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.
Conagra's (CAG) Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Up Y/Y
Read MoreHide Full Article
Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG - Free Report) released second-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second straight time but sales marked its fourth consecutive miss. Nonetheless, the top line advanced year over year on the back of gains from Pinnacle Foods, partly countered by divestitures of the Wesson oil business, Gelit and DSD Snacks businesses (also known as “Sold Businesses”). Shares of the company gained more than 5% during the pre-market trading session on Dec 19.
Results gained from the Conagra Way playbook and robust momentum in the frozen and snacks business. Further, the company’s grocery brands — Hunt's and Chef Boyardee — performed well. Additionally, the company made solid progress with Pinnacle Foods’ integration. Conagra expects to see a strong performance in the second half of fiscal 2020, on the back of innovation in frozen and snacks categories, continued promotions of key brands, constant synergies and Pinnacle Foods’ action plan.
Earnings & Sales
Conagra’s quarterly adjusted earnings came in at 63 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents. However, the figure declined about 6% from 67 cents reported in the year-ago period. The year-over-year decline was caused by higher outstanding share count, partly offset by increased adjusted net income. Adjusted net income growth was backed by Pinnacle Foods’ operating profit, cost-saving synergies and higher organic sales.
Conagra Brands Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Conagra generated net sales of $2,820.8 million, which advanced 18.3% year over year but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,825 million. The year-over-year sales growth was driven by contributions from the Pinnacle Foods buyout and organic sales growth. However, divestiture of Sold Businesses weighed on sales. Organic sales climbed 1.6% on favorable volumes and price/mix.
Gross Margin
Adjusted gross profit grew 14.1% to $804 million, backed by the net impact of Pinnacle Foods’ inclusion, improved price/mix, supply-chain efficiencies and cost-saving benefits. This was countered by lost profits from Sold Businesses, inflated input costs and greater brand-building investments related to retailers.
Segmental Details
From the first quarter of fiscal 2020, Conagra no longer reports Pinnacle Foods as a separate segment. Pinnacle Foods’ operations are allocated to the company’s four Legacy reporting segments.
Grocery & Snacks: Quarterly sales in the segment came in at $1,142.5 million, which increased 14.2% year over year owing to contributions from Pinnacle Foods, somewhat offset by the divestiture of the Wesson oil and DSD snacks businesses. Organic sales rose 0.9%, with volumes up 2.1% but price/mix down 1.2%.
Refrigerated & Frozen: Net sales rose 28.8% to $1,168.3 million. Gains from Pinnacle Foods were somewhat negated by Gelit’s divestiture. Organic sales climbed 2.4%, with volumes and price/mix up 0.5% and 1.9%, respectively.
International: Net sales grew 7.3% to $234.3 million, thanks to Pinnacle Foods’ acquisition. This was offset by the divestiture of the Wesson oil business as well as adverse currency movements. On an organic basis, net sales increased 1.8%. Volumes rose 1.8%, while price/mix was flat.
Foodservice: Quarterly sales in the segment grew 6.8% year over year to $275.7 million, primarily owing to Pinnacle Foods’ inclusion, somewhat negated by the sale of the Wesson oil business. Organic sales climbed 0.8% in the reported quarter, with volumes down 2.8% but price/mix up 3.6%.
Other Financial Fundamentals
Conagra exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $192 million, senior long-term debt (excluding current portion) of $9,100 million and total stockholders’ equity of $7,690.6 million. During the first half, the company generated net cash of $427.5 million from operating activities.
During the quarter, Conagra paid out a quarterly dividend of 21.25 cents per share.
Business Development
The company concluded the divestiture of the DSD snacks business on Oct 21. Further, it concluded the sale of its peanut butter manufacturing facility (in Streator) after the end of the quarter under review. This move forms part of Conagra’s efforts to optimize its peanut butter business. To this end, the company also decided to exit its private-label peanut butter business. Apart from this, Conagra inked a deal to offload its Lender's bagel business, which is part of the Refrigerated & Frozen segment. This sale is expected to conclude in the third quarter.
Guidance
Considering the divestiture of DSD Snacks and the exit from the private-label peanut butter business, Conagra lowered its sales guidance for fiscal 2020.
On a reported basis, net sales are expected to rise 12.4-12.9% now compared with 13.5-14% growth expected earlier.
Organic sales are still expected to increase 1-1.5%. Further, management projects the adjusted operating margin to be 16.2-16.8%.
Adjusted earnings for the fiscal year are now anticipated to be $2.07-$2.17 per share compared with $2.08-$2.18 forecasted earlier. The midpoint of $2.12 stands above the current Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11.
Conagra currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Shares of the company have declined 1.8% in the past three months against the industry’s growth of 1.4%.
Beyond Meat (BYND - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive earnings surprise record.
Newell Brands (NWL - Free Report) , also 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.
Image: Bigstock
Conagra's (CAG) Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Up Y/Y
Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG - Free Report) released second-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second straight time but sales marked its fourth consecutive miss. Nonetheless, the top line advanced year over year on the back of gains from Pinnacle Foods, partly countered by divestitures of the Wesson oil business, Gelit and DSD Snacks businesses (also known as “Sold Businesses”). Shares of the company gained more than 5% during the pre-market trading session on Dec 19.
Results gained from the Conagra Way playbook and robust momentum in the frozen and snacks business. Further, the company’s grocery brands — Hunt's and Chef Boyardee — performed well. Additionally, the company made solid progress with Pinnacle Foods’ integration. Conagra expects to see a strong performance in the second half of fiscal 2020, on the back of innovation in frozen and snacks categories, continued promotions of key brands, constant synergies and Pinnacle Foods’ action plan.
Earnings & Sales
Conagra’s quarterly adjusted earnings came in at 63 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents. However, the figure declined about 6% from 67 cents reported in the year-ago period. The year-over-year decline was caused by higher outstanding share count, partly offset by increased adjusted net income. Adjusted net income growth was backed by Pinnacle Foods’ operating profit, cost-saving synergies and higher organic sales.
Conagra Brands Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Conagra Brands Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Conagra Brands Inc. Quote
Conagra generated net sales of $2,820.8 million, which advanced 18.3% year over year but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,825 million. The year-over-year sales growth was driven by contributions from the Pinnacle Foods buyout and organic sales growth. However, divestiture of Sold Businesses weighed on sales. Organic sales climbed 1.6% on favorable volumes and price/mix.
Gross Margin
Adjusted gross profit grew 14.1% to $804 million, backed by the net impact of Pinnacle Foods’ inclusion, improved price/mix, supply-chain efficiencies and cost-saving benefits. This was countered by lost profits from Sold Businesses, inflated input costs and greater brand-building investments related to retailers.
Segmental Details
From the first quarter of fiscal 2020, Conagra no longer reports Pinnacle Foods as a separate segment. Pinnacle Foods’ operations are allocated to the company’s four Legacy reporting segments.
Grocery & Snacks: Quarterly sales in the segment came in at $1,142.5 million, which increased 14.2% year over year owing to contributions from Pinnacle Foods, somewhat offset by the divestiture of the Wesson oil and DSD snacks businesses. Organic sales rose 0.9%, with volumes up 2.1% but price/mix down 1.2%.
Refrigerated & Frozen: Net sales rose 28.8% to $1,168.3 million. Gains from Pinnacle Foods were somewhat negated by Gelit’s divestiture. Organic sales climbed 2.4%, with volumes and price/mix up 0.5% and 1.9%, respectively.
International: Net sales grew 7.3% to $234.3 million, thanks to Pinnacle Foods’ acquisition. This was offset by the divestiture of the Wesson oil business as well as adverse currency movements. On an organic basis, net sales increased 1.8%. Volumes rose 1.8%, while price/mix was flat.
Foodservice: Quarterly sales in the segment grew 6.8% year over year to $275.7 million, primarily owing to Pinnacle Foods’ inclusion, somewhat negated by the sale of the Wesson oil business. Organic sales climbed 0.8% in the reported quarter, with volumes down 2.8% but price/mix up 3.6%.
Other Financial Fundamentals
Conagra exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $192 million, senior long-term debt (excluding current portion) of $9,100 million and total stockholders’ equity of $7,690.6 million. During the first half, the company generated net cash of $427.5 million from operating activities.
During the quarter, Conagra paid out a quarterly dividend of 21.25 cents per share.
Business Development
The company concluded the divestiture of the DSD snacks business on Oct 21. Further, it concluded the sale of its peanut butter manufacturing facility (in Streator) after the end of the quarter under review. This move forms part of Conagra’s efforts to optimize its peanut butter business. To this end, the company also decided to exit its private-label peanut butter business. Apart from this, Conagra inked a deal to offload its Lender's bagel business, which is part of the Refrigerated & Frozen segment. This sale is expected to conclude in the third quarter.
Guidance
Considering the divestiture of DSD Snacks and the exit from the private-label peanut butter business, Conagra lowered its sales guidance for fiscal 2020.
On a reported basis, net sales are expected to rise 12.4-12.9% now compared with 13.5-14% growth expected earlier.
Organic sales are still expected to increase 1-1.5%. Further, management projects the adjusted operating margin to be 16.2-16.8%.
Adjusted earnings for the fiscal year are now anticipated to be $2.07-$2.17 per share compared with $2.08-$2.18 forecasted earlier. The midpoint of $2.12 stands above the current Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11.
Conagra currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Shares of the company have declined 1.8% in the past three months against the industry’s growth of 1.4%.
Don’t Miss These Solid Consumer Staple Stocks
Boston Beer (SAM - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has a long-term earnings per share growth rate of 10%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Beyond Meat (BYND - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive earnings surprise record.
Newell Brands (NWL - Free Report) , also 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>>