Second-Quarter Net Earnings per Share Declined to $0.64
CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 17, 2012– Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today reported its results for the second quarter of fiscal 2012.
Second-Quarter Overview
Net earnings for the quarter ended Jan. 29, 2012, were $205 million, or $0.64 per share, compared with $239 million, or $0.71 per share, in the prior year. The current quarter’s reported net earnings included charges associated with the previously announced June 2011 restructuring program. Excluding items impacting comparability in the current year, adjusted net earnings decreased 13 percent to $207 million, and adjusted net earnings per share decreased 10 percent to $0.64 in the current quarter. A detailed reconciliation of adjusted financial information to the reported information is included at the end of this news release.
Denise Morrison, Campbell’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “At the midpoint of our fiscal year, we are focused outward on consumers and on executing against our three strategies to return Campbell to sustainable, profitable net sales growth. As we said last July, implementing our new strategic direction will require substantial investment to fund brand-building efforts and a step change in innovation, particularly in U.S. Simple Meals. We are confident that these changes will position Campbell for future success.
“Six months into our transition, we continue to make progress in stabilizing overall U.S. Soup profits, achieving the fourth consecutive quarter of profit growth for this business. We expect improved sales in the second half, as we continue to shift our emphasis to brand building efforts that will drive consumer usage.”
Morrison continued, “Sales gains in our U.S. Beverages business, where we have a solid ongoing innovation program, outpaced category growth. Trends in this business improved since the launch of our new advertising campaign in October. Significant cost inflation and marketing investments negatively impacted profitability in both the quarter and the half.
“Across our portfolio, we increased marketing spending this quarter, consistent with our plan to shift our emphasis to longer-term brand-building activities. Advertising and consumer promotion expense rose 6 percent as we invested in key brands.”
Morrison concluded, “We are executing a strategic turnaround in an environment of weak volume and high inflation across the food industry. Our first half has been impacted by headwinds in our beverages and Australian businesses, but we continue to make progress against our key growth strategies. In the second half, we expect improved trends in our beverages and Australian businesses, and in U.S. Soup, we will begin to cycle our change in discounting, providing an opportunity for better sales performance. We will continue to invest in brand building and innovation, and we are on track to achieve our full-year guidance.”
Fiscal 2012 Guidance
The company confirmed its previous fiscal 2012 guidance. Campbell expects net sales growth to be between 0 and 2 percent, a decline in adjusted EBIT of between (9) and (7) percent and a decline in adjusted EPS of between (7) and (5) percent, putting adjusted EPS in the range of $2.35 to $2.42, from the 2011 adjusted base of $2.54.
Second-Quarter Results
For the second quarter, sales decreased 1 percent to $2.112 billion. The change in sales for the quarter reflected the following factors:
Second-Quarter Financial Details
First-Half Results
Net earnings for the first half were $470 million, or $1.45 per share, compared with $518 million, or $1.53 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding items impacting comparability in the current-year period, adjusted net earnings declined 9 percent to $473 million. Including the benefit of fewer shares outstanding, adjusted net earnings per share declined 5 percent to $1.46.
For the first half of fiscal 2012, sales were $4.273 billion, a decrease of 1 percent from the year-ago period. The change in sales for the period reflected the following factors:
First-Half Financial Details
Summary of Fiscal 2012 Second-Quarter and First-Half Results by Segment
U.S. Simple Meals
Sales for U.S. Simple Meals were $824 million for the second quarter, a decrease of 2 percent compared to the year-ago period. A breakdown of the change in sales follows:
U.S. Soup sales declined 2 percent compared to the year-ago quarter.
U.S. Sauces sales declined 2 percent compared to the year-ago quarter. Sales of “Prego” pasta sauce increased 6 percent as increased advertising support and promotional activity drove strong volume gains. Sales of “Pace” Mexican sauces declined 7 percent reflecting the impact of increased private label competitive activity.
U.S. Simple Meals operating earnings were $174 million compared with $177 million in the prior-year period. The decline in operating earnings reflected lower earnings in U.S. Sauces, partly offset by earnings gains in U.S. Soup. For the segment, lower volumes and increased advertising and consumer promotion expenses were partly offset by an increase in gross margin percentage and lower selling and administrative expenses.
For the first half, U.S. Soup sales declined 3 percent primarily due to an 11-percent decrease in ready-to-serve soups. Sales of condensed soups were comparable to the prior year, while sales of broth increased 4 percent.
U.S. Simple Meals operating earnings were $434 million in the first half compared with $417 million in the year-ago period, an increase of 4 percent. The increase in operating earnings, driven primarily by gains in U.S. Soup, was due to higher selling prices, productivity savings and lower promotional spending, partly offset by lower volumes and cost inflation.
Global Baking and Snacking
Sales for Global Baking and Snacking were $526 million for the second quarter, comparable to the prior-year quarter. Sales were impacted by the following factors:
Further details of sales results included the following:
Operating earnings for the quarter were $71 million compared with $81 million in the prior year. The 12-percent decline was primarily due to cost inflation and increased promotional spending, partly offset by higher selling prices.
For the first half, sales increased 2 percent to $1.094 billion. A breakdown of the change in sales follows:
Operating earnings in the first half decreased 12 percent to $159 million compared with $181 million in the year-ago period, primarily due to cost inflation, increased promotional spending and lower volumes, partly offset by higher selling prices and productivity improvements.
International Simple Meals and Beverages
Sales for International Simple Meals and Beverages were $402 million for the second quarter, a decrease of 5 percent. The change in sales reflected the following factors:
The sales decline was primarily due to the performance of the businesses in Europe and Canada, partly offset by gains in the Asia Pacific region and Latin America.
Operating earnings were $58 million compared with $69 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in operating earnings reflected the increased costs associated with the company’s market expansion in China and lower earnings in Europe and Canada.
For the first half, sales decreased 4 percent to $761 million. A breakdown of the change in sales follows:
The sales decline reflected lower sales in Canada and the European region.
Operating earnings fell to $101 million compared with $120 million in the year-ago period. The decrease in operating earnings was primarily due to lower earnings in Canada and the increased costs associated with the company’s market expansion in China.
U.S. Beverages
Sales for U.S. Beverages were $187 million for the second quarter, an increase of 4 percent compared with the year-ago period. A breakdown of the change in sales follows:
Sales gains, which outpaced category growth, were driven by growth in “V8 Splash” juice drinks and “V8 V-Fusion” juice, partly offset by a decline in “V8” vegetable juice. Sales benefitted from the launch of new items, including “V8 V-Fusion” Smoothies, and higher levels of advertising investment supporting the new campaign featuring Jackie Chan.
Operating earnings for the quarter were $34 million compared with $43 million in the year-ago period. The decline in earnings reflected the impact of significant cost inflation primarily in juice concentrates and packaging materials, and increased advertising expense, partly offset by productivity gains.
For the first half, sales were comparable to the prior period.
Sales of both “V8 Splash” juice drinks and “V8 V-Fusion” juice increased, while sales of “V8” vegetable juice declined.
Operating earnings declined to $64 million from $98 million, primarily due to cost inflation, increased promotional spending and higher advertising, partly offset by productivity gains.
North America Foodservice
Sales were $173 million for the second quarter, an increase of 9 percent compared with a year ago. A breakdown of the change in sales follows:
Sales increased primarily due to volume-driven gains in fresh chilled soup sold at retail.
Operating earnings increased 33 percent to $28 million from $21 million. The increase in operating earnings was primarily driven by volume gains, higher selling prices and productivity improvements, partly offset by cost inflation.
For the first half, sales increased 8 percent to $335 million. A breakdown of the change in sales follows:
Operating earnings were $55 million compared with $44 million in the year-ago period. The increase in operating earnings was primarily driven by higher selling prices, volume gains and productivity improvements, partly offset by cost inflation.
Unallocated Corporate Expenses
Unallocated corporate expenses were $33 million compared with $32 million a year ago. Unallocated expenses for the first half were $63 million versus $57 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to losses on open commodity hedges and higher incentive compensation costs.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
A detailed reconciliation of the adjusted financial information to the reported financial information is included at the end of this news release.
Conference Call
Campbell will host a conference call to discuss these results on Feb. 17, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. U.S. participants may access the call at 1-866-837-9787 and non-U.S. participants at 1-703-639-1424. Participants should call at least ten minutes prior to the starting time. The passcode is “Campbell Soup” and the conference leader is Jennifer Driscoll. The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet at investor.campbellsoupcompany.com and can be accessed by clicking on the “News & Events” button. A recording of the call will be available approximately two hours after it is completed through midnight March 2, 2012, at 1-888-266-2081 or 1-703-925-2533. The access code is 1564890.
Reporting Segments
Campbell Soup Company earnings results are reported for the following segments:
U.S. Simple Meals aggregates the U.S. Soup and U.S. Sauces businesses. The U.S. Soup business includes the following products: “Campbell’s” condensed and ready-to-serve soups, and “Swanson” broth and stocks. The U.S. Sauces business includes “Prego” pasta sauce, “Pace” Mexican sauce, “Swanson” canned poultry, “Campbell’s” canned pasta, gravies, and beans.
Baking and Snacking aggregates the following: “Pepperidge Farm” cookies, crackers, breads and frozen products in U.S. retail; and “Arnott’s” biscuits in Australia and Asia Pacific.
International Simple Meals and Beverages aggregates the following: soup, sauce and beverage products outside of the United States, including Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, China and the retail business in Canada.
U.S. Beverages represents the following products: “V8” vegetable juices, “V8 V-Fusion” juices, “V8 Splash” juice beverages, and “Campbell’s” tomato juice.
North America Foodservice represents the distribution of products such as soup, specialty entrees, beverage products, other prepared foods and “Pepperidge Farm” products through various food service channels in the United States and Canada.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup and sauces, baked snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s” and “V8.” Through its corporate social responsibility program, the company strives to make a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. Campbell is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit https://www.campbellsoup.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect the company’s current expectations about the impact of its future plans and performance on sales, earnings, and margins. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause the company’s actual results to vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement include (1) the impact of strong competitive responses to the company’s efforts to leverage its brand power in the market; (2) the risks associated with trade and consumer acceptance of the company’s initiatives; (3) the company’s ability to realize projected cost savings and benefits; (4) the company’s ability to manage changes to its business processes; (5) the increased significance of certain of the company’s key trade customers; (6) the impact of fluctuations in the supply or costs of energy and raw and packaging materials; (7) the impact of portfolio changes; (8) the uncertainties of litigation; (9) the impact of changes in currency exchange rates, tax rates, interest rates, debt and equity markets, inflation rates, economic conditions and other external factors; (10) the impact of unforeseen business disruptions in one or more of the company’s markets due to political instability, civil disobedience, armed hostilities, natural disasters or other calamities; and (11) other factors described in the company’s most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings. 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.
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Sales
Earnings
Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Second Quarter Ended January 29, 2012
Items Impacting Earnings
The tables below reconcile financial information, presented in accordance with GAAP, to financial information excluding certain transactions:
January 29,
2012
January 30,
2011
(millions, except per share amounts)
Source: Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup CompanyAnthony Sanzio (Media)856-968-4390[email protected]orJennifer Driscoll (Analysts/Investors)856-342-6081[email protected]
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