Hormel Foods Reports Record First Quarter Results

Tags:

February 20, 2014

Austin, Minn.

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today reported its performance for the fiscal year 2014 first quarter.

All comparisons are to the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

HIGHLIGHTS

First Quarter

Record diluted EPS of $0.57, up 19 percent from $0.48 per share
Segment operating profit increased 20 percent
Record dollar sales of $2.2 billion, increased 6 percent; volume up 2 percent
Grocery Products operating profit up 13 percent; volume up 24 percent (volume down 3 percent excluding sales of SKIPPY^® products); dollar sales up 20 percent (dollar sales down 2 percent excluding sales of SKIPPY^® products)
Refrigerated Foods operating profit up 59 percent; volume down 1 percent; dollar sales up 6 percent
Jennie-O Turkey Store operating profit up 1 percent; volume flat; dollar sales up 2 percent
Specialty Foods operating profit down 11 percent; volume down 10 percent; dollar sales down 16 percent
International & Other operating profit up 32 percent; volume up 19 percent (volume up 6 percent excluding sales of SKIPPY^® products); dollar sales up 24 percent (dollar sales up 12 percent excluding sales of SKIPPY^® products)

The company reported fiscal 2014 first quarter net earnings of $153.3 million, up 18 percent from net earnings of $129.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.57, up 19 percent compared to $0.48 last year. Sales for the quarter were $2.2 billion, up 6 percent from the same period in fiscal 2013.

COMMENTARY
“We achieved excellent results in the first quarter, posting an earnings per share increase of 19 percent over last year, with sales up 6 percent. Four of our five segments generated growth in sales and operating profits as we continue to deliver quality products with trusted brands to our customers and consumers,” said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer.

“Our recently acquired SKIPPY^® peanut butter business was a strong contributor to our Grocery Products segment results this quarter. Our Refrigerated Foods segment benefited from strong demand for our products and positive pork operating margins,” commented Ettinger. “While our Jennie-O Turkey Store segment experienced more favorable feed costs this quarter, the savings were offset by weaker live production performance driven by extreme, sustained cold weather. Our International & Other segment registered excellent sales and earnings growth led by export sales of our SPAM^® family of products and SKIPPY^® peanut butter products. As anticipated, our Specialty Foods team was unable to post increases this quarter as it rebuilds its product
portfolio.”

Click here to view the full report.

About Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring branded, value-added products to the global marketplace. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index, S&P Dividend Aristocrats for 2013, Maplecroft Climate Innovation Indexes, Global 1000 Sustainable Performance Leaders and in 2013 was again named one of “The 100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the fifth year in a row. Hormel Foods has been recognized on the G.I. Jobs magazine list of America’s Top 100 Military Friendly Employers in 2012 and 2013. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers, foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking information based on management’s current views and assumptions. Actual events may differ materially. Please refer to the cautionary statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors on pages 26 – 30 in the company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 27, 2013, which can be accessed at www.hormelfoods.com under “Investors-SEC Filings.”