CHICAGO, April 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) reported results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended on February 25, 2024. All comparisons are against the prior-year fiscal period, unless otherwise noted. 

Third quarter Highlights

• Net sales decreased 1.7% from the prior year quarter; organic net sales decreased 2.0%
• Operating margin was 15.5% representing a 33 basis point decrease over the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating margin was 16.4% representing a 49 basis point decrease over the prior year quarter.
• Diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.64, a 9.9% decrease over the prior year quarter. Adjusted EPS was $0.69, a 9.2% decrease over the prior year quarter.
• The company is increasing fiscal 2024 adjusted operating margin guidance and reaffirming organic net sales and adjusted EPS guidance.

CEO PerspectiveSean Connolly, president and chief executive officer of Conagra Brands, commented, "Our Q3 results demonstrate steady progress stemming from strong execution. Volume trends in our domestic retail business continued to improve as targeted investments, particularly in frozen, generated strong lifts and unit share gains. Outstanding progress on our cost savings initiatives allowed us to support strategic investments in our brands while sustaining margin recovery. We also continued to deliver substantial improvements in free cash flow enabling us to meaningfully reduce our net leverage ratio over the first three quarters of 2024. Our long-term focus remains on executing our strategic priorities and generating value for our shareholders."

Total Company Third Quarter ResultsIn the quarter, net sales were $3.0 billion reflecting:

• a 0.3% increase from the favorable impact of foreign exchange; and
• a 2.0% decrease in organic net sales.

The 2.0% decrease in organic net sales was driven by a 0.2% negative impact from price/mix, largely driven by the company's strategic investments in the quarter, and a 1.8% decrease in volume, primarily due to continued lower consumption trends.

Gross profit increased 2.4% to $859 million in the quarter, and adjusted gross profit increased 0.1% to $870 million. Third quarter gross profit increased as higher productivity more than offset the negative impacts of lower organic net sales, cost of goods sold inflation, and unfavorable operating leverage. Gross margin increased 114 basis points to 28.3% in the quarter, and adjusted gross margin increased 52 basis points to 28.7%.

Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A), which includes advertising and promotional expense (A&P), increased 11.0% to $387 million in the quarter driven primarily by higher incentive compensation compared to the prior year quarter and a 6.5% increase in A&P. Adjusted SG&A, which excludes A&P, increased 7.4% to $286 million primarily driven by higher incentive compensation compared to the prior year quarter.

Net interest expense was $107 million in the quarter. Compared to the prior-year period, net interest expense increased 2.2% or $2 million, primarily due to a higher weighted average interest rate on outstanding debt. 

The average diluted share count in the quarter was 480 million shares.

In the quarter, net income attributable to Conagra Brands decreased 9.7% to $309 million, or $0.64 per diluted share compared to $342 million, or $0.71 per diluted share in the prior year quarter driven primarily by the increase in A&P and SG&A, as previously discussed. Adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands decreased 10.1% to $329 million, or $0.69 per diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA, which includes equity method investment earnings and pension and postretirement non-service expense (income), decreased 5.3% to $634 million in the quarter, primarily driven by the decrease in adjusted operating profit.

Grocery & Snacks Segment Third Quarter ResultsReported and organic net sales for the Grocery & Snacks segment increased 3.4% to $1.3 billion in the quarter driven by a price/mix increase of 4.2%, partially offset by a volume decrease of 0.8%. The company gained dollar share in snacking and staples categories including chili, pudding, microwave popcorn, seeds, and canned meat due to the wrap of the canned meat recall in the year ago period. 

Operating profit for the segment increased 16.7% to $299 million in the quarter and adjusted operating profit increased 16.5% to $300 million as higher organic net sales, higher productivity, and lower A&P more than offset the negative impacts of cost of goods sold inflation, unfavorable operating leverage, and higher SG&A. In addition, we received a $7.4 million net benefit related to insurance proceeds for prior year lost sales from our canned meat recall.

Refrigerated & Frozen Segment Third Quarter ResultsReported and organic net sales for the Refrigerated & Frozen segment decreased 8.1% to $1.2 billion in the quarter as price mix decreased 4.8%, primarily attributable to an increase in strategic investments, and volume decreased 3.3%, primarily due to continued lower consumption trends. The company gained dollar share in select categories such as frozen sides, frozen single-serve meals, frozen breakfast, and frozen seafood due to the wrap of the impacts from the plant fire in the year ago period.

Operating profit for the segment decreased 23.6% to $202 million in the quarter. Adjusted operating profit decreased 25.2% to $203 million as higher productivity was more than offset by the negative impacts of lower organic net sales, cost of goods sold inflation, unfavorable operating leverage, and higher A&P and SG&A.

International Segment Third Quarter ResultsNet sales for the International segment increased 4.6% to $272 million in the quarter reflecting:

• a 3.6% increase from the favorable impact of foreign exchange; and
• a 1.0% increase in organic net sales.

On an organic net sales basis, price/mix decreased 1.7% and volume increased 2.7% primarily driven by a strong performance in the company's Mexico business.  

Operating profit for the segment increased 13.9% to $42 million in the quarter. Adjusted operating profit increased 16.4% to $43 million as the benefits from higher productivity and higher organic net sales more than offset the negative impact of cost of goods sold inflation, and higher SG&A and A&P.

Foodservice Segment Third Quarter ResultsReported and organic net sales for the Foodservice segment decreased 1.0% to $273 million in the quarter as volume declines of 4.8% offset a price/mix increase of 3.8%.

Operating profit for the segment increased 48.7% to $35 million. Adjusted operating profit increased 40.6% to $35 million in the quarter as the benefits of higher productivity, price/mix, and lower SG&A more than offset the negative impacts of cost of goods sold inflation and unfavorable operating leverage.

Other Third Quarter ItemsCorporate expenses increased 17.6% to $107 million in the quarter and adjusted corporate expense increased 21.2% to $82 million in the quarter driven primarily by higher incentive compensation compared to the prior year quarter.

We incurred pension and post-retirement non-service expense of $1.4 million in the quarter compared to $6 million of income in the prior-year quarter due primarily to higher interest costs and a pension settlement loss.

In the quarter, equity method investment earnings decreased 18.5% to $41 million as results from the company's joint venture, Ardent Mills, reflected slightly lower volume trends in the milling industry. 

In the quarter, the effective tax rate was 23.7% compared to 22.6% in the prior-year quarter. The adjusted effective tax rate was 23.8% compared to 22.8% in the prior-year quarter. 

In the quarter, the company paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. 

OutlookThe company is increasing fiscal 2024 Adjusted Operating Margin guidance to approximately 15.8% and updating fiscal 2024 guidance for the following:

• Net Leverage Ratio of approximately 3.44x
• Capital expenditures of approximately $425M
• Interest expense of approximately $435M

The company is reaffirming fiscal 2024 guidance for the following:

• Organic net sales to decrease between 1.0% and 2.0% compared to fiscal 2023
• Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $2.60 and $2.65
• Adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 24%
• No pension income
• Ardent Mills contribution of approximately $170M

The inability to predict the amount and timing of the impacts of foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, and other items impacting comparability makes a detailed reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures impracticable. Please see the end of this release for more information.

Items Affecting Comparability of EPSThe following are included in the $0.64 EPS for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 (EPS amounts are rounded and after tax). Please see the reconciliation schedules at the end of this release for additional details.

• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense related to corporate hedging derivative losses
• Approximately $0.03 per diluted share of net expense related to legacy legal matters
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net benefit related to rounding

The following are included in the $0.71 EPS for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 (EPS amounts are rounded and after tax). Please see the reconciliation schedules at the end of this release for additional details.

• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense due to fire related costs
• Approximately $0.04 per diluted share of net expense related to corporate hedging derivative losses

Please note that certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

Discussion of ResultsConagra Brands will issue pre-recorded remarks prior to hosting a live Q&A conference call and webcast at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time today. The live audio webcast Q&A conference call, pre-recorded remarks, transcript of the pre-recorded remarks, and presentation slides will be available on www.conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations. The Q&A conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 for participants in the U.S. and 1-412-902-6506 for all other participants and using passcode 6964529. Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the call start time. A replay of the Q&A conference call will be available on www.conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations until April 4, 2025.

About Conagra BrandsConagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye®, Duncan Hines®, Healthy Choice®, Marie Callender's®, Reddi-wip®, and Slim Jim®, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's® BOOMCHICKAPOP®, Duke's®, Earth Balance®, Gardein®, and Frontera®, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.

Note on Forward-Looking StatementsThis document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Readers of this document should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Many factors could affect our actual financial results and cause them to vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in this document. These risks, uncertainties, and factors include, among other things: risks associated with general economic and industry conditions, including inflation, rising interest rates, decreased availability of capital, volatility in financial markets, declining consumer spending rates, recessions, decreased energy availability, increased energy costs (including fuel surcharges), supply chain challenges, labor shortages, and geopolitical conflicts (including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine); negative impacts caused by public health crises; risks related to our ability to deleverage on currently anticipated timelines, and to continue to access capital on acceptable terms or at all; risks related to the company's competitive environment, cost structure, and related market conditions; risks related to our ability to execute operating and value creation plans and achieve returns on our investments and targeted operating efficiencies from cost-saving initiatives, and to benefit from trade optimization programs; risks related to the availability and prices of commodities and other supply chain resources, including raw materials, packaging, energy, and transportation, including any negative effects caused by changes in levels of inflation and interest rates, weather conditions, health pandemics or outbreaks of disease, actual or threatened hostilities or war, or other geopolitical uncertainty; risks related to the effectiveness of our hedging activities and ability to respond to volatility in commodities; disruptions or inefficiencies in our supply chain and/or operations; risks related to the ultimate impact of, including reputational harm caused by, any product recalls and product liability or labeling litigation, including litigation related to lead-based paint and pigment and cooking spray; risks related to our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences and the success of our innovation and marketing investments; risks associated with actions by our customers, including changes in distribution and purchasing terms; risks related to the seasonality of our business; risks associated with our co-manufacturing arrangements and other third-party service provider dependencies; risks associated with actions of governments and regulatory bodies that affect our businesses, including the ultimate impact of new or revised regulations or interpretations including to address climate change or implement changes to taxes and tariffs; risks related to the company's ability to execute on its strategies or achieve expectations related to environmental, social, and governance matters, including as a result of evolving legal, regulatory, and other standards, processes, and assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs, the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon pricing or carbon taxes; risks related to a material failure in or breach of our or our vendors' information technology systems and other cybersecurity incidents; risks related to our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and develop qualified personnel; risk of increased pension, labor or people-related expenses; risks and uncertainties associated with intangible assets, including any future goodwill or intangible assets impairment charges; risk relating to our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; risks relating to acquisition, divestiture, joint venture or investment activities; the amount and timing of future dividends, which remain subject to Board approval and depend on market and other conditions; and other risks described in our reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this document, which speak only as of the date of this document. We undertake no responsibility to update these statements, except as required by law.

Note on Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresThis document includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS, organic net sales, adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating profit, adjusted SG&A, adjusted corporate expenses, adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating margin, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands, free cash flow, net debt, net leverage ratio, and adjusted EBITDA. Management considers GAAP financial measures as well as such non-GAAP financial information in its evaluation of the company's financial statements and believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to assess the company's operating performance and financial position. These measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, the company's diluted earnings per share, operating performance and financial measures as calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Organic net sales excludes, from reported net sales, the impacts of foreign exchange, divested businesses and acquisitions, as well as the impact of any 53rd week. All references to changes in volume and price/mix throughout this release are on an organic net sales basis.

References to adjusted items throughout this release refer to measures computed in accordance with GAAP less the impact of items impacting comparability. Items impacting comparability are income or expenses (and related tax impacts) that management believes have had, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the earnings of the applicable business segment or on the total corporation for the period in which the item is recognized, and are not indicative of the company's core operating results. These items thus affect the comparability of underlying results from period to period.

References to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) refer to net income attributable to Conagra Brands before the impacts of discontinued operations, income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation, and amortization. References to adjusted EBITDA refer to EBITDA before the impacts of items impacting comparability.

Hedge gains and losses are generally aggregated, and net amounts are reclassified from unallocated corporate expense to the operating segments when the underlying commodity or foreign currency being hedged is expensed in segment cost of goods sold. The net change in the derivative gains (losses) included in unallocated corporate expense during the period is reflected as a comparability item, Corporate hedging derivate gains (losses).

Note on Forward-Looking Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresOur fiscal 2024 guidance includes certain non-GAAP financial measures (organic net sales growth, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EPS, net leverage ratio, and adjusted effective tax rate) that are presented on a forward-looking basis. Historically, the company has calculated these non-GAAP financial measures excluding the impact of certain items such as, but not limited to, foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring expenses, the extinguishment of debt, hedging gains and losses, impairment charges, legacy legal contingencies, and unusual tax items. Reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are not provided because the company is unable to provide such reconciliations without unreasonable effort, due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the timing and financial impact of such items. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.