The Hillshire Brands Co. reported results for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal year 2014. Second quarter net sales increased 2.1 percent to $1.1 billion. The adjusted operating income of $139 million was up 9.0 percent; reported operating income increased 16.9 percent to $116 million. The company reported an adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.66, up 6.5 percent. Additionally, the diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.91 up 93.6 percent for fiscal 2014.
“I’m pleased to report a strong second quarter,” said Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer of the Hillshire Brands Co., in a prepared statement. “Despite significant input cost inflation, both sales and profit exceeded our expectations. This reflects the strong ongoing progress our team is making to build our brands and improve our cost efficiencies. We are now well into the second year of our plan and achieving our goal of delivering strong and sustainable shareholder returns.”
“During the quarter, we implemented pricing actions on the businesses most affected by inflation. Encouragingly, the volume impact we saw was more modest than expected, with most consumers remaining loyal to our brands. The associated benefit, along with strong supply chain productivity and timing of expenses, enabled us to deliver strong performance on the bottom line.”
“As we’ve moved into the second half, our pricing actions have become more broad-based. This reflects our revised expectation of significantly higher input cost inflation throughout the remainder of the fiscal year. We’ve also increased our investment plans for second-half MAP to further support our core brands and exciting new innovations.”
“Given this strong first-half performance will be partially offset by our higher second-half investment plans, we now expect EPS to be near the high end of the previously provided guidance range. We also continue to expect sales for the full year to increase slightly, despite the near-term volume pressure we anticipate from additional pricing.”
Discussion of Continuing Operations Results
Net sales of $1.1 billion were up 2.1 percent versus the prior year’s second quarter as positive price/mix in both the retail and foodservice/other segments more than offset volume declines resulting largely from pricing actions. Planned declines in commodity turkey sales also contributed to the volume declines in the foodservice/other segment. Adjusted operating income of $139 million increased 9.0 percent over the prior year as pricing actions, lower MAP, cost efficiencies/favorability and timing of selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) and corporate expenses more than offset significant input cost inflation. Reported operating income was $116 million, up 16.9 percent from the prior year’s second quarter.
On a year-to-date basis, net sales of $2.1 billion were up 1.6 percent versus the prior-year period as positive price/mix more than offset volume declines. Adjusted operating income of $215 million decreased 5.8 percent versus the prior year’s 44.2 percent increase as pricing actions and cost efficiencies did not fully offset input cost inflation.
Retail
Retail net sales were up 2.7 percent in the quarter versus the prior year as favorable price/mix more than offset lower volumes resulting largely from pricing actions. Operating segment income increased 2.8 percent versus the prior year’s 23.2 percent increase as increased sales, lower MAP, cost efficiencies/favorability and timing of SG&A expenses more than offset higher input costs.
Jimmy Dean grew both volume and sales of frozen breakfast sandwiches and other frozen convenience items by double digits in the quarter. Jimmy Dean flatbread, which launched last January, continues to expand distribution and is performing well. Aidells also showed double-digit volume and sales growth behind new innovation and expanded distribution of meatball offerings. Hillshire Farm lunchmeat performed well, delivering flat volume versus the prior year’s strong increase.
MAP was down $9 million in the quarter, reflecting a shift on certain businesses from advertising to merchandising support, aligning the timing of MAP investment with second-half innovation launches and increased efficiency.
Foodservice/Other
Net sales showed a slight increase of 0.3 percent from the prior year's comparable quarter as favorable price/mix offset volume declines. Excluding commodity meat sales, net sales increased 0.7 percent. Operating segment income increased 10.9 percent versus the prior year’s 8.5 percent increase as the segment maintained a rigorous approach to cost management.
The business saw strong performance in desserts, where double-layer Luxe Layer pies are exceeding expectations and Bistro branded desserts sales are up double digits. The business also launched new innovation in the C-store channel, including a Jimmy Dean convenience breakfast sausage that is performing well. Overall, however, the macroeconomic environment remains challenging and the outlook for the segment remains modest.
