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The J. M. Smucker Company Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year Earnings

ORRVILLE, Ohio, June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) today announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended April 30, 2007.

    Fourth Quarter Results

                                        Three months ended
                                              April 30,      % Increase
                                           2007      2006     (Decrease)
                                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

    Net sales                            $493.5    $501.7           (2%)
    Net income:
       Income                             $42.5     $35.7           19%
       Income per diluted share           $0.75     $0.62           21%

Net sales increased 8 percent in the fourth 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 quarter was led by the Jif(R), Smucker's(R), and Pillsbury(R) brands, strong performance in the foodservice strategic business area, and the contribution of brands acquired earlier in the fiscal year. Due to a temporary interruption of supply in the market adding to demand for the Company's products, peanut butter had a particularly strong quarter. Higher net sales, gross margin improvements, and a reduction in merger and integration costs, all contributed to an increase in net income per diluted share for the quarter.

Net income per diluted share for the quarter was $0.75, a 21 percent increase over last year's fourth quarter. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 included pretax merger and integration costs and restructuring charges of less than $0.01 per diluted share, while net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 included pretax merger and integration costs of $3.2 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, and restructuring charges of $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Excluding these costs in both years, the Company's income per diluted share was $0.75 in the fourth quarter of 2007, and $0.68 in the fourth quarter of 2006. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company reduced its effective tax rate for the year, resulting in a nonrecurring tax benefit in the quarter of $0.06 per diluted share.

"We achieved record earnings for the quarter and the year, with solid growth across most of our brands," commented Richard Smucker, president and co-chief executive officer. "We had a strong finish to the year and have good momentum as we enter our new year. In addition, we recently completed the acquisition of Eagle Family Foods, the largest producer of canned milk in North America, and look forward to the addition of Eagle Brand(R) to expand our presence in the baking aisle, providing additional joint merchandising opportunities."

"We continue to benefit from the focused execution of our strategy - refining our portfolio, spending behind our brands with marketing support and new product development, and investing in projects to improve our overall profitability," added Tim Smucker, chairman and co-chief executive officer. "The cost environment remains challenging, and we will continue to take actions to mitigate cost increases. We will also invest in our businesses, maintaining our commitment to long-term, profitable growth."

    Full Year Results

                                       Year ended April 30,    %Increase
                                          2007         2006    (Decrease)
                                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

    Net sales                         $2,148.0     $2,154.7           --
    Net income:
       Income                           $157.2       $143.4           10%
       Income per diluted share          $2.76        $2.45           13%

Net sales were up 5 percent for fiscal 2007 compared to 2006 after excluding divested businesses and net income per diluted share was up 13 percent in the same period. Net income for 2007 included restructuring charges of $12.1 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, primarily related to the divestiture of the Canadian nonbranded businesses. Net income for the comparable period in 2006 included pretax merger and integration costs of $17.9 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, and restructuring charges of $10.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. Excluding these costs in both years, the Company's income per diluted share was $2.89 for 2007, and $2.77 for 2006. The Company's operations also generated substantial levels of cash during the year. Cash from operations in 2007 was $273.4 million, an increase of $74.7 million over 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 fiscal year is included in the "Unaudited Financial Highlights" table.

    Margins

                                        Three months ended    Year ended
                                             April 30,         April 30,
                                           2007     2006     2007     2006
                                                   (% of net sales)

    Gross margin                          36.5%    32.1%    32.7%    32.2%
    Selling, distribution, and
     administrative expenses              22.2%    20.8%    20.6%    20.3%
    Operating margin                      14.1%    10.8%    12.0%    10.6%

Operating income increased by $15.5 million, or 29 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. The impact of the Canadian divestiture earlier in the year, combined with favorable product mix mainly attributable to increased peanut butter sales, accounted for the improvement in gross margin. Pricing actions taken to date have also contributed to margin improvement. The Company continues to incur high commodity costs impacting both raw material and freight and continues to take pricing actions to offset a portion of the increased costs. Due to the timing of these pricing actions, all cost increases have not been fully offset. Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased in the fourth quarter of 2007 primarily due to higher selling and corporate administrative expenses which offset lower distribution expenses compared to the same period last year.

    Segment Performance

    Net Sales        Three months ended April 30,         Year ended April 30,
                                       %Increase                    %Increase
                         2007    2006  (Decrease)    2007      2006 (Decrease)
                                        (Dollars in millions)

    U.S. retail market  $365.5  $337.6      8%    $1,547.1  $1,484.9     4%
    Special markets     $128.0  $164.0    (22%)     $601.0    $669.9   (10%)
    Special markets
     excluding divested
           businesses   $128.0  $121.3      6%      $522.6    $477.3     9%


    U.S. Retail Market

U.S. retail market segment net sales for the quarter were up 8 percent, with net sales in the consumer strategic business area up 12 percent and net sales in the consumer oils and baking strategic business area up 2 percent. Increases in the consumer strategic business area were led by peanut butter, fruit spreads, toppings, and Uncrustables(R). In the consumer oils and baking strategic business area, sales gains in baking mixes and frostings, and the contribution of the White Lily(R) brand acquired earlier in the year offset declines in sales of oils.

For the year, net sales in the consumer strategic business area were up 7 percent, and net sales in the oils and baking strategic business area were flat as a 3 percent sales increase in retail oils and baking were offset by declines in sales of industrial oils.

Special Markets

Net sales in the fourth quarter for the special markets segment, excluding divested businesses, increased 6 percent. A 21 percent increase in the foodservice strategic business area more than offset modest declines in the Canada, beverage, and international strategic business areas. Increased sales of traditional portion control products, as well as increases in Uncrustables in the schools market contributed to the foodservice improvement.

For the year, net sales in the special markets segment, excluding divested businesses, increased 9 percent over the prior year, with all strategic business areas up.

Financing

On May 31, 2007, the Company issued $400 million in 5.55 percent Senior Notes due April 1, 2022. A portion of the proceeds from the notes was used to repay short-term debt under the revolving credit facility used in financing the Eagle Family Foods Holdings, Inc. acquisition on May 1, 2007. The remainder of the proceeds will be used to finance other strategic and long- term business initiatives.

Outlook

The Company remains committed to its long-term strategic net 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 strategic earnings per share growth would be in line with net sales growth.

Looking forward, the Company expects raw material costs to increase significantly over 2007 levels. Despite these higher costs, the Company expects to increase income per diluted share in line with its long-term growth objective.

Conference Call

The Company will conduct an earnings conference call and webcast on Thursday, June 21, 2007, 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 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 6343621, and will be available until Thursday, June 28, 2007.

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, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages in North America. Its family of brands includes Smucker's(R), Jif(R), Crisco(R), Pillsbury(R), Eagle Brand(R), R.W. Knudsen Family(R), Hungry Jack(R), White Lily(R) and Martha White(R) in the United States, along with Robin Hood(R), Five Roses(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 2004. For more information about the company, visit 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, and merger and integration 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 April 30,  Year Ended April 30,
                                   2007        2006        2007        2006
                                (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

    Net  sales                   $493,472    $501,678  $2,148,017  $2,154,726
    Cost of products sold         313,569     339,418   1,435,981   1,459,611
    Cost of products sold -
     restructuring                    -         1,398       9,981       2,263
    Gross Profit                  179,903     160,862     702,055     692,852
    Selling, distribution, and
     administrative expenses      109,540     104,198     442,814     438,457
    Other restructuring costs         783        (526)      2,120       7,722
    Merger and integration costs       61       3,150          61      17,934
    Operating Income               69,519      54,040     257,060     228,739
    Interest income                 2,600       1,772       9,225       6,630
    Interest expense               (5,682)     (5,910)    (23,363)    (24,026)
    Other (expense) income - net     (708)     (2,042)     (1,918)      4,227
    Income Before Income Taxes     65,729      47,860     241,004     215,570
    Income taxes                   23,230      12,159      83,785      72,216
    Net Income                    $42,499     $35,701    $157,219    $143,354

      Net income per common share   $0.76       $0.63       $2.79       $2.48

      Net income per common
       share- assuming dilution     $0.75       $0.62       $2.76       $2.45

    Dividends declared per
     common share                   $0.30       $0.28       $1.14       $1.09

    Weighted-average shares
     outstanding               56,240,696  57,107,708  56,432,839  57,863,270
    Weighted-average shares
     outstanding - assuming
      dilution                 57,044,652  57,566,403  57,056,421  58,425,361



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

                                          April 30, 2007   April 30, 2006
                                               (Dollars in thousands)

    ASSETS
    Current Assets:
       Cash and cash equivalents                $200,119          $71,956
       Marketable securities                         -             14,882
       Trade receivables                         124,048          148,014
       Inventories                               286,052          279,088
       Assets held for sale (1)                      -             90,250
       Other current assets                       29,147           38,648
          Total Current Assets                   639,366          642,838

    Property, Plant, and Equipment, net          454,028          456,554

    Other Noncurrent Assets:
       Goodwill                                  990,771          940,967
       Other intangible assets, net              478,194          472,915
       Marketable securities                      44,117           34,107
       Other assets                               87,347          102,363
          Total Noncurrent Assets              1,600,429        1,550,352
                                              $2,693,823       $2,649,744

    LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Liabilities:
       Accounts payable                          $93,500          $88,963
       Notes payable                                 -             28,620
       Current portion of long-term debt          33,000              -
       Other current liabilities                 109,968          117,857
          Total Current Liabilities              236,468          235,440

    Noncurrent Liabilities:
       Long-term debt, net of current portion    392,643          428,602
       Other noncurrent liabilities              269,055          257,643
          Total Noncurrent Liabilities           661,698          686,245

    Shareholders' Equity, net                  1,795,657        1,728,059
                                              $2,693,823       $2,649,744

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



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

                                                    Year Ended April 30,
                                                    2007            2006

    Operating Activities
       Net income                                 $157,219        $143,354
       Adjustments to reconcile net
        income to net cash provided by
        operating activities:
          Depreciation                              57,346          62,452
          Amortization                               1,528             190
          Asset impairments and other
           restructuring charges                    10,089           2,264
          Share-based compensation expense          11,257           7,255
          Gain on sale of assets                       -            (5,638)
          Working capital                           35,985         (11,188)
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities      273,424         198,689

    Investing Activities
       Business acquired, net of cash acquired     (60,488)              -
       Proceeds from sale of business               84,054           8,754
       Additions to property, plant, and
        equipment                                  (57,002)        (63,580)
       Other - net                                   6,395          38,571
    Net Cash Used for Investing Activities         (27,041)        (16,255)

    Financing Activities
       Dividends paid                              (63,632)        (62,656)
       Purchase of treasury shares                 (52,125)        (81,717)
       Other - net                                  (1,868)        (24,756)
    Net Cash Used for Financing Activities        (117,625)       (169,129)
    Effect of exchange rate changes                   (595)            566
    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents      128,163          13,871
    Cash and cash equivalents at
     beginning of period                            71,956          58,085
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period    $200,119         $71,956



                          The J. M. Smucker Company
                        Unaudited Financial Highlights

                                    Three Months Ended        Year Ended
                                        April 30,              April 30,
                                     2007       2006       2007        2006
                                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

    Net sales                       $493,472  $501,678  $2,148,017  $2,154,726

    Net income and net income per
     common share:
      Net income                     $42,499   $35,701    $157,219    $143,354
      Net income per common share
       -- assuming dilution            $0.75     $0.62       $2.76       $2.45

    Income excluding restructuring
     and merger and integration
     costs: (1)
      Income                         $43,025   $38,927    $165,152    $161,920
      Income per common share --
       assuming dilution               $0.75     $0.68       $2.89       $2.77

    (1)Reconciliation to net income
       Income before income taxes    $65,729   $47,860    $241,004    $215,570
       Merger and integration costs       61     3,150          61      17,934
       Cost of products sold -
        restructuring                    -       1,398       9,981       2,263
       Other restructuring costs         783      (526)      2,120       7,722
       Income excluding income
        taxes, restructuring, and
         merger and integration costs 66,573    51,882     253,166     243,489
       Income taxes                   23,548    12,955      88,014      81,569
       Income excluding
        restructuring and merger
         and integration costs       $43,025   $38,927    $165,152    $161,920

       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.



                          The J. M. Smucker Company
                        Unaudited Reportable Segments


                          Three Months Ended April 30,   Year Ended April 30,
                                   2007      2006         2007        2006
                               (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

    Net sales:
        U.S. retail market       $365,508  $337,633   $1,547,064  $1,484,873
        Special markets           127,964   164,045      600,953     669,853
    Total net sales              $493,472  $501,678   $2,148,017  $2,154,726

    Segment profit:
        U.S. retail market        $82,999   $70,834     $319,795    $305,121
        Special markets            20,526    16,834       72,974      68,033
    Total segment profit         $103,525   $87,668     $392,769    $373,154

SOURCE The J. M. Smucker Company

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

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