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The J. M. Smucker Company Announces Second Quarter Results

ORRVILLE, Ohio, Nov 17, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) today announced results for the second quarter ended October 31, 2006, of its 2007 fiscal year.

    Second Quarter Results

                                    Three months ended
                                        October 31,           % Increase
                                     2006         2005        (Decrease)
                                (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

    Net sales                       $605.0       $606.3            --
    Net income:
       Income                        $45.6        $46.4           (2%)
       Income per common share       $0.80        $0.79            1%


Net sales increased 4 percent in the quarter, excluding the Canadian nonbranded, grain-based foodservice and industrial businesses sold in September 2006 and the U.S. industrial ingredient business ("divested businesses"). Growth in the Smucker's (R), Jif(R), and Crisco(R) brands as well as strong performance across the special markets segment resulted in the increase. Higher sales, in addition to a reduction in merger and integration costs, lower selling, distribution, and administrative expenses, and a decrease in shares outstanding, more than offset increases in raw material costs, and resulted in higher earnings per share for the quarter.

Results for last year's second quarter include a favorable adjustment of approximately $6.7 million to net sales and margins, and approximately $4.3 million after-tax to earnings, or $0.07 per diluted share, reflecting a change in estimate of the expected liability for trade merchandising programs ("trade merchandising adjustment").

Net income for the second quarter of 2007 included pretax restructuring charges of $2.9 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, while net income for the second quarter of 2006 included pretax merger and integration costs of $4.1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, and restructuring charges of $2.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Excluding these costs in both years, the Company's income per diluted share would have been $0.83 in the second quarter of 2007, and $0.86 in the second quarter of 2006, including the trade merchandising adjustment of $6.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.

"Our brands experienced sales and share of market growth for the quarter as we completed a successful Back-to-School campaign, and Fall Bake is off to a good start," commented Tim Smucker, chairman and co-chief executive officer. "Consumers are responding to our brands, and new products enhance our growth prospects. Despite escalating raw material costs, we delivered earnings growth consistent with our sales growth. We expect this difficult cost environment to continue, and we remain focused on taking actions to mitigate these costs."

    Six-Month Results

                                    Six months ended
                                       October 31,            % Increase
                                    2006         2005          (Decrease)
                                (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

    Net sales                     $1,131.5     $1,116.6            1%
    Net income:
       Income                        $74.3        $76.3           (3%)
       Income per common share       $1.30        $1.30            --


Net sales were up 4 percent for the first six months of fiscal 2007 over 2006 after excluding divested businesses.

Net income for the first six months of 2007 included pretax restructuring charges of $10.8 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, primarily related to the divestiture of the grain-based Canadian operations. Net income for the comparable period in 2006 included pretax merger and integration costs of $7.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, and restructuring charges of $3.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share. Excluding these costs in both years, the Company's income per diluted share would have been $1.42 in the first six months of both years. The trade merchandising adjustment of $6.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, was included in the first six months of 2006.

The Company uses income and income per diluted share, excluding restructuring and merger and integration costs, as key performance measures of results of operations for purposes of evaluating performance internally. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Rather, the presentation of results excluding such charges is consistent with the way management internally evaluates its businesses, facilitates the comparison of past and present operations, and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the financial results. A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to net income for the current quarter and six-month period is included in the "Financial Highlights" table.

    Margins

                                     Three months ended    Six months ended
                                        October 31,           October 31,
                                       2006     2005         2006     2005
                                                 (% of net sales)

    Gross profit                      31.6%    33.6%        30.9%    33.0%
    Selling, distribution, and
     administrative expenses          19.2%    19.8%        19.8%    20.7%
    Operating profit                  12.3%    12.8%        10.9%    11.4%


The favorable impact of the trade merchandising adjustment included in the prior year, and the increase in restructuring costs in the current quarter compared to last year, accounted for over one-half of the decline in gross margin. The remaining decline this quarter was primarily due to higher manufacturing expense and increased raw material costs, primarily soybean oil, wheat, and certain fruits. Freight related costs were also up over the prior year. The Company continues to take pricing actions to offset a portion of the increased input costs. Due to the timing of these pricing actions, current cost increases have not been fully offset.

Selling, distribution, and administrative ("SD&A") expenses decreased 3 percent during the second quarter, and declined from 19.8 percent of net sales to 19.2 percent, primarily due to lower marketing and distribution expenses, compared to the same period last year. Also during the quarter, the Company sold its Farmhouse(R) brand of rice and pasta side dishes, which was acquired as part of the International Multifoods acquisition. The divestiture resulted in a write off of intangible assets of approximately $1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, which was charged to amortization expense and included in SD&A.

    Segment Performance


                              Three months ended        Six months ended
    Net sales                     October 31,              October 31,
                                           % Increase              % Increase
                              2006   2005   (Decrease) 2006   2005  (Decrease)
                                           (Dollars in millions)

    U.S. retail market      $434.4  $429.8      1%    $787.8  $771.5    2%
    Special markets         $170.5  $176.5     (3%)   $343.7  $345.1    --
    Special markets
     excluding divested
     businesses             $142.4  $127.2     12%    $265.4  $240.0   11%


    U.S. Retail Market

U.S. retail market segment sales for the quarter were up 3 percent, excluding the trade merchandising adjustment, with the sales in the consumer strategic business area up 5 percent and sales in the consumer oils and baking strategic business area essentially flat. Increases in the consumer strategic business area were led by gains in fruit spreads, toppings, peanut butter, and Uncrustables(R). In the consumer oils and baking strategic business area, sales gains were offset by a decline in industrial oil sales and the continued exit of certain less profitable customers.

For the first six months, sales in the consumer strategic business area were up 6 percent, and sales in the oils and baking strategic business area declined 2 percent.

Special Markets

Sales in the second quarter for the special markets segment, excluding divested businesses, increased 12 percent. All strategic business areas in special markets were up with the international business area up 17 percent, beverage up 16 percent, foodservice up 10 percent, and Canada up 11 percent. The increase in Canada was driven by the acquisition of the Five Roses(R) flour brand earlier in the year, the impact of favorable exchange rates, and growth in condiments and fruit spreads.

Outlook

The Company remains committed to its long-term sales growth goal of 8 percent, one-half of which is to come from its core business and new products, and the remainder from acquisitions. Long-term earnings per share growth would be in line with sales growth.

The Company confirms its fiscal 2007 outlook. The Company expects 2007 sales to increase by 4 percent over last year, excluding approximately $100 million in sales related to the divestiture of the Canadian nonbranded, grain- based foodservice and industrial businesses. The Company expects income per common share for the year to increase in line with the core growth assumption of 4 percent from fiscal 2006 income per common share of $2.65 which excludes restructuring and integration costs, the gain on the sale of the Company's Salinas, California, plant, and nonrecurring tax benefits.

Conference Call

The Company will conduct an earnings conference call and webcast on Friday, November 17, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. E.T. The webcast, as well as a replay in downloadable MP3 format, can be accessed from the Company's website at http://www.smuckers.com. For those unable to listen to the webcast, an audio replay will be available following the call and can be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820, with a pass code of 5044297, and will be available until Friday, November 24, 2006.

About The J. M. Smucker Company

The J. M. Smucker Company is the leading marketer and manufacturer of fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings and health and natural foods beverages in North America. Its family of brands includes Smucker's(R), Jif(R), Crisco(R), Pillsbury(R), R.W. Knudsen Family(R), Hungry Jack(R) and Martha White(R) in the United States, along with Robin Hood(R) and Bick's(R) in Canada. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. Since 1998, the Company has appeared on FORTUNE Magazine's annual listing of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the United States, ranking number one in 2003 and earning a spot in the top 25 since the listing's inception. For more information about the company, visit http://www.smuckers.com.

The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Language

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding estimates of future earnings and cash flows that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Uncertainties that could affect actual results include, but are not limited to, volatility of commodity markets from which raw materials are procured and the related impact on costs, volatility of energy and fuel costs, the success in introducing new products and the competitive response, particularly in the consumer oils and baking area, costs of new marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in the Company's businesses, the ability to successfully implement price changes, the timing and amount of restructuring costs, the timing of acquiring common shares under the Company's share repurchase authorization, and other factors affecting share prices and capital markets generally. Other risks and uncertainties that may materially affect the Company are detailed from time to time in the respective reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-Q, 10-K, and 8-K.

                          The J. M. Smucker Company
            Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

                                    Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended
                                        October 31,             October 31,
                                     2006        2005        2006        2005
                               (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

    Net  sales                   $604,955    $606,264  $1,131,464  $1,116,595
    Cost of products sold         411,645     402,726     772,987     748,212
    Cost of products sold -
     restructuring                  2,119         115       9,292         247
    Gross Profit                  191,191     203,423     349,185     368,136
    Selling, distribution, and
     administrative expenses      116,088     120,025     224,485     230,649
    Other restructuring costs         805       1,976       1,536       3,465
    Merger and integration costs      -         4,092         -         7,020
    Operating Income               74,298      77,330     123,164     127,002
    Interest income                 2,001       1,329       3,996       3,149
    Interest expense               (5,924)     (6,025)    (12,025)    (12,132)
    Other income (expense) - net      261         (75)       (308)        119
    Income Before Income Taxes     70,636      72,559     114,827     118,138
    Income taxes                   25,067      26,115      40,534      41,797
    Net Income                    $45,569     $46,444     $74,293     $76,341

      Net income per common share   $0.80       $0.80       $1.31       $1.31

      Net income per common share-
       assuming dilution            $0.80       $0.79       $1.30       $1.30

    Dividends declared per
     common share                   $0.28       $0.27       $0.56       $0.54

    Weighted-average shares
     outstanding               56,621,695  58,096,308  56,649,681  58,188,067
    Weighted-average shares
     outstanding - assuming
     dilution                  57,198,894  58,695,878  57,196,528  58,819,825



                          The J. M. Smucker Company
               Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                            October 31, 2006    April 30, 2006
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
    ASSETS
    Current Assets:
       Cash and cash equivalents                    $77,701           $71,956
       Marketable securities                          4,989            14,882
       Trade receivables                            178,434           148,014
       Inventories                                  300,127           279,088
       Assets held for sale (1)                         -              90,250
       Other current assets                          45,752            38,648
          Total Current Assets                      607,003           642,838

    Property, Plant, and Equipment, net             457,863           456,554

    Other Noncurrent Assets:
       Goodwill                                     990,562           940,967
       Other intangible assets, net                 478,326           472,915
       Marketable securities                         50,474            34,107
       Other assets                                 105,379           102,363
          Total Noncurrent Assets                 1,624,741         1,550,352
                                                 $2,689,607        $2,649,744

    LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Liabilities:
       Accounts payable                             $94,085           $88,963
       Notes payable                                    -              28,620
       Current portion of long-term debt             33,000               -
       Other current liabilities                    157,328           117,857
          Total Current Liabilities                 284,413           235,440

    Noncurrent Liabilities:
       Long-term debt, net of current portion       394,122           428,602
       Other noncurrent liabilities                 256,359           257,643
          Total Noncurrent Liabilities              650,481           686,245

    Shareholders' Equity, net                     1,754,713         1,728,059
                                                 $2,689,607        $2,649,744

      (1) Accounts related to the Company's Canadian grain-based foodservice
          and industrial business, which was divested in September 2006.



                          The J. M. Smucker Company
           Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

                                                  Six Months Ended October 31,
                                                        2006         2005
                                                      (Dollars in thousands)

    Operating Activities
       Net income                                     $74,293      $76,341
       Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
        cash provided by operating activities:
          Depreciation/Amortization                    34,239       35,097
          Asset impairments and other restructuring
           charges                                      9,292          247
          Working capital                             (10,403)     (52,437)
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities         107,421       59,248

    Investing Activities
       Business acquired, net of cash acquired        (60,410)         -
       Proceeds from sale of business                  79,942          -
       Additions to property, plant, and equipment    (31,831)     (30,246)
       Other - net                                     (5,184)      19,557
    Net Cash Used for Investing Activities            (17,483)     (10,689)

    Financing Activities
       Dividends paid                                 (31,936)     (31,415)
       Purchase of treasury shares                    (36,683)     (20,823)
       Other - net                                    (15,417)     (11,647)
    Net Cash Used for Financing Activities            (84,036)     (63,885)
    Effect of exchange rate changes                      (157)        (398)
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and
     cash equivalents                                   5,745      (15,724)
    Cash and cash equivalents at
     beginning of period                               71,956       58,085
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of
     period                                           $77,701      $42,361

    (  ) Denotes use of cash



                          The J. M. Smucker Company
                        Unaudited Financial Highlights

                                     Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                        October 31,           October 31,
                                      2006      2005        2006      2005
                                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

    Net sales                      $604,955  $606,264  $1,131,464  $1,116,595

    Net income and net income per
     common share:
      Net income                    $45,569   $46,444     $74,293     $76,341
      Net income per common share
       -- assuming dilution           $0.80     $0.79       $1.30       $1.30

    Income excluding restructuring
     and merger and integration
     costs: (1)
      Income                        $47,438   $50,401     $81,299     $83,282
      Income per common share --
       assuming dilution              $0.83     $0.86       $1.42       $1.42


    (1) Reconciliation to net
         income
        Income before income
         taxes                      $70,636   $72,559    $114,827    $118,138
        Merger and integration
         costs                          -       4,092         -         7,020
        Cost of products sold -
         restructuring                2,119       115       9,292         247
        Other restructuring costs       805     1,976       1,536       3,465
        Income excluding income
         taxes, restructuring, and
         merger and integration
         costs                       73,560    78,742     125,655     128,870
        Income taxes                 26,122    28,341      44,356      45,588
        Income excluding
         restructuring and merger
         and integration costs      $47,438   $50,401     $81,299     $83,282

      The Company uses income and income per diluted share, excluding
      restructuring and merger and integration costs, as key performance
      measures of results of operations for purposes of evaluating performance
      internally.  These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the
      presentation of financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Rather,
      the presentation of results excluding such charges is consistent with
      the way management internally evaluates its businesses, facilitates the
      comparison of past and present operations, and provides a more
      comprehensive understanding of the financial results.

SOURCE The J. M. Smucker Company

Investors, Mark R. Belgya, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, or Media, Maribeth Badertscher, Director, Corporate Communications, both of The J. M. Smucker Company, +1-330-682-3000

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