Form 8-K HORMEL FOODS CORP /DE/ For: May 20

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)   May 20, 2015

 

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

1 Hormel Place

Austin, MN  55912

(Address of Principal Executive Office)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (507) 437-5611

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Section 2 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On May 20, 2015, the Company issued an earnings release announcing its financial results for the second quarter ended April 26, 2015.  A copy of the earnings release is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Section 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)    Exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 2.02

 

99       Earnings release issued May 20, 2015

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

	HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Dated: May 20, 2015	By /s/J. H. FERAGEN
	J. H. FERAGEN
	Executive Vice President
	and Chief Financial Officer
Dated: May 20, 2015	By /s/J. N. SHEEHAN
	J. N. SHEEHAN
	Vice President and Controller

 

2

Exhibit 99

 

INVESTOR CONTACT:	MEDIA CONTACT:
Jana Haynes	Julie Craven
(507) 437-5248	(507) 437-5345
[email protected]	[email protected]

 

HORMEL FOODS ACHIEVES RECORD SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS

 

AUSTIN, Minn. (May 20, 2015) – Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today reported record performance for the fiscal year 2015 second quarter.  All comparisons are to the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

 

SUMMARY

 

Second Quarter

¨            Record diluted EPS of $0.67, up 29 percent from $0.52 per share.

¨            Record dollar sales of $2.3 billion, increased 2 percent; volume up 5 percent.

¨            Total segment operating profit increased 29 percent.

¨            Refrigerated Foods segment operating profit up 52 percent; volume up 1 percent; dollar sales down 8 percent.

¨            Jennie-O Turkey Store segment operating profit up 41 percent; volume up 14 percent; dollar sales up 15 percent.

¨            Grocery Products segment operating profit up 1 percent; volume up 4 percent; dollar sales up 1 percent.  Excluding incremental net sales of MegaMex Foods products, volume down 4 percent and dollar sales down 5 percent.

¨            Specialty Foods segment operating profit up 11 percent; volume up 17 percent; dollar sales up 32 percent.  Excluding incremental sales of CytoSport Holdings, Inc. (“CytoSport”) products, volume down 6 percent and dollar sales down 6 percent.

¨            International & Other segment operating profit up 2 percent; volume down 3 percent; dollar sales down 7 percent.

 

The company reported fiscal 2015 second quarter net earnings of $180.2 million, up 29 percent from net earnings of $140.1 million a year earlier.  Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.67, up 29 percent compared to $0.52 last year.  Sales for the quarter were $2.3 billion, up 2 percent from the same period in fiscal 2014.

 

COMMENTARY

 

“We achieved record second quarter earnings and sales, driving double-digit earnings growth with all five segments delivering increases” said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer.

 

“Although declining pork markets drove lower pricing and net sales this quarter, Refrigerated Foods increased operating profit by 52 percent with strong sales growth of foodservice and retail value-added products,” commented Ettinger.  “Jennie-O Turkey Store entered the quarter with excellent momentum and drove robust sales and earnings gains, but exited the quarter with substantial supply chain challenges brought on by avian influenza.  Grocery Products benefited from input cost relief and growth of our SPAM® family of products, while the export business in our International segment continued to be challenged by port issues and the strong U.S. dollar,” commented Ettinger.  “Specialty Foods delivered earnings growth as the team continues to achieve synergies with the recently acquired CytoSport business.”

 

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SEGMENT OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS – SECOND QUARTER

 

Refrigerated Foods (45% of Net Sales, 40% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

Segment profit for Refrigerated Foods increased 52 percent.  Results were driven by lower input costs along with strong sales growth of value-added items, including retail sales of HORMEL® pepperoni and HORMEL® GATHERINGSTM party trays and foodservice sales of HORMEL® BACON 1TM fully cooked bacon and HORMEL® pizza toppings.  Sales were down 8 percent this quarter, reflecting lower pricing due to declining pork markets and the dissolution of the Precept Foods joint venture.

 

Jennie-O Turkey Store (19% of Net Sales, 26% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

Even as avian influenza began to impact operations towards the end of the second quarter, segment profit for Jennie-O Turkey Store grew 41 percent, driven by the continued growth of value-added products and lower grain and fuel input costs as compared to last year.  Sales for the quarter increased 15 percent, including strong sales of JENNIE-O® lean ground turkey and JENNIE-O® rotisserie turkey.

 

Grocery Products (17% of Net Sales, 19% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

Grocery Products segment profit increased 1 percent and sales were up 1 percent, including the additional net sales of MegaMex Foods products not included in the prior year.  Lower input costs and strong sales growth of items such as our SPAM® family of products and WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® dips in our MegaMex Foods joint venture contributed to the gains.  The segment experienced softer sales of HORMEL® COMPLEATS® microwave meals.

 

Specialty Foods (13% of Net Sales, 7% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

Specialty Foods posted an 11 percent increase in segment profits despite a $4.5 million charge due to the closure of its CytoSport production facility in Benicia, California.  Segment sales increased 32 percent, largely attributable to the addition of MUSCLE MILK® protein nutrition product sales.

 

International & Other (6% of Net Sales, 8% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

International & Other segment profit increased 2 percent, driven by improved joint venture results.  Sales were down 7 percent, primarily due to declines in exports which were hampered by port challenges and demand pressure from the strong US dollar.

 

OUTLOOK

“While we enjoyed an excellent first half, we expect Jennie-O Turkey Store to be significantly challenged going forward due to the impacts of avian influenza on our turkey supply chain,” commented Ettinger.  “Refrigerated Foods and Grocery Products will continue to benefit from value-added product growth and lower pork input costs.  Specialty Foods is positioned to deliver substantial earnings increases in the back half with the CytoSport business.  Taking these factors into consideration, we are maintaining our 2015 non-GAAP1earnings guidance at the lower end of our previously stated $2.50 to $2.60 per share2 range.”

 

DIVIDENDS

Effective May 15, 2015, the company paid its 347th consecutive quarterly dividend, at the annual rate of $1.00.

 

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CONFERENCE CALL

 

A conference call will be webcast at 7:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Access is available at www.hormelfoods.com.  The call will also be available via telephone by dialing 888-430-8705 and providing the access code 3883596.  An audio replay is available by calling 888-203-1112 and entering access code 3883596.  The audio replay will be available beginning at 10:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, through 10:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.  The webcast replay will be available at 10:00 a.m. CT, Wednesday, May 20, 2015, and will remain on our website for one year.

 

1 COMPARISON OF U.S. GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASUREMENTS

 

The non-GAAP adjusted financial measurements are presented to provide investors additional information to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations.  The non-GAAP adjusted financial measurements are used for internal purposes to evaluate the results of operations and to measure a component of certain employee incentive plans in fiscal year 2015.  Non-GAAP measurements are not intended to be a substitute for U.S. GAAP measurements in analyzing financial performance.  These non-GAAP measurements are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

 

2 ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE

 

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share excludes first quarter fiscal 2015 nonrecurring charges of $0.05 relating to the closure of the Stockton, California, manufacturing facility and the exit from international joint venture businesses.  Subtracting the excluded non-recurring charges relating to the closure of the Stockton, California, manufacturing facility and the exit from international joint venture businesses from the non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance range of $2.50 to $2.60 per share results in a U.S. GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance range for fiscal year 2015 of $2.45 to $2.55 per share.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share provides shareholders a more clear view of comparable results.

 

About Hormel Foods

 

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring branded, value-added products to the global marketplace. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index, S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats for 2014, was named the 2013 Sustainable Supply Chain of the Year by Refrigerated & Frozen Foods magazine, and was again named one of “The 100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for the seventh year in a row. Hormel Foods was also recognized as a 2015 Military Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs magazine, on the 2015 Best for Vets Employers List by Military Times, and was named one of the 2015 40 Best Companies for Leaders by Chief Executive magazine. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers, foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value. For more information, visit http://www.hormelfoods.com.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This news release contains forward-looking information based on management’s current views and assumptions. Actual events may differ materially. Please refer to the cautionary statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors on pages 29-36 in the company’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 25, 2015, which includes information about the risk of outbreaks of disease among livestock and poultry flocks to the company’s revenues and operating margins.  The company’s Form 10-Q can be accessed at www.hormelfoods.com under “Investors-SEC Filings.”

 

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Segment Data

 

Fiscal 2015 Second Quarter Segment Operating Results (dollars in thousands)

 

		SECOND QUARTER – 13 WEEKS ENDED
NET SALES		April 26, 2015				April 27, 2014				% Change
Grocery Products			$	397,265			$	392,030			1.3
Refrigerated Foods			1,022,511				1,111,244				(8.0)
Jennie-O Turkey Store			438,912				380,425				15.4
Specialty Foods			287,424				217,176				32.3
International & Other			133,233				143,991				(7.5)
Total			$	2,279,345			$	2,244,866			1.5
OPERATING PROFIT
Grocery Products			$	55,327			$	54,890			0.8
Refrigerated Foods			114,837				75,397				52.3
Jennie-O Turkey Store			74,596				52,808				41.3
Specialty Foods			21,144				19,134				10.5
International & Other			21,383				20,863				2.5
Total segment operating profit			287,287				223,092				28.8
Net interest and investment expense (income)			1,966				3,399				(42.2)
General corporate expense			9,824				7,152				37.4
Noncontrolling interest			234				616				(62.0)
Earnings before income taxes			$	275,731			$	213,157			29.4

 

 

		YEAR TO DATE – 26 WEEKS ENDED
NET SALES		April 26, 2015				April 27, 2014				% Change
Grocery Products			$	807,016			$	793,550			1.7
Refrigerated Foods			2,166,726				2,239,665				(3.3)
Jennie-O Turkey Store			878,931				779,825				12.7
Specialty Foods			550,698				413,155				33.3
International & Other			271,047				261,343				3.7
Total			$	4,674,418			$	4,487,538			4.2
OPERATING PROFIT
Grocery Products			$	96,702			$	111,232			(13.1)
Refrigerated Foods			215,989				160,696				34.4
Jennie-O Turkey Store			167,616				112,353				49.2
Specialty Foods			39,720				40,389				(1.7)
International & Other			35,767				43,420				(17.6)
Total segment operating profit			555,794				468,090				18.7
Net interest and investment expense (income)			3,895				5,320				(26.8)
General corporate expense			13,077				16,068				(18.6)
Noncontrolling interest			946				1,726				(45.2)
Earnings before income taxes			$	539,768			$	448,428			20.4

 

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

		Thirteen Weeks Ended								Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		April 26, 2015				April 27, 2014				April 26, 2015				April 27, 2014
Net sales			$	2,279,345			$	2,244,866			$	4,674,418			$	4,487,538
Cost of products sold			1,819,789				1,866,108				3,770,257				3,710,138
GROSS PROFIT			459,556				378,758				904,161				777,400
Selling, general and administrative			189,733				165,785				370,032				331,974
Equity in earnings of affiliates			7,874				3,583				9,534				8,322
OPERATING INCOME			277,697				216,556				543,663				453,748
Other income & expenses:
Interest & investment income (expense)			1,117				(306)				2,266				867
Interest expense			(3,083)				(3,093)				(6,161)				(6,187)
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			275,731				213,157				539,768				448,428
Provision for income taxes			95,296				72,451				186,903				153,264
(effective tax rate)			34.56%				33.99%				34.63%				34.18%
NET EARNINGS			180,435				140,706				352,865				295,164
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest			234				616				946				1,726
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO			$	180,201			$	140,090			$	351,919			$	293,438
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic			$	0.68			$	0.53			$	1.33			$	1.11
Diluted			$	0.67			$	0.52			$	1.30			$	1.09
WEIGHTED AVG. SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic			264,028				263,926				263,852				263,839
Diluted			270,444				270,410				270,253				270,317
DIVIDENDS DECLARED
PER SHARE			$	0.25			$	0.20			$	0.50			$	0.40

 

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In thousands)

 

		April 26, 2015					October 26, 2014
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents			$     624,395					$     334,174
Accounts receivable					578,726					609,526
Inventories					963,481					1,054,552
Income taxes receivable					28,739					25,678
Deferred income taxes					86,853					86,853
Prepaid expenses					14,546					15,250
Other current assets					5,691					6,738
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS					2,302,431					2,132,771
INTANGIBLES					1,779,787					1,781,296
OTHER ASSETS					550,712					539,785
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT, NET					990,068					1,001,767
TOTAL ASSETS				$  5,622,998					$  5,455,619

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			$     870,182				$     954,692
LONG-TERM DEBT – LESS CURRENT MATURITIES				250,000				250,000
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES				659,001				638,871
SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT				3,843,815				3,612,056
TOTAL LIAB. & SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT			$  5,622,998				$  5,455,619

 

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)

 

		Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
		April 26, 2015							April 27, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings			$  352,865							$  295,164
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles				65,727									63,684
Decrease (increase) in working capital				17,477									(87,834			)
Other						9,668							4,021
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES						445,737									275,035
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisitions of businesses/intangibles						-									(41,502	)
Net purchases of property/equipment						(43,934	)								(70,832	)
Decrease (increase) in investments, equity in affiliates, and other assets						5,379									(111	)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES						(38,555	)				(112,445					)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid on common stock						(118,715	)				(97,594					)
Share repurchase						-					(15,126					)
Other						3,476								15,584
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(115,239					)				(97,136					)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash					(1,722		)							(138		)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS					290,221									65,316
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year					334,174									434,014
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF QUARTER				$  624,395								$  499,330

 

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