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Campbell Soup Company (CPB - Free Report) released third-quarter fiscal 2020 results, with earnings and revenues increasing double digits and the former cruising ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results gained from an unexpected rise in demand across the company’s brands, stemming from the increased at-home consumption amid coronavirus.
We note that the company’s products were bought by millions of new households, leading to a more than 6-percentage-point increase in total company household penetration in the third quarter. Notably, the company saw a double-digit rise in organic sales, adjusted EBIT and the bottom line. Solid results and expectations of continued demand increases encouraged management to raise its net sales, adjusted EBIT and adjusted EPS guidance for fiscal 2020.
Shares of the company gained more than 1% in the pre-market trading session on Jun 3. Further, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has gained 7.3% in the past six months against the industry’s decline of 5.5%.
Q3 Highlights
Adjusted earnings surged 57% year over year to 83 cents per share, easily surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents. The upside was backed by higher adjusted EBIT and reduced interest expenses.
Campbell Soup Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Net sales came in at $2,238 million in the quarter, which advanced 15% year over year. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,278 million. Organic sales (excluding the impact from the divested European business) grew 17% on the back of solid volumes in both Meals & Beverages and Snacks segments. This, in turn, was fueled by higher demand stemming from increased at-home consumption.
The company’s adjusted gross margin improved 100 basis points to 34.7% on favorable product mix, enhanced operating leverage, gains from supply-chain productivity enhancements and cost-saving actions. This was partly negated by cost inflation and other supply-chain expenses (including costs associated with COVID-19). Adjusted EBIT jumped 31% to $386 million, driven by higher gross margin and sales, somewhat negated by elevated marketing investments.
Segment Analysis
Meals & Beverages: Sales in this division rose 20% year over year to $1,210 million. Excluding currency impacts, net sales grew 21%, backed by strength in the U.S. retail business. The company saw gains in Prego pasta sauces, soups, V8 beverages, Campbell’s pasta, Pace Mexican sauces and Swanson canned poultry. Moreover, the company saw sales growth in Canada. However, results were somewhat hampered by weakness in foodservice. U.S. soup sales advanced 35%, thanks to strength in condensed soups, broth and ready-to-serve soups.
Further, operating earnings in the Meals & Beverages segment surged 35% on higher sales volume and improved gross profit. This was partly offset by higher marketing spend.
Snacks: Sales in this division rose 9% to $1,028 million. Excluding the divestiture impact, net sales ascended 12%, driven by higher volumes stemming from increased at-home consumption and solid base business performance. The segment gained from advancements in fresh bakery products, Goldfish crackers, Pepperidge Farm cookies, Kettle Brand and Cape Cod potato chips, Pop Secret popcorn, Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, Lance sandwich crackers, Late July snacks, and Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps. Operating earnings in this segment elevated 19% owing to higher sales volume and enhanced gross profit, partially countered by elevated marketing expenses.
Financials
Campbell ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,242 million, long-term debt of $5,191 million and total equity of $2,581 million. Additionally, the company generated $1,125 million as net cash from operating activities in nine months ended Apr 26, 2020. Campbell paid out dividends worth $320 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2020 at the rate of 35 cents per share.
Other Developments & Fiscal 2020 Outlook
During the quarter under review, Campbell generated savings worth $30 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 $680 million. Further, management continues to anticipate cumulative annualized savings from continuing operations of $850 million by fiscal 2022-end.
Campbell Soup now expects both net sales and organic sales for fiscal 2020 to increase in the range of 5.5-6.5%. Earlier, both metrics were projected to be down 1% to up 1%.
Adjusted EBIT is now expected to rise 12-14% compared with the previous view of 2-4% growth. The guidance for fiscal 2020 takes into consideration gains from an additional 53rd week. Campbell now expects adjusted EPS in the range of $2.87-$2.92, which indicates growth of 25-27% from $2.30 reported in the year-ago period. Earlier, adjusted EPS was projected to grow 11-13% to $2.55-$2.60.
Fiscal 2020 includes an additional week, the impact of which is included in the guidance for adjusted EBIT, adjusted EPS and net sales.
Hain Celestial (HAIN - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive earnings surprise record.
Flowers Foods (FLO - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive earnings surprise record.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2020
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2020?
Last year's 2019 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio returned gains as high as +102.7%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
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Campbell Soup (CPB) Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, View Raised
Campbell Soup Company (CPB - Free Report) released third-quarter fiscal 2020 results, with earnings and revenues increasing double digits and the former cruising ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results gained from an unexpected rise in demand across the company’s brands, stemming from the increased at-home consumption amid coronavirus.
We note that the company’s products were bought by millions of new households, leading to a more than 6-percentage-point increase in total company household penetration in the third quarter. Notably, the company saw a double-digit rise in organic sales, adjusted EBIT and the bottom line. Solid results and expectations of continued demand increases encouraged management to raise its net sales, adjusted EBIT and adjusted EPS guidance for fiscal 2020.
Shares of the company gained more than 1% in the pre-market trading session on Jun 3. Further, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has gained 7.3% in the past six months against the industry’s decline of 5.5%.
Q3 Highlights
Adjusted earnings surged 57% year over year to 83 cents per share, easily surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents. The upside was backed by higher 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 came in at $2,238 million in the quarter, which advanced 15% year over year. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,278 million. Organic sales (excluding the impact from the divested European business) grew 17% on the back of solid volumes in both Meals & Beverages and Snacks segments. This, in turn, was fueled by higher demand stemming from increased at-home consumption.
The company’s adjusted gross margin improved 100 basis points to 34.7% on favorable product mix, enhanced operating leverage, gains from supply-chain productivity enhancements and cost-saving actions. This was partly negated by cost inflation and other supply-chain expenses (including costs associated with COVID-19). Adjusted EBIT jumped 31% to $386 million, driven by higher gross margin and sales, somewhat negated by elevated marketing investments.
Segment Analysis
Meals & Beverages: Sales in this division rose 20% year over year to $1,210 million. Excluding currency impacts, net sales grew 21%, backed by strength in the U.S. retail business. The company saw gains in Prego pasta sauces, soups, V8 beverages, Campbell’s pasta, Pace Mexican sauces and Swanson canned poultry. Moreover, the company saw sales growth in Canada. However, results were somewhat hampered by weakness in foodservice. U.S. soup sales advanced 35%, thanks to strength in condensed soups, broth and ready-to-serve soups.
Further, operating earnings in the Meals & Beverages segment surged 35% on higher sales volume and improved gross profit. This was partly offset by higher marketing spend.
Snacks: Sales in this division rose 9% to $1,028 million. Excluding the divestiture impact, net sales ascended 12%, driven by higher volumes stemming from increased at-home consumption and solid base business performance. The segment gained from advancements in fresh bakery products, Goldfish crackers, Pepperidge Farm cookies, Kettle Brand and Cape Cod potato chips, Pop Secret popcorn, Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, Lance sandwich crackers, Late July snacks, and Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps. Operating earnings in this segment elevated 19% owing to higher sales volume and enhanced gross profit, partially countered by elevated marketing expenses.
Financials
Campbell ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,242 million, long-term debt of $5,191 million and total equity of $2,581 million. Additionally, the company generated $1,125 million as net cash from operating activities in nine months ended Apr 26, 2020. Campbell paid out dividends worth $320 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2020 at the rate of 35 cents per share.
Other Developments & Fiscal 2020 Outlook
During the quarter under review, Campbell generated savings worth $30 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 $680 million. Further, management continues to anticipate cumulative annualized savings from continuing operations of $850 million by fiscal 2022-end.
Campbell Soup now expects both net sales and organic sales for fiscal 2020 to increase in the range of 5.5-6.5%. Earlier, both metrics were projected to be down 1% to up 1%.
Adjusted EBIT is now expected to rise 12-14% compared with the previous view of 2-4% growth. The guidance for fiscal 2020 takes into consideration gains from an additional 53rd week. Campbell now expects adjusted EPS in the range of $2.87-$2.92, which indicates growth of 25-27% from $2.30 reported in the year-ago period. Earlier, adjusted EPS was projected to grow 11-13% to $2.55-$2.60.
Fiscal 2020 includes an additional week, the impact of which is included in the guidance for adjusted EBIT, adjusted EPS and net sales.
Looking for More Food Stocks? Check These
United Natural (UNFI - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), delivered a positive earnings surprise in the last reported quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Hain Celestial (HAIN - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive earnings surprise record.
Flowers Foods (FLO - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has an impressive earnings surprise record.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2020
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2020?
Last year's 2019 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio returned gains as high as +102.7%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2020 today >>