Latest financials news and analysis articles 
Food manufacturers and retailers crunch their latest numbers
UK: Unilever tight-lipped over Wish-Bone "sale plans"
17 June 2013
Unilever has remained silent over reports it is looking for a buyer for its Wish-Bone salad dressings business in the US.
AUS/NZ: Ministers put forward front-of-pack "health star" labels
17 June 2013
Australia and New Zealand have set out plans to introduce a front-of-pack "health star" rating system for packaged foods on sale in the countries.
just-food's research round-up: Dessert innovation trends, chocolate in emerging markets
17 June 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes innovation trends in ice cream and desserts, chocolate in emerging markets and savoury snacks in Europe.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
17 June 2013
This week, just-food spoke with the CEO of Nestle Greater China, Roland Decorvet, who went into detail about the company's strategy in China and the challenges it faces there. We also garnered analysts' thoughts on Amazon's plans for its US grocery business and Carrefour's prospects for the African market. Elsewhere, JBS announced a deal to buy domestic poultry business Seara Brasil, Sobeys bought Safeway's Canadian operations, and B&G Foods snapped up Pirate Brands.
US: Smithfield profits fall after "challenging" year
14 June 2013
US meat processor Smithfield Foods said it had a "challenging" fiscal 2012/2013 as it booked a drop in full-year profits.
In the spotlight: Sobeys joy but questions for Safeway
14 June 2013
Canada's second-largest grocer Sobeys has swooped to buy the local business of US supermarket giant Safeway. Sobeys has paid a full price for Safeway's Canadian arm but, writes Dean Best, the market was broadly positive and agreed with the company's optimism. For Safeway, however, the sale does leave some questions.
US: 7-Eleven franchisees sue for "falling behind" competition
14 June 2013
Two franchisees of US retail chain 7-Eleven have filed a lawsuit against the convenience store chain for allegedly "failing to keep up with the competition".
US: FY earnings fall at c-store retailer Casey's
14 June 2013
US convenience retailer Casey's General Stores saw its earnings fall in fiscal 2013 but sounded an optimistic note for the new financial year.
CHINA: Infant formula firm Synutra claims progress after challenging year
14 June 2013
Chinese infant formula firm Synutra International has insisted it has seen its core business return to profitability in the fourth quarter at the end of a year which saw sales fall and losses widen.
just-food's research round-up: Global biscuit industry, French cheese market
14 June 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes a global biscuit industry guide, a China health food industry report, and the cheese market in France.
On the money: Sainsbury's private label winning over rivals, brands - CEO
12 June 2013
Sainsbury's has bucked the downward trend in the UK grocery market to book its thirty-fourth consecutive quarter of like-for-like sales growth thanks to a strong performance from its top- and mid-tier own label lines.
What the analysts say: Sainsbury's Q1
12 June 2013
Sainsbury's has booked another quarter of like-for-like sales gains - bucking the downward trends in the wider UK grocery market and outperforming its peers. However, LFL growth has slowed significantly and management has sounded a downbeat note on the consumer outlook. Here is the City's take on Sainsbury's first quarter results.
UK: Sainsbury's books "solid" Q1
12 June 2013
Sainsbury's hailed a "solid" start to the year as it grew sales in the face of tough year-on-year comparables and a weak consumer environment.
US: Diamond losses fall but restates H1 earnings
11 June 2013
US snack group Diamond Foods has reported a fall in its losses for the first nine months of its financial year, although the Kettle Chips owner has had to restate its first-half earnings.
US: General Mills ups FY earnings guidance
11 June 2013
General Mills has lifted its forecast for full-year earnings - results it expects to post in two weeks' time.
PHILIPPINES: Del Monte Pacific lists in Manila
11 June 2013
Shares in Singapore-based Del Monte Pacific have started trading in the Philippines, the second listing for the food and drinks group.
US: Former A&P CFO Silcock joins Diamond Foods
11 June 2013
Kettle Chips owner Diamond Foods has named former A&P CFO Raymond Silcock as its new finance chief.
US: Sales drives FY profits at Annie's
11 June 2013
US natural and organic food group Annie's Inc saw profits climb in fiscal 2013 on the back of increased sales and a lower tax rate.
UAE: Amira Nature Foods sees FY profits jump
10 June 2013
Amira Nature Foods has booked a jump in full-year earnings, boosted by growing demand for Basmati rice.
The week ahead: Sainsbury's & Smithfield results; international meat, poultry, seafood expos
10 June 2013
A quiet week for financial updates as results season winds down, with Diamond Foods, Sainsbury's and Smithfield preparing to issue updates. Trade shows will see food companies setting out their wares in various continents from North America to Africa.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
10 June 2013
UK retailer Tesco last week published its latest trading update that the City suggested showed it had lost momentum and was facing challenges at home and abroad. Elsewhere, a fire at a poultry facility in China took the lives of nearly 120 workers. just-food also published a management briefing, which took at look at the global cereal market.
Editor's choice: The highlights on just-food last week
10 June 2013
A tragic fire in a Chinese poultry facility highlighted continued concerns over safety standards in emerging markets last week. The just-food briefing looked at the need to innovate to prevent breakfast cereal sales going soggy, insight that was swiftly followed by the news that Kellogg is launching a number of breakfast bar and drink products in response to changing consumption patterns. Meanwhile, chocolate giants Nestle and Mars were accused of price fixing in Canada. Here are the highlights on just-food this week.
CANADA: Nestle, Mars accused of price fixing
7 June 2013
Confectionery giants Nestle and Mars have been charged by Canada's Competition Bureau for alleged criminal conspiracy to fix the prices of chocolate products in the country.
UPDATE: UK: Iceland eyes international, online growth
7 June 2013
UK frozen food group Iceland Foods has indicated it plans to expand its business by growing international and online sales.
On the money: JM Smucker to up marketing spend, plans NPD roll-out
7 June 2013
US spreads-to-coffee group JM Smucker is to increase its marketing spend in fiscal 2014 alongside plans to launch around 100 new products across its portfolio.
UK: Iceland Foods sees profit dip
7 June 2013
Frozen food retailer Iceland has booked a mixed set of full-year results, as the bottom line was hit by one-off expenses.
RUSSIA: Dixy store openings boost Q1 growth
7 June 2013
Russian retailer Dixy has recorded an increase earnings as store openings boosted sales in the first quarter.
CANADA: Acquisition fuels Saputo FY profits
6 June 2013
Canadian dairy giant Saputo has recorded an increase in full-year profits, on the back of revenue boosted by its acquisition of Morningstar Foods.
US: Price cuts boost JM Smucker FY profit
6 June 2013
US spreads-to-coffee group JM Smucker has booked an increase in full-year earnings, boosted by price cuts in its coffee division.
US: Calavo shares slide, profit misses expectations
6 June 2013
US produce group Calavo Growers saw its share price slide in afternoon trading yesterday (5 June) as second-quarter earnings came in below market expectations.
