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Campbell (CPB) Q1 Earnings Top, Sales View Cut on Divestiture
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Campbell Soup Company (CPB - Free Report) released first-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year. However, sales were soft, owing to weakness at the Meals & Beverages segment. Moreover, management trimmed its sales view for fiscal 2020, considering the divestiture of its European chips business, which was conducted on Oct 11. Shares of the company were down more than 1% during the pre-market trading session.
Apart from this, the company divested Campbell Fresh in fiscal 2019 and Kelsen Group on Sep 23. Further, it anticipates concluding the sale of Arnott’s, and some of Campbell International operations in the second quarter. The Campbell Fresh and Campbell International segments are now part of discontinued operations.
Q1 Highlights
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations advanced 10% year over year to 78 cents and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents. The upside was backed by greater adjusted EBIT and reduced interest expenses.
Campbell Soup Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Net sales dropped 1% to $2,183 million, owing to softness in the Meals & Beverages unit, somewhat compensated by strength in the Snacks unit. Further, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,194 million.
Moving on, adjusted gross margin improved 0.3 percentage points on the back of cost-saving efforts, productivity enhancements and gains from the recent pricing actions. This was partly negated by cost inflation and elevated promotional expenditure.
Adjusted EBIT rose 6% to $392 million, driven by reduced adjusted administrative costs, greater adjusted other income and enhanced gross margin.
Segment Analysis
Consequently, the company now reports operations under two main segments — Meals & Beverages, and Snacks.
Meals & Beverages: Sales at this division dropped 3% year over year to $1,194 million. Further, the segment’s organic sales dropped 3%. Sales were marred by unfavorable timing of U.S. soup shipments. Notably, U.S. soup sales declined 3%, due to adverse movements in retailer inventory levels across broth and condensed soups. Sales of ready-to-serve soups were flat year over year. The segment gained some respite from improvements in Prego pasta sauces. Operating earnings in the Meals & Beverages segment declined 3% to $282 million, due to cost inflation and lower sales.
Snacks: Sales at this division rose 2% to $989 million. Organic sales also improved 2%. The segment gained from advancements in Pepperidge Farm cookies, Kettle Brand potato chips, Goldfish crackers, Cape Cod and fresh bakery products. Operating earnings in this category were flat at $125 million as cost-saving efforts and supply-chain productivity plans were offset by elevated marketing and cost inflation.
Financials
Campbell ended the quarter with long-term debt of $6,706 million and total equity of $1,249 million. Additionally, the company generated $182 million as net cash from operating activities in the first quarter. Campbell paid out dividends worth $107 million during the first quarter at the rate of 35 cents per share.
Other Developments & Fiscal 2020 Outlook
During the quarter under review, Campbell generated savings worth $45 million as part of its multi-year, cost-saving program, which included synergies associated with the Snyder’s-Lance buyout. With this, the company has generated total program-to-date savings of $605 million. Further, management continues to anticipate cumulative annualized savings from continuing operations of $850 million by fiscal 2022-end.
For fiscal 2020, net sales are now projected between a decline of 1% and an increase of 1% compared with the previous guidance of 1-3% growth. Organic sales are also expected in the same range as net sales. Adjusted EBIT is still expected to rise 2-4% and adjusted earnings per share 9-11% to $2.50-$2.55. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $2.52 per share.
The guidance for fiscal 2020 takes into consideration gains from an additional 53rd week. Moreover, management highlighted that proceeds from the sale of Campbell Fresh, Campbell International and the European chips business are being used to curtail debt load.
Price Performance & Zacks Rank
We note that the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has gained 7.4% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 1.4%.
Beyond Meat (BYND - Free Report) , also with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an impressive earnings surprise record.
Newell Brands (NWL - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has a long-term earnings per share growth rate of 6%.
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Campbell (CPB) Q1 Earnings Top, Sales View Cut on Divestiture
Campbell Soup Company (CPB - Free Report) released first-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year. However, sales were soft, owing to weakness at the Meals & Beverages segment. Moreover, management trimmed its sales view for fiscal 2020, considering the divestiture of its European chips business, which was conducted on Oct 11. Shares of the company were down more than 1% during the pre-market trading session.
Apart from this, the company divested Campbell Fresh in fiscal 2019 and Kelsen Group on Sep 23. Further, it anticipates concluding the sale of Arnott’s, and some of Campbell International operations in the second quarter. The Campbell Fresh and Campbell International segments are now part of discontinued operations.
Q1 Highlights
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations advanced 10% year over year to 78 cents and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents. The upside was backed by greater adjusted EBIT and reduced interest expenses.
Campbell Soup Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Campbell Soup Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Campbell Soup Company Quote
Net sales dropped 1% to $2,183 million, owing to softness in the Meals & Beverages unit, somewhat compensated by strength in the Snacks unit. Further, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,194 million.
Moving on, adjusted gross margin improved 0.3 percentage points on the back of cost-saving efforts, productivity enhancements and gains from the recent pricing actions. This was partly negated by cost inflation and elevated promotional expenditure.
Adjusted EBIT rose 6% to $392 million, driven by reduced adjusted administrative costs, greater adjusted other income and enhanced gross margin.
Segment Analysis
Consequently, the company now reports operations under two main segments — Meals & Beverages, and Snacks.
Meals & Beverages: Sales at this division dropped 3% year over year to $1,194 million. Further, the segment’s organic sales dropped 3%. Sales were marred by unfavorable timing of U.S. soup shipments. Notably, U.S. soup sales declined 3%, due to adverse movements in retailer inventory levels across broth and condensed soups. Sales of ready-to-serve soups were flat year over year. The segment gained some respite from improvements in Prego pasta sauces. Operating earnings in the Meals & Beverages segment declined 3% to $282 million, due to cost inflation and lower sales.
Snacks: Sales at this division rose 2% to $989 million. Organic sales also improved 2%. The segment gained from advancements in Pepperidge Farm cookies, Kettle Brand potato chips, Goldfish crackers, Cape Cod and fresh bakery products. Operating earnings in this category were flat at $125 million as cost-saving efforts and supply-chain productivity plans were offset by elevated marketing and cost inflation.
Financials
Campbell ended the quarter with long-term debt of $6,706 million and total equity of $1,249 million. Additionally, the company generated $182 million as net cash from operating activities in the first quarter. Campbell paid out dividends worth $107 million during the first quarter at the rate of 35 cents per share.
Other Developments & Fiscal 2020 Outlook
During the quarter under review, Campbell generated savings worth $45 million as part of its multi-year, cost-saving program, which included synergies associated with the Snyder’s-Lance buyout. With this, the company has generated total program-to-date savings of $605 million. Further, management continues to anticipate cumulative annualized savings from continuing operations of $850 million by fiscal 2022-end.
For fiscal 2020, net sales are now projected between a decline of 1% and an increase of 1% compared with the previous guidance of 1-3% growth. Organic sales are also expected in the same range as net sales. Adjusted EBIT is still expected to rise 2-4% and adjusted earnings per share 9-11% to $2.50-$2.55. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $2.52 per share.
The guidance for fiscal 2020 takes into consideration gains from an additional 53rd week. Moreover, management highlighted that proceeds from the sale of Campbell Fresh, Campbell International and the European chips business are being used to curtail debt load.
Price Performance & Zacks Rank
We note that the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has gained 7.4% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 1.4%.
Don’t Miss These Solid Consumer Staple Stocks
Boston Beer (SAM - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), has a long-term earnings per share growth rate of 10%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Beyond Meat (BYND - Free Report) , also with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an impressive earnings surprise record.
Newell Brands (NWL - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has a long-term earnings per share growth rate of 6%.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>