HJ Heinz posted a 17% rise in half-year profits today (21 November) as rising sales and currency hedging boosted earnings. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


The US-bsed food giant recorded a net profit of US$506m for the period ended 29 October, compared with $432m from a year earlier. The increase includes a $97m rise in currency gains reflecting the company’s decision to hedge translation exposures on key currencies.


Sales for the six months increased 8.9% to $5.2bn, with organic sales growth of 7.9%. Net pricing increased sales by 6.2%, as price increases were taken across the company’s portfolio to help offset increases in commodity costs.


Operating income dropped slightly to $778.6m from $787.6m from the same period last year.


Net profit for the second quarter reached $276.7m compared with $227m a year earlier. Sales rose 3.5% to $2.61bn.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Heinz chairman, president, and CEO, William Johnson said he was “pleased” with the company’s second-quarter results particularly given the “difficult economic environment”.


“The company drove strong organic sales growth with many of our leading brands’ pricing to mitigate substantially higher commodity costs,” he said.


Heinz reaffirmed its full-year 2009 guidance for organic sales and for EPS, anticipating organic sales growth of “at least” 6% and EPS in the range of $2.87 to $2.91 for the fiscal year ending 29 April 2009.