US: Seneca Foods swings to Q1 profit

Seneca Foods Reports Net Earnings Increase of $16.2 Million for the First Fiscal Quarter of 2013

MARION, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Seneca Foods Corporation (NASDAQ: SENEA, SENEB) reported net earnings for the fiscal first quarter of 2013 of $8.2 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $8.0 million, or $(0.66) per diluted share, in the fiscal first quarter of 2012. Net sales for the first quarter ended June 30, 2012 decreased from the first quarter ended July 2, 2011 by 10.4%, or $26.8 million to $231.0 million. The decrease is attributable to a sales volume decrease of $57.3 million partially offset by higher selling prices and a more favorable sales mix of $30.5 million. Part of the sales volume decrease can be attributed to the fact that last year we were selling off excess inventories while the current year inventories are more in balance.

Excluding a non-cash after-tax LIFO charge of $0.8 million, net earnings per diluted share were $0.74 during the quarter ended June 30, 2012 versus a net loss of $0.31 during the quarter ended July 2, 2011, which included a non-cash LIFO charge of $4.3 million.

About Seneca Foods Corporation
Seneca Foods is a processor of canned fruits and vegetables with manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States. Its products are sold under the Libby's, Blue Boy, Aunt Nellie's Farm Kitchen, Stokely's, READ, Seneca Farms and Seneca labels as well as through the private label and industrial markets. In addition, under an alliance with General Mills Operations, LLC, a successor to the Pillsbury Company and a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc., Seneca produces canned and frozen vegetables, which are sold by General Mills Operations, LLC under the Green Giant label. Seneca's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Stock Market under the symbols "SENEA" and "SENEB". SENEA is included the S&P SmallCap 600, Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 indices.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures-Net Earnings Excluding LIFO Impact, EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA

Net Earnings excluding LIFO, EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide a basis for comparison to companies that do not use LIFO and enhance the understanding of the Company's historical operating performance. The Company does not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of reported net earnings and reported diluted earnings per share to net earnings excluding LIFO and diluted earnings per share excluding LIFO.

Original source: Seneca Foods