U.S. Soup Consumer Purchases Increased 5 Percent For The Year
CAMDEN, NJ, September 6, 2001–Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) today reported diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended July 29, 2001, of $.15, excluding special charges associated with the previously announced reconfiguration of manufacturing operations in Australia, compared to $.14 a year ago. Diluted earnings per share as reported were $.13. Results include approximately $.03 dilutive impact from the May 4, 2001 acquisition of several European dry soup and sauce brands.
Net sales in the quarter increased 8 percent to $1.3 billion. The European acquisition contributed 5 percentage points to this growth. Excluding the impact of currency and the European acquisition, sales increased 5 percent. The company’s base business performance was largely driven by a 5 percent volume increase in the U.S. soup business compared to a very weak performance in the prior year quarter. Net earnings for the quarter increased 5 percent, excluding the impact of the Australian reconfiguration. After the special charges, net earnings were $52 million, a decrease of 12 percent versus $59 million a year earlier.
For fiscal 2001, the company reported diluted earnings per share of $1.58, excluding special charges associated with the Australian manufacturing reconfiguration, compared to $1.65 for the prior year. Diluted earnings per share as reported were $1.55. Net earnings were $649 million. Results include an approximate $.03 dilutive impact from the European dry soup and sauce brands acquisition. Net sales for the year increased 3 percent to $6.7 billion. The European acquisition contributed 1 percentage point to this growth. Excluding the impact of currency and the European acquisition, sales increased 5 percent. The company said its solid base business performance was driven by good growth across the portfolio. In particular, U.S. soup consumer purchases increased 5 percent from the previous year. In addition, the company reported another year of strong free cash flow of $906 million resulting from continued improvements in working capital management.
Douglas R. Conant, Campbell’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are encouraged by the progress this year toward revitalizing the company. Consumer purchases of U.S. soup improved in response to enhanced product quality and packaging as well as increased marketing. In addition, our broad portfolio performed well. Pepperidge Farm, Godiva, Arnotts and Asia Pacific all delivered strong results. And our European businesses produced good results while managing the integration of the new dry soup and sauce brands we acquired in May.”
Conant added, “The strategic plan we announced in July is built on bold action in the marketplace as well as in the workplace to put Campbell back on a growth track. Expect Campbell to be a tougher competitor with a much closer connection to consumers as we work to grow our businesses around the world. In the U.S., we are optimistic that our soup business will respond to our plans, including powerful new ‘M’m! M’m! Good!’ advertising and other significant marketing investments. In addition, we will accelerate investments to improve product quality, create new, convenient packaging and develop additional innovation. This combination of intensified innovation and investment will help strengthen our competitive advantage and drive the change needed to make Campbell strong and successful over a sustained period.”
As a result of these investments, the company expects diluted earnings per share for the 2002 first quarter to be between $.33-$.36 and $1.30 for the year, before $.03-$.04 of remaining special charges associated with the Australian reconfiguration program.
A summary of fiscal 2001 results by segment follows:
Soup and Sauces
Sales for the year increased 3 percent to $4.5 billion. One-half of this percentage point increase resulted from the European acquisition. Excluding the impact of currency and the European acquisition, sales increased 3 percent. A 6 percent increase in U.S. soup shipments contributed to a worldwide wet soup shipment increase of 5 percent for the year. Operating earnings decreased by 3 percent to $1.1 billion driven by increased marketing.
As announced at the July 27, 2001 analyst meeting, the company will now report U.S. soup consumer purchases in two ways. The first will include separate results for condensed and ready-to-serve soups. The second will include separate results for the two primary consumer soup behaviors — eating and cooking. Both the eating and cooking segments will include condensed and ready-to-serve soups.
U.S. consumer purchases of:
Outside the U.S., wet soup shipments were up 4 percent, due primarily to strong performances in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
In Europe, increased marketing investments and innovation with new products such as “Homepride” soup in a bottle and “Homepride Pasta Stir & Serve” sauces drove positive results in the United Kingdom. Erasco improved its market leadership position in Germany behind the first full year of sales of soup in a pouch. In France, market share and consumer purchases of “Liebig” soup increased. In Australia, Campbell expanded its market leadership position as a result of strong consumer purchases of “Velish” and “Country Ladle” soups and “Real Stock” broth.
Beyond soup, Campbell reported:
Biscuits and Confectionery
Biscuits and Confectionery performance was strong across the board. Sales for the year increased 5 percent to $1.6 billion. Excluding the impact of currency, sales increased 10 percent driven by increased marketing investments and new product innovations.
Operating earnings were up 4 percent, to $221 million, excluding the impact of the Australian manufacturing reconfiguration. Excluding the impact of currency, earnings increased 9 percent.
Pepperidge Farm delivered strong performance across its portfolio with significant consumer purchase increases in cookies, crackers, frozen breads and fresh bakery. “Goldfish” crackers had double-digit growth in consumer purchases.
Godiva Chocolatier delivered another outstanding performance with its eighth consecutive year of double-digit sales and earnings growth. Sales increased across all markets as new stores and other distribution channels opened in North America, Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim.
Before the impact of currency, Arnotts reported strong sales and earnings driven by successful new product launches such as “Tim Tam Fingers” as well as continued growth across each of its top three brands — “Tim Tam,” “Shapes” and “Kettle Chips.” These results drove Arnotts’ first increase in biscuit market share in several years.
Away From Home
Away From Home reported a 1 percent increase in sales, from $565 million to $573 million, driven by strong frozen soup sales. Operating earnings increased 11 percent to $58 million due to improved product mix and productivity gains.
Accounting Change
The company also reported that its financial results have been restated in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force’s (EITF) 00-10 ruling related to classification of shipping and handling charges. This has resulted in an approximately $200 million increase in annual sales and Cost of Products Sold (COPS) for 2000 and 2001. The company’s 2001 Annual Report will include five years of restated history.
Conference Call
The company will host a conference call to discuss these results on September 6, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. U.S. participants may access the call at 1-877-601-4489 and non-U.S. participants at 630-395-0204. Participants should call at least five minutes prior to the starting time. The passcode is Campbell Soup. The conference leader is Len Griehs. The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet at https://www.campbellsoup.com and can be accessed by clicking on the Webcast banner. A recording of the call will be available approximately two hours after it is completed through midnight September 11, 2001 at 1-800-945-7621 or 1-402-220-3573.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements” which reflect the company’s current expectations about its future performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates which could be inaccurate and which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the company. Please refer to the company’s most recent Form 10-K and subsequent filings for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high quality soup, sauces, beverage, biscuits, confectionery and prepared food products. The company owns a portfolio of more than 20 market-leading businesses each with more than $100 million in sales. They include “Campbell’s” soups worldwide, “Erasco” soups in Germany and “Liebig” soups in France, “Pepperidge Farm” cookies and crackers, “V8” vegetable juices, “V8 Splash” juice beverages, “Pace” Mexican sauces, “Prego” pasta sauces, “Franco-American” canned pastas and gravies, “Swanson” broths, “Homepride” sauces in the United Kingdom, “Arnott’s” biscuits in Australia and “Godiva” chocolates around the world. The company also owns dry soup and sauce businesses in Europe under the “Batchelors,” “Oxo,” “Lesieur,” “Royco,” “Liebig,” “Heisse Tasse,” “Blå Band” and “McDonnells” brands. The company is ably supported by 24,000 employees worldwide. For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website on the Internet at www.campbellsoup.com.
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