Exhibit 99.2
Consolidated Financial Statements
METRO INC.
September 30, 2006
AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the board of directors of METRO INC.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of METRO INC. [the
"Company"] as at September 30, 2006, the related consolidated statements of
earnings, retained earnings and cash flows for the year then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's Management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing
standards and the standards of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain
reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal
control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal
control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that
are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by Management, and evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for
our opinion.
In our opinion, consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of METRO INC. as at
September 30, 2006 and the related consolidated results of its operations and
its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles.
Montreal, Canada,
November 3, 2006 Chartered Accountants
(except as to note 22 which is as of March 23, 2007)
METRO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Years ended September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005 [Millions of Canadian
dollars, except for earnings per share]
2006 2005
$ $
[Restated-Note 3]
[53 weeks] [52 weeks]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales [notes 19 and 20] 10,944.0 6,646.5
Cost of sales and operating expenses [note 17] 10,305.5 6,281.5
Integration and rationalization costs [note 5] 28.0 --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization 610.5 365.0
Depreciation and amortization [note 6] 177.9 87.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 432.6 277.8
Interest
Short term (1.9) 1.3
Long term 70.6 6.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68.7 7.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes 363.9 270.4
Income taxes [note 7] 107.0 81.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before minority interest 256.9 189.4
Minority interest 3.9 (1.0)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings 253.0 190.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share [note 8]
Basic 2.21 1.94
Fully diluted 2.18 1.92
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes
METRO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
RETAINED EARNINGS
Years ended September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005
[Millions of Canadian dollars]
2006 2005
$ $
[53 weeks] [52 weeks]
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of year 807.7 690.6
Net earnings 253.0 190.4
Dividends (47.5) (38.9)
Share redemption premium -- (34.4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of year 1,013.2 807.7
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes
METRO INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As at September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005
[Millions of Canadian dollars]
2006 2005
$ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 165.7 93.8
Accounts receivable [notes 9 and 19] 302.1 287.7
Inventories 565.5 551.9
Prepaid expenses 11.3 15.1
Future income taxes [note 7] 16.7 12.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,061.3 960.9
Investments and other assets [note 9] 117.9 100.6
Fixed assets [note 10] 1,129.9 1,106.4
Intangible assets [note 11] 331.7 194.8
Goodwill [note 4] 1,490.1 1,543.7
Accrued benefit assets [note 16] 33.0 20.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,163.9 3,927.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Bank loans [note 12] 0.3 0.3
Accounts payable 1,049.5 1,022.0
Income taxes payable 36.8 13.8
Current portion of long-term debt [note 13] 7.3 7.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,093.9 1,043.8
Long-term debt [note 13] 1,116.6 1,205.0
Accrued benefit obligations [note 16] 60.6 66.6
Future income taxes [note 7] 115.0 82.1
Other long-term liabilities [note 14] 44.2 10.2
Minority interest 9.8 6.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,440.1 2,414.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
Capital stock [note 15] 709.0 703.8
Contributed surplus 1.6 1.8
Retained earnings 1,013.2 807.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,723.8 1,513.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,163.9 3,927.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingencies [notes 17 and 18]
See accompanying notes
On behalf of the Board:
Director Director
METRO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005
[Millions of Canadian dollars]
2006 2005
$ $
[53 weeks] [52 weeks]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings 253.0 190.4
Non cash items
Integration and rationalization costs [note 5] 8.9 --
Share of earnings in a public company subject to significant
influence (22.3) (20.6)
Depreciation and amortization 177.9 87.2
Amortization of deferred financing costs 2.8 --
Losses on disposal and write-off of fixed and intangible 12.0 3.2
assets
Gain on disposal of investment [note 9] (10.5) --
Future income taxes (4.6) 12.9
Stock-based compensation cost 1.7 1.0
Excess of amounts paid for employee future benefits over
current period cost (20.2) (0.5)
Minority interest 3.9 (1.0)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
402.6 272.6
Net change in non-cash working capital related to operations (10.6) 9.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
392.0 281.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Business acquisition net of cash acquired totalling
$49.3 in 2005 [note 4] -- (1,162.8)
Net change in investments 14.5 (4.9)
Dividends from public company subject to significant influence 2.1 --
Acquisition of fixed assets (170.7) (125.8)
Disposal of fixed assets 12.8 9.6
Acquisition of intangible assets (40.6) (35.7)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(181.9) (1,319.6)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in bank loans -- (1.2)
Issuance of shares 5.4 16.9
Redemption of shares -- (37.0)
Acquisition of treasury shares [note 15] (2.1) --
Disposal of treasury shares [note 15] -- 2.0
Increase of long-term debt 601.5 1,251.5
Repayment of long-term debt (692.0) (104.8)
Net change in other long-term liabilities (3.1) --
Dividends paid (47.5) (38.9)
Distribution to minority interest (0.4) --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(138.2) 1,088.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 71.9 50.8
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year 93.8 43.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year 165.7 93.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other information
Interest paid 52.8 4.1
Income taxes paid 88.6 110.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005 [Millions of Canadian dollars, except
for data per share]
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
METRO INC. (the "Company") is one of the leading Canadian food retailers and
distributors. The Company operates a network in Quebec and Ontario of stores in
the conventional and discount food distribution and pharmacy sectors. The
regions within which the Company's operations are concentrated have been grouped
together in a single operating segment in light of their similar economic
characteristics.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared by
management in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP) which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements and presented in
the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The
Company's consolidated financial statements have been properly prepared within
the reasonable limits of materiality and in conformity with the accounting
policies summarized below:
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its wholly owned subsidiaries, as well as those of variable interest entities
(VIEs) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany
transactions and balances were eliminated on consolidation.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, bank balances, highly liquid
investments (with an initial term of three months or less that are stated at
cost, which approximates market value), restricted bank balances of VIEs [$23.8
as at September 30, 2006 and $27.2 as at September 24, 2005], outstanding
deposits and cheques in transit.
Inventory valuation
Wholesale inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined by the average
cost method net of considerations received from certain vendors, and net
realizable value. Retail inventories are valued at the retail price less the
gross margin and considerations received from certain vendors.
Investments
The investment in a public company subject to significant influence is accounted
for using the equity method. The Company's share of earnings in that company is
included in "Cost of sales and operating expenses" in the consolidated statement
of earnings. Other investments are recorded at cost.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Cont'd]
Fixed assets
Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Buildings and equipment are depreciated on a
straight-line basis over their useful lives. Leasehold improvements are
depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their useful lives or
the remaining lease term. The depreciation method and estimate of the useful
life of fixed assets are reviewed annually.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buildings 40 years
Equipment 3 to 20 years
Leasehold improvements 5 to 20 years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leases
The Company accounts for capital leases in instances when it has acquired
substantially all the benefits and risks incident to ownership of the leased
property. The cost of assets under capital leases represents the present value
of minimum lease payments and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the
lease term. Assets under capital leases are presented under "Fixed assets" in
the consolidated balance sheet.
Leases that do not transfer substantially all the benefits and risks incident to
ownership of the property are accounted for as operating leases.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are recorded at cost and are
amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. The amortization
method and estimate of the useful life of an intangible asset are reviewed
annually.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leasehold rights 20 to 40 years
Software 3 to 10 years
Improvements and development of retail network loyalty 5 to 20 years
Prescription files 10 years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible assets with indefinite lives, such as banners and private labels and
some agreements, are recorded at cost and are not subject to amortization.
Intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually
or more often if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset
might be impaired. When the impairment test indicates that carrying amount of
the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in
an amount equal to the excess.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Cont'd]
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net
assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more often if
events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. The
impairment test first consists of a comparison of the fair value of the
reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned with its carrying amount. When the
carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the fair value of
the reporting unit's goodwill is compared with its carrying amount to measure
the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Any impairment loss is charged to
earnings in the period in which the loss is incurred. The Company uses the
discounted cash flows method to determine the fair value of reporting units.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets, excluding goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives, are assessed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that this carrying amount may not be recoverable by
comparing their carrying amount with their expected net undiscounted future cash
flows from use together with their residual value. The impairment loss, the
amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value, if
any, is charged to earnings.
Deferred financing costs
Financing costs related to long-term credit facilities are deferred and
amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the
corresponding loans. When long-term credit facilities are repaid, the
corresponding financing costs are charged to earnings. Deferred financing costs
are presented under "Intangible assets" in the consolidated balance sheet and
the related amortization under "Long-term interest" in the consolidated
statement of earnings.
Employee future benefits
The Company accounts for employee future benefit plans assets and obligations
and related costs of defined benefit pension plans and other retirement benefit
and other post-employment benefit plans under the following accounting policies:
o The accrued benefit obligations and the cost of pension and other retirement
benefits earned by participants are determined
from actuarial calculations according to the projected benefit method
prorated on services based on management's best estimate assumptions
relating to return on the plan assets, salary escalation, retirement age of
participants and estimated health-care costs.
o For the purpose of calculating the estimated rate of return on the plan
assets, assets are assessed at fair value.
o Pension obligations are discounted based on current market interest
rates.
o Actuarial gains or losses arise from the difference between the actual
long-term rate of return on plan assets for a period and the expected
long-term rate of return on plan assets for that period, or from changes in
actuarial assumptions used to determine the accrued benefit obligations.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Cont'd]
o The excess of the net actuarial gain or loss over 10% of accrued benefit
obligations, or over 10% of the fair value of the plan assets where such
amount is higher, is amortized over the average remaining service period of
active participants. The average remaining service period of active
participants covered by the pension plans is 14 years and the average
remaining service period of active participants covered by the other post
employment benefit plans is 15 years.
o Past service costs arising from plan amendments are deferred and amortized
on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of the
active participants at the date of amendment.
The cost of defined contribution pension plans, which includes multi-employer
pension plans, is expensed as contributions are due.
Sales recognition
Retail sales made by corporate stores and stores in which the Company has
variable interests are recognized at the time of sale to the customer and, for
affiliated stores and other customers, when the goods are delivered.
Recognition of considerations received from a vendor
Certain cash considerations received from a vendor are to be considered as an
adjustment of the prices of the vendor's products and are therefore
characterized as a reduction of cost of sales and related inventories when
recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings and balance sheets.
Certain exceptions apply if the consideration is a payment for assets or
services delivered to the vendor or for reimbursement of selling costs incurred
to promote the vendor's products. These other considerations received from a
vendor are accounted for, according to their nature, under sales or as a
reduction of cost of sales and operating expenses.
Foreign currency translation
Monetary items on the balance sheet are translated at the exchange rate in
effect at year-end, while non-monetary items are translated at the historical
exchange rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange in
effect on the transaction date or at the average exchange rate for the period.
Gains or losses resulting from the translation are included in current period
earnings.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Cont'd]
Income taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under
this method, future income tax assets and liabilities are accounted for based on
estimated taxes recoverable or payable that would result from the recovery or
settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities. Future tax assets
and liabilities are measured using substantively enacted tax rates expected to
be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Changes in
these amounts are included in current period earnings.
Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense and other stock-based
payments in earnings based on the fair value method for stock options granted
since September 29, 2002. The Black & Scholes model is used to determine the
fair value on the award date of stock options. Compensation expense is
recognized over the expected term of the award.
Performance share unit plan
The Company establishes the value of the compensation related to the performance
share unit plan based on the market value of the Company's Class A Subordinate
Shares at grant date. The compensation expense is recognized over the vesting
period. The impact of changes in the number of performance share units resulting
from the achievement of certain financial performance indicators is recorded in
the period where the estimate is revised. The grant qualifies as an equity
instrument.
Earnings per share
Earnings per share are calculated based on the weighted average number of Class
A Subordinate Shares and Class B Shares outstanding during the year. Fully
diluted earnings per share are calculated using the treasury stock method and
take into account all the elements that have a dilutive effect.
Financial instruments
In accordance with its risk management strategy, the Company uses derivative
financial instruments. Designation as a hedge is only allowed if, both at the
inception of the hedge and throughout the hedge period, the changes in the fair
value or cash flows of the derivative financial instrument are expected to
substantially offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged
item attributable to the hedged risks. The Company does not enter into
derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Cont'd]
The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and
hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for
undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all
derivatives to forecasted foreign currency cash flows or to specific assets and
liabilities. The Company also formally documents and assesses, both at the
hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative financial
instruments that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in
offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.
The financial instruments used by the Company primarily consist of interest rate
swaps that enable the Company to substitute the variable rate interest payments
with fixed rate interest payments. Unrealized gains or losses are not
recognized. When gains or losses are realized, the amount is recorded as an
adjustment to the interest expense over the term of the debt issued.
Fiscal year
The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of September. The fiscal
years ended September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005 include 53 and 52 weeks of
operations, respectively.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3. NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In 2006
Accounting by a Vendor for Consideration Given to a Customer
(Including a Reseller of the Vendor Products)
The Company adopted, in the third quarter of fiscal 2006, EIC-156 "Accounting by
a Vendor for Consideration Given to a Customer (including a Reseller of the
Vendor's Products)". Under this new standard, certain rebates granted by the
Company to its retailers have to be reclassified as a reduction in sales rather
than as cost of sales. The new standard must be applied retroactively with
restatement of prior interim financial statements. The reclassification from
cost of sales and operating expenses to sales following the new standard's
application and certain adjustments to A&P Canada's different accounting
practices on previously stated results totalled $49.4 for the year ended
September 24, 2005 .
Disclosures by Entities Subject to Rate Regulation
At the end of fiscal 2006, the Company adopted accounting guideline AcG-19,
"Disclosures by Entities Subject to Rate Regulation". This new guideline
requires that entities which provide products subject to rate regulation present
additional information explaining the nature of the rate regulation, its
economic impact and its effect on the financial statements.
In 2005
Asset retirement obligations
At the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company adopted the
recommendations in Section 3110 "Asset retirement obligations" issued by the
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA). This section establishes
standards for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of liabilities for
asset retirement obligations and the associated asset retirement costs. The
adoption of this new standard did not have a material effect on the Company's
results, financial position or cash flows.
Accounting for certain consideration received from vendors
The Company adopted the amendment to EIC-144 "Accounting by a Customer
(Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor" issued
on January 20, 2005 by the CICA. The amendment requires disclosure in all
financial statements of the amount of any vendor rebate that has been recognized
in earnings but for which the full requirements for entitlement have not yet
been met. This amendment has been applied retroactively and the amendment's
application did not have a material effect on the Company's results, financial
position or cash flows.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. BUSINESS ACQUISITION
On August 13, 2005, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding
shares of The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, previously known as The
Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, Limited ("A&P Canada"), an indirect
subsidiary of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. ("A&P US"), for a
total amount of $1,700 consisting of $1,200 in cash and $500 in the form of
Class A Subordinate Shares (18,076,645 shares) of the Company. The cash
component of the purchase price was subject to an adjustment related to the
working capital of A&P Canada, which amounted to $4.2. Moreover, under GAAP, the
fair value of the shares issued by the Company has been adjusted based on the
average quoted market price of the shares observed during a five-day period
preceding and following July 19, 2005, the date on which the final agreement
with A&P US was announced. With this adjustment the net consideration is $526.8,
net of issue costs of $0.1 charged to share capital.
A&P Canada is a food retailer operating, at the date of acquisition, 234 retail
stores in Ontario. Within its stores, A&P Canada corporately operated 74
full-service pharmacies. A&P Canada also managed 5 distribution centres.
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method. The results of A&P
Canada have been consolidated as of the acquisition date. The final purchase
price allocation is as follows:
$
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash 49.3
Other current assets 286.7
Fixed assets 589.6
Intangible assets
Favorable leases (amortized over the term of the leases) 15.4
Private labels and agreements (not amortized) 55.2
Prescription files (amortized over 10 years) 7.4
Banners (not amortized) 53.3
Goodwill 1,299.3
Current liabilities (429.5)
Leases liabilities (25.9)
Long-term debt (46.6)
Integration and rationalization plan-related liabilities (30.1)
Assets and liabilities for employee future benefits (48.2)
Future tax assets and liabilities (23.5)
Minority interest (6.9)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets acquired 1,745.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash 1,200.0
Class A Subordinate Shares 526.8
Working capital adjustment 4.2
Acquisition costs 14.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consideration and acquisition costs 1,745.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. INTEGRATION AND RATIONALIZATION COSTS
During the fiscal year, the Company has continued the implementation of its
integration and rationalization plan following the acquisition of A&P Canada.
The plan, centred on three key areas--namely store network, operations, and
implementation of the information systems at A&P Canada, progressed
significantly during the 2006 fiscal year.
The Company finished converting the Ontario Super C discount stores to the Food
Basics banner. The Company established new organizational structures, such as a
national procurement group for grocery and private-label products to provide the
various banners with the best products at the best possible prices, that
optimize Ontario divisions operations as well as the Quebec divisions. The SAP
finance modules went into operation at A&P Canada at the end of the third
quarter, while the SAP and EXE purchasing and distribution modules went into
operation at the main Ontario grocery warehouse in early fall of 2006.
Plan costs stemming from A&P Canada operations are included in the purchase
price allocation and costs stemming from the acquiring entity's operations are
recorded in the statement of earnings at the time they are incurred and are
described as follows:
By Nature of Project
Incurred Anticipated Total
$ $ $
- ----------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Stores 11.9 2.1 14.0
Integration of operations 13.9 7.1 21.0
Implementation of information systems 2.2 17.8 20.0
- ----------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
- ----------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
28.0 27.0 55.0
- ----------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
By Nature of Costs
Beginning Incurred Paid Ending Anticipated Total
liability liability
$ $ $ $ $ $
Retention bonuses and
termination benefits -- 17.6 15.5 2.1 6.4 24.0
Training and IT
implementation -- 2.2 2.2 -- 17.8 20.0
Vacant premises -- 2.4 0.9 1.5 0.8 3,2
Others -- 0.5 0.5 -- 0.9 1.4
- ----------------------------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------
- ----------------------------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------
-- 22.7 19.1 3.6 25.9 48.6
Asset write-offs 5.3 1.1 6.4
- ----------------------------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------
- ----------------------------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------
28.0 27.0 55.0
- ----------------------------- -------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
2006 2005
$ $
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed assets 148.0 60.3
Intangible assets 29.9 26.9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
177.9 87.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. INCOME TAXES
The main components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:
2006 2005
$ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable 111.6 68.1
Future (4.6) 12.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107.0 81.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The effective income tax rates were as follows:
2006 2005
% %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined statutory income tax rate 31.8 31.2
Changes
Impact of federal tax rate decrease of 3.12% on
future taxes [$10.8 in 2006] (3.0) --
Impact of Quebec tax rate increase of 3% on
future taxes [$5.3 in 2006] 1.5 --
Share of earnings of a public company subject to
significant influence (0.8) (1.0)
Gain on disposal of investment (0.4) --
Other 0.3 (0.2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.4 30.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. INCOME TAXES [Cont'd]
Future taxes reflect the net tax impact of timing differences between the value
of assets and liabilities for accounting and tax purposes. The main components
of the Company's future tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
2006 2005
$ $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future tax assets
Accrued expenses, provisions and other reserves that are
tax-deductible only at the time of disbursement 23.8 11.5
Deferred tax losses 10.1 2.1
Excess of tax value over net book value of assets under
capital leases 11.0 6.5
Employee future benefits 20.4 23.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65.3 43.9
Current portion 16.7 12.4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term future tax assets 48.6 31.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future tax liabilities
Accumulated equity earnings from a public company subject
to significant influence (14.7) (11.8)
Employee future benefits (10.7) (10.6)
Excess of net book value over tax value
Fixed assets (29.0) (43.9)
Intangible assets (94.3) (35.5)
Goodwill (14.9) (11.8)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term future tax liabilities (163.6) (113.6)
Long-term future tax assets 48.6 31.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term future tax liabilities, net (115.0) (82.1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share and fully diluted earnings per share were calculated
based on the following number of shares:
2006 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic 114.6 98.1
Dilutive effect under stock option plan and performance share units 1.3 1.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted 115.9 99.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS
2006 2005
$ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment at equity in a public company including results until July 23, 2006
[July 17, 2005] [quoted market value: as at September 30, 2006 - $498.2;
as at September 24, 2005 - $462.4] 110.3 90.2
Investments in companies, at cost 0.1 2.4
Loans to certain customers bearing interest at floating rates,
repayable in monthly instalments, maturing through 2013 8.6 9.5
Assets held for sale 5.8 6.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
124.8 108.6
Current portion included in receivables 6.9 8.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
117.9 100.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During fiscal 2006, the Company sold its interest in a company accounted for
under the cost method, realizing a pre-tax gain on disposal of $10.5.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10. FIXED ASSETS
2006 2005
-------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Accumulated Net book Accumulated Net book
Cost depreciation value Cost depreciation Value
$ $ $ $ $ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land 158.9 -- 158.9 123.8 -- 123.8
Buildings 331.2 76.7 254.5 307.2 70.1 237.1
Equipment 717.3 286.5 430.8 635.6 236.2 399.4
Leasehold improvements 310.9 55.1 255.8 390.6 79.6 311.0
Assets under capital leases 36.1 6.2 29.9 35.5 0.4 35.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,554.4 424.5 1,129.9 1,492.7 386.3 1,106.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net acquisitions under capital leases and other acquisitions of assets excluded
from the consolidated statement of cash flows amounted to $0.2 in 2006 [2005 - $0.2].
11. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
2006 2005
------------------------------ --------------------------------
Accumulated Net book Accumulated Net book
Cost depreciation value Cost depreciation Value
$ $ $ $ $ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible assets with
definite lives
Leasehold rights 75.8 25.8 50.0 60.5 23.3 37.2
Software 106.7 52.0 54.7 87.6 42.0 45.6
Improvements and
development of retail
network loyalty 188.8 89.4 99.4 185.7 86.1 99.6
Prescription files 7.4 0.4 7.0 -- -- --
Deferred financing costs 15.7 3.6 12.1 9.4 0.8 8.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
394.4 171.2 223.2 343.2 152.2 191.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible assets with
indefinite lives
Banners 53.3 -- 53.3 3.8 -- 3.8
Private labels and agreements 55.2 -- 55.2 -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108.5 -- 108.5 3.8 -- 3.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
502.9 171.2 331.7 347.0 152.2 194.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net acquisitions of intangible assets excluded from the consolidated statement
of cash flows amounted to $1.5 in 2006 [2005 - $1.0].
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12. BANK LOANS
On August 12 2005, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a banking
syndicate, which includes a line of credit of $400. This agreement was amended
on December 22 2005. The line of credit bears interest at rates which fluctuate
with changes in bankers' acceptance rates, is not secured and expires on August
15, 2010. As at September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005, the line of credit
was undrawn. The VIEs have demand revolving credit facilities totalling $6.1
[$6.2 in 2005] bearing interest at prime, unsecured and expiring on various
dates up to 2007. As at September 30, 2006, $0.3 [$0.3 as at September 24, 2005]
of the demand revolving credit facilities had been drawn at a rate of 6.0 % [4.5
% as at September 24, 2005].
13. LONG-TERM DEBT
The credit agreement described under note 12 also includes a Credit Facility A
amounting to $750 and a Credit Facility B amounting to $500. The A and B Credit
Facilities bear interest at rates which fluctuate with changes in bankers'
acceptance rates. In 2006, the Company issued $200 worth of Series A 10-year
medium-term notes and $400 worth of Series B 30-year notes. The amounts received
from these offerings were used to repay the balance of Credit Facility B and
$100 of the $750 Credit Facility A. The Credit Facility A is repayable on August
15, 2010 or earlier.
2006 2005
$ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Facility A, at a rate of 4.45% [2005 - 3.54%] 469.3 749.8
Credit Facility B, at a rate of 3.54% [2005 - 3.54%] -- 400.0
Series A notes bearing interest at a nominal rate of
4.98%, maturing on October 15, 2015 and __
retractable at any time prior to maturity 200.0
Series B notes bearing interest at a nominal rate of
5.97%, maturing on October 15, 2035 and __
retractable at any time prior to maturity 400.0
Loans, maturing on various dates through 2011,
bearing interest at a rate of 5.6% [2005 - 4.2%] 10.4 11.0
Obligations under capital leases, bearing interest at
an effective rate of 10.9% [2005 - 11.0%] 44.2 51.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,123.9 1,212.7
Current portion 7.3 7.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,116.6 1,205.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
13. LONG-TERM DEBT [Cont'd]
Minimum payments required on long-term debt over the next fiscal years were as
follows:
Loans Medium-term Obligations under Total
notes capital leases
$ $ $ $
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007 2.2 -- 10.0 12.2
2008 1.6 -- 7.9 9.5
2009 1.2 -- 7.2 8.4
2010 470.1 -- 6.4 476.5
2011 0.3 -- 5.2 5.5
2012 and thereafter 4.3 600.0 39.9 644.2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
479.7 600.0 76.6 1,156.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The minimum payments in respect of the obligations under capital leases included
interest amounting to $32.4 on these obligations [2005 - $38.3].
14. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
2006 2005
$ $
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lease liabilities 27.2 10.2
Integration and rationalization plan-related liabilities 17.0 --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.2 10.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. CAPITAL STOCK
Authorized
Unlimited number of First Preferred Shares, non-voting, without par value,
issuable in series.
Unlimited number of Class A Subordinate Shares, bearing one voting right per
share, participating, convertible into Class B Shares in the event of a takeover
bid involving Class B Shares, without par value.
Unlimited number of Class B Shares, bearing 16 voting rights per share,
participating, convertible in the event of disqualification into an equal number
of Class A Subordinate Shares on the basis of one Class A Subordinate Share for
each Class B Share held, without par value.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
15. CAPITAL STOCK [Cont'd]
Outstanding
Class A Class B
Subordinate Shares Shares Total
------------------ ------------------------
Number $ Number $ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[in [in thousands]
thousands]
Balance as at September 25, 2004 95,622 158.8 977 2.0 160.8
Share issued for cash 1,152 17.0 -- -- 17.0
Share issued as consideration for a
business acquisition (note 4) 18,077 526.7 -- -- 526.7
Share redeemed for cash, excluding
premium of $34.4 (1,509) (2.6) -- -- (2.6)
Disposal of treasury shares 108 1.9 -- -- 1.9
Conversion of Class B Shares into
Class A Subordinate Shares 54 0.1 (54) (0.1) --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at September 24, 2005 113,504 701.9 923 1.9 703.8
Share issued for cash 377 5.4 -- -- 5.4
Acquisition of treasury shares (72) (0.4) -- -- (0.4)
Transfer from contributed surplus -
options exercised -- 0.2 -- -- 0.2
Conversion of Class B Shares into
Class A Subordinate Shares 43 0.2 (43) (0.2) --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at September 30, 2006 113,852 707.3 880 1.7 709.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock option plan
The Company has a stock option plan for certain employees with options to
purchase up to 10,000,000 Class A Subordinate Shares. The subscription price of
each Class A Subordinate Share issuable upon exercise of options under the plan
is equal to the market price of the shares on the day prior to the day the
option was granted and must be paid in full at the time the option is exercised.
While the Board of Directors determines other terms and conditions for the
exercise of options, options may not extend beyond a five-year period from the
date the option may initially be exercised, in whole or in part, and the total
period may never exceed ten years from the date the option was granted. Options
may generally be exercised two years after they were granted and vest at the
rate of 20% per year.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
15. CAPITAL STOCK [Cont'd]
The options outstanding and the changes during the year are summarized as
follows:
Weighted average
Number of options exercise price
[thousands] $
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at September 25, 2004 5,072 17.91
Granted 453 26.67
Exercised (1,104) 14.41
Cancelled (47) 16.01
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at September 24, 2005 4,374 19.72
Granted 265 30.41
Exercised (373) 14.09
Cancelled (33) 23.56
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at September 30, 2006 4,233 20.85
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table below summarizes information regarding the stock options outstanding
and exercisable as at September 30, 2006:
Options outstanding Exercisable options
-------------------------- ---------------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
average average average
Range of Number remaining exercise Number exercise
exercise prices of options period price of options price
$ [Thousands] [Months] $ [Thousands] $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.73 to 15.50 562 16.7 11.56 408 11.40
17.01 to 21.75 2,989 33.5 20.93 2,474 21.12
23.34 to 33.87 682 70.9 28.17 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,233 37.3 20.85 2,882 19.74
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
15. CAPITAL STOCK [Cont'd]
The weighted average fair value of $9.65 [2005 - $8.18] for stock options
granted during the year was established at the time of grant using the Black &
Scholes model and based on the following weighted average assumptions: risk-free
interest rate of 4.23% [2005 - 3.76%], expected six-year term [2005 - six-year
term], anticipated volatility of 30% [2005 - 30%] and an anticipated 1.5%
dividend yield [2005 - 1.5%]. Compensation expense for these options amounted to
$1.3 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 [$1.0 for fiscal year ended
September 24, 2005].
Performance Share Unit Plan
In fiscal 2006, the Company's Board of Directors approved a new
performance share unit (PSU) plan. Under this program, senior executives and
other key employees (participants) periodically receive a given number of PSUs
which may increase if the Company meets certain financial performance
indicators. The PSUs entitle the participant to Class A Subordinate Shares of
the Company, or at the latter's discretion, the cash equivalent. PSUs vest over
a period of three years.
The Company awarded 50,032 PSUs to participants. The number of PSUs could reach
80,087 if certain performance conditions were reached. The Company instructed a
trustee to purchase Class A Subordinate Shares of the Company on the stock
market. The trustee purchased 72,000 Class A Subordinate Shares of the Company
for a consideration of $2.1. These shares are held in trust for participants
until the PSUs shall have vested or been cancelled. The trust, considered a
variable interest entity, is consolidated in the Company's financial statements
with the value of the acquired shares presented as treasury shares reducing
capital stock.
A compensation expense of $0.4 was recorded during fiscal 2006 and 48,448 PSUs
were outstanding as at September 30, 2006 under this plan.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
16. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS
The Company offers several defined benefit and defined contribution plans that
provide most participants with pension, other retirement and other
post-employment benefits. Defined benefit pension plans are funded by
contributions made by the Company and certain plans are also funded by
participants' contributions.
The Company's defined benefit and defined contribution plan expenses were as
follows as at September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005, measurement dates:
2006 2005
----------------------------- ---------------------------
Pension plans Other plans Pension plans Other plans
$ $ $ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defined contribution plans 22.1 0.3 8.7 0.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defined benefit plans
Current service cost and plan's
administration fees 23.1 1.0 6.3 0.7
Interest cost 25.6 2.0 7.5 0.4
Actual return on plan assets (39.4) -- (18.7) --
Actuarial loss 4.1 4.8 14.1 0.6
Plan amendments 0.2 -- 1.7 --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.6 7.8 10.9 1.7
Difference between established cost
and reported cost for fiscal year with
respect to the following items:
Difference between established return
and actual return on plan assets 4.7 -- 10.7 --
Actuarial (loss) gain (2.9) (4.6) (14.0) 0.2
Plan amendments 0.1 -- (1.4) --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.5 3.2 6.2 1.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 37.6 3.5 14.9 2.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
16. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS [Cont'd]
The information on defined benefit plans was as follows:
2006 2005
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Pension plans Other plans Pension plans Other plans
$ $ $ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit obligations
Balance at beginning of year 483.9 39.9 86.1 4.7
Business acquisition 2.1 -- 369.0 34.3
Current service cost 22.6 1.0 6.3 0.7
Interest cost 25.6 2.0 7.5 0.4
Participant contributions 3.1 -- 3.1 --
Plan amendments 0.2 -- 1.7 --
Benefits paid (21.2) (4.6) (3.9) (0.8)
Actuarial loss 4.1 4.8 14.1 0.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year 520.4 43.1 483.9 39.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan assets
Fair value at beginning of year 461.6 -- 80.2 --
Business acquisition -- -- 356.5 --
Actual return on plan assets 39.4 -- 18.7 --
Employer contributions 34.3 4.6 7.0 0.8
Participant contributions 3.1 -- 3.1 --
Benefits paid (21.2) (4.6) (3.9) (0.8)
Plan's administration fees (0.5) -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value at end of year 516.7 -- 461.6 --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status - deficit (3.7) (43.1) (22.3) (39.9)
Unamortized past service costs 2.2 -- 2.4 --
Unamortized net actuarial loss 12.0 6.0 12.7 1.4
Valuation allowance on accrued
benefits assets (1.0) -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit assets (obligations) 9.5 (37.1) (7.2) (38.5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit assets 33.0 -- 20.9 --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit obligations (23.5) (37.1) (28.1) (38.5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
16. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS [Cont'd]
The pension plans are allocated as follow:
2006 2005
--------------------------- -----------------------------
Accrued Fair value of Accrued Fair value of
benefit assets benefit assets
obligations obligations
$ $ $ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit obligations exceeding
fair value of assets 272.7 215.8 382.6 300.6
Faire value of assets exceeding
accrued benefit obligations 290.8 300.9 141.2 161.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defined benefit plans other than retirement plans were not funded.
The most recent actuarial valuations with respect to the capitalization of the
Company's pension plans were prepared on various dates ranging from July 2004 to
September 2006. The next valuations will be on various dates ranging from July
2007 to September 2009.
The plan assets are held in trust and their weighted average distributions as of
the measurement dates, September 30, 2006, and September 24, 2005, were as
follows:
2006 2005
Assets classes % %
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stocks 61 60
Bonds 36 36
Other 3 4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
16. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS [Cont'd]
The principal actuarial assumptions used by the Company were as follows:
2006 2005
-------------------------- ----------------------------
Pension plans Other plans Pension plans Other plans
% % % %
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit obligations
Discount rate 5.25 5.25 5.25 5.25
Compensation growth rate 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Cost of benefits
Discount rate 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5
Projected long-term return on plan
assets 7.5 -- 7.5 --
Compensation growth rate 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For valuation purposes, the annual hypothetical growth rate of covered health
care costs per participant was estimated at 9.6% in 2006 [2005 - 7.1%].
According to the assumptions retained, this rate should diminish gradually
before stabilizing at 4.9% in 2016. A one-percentage-point increase or decrease
in the hypothetical growth rate would have the following effects:
1% increase 1% decrease
$ $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect on the cost of recorded benefits 0.2 (0.2)
Effect on accrued benefit obligations 2.8 (2.3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
17. COMMITMENTS
Obligations under leases and service agreements
The Company has operating lease commitments, with varying terms through 2027, to
lease premises and equipment used for business purposes. The minimum payment
balance amounted to $1,212.8 as at September 30, 2006 [$1,195.8 as at September
24, 2005]. The minimum payments over the next fiscal years are as follows:
$142.2 in 2007; $134.1 in 2008; $120.8 in 2009, $109.2 in 2010; $93.9 in 2011
and $612.6 for 2012 and thereafter.
In addition, the Company has leases with varying terms through 2029, to lease
premises which it sublets to clients, generally under the same terms and
conditions. The minimum payment balance under these leases was $318.0 as at
September 30, 2006 [$299.2 as at September 24, 2005] and the average annual
payments for the next five years are $28.0.
The Company also has commitments under service contracts staggered over various
periods through 2011. The minimum payment balance amounted to $239.8 as at
September 30, 2006 [$351 as at September 24, 2005]. The minimum payments over
the next fiscal years are as follows: $70.3 in 2007; $69.1 in 2008; $70.2 in
2009; $30.2 in 2010.
Obligations arising from information system services
As an integral part of the purchase for A&P Canada in 2005 an information system
service agreement was entered into with A&P U.S to provide information system
services to A&P Canada. The agreement covers a two-year period expiring on
August 12, 2007. The costs related to information system services were
established at approximately $20 per year, including $22.4 for the year ended
September 30, 2006 [2005 - $2.3].
18. CONTINGENCIES
Endorsements
For certain of its customers with whom business relationships are established,
the Company assumes a contingent liability as guarantor of lease agreements with
varying terms through 2019 for which the average annual lease payments for the
next five years are $1.2. The maximum contingent liability under these
endorsements as at September 30, 2006 was $10.4. Also, the Company has endorsed
loans granted to certain customers by financial institutions, with varying terms
through 2012, for a maximum amount of $29.5. The balance of these loans as at
September 30, 2006 was $29.5. In return, the Company holds a movable hypothec on
the shares of the Company held by its customers, as well as second hypothecs on
the inventories, movable goods, intangible goods and accounts receivable. The
guarantees and hypothecs sufficiently cover the balance of these loans. No
liability has been recorded in respect of these endorsements for the years ended
September 30, 2006 and September 24, 2005.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
18. CONTINGENCIES [Cont'd]
Claims
In the normal course of business, various proceedings and claims are instituted
against the Company. The Company contests the validity of these claims and
proceedings and management believes that any forthcoming settlement in respect
of these claims will not have a material effect on the financial position or on
the consolidated earnings of the Company.
19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the year, sales to companies controlled by members of the Board of
Directors totalled $38.9 [2005 - $81.2] and sales to an affiliated company
amounted to $3.5 [2005 - $5.5]. These transactions were conducted in the normal
course of business and were accounted for at the exchange amount. As at
September 30, 2006, accounts receivable include a balance of $0.7 [$5.5 as at
September 24, 2005] resulting from these transactions.
20. PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO PRICE REGULATION
As a food distributor and retailer and a distributor of pharmaceutical goods,
the Company sells certain products subject to price regulation.
Drugs
In Quebec, the Minister of Health and Social Services establishes, by
regulation, the list of drugs whose cost is covered by the basic prescription
drug insurance plan and regulates the selling price of such drugs. The list of
drugs is established pursuant to the Act respecting prescription drug insurance.
A profit margin may be added to the set price within the range determined by the
government, pursuant to the Regulation respecting the conditions on which
manufacturers and wholesalers of medications shall be recognized.
In Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care establishes, by
regulation, the list of drugs whose cost is covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit
Act and regulates the selling price of such drugs.
Milk
Milk prices are regulated by the Act respecting the marketing of agricultural,
food and fish products and the Reglement sur les prix du lait aux consommateurs.
The Regie des marches agricoles et alimentaires du Quebec sets milk prices by
determining the minimum and maximum prices based on the three regions covering
the territory of the Province of Quebec.
Beer
Beer prices are regulated by the Act respecting liquor permits and the
Regulation respecting promotion, advertising and educational programs relating
to alcoholic beverages. The Regie des alcools, des courses et des jeux du Quebec
sets beer prices based on the percentage of alcohol content.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
20. PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO PRICE REGULATION [Cont'd]
Wine
Wine prices are regulated by the Act respecting the Societe des alcools du
Quebec and the Regulation respecting the terms of sale of alcoholic beverages by
holders of a grocery permit. The retail price of permitted alcoholic beverages
may not be less than the retail price set by the Societe des alcools du Quebec.
The product price lists mentioned above are periodically updated. Sales of
products subject to price regulation totalled $873.3 in 2006. Sales accounting
is the same whether the price is regulated or not.
21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed primarily to interest
rate fluctuation risks. The Company manages these risks through the use of
derivative financial instruments, that is, bond rate locks to lock in interest
rates and interest rate swaps. The Company's management is responsible for
determining acceptable levels of risk and uses the derivative financial
instruments solely to hedge its existing liabilities or obligations, and not to
generate a profit from trading transactions.
In 2006
Interest rate swaps were contracted for a total notional amount of $ 150 of
Credit Facility A. Those derivative financial instruments are used as hedges.
Unrealized fair market gains or losses are not recognized. These contracts
enable the Company to substitute the variable rate interest payments with fixed
rate interest payments under the following conditions:
- ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
Objective Fixed Rate Notional amount Maturity
% $
- ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
- ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
Fixing debt cost 4.6480 $ 50 November 23, 2008
Fixing debt cost 4.6820 $ 50 December 16, 2009
Fixing debt cost 4.7425 $ 50 December 16, 2010
- ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
- ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------- -----------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Cont'd]
In 2005
The Company entered into bond rate locks to lock in the interest rate so as to
hedge against a change in interest rates between the time the instruments are
purchased and the issue of notes carried out on October 12, 2005. At the date of
issue of the medium-term notes on October 12, 2005, these agreements expired,
and the Company made payment of $2.4 that will be amortized as an adjustment to
the interest expense on the notes over their term.
Bond rate locks were as follows as at September 24, 2005:
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
Objective Rate under Covered amount Expiry
agreement $
%
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
Lock in the interest rate - 10 years 5.03 $150 October 21, 2005
Lock in the interest rate - 30 years 6.03 $125 October 21, 2005
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
Fair value
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, bank loans and
accounts payable approximates their carrying value because of the short-term
maturity of these instruments.
The fair value of loans to certain customers included in investments and of the
items included in long-term debt is equivalent to their carrying value since
they are at floating interest rates or at interest rates that are comparable to
market rates.
The fair value of notes is approximately $610.1, which represents the
obligations that the Company would have to face in the event of the negotiation
of similar notes under current market conditions.
The fair value of the obligations under capital leases, including the current
portion, is approximately $53.7, which represents the obligations that the
Company would have to face in the event of the negotiation of similar leases
under current market conditions.
The fair value of the derivative financial instruments generally reflects the
estimates of the amounts the Company would receive by way of settlement of
favourable contracts or that it would pay to terminate unfavourable contracts at
the balance sheet date. These fair values are estimated using the prices
obtained from major financial institutions. The fair values of the interest rate
swaps amounted to $0.6 as at September 30, 2006 and the fair values of bond rate
locks to lock in interest rates amounted to $1.9 as at September 24, 2005.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Cont'd]
Credit risk
The Company sells its products to numerous customers in Canada. The Company
performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. As at September 30, 2006
and September 24, 2005, no customer accounted for over 10% of total accounts
receivable.
The company is subject to risk related to the off-balance-sheet nature of
derivative financial instruments, whereby counterparty failure would result in
economic losses or favorable contracts. However, as the counterparties to these
derivative financial instruments are major financial institutions, the Company
expects that they will satisfy their obligations under the contracts.
22. RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian GAAP), which differ
in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States (US GAAP). The following tables and disclosures represent the principal
reconciling items between US GAAP and Canadian GAAP affecting the consolidated
statement of earnings and retained earnings and the consolidated balance sheet.
The reconciliation of net earnings in accordance with Canadian GAAP to conform
to US GAAP is as follows:
2006 2005
$ $
Notes [53 weeks] [52 weeks]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings in accordance with Canadian GAAP 253.0 190.4
Leases, net of income taxes of $0.5 ($0.1 in 2005) 5 (1.3) (0.5)
Post employment benefits, net of income taxes of $1.1 (($0.5) 4
in 2005) (2.5) 1.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3.8) 0.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings in accordance with US GAAP 249.2 191.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
22. RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP [Cont'd]
The reconciliation of retained earnings in accordance with Canadian GAAP to
conform to US GAAP is as follows:
2006 2005
$ $
Notes [53 weeks] [52 weeks]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings at beginning of year in accordance with
Canadian GAAP 807.7 690.6
Leases, net of income taxes of $0.4 ($0.1 in 2005) 5 (0.9) (0.4)
Post employment benefits, net of income taxes of $3.4 ($3.9 in 4
2005) (7.6) (8.7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings at beginning of year in accordance with US
GAAP 799.2 681.5
Net earnings in accordance with US GAAP 249.2 191.0
Dividends (47.5) (38.9)
Share redemption premium -- (34.4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings at the end of year in accordance with US GAAP
1,000.9 799.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The comprehensive income under US GAAP is as follows:
2006 2005
$ $
Notes [53 weeks] [52 weeks]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings in accordance with US GAAP 249.2 191.0
Other comprehensive income
Derivative financial instruments, net of income taxes of
$0.2 ($0.8 in 2005) 1 and 2 2.2 (1.8)
Minimum pension liability, net of income taxes of $0.7 3 -- (1.4)
in 2005
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income in accordance with US GAAP 251.4 187.8
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
22. RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP [Cont'd]
The reconciliation of cash flows under Canadian GAAP to conform to US GAAP is as
follows:
2006 2005
$ $
Notes [53 weeks] [52 weeks]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities under Canadian GAAP 392.0 281.9
Net earnings (3.8) 0.6
Depreciation and amortization 2.4 0.7
Future income taxes (6.0) (6.9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities under US GAAP 384.6 276.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities under Canadian GAAP (181.9) (1,319.6)
Acquisition of fixed assets (98.6) (77.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities under US GAAP (280.5) (1,396.8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities under Canadian GAAP (138.2) 1,088.5
Increase of other long-term liabilities 106.0 82.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities under US GAAP (32.2) 1,171.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
22. RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP [Cont'd]
2006 2005
$ $
[53 weeks] [52 weeks]
--------------------------------------------------
Notes Canadian US Canadian US
GAAP GAAP GAAP GAAP
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales 10,944.0 10,944.0 6,646.5 6,646.5
Cost of sales and operating expenses 4 and 5 10,305.5 10,293.0 6,281.5 6,275.2
Integration and rationalization costs 28.0 28.0 -- --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization 610.5 623.0 365.0 371.3
Depreciation and amortization 5 177.9 180.3 87.2 87.9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 432.6 442.7 277.8 283.4
Interest
Short term (1.9) (1.9) 1.3 1.3
Long term 5 70.6 86.1 6.1 10.7
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68.7 84.2 7.4 12.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes 363.9 358.5 270.4 271.4
Income taxes 4 and 5 107.0 105.4 81.0 81.4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before minority interest 256.9 253.1 189.4 190.0
Minority interest 3.9 3.9 (1.0) (1.0)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings 253.0 249.2 190.4 191.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share
Basic 2.21 2.17 1.94 1.95
Fully diluted 2.18 2.15 1.92 1.92
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
22. RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP [Cont'd]
2006 2005
$ $
Notes Canadian US Canadian US
GAAP GAAP GAAP GAAP
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 165.7 165.7 93.8 93.8
Accounts receivable 302.1 302.1 287.7 287.7
Inventories 565.5 565.5 551.9 551.9
Prepaid expenses 11.3 11.3 15.1 15.1
Future income taxes 16.7 16.7 12.4 12.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,061.3 1,061.3 960.9 960.9
Investments and other assets 1 117.9 118.5 100.6 98.0
Fixed assets 5 1,129.9 1,228.5 1,106.4 1,183.6
Intangible assets 331.7 331.7 194.8 194.8
Goodwill 5 1,490.1 1,493.0 1,543.7 1,546.6
Accrued benefit assets 4 33.0 25.0 20.9 16.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,163.9 4,258.0 3,927.3 4,000.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Bank loans 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
Accounts payable 1,049.5 1,049.5 1,022.0 1,022.0
Income taxes payable 36.8 36.8 13.8 13.8
Current portion of long-term debt 7.3 7.3 7.7 7.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,093.9 1,093.9 1,043.8 1,043.8
Long-term debt 1,116.6 1,116.6 1,205.0 1,205.0
Accrued benefit obligations 3 and 4 60.6 69.3 66.6 75.3
Future income taxes 1, 3, 4 115.0 107.7 82.1 75.4
and 5
Other long-term liabilities 5 44.2 150.2 10.2 93.0
Minority interest 9.8 9.8 6.3 6.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,440.1 2,547.5 2,414.0 2,498.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
Capital stock 709.0 709.0 703.8 703.8
Contributed surplus 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.8
Retained earnings 4 and 5 1,013.2 1,000.9 807.7 799.2
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1, 2 and 3 -- (1.0) -- (3.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,723.8 1,710.5 1,513.3 1,501.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,163.9 4,258.0 3,927.3 4,000.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22. RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP [Cont'd]
Reconciling items
1) Interest rate swaps and forward contracts
The Company has outstanding interest rate swaps and forward contracts,
designated as cash flow hedges. Under US GAAP, the Company adopted the FASB
statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 133, "Accounting for
Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities" as amended by SFAS 138,
"Accounting for certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities".
In accordance with these statements, the Company has recorded in its balance
sheets the fair value of interest rate swaps and forward contracts. Changes in
the fair value of these instruments are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income,
a separate component of shareholders' equity until the underlying transaction is
recorded in earnings.
Under Canadian GAAP, derivates financial instruments qualifying for hedge
accounting were not recognized on balance sheet. Upon the adoption of sections
3855 and 3865, Canadian GAAP will be substantially harmonized with US GAAP, for
the Company, on October 1, 2006.
2) Comprehensive income
US GAAP requires disclosure of comprehensive income, which comprises income and
other component of comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes
items that cause changes in shareholders' equity but are not related to share
capital or net earnings. Under Canadian GAAP, the requirement to report
comprehensive income has started in the quarter ended December 23, 2006, with
the adoption of Section 1530 "Comprehensive Income".
3) Minimum pension liability
Under US GAAP, if the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the market value of
plan assets, a minimum pension liability for the excess is recognized to the
extent that the liability recorded in the balance sheet is less than the minimum
liability. Any portion of the additional liability that relates to unrecognized
past service costs is recognized as an intangible asset while the reminder is
charged to other comprehensive income. The concept of additional minimum
liability does not currently exist under Canadian GAAP.
METRO INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
22. RECONCILIATION OF CANADIAN GAAP TO UNITED STATES GAAP [Cont'd]
4) Post employment benefits
Under US GAAP, SFAS 112 "Employer's Accounting for Post employment Benefits",
specifies that post-employment benefits, such as disability-related benefits,
that do not vest or accumulate are recognized immediately when the event that
gives rise to the benefits occurs because all the conditions to accrue a
liability have been rendered. Similarly, gains or losses are recognized in the
year of their occurence. Under Canadian GAAP, Section 3461 allows the entity to
recognize gains or losses related to post-employment benefits either immediately
in the period in which they arise or over a period linked to the type of
benefit. Under Canadian GAAP, METRO recognizes post-employment benefits gains or
losses over a period linked to the type of benefit.
5) Lessee involvement in Asset Construction
Under US GAAP, the Emerging Issue task Force ("EITF") 97-10 "The effect of
lessee involvement in Asset Construction" establish criteria to use to determine
whether a company is deemed the owner of the construction projects during the
construction period. As a result, the Company is deemed the owner of certain of
its current lease during the construction period. Therefore, landlord
reimbursements are recorded as long-term real estate liability and the
construction costs included in fixed assets.
In all these situations, upon completion of the construction, the Company was
unable to meet the requirements under SFAS 98 "Accounting for Leases to qualify
for sale-leaseback". Therefore, the asset is amortized in accordance with the
Company's Accounting policy, and the real estate liability is amortized as
interest expense based on technical accounting guidance.
Under Canadian GAAP, rules related to lessee involvement in asset construction
does not currently exist and therefore these transactions are accounted as
operating lease, in accordance with Section 3865 "Leases".
As a result, the purchase equation has been modified to include the impact of
the revaluation of the fixed assets and long term real estate liability.
23. COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the
presentation adopted in the current year.