We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Kellogg Company’s (K - Free Report) second-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. During the quarter, the top line benefited from contribution from the acquisition of RXBAR and consolidation of Multipro. Meanwhile, bottom-line performance gained from positive impacts of tax reforms. The solid performance also propelled management to uplift 2018 view.
Q2 in Detail
Second-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.14 per share came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.05. The bottom line increased 17.5% year over year, supported by tax gains from the U.S. tax reforms and benefits from voluntary pension contributions carried out during the quarter.
Kellogg reported revenues of $3,360 billion, up almost 5.9% year over year. The upside can be primarily attributed to the takeover of RXBAR and consolidation of Multipro. On a constant-currency (cc) basis sales during the quarter improved 6.3%. The top line also outpaced the consensus mark of $3,322 million.
However, organic revenues were down 0.4%, as the underlying growth in revenues were offset by adjustments in list-price and transitions in the U.S. snacks business.
The company’s gross profit came in at $1,209 million, down 1.3% from the prior-year quarter’s level. Additionally, adjusted gross profit (at cc) came in at $1,203 million, down 3.1% year on year. Also, Kellogg’s adjusted gross margin (currency-neutral adjusted) in the quarter plunged 340 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter’s level.
Further, Kellogg’s adjusted operating margin (at cc) declined 0.8%, which contracted 30 bps year over year. This was primarily due to higher advertisement and promotional investments, which more than offset the gains from acquisition and consolidation.
North America: Kellogg’s North America sales of $2,127 million declined 0.8% from the prior-year quarter’s level, mainly due to list-price adjustments and transitions in the U.S snacks category. These downsides marred the gains from underlying business growth and from RXBAR acquisition. Also, adjusted operating profit declined 3.4% year over year.
Europe: The segment’s revenues of $621 million improved 9.5% year on year, aided by favorable currency translations. Adjusted operating profit improved 6.8% year over year.
Latin America: Revenues of $239 million in the segment improved 3.5% year on year, aided by growth witnessed across Mexico and Central America, partially offset by truck strikes in Brazil. However, adjusted operating profit plunged 20.5% year over year.
Asia Pacific: The segment’s revenues of $373 million improved 60.8% year on year on the back of strong growth in cereals and snacks in the developed and emerging markets. The region also gained from the consolidation of Multipro. Adjusted operating profit improved 46.4% in the Asia Pacific.
Outlook
Management is impressed with solid growth witnessed in the first and second quarters of 2018. Further, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company continues to expect yields from brand investments and gains from tax reforms.
That said, the company raised the top- and bottom-line projections for 2018. Kellogg now expects revenue growth in the range of of 4-5% (at cc) compared with the previous projection of 3-4%. The raised guidance reflects strong organic growth witnessed in the first half of the year. Also, the company raised adjusted earnings growth view to 11-13% (at cc) compared with the previous range of 9-11%. Further, adjusted operating profit growth (at cc) continues to be projected within 5-7%.
Price Performance
Shares of Kellog have gained 17.5% in the past three months, compared with the industry’s rise of 8.5%
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) , with long-term earnings per share growth rate of 8%, carries a Zacks Rank #3.
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC - Free Report) , also a Zacks Rank #3 company, delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 6.9% in the trailing four quarters.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
Image: Bigstock
Kellogg (K) Beats Q2 Earnings Estimates, Raises '18 View
Kellogg Company’s (K - Free Report) second-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. During the quarter, the top line benefited from contribution from the acquisition of RXBAR and consolidation of Multipro. Meanwhile, bottom-line performance gained from positive impacts of tax reforms. The solid performance also propelled management to uplift 2018 view.
Q2 in Detail
Second-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.14 per share came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.05. The bottom line increased 17.5% year over year, supported by tax gains from the U.S. tax reforms and benefits from voluntary pension contributions carried out during the quarter.
Kellogg reported revenues of $3,360 billion, up almost 5.9% year over year. The upside can be primarily attributed to the takeover of RXBAR and consolidation of Multipro. On a constant-currency (cc) basis sales during the quarter improved 6.3%. The top line also outpaced the consensus mark of $3,322 million.
However, organic revenues were down 0.4%, as the underlying growth in revenues were offset by adjustments in list-price and transitions in the U.S. snacks business.
The company’s gross profit came in at $1,209 million, down 1.3% from the prior-year quarter’s level. Additionally, adjusted gross profit (at cc) came in at $1,203 million, down 3.1% year on year. Also, Kellogg’s adjusted gross margin (currency-neutral adjusted) in the quarter plunged 340 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter’s level.
Further, Kellogg’s adjusted operating margin (at cc) declined 0.8%, which contracted 30 bps year over year. This was primarily due to higher advertisement and promotional investments, which more than offset the gains from acquisition and consolidation.
Kellogg Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Kellogg Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Kellogg Company Quote
Segment Discussion
North America: Kellogg’s North America sales of $2,127 million declined 0.8% from the prior-year quarter’s level, mainly due to list-price adjustments and transitions in the U.S snacks category. These downsides marred the gains from underlying business growth and from RXBAR acquisition. Also, adjusted operating profit declined 3.4% year over year.
Europe: The segment’s revenues of $621 million improved 9.5% year on year, aided by favorable currency translations. Adjusted operating profit improved 6.8% year over year.
Latin America: Revenues of $239 million in the segment improved 3.5% year on year, aided by growth witnessed across Mexico and Central America, partially offset by truck strikes in Brazil. However, adjusted operating profit plunged 20.5% year over year.
Asia Pacific: The segment’s revenues of $373 million improved 60.8% year on year on the back of strong growth in cereals and snacks in the developed and emerging markets. The region also gained from the consolidation of Multipro. Adjusted operating profit improved 46.4% in the Asia Pacific.
Outlook
Management is impressed with solid growth witnessed in the first and second quarters of 2018. Further, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company continues to expect yields from brand investments and gains from tax reforms.
That said, the company raised the top- and bottom-line projections for 2018. Kellogg now expects revenue growth in the range of of 4-5% (at cc) compared with the previous projection of 3-4%. The raised guidance reflects strong organic growth witnessed in the first half of the year. Also, the company raised adjusted earnings growth view to 11-13% (at cc) compared with the previous range of 9-11%. Further, adjusted operating profit growth (at cc) continues to be projected within 5-7%.
Price Performance
Shares of Kellog have gained 17.5% in the past three months, compared with the industry’s rise of 8.5%
Greedy for Consumer Staples Stocks? Check These
Helen of Troy Limited (HELE - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an impressive earnings surprise history and a long-term earnings growth rate of 6.1%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) , with long-term earnings per share growth rate of 8%, carries a Zacks Rank #3.
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC - Free Report) , also a Zacks Rank #3 company, delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 6.9% in the trailing four quarters.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>