Gross profit was NIS 400 million for the second quarter of 2003, a decrease of 6.0% compared to NIS 426 million in the same quarter last year. Gross margin from total sales was 24.8% for the quarter, compared to 25.9% in the second quarter last year. The decrease in the gross margin is the result of the real decrease in food prices subsequent to the deepening recession and the competition in the supermarket sector, the conversion of stores to discount formats, net of the effect of the decrease in the Consumer Price Index on the Company’s inventory and the increase in sales of the Company’s private label products. The financial results for the second quarter of the year compared to the second quarter last year were impacted by the decrease in the inflation rate. During the quarter the Consumer Price Index decreased by 1.3%, compared to an increase of 3.9% in the second quarter last year. As a result, and due to the presentation of index-linked financial statements, in the second quarter the inflationary adjustment of the opening balance of the inventory resulted in an increase of NIS 6 million in gross profit. In the second quarter last year, the inflationary adjustment of the opening balance of the inventory resulted in a decrease in gross profit of NIS 19 million. Operating, selling, general and administrative costs were NIS 414 million during the second quarter, an increase of 3.0% compared to NIS 403 million during the same quarter last year. The ratio of operating, selling, general and administrative costs to total revenues was 25.5% compared to 24.3% during the same period last year. The increase in the expenses is attributable primarily to the increase in rentals and depreciation due to the opening of new stores, increased security costs in stores further to the deterioration in the security situation, and the sharp rise in electricity tariffs, net of the effect of a decrease in salary expenses. Operating loss for the second quarter was NIS 2 million, compared to operating profit of NIS 37 million in the same period last year. The operating margin was minus 0.2% compared to 2.2% last year. Financing expenses, net for the second quarter of 2003 were NIS 16 million, compared to financing income, net of NIS 12 million in the same quarter last year. Financing expenses, net for the second quarter resulted from a combination of two factors: (1) The decrease in the index of 1.3% during the quarter resulted in the appreciation of the excess of unlinked monetary liabilities over unlinked monetary assets, net. (2) The decrease in the index in respect of the quarter exceeded by 0.8% the decrease in the index to which the long-term liabilities are linked. This increased financing expenses in respect of index-linked long-term bank loans and notes. During the second quarter last year the increase in the index of 3.9% resulted in financing income from the erosion of the excess of unlinked monetary liabilities over unlinked monetary assets, net. The increase in the index in respect of the quarter exceeded by 0.9% the increase in the index to which the long-term liabilities are linked and resulted in financing income. During the second quarter of 2003, the Company recorded other expenses, net of NIS 5 million, due mainly to capital losses, compared to other income, net of NIS 2 million in the same quarter last year. In the second quarter of 2003 the Company recorded tax income of NIS 6 million due to the recording of a deferred tax benefit. During the same quarter last year the Company recorded a tax expense of NIS 21 million. The effective tax rate (benefit) for the quarter was 23.8%, compared to 40.9% for the same quarter last year. The Company’s net loss for the second quarter was NIS 19 million, compared to net profit of NIS 28 million during the same quarter last year. The Company’s basic and diluted loss per NIS 0.1 par value of shares for the second quarter was NIS 0.10 per share, compared to earnings per share of NIS 0.14 per share during the same period last year. |