Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you very much for waiting. Welcome to our third quarter 2024 earnings call of Natura &Co. It is important to highlight the fact that we count on simultaneous translation resources. Please click on the interpretation button at the bottom of the screen and choose the language of your choice. For those who are listening to this conference in English, you can mute the audio in Portuguese just by clicking "Mute Original Audio." Today with us, Fábio Barbosa, Global CEO for Natura &Co, João Paulo Ferreira, CEO, and Guilherme Castellan, our CFO. This presentation is available on our Investor Relations website. I would like to pass the floor to Fábio Barbosa. You may now proceed.
[Foreign language]
Good morning, and thank you very much for attending this conference. Starting our financial performance, I would like to highlight the fact that it was an excellent quarter. There was a continued acceleration in sales, with an increase of 18.5% in constant currency, or 11% excluding Argentina. This good moment in revenues, combined mainly with operation leverage and the simplification of the operation, allowed us to report a robust evolution on profitability. Profitability expanded by 340 basis points, and regarding to EBITDA, more than 50%. Wave 2, evolving, delivering expected results, profitability in cash conversion. João Paulo will give you details about Wave 2. This positive result will not yet be able to be seen at the last line. At this quadrant, we are already consolidating the results, API's, visibilities from the results due to the Chapter 11 announcement in August.
As a result, a non-cash non-recurring loss of BRL 7 billion was recorded in discontinued operations that ended up neutralizing the positive net income of BRL 302 million recorded with our continuing operations. Any loss you may have at the end of the fiscal year will eventually be offset with capital reserves upon shareholder approval, enabling the company to pay dividends. On the ESG front, we are celebrating 10 years as a B Corporation, which will provide and make progress on our climate transition plan. There is a new line of innovation. We launched it in an unprecedented collaboration with Nestlé, which is also a B Corporation . We use the aluminum from espresso capsules. I'll give the floor to João Paulo and Guilherme to submit the results, and we will return to you during the Q&A.
Thank you, Fábio. Good morning. This is João Paulo. I would like to say that we are now with one and a half years since the first implementation. Now, I would like to give you a very brief update about Wave 2 and the results so far. When we thought of Wave 2, our main goal was to improve profitability and reduce the profitability gap, the EBITDA margin between Avon and Natura Latin America. At that point in time, when we were checking this recovering EBITDA margin with the two brands, there was a gap about 20% between them. Avon operated with a sustainable margin, and there was cash burn. And the leverage of this initiative of Wave 2 was basically the combination of channels: focused on productivity, optimization of our portfolio, and the search for efficiencies for both admin, back office. This is in the marketing process.
The combined operations throughout this year and a half among Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and Chile were, as a matter of fact, the major leverage. These are six consecutive quarters of margin expansion. Since the beginning of the implementation of Wave 2, we started off from EBITDA with 13% margin in the second quarter, reaching 15.3% in this last quarter. Wave 2 is still on, right? In Brazil, we've just completed our logistics integration that allows us to launch the integrated checkout. Now, consultants' reps can buy both brands in a single order. In many regions, they receive them in a single delivery. We also started Wave 2 in Mexico. There are a number of initiatives taking place, and we will launch Wave 2 in Argentina very soon. In both cases, the process should be completed by 2025.
Of course, we have not much time, but there will be a Q&A at the end of this presentation. Now, having said that, I would like to pass the floor to Guilherme, and he will just make a comment about the quarter's numbers.
Good morning, folks. We are now showing you an 18% increase in revenue in constant currency, with highlights being Natura's strong performance in Brazil, Avon's growth due to a weak year-ago comparison, and Natura's acceleration across the rest of Latin America. Natura grew 19%, maintaining strong sales and dynamics while benefiting from productivity and volume gains, especially after the implementation of the combined order, as João Paulo mentioned. Other important factors were the improved service level and product innovations, such as the Todo dia haircare line, which has already benefited the quarter's results. In the Hispanic region, Natura's accelerated performance in the high single digits, excluding Argentina, was driven by Wave 2 countries. In Mexico, despite platform changes in the region due to the Onda 2 or Wave 2 rollout, revenues remained strong.
Looking at the Avon brand in Brazil, the increase was 14%, starting from a weaker comparison base, with skincare and makeup products leading the performance, along with productivity gains after the launch of the combined order. In the Hispanic region, Avon showed a 2.7% decline, excluding Argentina. Despite ongoing channel reductions in the region, just like João Paulo showed, revenues have been recovering, benefiting from a weaker comparison basis as well. In the Home & Style segment, we also had a weaker comparison base, but it's worth mentioning that this is the third consecutive quarter where the category's sequential performance has been stable. Slide seven, we can see the performance of our recurring EBITDA.
This quarter, we had a solid gross margin expansion of 340 basis points as a result of a series of factors such as operational leverage, improved price and promotion execution, a richer country mix, especially those that have already been with the Wave 2 implemented, and an increased exposure of the Natura brand. Additionally, efficiencies in general and administrative expenses, logistics, and credit collection were reinvested in marketing and other strategic projects, such as Rock in Rio and product launch campaigns, positively impacting sales. We also had the effect of a reduction in corporate expenses, which fell 43% year on year. Our recurring EBITDA showed a margin expansion of 340 basis points.
[Foreign language]
Moving on to slide eight, we show the effects of the deconsolidation of the API in our balance sheet this quarter. The non-cash, non-operational impact on discontinued operations was BRL 7 billion, representing three effects. Number one, a positive impact of BRL 3.8 billion related to the deconsolidation of API's negative equity and impact from receivables from Natura &Co companies against API and its subsidiaries, which were previously treated as intercompany. In the context of Chapter 11, these receivables are no longer intercompany and there's a write-off of BRL 10.7 billion of these receivables, and lastly, a negative impact of BRL 97 million related to the net loss of Avon International from July to mid-August, as well as other effects such as tax and legal expenses. As Fábio mentioned, this loss may eventually be offset by capital reserves.
On the profits slide, you can see that the reported loss is mainly related to the impact of the deconsolidation of API just explained. The underlying net profit was positive at BRL 524 million. Aside from all operational points I've highlighted that led to a BRL 320 million increase in EBIT, we had higher financial expenses due to the moving from a net cash position to a projected net debt position, as well as higher tax expenses. The discontinued operations showed a cash flow of BRL 60 million from January to September, accounting for a significant improvement compared to the same period last year when we had a BRL 1.5 billion related to the liability management exercise carried out in Q3 2023. The improvement was mainly explained by three reasons. Number one, improvement in working capital, mainly driven by this quarter due to the benefit of receivables and continued improvement in accounts payable.
Lower interest expenses due to lower leverage compared to the first nine months of 2023. Finally, a reduction in CapEx benefited from the intangible investments allocated to operational lines. In this slide, you can see our level of indebtedness. We were very active trying to extend our debt, as we mentioned in the previous call back in August. We prepaid debts of BRL 1.3 billion that were due in 2025 and 2027, and we issued new debt issues of the same value due in 2029. As a result, we ended the quarter with BRL 3.3 billion in cash, more than enough to cover Natura &Co's obligations through 2027. The cash also had an impact from the deconsolidation of Avon, with an effect of more than BRL 1 billion, as shown in the company's cash flow. Our net debt EBITDA ratio is 1.5 times.
And I'll turn it back to Fábio for his closing remarks and next steps.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate a couple of things. Number one, the company's simplification process is progressing and remains the primary goal of management. Number two, wave two has been implemented in most regions and should be completed by the end of 2025. We will continue using the lessons learned in 2023 and 2024 to minimize disruptions in the upcoming countries and gain productivity. Number three, our agenda, our main strategic projects include a healthy and diversified channel, consumer-centered innovations, and strong brands admired by all stakeholders. Number four, finally, our commitment to the triple bottom line strategy remains strong to unlock value for shareholders in a sustainable fashion. Thank you. Let's move on to the Q&A session now. We'll now start the Q&A session.
To ask a question, please click the Q&A button at the bottom of the screen and write down your questions. Once your name is called, please unmute your mic and ask your questions. Ask all questions all at once. The first question comes from Joseph Giordano from JP Morgan. You may proceed. You may unmute your mic.
Good morning, everyone. Guilherme and Fábio, thank you for taking my call. My question. I have two questions, actually. The first one has to do with operations and the recurring operations looking at Wave 2. Two things. From operations, what remains to be delivered for these new operational models? The updates in Argentina and Mexico. And I understand what the relevance of the tax rate, especially when the credit you have to receive. On the other hand, the market has been wondering about the company's net debt, well above what was previously expected.
I would like to understand whether these impairments could go back or could come back to Natura through the Chapter 11 process at Avon in 2025.
I would like to start answering this question on the financial aspect of it with regards to the leveraging. And then I'll move to the tax issue. And then I'll pass the mic to João to talk about wave two. Generally speaking, this quarter was a moment of API and deconsolidation and the accounting consequences with the results of Avon with our API and the subsidiaries in our Natura balance sheet. And of course, that caused some noise in accounting terms and in the net income impact. And we explained that just a couple of minutes ago during our presentation. The other thing is the leverage impact, as you may notice. This can be reversed.
That, of course, depending on the outcomes, the possible outcomes of this Chapter 11 process and development. So basically, the scenario that I would like you to observe is based on two factors. First, our strong cash in LATAM with our very good, strong revenues and EBITDA and operations, principally with the strength of Natura brand, with a double-digit growth in Natura Brazil. That basically offsets by Avon and discontinued operations. So basically, those operations in Avon as of the 1st of July to the 1st of August. And then we have the financial results of Avon with intercompany. And that is also between the 1st of July to the beginning of August. And then basically, the legal issues with the API that would go from June to August. In addition to that, there are some debts that are linked to those operations.
Of course, that is with Avon and the United States. And those debts were, of course, supposed to be set so that we can run that until the end of Chapter 11, which is a secure line of credit so that Avon may proceed with those operations. This is with regards to the assets outside the U.S. So that goes in the same line. So basically, all those impacts that I just listed, plus the costs related to Chapter 11. So that means several legal and advisory costs. And this is all within the bucket of discontinued operations. And then in the end, when you're talking about the good results in LATAM with those remarks with regards to the cost generated in this quarter, the major lever of the increase of this net debt is the impact of this cash and the liability between Natura and Avon.
This is the rationale of the increase of the net debt, but as you remarked quite well, in case our asset purchase agreement is also activated, a major chunk would be reverted to the current value, as Avon cash. And then, of course, it would have to match the potential of each of those aspects. So now I would like to invite the market to think about this impact. Major part of this BRL 1.3 million would be reverted in case the assets are acquired from Avon. And then the market should continue to analyze the operational aspect of the company. That is very strong gaining momentum. And you know that the last quarter of the year is always very strong with regards to cash generation. Obviously, the most important quarter of the year to the company.
So with regards to the tributary aspects, we had already mentioned that there is the phase-out of expenses basically between second quarter, third quarter. So we always suggest you to analyze those issues from effective tax rate and cash tax rate, analyzing the last 12 months. So basically, what we have is expenditures from the holding that phase out, generating a benefit in cascade and other fiscal benefits that we can enjoy positively during these last quarters in Latin America. When you look at the future, we have to think about a basic rate, just considering the markets where we operate, especially in LATAM. We increasingly expect to have the strengthening of the deficitary markets. They will become stronger, and they will be net income countries. So there is a very good mix of countries with different rates. But we actually, we're not giving you guidance or we're not speculating.
It's just something that is happening. We had already mentioned that during the second quarter. We really expect to have a very strong situation when we analyze in the middle run. I would like to pass the floor to João now so he can just give a continue with my answer.
As to Wave 2, Peru, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil, they all have concluded the integration phase. Now they're going through that continuous improvement phase. After one year and a half, we've already provided alternatives of uses and different combinations of businesses which yielded better results here and there. Now they're implementing these best practices to further explore cross-sell and upsell opportunities. It's a continuous improvement process. As to the other countries, despite their limited size, we've introduced the Natura brand in Ecuador on 1s t October.
We may even call it Wave 3, using the cross-sell lessons from Wave 2 to introduce Natura brand elsewhere. The other two main countries that remain are Mexico and Argentina, where now laying the groundwork using that experience we've acquired in other countries. Now we know we can remove all that noise with that preparation in advance. In Mexico, Natura's brand has been very successful, which is not the case for Avon, and we want to maintain the same stabilization we have in other countries after the stabilization, and in Argentina, both brands have had good performance. That combination will be great to offset the macroeconomic challenges the country is faced with, so this is the scenario for 2025. Thank you.
Thank you.
well, the next question is Ruben Couto from Santander. You may proceed now, sir.
[Foreign language] Good morning.
Thank you very much for the chance to question. Can I give us an idea of the pace of the growth of the market based on the internal measurements that you are following? Is there any acceleration compared to the first semester of the year? So I would like you to talk a little bit about it. And another thing, you just showed the royalties with Avon. This is a fixed value. Is it based on a percentage, based on the sales? Can we just have an idea of what is going to happen in the future? Is there any chance of changing anything with the wrap-up of the Chapter 11 issue? Thank you.
Hi, Ruben. This is João Paulo. The Natura's results here, we have performance well above the market. Our market has grown at about 7%, 8%, 6% based on external analyses.
Natura's growth is an important share gain. Not the quarter, but the accrued numbers explain that substantial growth. Let me add that. This is the result of the investments we've made in marketing. João Paulo has been heading that effort. This is the investment we are now making again. Results are showing in both the gain of share. Yes, that's right. Innovations, important launches, brand support. That's a result of the low SG&A, sales, logistics. We can both invest on the brands and at the same time expand on our base. Guilherme, would you like to touch upon royalties?
Yes, your second question was about royalties. You also mentioned something else I couldn't understand.
No, my question is about royalties only.
Yep. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for that misunderstanding.
As part of that separation between the two companies, we negotiated on an arm's length agreement to use the intellectual property of the Avon brand for all Latin American countries. Of course, those that are under the management of João Paulo's team. So this agreement was negotiated using a percentage of the royalties based on total revenues of Avon and the region. And that percentage, I'm not going to give you further details of the model of that contract, but you can assume that it's a fixed rate if the scenario is business as usual in the coming years. But the results we showed in the release, and I'm thinking you're referring to the rate that is in the report, but let me remind you, this is from 13th August to 30th September , because in the past, those amounts were consolidated as an intercompany transaction.
That's why we wanted to show that separated amount, because LATAM's margin is 250 basis points. It's strong, but it had a 30 basis points impact on top of the impact on intangibles for the company's SG&A, bringing margins further down. So despite all these impacts, just like João said, the bottom line impact was positive. That's why we have a strong margin expansion despite all these impacts.
That was very clear. Thank you.
Our next question comes from Danniela from XP. Danniela, you may now open your mic. Proceed.
Good morning. Good morning, and thank you very much for the chance of asking a question. First, I'd like to, you mentioned about the dynamics and the market share. Perhaps we were feeling with the channel checks and, of course, some of the impacted ones participating with Boticário, but this direct sales at Boticário is not doing so well.
Perhaps not only because of Eudora, the impact, of course, of the rupture or some products. I would like to understand the impact of this franchising. Can you just give us an idea, shed some light about this impact, perhaps through the feedback from the consulting companies, perhaps with the investment in innovation, which is something that was true in the past. There was a gap, and of course, offsetting the situation, of course, to become a more attractive to the ramps. Perhaps if you could tell us, is there any favoring in the merit of this strategy with LO? Perhaps this might be a favorable, favorite, a positive dynamic, considering what we have ahead of us.
With regards to the second question, with regards to the gap of 20 percentage points, 20% as a gap, what do you think that it is a structural gap, perhaps at the end when you finalize the entire adjustment in both brands, just for us to see what we could think of a margin gain just for the future? Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to stretch my question and ask you, how can you think about the capital dynamics and capital structure of capital, principally in terms of dividends after the end of Chapter 11, so in the eventual catch-up? So basically, I asked a couple of questions, but thank you very much for this room for my question.
Good morning, Danniela.
Good morning, Danniela.
As a matter of fact, I cannot say any word about the competition.
What I can tell you, Danniela, is about our operation along with our reps. As a matter of fact, and fortunately to our rejoice, we are witnessing the most, the highest levels of satisfaction of our reps throughout our entire history, and of course, this is in the wake of the improvement of our logistics. Even if you compare just one year ago when we started implementing the total different scenario, it was very bad, and all the problems were just they had an end, and the reps are completely satisfied, and there is a lot of dynamic in the trade and they're receiving support, training, capacity building, and the quality of our training, the quality of our capacity building is well accepted and fantastic.
And that gives us this push to keep investing either in the tools that they use, digitizing their work, and of course, the rhythm of launching novelties and increasing our sales force. I think this is very useful. When you refer to profitability, as a matter of fact, a couple of slides ago, I mentioned that we try to have good margins, contribution margins. Every brand has a different dynamic with regards to price, different dynamics in terms of new promotions. And of course, categories have different margins, likely different. But perhaps this tells you types of investment that we make, and of course, other services, training courses to increase our sales force. And of course, we want to, in the end, have similar margins. And this is basically the dynamic that we might be seeing. Now, I'd like to pass it to Guilherme to talk about the capital structure.
Thank you very much, João. Now, what you just mentioned, of course, there's several things that I know that you know quite well. Those can cause a very significant impact, principally in those quarters with the working capital that it is not so positive, but now this is changing completely in this third quarter, so based on that, this capital dynamic is impacted by receivables, investments in receivables, and of course, since the first quarter this year, those planned investments are actually producing positive results to the company, and I may say there is the stock also, and that dynamic is also affecting the results, and we want to aggressively decrease our percentage, our working capital to base it on the revenues. Of course, this will be driven by receivables, payables, rather, and the use of stock in a very aggressive logistic approach with new ideas from João.
And of course, we are going to be seeing the fruit in the second quarter of 2025. Of course, we are not showing such a detailed plan per city, per channel, per category. Of course, we are very strong in terms of optimizing our working capital in the next few years. So there is a lot of room, principally in those two aspects that I just mentioned, with the stock and also with payables. Now, with regards to the use of capital, you are absolutely right. We are in the middle of a changing time. So in the eyes of the market, I understand, and give us a time. So we have in this process with our API, our Chapter 11, so there are potential outcomes soon. We are not looking at paying dividends by no chance until the end of the cycle.
Of course, the only thing that we wanted to disclose here during our release is not. This is a non-cash loss due to our Avon consolidation. And eventually, we might be offset all that with our capital reserves. Of course, considering the [ audio distortion] , he apologizes. And with this action, we would have the ability of payoff the dividends. But we are not showing by no chance that we would pay those debts in the short run.
Excellent. Very clear, and congratulations for the good results. Thank you.
Well, the next question comes from João Soares from Citi. You may unmute your mic now, please.
Good morning, folks. Congratulations on the results. I have two questions. The first to João. I would like to understand this short-term issue. Because in the past, we had some issues with systems integration. There were some disruptions. A challenging process, naturally.
Based on your tone, we have the impression that the process is a lot smoother now for both Natura and Avon. And we can only assume the fourth quarter numbers would be better because of the challenges you had last year and stronger market share up until now. So how would that dynamic play out in Q4? And when we talk about gross margins, this has been very robust at 67% in LATAM. So my question is, how sustainable would that be, especially as you capture additional efficiencies from the integration? Can we expect higher gross margins sustainably? That's my question, actually.
Hi, João. Well, I wouldn't like to give you a lot of information about the short term. But you're right. In Q4 of last year, we had many or a lot of operational noises, logistics integration, lack of products, because the integration had started in September.
So Q4 was filled with operational difficulties, which in the end hurt the potential of that quarter. Today, things are completely different. Your interpretation is correct. The implementation has been very healthy at a very good pace. So I think your analysis makes sense. As to gross margins, we believe the average gross margin in Latin America is very healthy. And yes, there are operations yet to be integrated, and we know that favors mixed optimization in our portfolio, promotional investments, which will help us. On the other hand, we have to remain competitive when compared to the competition in these different markets, which to a certain extent limits our capacity to transfer prices. There may be marginal opportunities down the road. However, we believe that the current margin levels are very healthy.
That was very clear.
Thank you, João.
[Foreign language] The question now comes from Irma from Goldman Sachs. Irma, you may now proceed. Thank you.
[Foreign language] Hello. Good morning. Thank you very much for the chance of asking a question. Two very quick ones. With regards to the break between volume and price, the growth was very strong. I would like to obtain more details, not in terms of productivity from the reps, of course, but talking about prices and volume. So there is more volume than price. I would like to confirm that. And the second part of the question, the official shop on the web through Mercado Livre, this past month. I would like you to talk a little bit about the strategies, what you have in mind.
Is this a very important plan to really reach and increase this sales channel? Perhaps this is for you to reach new clients where you don't have so much penetration and how much you are going to be using in terms of using this channel.
Irma, now, with regards to Natura, Brazil, the increase in our revenue is for both volume and price. I would say half and half, roughly speaking. It's not exact in exact figures, but basically, it is half and half. With regards to Mercado Livre, of course, we want to be part of the life of our reps with different purchasing experiences. So that's why we wanted to diversify our channels. The online market in Latin America is actually the Mercado Livre. So it seems to us a quite positive strategy to be able to be part in this market dynamics.
Our proprietary markets are still our priority, but there's no shadow of a doubt that part of our clients will go and look for our products in other instances. So this is a strategic movement, but it is not a thing near our main desire to change it. So perhaps you could tell us about how you want to deal with that, because you have an official internet sale. And also the reps on the other side that have their lists and also their little shops on the web through Mercado Livre. So what do you think you're going to do, and how are you going to juggle with those different variables? Well, actually, our reps are our major assets, so we don't want to hinder their business by no chance.
What happened is that when we have our physical shops, we had to learn to deal with their own small corner shops and direct sales and understanding the price dynamics and the promotions that are run and with all the clients so that we can still serve and deliver to our clientele. We are aware of the dynamics and the approaches of our reps in the internet markets, and we talk directly with them for them to understand what our policies are once we start using this format. I'm absolutely sure and aware that we're going to have a very healthful and balanced space with them. I would like to add something that in our release, you saw the retail and the digital gains three percentage points on the Natura basket. At the same time, as João said, our reps have a very high engagement and satisfaction.
So we're all-time high. So you can see that despite this exposure on the channel, of course, as João said, that might be a great asset that we have, principally with our reps as well.
Well, thank you.
[Foreign language] . Juan José Guzmán from Scotiabank is up next. Can you hear me, Juan? I've just sent the button so that you can unmute your mic. [Foreign language] Are you there, Juan? Well, let's move on to the next question. Gustavo Fratini of Bank of America. Por favor, [Foreign language] . You can unmute your mic now, please.
Good morning, folks. Thank you for taking my questions. I have two. How can cross-selling between Natura and Avon improve once you've implemented the combined order and the savings in logistics? My second question has several outcomes.
The API Chapter 11 recovery, if the final decision in December postpones the entire process, what's your take on keeping on funding this international operation so that I can have an idea of what the marginal disbursements would be and whether you would need additional cash after Q3 of 2024? Thank you.
Hi, Gustavo. I can only say that cross-selling is up after we introduce the combined checkout. We're still in the learning process as to encouragements or incentives to increase even further that cross-sell. And of course, logistics costs are coming down, as expected. I cannot provide any further information about it. Over to you, Guilherme.
Thank you for your question, Gustavo. I think you raised a very interesting question. We are in that process, and its timeline has already been agreed upon. And of course, we're working based on that given timeline.
I'll be as honest as possible because the market can even speculate different outcomes, but we don't see any material evidence that would significantly change that timeline. We believe that an approved timeline is only fair based on the secondary hearing. That's what we have been working with. What can happen next? I think we were very clear during the presentation. We have one approved up until January. We're not speculating here what potential outcomes there may be. But these cash adjustments that would impact net debt, of course, were high in Q3. However, we don't expect that to happen in Q4 because both November and December are strong cash generation months for Avon assets abroad. Of course, ever since 2022, our mindset has been very cash keen, with very cautious cash protection on our side.
And we have to take that into account just as well.
That was very clear. Thank you very much.
Now we wrap up our Q&A session. I would like to pass it now to Barbosa.
As a matter of fact, we are available. So if there is any question, please get in touch with us. Thank you very much for your attention and have a good day.
This video conference with regards to the gains of the third quarter is now closed. So thank you very much for your participation. We are all available. Please get in touch if you have any questions. Have you all a good day. Thank you.