August 26, 2011

 

Hormel's Q3 profit, sales surge

 

 

Earnings growth of Hormel Foods Corporation for its fiscal year 2011 Q3 was led by its Grocery Products and Jennie-O Turkey Store segments.

 

Net earnings totalled US$98.5 million, up 15% from net earnings of US$85.4 million a year earlier. For the nine months ended July 31, 2011, net earnings were US$356.9 million, up 24% from adjusted net earnings of US$287.8 million the same period last year.

 

Sales for the quarter totalled US$1.9 billion, up 10% from the same period in fiscal 2010. For the nine months ended July 31, sales totalled US$5.8 billion, up 12% from the same period last year.

 

"We are pleased to report improved earnings per share and sales for the quarter, which were up 13% and 10%, respectively," said Jeffrey Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and CEO.

 

Hormel's Grocery Products segment generated solid results, benefitting from strong sales of Mexican products by the company's MegaMex Foods joint venture and SPAM family of products.

 

"I was pleased to see sales of our Hormel Compleats microwave meals grow nicely in the quarter," Ettinger said. "Our Jennie-O Turkey Store segment delivered another good quarter, aided by strong value-added sales and operational and supply-chain efficiencies."

 

Hormel's international business in its All Other segment achieved impressive results led by strong pork export sales. "Lower pork operating margins hindered our Refrigerated Foods segment results and our Specialty Foods segment was pressured by higher than expected raw material costs during the quarter," Ettinger said.

 

The Grocery Products segment exceeded last year's profitability by 19%. Net sales increased over last year's results by 4%. Improved sales of the SPAM family of products, as well as of Mexican food products by the company's MegaMex Foods joint venture, helped offset higher commodity input costs. Sales of Hormel Compleats microwave meals also grew during the quarter.

 

Refrigerated Foods segment profit declined by 12%, primarily due to lower pork operating margins. Net sales for the quarter increased 10%, with strong contributions from products such as Hormel pepperoni, bacon, party trays, Natural Choice deli meats and Country Crock sides.

 

Jennie-O Turkey segment operating profit was up 14% from a year ago. Increased value-added sales and improved efficiencies contributed to the good results. Net sales for the quarter increased 11%.

 

The Specialty Foods segment operating profit declined 8%, due to higher raw material costs. Net sales grew 11%, led by higher sales of private-label canned meats and sugar.

 

The All Other segment, which consists primarily of Hormel Foods International, increased segment profit 67% and net sales by 35%, driven principally by stronger exports of fresh pork and improved results by international joint ventures.

 

Hormel is raising its full year guidance range to US$1.70 to US$1.75 per share from US$1.67 to US$1.73 per share, Ettinger concluded.