Campbell Soup Company reported results for its third-quarter fiscal 2022.
Summary
- Earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations increased 15% to $0.62. Adjusted EPS increased 37% to $0.70.
- Net sales increased 7% and organic net sales increased 9% to $2.1 billion.
- Demand for Campbell’s products remained strong with consumption up 4% compared to prior year and up 14% on a three-year basis.
- Raises full-year fiscal 2022 net sales guidance reflecting strong year-to-date performance. Reaffirms adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and adjusted EPS guidance given continued expected higher inflation.
Commenting on the quarter, Mark Clouse, Campbell’s president and CEO, said, “As expected, we had a strong recovery across the business in the quarter with high-single-digit sales growth driven by sustained consumer demand for our brands and significantly improved supply. Our improved supply chain execution along with inflation-driven pricing began to mitigate the margin pressure we have experienced over the last 12 months. While the operating environment remains challenging and we continue to expect significant inflation, our team is executing well, and Campbell is on a much stronger foundation today. Looking ahead, we are raising our full-year fiscal 2022 net sales outlook and reaffirming our prior adjusted EBIT and adjusted EPS guidance reflecting the on-going inflation-driven margin pressure.”
Third-quarter results from continuing operations
Net sales in the quarter increased 7% versus the prior year to $2.13 billion. Organic net sales, which exclude the impact from the sale of the Plum baby food and snacks business, increased 9%. Inflation-driven pricing and sales allowances of 11% more than offset volume declines of 3%. Despite some retailer inventory rebuild, volume declined in the quarter driven by select supply constraints and price elasticities.
Gross margin decreased to 31.2% from 31.7% last year. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted gross margin increased 90 basis points to 31.5% due to inflation-driven pricing actions, supply chain productivity improvements and cost savings initiatives. This margin expansion represents a gradual recovery of the significant year-to-date impact of increased cost inflation and other macro issues such as labor and materials availability. Volume/mix was unfavorable in the quarter largely due to reduced operating leverage.
As reported EBIT increased to $294 million from $272 million in the prior year. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EBIT increased 23% compared to the prior year to $321 million primarily due to improved adjusted gross margin performance, lower marketing and selling expenses, partially offset by sales volume declines and lower adjusted other income.
As reported EPS from continuing operations increased 15% to $0.62 per share compared to $0.54 per share in the prior year. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EPS from continuing operations increased $0.19, or 37%, compared to the prior year to $0.70 primarily reflecting the increase in adjusted EBIT, lower adjusted net interest expense and the benefit of lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding.
Nine-month results from continuing operations
Net sales were $6.58 billion, flat to the prior year. Organic net sales, which exclude the impact from the sale of the Plum baby food and snacks business, increased 1% as inflation-driven pricing and sales allowances offset volume declines stemming from supply challenges.
As reported EBIT decreased 12% compared to the prior year to $993 million. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EBIT decreased 7% to $1.03 billion compared to the prior year, reflecting sales volume declines, lower adjusted other income and increased adjusted administrative expenses, partially offset by lower marketing and selling expenses and improved adjusted gross margin performance.
Meals and beverages
Net sales in the quarter increased 6%. Organic net sales, which exclude the impact from the sale of the Plum baby food and snacks business, increased 9% driven by increases in U.S. soup, foodservice and Prego pasta sauces, partially offset by declines in Canada. Inflation-driven pricing and sales allowances were partially offset by increased promotional spending. Volume decreased primarily due to supply constraints driven by labor and materials availability and price elasticities, partially offset by retailer inventory rebuild. Sales of U.S. soup increased 15% due to increases in condensed soups and ready-to-serve soups, while broth was comparable to the prior year.
Operating earnings from meals and beverages in the quarter increased 18% primarily due to improved gross margin performance, partially offset by sales volume declines. Gross margin performance reflected mitigation of on-going inflation with pricing actions, lower other supply chain costs and supply chain productivity improvements. Unfavorable volume/mix, which was largely due to reduced operating leverage, as well as higher levels of promotional spending also pressured gross margins. These results also reflect lower base operating earnings in the prior-year third quarter.
Snacks
Net sales in the quarter, both reported and organic, increased 8% while sales of power brands were up 13%. Snacks sales increased due to increases in salty snacks, primarily Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels and KettleBrand potato chips, as well as in cookies and crackers, primarily Goldfish crackers. Overall inflation-driven pricing and sales allowances and lower promotional spending were partly offset by volume declines. Despite some retailer inventory rebuild, volume declined in the quarter driven by supply constraints based on materials availability and price elasticities.
Operating earnings from snacks in the quarter increased 25% primarily due to improved gross margin performance and lower marketing and selling expenses, partially offset by higher administrative expenses. Gross margin performance reflected mitigation of on-going inflation with pricing actions combined with the results of supply chain productivity improvements, execution improvements and cost savings initiatives, partially offset by some remaining elevated supply chain costs. These results also reflect lower base operating earnings in the prior-year third quarter.
