Campbell Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2021 Results; Provides Full-Year Fiscal 2022 Guidance

For the fourth quarter:

• Net Sales decreased 11%. Organic Net Sales decreased 4% cycling elevated demand and partial retailer inventory recovery in the prior year.
• Earnings Per Share (EPS) from Continuing Operations were $0.95. Adjusted EPS decreased $0.08, or 13%, to $0.55, of which approximately $0.04 reflected the additional week in fiscal 2020.

For the full year:

• Net Sales decreased 2% and Organic Net Sales were comparable to prior year.
• EPS from Continuing Operations were $3.30. Adjusted EPS increased 1% to $2.98.
• 75% of brand portfolio grew or held share demonstrating strong underlying brand health and momentum.
• Company plans to hold an Investor Day on December 14, 2021.

CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today reported results for its fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2021. The fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2020 contained one additional week which was estimated to be 7 percentage points and 2 percentage points in net sales, respectively, and approximately $0.04 in adjusted earnings per share.

CEO Comments

Mark Clouse, Campbell’s President and CEO, said, “The fourth quarter was a positive finish to a solid year during which we successfully navigated a difficult environment, made significant progress advancing our strategic plan and addressed the executional pressures we experienced in the third quarter. Our growth in adjusted EPS during fiscal 2021 on comparable organic sales, coupled with our expanded share growth across the majority of our core categories, demonstrated strong performance especially when compared to the significant growth in the prior year. As we head into fiscal 2022, we have robust in-market momentum on our brands, strong plans to manage inflation, and a talented and committed team to lead through what we expect to be a very challenging environment.”

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.

Fourth-Quarter Results from Continuing Operations

Net sales decreased 11% versus the prior year to $1.87 billion, but increased 5% versus the comparable fiscal 2019 period. Organic net sales, which exclude the impact from the additional week and the impact from the sale of the Plum baby food and snacks business, decreased 4% versus the prior year, which was above the company’s expectations, but increased 9% versus the comparable fiscal 2019 period. The decline versus the prior year was driven by a 5% decrease in volume and mix primarily as a result of cycling both the elevated demand in food purchases for at-home consumption and the partial retailer inventory recovery in the prior year. Lower promotional spending and favorable price and sales allowances each contributed a 1% increase to net sales versus the year-ago period.

As anticipated, gross margin decreased to 31.3% from 35.4% last year. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted gross margin decreased 420 basis points to 31.4% as higher cost inflation and other supply chain costs were partially offset by supply chain productivity improvements and cost savings initiatives.

Marketing and selling expenses decreased 34% to $175 million. Excluding items impacting comparability in the current year, adjusted marketing and selling decreased 34% driven by lower advertising and consumer promotion expense (A&C), lower selling expenses, lower marketing overhead costs, and lower incentive compensation. Total A&C was reduced from the elevated, pandemic driven level of investment in the prior year to generally in-line with the fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 A&C level.

Administrative expenses decreased 22% to $146 million. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted administrative expenses decreased by $30 million, or 18%, to $139 million with approximately one half of the decrease driven by the estimated impact from the additional week in the prior-year quarter. The balance of the decrease reflects lower general administrative costs, higher charitable contributions in the prior year and benefits of cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher information technology costs.

Other income was $168 million compared to other expenses of $106 million in the prior year. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted other income was $14 million compared to $15 million in the prior year.

As reported EBIT increased to $411 million from $167 million in the prior year. Fiscal 2019 as reported EBIT was $83 million. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EBIT decreased 13% compared to the prior year to $267 million primarily due to sales volume declines, including the impact from the additional week in the prior-year quarter, and lower adjusted gross margin performance, partially offset by lower adjusted marketing and selling expenses and lower adjusted administrative expenses. Fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 adjusted EBIT was $252 million.

Net interest expense was $47 million compared to $60 million in the prior year reflecting lower levels of debt in the current year and the impact from the additional week in the prior year. The tax rate was 20.9% as compared to 19.6% in the prior year. Excluding items impacting comparability, the adjusted tax rate increased 180 basis points to 24.1% from 22.3%.

As reported EPS from continuing operations were $0.95 per share compared to $0.28 per share in the prior year. Fiscal 2019 as reported EPS from continuing operations was a loss of $0.02 per share. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EPS from continuing operations decreased $0.08, or 13%, compared to the prior year to $0.55 ahead of expectations and primarily reflecting the decrease in adjusted EBIT, including an estimated $0.04 adjusted EPS impact from the additional week in fiscal 2020, partially offset by lower interest expense. Fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 adjusted EPS from continuing operations were $0.42 per share.

Full-Year Results from Continuing Operations

Net sales decreased 2% to $8.48 billion and increased 5% compared to fiscal 2019. Net sales in both Meals & Beverages and Snacks each declined 2% versus prior year. Organic net sales, which exclude the impact from the additional week, divestitures and the impact of currency, were comparable to the prior year and increased 6% compared to fiscal 2019. In fiscal 2021, Meals & Beverages organic net sales decreased 1% compared to prior year, driven by declines in foodservice, partially offset by growth in V8 beverages. In Snacks, organic net sales were flat as gains in the salty snacks portfolio, including Late July snacks and Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, and in Goldfish crackers were offset by declines in Lance sandwich crackers and in partner brands within the Snyder’s-Lance portfolio.

As reported EBIT increased 40% compared to the prior year to $1.55 billion. Fiscal 2019 as reported EBIT was $979 million. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EBIT decreased 3% compared to the prior year to $1.41 billion, reflecting lower adjusted gross margin performance and lower sales volume, including the impact from the additional week, partially offset by lower adjusted marketing and selling expenses and higher adjusted other income. Full-year fiscal 2019 adjusted EBIT was $1.27 billion.

Net interest expense was $209 million compared to $341 million in the prior year. Excluding items impacting comparability in the prior year, adjusted net interest expense decreased 21% from $266 million in the prior year to $209 million reflecting lower levels of debt. The tax rate was 24.6% as compared to 22.7% in the prior year. Excluding items impacting comparability, the adjusted tax rate of 24.1% was comparable to the prior year.

The company reported EPS from continuing operations of $3.30 per share compared to $1.95 per share in the prior year. Fiscal 2019 reported EPS from continuing operations were $1.57 per share. Excluding items impacting comparability, adjusted EPS from continuing operations increased 1% compared to the prior year to $2.98 per share. Full-year fiscal 2019 adjusted EPS from continuing operations were $2.30 per share.

Cash flows from operations decreased from $1.40 billion in the prior year to $1.04 billion primarily due to changes in working capital, mostly from a significant increase in accounts payable in the prior year and lower accrued liabilities in the current year. Capital investments were $275 million compared to $299 million in the prior year. The decline was primarily due to capital expenditures associated with discontinued operations in the prior year. In line with the company’s commitment to returning value to shareholders, the company paid $439 million of cash dividends.

Cost Savings Program from Continuing Operations

In the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2021, Campbell achieved $25 million and $80 million in savings, respectively, under its multi-year cost savings program, inclusive of Snyder’s-Lance synergies, bringing total program-to-date savings to approximately $805 million. Campbell remains on track to deliver annualized savings of $850 million by the end of fiscal 2022.

Share Repurchases

Today, the Board of Directors approved a $500 million strategic share repurchase program. The program has no expiration date and is in addition to the $250 million anti-dilutive share repurchase program announced during the previous quarter. The company expects to fund the repurchases out of its existing cash flow generation and repurchases may be made in open market or privately negotiated transactions. The $500 million strategic share repurchase program replaces the suspended $1.5 billion program, which has been cancelled.

Full-Year Fiscal 2022 Guidance

Following on our fiscal 2021 performance, the company is providing full-year fiscal 2022 guidance which reflects the continued cycling of elevated demand, accelerating inflationary pressures and a constrained labor market partially mitigated by continued in-market momentum and well-executed pricing and productivity plans.

The company expects the first quarter to be the most challenging as the company continues to cycle the elevated sales and scale efficiency from a year ago, while pricing actions begin to take hold. First half margins will continue to be impacted by transitional headwinds, with comparisons easing and sequential improvement in the second half of the fiscal year versus year ago. The company expects core inflation of high single digits for the year with a more pronounced impact in the second half which will partially mitigate the second half recovery. The company expects to manage these inflationary headwinds with positive net price realization, supply chain productivity improvements, and cost savings initiatives. All in, the company expects year-over-year EBIT margin improvement in the second half of the year.

Based on the foregoing, the company is providing full-year fiscal 2022 guidance as set forth in the table below:

The sale of Plum baby food and snacks business which was divested on May 3, 2021, is estimated to have an impact of 1 percentage point on net sales in fiscal 2022. Fiscal 2021 results include a $0.12 benefit from mark-to-market on outstanding commodity hedges and an estimated $0.02 adjusted EPS contribution from the Plum baby food and snacks business.

Segment Operating Review

An analysis of net sales and operating earnings by reportable segment follows:

Meals & Beverages

Net sales in the quarter decreased 16%. Excluding the impact from the additional week in the prior year, the sale of the Plum baby food and snacks business, and the favorable impact from currency, organic net sales decreased 9% primarily due to declines across U.S. retail products, including U.S. soup, Prego pasta sauces and Pace Mexican sauces. Volume decreased in U.S. retail as a result of cycling the partial retailer inventory recovery and increased demand in food purchases for at-home consumption in the prior-year quarter. Sales of U.S. soup decreased 21%, cycling a 52% increase in the prior-year quarter, due to volume declines in condensed soups, ready-to-serve soups and broth, and a 7-point impact from the additional week in the prior year. Compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, Meals & Beverages organic net sales increased 10%.

Segment operating earnings in the quarter decreased 30%. The decrease was primarily due to sales volume declines, including the impact from the additional week, and lower gross margin performance partially offset by lower marketing and selling expenses, as well as lower administrative expenses. Gross margin performance was impacted by higher other supply chain costs and cost inflation, as well as unfavorable product mix, partially offset by the benefits of supply chain productivity improvements.

Snacks

Net sales in the quarter decreased 6%. Excluding the impact from the additional week, organic net sales increased 1%, driven by volume gains in Goldfish crackers and the salty snacks portfolio, including Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels and Cape Cod potato chips, partially offset by declines in partner brands and fresh bakery. Favorable price and sales allowances and lower promotional spending also contributed to sales growth. Compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, organic net sales increased 7%.

Segment operating earnings in the quarter increased 7% driven by lower marketing and selling expenses, partially offset by sales volume declines, including the impact from the additional week, and lower gross margin performance. Gross margin performance was impacted by higher cost inflation and other supply chain costs, partially offset by the benefits of cost savings initiatives, supply chain productivity improvements, favorable price and sales allowances, and lower promotional spending.

Corporate

Corporate income was $137 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to expense of $154 million in the prior year. Corporate income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 included pension and postretirement mark-to-market gains of $165 million, a loss on divestitures of $11 million, and costs of $10 million related to cost savings initiatives. Corporate expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 included pension and postretirement mark-to-market losses of $121 million and costs of $20 million related to cost savings initiatives. Excluding these amounts, the remaining $6 million decrease in expenses was primary due to higher charitable contributions in the prior year and lower administrative expenses, partially offset by lower mark-to-market gains on outstanding commodity hedges in the current year.

Conference Call and Webcast

Campbell will host a conference call to discuss these results today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants calling from the U.S. may dial in using the toll-free phone number 833-968-2192. Participants calling from outside the U.S. may dial in using phone number +1 236-714-2136. The conference access code is 7056119. In addition to dial-in, access to a live audio webcast of the call with accompanying slides, as well as a replay of the call, will be available at investor.campbellsoupcompany.com/events-and-presentations. A recording of the call will also be available until 11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2021, at +1 416-621-4642 or 800-585-8367. The access code for the replay is 7056119.

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; V8 juices and beverages; and Campbell’s tomato juice. The segment also included the results of our Plum baby food and snacks business, which was sold on May 3, 2021.

Snacks includes Pepperidge Farm cookies, crackers, fresh bakery and frozen products in U.S. retail, including Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse* cookies and bakery products, Milano* cookies and Goldfish* crackers; and 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 retail and foodservice in the U.S. and Canada. The segment also includes the retail business in Latin America. The segment also included the results of our European chips business, which was sold on October 11, 2019. We refer to the * trademarks as our “power brands.”

Beginning in fiscal 2022, the foodservice and Canada portion of Snacks will be managed as part of Meals & Beverages.

About Campbell Soup Company

For more than 150 years, Campbell (NYSE:CPB) has been connecting people through food they love. Generations of consumers have trusted Campbell to provide delicious and affordable food and beverages. Headquartered in Camden, N.J. since 1869, Campbell generated fiscal 2021 net sales of nearly $8.5 billion. Our portfolio includes iconic brands such as Campbell’s, Cape Cod, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Milano, Pace, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Snyder’s of Hanover, Swanson and V8. Campbell has a heritage of giving back and acting as a good steward of the environment. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 as well as the FTSE4Good and Bloomberg Gender-Equality Indices. For more information, visit www.campbellsoupcompany.com or follow company news on Twitter via @CampbellSoupCo.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect the company’s current expectations about the impact of its future plans and performance on the company’s business or financial results. These forward-looking statements, including any statements made regarding sales, EBIT and EPS guidance, rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause the company’s actual results to vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement include: (1) impacts of, and associated responses to, the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, suppliers, customers, consumers and employees; (2) the company’s ability to execute on and realize the expected benefits from its strategy, including growing sales in snacks and growing/maintaining its market share position in soup; (3) the impact of strong competitive responses to the company’s efforts to leverage its brand power with product innovation, promotional programs and new advertising; (4) the risks associated with trade and consumer acceptance of product improvements, shelving initiatives, new products and pricing and promotional strategies; (5) the ability to realize projected cost savings and benefits from cost savings initiatives and the integration of recent acquisitions; (6) disruptions in or inefficiencies to the company’s supply chain and/or operations, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; (7) the risks related to the availability of, and cost inflation in, supply chain inputs, including labor, raw materials, commodities, packaging and transportation; (8) the risks related to the effectiveness of the company’s hedging activities and the company’s ability to respond to volatility in commodity prices; (9) the company’s ability to manage changes to its organizational structure and/or business processes, including selling, distribution, manufacturing and information management systems or processes; (10) changes in consumer demand for the company’s products and favorable perception of the company’s brands; (11) changing inventory management practices by certain of the company’s key customers; (12) a changing customer landscape, with value and e-commerce retailers expanding their market presence, while certain of the company’s key customers maintain significance to the company’s business; (13) product quality and safety issues, including recalls and product liabilities; (14) the possible disruption to the independent contractor distribution models used by certain of the company’s businesses, including as a result of litigation or regulatory actions affecting their independent contractor classification; (15) the uncertainties of litigation and regulatory actions against the company; (16) the costs, disruption and diversion of management’s attention associated with activist investors; (17) a material failure in or breach of the company’s or the company’s vendors’ information technology systems; (18) impairment to goodwill or other intangible assets; (19) the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; (20) increased liabilities and costs related to the company’s defined benefit pension plans; (21) the company’s ability to attract and retain key talent; (22) goals and initiatives related to, and the impacts of, climate change, including weather-related events; (23) negative changes and volatility in financial and credit markets, deteriorating economic conditions and other external factors, including changes in laws and regulations; (24) unforeseen business disruptions in one or more of the company’s markets due to political instability, civil disobedience, terrorism, armed hostilities, extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, other pandemics or other calamities; and (25) other factors described in the company’s most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Contacts

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Rebecca Gardy

(856) 342-6081

rebecca_gardy@campbells.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Pisano

(856) 342-8590

amanda_pisano@campbells.com

Read full story here