CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today reported results for its first-quarter fiscal 2021 and announced a 6% increase to its quarterly dividend.
| Continuing Operations | Three Months Ended | |||||||
| ($ in millions, except per share) | Nov. 1, 2020 | Oct. 27, 2019 | % Change | |||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||
| As Reported (GAAP) | $ | 2,340 | $ | 2,183 | 7 | % | ||
| Organic | 8 | % | ||||||
| Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) | ||||||||
| As Reported (GAAP) | $ | 461 | $ | 317 | 45 | % | ||
| Adjusted | $ | 463 | $ | 392 | 18 | % | ||
| Diluted Earnings Per Share | ||||||||
| As Reported (GAAP) | $ | 1.02 | $ | 0.56 | 82 | % | ||
| Adjusted | $ | 1.02 | $ | 0.78 | 31 | % | ||
| Note: A detailed reconciliation of the reported (GAAP) financial information to the adjusted financial information is included at the end of this news release. |
Mark Clouse, Campbell’s President and CEO, stated, “Fiscal 2021 is off to a strong start with first-quarter sales growth across both divisions and double-digit gains in EBIT and EPS. Our Meals & Beverages division continued to drive impressive sales and margin growth as we positioned our brands to align with macro consumer trends, and retailers rebuilt inventory for the holidays and the heart of soup season. Snacks continued to deliver strong results while increasing capacity in key power brands. We continue to build a high-performing Snacks business with differentiated brands and improving margins.”
Clouse continued: “The Board approved a 6% increase in our quarterly dividend, reflecting the company’s strong earnings performance, cash flows and increasing confidence in our long-term growth prospects, as well as our continued commitment to shareholder returns.”
Items Impacting Comparability for Continuing Operations
The table below presents a summary of items impacting comparability in each period. A detailed reconciliation of the reported (GAAP) financial information to the adjusted information is included at the end of this news release.
| Diluted Earnings Per Share | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||
| Nov. 1, 2020 | Oct. 27, 2019 | ||||||
| As Reported (GAAP) | $ | 1.02 | $ | 0.56 | |||
| Restructuring charges, implementation costs and other related costs associated with cost savings initiatives | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.03 | |||
| Net pension settlement gains | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | — | ||
| Charges associated with divestiture | $ | — | $ | 0.20 | |||
| Adjusted* | $ | 1.02 | $ | 0.78 | |||
| *Numbers may not add due to rounding. | |||||||
Gross margin increased from 33.8% to 34.7%. Excluding items impacting comparability in the current year, adjusted gross margin increased 100 basis points to 34.8% driven primarily by moderated promotional spending and favorable mix, offset partly by slightly higher net supply chain costs as productivity improvements and improved operating leverage were more than offset by cost inflation, other operational costs and COVID-19 related costs.
Marketing and selling expenses increased 1% to $208 million, driven primarily by increased investments in advertising and consumer promotion, partly offset by the benefits of cost savings initiatives, lower marketing overhead and lower selling expenses. Administrative expenses increased 5% to $141 million. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted administrative expenses increased by $11 million, or 9%, driven primarily by higher benefit costs, general administrative costs and inflation, partially offset by the benefits of cost savings initiatives.
Other income was $18 million compared to other expenses of $56 million in the prior year. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted other income was $14 million compared to $8 million in the prior year.
As reported EBIT increased 45% to $461 million. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EBIT increased 18% to $463 million primarily due to higher sales volumes, improved gross margin performance and lower selling expenses, offset partly by increased marketing investment and higher adjusted administrative expenses.
Net interest expense was $55 million compared to $80 million in the prior year reflecting lower levels of debt. Taxes increased to $97 million compared to $68 million in the prior year. Excluding items impacting comparability, the adjusted tax rate decreased 20 basis points to 23.8% from 24.0%.
As reported and adjusted EPS from continuing operations were $1.02 per share. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EPS from continuing operations increased 31% reflecting an increase in adjusted EBIT and lower net interest expense.
Cash flows from operations of $180 million were comparable to the prior year. Capital expenditures were $74 million compared to $98 million in the prior year. The decline was due to capital expenditures associated with discontinued operations in the prior year. Capital expenditures for continuing operations were comparable to the prior year. In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the company paid $108 million of cash dividends, or the equivalent of $0.35 per share, reflecting our commitment to shareholder returns.
Cost Savings Program from Continuing Operations
In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, Campbell achieved $15 million in savings under its multi-year cost savings program, inclusive of Snyder’s-Lance synergies, bringing total program-to-date savings to $740 million. Campbell remains on track to deliver annualized savings of $850 million by the end of fiscal 2022.
Quarterly Dividend Increase
The company’s Board of Directors has approved an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.35 per share to $0.37 per share, an increase of 6%, or $1.48 on an annualized basis. The quarterly dividend is payable Feb. 1, 2021, to shareholders of record at the close of business Jan. 9, 2021.
Campbell Provides Second-Quarter Fiscal 2021 Guidance
The impact of the continuing pandemic on the company's fiscal 2021 results is uncertain and makes it difficult to provide a full-year outlook at this time. Based on our expectation of a continued elevated demand landscape and increased investment in our brands, the company is providing second-quarter fiscal 2021 guidance as set forth in the table below:
| Continuing Operations | Q2 2020 Results | Q2 2021 Guidance |
| ($ in millions, except per share) | ||
| Net Sales | $2,162 | +5% to +7% |
| Adjusted EBIT | $364* | +5% to +7% |
| Adjusted EPS | $0.72* | +12% to +15% |
| $0.81 to $0.83 |
| * Adjusted - refer to the detailed reconciliation of the reported (GAAP) financial information to the adjusted financial information at the end of this news release. |
| Note: A non-GAAP reconciliation is not provided for 2021 guidance as certain amounts are not estimable, such as pension and postretirement mark-to-market adjustments, and these items are not considered to reflect the company's ongoing business results. |
| Three Months Ended Nov. 1, 2020 | ||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||
| Meals & Beverages* | Snacks* | Total | ||
| Net Sales, as Reported | $1,342 | $998 | $2,340 | |
| Volume and Mix | 11% | 1% | 6% | |
| Price and Sales Allowances | —% | —% | —% | |
| Promotional Spending | 2% | 2% | 2% | |
| Organic Net Sales | 12% | 4% | 8% | |
| Divestiture | —% | (3)% | (1)% | |
| % Change vs. Prior Year | 12% | 1% | 7% | |
| Segment Operating Earnings | $333 | $139 | ||
| % Change vs. Prior Year | 18% | 11% | ||
| *Numbers may not add due to rounding. |
| Note: A detailed reconciliation of the reported (GAAP) net sales to organic net sales is included at the end of this news release. |
Meals & Beverages
Net sales, both reported and organic, in the quarter increased 12% reflecting increases across U.S retail products, including gains in U.S. soup, inclusive of Pacific Foods soups and broths, Prego pasta sauces, V8 beverages, Campbell’s pasta and Pace Mexican sauces, as well as gains in Canada, partially offset by declines in foodservice. Volume was favorable in U.S. retail and Canada, driven by increased demand of food purchases for at-home consumption, offset partly by the negative impact on foodservice as a result of shifts in consumer behavior and continued COVID-19 related restrictions. Sales of U.S. soup increased 21% due to retailers rebuilding inventory for the upcoming soup season, in-market gains in condensed soups and broth and moderated promotional activity.
Segment operating earnings increased 18%. The increase was primarily due to sales volume gains and improved gross margin performance, offset partly by increased marketing investment. Gross margin performance was impacted by the lower levels of promotional spending and favorable mix, as productivity improvements and improved operating leverage were offset by other operational costs, cost inflation and COVID-19 related costs.
Snacks
Net sales in the quarter increased 1%. Excluding the impact from the sale of the European chips business, organic sales increased 4% fueled by our power brands. Contributors to growth were lower levels of promotional spending as well as healthy velocity on the majority of the base business including volume gains in fresh bakery products, Late July snacks, Pop Secret popcorn, Pepperidge Farm cookies, Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps as well as Kettle Brand potato chips, partly offset by declines in Lance sandwichcrackers. Sales of Goldfish crackers were relatively flat in the quarter, as increased demand for family size products was offset by reduced away-from-home consumption.
Segment operating earnings increased 11% driven by lower selling expenses, lower marketing overhead and sales volume gains partly offset by higher administrative expenses. Gross margin performance was consistent with prior year as lower levels of promotional spending were offset by higher net supply chain costs as productivity improvements, cost savings initiatives and improved operating leverage were more than offset by cost inflation and COVID-19 related costs.
Corporate
Corporate expenses were $10 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to $87 million in the prior year. Corporate expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 included costs related to cost savings initiatives of $5 million and pension settlement gains of $4 million. Corporate expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 included charges related to the sale of the European chips business of $64 million and costs of $8 million related to cost savings initiatives. Excluding these amounts, the remaining decrease in expenses primarily reflects losses on investments in the prior year.
Reportable Segments
Campbell Soup Company earnings results are reported as follows:
Meals & Beverages includes the retail and foodservice businesses in the U.S. and Canada. The segment includes the following products: Campbell’s condensed and ready-to-serve soups; Swanson broth and stocks; Pacific Foods broth, soups and non-dairy beverages; Prego pasta sauces; Pace Mexican sauces; Campbell’s gravies, pasta, beans and dinner sauces; Swanson canned poultry; Plum baby food and snacks; V8 juices and beverages; and Campbell’s tomato juice.
Snacks includes Pepperidge Farm cookies, crackers, fresh bakery and frozen products in U.S. retail, including Milano cookies and Goldfish crackers, as well as Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, Lance sandwich crackers, Cape Cod and Kettle Brand potato chips, Late July snacks, Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Pop Secret popcorn, Emerald nuts, and other snacking products in the U.S. and Canada. The segment also includes the retail business in Latin America.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell (NYSE:CPB) is driven and inspired by our purpose, "Real food that matters for life's moments." For generations, people have trusted Campbell to provide authentic, flavorful and affordable snacks, soups and simple meals, and beverages. Founded in 1869, Campbell has a heritage of giving back and acting as a good steward of the planet's natural resources. The company is a member of the Standard and Poor's 500 and the FTSE4Good Index. For more information, visit www.campbellsoupcompany.com or follow company news on Twitter via @CampbellSoupCo.
