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Why Is Campbell (CPB) Down 2.3% Since Last Earnings Report?
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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Campbell Soup (CPB - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 2.3% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Campbell due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Campbell Surpasses Earnings & Sales Estimates in Q4
Campbell Soup has reported results for fourth-quarter fiscal 2021, wherein the top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, both metrics declined year over year. Results gained from strength across the majority of its core categories. The company noted that fiscal 2021 ended on a strong note. It expects fiscal 2022 to gain from positive momentum in its brands and efforts to mitigate inflation.
Quarterly Highlights
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations tumbled 13% year over year to 55 cents per share but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 47 cents. The downside was a result of reduced adjusted EBIT. However, the metric advanced 31% from 42 cents reported in fourth-quarter fiscal 2019.
Net sales of $1,873 million decreased 11% year over year but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,821 million. However, sales rose 5% from fourth-quarter fiscal 2019. Organic sales declined 4% year over year due to lower volumes and mix stemming from cycling of increased food purchases for at-home consumption as well as partial retailer inventory recovery witnessed in the year-ago quarter.
The company’s adjusted gross margin contracted 420 basis points to 31.4%. The downside was caused by cost inflation and other supply-chain expenses, which somewhat offset supply-chain productivity improvements and cost-saving initiatives.
Adjusted EBIT plunged 13% to reach $267 million mainly on account of lower sales volumes and reduced adjusted gross margin, somewhat made up by a decline in marketing and selling costs as well as lower adjusted administrative expenses. Nonetheless, the metric rose 6% from $252 million reported in fourth-quarter fiscal 2019.
Segment Analysis
Meals & Beverages: Net sales declined 16% year over year to $851 million, with organic sales declining 9%. The downside mainly resulted from declines in all U.S. retail products (including U.S. soup, Prego pasta sauces and Pace Mexican sauces). However, organic net sales increased 10% on a two-year basis. Volumes in U.S. retail were hurt due to partial retailer inventory recovery and positive demand in food from continued at-home consumption. U.S. soup sales fell 21% due to weakness in condensed soups, broth and ready-to-serve soups. Operating earnings in the unit tanked 30%.
Snacks: Net sales in the division were down 6% to $1,022 million. The segment was hurt by weakness in salty snacks like Pop Secret popcorn, Cape Cod potato chips and Snyder's of Hanover pretzels along with softness in Lance sandwich crackers, partner brands and fresh bakery. Organic sales in the segment rose 1%, driven by higher volumes in Goldfish crackers and the salty snacks portfolio, including Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Snyder's of Hanover pretzels and Cape Cod potato chips, which partly offset the sluggishness in partner brands and fresh bakery. The metric also grew 7% on a two-year basis. Segmental operating earnings rose 7%.
Other Financial Details
As of Aug 1, 2021, Campbell’s total cash and cash equivalents stood at $69 million, long-term debt was $5,010 million, and total equity amounted to $3,154 million. The company generated $1.04 billion as cash flow from operations in fiscal 2021. Capital investments amounted to $275 million in the same period.
In the fiscal fourth quarter, management paid out dividends worth $439 million and approved a $500-million share repurchase program. This is in addition to the $250-million anti-dilutive share repurchase program announced in the fiscal third quarter. In the fiscal fourth quarter, Campbell generated savings worth $25 million as part of its multi-year, cost-saving program, which included synergies associated with the Snyder’s-Lance buyout. With this, the company generated total program-to-date savings of nearly $805 million. Management continues to anticipate annualized savings of $850 million by fiscal 2022-end.
Fiscal 2022 Guidance
Based on its fourth-quarter results and impacts of the divestiture of the Plum baby food and snacks business (on May 3), management issued the guidance for fiscal 2022. The view considers cycling of solid demand, rising inflation and tightening of the labor market, which were somewhat offset by continued in-market momentum as well as pricing and productivity efforts.
For fiscal 2022, the company expects net sales of flat to down 2%, with organic sales likely to be between down 1% and up 1%. The sale of Plum baby food and snacks business is expected to affect fiscal 2022 sales by 1 percentage point. Adjusted EBIT is forecast to be down 8-5% but EBIT margin is predicted to improve in the second half of fiscal 2022. Adjusted EPS is envisioned to be $2.75-$2.85 for fiscal 2022.
However, management envisions first-quarter fiscal 2022 to remain drab. Margins in the first half of fiscal 2022 are estimated to be affected by transitional headwinds but the metric is likely to witness a sequential improvement in the second half of fiscal 2022. Cost inflation is anticipated to be more pronounced in the second half of fiscal 2022. Having said that, positive net price realization, supply-chain productivity improvements, and cost-saving initiatives are likely to aid the fiscal 2022 performance.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates review. The consensus estimate has shifted -6.07% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
At this time, Campbell has a poor Growth Score of F, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Campbell has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Why Is Campbell (CPB) Down 2.3% Since Last Earnings Report?
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Campbell Soup (CPB - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 2.3% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Campbell due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Campbell Surpasses Earnings & Sales Estimates in Q4
Campbell Soup has reported results for fourth-quarter fiscal 2021, wherein the top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, both metrics declined year over year. Results gained from strength across the majority of its core categories. The company noted that fiscal 2021 ended on a strong note. It expects fiscal 2022 to gain from positive momentum in its brands and efforts to mitigate inflation.
Quarterly Highlights
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations tumbled 13% year over year to 55 cents per share but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 47 cents. The downside was a result of reduced adjusted EBIT. However, the metric advanced 31% from 42 cents reported in fourth-quarter fiscal 2019.
Net sales of $1,873 million decreased 11% year over year but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,821 million. However, sales rose 5% from fourth-quarter fiscal 2019. Organic sales declined 4% year over year due to lower volumes and mix stemming from cycling of increased food purchases for at-home consumption as well as partial retailer inventory recovery witnessed in the year-ago quarter.
The company’s adjusted gross margin contracted 420 basis points to 31.4%. The downside was caused by cost inflation and other supply-chain expenses, which somewhat offset supply-chain productivity improvements and cost-saving initiatives.
Adjusted EBIT plunged 13% to reach $267 million mainly on account of lower sales volumes and reduced adjusted gross margin, somewhat made up by a decline in marketing and selling costs as well as lower adjusted administrative expenses. Nonetheless, the metric rose 6% from $252 million reported in fourth-quarter fiscal 2019.
Segment Analysis
Meals & Beverages: Net sales declined 16% year over year to $851 million, with organic sales declining 9%. The downside mainly resulted from declines in all U.S. retail products (including U.S. soup, Prego pasta sauces and Pace Mexican sauces). However, organic net sales increased 10% on a two-year basis. Volumes in U.S. retail were hurt due to partial retailer inventory recovery and positive demand in food from continued at-home consumption. U.S. soup sales fell 21% due to weakness in condensed soups, broth and ready-to-serve soups. Operating earnings in the unit tanked 30%.
Snacks: Net sales in the division were down 6% to $1,022 million. The segment was hurt by weakness in salty snacks like Pop Secret popcorn, Cape Cod potato chips and Snyder's of Hanover pretzels along with softness in Lance sandwich crackers, partner brands and fresh bakery. Organic sales in the segment rose 1%, driven by higher volumes in Goldfish crackers and the salty snacks portfolio, including Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Snyder's of Hanover pretzels and Cape Cod potato chips, which partly offset the sluggishness in partner brands and fresh bakery. The metric also grew 7% on a two-year basis. Segmental operating earnings rose 7%.
Other Financial Details
As of Aug 1, 2021, Campbell’s total cash and cash equivalents stood at $69 million, long-term debt was $5,010 million, and total equity amounted to $3,154 million. The company generated $1.04 billion as cash flow from operations in fiscal 2021. Capital investments amounted to $275 million in the same period.
In the fiscal fourth quarter, management paid out dividends worth $439 million and approved a $500-million share repurchase program. This is in addition to the $250-million anti-dilutive share repurchase program announced in the fiscal third quarter. In the fiscal fourth quarter, Campbell generated savings worth $25 million as part of its multi-year, cost-saving program, which included synergies associated with the Snyder’s-Lance buyout. With this, the company generated total program-to-date savings of nearly $805 million. Management continues to anticipate annualized savings of $850 million by fiscal 2022-end.
Fiscal 2022 Guidance
Based on its fourth-quarter results and impacts of the divestiture of the Plum baby food and snacks business (on May 3), management issued the guidance for fiscal 2022. The view considers cycling of solid demand, rising inflation and tightening of the labor market, which were somewhat offset by continued in-market momentum as well as pricing and productivity efforts.
For fiscal 2022, the company expects net sales of flat to down 2%, with organic sales likely to be between down 1% and up 1%. The sale of Plum baby food and snacks business is expected to affect fiscal 2022 sales by 1 percentage point. Adjusted EBIT is forecast to be down 8-5% but EBIT margin is predicted to improve in the second half of fiscal 2022. Adjusted EPS is envisioned to be $2.75-$2.85 for fiscal 2022.
However, management envisions first-quarter fiscal 2022 to remain drab. Margins in the first half of fiscal 2022 are estimated to be affected by transitional headwinds but the metric is likely to witness a sequential improvement in the second half of fiscal 2022. Cost inflation is anticipated to be more pronounced in the second half of fiscal 2022. Having said that, positive net price realization, supply-chain productivity improvements, and cost-saving initiatives are likely to aid the fiscal 2022 performance.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates review. The consensus estimate has shifted -6.07% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
At this time, Campbell has a poor Growth Score of F, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Campbell has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.