ConAgra Earnings Leap; Forecast Raised
ConAgra Foods posted a 44% jump in quarterly profit, helped by improved operating margins and asset sales, and forecast full-year earnings above analyst expectations, sending the stock upward .
The maker of Healthy Choice meals and Slim Jim beef sticks said net income rose to $219.6 million, or 43 cents a share, in the fiscal second quarter ended Nov. 26, up from $152.5 million, or 29 cents a share, a year earlier.
The latest results included several one-time items, such as a gain on the sale of an oat milling business. It also sold its refrigerated packaged meats business, an interest in a malt joint venture, and its Mama Rosa refrigerated pizza operation.
Excluding one-time items, earnings were 40 cents a share. On that basis, analysts' average forecast was 33 cents, according to Reuters Estimates.
"Rapid expansion of our operating margins is helping build a solid foundation for the future," Gary Rodkin, chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Together with earlier-than-expected completion of key divestitures, this is providing a significant boost to our fiscal 2007 results."
Pablo Zuanic, an analyst with J.P. Morgan, said the earnings were 3 cents a share better than he had expected, largely because of improved margins.
"We remain cautious on valuation, and are skeptical about the retail unit profit margin upside potential," he wrote in a note to clients, reiterating his "underweight" rating on the stock.
ConAgra's quarterly sales rose nearly 3% to $3.09 billion.
The company has been closing factories, selling off brands and spending more on marketing to jump-start its businesses.
Rodkin said the stronger first-half performance will allow it to further increase spending on marketing and innovations.
For the full year, ConAgra forecast earnings of $1.28 to $1.33 a share, excluding one-time items. Analysts, on average, expected $1.26 a share, according to Reuters Estimates.
