J. M. Smucker Gets Boost from Coffee in Q3 2016

Shares in J. M. Smucker Co. were on the rise after it beat analyst expectations for its third quarter of the fiscal year with net sales increasing 37% for the period ended January 31, 2016.

“We delivered another quarter of solid financial results which, most notably, was attributable to the ongoing momentum for our coffee business,” said Chief Executive Richard Smucker. “Our overall performance continues to reflect contributions from our key growth initiatives for the fiscal year.”

As of February 24, 2016, J. M. Smucker's stock was up approximately 3% to $127.84. 

According to a report from Wall Street Journal, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters estimated earnings of $1.64 a share on revenue of $2.05 billion.

Some of the biggest contributors to J. M. strong performance this quarter were the company’s acquisition of Big Heart Pet Brands, and launching “on-trend products” such as Dunkin’ Donuts® K-Cup® pods, expanding distribution for its Natural Balance® brand, and delivering on cost savings and working capital initiatives, Smucker said in the report.

Net sales for the company’s U.S. Retail Coffee segment increased 1% to $575.5 million, while U.S. Retail Consumer Foods, including brands such as Jif® peanut butter, Pillsbury® baking mixes and frosting, and Smucker’s® Uncrustables® frozen sandwiches, increased 5% to $569.8 million.

Some other highlights for the quarter include:

• Net sales increased $533.9 million, or 37 percent, reflecting the contribution of Big Heart Pet Brands ("Big Heart"), acquired in fiscal 2015.
• Net income per diluted share was $1.55, a decrease of 2 percent, as the benefit from Big Heart operations and the gain on the U.S. canned milk divestiture were offset by merger and integration costs, higher interest expense, and the impact of additional shares outstanding.
• Non-GAAP income per diluted share was $1.76, an increase of 14 percent.  Adjusted non-GAAP income per diluted share, which excludes amortization, was $2.05, an increase of 21 percent.  Both measures include a $0.14 per share gain on the U.S. canned milk divestiture.
• Free cash flow was $498.9 million, an increase of 32 percent.
• The Company updated its fiscal 2016 earnings outlook to account for the gain on the U.S. canned milk divestiture, with non-GAAP income per diluted share expected to range from $5.84 to $5.94 and its adjusted non-GAAP income per diluted share expected to range from $6.99 to $7.09.

Smucker remained confident that his team will remain focused on executing the company’s long-term strategy to deliver continued growth.

For more on J. M. Smucker’s financial performance in Q4 2016 and beyond, stay tuned to DeliMarket News.