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McCormick (MKC) Q2 Earnings Lag Estimates, Cost Inflation Hurts
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McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC - Free Report) reported dismal second-quarter fiscal 2022 results, with the top and the bottom line decreasing year over year. Sales and earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
During the quarter, the company battled a tough global environment, including the ongoing cost inflation and supply chain issues. Major disruption across China owing to COVID-related lockdowns and the conflict in Ukraine were also hurdles. That being said, strength in its broad global portfolio and the effective pricing actions offered some respite. The company is on track to capitalize on a sustained shift to cooking more at home, higher digital engagement, clean and flavorful eating and trusted brands.
Management updated its fiscal 2022 view to reflect the adverse impact of foreign currency rates, increased cost pressures and associated pricing actions. The revised outlook also considers the adverse impact of COVID-induced lockdowns in China, the conflict in Ukraine and McCormick’s growth momentum. Management also highlighted that it anticipates a favorable impact from optimizing its debt portfolio.
McCormick & Company, Incorporated Price and EPS Surprise
Adjusted earnings of 48 cents per share declined from 69 cents in the year-ago quarter. The downside stemmed from reduced adjusted operating income. The metric missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents per share.
This global leader in flavor generated sales of $1,536.8 million, down 1% year over year. This includes an unfavorable impact from currency translation of 1%. Constant currency (cc) sales were in line with the year-ago quarter, reflecting 7% positive impact from pricing actions countered by a 7% decline in volume and product mix. Volume and product mix were hurt by the lapping of the year-ago quarter’s U.S. trade inventory replenishments and disruption related to COVID-induced restrictions in China. The exit of low-margin business in India and the conflict in Ukraine also hurt the metric. The top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,617 million.
Compared with 2019 levels (pre-pandemic period), second-quarter sales increased 6% at a constant currency compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) basis.
The company’s gross profit margin contracted 550 basis points to 34%, thanks to increased material and transportation cost inflation and a negative product mix. These were somewhat countered by cost savings from the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CCI) program and pricing actions.
Operating income was $157 million, down from $237 million reported in the year-ago quarter. The downside was caused by gross margin contraction and increased distribution expenses. These were somewhat offset by the positive impact of CCI-led cost savings and reduced transaction and integration expenses.
Segment Details
Consumer: Sales went down 8% to $866.1 million. On a constant currency basis, sales fell 7% owing to reduced volume and product mix, somewhat offset by pricing actions across all three regions. Consumer sales in the Americas fell 4%. Consumer sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) fell by 18%. Consumer sales in the Asia/Pacific market slumped 18%.
Flavor Solutions: Sales in the segment increased 10% to $670.7 million. On a constant currency basis, sales grew 11%, courtesy of the Americas and EMEA regions. Management highlighted that pricing actions contributed to sales across all three regions. Flavor Solutions sales in the Americas and the EMEA region increased 12% each. However, sales in the Asia-Pacific region fell 8%.
Financial Update
McCormick exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $325.8 million, long-term debt of $3,920.3 million and total shareholders’ equity of $4,615.1 million. For the six months ended May 31, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $154.4 million.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Fiscal 2022 Outlook
Management updated its sales, operating income and earnings per share (EPS) outlook for fiscal 2022. The company expects foreign currency translations to have an unfavorable impact of two-percentage points on net sales, adjusted operating income and adjusted EPS in 2022. Earlier, it had expected a one-percentage point unfavorable impact of currency rates on net sales, adjusted operating income and adjusted EPS.
The company now expects sales growth of 3-5% (up 5-7% at cc) year over year. Earlier, management expected to achieve sales growth of 3-5% (up 4-6% at cc) year over year. McCormick anticipates growth from solid brands, new products, brand marketing, category management and differentiated customer engagement. The company’s pricing actions and cost savings will likely offset projected inflationary pressures over time.
Adjusted operating income is expected to be flat to 2% growth (up 2-4% at cc). Prior to this, management expected adjusted operating income growth in the band of 7-9% (up 8-10% at cc). Adjusted EPS are now expected to be $3.03-$3.08, compared with previous guidance of $3.17-$3.22. The company had reported an adjusted EPS of $3.05 in fiscal 2021. The revised adjusted EPS view reflects a projected decline of 1% to a 1% increase (up 1-3% at cc).
The Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company’s shares have decreased 10.7% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 1.9%.
Looking for Better-Ranked Staple Bets? Check These
Sysco, which engages in marketing and distributing various food and related products, sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). SYY has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.1%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sysco’s current financial year sales and EPS suggests growth of 32.6% and 124.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported number.
United Natural Foods distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce and conventional grocery and non-food products. UNFI currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNFI’s current financial year sales and EPS suggests growth of 7.2% and 4.9%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported figures. United Natural Foods has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
Pilgrim’s Pride, which produces, processes, markets and distributes fresh, frozen and value-added chicken and pork products, carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). PPC has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 31.4%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Pilgrim’s Pride’s current financial year EPS suggests growth of 63.2% from the year-ago reported number.
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McCormick (MKC) Q2 Earnings Lag Estimates, Cost Inflation Hurts
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC - Free Report) reported dismal second-quarter fiscal 2022 results, with the top and the bottom line decreasing year over year. Sales and earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
During the quarter, the company battled a tough global environment, including the ongoing cost inflation and supply chain issues. Major disruption across China owing to COVID-related lockdowns and the conflict in Ukraine were also hurdles. That being said, strength in its broad global portfolio and the effective pricing actions offered some respite. The company is on track to capitalize on a sustained shift to cooking more at home, higher digital engagement, clean and flavorful eating and trusted brands.
Management updated its fiscal 2022 view to reflect the adverse impact of foreign currency rates, increased cost pressures and associated pricing actions. The revised outlook also considers the adverse impact of COVID-induced lockdowns in China, the conflict in Ukraine and McCormick’s growth momentum. Management also highlighted that it anticipates a favorable impact from optimizing its debt portfolio.
McCormick & Company, Incorporated Price and EPS Surprise
McCormick & Company, Incorporated price-eps-surprise | McCormick & Company, Incorporated Quote
Quarter in Detail
Adjusted earnings of 48 cents per share declined from 69 cents in the year-ago quarter. The downside stemmed from reduced adjusted operating income. The metric missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents per share.
This global leader in flavor generated sales of $1,536.8 million, down 1% year over year. This includes an unfavorable impact from currency translation of 1%. Constant currency (cc) sales were in line with the year-ago quarter, reflecting 7% positive impact from pricing actions countered by a 7% decline in volume and product mix. Volume and product mix were hurt by the lapping of the year-ago quarter’s U.S. trade inventory replenishments and disruption related to COVID-induced restrictions in China. The exit of low-margin business in India and the conflict in Ukraine also hurt the metric. The top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,617 million.
Compared with 2019 levels (pre-pandemic period), second-quarter sales increased 6% at a constant currency compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) basis.
The company’s gross profit margin contracted 550 basis points to 34%, thanks to increased material and transportation cost inflation and a negative product mix. These were somewhat countered by cost savings from the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CCI) program and pricing actions.
Operating income was $157 million, down from $237 million reported in the year-ago quarter. The downside was caused by gross margin contraction and increased distribution expenses. These were somewhat offset by the positive impact of CCI-led cost savings and reduced transaction and integration expenses.
Segment Details
Consumer: Sales went down 8% to $866.1 million. On a constant currency basis, sales fell 7% owing to reduced volume and product mix, somewhat offset by pricing actions across all three regions. Consumer sales in the Americas fell 4%. Consumer sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) fell by 18%. Consumer sales in the Asia/Pacific market slumped 18%.
Flavor Solutions: Sales in the segment increased 10% to $670.7 million. On a constant currency basis, sales grew 11%, courtesy of the Americas and EMEA regions. Management highlighted that pricing actions contributed to sales across all three regions. Flavor Solutions sales in the Americas and the EMEA region increased 12% each. However, sales in the Asia-Pacific region fell 8%.
Financial Update
McCormick exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $325.8 million, long-term debt of $3,920.3 million and total shareholders’ equity of $4,615.1 million. For the six months ended May 31, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $154.4 million.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Fiscal 2022 Outlook
Management updated its sales, operating income and earnings per share (EPS) outlook for fiscal 2022. The company expects foreign currency translations to have an unfavorable impact of two-percentage points on net sales, adjusted operating income and adjusted EPS in 2022. Earlier, it had expected a one-percentage point unfavorable impact of currency rates on net sales, adjusted operating income and adjusted EPS.
The company now expects sales growth of 3-5% (up 5-7% at cc) year over year. Earlier, management expected to achieve sales growth of 3-5% (up 4-6% at cc) year over year. McCormick anticipates growth from solid brands, new products, brand marketing, category management and differentiated customer engagement. The company’s pricing actions and cost savings will likely offset projected inflationary pressures over time.
Adjusted operating income is expected to be flat to 2% growth (up 2-4% at cc). Prior to this, management expected adjusted operating income growth in the band of 7-9% (up 8-10% at cc). Adjusted EPS are now expected to be $3.03-$3.08, compared with previous guidance of $3.17-$3.22. The company had reported an adjusted EPS of $3.05 in fiscal 2021. The revised adjusted EPS view reflects a projected decline of 1% to a 1% increase (up 1-3% at cc).
The Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company’s shares have decreased 10.7% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 1.9%.
Looking for Better-Ranked Staple Bets? Check These
Some better-ranked stocks are Sysco Corporation (SYY - Free Report) , United Natural Foods (UNFI - Free Report) and Pilgrim’s Pride (PPC - Free Report) .
Sysco, which engages in marketing and distributing various food and related products, sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). SYY has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.1%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sysco’s current financial year sales and EPS suggests growth of 32.6% and 124.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported number.
United Natural Foods distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce and conventional grocery and non-food products. UNFI currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNFI’s current financial year sales and EPS suggests growth of 7.2% and 4.9%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported figures. United Natural Foods has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
Pilgrim’s Pride, which produces, processes, markets and distributes fresh, frozen and value-added chicken and pork products, carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). PPC has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 31.4%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Pilgrim’s Pride’s current financial year EPS suggests growth of 63.2% from the year-ago reported number.