ORRVILLE, Ohio, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) today announced results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2008, of its 2009 fiscal year.
First Quarter Results Three months ended July 31, 2008 2007 % Increase (Dollars in millions, except per share data) Net sales $663.7 $561.5 18% Net income: Income $42.3 $40.8 4% Income per diluted share $0.77 $0.71 8%
Net sales increased 18 percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008 as sales growth was broad-based with all major brands contributing. In addition, the Carnation(R), Europe's Best(R) and Knott's Berry Farm(R) acquisitions contributed approximately $31 million in sales to the quarter. Excluding acquisitions and foreign exchange, sales increased 12 percent.
The strength of the Company's brands made it possible to successfully implement the price increases necessary to offset rising commodity costs. While pricing was the primary driver of the sales increase, volume gains were realized in several categories including Smucker's(R) fruit spreads and Uncrustables(R) sandwiches, Pillsbury(R) baking mixes and frostings, and Hungry Jack(R) potatoes and pancakes. Volume declines were primarily limited to oils and peanut butter, which were anticipated, resulting in a net tonnage decrease of approximately 4 percent.
Net income per diluted share for the quarter was $0.77, an increase of 8 percent compared to last year's first quarter. Included in net income for the first quarter of 2009 were restructuring and merger and integration costs of $0.05 per diluted share, while net income for the first quarter of 2008 included restructuring and merger and integration costs of $0.01 per diluted share. Excluding restructuring and merger and integration costs in both years, the Company's income per diluted share was $0.82 in the first quarter of 2009, and $0.72 in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 14 percent.
"We delivered good sales and earnings growth this quarter, establishing momentum as we enter the Back-to-School and Fall Bake periods," commented Richard Smucker, president and co-chief executive officer. "We are particularly pleased that we are experiencing sales growth across most of our brands despite taking significant price increases to offset record raw material costs. Our strategy of owning number one brands and supporting them with consistent investments in marketing and product innovation provides opportunities for continued long-term profitable growth."
"We look forward to adding another number one brand with the merger of the Folgers coffee business into Smucker," added Tim Smucker, chairman and co- chief executive officer. "Folgers(R) will be our largest brand, with sales in excess of $1.5 billion, and builds on our center of the store focus. We expect the addition of Folgers to significantly increase cash flow and, combined with the substantial increase in our size and scale, provide a platform for future growth and enhance our long-term growth opportunities."
The Company uses income and income per diluted share, excluding restructuring and merger and integration costs, as key 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 management a more comprehensive understanding of the financial results. A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to net income for the current quarter is included in the "Unaudited Financial Highlights" table.
Margins Three months ended July 31, 2008 2007 (% of net sales) Gross profit 31.3% 33.1% Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses: Marketing and selling 10.2% 10.7% Distribution 3.5% 3.4% General and administrative 6.2% 6.7% 19.9% 20.8% Restructuring and merger and integrations costs 0.6% 0.1% Other operating expense (income) 0.0% (0.3%) Operating income 10.8% 12.5%
The impact of price increases taken to date has offset higher raw material costs, predominantly soybean oil, peanuts and wheat, contributing to a $22 million increase in gross profit. While price increases contributed to the overall gross profit increase, the incremental dollars did not provide gross margin expansion, and gross margin declined from 33.1 percent to 31.3 percent. Other factors impacting gross margin were increased fuel costs, the loss of nonrecurring peanut butter sales, and unfavorable product mix. As expected, margins improved in the Eagle business compared to last year, helping to offset these other factors.
Selling, distribution, and administrative ("SD&A") expenses increased 13 percent for the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, resulting primarily from increased marketing investment, and distribution and amortization expenses. However, most SD&A expenses, particularly corporate overhead, increased at a lesser rate than net sales resulting in an overall decrease in SD&A from 20.8 percent of net sales to 19.9 percent, providing some offset to the decline in gross margin.
Operating income increased 2 percent compared to the first quarter of 2008, and decreased from 12.5 percent to 10.8 percent of net sales. Restructuring and merger and integration costs were $3.2 million higher in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, reducing operating margin by 50 basis points. In addition, last year's operating income included the gain on the sale of the industrial ingredient business in Scotland, benefiting last year's first quarter operating margin by 30 basis points.
Other
The effective tax rate decreased to 33.3 percent in the first quarter of 2009, from 36.1 percent in the comparable period in 2008. In the first quarter of 2008, the Company's divestiture of its industrial ingredient business in Scotland, and the resulting repatriation of foreign earnings had a negative impact on the effective tax rate.
Segment Performance Net sales Three months ended July 31, 2008 2007 % Increase (Dollars in millions) U.S. retail market $472.1 $418.2 13% Special markets $191.5 $143.4 34% U.S. Retail Market
U.S. retail market segment net sales for the quarter were up 13 percent. Net sales in the consumer strategic business area increased 11 percent, with Smucker's fruit spreads, toppings and Uncrustables sandwiches, Jif(R) and Hungry Jack all up. All major categories of the consumer business area were up in volume, except for peanut butter. Net sales in the consumer oils and baking strategic business area were up 15 percent, due to price increases taken over the course of fiscal 2008, and volume gains in baking mixes and frostings. These increases more than offset anticipated volume declines in oils.
Special Markets
Net sales in the first quarter for the special markets segment increased 34 percent. Net sales in the Canada strategic business area were up 79 percent, with the impact of the Carnation and Europe's Best acquisitions, and favorable exchange rates contributing over two-thirds of the increase. Volume and pricing gains accounted for the remaining Canadian sales growth. Net sales increased 13 percent in the foodservice strategic business area, led by pricing, with the Knott's Berry Farm acquisition and volume growth in the schools channel also contributing. The beverage business area was up by 11 percent, primarily due to pricing.
Outlook
The Company confirmed its outlook for the year. The outlook includes the impact of its previously announced agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company ("P&G") to merge P&G's Folgers coffee business with and into the Company. Assuming the transaction closes in the fourth quarter of calendar 2008, the Company's net sales are estimated to range from $3.8 to $4.0 billion and earnings per share, before one-time costs primarily associated with the transaction, are estimated to range from $3.45 to $3.50. Actual results for the year will depend on the final closing date of the transaction.
Conference Call
The Company will conduct an earnings conference call and webcast today, Thursday, August 14, 2008, 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 8981214, and will be available until Thursday, August 21, 2008.
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), Carnation(R), Europe's Best(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 is the owner of all trademarks, except Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, used under license and Carnation is a trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., used under license.
The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Language
This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as projected operating results, earnings and cash flows, that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. You should understand that the risks, uncertainties, factors and assumptions listed and discussed in this press release, including the following important factors and assumptions, could affect the future results of Smucker following the transactions between P&G and Smucker (the "Transactions") and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: (i) volatility of commodity markets from which raw materials, particularly corn, wheat, soybean oil, milk and green coffee beans, are procured and the related impact on costs; (ii) the successful integration of P&G's coffee business (the "Coffee Business") with Smucker's business, operations and culture and the ability to realize synergies and other potential benefits of the Transactions within the time frames currently contemplated; (iii) crude oil price trends and their impact on transportation, energy, and packaging costs; (iv) the ability to successfully implement price changes; (v) the success and cost of introducing new products and the competitive response; (vi) the success and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in Smucker's businesses, which will include the Coffee Business after the completion of the Transactions; (vii) general competitive activity in the market, including competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; (viii) the concentration of certain of Smucker's businesses, which will include the Coffee Business after the completion of the Transactions, with key customers and the ability to manage and maintain key customer relationships; (ix) the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from these customers or the bankruptcy of any such customer; (x) changes in consumer coffee preferences, and other factors affecting the Coffee Business, which will represent a substantial portion of Smucker's business after the completion of the Transactions; (xi) the ability of Smucker and Folgers to obtain any required financing; (xii) the timing and amount of Smucker's capital expenditures, restructuring, and merger and integration costs; (xiii) the outcome of current and future tax examinations and other tax matters, and their related impact on Smucker's tax positions; (xiv) foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations; (xv) other factors affecting share prices and capital markets generally; and (xvi) the other factors described under "Risk Factors" in the registration statements filed by Folgers and Smucker with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the other reports and statements filed by Smucker with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the preliminary proxy materials prepared in connection with the Folgers transaction.
You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this press release. None of Smucker, Folgers, P&G or any of their respective advisors assumes any obligation to update or revise these forward- looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.
Additional Information
Smucker and Folgers have filed registration statements with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") registering the common shares to be issued to P&G shareholders in connection with the Folgers transaction but those registration statements have not become effective. Smucker has also filed a proxy statement with the SEC that will be sent to the shareholders of Smucker after it has been finalized. Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement and the prospectus included in the registration statements and any other relevant documents when they become available, because they will contain important information about Smucker, Folgers and the proposed transaction. The proxy statement, prospectus and other documents relating to the proposed transaction (when they are available) can be obtained free of charge from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The documents (when they are available) can also be obtained free of charge from Smucker upon written request to The J. M. Smucker Company, Shareholder Relations, Strawberry Lane, Orrville, Ohio 44667 or by calling (330) 684-3838, or from P&G upon written request to The Procter and Gamble Company, Shareholder Services Department, P.O. Box 5572, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5572 or by calling (800) 742-6253.
This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any security holder of Smucker and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. However, P&G, Smucker and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of The J. M. Smucker Company may be found in its 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2008, and its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on July 14, 2008. Information about the directors and executive officers of The Procter & Gamble Company may be found in its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 28, 2007, and its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on August 28, 2007.
The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income Three Months Ended July 31, 2008 2007 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Net sales $663,657 $561,513 Cost of products sold 455,878 375,529 Gross Profit 207,779 185,984 Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses 131,884 116,750 Restructuring costs 519 313 Merger and integration costs 3,400 432 Other operating expense (income) - net 148 (1,686) Operating Income 71,828 70,175 Interest income 1,338 3,495 Interest expense (10,744) (10,093) Other income - net 1,025 246 Income Before Income Taxes 63,447 63,823 Income taxes 21,156 23,062 Net Income $42,291 $40,761 Net income per common share $0.78 $0.72 Net income per common share- assuming dilution $0.77 $0.71 Dividends declared per common share $0.32 $0.30 Weighted-average shares outstanding 54,282,700 56,645,611 Weighted-average shares outstanding - assuming dilution 54,667,666 57,265,133 The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets July 31, 2008 April 30, 2008 (Dollars in thousands) Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $142,699 $184,175 Trade receivables 182,693 162,426 Inventories 471,768 379,608 Other current assets 37,920 49,998 Total Current Assets 835,080 776,207 Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net 505,919 496,296 Other Noncurrent Assets: Goodwill 1,149,494 1,132,476 Other intangible assets, net 632,914 614,000 Other assets 108,914 110,902 Total Other Noncurrent Assets 1,891,322 1,857,378 $3,232,321 $3,129,881 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $154,942 $119,844 Current portion of long-term debt 75,000 - Other current liabilities 173,811 119,553 Total Current Liabilities 403,753 239,397 Noncurrent Liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current portion 713,945 789,684 Other noncurrent liabilities 297,338 300,947 Total Noncurrent Liabilities 1,011,283 1,090,631 Shareholders' Equity, net 1,817,285 1,799,853 $3,232,321 $3,129,881 The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow Three Months Ended July 31, 2008 2007 (Dollars in thousands) Operating Activities Net income $42,291 $40,761 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 15,036 14,770 Amortization 1,471 121 Share-based compensation expense 2,799 2,826 Working capital (6,094) (48,851) Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 55,503 9,627 Investing Activities Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired (55,593) (133,446) Additions to property, plant, and equipment (22,197) (16,787) Proceeds from sale of business - 3,407 Purchases of marketable securities - (144,705) Other - net 1,694 2,931 Net Cash Used for Investing Activities (76,096) (288,600) Financing Activities Proceeds from long-term debt - 400,000 Repayments of long-term debt - (115,000) Dividends paid (17,451) (17,014) Purchase of treasury shares (3,356) (3,627) Other - net 322 19,296 Net Cash (Used for) Provided by Financing Activities (20,485) 283,655 Effect of exchange rate changes (398) 1,861 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (41,476) 6,543 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 184,175 200,119 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $142,699 $206,662 The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Financial Highlights Three Months Ended July 31, 2008 2007 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Net sales $663,657 $561,513 Net income and net income per common share: Net income $42,291 $40,761 Net income per common share -- assuming dilution $0.77 $0.71 Income before restructuring and merger and integration costs: (1) Income $44,903 $41,237 Income per common share -- assuming dilution $0.82 $0.72 (1) Reconciliation to net income: Income before income taxes $63,447 $63,823 Merger and integration costs 3,400 432 Restructuring costs 519 313 Income before income taxes, restructuring, and merger and integration costs 67,366 64,568 Income taxes 22,463 23,331 Income before restructuring and merger and integration costs $44,903 $41,237
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 management a more comprehensive understanding of the financial results.
The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Reportable Segments Three Months Ended July 31, 2008 2007 (Dollars in thousands) Net sales: U.S. retail market $472,141 $418,155 Special markets 191,516 143,358 Total net sales $663,657 $561,513 Segment profit: U.S. retail market $87,861 $78,758 Special markets 20,738 21,636 Total segment profit $108,599 $100,394 Interest income 1,338 3,495 Interest expense (10,744) (10,093) Amortization (1,471) (121) Share-based compensation expense (2,799) (2,826) Restructuring costs (519) (313) Merger and integration costs (3,400) (432) Corporate administrative expense (28,892) (28,131) Other unallocated income 1,335 1,850 Income before income taxes $63,447 $63,823
SOURCE J. M. Smucker Company
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