8
8,534.5
2018
$
304.1
(81.3 )
(51.1 )
171.7
2018
$
989.7
784.4
(31.0 )
1,743.1
264.0
(0.7 )
2,006.4
(a) These amounts are presented net of an amount of $338.1 from Accounts payable and accrued expenses due to netting arrangements ($313.4
as at April 29, 2018).
The following table details the aging of credit and debit cards receivable and trade accounts receivable and vendor rebates
receivable on a gross basis as well as the aging of provision for expected credit loss based on expected loss rate for fiscal year
ended April 28, 2019:
Not past due
Past due 1-30 days
Past due 31-60 days
Past due 61-90 days
Past due 91 days and over
Gross carrying
amount
$
1,460.1
94.6
17.9
15.1
61.0
1,648.7
Expected loss rate
%
0.1
0.5
1.7
8.6
44.4
Loss allowance
$
1.6
0.5
0.3
1.3
27.1
30.8
88
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The following table details the aging of credit and debit cards receivable and trade accounts receivable and vendor rebates
receivable that are not impaired for fiscal year ended April 29, 2018:
Not past due
Past due 1-30 days
Past due 31-60 days
Past due 61-90 days
Past due 91 days and over
Movement in the provisions for credit loss is as follows:
Balance, beginning of year
Provision for credit loss, net of unused beginning balance
Receivables written off during the year
Effect of exchange rate variations
Balance, end of year
15.
INVENTORIES
Merchandise
Road transportation fuel
Other products
2018
$
1,554.6
128.8
16.0
21.2
22.5
1,743.1
2019
$
31.7
11.3
(10.0 )
(2.2 )
30.8
2019
$
782.7
665.2
19.8
1,467.7
2018
$
27.4
9.7
(7.7 )
2.3
31.7
2018
$
762.0
594.3
12.7
1,369.0
The cost of sales amounts presented in the consolidated statements of earnings are almost entirely composed of inventory
recognized as an expense.
16.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Year ended April 28, 2019
Net book amount, beginning
Additions
Business acquisitions (Note 4)
Disposals
Depreciation, amortization and impairment expense
Transfers
Effect of exchange rate variations
Net book amount, end(a)
As at April 28, 2019
Cost
Accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment
Net book amount (a)
Portion related to finance leases
Year ended April 29, 2018 (adjusted, Note 2)
Net book amount, beginning
Additions
Business acquisitions (Note 4)
Disposals
Depreciation and amortization expense
Transfers
Reclassified to assets held for sale
Effect of exchange rate variations
Net book amount, end(a)
As at April 29, 2018 (adjusted, Note 2)
Cost
Accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment
Net book amount (a)
Portion related to finance leases
Land
$
3,917.2
23.6
2.1
(52.1 )
(12.7 )
47.7
(97.6 )
3,828.2
3,866.4
(38.2 )
3,828.2
143.2
2,619.5
33.9
1,215.0
(41.1 )
(9.8 )
5.7
-
94.0
3,917.2
3,944.6
(27.4 )
3,917.2
147.4
Buildings and
building
components
$
Equipment(b)
$
Leasehold
improvements
$
3,306.6
98.0
4.8
(47.6 )
(273.7 )
96.1
(88.8 )
3,095.4
4,382.2
(1,286.8 )
3,095.4
105.2
2,060.8
141.0
1,208.2
(53.5 )
(278.5 )
157.7
(2.9 )
73.8
3,306.6
4,391.4
(1,084.8 )
3,306.6
122.8
3,768.7
1,060.6
3.2
(87.7 )
(553.3 )
(245.3 )
(93.3 )
3,852.9
6,368.2
(2,515.3 )
3,852.9
58.1
2,574.3
1,024.6
821.0
(59.9 )
(446.6 )
(199.8 )
(17.5 )
72.6
3,768.7
5,994.1
(2,225.4 )
3,768.7
60.1
293.3
36.0
-
(4.0 )
(69.6 )
101.5
(3.8 )
353.4
828.6
(475.2 )
353.4
-
256.8
9.0
45.5
(1.4 )
(57.6 )
36.4
-
4.6
293.3
724.9
(431.6 )
293.3
-
Total
$
11,285.8
1,218.2
10.1
(191.4 )
(909.3 )
-
(283.5 )
11,129.9
15,445.4
(4,315.5 )
11,129.9
306.5
7,511.4
1,208.5
3,289.7
(155.9 )
(792.5 )
-
(20.4 )
245.0
11,285.8
15,055.0
(3,769.2 )
11,285.8
330.3
(a) The net book amount as at April 28, 2019 includes $818.2 related to construction in progress ($677.5 as at April 29, 2018).
(b) For the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019, an impairment expense of $13.0 was recorded for this category in Depreciation, amortization and impairment of property
and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets and other assets on the consolidated statement of earnings (nil for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018).
89
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
17.
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
Net book amount, beginning of year
CAPL’s goodwill impairment
Disposal of business (Note 6)
Business acquisitions (Note 4)
Reclassified to assets held for sale
Effect of exchange rate variations
Net book amount, end of period
2019
$
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
5,845.8
(55.0 )
(25.5 )
2.2
-
(84.4 )
5,683.1
2,370.2
-
-
3,394.7
(4.4 )
85.3
5,845.8
Intangible assets
Year ended April 28, 2019
Net book amount, beginning
Additions
Business acquisitions (Note 4)
Disposals
Rent, depreciation and
amortization expense
Transfers
Effect of exchange rate
variations
Net book amount, end
As at April 28, 2019
Cost
Accumulated depreciation and
amortization
Net book amount
Year ended April 29, 2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
Net book amount, beginning
Additions
Business acquisitions (Note 4)
Disposals
Rent, depreciation and
amortization expense
Effect of exchange rate
variations
Net book amount, end
As at April 29, 2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
Cost
Accumulated depreciation and
amortization
Net book amount
Trademarks
$
Franchise
agreements
$
Software(a)
$
Fuel supply
agreements
$
Favorable
leases
$
Other
$
Total
$
275.3
-
-
(0.8 )
(10.9 )
-
(8.0 )
255.6
295.3
(39.7 )
255.6
284.4
-
25.3
(1.5 )
(41.5 )
8.6
275.3
305.2
(29.9 )
275.3
75.2
0.2
-
-
(12.3 )
-
(2.1 )
61.0
177.7
41.6
-
(0.5 )
(37.4 )
(0.9 )
(10.1 )
170.4
297.9
-
-
(1.2 )
(28.9 )
0.1
-
267.9
129.7
-
-
(1.5 )
(19.4 )
(0.1 )
(4.2 )
104.5
92.2
4.9
0.3
(0.8 )
(8.2 )
0.9
(4.3 )
85.0
1,048.0
46.7
0.3
(4.8 )
(117.1 )
-
(28.7 )
944.4
149.7
335.6
360.7
152.0
199.2
1,492.5
(88.7 )
61.0
(165.2 )
170.4
(92.8 )
267.9
(47.5 )
104.5
(114.2 )
85.0
(548.1 )
944.4
38.8
0.1
45.0
-
160.4
31.4
11.0
(0.5 )
9.4
-
315.2
(2.8 )
93.8
-
47.8
(1.6 )
83.3
0.4
8.1
(0.1 )
670.1
31.9
452.4
(6.5 )
(10.8 )
(33.1 )
(23.9 )
(15.8 )
(7.9 )
(133.0 )
2.1
75.2
8.5
177.7
-
297.9
5.5
129.7
8.4
92.2
33.1
1,048.0
158.4
315.6
364.4
162.9
208.0
1,514.5
(83.2 )
75.2
(137.9 )
177.7
(66.5 )
297.9
(33.2 )
129.7
(115.8 )
92.2
(466.5 )
1,048.0
(a) The net book amount as at April 28, 2019 includes $14.5 related to software in progress ($13.7 as at April 29, 2018).
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are allocated to CGUs based on the geographical location of the
acquired stores. Allocation as at April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018 is as follows:
CGU
Canada
United States
CAPL(a)
Scandinavia
Central and Eastern Europe
Ireland
Intangible assets with
indefinite useful lives
$
-
185.4
-
59.5
26.0
-
270.9
2019
Goodwill
$
773.8
4,313.1
73.2
444.6
11.7
66.7
5,683.1
Intangible assets with
indefinite useful lives
$
-
185.2
-
64.7
28.4
-
278.3
2018
Goodwill
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
829.1
4,320.7
128.5
482.4
12.6
72.5
5,845.8
(a) This amount is presented net of a $55.0 accumulated impairment loss as at April 28, 2019 (nil as at April 29, 2018).
90
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for the United States CGU are the Circle K trademark and licenses, which are
expected to provide economic benefits to the Corporation indefinitely. The intangible asset with indefinite useful life for the
Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe (“CEE”) CGUs is the droplet logo, which are expected to provide economic benefits
to the Corporation indefinitely. The Scandinavia CGU includes the activities of Norway, Sweden and Denmark, while the CEE
CGU includes the activities of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia.
For the annual impairment test, the recoverable amount of the CGUs is determined on the basis of their fair value less costs to
sell. The Corporation uses an approach based on Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”,
which is a non-IFRS measure) multiples of comparable corporations (Level 3) ranging from 8.7x to 11.3x to determine these
values. For CAPL, the Corporation uses an approach based on its market capitalization (Level 1) and the discounted cash flows
of its IDRs (Level 3).
During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Corporation performed its annual goodwill impairment test. As a result of the decrease in
the market capitalization of the CAPL CGU, which is fully included in the United States geographic area, and the decrease in the
fair value of the IDRs, an impairment loss on Goodwill of $55.0 was recorded to Depreciation, amortization and impairment of
property and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets, and other assets in the consolidated statement of earnings.
At the time the goodwill impairment test was performed, the recoverable amount of the Corporation’s share of the CAPL CGU was
$157.3 and the impairment loss recorded reduced the carrying amount of the goodwill for the CAPL CGU to $73.2. The recoverable
amount of the CAPL CGU was determined on the basis of its fair value less costs of disposal, which includes the Corporation’s
shares in CAPL’s market capitalization (Level 1) and the discounted cash flows of its IDRs (Level 3).
The fair value less costs of disposal of the Corporation’s shares in CAPL’s market capitalization was determined using the following
observable inputs:
CAPL’s common unit closing value as at July 23, 2018, date of the annual goodwill impairment test
Number of CAPL’s outstanding common units as at July 22, 2018
% of CAPL’s common units owned by the Corporation as at July 22, 2018
$17.41
34,433,574
21.7%
With all other variables held constant, every $1.00 decrease in CAPL’s common unit value would have increased the impairment
loss recorded by $7.5.
The fair value less costs of disposal of the IDRs was determined using discounted cash flows based on CAPL’s strategic plan which
was established by its management based on past experience. The following key assumptions were used in establishing the
recoverable amount of the IDRs and there were no changes in the valuation technique used:
Annual Distributable cash flows/Total distributions ratio(a)
Debt/Equity financing ratio on business acquisitions(b)
Discount rate(c)
Projection period of the cash flows
(a) Distributable cash flows/Total distributions ratio
1.1x to 1.2x
57/43
12.5%
4 years
Based on past experience and management’s expectations for the future. With all other variables held constant, a 0.01x increase
for each year would have increased by $1.8 the impairment loss recorded.
(b) Debt/Equity financing ratio on business acquisitions
Based on past experience and management’s expectations for the future. With all other variables held constant, a 5.00% decrease
in Debt financing (5.00% increase in Equity financing) would have increased by $2.0 the impairment loss recorded.
(c) Discount rate
The discount rate used reflects specific risks relating to the CAPL CGU and its geographic area. With all other variables held
constant, a 1.00% increase in the discount rate would have increased by $2.4 the impairment loss recorded.
Annual growth rate of CAPL’s EBITDA
In addition to the above key assumptions, in establishing the discounted cash flows of the IDRs, the Corporation considered an
annual growth rate of CAPL’s EBITDA which was determined by taking into consideration organic growth, growth generated by
business acquisitions as well as synergies.
91
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
18.
OTHER ASSETS
Environmental costs receivable (Note 22)
Deferred compensation assets
Pension benefit assets (Note 27)
Indexed deposit contract (including an embedded total return swap in 2018) (Note 28)
Deferred incentive payments
Deposits
Other
19.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(a)
Sales and excise taxes
Salaries and related benefits
Other
2019
$
75.5
49.1
36.6
39.7
38.2
14.9
52.6
306.6
2018
$
77.9
40.9
46.1
29.9
34.5
18.3
55.5
303.1
2019
$
2,550.1
767.0
275.8
324.2
3,917.1
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
2,461.6
748.4
259.8
339.4
3,809.2
(a) This amount is presented net of an amount of $261.6 from Credit and debit cards receivable and $76.5 from Trade accounts receivable and vendor rebates
receivable due to netting arrangements ($229.8 and $83.6, respectively as at April 29, 2018).
20.
LONG-TERM DEBT
US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes(a)
Canadian-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes(a)
Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes, maturing in May 2026(b)
CAPL US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit facility, without recourse to the Corporation, maturing
in April 2024(c)
NOK-denominated senior unsecured notes, maturing in February 2026(d)
US-dollar-denominated term revolving unsecured operating credit D, maturing in December 2023(e)
Acquisition facility(f)
Former CAPL US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit facility(c)
Obligations related to buildings and equipment under finance leases, with an average rate of 8.689%, payable on
various dates until 2070, and other debts
Current portion of long-term debt
2019
$
3,379.9
1,774.5
831.2
514.8
77.4
40.0
-
-
333.6
6,951.4
1,310.7
5,640.7
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
3,373.6
1,857.3
900.7
-
83.9
1,397.4
412.1
509.5
372.2
8,906.7
44.5
8,862.2
(a) Canadian- and US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation had Canadian-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes totaling CA $2,400.0, and
US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes totaling $3,400.0, divided as follows:
Tranche 2 – November 1, 2012 issuance
Tranche 3 – November 1, 2012 issuance
Tranche 4 – August 21, 2013 issuance
Tranche 5 – June 2, 2015 issuance
Tranche 6 – July 26, 2017 issuance
Tranche 7 – July 26, 2017 issuance
Tranche 8 – July 26, 2017 issuance
Tranche 9 – July 26, 2017 issuance
Tranche 10 – December 14, 2017 issuance
Tranche 11 – December 14, 2017 issuance
Notional
amount
CA $450.0
CA $250.0
CA $300.0
CA $700.0
$1,000.0
CA $700.0
$1,000.0
$500.0
$600.0
$300.0
Maturity
November 1, 2019
November 1, 2022
August 21, 2020
June 2, 2025
July 26, 2022
July 26, 2024
July 26, 2027
July 26, 2047
December 13, 2019
December 13, 2019 Three-month LIBOR
Coupon rate
3.319%
3.899%
4.214%
3.600%
2.700%
3.056%
3.550%
4.500%
2.350%
plus 0.500%
Effective rate as at
April 28, 2019
3.404%
3.963%
4.317%
3.649%
2.819%
3.133%
3.642%
4.576%
2.557%
3.358%
Interest payment dates
May 1st and November 1st
May 1st and November 1st
August 21st and February 21st
June 2nd and December 2nd
July 26th and January 26th
July 26th and January 26th
July 26th and January 26th
July 26th and January 26th
June 13th and December 13th
June 13th, September 13th,
December 13th and March 13th
Canadian-dollar-denominated notes issued on November 1, 2012, June 2, 2015 and July 26, 2017 are associated with cross-
currency interest rate swaps, and fixed interest rate US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes issued on
December 14, 2017 are subject to fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (Note 21).
Also, a portion of the US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes issued on July 26, 2017 were subject to interest rate
locks in anticipation of their issuance. The settlement of the interest rate locks on July 20, 2017 resulted in a loss which was
92
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
recognized to Accumulated other comprehensive loss and is amortized over the term of the related US-dollar-denominated
senior unsecured notes issued on July 26, 2017 as an adjustment to the related interest expense.
On May 28, 2019, subsequent to the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019, the Corporation repaid $150.0 on Tranche 11 of its
US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes.
(b) Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation had Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes totaling €750.0 with a coupon rate of
1.875% and maturing on May 6, 2026. Interest is payable annually on May 6 and the effective rate is 1.944%.
(c) CAPL US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit facility, without recourse to the Corporation
On April 1, 2019, CAPL fully repaid its credit agreement consisting of a US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit
facility of a maximum amount of $650.0, under which swing-line loans could be drawn up to $25.0 and standby letters of credit
could be issued up to an aggregate of $45.0 (the “Former CAPL US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit facility“).
On the same day, CAPL entered into a new credit agreement consisting of a US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving
credit facility of a maximum amount of $750.0, maturing on April 25, 2024, under which swing-line loans may be drawn up to
$35.0 and standby letters of credit may be issued up to an aggregate of $65.0 (the “CAPL US-dollar-denominated senior secured
revolving credit facility“). This facility replaced the Former CAPL US-dollar-denominated senior secured revolving credit facility
and is without recourse to the Corporation.
As at April 28, 2019, the effective interest rate was 4.730% (4.740% as at April 29, 2018) and CAPL was in compliance with the
restrictive provisions and ratios imposed by the credit agreement.
(d) Norwegian-krone-denominated senior unsecured notes
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation had Norwegian-krone-denominated senior unsecured notes totaling NOK 675.0 with a
coupon rate of 3.850% and maturing on February 18, 2026. Interest is payable semi-annually on April 20 and October 20 of
each year and the effective rate is 3.927%.
(e) Term revolving unsecured operating credit D
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation had a credit agreement consisting of a revolving unsecured facility of a maximum amount
of $2,525.0. The credit facility was available in the following forms:
• A term revolving unsecured operating credit, available i) in Canadian dollars, ii) in US dollars, iii) in Euros, and iv) in
the form of standby letters of credit not exceeding $150.0 or the equivalent in Canadian dollars, with applicable fees.
Depending on the form and the currency of the loan, the amounts borrowed bear interest at variable rates based on
the Canadian prime rate, the bankers’ acceptance rate, the US base rate, LIBOR or EURIBOR plus a variable
margin; and
• An unsecured line of credit in the maximum amount of $115.0, available in Canadian or US dollars, bearing interest at
variable rates based, depending on the form and currency of the loan, on the Canadian prime rate, the US prime rate
or the US base rate plus a variable margin.
Standby fees, which vary based on the Corporation’s credit rating, were applied to the unused portion of the credit facility. Letters
of credit fees and the variable margin used to determine the interest rate applicable to borrowed amounts were determined
according to the Corporation’s credit rating as well. Under this credit agreement, the Corporation must maintain certain financial
ratios and respect certain restrictive provisions.
On November 9, 2018, this operating credit’s maturity was extended to December 2023 and the maximum amount available on
the unsecured line of credit was increased from $50.0 to $115.0.
As at April 28, 2019, the term revolving unsecured operating credit was unused ($1,370.4 borrowed with a weighted average
effective interest rate of 3.236% as at April 29, 2018) and the Corporation had $40.0 borrowed on the unsecured line of credit
($27.0 as at April 29, 2018) bearing interests at 5.625%. The Corporation was in compliance with the restrictive provisions and
ratios imposed by the credit agreement.
(f) Acquisition facility
Tranche C of the acquisition facility was fully repaid by the Corporation during fiscal 2019.
US-dollar denominated unsecured non-revolving credit facility
On November 28, 2018, the Corporation entered into a new credit agreement consisting of an unsecured non-revolving credit
facility of an aggregate maximum amount of $213.5, maturing June 27, 2020.
93
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The unsecured non-revolving credit facility was available exclusively to repay a portion of amounts outstanding in principal,
interest and fees under the acquisition facility. The unsecured non-revolving credit facility was available in US dollars by way of
loans bearing interest at the US base rate or the LIBOR rate plus 0.850%.
The unsecured non-revolving credit facility was fully repaid by the Corporation on April 26, 2019.
Term revolving unsecured operating credit F
During the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019, the Corporation canceled its unused term revolving unsecured operating credit F,
which was unused as at April 29, 2018.
Bank overdraft facilities
The Corporation had access to bank overdraft facilities totaling approximately $65.2 as at April 28, 2019 ($165.4 as at
April 29, 2018). As at April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018, they were unused.
Letters of credit
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation had outstanding letters of credit related to its own operations of $81.0 ($97.9 as at
April 29, 2018), of which $12.6 ($16.1 as at April 29, 2018) reduced funds available under the Corporation’s term revolving
unsecured operating credit D.
21.
INTEREST RATE AND CROSS-CURRENCY SWAPS
The Corporation has entered into cross-currency interest rate swap agreements, allowing it to synthetically convert a portion of
its Canadian-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes into US dollars.
Receive – Notional Receive – Rate Pay – Notional
Pay – Rate
Maturity
Fair value as at (Note 28)
CA $2,100.0
From 3.056% to
3.899%
US $1,829.3
From 2.733% to
3.870%
From November 1, 2019
to June 2, 2025
Current portion of financial liabilities
Other long-term financial liabilities
April 28, 2019
April 29, 2018
$
250.1
115.0
135.1
$
166.7
-
166.7
These agreements are designated as foreign exchange hedges of the Corporation’s net investment in its operations in the United
States.
In addition to the agreements presented in the table above, the Corporation enters from time to time into short-term cross-
currency interest rate swap agreements. As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation was not taking part in any of these agreements.
As at April 29, 2018, these agreements had a fair value of $1.8 and are presented in Other short-term financial assets.
Furthermore, the Corporation has entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements, synthetically converting its
Tranche 10 fixed interest rate US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes to floating interest rates. These agreements
became effective on December 14, 2017, and all mature on December 13, 2019.
Notional amount
Receive – Rate
Pay – Rate
Fair value as at (Note 28)
$
600.0
2.350%
Three-month LIBOR plus rates
varying from 0.350% to 0.355%
April 29, 2018
$
3.9
April 29, 2018
$
6.8
These agreements are designated as fair value hedges of the Corporation’s US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes
issued on December 14, 2017, which have a carrying amount of $595.4 and are presented in Current portion of long-term debt
on the consolidated balance sheet as at April 28, 2019. This carrying amount includes an accumulated amount of fair value
hedge adjustments of $3.9 and no ineffectiveness was recognized during the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019 in relation with
this fair value hedge designation.
94
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
22.
PROVISIONS
The reconciliation of the Corporation’s main provisions is as follows:
Asset
retirement
obligations(a)
$
Provision for
environmental
costs(b)
$
Restructuring
provision(c)
$
Provision for
workers’
compensation(d)
$
Provision
for general
liability(d)
$
2019
Balance, beginning of year
Business acquisitions (Note 4)
Liabilities incurred
Liabilities settled
Accretion expense
Reversal of provisions
Change in estimates
Effect of exchange rate variations
Balance, end of year
Current portion
Long-term portion
2018 (adjusted, Note 2)
Balance, beginning of year
Business acquisitions (Note 4)
Liabilities incurred
Liabilities settled
Accretion expense
Reversal of provisions
Change in estimates
Reclassified to assets held for sale
Effect of exchange rate variations
Balance, end of year
Current portion
Long-term portion
465.9
0.2
2.7
(5.4 )
18.2
(4.9 )
(5.8 )
(18.7 )
452.2
72.1
380.1
368.1
75.8
3.1
(7.3 )
15.8
(6.0 )
3.3
(0.6 )
13.7
465.9
80.9
385.0
180.1
-
14.4
(19.8 )
1.6
(6.8 )
1.4
(4.2 )
166.7
47.4
119.3
159.2
29.9
9.1
(10.1 )
0.8
(7.7 )
(4.3 )
-
3.2
180.1
45.5
134.6
20.4
-
10.5
(14.2 )
-
(1.0 )
-
(0.8 )
14.9
14.3
0.6
12.5
-
56.9
(49.7 )
-
-
-
-
0.7
20.4
17.6
2.8
44.1
-
23.5
(25.6 )
0.5
(0.1 )
(1.4 )
(0.3 )
40.7
12.5
28.2
35.3
4.9
26.0
(21.7 )
0.5
-
(1.2 )
-
0.3
44.1
20.1
24.0
36.0
-
27.5
(24.5 )
0.1
(0.1 )
3.3
-
42.3
8.7
33.6
35.4
3.3
19.5
(18.0 )
0.1
(0.1 )
(4.2 )
-
-
36.0
12.1
23.9
Other
$
43.6
-
4.2
(11.0 )
-
(2.8 )
-
(0.7 )
33.3
5.0
28.3
9.4
33.8
4.6
(4.4 )
-
(0.6 )
-
-
0.8
43.6
3.2
40.4
Total
$
790.1
0.2
82.8
(100.5 )
20.4
(15.7 )
(2.5 )
(24.7 )
750.1
160.0
590.1
619.9
147.7
119.2
(111.2 )
17.2
(14.4 )
(6.4 )
(0.6 )
18.7
790.1
179.4
610.7
(a) The total undiscounted amount of estimated cash flows to settle the asset retirement obligations is approximately $826.6 and is expected to be incurred over
the next 40 years. Should changes occur in estimated future removal costs, tank useful lives, lease terms or governmental regulatory requirements, revisions
to the liability could be made.
(b) Environmental costs should be disbursed over the next 20 years.
(c) Restructuring costs should be settled over the next two years.
(d) Workers’ compensation and general liability indemnities should be disbursed over the next five years.
Environmental costs
The Corporation is subject to Canadian, United States and European legislation governing the storage, handling and sale of
road transportation fuel and other petroleum-based products. The Corporation considers that it is compliant with all important
aspects of current environmental legislation.
The Corporation has an ongoing training program for its employees on environmental issues and performs preventative site
testing and site restoration in cooperation with regulatory authorities. The Corporation also examines its motor fuel equipment
annually.
In most of the U.S. states in which the Corporation operates, with the exception of Alaska, California, Florida, Iowa, Maryland,
New York, Oregon, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin, the Corporation participates in a state fund to cover the
cost of certain environmental remediation activities after the applicable trust fund deductible is met, which varies by state. These
state funds provide insurance for motor fuel facilities operations to cover some of the costs of cleaning up certain environmental
contamination caused by the use of road transportation fuel equipment. Road transportation fuel storage tank registration fees
and/or a motor fuel tax in each of the states finance the trust funds. The Corporation pays annual registration fees and remits
sales taxes to applicable states. Insurance coverage differs from state to state.
In order to provide for the above-mentioned environmental costs, the Corporation has recorded a $166.7 provision for
environmental costs as at April 28, 2019 ($180.1 as at April 29, 2018). Furthermore, the Corporation has recorded an amount
of $87.3 for environmental costs receivable from trust funds as at April 28, 2019 ($87.0 as at April 29, 2018), of which
$11.8 ($9.1 as at April 29, 2018) is included in Accounts receivable and $75.5 in Other assets.
95
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
23.
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Unfavorable leases
Deferred compensation liabilities
Deferred rent expense
Deposits
Deferred credits
Deferred branding credits
Other liabilities
24.
CAPITAL STOCK
Authorized
Unlimited number of shares without par value
2019
$
102.7
75.2
55.6
39.4
29.5
22.9
23.7
349.0
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
130.9
63.7
60.3
36.9
19.2
16.1
24.2
351.3
•
First and second preferred shares issuable in series, non-voting, ranking prior to other classes of shares with respect
to dividends and payment of capital upon dissolution. The Board of Directors is authorized to determine the designation,
rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions relating to each series of shares prior to their issuance.
• Class A multiple voting and participating shares, ten votes per share except for certain situations which provide for only
one vote per share, convertible into Class B subordinate voting shares on a share-for-share basis at the holder’s option.
Under the articles of amendment, no new Class A multiple voting shares may be issued.
• Class B subordinate voting and participating shares, convertible automatically into Class A multiple voting shares on a
share-for-share basis on the earlier of the following:
o When all 4 of the Corporation’s co-founders will have reached the age of 65 years old; or
o When all 4 of the Corporation’s co-founders will hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50% of the voting rights
attached to all of the Corporation’s outstanding Class A multiple voting shares and Class B subordinate voting
shares.
The order of priority for the payment of dividends is as follows:
First preferred shares;
•
• Second preferred shares; and
• Class B subordinate voting shares and Class A multiple voting shares, ranking pari passu.
Issued and fully paid
The changes in the number of outstanding shares are as follows:
Class A multiple voting shares
Balance, beginning of year
Conversion into Class B shares
Balance, end of year
Class B subordinate voting shares
Balance, beginning of year
Issued on conversion of Class A shares
Repurchased and cancelled shares(a) (b)
Stock options exercised
Balance, end of year
2019
2018
132,023,873
(5,114,923 )
126,908,950
147,766,540
(15,742,667 )
132,023,873
432,194,025
5,114,923
-
192,962
437,501,910
420,683,538
15,742,667
(4,372,923 )
140,743
432,194,025
(a) Share repurchase program
On April 8, 2019, the Toronto Stock Exchange approved the implementation of a new share repurchase program, which took
effect on April 10, 2019. This program allows the Corporation to repurchase up to 16,977,576 Class B subordinate voting shares,
representing 4.00% of the 424,439,404 Class B subordinate voting shares of the public float issued and outstanding as at
April 5, 2019 (3.88% of the 437,425,103 Class B subordinate voting shares issued and outstanding as at April 5, 2019). In
accordance with the Toronto Stock Exchange requirements, the Corporation is entitled to purchase, on any trading day, up to a
total of 245,374 Class B subordinate voting shares representing 25.00% of the net average daily trading volume of the Class B
subordinate voting shares for the six-month period preceding April 1, 2019. When making such repurchases, the number of
Class B subordinate voting shares in circulation is reduced and the proportionate interest of all remaining shareholders in the
96
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Corporation’s share capital is increased on a pro rata basis. All shares repurchased under the share repurchase program will be
cancelled upon repurchase. The share repurchase period will end no later than April 9, 2020.
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation had not repurchased any Class B subordinate voting shared under the share repurchase
program.
During the month of May 2019, subsequent to the fiscal year ended April 28, 2019, the Corporation repurchased 245,274 Class B
subordinate voting shares under its share repurchase program, for a net amount of $14.4. All shares repurchased were
cancelled.
(b) Share repurchase and conversion
On October 11, 2017, the Corporation repurchased 4,372,923 Class B subordinate voting shares held by Metro Canada Holdings
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Metro Inc., for a net amount of $193.1. The Class A shares held by Metro Canada Holdings
Inc. were converted into an equivalent number of Class B shares before the repurchase. The transaction closed on
October 17, 2017, and all shares repurchased were cancelled. The dividend deemed to have been paid to Metro Canada
Holdings Inc. as a result of this repurchase was an eligible dividend within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the
Taxation Act (Quebec).
25.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND OTHER STOCK-BASED PAYMENTS
Stock option plan
The Corporation has a stock option plan (the “Plan”) under which it has authorized the grant of up to 50,676,000 stock options
for the purchase of its Class B subordinate voting shares.
Stock options have up to a 10-year term, vest 20.0% on the date of the grant and cumulatively thereafter on each anniversary
date of the grant and are exercisable at the designated market price on the date of the grant. The grant price of each stock
option shall not be set below the weighted average closing price for a board lot of the Class B shares on the Toronto Stock
Exchange for the five days preceding the grant. Each stock option is exercisable into one Class B share of the Corporation at
the price specified in the terms of the stock option. To enable option holders to proceed with a cashless exercise of their options,
the Plan allows them to elect to receive a number of subordinate shares equivalent to the difference between the total number
of subordinate shares underlying the options exercised and the number of subordinate shares required to settle the exercise of
the options.
The table below presents the status of the Corporation’s Plan as at April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018 and the changes therein
during the years then ended:
Outstanding, beginning of year
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Outstanding, end of year
Exercisable, end of year
Number of
stock options
1,726,482
163,593
(224,982 )
(12,297 )
1,652,796
1,333,419
2019
Weighted average
exercise price
CA $
33.36
61.86
10.03
54.29
39.20
Number of
stock options
1,715,070
161,682
(150,270 )
-
1,726,482
2018
Weighted average
exercise price
CA $
28.27
61.43
5.43
-
33.36
34.07
1,290,792
27.08
For options exercised in fiscal 2019, the weighted average share price at the date of exercise was CA $71.87 (CA $62.86 in
2018).
The following table presents information on the stock options outstanding and exercisable as at April 28, 2019:
Range of
exercise prices
CA $
4 – 16
16 – 35
35 – 65
Options outstanding
Number of
stock options
outstanding as at
April 28, 2019
Weighted average
remaining contractual
life (years)
345,270
648,891
658,635
1,652,796
1.54
5.41
7.72
97
Options exercisable
Weighted
average
exercise price
CA $
8.74
34.44
59.88
Number of
stock options
exercisable as at
April 28, 2019
345,270
648,891
339,258
1,333,419
Weighted
average
exercise price
CA $
8.74
34.44
59.12
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The fair value of stock options granted is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model on the basis
of the following weighted average assumptions for the stock options granted during the year:
Expected dividends (per share)
Expected volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life
2019
CA $0.40
24%
2.12%
8 years
2018
CA $0.36
25%
1.77%
8 years
The fair value of stock options granted was CA $17.67 in 2019 (weighted average fair value of CA $17.55 in 2018).
For 2019, the compensation cost charged to the consolidated statements of earnings amounts to $2.4 ($2.2 in 2018).
Deferred share unit plan
The Corporation has a DSU plan for the benefit of its external directors which allows them, at their option, to receive all or a
portion of their annual compensation and directors’ fee in the form of DSUs. A DSU is a notional unit, equivalent in value to the
Corporation’s Class B share. Upon leaving the Board of Directors, participants are entitled to receive the payment of their
cumulated DSUs either in a) the form of cash based on the price of the Corporation’s Class B shares as traded on the open
market on the date of payment, or b) Class B shares bought by the Corporation on the open market on behalf of the participant.
The DSU expense and the related liability are recorded at the grant date. The liability is adjusted periodically to reflect any
variation in the market value of the Class B shares. As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation had a total of 176,982 DSUs outstanding
(260,374 as at April 29, 2018) and an obligation related to this plan of $10.4 ($11.5 as at April 29, 2018) was recorded in Deferred
credits and other liabilities. The exposure to the Corporation’s share price risk is managed with an embedded total return swap
(Note 28). For 2019, the net compensation cost amounted to $0.9 ($0.5 of net compensation recovery in 2018).
Phantom stock units
The Corporation has a PSU plan allowing the Board of Directors, through its Human Resources and Corporate Governance
Committee, to grant PSUs to the officers and selected key employees of the Corporation (the “participants”). A PSU is a notional
unit whose value is based on the weighted average reported closing price for a board lot of the Corporation’s Class B
subordinated voting share (the “Class B share”) on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five trading days immediately preceding
the grant date. The PSU provides the participant with the opportunity to earn a cash award. Each PSU initially granted vests no
later than one day prior to the third anniversary of the grant date subject, namely, to the achievement of performance objectives
of the Corporation, based on external and internal benchmarks, over a three-year performance period. PSUs are antidilutive
since they are payable solely in cash.
The table below presents the status of the Corporation’s PSU plan as at April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018 and the changes
therein during the years then ended in number of units:
Outstanding, beginning of year
Granted
Paid
Forfeited
Outstanding, end of year
2019
725,652
296,996
(162,534 )
(109,722 )
750,392
2018
727,331
311,541
(297,712 )
(15,508 )
725,652
As at April 28, 2019, an obligation related to this notional unit allocation plan of $9.2 was recorded in Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities ($4.1 as at April 29, 2018) and $12.4 was recorded in Deferred credits and other liabilities ($7.3 as at
April 29, 2018). The price risk of this obligation is also managed with the embedded total return swap (Note 28). For 2019, the
compensation cost amounted to $12.1 ($6.8 for 2018).
98
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
26.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
As at April 28, 2019
Attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Items that may be reclassified to earnings
Cumulative translation
adjustments
$
Net investment
hedge
$
Cash flow
hedge
$
(496.1 )
-
(496.1 )
(354.3 )
(6.1 )
(348.2 )
(7.0 )
1.3
(8.3 )
Will never be
reclassified to
earnings
Cumulative net
actuarial loss
$
(6.9 )
(2.9 )
(4.0 )
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
$
(864.3 )
(7.7 )
(856.6 )
Attributable to shareholders of the Corporation
Items that may be reclassified to earnings
Cumulative translation
adjustments
$
Net investment
hedge
$
(287.4 )
-
(287.4 )
(266.4 )
(2.7 )
(263.7 )
Cash flow
hedge
$
(14.0 )
(0.5 )
(13.5 )
Will never be
reclassified to
earnings
Cumulative net
actuarial loss
$
(3.1 )
(1.4 )
(1.7 )
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
$
(570.9 )
(4.6 )
(566.3 )
Balance, before income taxes
Less: Income taxes
Balance, net of income taxes
As at April 29, 2018
Balance, before income taxes
Less: Income taxes
Balance, net of income taxes
27.
EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS
The Corporation has a number of funded and unfunded defined benefit and defined contribution plans that provide retirement
benefits to certain employees.
Defined benefit plans
The Corporation measures its accrued defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for accounting purposes on
the last Sunday of April of each year.
The Corporation has defined benefit plans in Canada, the United States, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. Those plans provide
benefits based on average earnings at retirement, or based on the years with the highest salaries and the number of years of
service. The most recent actuarial valuation of the pension plans for funding purposes was as at December 31, 2018, and the
next required valuation will be as at December 31, 2019.
Some plans include benefit adjustments in line with the consumer price index, whereas most of them do not provide such
adjustments. The majority of the benefit payments are from trustee-administered funds. However, there is also a number of
unfunded plans where the Corporation meets the benefit payment obligation as it falls due. Plan assets held in trusts are
governed by local regulations and practice in each country, as is the nature of the relationship between the Corporation and the
trustees and their composition. Responsibility for governance of the plans, investment decisions and contribution schedules lies
jointly with the plan committees and the Corporation.
Reconciliation of the funded status of the benefit plans to the amount recorded in the consolidated financial statements:
Present value of defined benefit obligation for funded pension plans
Fair value of plans’ assets
Net funded status of funded plans – net surplus
Present value of defined benefit obligation for unfunded pension plans
Net accrued pension benefit liability
2019
$
(125.9 )
165.9
40.0
(96.0 )
(56.0 )
2018
$
(124.9 )
172.2
47.3
(101.2 )
(53.9 )
The pension benefit asset of $36.6 ($46.1 as at April 29, 2018) is included in Other assets and the Pension benefit liability of
$92.6 ($100.0 as at April 29, 2018) is presented separately in the consolidated balance sheets.
99
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The defined benefit obligation and plan assets are composed by country as follows:
2019
Present value of defined benefit obligation
Fair value of plans’ assets
Funded status of plan – (deficit) surplus
2018
Present value of defined benefit obligation
Fair value of plans’ assets
Funded status of plan – (deficit) surplus
Canada
$
(57.6 )
21.4
(36.2 )
(59.6 )
22.0
(37.6 )
United States
$
(14.5 )
-
(14.5 )
Norway
$
(34.9 )
1.8
(33.1 )
Sweden
$
(106.3 )
142.7
36.4
Ireland
$
(8.6 )
-
(8.6 )
(14.1 )
-
(14.1 )
(40.4 )
2.0
(38.4 )
(102.7 )
148.2
45.5
(9.3 )
-
(9.3 )
As at the measurement date, the plans’ assets consisted of:
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities
Debt instruments
Government
Corporate
Real estate
Other assets
Total
Quoted
$
0.3
88.7
Unquoted
$
-
-
66.5
4.0
-
5.5
165.0
-
-
0.9
-
0.9
Total
$
0.3
88.7
66.5
4.0
0.9
5.5
165.9
2019
Plan’s assets
allocation
%
0.2
53.5
40.1
2.4
0.5
3.3
100.0
Quoted
$
0.1
92.8
68.2
4.8
-
5.4
171.3
Unquoted
$
-
-
-
-
0.9
-
0.9
The Corporation’s pension benefit expense for the fiscal year is determined as follows:
Current service cost, net of employee contributions
Administrative expenses
Pension expense for the year
Net interest expense
Curtailment gain
Amount recognized in earnings for the year
2019
$
3.7
0.1
3.8
1.8
(2.7 )
2.9
The amount recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) for the fiscal year is determined as follows:
Losses (gains) from change in financial assumptions
Experience gains
Return on assets (excluding amounts included in interest income)
Amount recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss)
2019
$
16.7
(4.9 )
(8.0 )
3.8
Total
$
0.1
92.8
68.2
4.8
0.9
5.4
172.2
2018
$
3.6
0.1
3.7
2.4
(0.6 )
5.5
2018
$
(1.9 )
(4.5 )
(26.3 )
(32.7 )
Total
$
(221.9 )
165.9
(56.0 )
(226.1 )
172.2
(53.9 )
2018
Plan’s assets
allocation
%
0.1
53.9
39.6
2.8
0.5
3.1
100.0
The Corporation expects to make a contribution of $5.8 to the defined benefit plans during the next fiscal year.
The significant weighted average actuarial assumptions, which management considers the most likely to determine the accrued
benefit obligations and the pension expense, are the following:
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Rate of benefit increase
Rate of social security base amount
increase (G-amount)
Canada United States Norway Sweden
%
%
2.25
4.00
2.75
3.00
1.75
2.00
%
2.50
2.75
0.80
%
3.30
3.00
2.00
Ireland Canada United States Norway
%
2.50
2.50
0.10
%
4.25
4.00
2.00
%
3.65
3.71
2.00
%
1.20
-
1.30
2019
Sweden
%
2.75
2.75
1.75
2018
Ireland
%
1.50
-
1.60
-
-
2.50
2.75
-
-
-
2.25
2.75
-
The Corporation uses mortality tables provided by regulatory authorities and actuarial associations in each country. The social
security base amount (G-amount) is the expected increase of pensions paid from the state. In some European countries, the
Corporation is responsible for the difference between what the pensioners receive from the state and the entitled pension based
on their salary at the time of retirement.
The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation of the Corporation is 20 years.
100
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to changes in the weighted principal actuarial assumptions is as follows:
Change in assumption
Increase in assumption
Decrease in assumption
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Rate of benefit increase
Increase of life expectancy
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
1 year
Decrease by 9.5%
Increase by 2.2%
Increase by 7.7%
Increase by 4.1%
Increase by 10.6%
Decrease by 2.9%
Decrease by 7.7%
-
The above sensitivity analysis is based on a change in an assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice,
this is unlikely to occur, because changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the above sensitivity
analysis, the same method has been applied as when calculating the pension liability recognized in the consolidated balance
sheets.
Through its defined benefit pension plans, the Corporation is exposed to the following risks:
Asset returns: The value of the defined benefit pension plan obligations is calculated using a discount rate set with reference to
corporate bond yields. If plan assets underperform this yield, this will create a deficit. All of the capitalized plans hold a significant
proportion of equities, which are expected to outperform corporate bonds in the long term. Furthermore, the Corporation actively
monitors the performance of the assets to ensure the expected return. To mitigate the risks of assets underperforming,
investment policies require a diversified portfolio that spreads risk across different types of instruments.
Changes in bond yields: A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase defined benefit pension plan obligations. However,
this same decrease will increase existing bond values held by the various plans.
Change in demographic assumptions: A change in demographic assumptions (rate of salary increase or pension increase,
change in mortality tables) will increase or decrease the obligation.
For funded plans, the individual plans have investment policy objectives to bring investment average duration in line with the
average expected life of the obligation and scheduled benefit payments. The Corporation and the trustees actively monitor the
duration and the expected yield of the investments to ensure they match the expected cash outflows arising from the pension
benefit payments. Also, as presented above, to mitigate the risks, the investments are well diversified. The Corporation does
not use derivatives to offset its risk and has not changed the processes from the previous fiscal year.
In Europe, it is the Corporation’s responsibility to make or not to make contributions to the defined benefit plans. The Corporation
contributes to these plans except when they are overcapitalized. For funded plans that are running a deficit, the Corporation
makes payments based on the actuaries’ recommendations and existing regulations. The Corporation is committed to making
special payments in the coming years to eliminate the deficit. These contributions have no significant impact on the Corporation’s
cash flows. The Corporation does not have a funded plan in the United States.
Defined contribution plans
The Corporation’s total pension expense under its defined contribution plans and mandatory governmental plans for the fiscal
year 2019 is $125.0 ($104.1 for 2018).
Deferred compensation plan – United States operations
The Corporation sponsors a deferred compensation plan that allows certain employees in its United States operations to defer
up to 25.0% of their base salary and 100.0% of their cash bonuses for any given year. Interest accrued on the deferral and
amounts due to the participants are generally payable on retirement, except in certain limited circumstances. Obligations under
this plan amount to $52.4 as at April 28, 2019 ($44.4 as at April 29, 2018) and are included in Deferred credits and other liabilities.
The assets of the plan are held in a trust and are subject to the claims of the Corporation’s general creditors under federal and
state laws in the event of insolvency, the trust therefore qualifies as a Rabbi trust for income tax purposes. The plan’s assets
mainly consist of mutual funds and are classified as investments measured at fair value through earnings or loss. Assets under
this plan amount to $49.1 as at April 28, 2019 ($40.9 as at April 29, 2018) and are included in Other assets (Note 18).
101
Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
28.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Financial risk management objectives and policies
The Corporation’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: foreign currency risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity
risk and price risk. The Corporation uses cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge its foreign currency risk related to its net
investments in its operations in the United States, Norway, Denmark, the Baltics and Ireland. The Corporation also uses from
time to time interest rate locks to hedge the interest rates on forecasted debt issuance, and fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps
to hedge the interest rates associated with fixed interest rate debt.
The Corporation’s risk management is predominantly controlled by its treasury department and its road transportation fuel and
other fossil fuel supply group under policies approved by the Board of Directors. These groups controlling risk management
identify, evaluate and hedge financial risks in close co-operation with the Corporation’s operating units. The Board of Directors
provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as policies covering specific areas, such as foreign currency risk,
interest rate risk, credit risk, use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments, investment of excess
liquidity and capital risk management.
Foreign currency risk
A large portion of the Corporation’s consolidated revenues and expenses are received or denominated in the functional currency
of the business units operating in the markets in which it does business. Accordingly, the Corporation’s sensitivity to variations
in foreign exchange rates is economically limited.
The Corporation is exposed to foreign currency risk with respect to its cash and cash equivalents denominated in foreign
currencies, long-term debt denominated in US dollars, its Norwegian-krone and Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes and
the cross-currency interest rate swaps, a portion of which are designated as net investment hedges of its operations in the United
States, Norway, Denmark, the Baltics and Ireland. As the Corporation uses the US dollar as its reporting currency, part of these
impacts is compensated by the translation of the Canadian-dollar consolidated financial statements into US dollars. For the long-
term debt denominated in US dollars, Norwegian-krone and Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes and cross-currency
interest rate swaps, as at April 28, 2019 and with all other variables held constant, a hypothetical variation of 5.0% of the
US-dollar would have had a net impact of $36.0 on Other comprehensive income (loss) which would be offset by equivalent
amounts from the hedged net investments. For the cash and cash equivalent denominated in foreign currencies, as at
April 28, 2019 and with all other variables held constant, a hypothetical variation of 5.0% of the US-dollar would have had a net
impact of $8.3 on Other comprehensive income (loss).
Interest rate risk
The Corporation’s fixed rate long-term debt is exposed to a risk of change in fair value due to changes in interest rates. To
mitigate a portion of this risk, the Corporation has entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps in order to hedge a portion of
the interest rate fair value risk associated with fixed interest rate debt.
The Corporation is exposed to a risk of change in cash flows due to changes in interest rates on its variable rate long-term debt.
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation did not hold any derivative instruments to mitigate this risk. The Corporation analyzes its
cash flow exposure on an ongoing basis. Various scenarios are simulated taking into consideration refinancing, renewal of
existing positions, alternative financing and hedging. Based on these scenarios, the Corporation calculates the impact on net
financial expenses of a defined interest rate shift. Based on variable rate and synthetically variable rate long-term debt balances
as at April 28, 2019, the annual impact on net financial expenses of a 1.0% shift in interest rates would have been $14.2
($31.9 based on balances as at April 29, 2018).
The Corporation is exposed to a risk of change in cash flows due to changes in interest rates on future debt issuance. To mitigate
this risk, the Corporation enters from time to time into interest rate locks in order to hedge the interest rates on forecasted debt
issuance.
Credit risk
The Corporation is exposed to credit risk with respect to Cash and cash equivalents, Trade accounts receivable and vendor
rebates receivable, Credit and debit cards receivable, the indexed deposit contract including an embedded total return swap and
derivative financial instruments when their fair value is favorable to the Corporation.
Key elements of the Corporation’s credit risk management approach include credit risk policies, credit mandates, an internal
credit rating process, credit risk mitigation tools and continuous monitoring and management of credit exposures. Prior to
entering into transactions with new counterparties, the Corporation’s credit policy requires counterparties to be formally identified,
approved, and assigned internal credit ratings as well as exposure limits. Once established, counterparties are reassessed
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
according to policy and monitored on a regular basis. Counterparty risk assessments are based on a quantitative and qualitative
analysis of recent financial statements, when available, and other relevant business information. In addition, the Corporation
evaluates any past payment performance, the counterparties’ size and business diversification, and the inherent industry risk.
The internal credit ratings reflect the Corporation’s assessment of the counterparties’ credit risk. The Corporation has maximum
credit exposures for individual counterparties. The Corporation monitors outstanding balances and individual exposures against
limits on a regular basis.
Credit risk related to Trade accounts receivable and vendor rebates receivable related to convenience store operations is limited
considering the nature of the Corporation’s activities and its counterparties. As at April 28, 2019, no single creditor accounted
for over 10.0% of total Trade accounts receivable and vendor rebates receivable and the related maximum credit risk exposure
corresponds to their carrying amount.
The Corporation mitigates the credit risk related to Cash and cash equivalents and Credit and debit cards receivable by dealing
with major financial institutions that have very low or minimal credit risk. As at April 28, 2019, the maximum credit risk exposure
related to Cash and cash equivalents and Credit and debit cards receivable corresponds to their carrying amount in addition to
the credit risk exposure related to the Circle K/MasterCard credit cards as described below.
In some European markets, customers can settle their purchases at the Corporation’s multiple points of sale or at any other
merchants with a combined Circle K/MasterCard credit card. The Corporation has entered into agreements whereby the risks
and rewards related to the credit cards, such as fee income, administration expenses and bad debt, are shared between the
Corporation and external banks. Outstanding balances are charged to the customer monthly. The Corporation’s exposure as at
April 28, 2019, relates to receivables of $147.2, of which $64.5 was interest-bearing. These receivables from cardholders are
not recognized in the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheet. For fiscal year 2019, the expensed losses were not significant.
In light of accurate credit assessments and continuous monitoring of outstanding balances, the Corporation believes that the
credits do not represent any significant risk. The income and risks related to these arrangements with the banks are reported,
settled and accounted for on a monthly basis.
The Corporation is exposed to credit risk arising from the indexed deposit contract containing an embedded total return swap
and from derivative financial instruments when their fair value is favorable to the Corporation. In accordance with its risk
management policy, to reduce this risk, the Corporation has entered into these derivatives with major financial institutions with
a very low credit risk.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Corporation will encounter difficulties in meeting its obligations associated with financial liabilities
and lease commitments. The Corporation is exposed to this risk mainly through its Long-term debt, Accounts payable and
accrued expenses, lease agreements and derivative financial instruments when their fair value is unfavorable to the Corporation.
The Corporation’s liquidity is provided mainly by cash flows from operating activities and borrowings available under its revolving
credit facilities.
On an ongoing basis, the Corporation monitors rolling forecasts of its liquidity reserve on the basis of expected cash flows taking
into account operating needs, the tax situation and capital requirements and ensures that it has sufficient flexibility under its
available liquidity resources to meet its obligations.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
The contractual maturities of financial liabilities and their related interest as at April 28, 2019, are as follows:
Carrying
amount
$
Contractual
cash flows
$
Less than one
year
$
Between one
and two years
$
Between two
and five years
$
More than five
years
$
Non-derivative financial liabilities(1)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(2)
US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes
Canadian-dollar-denominated senior unsecured
3,091.5
3,379.9
3,091.5
4,458.6
3,091.5
1,006.1
notes
1,774.5
2,041.5
395.7
US-dollar-denominated term revolving unsecured
operating credit D
Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes
CAPL senior secured revolving credit facility
NOK-denominated senior unsecured notes
Obligations related to buildings and equipment
under finance leases and other debts(3)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps payable(1)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps receivable(1)
Fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps payable(1)
40.0
831.2
514.8
77.4
333.6
250.1
3.9
10,296.9
40.0
960.3
638.0
98.2
488.4
2,119.3
(1,805.1 )
3.7
12,134.4
40.0
15.7
24.4
3.0
64.6
512.6
(386.3 )
3.7
4,771.0
-
85.0
268.8
-
15.7
24.4
3.0
80.0
48.9
(41.8 )
-
484.0
-
1,214.5
303.4
-
47.0
589.2
9.0
133.4
388.6
(303.4 )
-
2,381.7
-
2,153.0
1,073.6
-
881.9
-
83.2
210.4
1,169.2
(1,073.6 )
-
4,497.7
(1) Based on spot rates, as at April 28, 2019, for balances in Canadian dollars, in Norwegian krone, in Euros and for balances bearing interest at variable rates.
(2) Excludes deferred credits as well as statutory accounts payable and accrued liabilities such as sales taxes, excise taxes and property taxes.
(3) For these items, the present value of future minimum payments as at April 28, 2019 is broken down as follows:
Less than one year
One to five years
More than five years
Price risk
Obligations related to
buildings and equipment
under finance leases
$
40.2
134.7
153.4
328.3
Other debts
$
1.2
3.6
0.5
5.3
Total
$
41.4
138.3
153.9
333.6
The Corporation’s sales of refined oil products, which include road transportation fuel and energy for stationary engines,
constitute a material share of its gross profit. As a result, its business, financial position, results of operation and cash flows are
affected by changes in the commodity prices of such products. The Corporation seeks to pass on any changes in purchase
prices to its customers by adjusting sale prices to reflect changes in refined oil product prices. The time lag between a change
in refined oil product prices and a change of prices of fuel sold by the Corporation can impact the gross profit on sales of these
products. From time to time, based on purchases timing and price risk assessments, the Corporation enters into
commodity financial derivatives to mitigate a portion of this risk for its sales and purchases of road transportation fuel and other
fossil fuels. As at April 28, 2019, the notional volume of such financial derivatives was 95,000 metric tons of road transportation
fuel and other fossil fuels and hedge accounting was not applied for any of these financial derivatives.
The Corporation’s obligations related to its PSU plan and DSU plan create a form of price risk as the recorded amounts of the
related liabilities fluctuate in part with the fair value of the Corporation’s Class B shares. To mitigate this risk, the Corporation
has entered into a indexed deposit contract with an investment grade financial institution which includes an embedded total
return swap with an underlying index representing Class B shares recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance
sheets under Other assets and Other accounts receivable (for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2018, the embedded derivative
was recorded at fair market value). As at April 28, 2019, the indexed deposit contract had a nominal value of $38.3. The indexed
deposit contract is adjusted as needed to reflect new awards, adjustments and/or settlements of PSUs and DSUs. As at
April 28, 2019, the impact on net earnings or shareholders’ equity of a 5.0% shift in the value of the Corporation’s share price
would not have been significant.
Fair value
The fair value of Trade accounts receivable and vendor rebates receivable, Credit and debit cards receivable and Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities is comparable to their carrying amounts given their short maturity. The fair value of Obligations
related to buildings and equipment under finance leases is comparable to its carrying amount, given that implicit interest rates
are generally consistent with equivalent market interest rates for similar obligations. The carrying values of the term revolving
unsecured operating credit D and the CAPL senior secured revolving credit facility approximate their fair values given that their
credit spreads are similar to the credit spread the Corporation would obtain under similar conditions at the reporting date.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
Fair value hierarchy
Fair value measurements are categorized in accordance with the following levels:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 but which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or
indirectly; and
Level 3: Inputs for the asset or liability which are not based on observable market data.
The estimated fair value of each class of financial instrument, the methods and assumptions that were used to determine them
and their fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Financial instruments at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets:
•
•
•
•
The fair value of the indexed deposit contract, which is mainly based on the fair market value of the Corporation’s
Class B shares, was $49.5 as at April 28, 2019 ($36.3 as at April 29, 2018) (Level 2). As at April 28, 2019, they are
presented as Accounts receivable for an amount of $9.8 ($6.4 as at April 29, 2018) and Other assets for an amount of
$39.7 ($29.9 as at April 29, 2018) on the consolidated balance sheets;
The fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps, which is determined based on market rates, was $250.1 as at
April 28, 2019 ($164.9 as at April 29, 2018) (Level 2). As at April 28, 2019, they are presented as Other short-term
financial liabilities for an amount of $115.0 and Other long-term financial liabilities for an amount of $135.1, and as at
April 29, 2018, they are presented as Other short-term financial assets for an amount of $1.8 and Other long-term
financial liabilities for an amount of $166.7 on the consolidated balance sheets; and
The fair value of the fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps, which is determined based on market rates, was $3.9 as at
April 28, 2019 ($6.8 as at April 29, 2018) (Level 2). As at April 28, 2019, they are presented as Other short-term financial
liabilities and as at April 29, 2018, they are presented as Other long-term financial liabilities on the consolidated balance
sheets.
The fair value of the fuel swaps, which is determined based on market rates, was $4.7 as at April 28, 2019 ($2.0 as at
April 29, 2018) (Level 2). As at April 28, 2019, they are presented as Other short-term financial liabilities and as at
April 29, 2018, they are presented as Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Financial instruments not at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets:
•
The table below presents the fair value, which is based on observable market data (Level 2), and the carrying value of
the financial instruments which are not measured at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets:
US-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes
Canadian-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes
Euro-denominated senior unsecured notes
NOK-denominated senior unsecured notes
Capital risk management
Carrying value
$
3,379.9
1,774.5
831.2
77.4
2019
Fair value
$
3,347.6
1,815.0
869.2
86.0
Carrying value
$
3,373.6
1,857.3
900.7
83.9
2018
Fair value
$
3,279.4
1,873.5
925.9
90.5
The Corporation’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide
returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce its cost of
capital. The Corporation’s capital comprises total Shareholders’ equity and net interest-bearing debt. Net interest-bearing debt
refers to Long-term debt and its current portion, net of Cash and cash equivalents and temporary investments, if any.
In order to maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Corporation may issue new shares, redeem its shares, sell less performing
assets to reduce debt or adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders (Notes 20 and 24).
In its capital structure, the Corporation considers its stock option, PSU and DSU plans (Note 25). From time to time, the
Corporation uses share repurchase programs to achieve its capital management objectives (Note 24).
The Corporation monitors capital on the basis of the net interest-bearing debt to total capitalization ratio and also monitors its
credit ratings as determined by third parties. This measure is presented as if the Corporation’s investment in CAPL was reported
using the equity method as the Corporation believes it allows a more relevant presentation of its underlying performance. Also,
for the purpose of this calculation, CAPL’s long-term debt is excluded as it is a non-recourse debt to the Corporation.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
As at the consolidated balance sheets dates, the net interest-bearing debt to total capitalization ratio was as follows:
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt
Less: Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash
Net interest-bearing debt
Shareholders’ equity
Net interest-bearing debt
Total capitalization
Net interest-bearing debt to total capitalization ratio
2019
$
1,308.4
5,103.8
736.6
5,675.6
8,923.2
5,675.6
14,598.8
38.9%
2018
(adjusted, Note 2)
$
41.6
8,328.3
684.1
7,685.8
7,560.4
7,685.8
15,246.2
50.4%
Under its term revolving unsecured operating credits, the Corporation must meet the following ratios on a consolidated basis,
which however exclude CAPL’s financial positions and results:
• An adjusted leverage ratio, which is the ratio of total Long-term debt plus the product of eight times consolidated rent
expense of the Corporation less Cash and cash equivalents to Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization and rent, which is a non-IFRS measure, for the four most recent quarters; and
• An interest coverage ratio, which is the ratio of EBITDA for the four most recent quarters to the total interest paid in the
same periods.
The Corporation monitors these ratios regularly and was in compliance with these covenants as at April 28, 2019 and
April 29, 2018.
The Corporation is not subject to any significant externally imposed capital requirements.
29.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Minimum lease payments
As at April 28, 2019, the Corporation has entered into operating lease agreements which call for aggregate minimum lease
payments of $3,260.7 for the rental of commercial space, equipment and warehouses. Several of these leases contain renewal
options, and certain sites are subleased to third parties. The minimum lease payments for the next fiscal years are including
payments under the current lease term of each lease as well as payments under one or more options to extend these leases
when the Corporation is reasonably certain to exercise these options. These minimum lease payments are as follows:
Less than one year
One to five years
More than five years
$
459.8
1,382.3
1,418.6
As at April 28, 2019, the total amount of future minimum sublease payments expected to be received under sublease agreements
related to these operating leases is $231.5. These minimum sublease payments are expected to be received as follows:
Less than one year
One to five years
More than five years
$
42.5
106.6
82.4
Purchase commitments
The Corporation has entered into various property purchase agreements, as well as product purchase agreements, which require
the Corporation to purchase minimum amounts or quantities of merchandise and road transportation fuel annually. The
Corporation has generally exceeded such minimum requirements in the past and expects to continue doing so for the
foreseeable future. Failure to satisfy the minimum purchase requirements could result in termination of the contracts, penalties
for shortfall volumes, change in pricing of the products, payments to the applicable providers of a predetermined percentage of
the commitments and repayments of a portion of rebates received.
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the fiscal years ended April 28, 2019 and April 29, 2018
(in millions of US dollars (Note 2), except share and stock option data)
30.
CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES
Contingencies
Various claims and legal proceedings have been initiated against the Corporation in the normal course of its operations and
through acquisitions. Although the outcome of such matters is not predictable with assurance, the Corporation has no reason to
believe that the outcome of any such current matter could reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse impact on the
Corporation’s financial position, results of operations or its ability to carry on any of its business activities.
Guarantees
The Corporation assigned a number of lease agreements for premises to third parties. Under some of these agreements, the
Corporation retains ultimate responsibility to the landlord for payment of amounts under the lease agreements should the sub
lessees fail to pay. As at April 28, 2019, the total future lease payments under such agreements are approximately $3.4 and the
fair value of the guarantee is not significant. Historically, the Corporation has not made any significant payments in connection
with these indemnification provisions.
The Corporation has also issued guarantees to third parties and on behalf of third parties for maximum undiscounted future
payments totaling $16.7. These guarantees primarily relate to financial guarantee commitments under car rental agreements
and on behalf of retailers in Sweden. Guarantees on behalf of retailers in Sweden comprise items such as guarantees towards
retailers’ store inventory, in addition to guarantees towards leased store equipment. The carrying amount and fair value of the
guarantee commitments recognized in the consolidated balance sheet as at April 28, 2019 were not significant.
31.
SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Corporation operates convenience stores in the United States, in Europe and in Canada. It operates in one reportable
segment, the sale of goods for immediate consumption, road transportation fuel and other products mainly through company-
operated stores and franchised stores. The Corporation operates its convenience store chain under several banners, including
Circle K, Corner Store, Couche-Tard, Holiday, Ingo, Mac’s, Re.Store and Topaz. Revenues from external customers mainly fall
into three categories: merchandise and services, road transportation fuel and other.
Information on the principal revenue categories as well as geographic information is as follows:
External customer revenues(a)
Merchandise and services
Road transportation fuel
Other
Gross profit
Merchandise and services
Road transportation fuel
Other
United States
$
Europe
$
Canada
$
10,874.9
29,962.7
65.7
40,903.3
1,457.8
8,380.7
1,220.7
11,059.2
3,667.3
2,575.1
65.7
6,308.1
609.0
981.1
149.7
1,739.8
2,172.7
4,957.9
24.5
7,155.1
729.7
392.8
24.5
1,147.0
2019
Total
$
14,505.4
43,301.3
1,310.9
59,117.6
5,006.0
3,949.0
239.9
9,194.9
United States
$
9,508.6
24,612.5
56.6
34,177.7
Europe
$
1,413.9
7,684.1
1,217.7
10,315.7
3,158.7
1,937.7
54.7
5,151.1
602.3
1,024.2
173.7
1,800.2
2018
(Adjusted, Note 2)
Total
$
Canada
$
2,053.5
4,819.9
27.6
6,901.0
707.7
424.9
27.6
1,160.2
12,976.0
37,116.5
1,301.9
51,394.4
4,468.7
3,386.8
256.0
8,111.5
Total long-term assets(b)
12,617.5
3,402.1
2,104.1
18,123.7
12,585.0
3,726.7
2,234.5
18,546.2
(a) Geographic areas are determined according to where the Corporation generates operating income (where the sale takes place) and according to the location
of the long-term assets.
(b) Excluding financial instruments, deferred tax assets and post-employment benefit assets.
32.
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
Dividends
During its July 9, 2019 meeting, the Corporation’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of CA 12.5¢ per share for the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 to shareholders on record as at July 18, 2019, and approved its payment for August 1, 2019. This
is an eligible dividend within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
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Annual Report © 2019Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Board of Directors
Senior Management
As at April 28, 2019
As at April 28, 2019
Alain Bouchard
Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board
Alain Bouchard
Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board
Nathalie Bourque(1)
Eric Boyko(2)
Chair of the Audit Committee
Jacques D’Amours
Co-founder
Jean A. Élie(2)
Richard Fortin
Co-founder
Brian Hannasch
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mélanie Kau(1)
Lead Director and Chair of the Human Resources and Corporate
Governance Committee
Monique F. Leroux(2)
Réal Plourde
Co-founder
Daniel Rabinowicz(1)
(1) Member of the Human Resources and Corporate Governance Committee
(2) Member of the Audit Committee
Brian Hannasch
President and Chief Executive Officer
Claude Tessier
Chief Financial Officer
Kathleen K. Cunnington
Senior Vice President, Global Shared Services
Darrell Davis
Senior Vice President, Operations
Deborah Hall Lefevre
Chief Information Officer
Hans-Olav Høidahl
Acting Group President, European Operations and
Executive Vice President, Scandinavia
Kevin Lewis
Chief Marketing Officer
Jørn Madsen
Executive Vice President, Ireland, Central and Eastern Europe
Timothy Alexander Miller
Senior Vice President, Operations and Global Fuels
Ina Strand
Chief Human Resources Officer
Dennis Tewell
Senior Vice President, Operations
Stéphane Trudel
Senior Vice President, Operations
General Information
Head Office
4204, Industriel Boulevard
Laval, Québec, H7L 0E3 Canada
Stock Exchange
Toronto Stock Exchange
Symbols: ATD.A and ATD.B
Constituent of the TSX 60 index.
Transfer Agent
AST Trust Company (Canada),
2001, Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Suite 1600
Montréal, Québec, H3A 2A6 Canada
Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1250, René-Lévesque Boulevard West, Suite 2500
Montréal, Québec, H3B 4Y1 Canada
Investor Relations
Jean Marc Ayas, Manager, Investor Relations
investor.relations@couche-tard.com
1-450-662-6632, ext. 4619
Corporate Secretariat
Christine Anagnostou, Legal Counsel
christine.anagnostou@couche-tard.com
1-450-662-6632, ext. 4465
Media Relations
Marie-Noëlle Cano, Senior Director, Global Communications
communication@couche-tard.com
1-450-662-6632, ext. 6611
Annual Shareholders Meeting
September 18, 2019 in Laval, Québec, Canada
Additional information on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and press
releases are available on the company’s website at:
www.corpo.couche-tard.com
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corpo.couche-tard.com
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