MINNEAPOLIS, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- General Mills (NYSE: GIS) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended May 25, 2014.
Fiscal 2014 Results Summary
- Net sales grew 1 percent to $17.9 billion.
- Adjusted segment operating profit totaled $3.2 billion, down 2 percent from year-ago results.
- Diluted earnings per share (EPS) totaled $2.83, up 1 percent from $2.79 a year ago.
- Adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes certain items affecting comparability of results, totaled $2.82. This was up 4 percent from $2.72 a year ago.
General Mills Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ken Powell said, "Our plans for 2014 called for sales and earnings growth consistent with our long-term business model, along with increased cash returns to shareholders. We made good progress building our worldwide food businesses, and we returned more than $2.7 billion in cash to shareholders through a 17 percent dividend increase and significant share repurchase activity. But our sales and operating profit results were disappointing. In the fourth quarter, promotional spending in developed markets was less effective than we planned and input cost inflation was a bit above our forecast. Net sales and adjusted gross margin fell short of our targets."
Fiscal 2014 net sales increased 1 percent to $17.9 billion. Pound volume contributed 1 point of net sales growth, including 3 incremental months of contribution from the Yoki Alimentos and Yoplait Canada businesses added during fiscal 2013. Net price realization and mix also contributed 1 point of net sales growth, which was offset by negative foreign currency exchange effects. Adjusted gross margin, which excludes mark-to-market effects and the impact of Venezuela currency devaluation, declined 80 basis points. This reflected the impact of increased promotional spending that generated less volume than planned, along with change in business mix. Advertising and media expense declined 3 percent for the year, while other consumer marketing investment rose 2 percent. Adjusted segment operating profit was down 2 percent. Fiscal 2014 net earnings attributable to General Mills totaled $1.8 billion and diluted earnings per share totaled $2.83. Adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes certain items affecting comparability, totaled $2.82 in fiscal 2014 compared to $2.72 in the previous year. Full report.
