Natura &Co posts constant currency sales growth and continuous improvement in cash conversion in Q4.

SAO PAULO: Natura &Co (NYSE - NTCO; B3 - NTCO3) posted a resilient performance in the fourth quarter, with sales growth in constant currency and continued progress in cash conversion, in line with its strategic priority.

Natura &Co posted Q4 consolidated net revenue of R$ 10.39 billion, up 3% at constant currency (-10.8% in BRL), driven by double-digit constant currency (CC) growth at Natura &Co Latam and Aesop. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 10.5%, down 280 bps vs the same period last year, reflecting a challenging environment and continued investments. Net income was R$ (890.4) million and the Group ended the quarter with a solid cash position of R$ 6 billion.

A key highlight of the quarter was Aesop's successful entry in the China market, with initial performance above expectations. Digital also continues to progress: At Natura Latam, the penetration of digital (consultants who logged in at least once to the digital catalog or the app during the quarter) reached 82.1% in Q4 compared to 80.5% in Q4-21. At Avon International, penetration of the Avon On app (active representatives who logged in at least once in the last three campaigns) reached 30.6%, compared to 25.5% in Q4-21.

Fabio Barbosa, Group CEO of Natura &Co, declared: "In the challenging environment we faced in 2022, we decided in mid-year to reassess the group's growth model to enter a new stabilization cycle. Important changes were carried out, such as a stronger focus on profitability and cash conversion, a revision of the cost structure and the role of the Holding company, alongside important revisions in our footprint worldwide to position the business for success going forward.

FY2022 showed stable revenue at constant currency while adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 160 bps. In the fourth quarter, sales growth improved at constant currency and we delivered further progress in cash conversion, in line with our priorities. We continued to see very strong momentum at the Natura brand, especially in Brazil, and at Aesop, which successfully entered the China market in Q4, as well as a solid performance by Avon in the beauty category in Latin America, strengthening our confidence in the potential of the second wave of integration of our businesses in the region.

Structural steps to create sustainable shareholder value are in motion in all our brands. At Natura &Co Latam, we are accelerating the integration of Natura and Avon in order to capture the full benefits of the combination. At...