Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) yesterday reported diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended July 29, 2001, of $.15, excluding special charges associated with the previously announced reconfiguration of manufacturing operations in Australia, compared to $.14 a year ago. Diluted earnings per share as reported were $.13. Results include approximately $.03 dilutive impact from the May 4, 2001 acquisition of several European dry soup and sauce brands.

Net sales in the quarter increased 8 percent to $1.3 billion. The European acquisition contributed 5 percentage points to this growth. Excluding the impact of currency and the European acquisition, sales increased 5 percent. The company’s base business performance was largely driven by a 5 percent volume increase in the U.S. soup business compared to a very weak performance in the prior year quarter. Net earnings for the quarter increased 5 percent, excluding the impact of the Australian reconfiguration. After the special charges, net earnings were $52 million, a decrease of 12 percent versus $59 million a year earlier.

For fiscal 2001, the company reported diluted earnings per share of $1.58, excluding special charges associated with the Australian manufacturing reconfiguration, compared to $1.65 for the prior year. Diluted earnings per share as reported were $1.55. Net earnings were $649 million. Results include an approximate $.03 dilutive impact from the European dry soup and sauce brands acquisition. Net sales for the year increased 3 percent to $6.7 billion. The European acquisition contributed 1 percentage point to this growth. Excluding the impact of currency and the European acquisition, sales increased 5 percent. The company said its solid base business performance was driven by good growth across the portfolio. In particular, U.S. soup consumer purchases increased 5 percent from the previous year. In addition, the company reported another year of strong free cash flow of $906 million resulting from continued improvements in working capital management.

Douglas R. Conant, Campbell’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are encouraged by the progress this year toward revitalizing the company. Consumer purchases of U.S. soup improved in response to enhanced product quality and packaging as well as increased marketing. In addition, our broad portfolio performed well. Pepperidge Farm, Godiva, Arnotts and Asia Pacific all delivered strong results. And our European businesses produced good results while managing the integration of the new dry soup and sauce brands we acquired in May.”

Conant added, “The strategic plan we announced in July is built on bold action in the marketplace as well as in the workplace to put Campbell back on a growth track. Expect Campbell to be a tougher competitor with a much closer connection to consumers as we work to grow our businesses around the world. In the U.S., we are optimistic that our soup business will respond to our plans, including powerful new ‘M’m! M’m! Good!’ advertising and other significant marketing investments. In addition, we will accelerate investments to improve product quality, create new, convenient packaging and develop additional innovation. This combination of intensified innovation and investment will help strengthen our competitive advantage and drive the change needed to make Campbell strong and successful over a sustained period.”

As a result of these investments, the company expects diluted earnings per share for the 2002 first quarter to be between $.33-$.36 and $1.30 for the year, before $.03-$.04 of remaining special charges associated with the Australian reconfiguration program.

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.

A summary of fiscal 2001 results by segment follows:

Soup and Sauces

Sales for the year increased 3 percent to $4.5 billion. One-half of this percentage point increase resulted from the European acquisition. Excluding the impact of currency and the European acquisition, sales increased 3 percent. A 6 percent increase in U.S. soup shipments contributed to a worldwide wet soup shipment increase of 5 percent for the year. Operating earnings decreased by 3 percent to $1.1 billion driven by increased marketing.

As announced at the July 27, 2001 analyst meeting, the company will now report U.S. soup consumer purchases in two ways. The first will include separate results for condensed and ready-to-serve soups. The second will include separate results for the two primary consumer soup behaviors — eating and cooking. Both the eating and cooking segments will include condensed and ready-to-serve soups.

    U.S. consumer purchases of:

— Condensed soups declined 2 percent for the year versus a 7 percent
decline in fiscal 2000. Sales growth for the three icons, Chicken
Noodle, Tomato and Cream of Mushroom, which resulted from increased
advertising, drove the improved performance. Other condensed varieties
showed weaker results. Ready-to-serve soups increased 20 percent for
the year behind excellent performance by Campbell’s “Chunky” and
“Select” and the launch of new “Campbell’s Ready To Serve” Red & White.

— Eating soups increased 6 percent driven by “Campbell’s Ready To Serve”
Red & White, “Chunky” and Chicken Noodle and Tomato condensed soups.
Cooking soups increased 3 percent resulting from growth in condensed
Cream of Mushroom and “Swanson” broths.

Outside the U.S., wet soup shipments were up 4 percent, due primarily to strong performances in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

In Europe, increased marketing investments and innovation with new products such as “Homepride” soup in a bottle and “Homepride Pasta Stir & Serve” sauces drove positive results in the United Kingdom. Erasco improved its market leadership position in Germany behind the first full year of sales of soup in a pouch. In France, market share and consumer purchases of “Liebig” soup increased. In Australia, Campbell expanded its market leadership position as a result of strong consumer purchases of “Velish” and “Country Ladle” soups and “Real Stock” broth.

    Beyond soup, Campbell reported:

— Consumer purchases of “Prego” Italian sauces increased 3 percent while
market share showed a small decline in the wake of increased price
competition. “Prego Pasta Bake” sauces, a convenient new product that
does not require pasta to be pre-cooked, was launched in the fourth
quarter and met sales targets.

— “Pace” Mexican sauces delivered a solid 3 percent increase in consumer
purchases as advertising in its core Southwest market was restored in
the second half of the year.

— Consumer purchases of “Franco-American” canned pastas were down,
although “SpaghettiOs” showed growth in consumer purchases as a result
of increased investments.

— Total beverage consumer purchases increased slightly behind strong
performances from “V8” vegetable juice and “Campbell’s” tomato juice,
which were partially offset by “V8 Splash” juice beverage declines.

Biscuits and Confectionery

Biscuits and Confectionery performance was strong across the board. Sales for the year increased 5 percent to $1.6 billion. Excluding the impact of currency, sales increased 10 percent driven by increased marketing investments and new product innovations.

Operating earnings were up 4 percent, to $221 million, excluding the impact of the Australian manufacturing reconfiguration. Excluding the impact of currency, earnings increased 9 percent.

Pepperidge Farm delivered strong performance across its portfolio with significant consumer purchase increases in cookies, crackers, frozen breads and fresh bakery. “Goldfish” crackers had double-digit growth in consumer purchases.

Godiva Chocolatier delivered another outstanding performance with its eighth consecutive year of double-digit sales and earnings growth. Sales increased across all markets as new stores and other distribution channels opened in North America, Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim.

Before the impact of currency, Arnotts reported strong sales and earnings driven by successful new product launches such as “Tim Tam Fingers” as well as continued growth across each of its top three brands — “Tim Tam,” “Shapes” and “Kettle Chips.” These results drove Arnotts’ first increase in biscuit market share in several years.

Away From Home

Away From Home reported a 1 percent increase in sales, from $565 million to $573 million, driven by strong frozen soup sales. Operating earnings increased 11 percent to $58 million due to improved product mix and productivity gains.

Accounting Change

The company also reported that its financial results have been restated in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force’s (EITF) 00-10 ruling related to classification of shipping and handling charges. This has resulted in an approximately $200 million increase in annual sales and Cost of Products Sold (COPS) for 2000 and 2001. The company’s 2001 Annual Report will include five years of restated history.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” which reflect the company’s current expectations about its future performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates which could be inaccurate and which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the company. Please refer to the company’s most recent Form 10-K and subsequent filings for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

About Campbell Soup Company

Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high quality soup, sauces, beverage, biscuits, confectionery and prepared food products. The company owns a portfolio of more than 20 market-leading businesses each with more than $100 million in sales. They include “Campbell’s” soups worldwide, “Erasco” soups in Germany and “Liebig” soups in France, “Pepperidge Farm” cookies and crackers, “V8” vegetable juices, “V8 Splash” juice beverages, “Pace” Mexican sauces, “Prego” pasta sauces, “Franco-American” canned pastas and gravies, “Swanson” broths, “Homepride” sauces in the United Kingdom, “Arnott’s” biscuits in Australia and “Godiva” chocolates around the world. The company also owns dry soup and sauce businesses in Europe under the “Batchelors,” “Oxo,” “Lesieur,” “Royco,” “Liebig,” “Heisse Tasse,” “Bla Band” and “McDonnells” brands. The company is ably supported by 24,000 employees worldwide. For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website on the Internet at www.campbellsoup.com.

                      CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(millions, except per share amounts)

THREE MONTHS ENDED
July July
29, 2001 30, 2000

Net sales $1,330 $1,233

Costs and expenses
Cost of products sold 650 631
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 536 465
Restructuring charge 10 –
Total costs and expenses 1,196 1,096

Earnings before interest and taxes 134 137
Interest, net 54 48
Earnings before taxes 80 89

Taxes on earnings 28 30
Net earnings $ 52 $ 59

Per share – basic
Net earnings $ .13 $ .14

Dividends $ .225 $ .225

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic 410 422

Per share – assuming dilution
Net earnings $ .13 $ .14

Weighted average shares outstanding
– assuming dilution 411 430

Shipping and handling costs of $47 and $44 for fiscal 2001 and 2000,
respectively, have been reclassified from Net sales to Cost of products
sold to comply with a new accounting pronouncement.

CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(millions, except per share amounts)

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
July July
29, 2001 30, 2000

Net sales $6,664 $6,466

Costs and expenses
Cost of products sold 3,146 3,107
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 2,314 2,094
Restructuring charge 10 –
Total costs and expenses 5,470 5,201

Earnings before interest and taxes 1,194 1,265
Interest, net 207 188
Earnings before taxes 987 1,077

Taxes on earnings 338 363
Net earnings $ 649 $ 714

Per share – basic
Net earnings $ 1.57 $ 1.68

Dividends $ .90 $ .90

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic 414 425

Per share – assuming dilution
Net earnings $ 1.55 $ 1.65

Weighted average shares outstanding
– assuming dilution 418 432

Shipping and handling costs of $207 and $199 for fiscal 2001 and 2000,
respectively, have been reclassified from Net sales to Cost of products
sold to comply with a new accounting pronouncement.

CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY CONSOLIDATED
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF SALES AND EARNINGS
(millions, except per share amounts)

THREE MONTHS ENDED
July July Percent
Sales 29, 2001 30, 2000 Change
Contributions:
Soup and Sauces $ 856.6 $ 771.9 11%
Biscuits and Confectionery 353.4 339.6 4%
Away From Home 132.8 131.3 1%
Sub-total 1,342.8 1,242.8 8%
Other 0.6 0.7
Intersegment (13.2) (11.0)
Total sales $1,330.2 $1,232.5 8%

Percent
Change
Excluding
Special
Earnings Charges (1)
Contributions:
Soup and Sauces $142.2 $113.1 26% 26%
Biscuits and Confectionery 21.6 34.9 -38% 1%
Away From Home 11.1 9.3 19% 19%
Sub-total 174.9 157.3 11% 20%
Other 0.2 0.1
Total operating earnings 175.1 157.4 11% 20%
Unallocated corporate expenses (41.2) (20.5)

Earnings before interest and taxes 133.9 136.9 -2% 8%
Interest, net (53.6) (48.4)
Taxes on earnings (27.9) (29.9)
Net earnings $ 52.4 $ 58.6 -11% 5%

Net earnings per share – assuming
dilution $ .13 $ .14 -7% 7%

Shipping and handling costs of $47 and $44 for fiscal 2001 and 2000,
respectively, have been reclassified from Net sales to Cost of products
sold to comply with a new accounting pronouncement.

Fiscal 2001 contributions to earnings for the Biscuits and
Confectionery segment include the effect of fourth quarter costs of $14
associated with the Australian manufacturing reconfiguration plan. The
after-tax effect on net earnings was $10, or $.02 per share (basic and
diluted).

(1) Percent change is calculated excluding the effects of the fiscal
2001 Australian manufacturing reconfiguration plan costs.

CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY CONSOLIDATED
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF SALES AND EARNINGS
(millions, except per share amounts)

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED

July July Percent
Sales 29, 2001 30, 2000 Change
Contributions:
Soup and Sauces $4,539.0 $4,393.0 3%
Biscuits and Confectionery 1,612.8 1,542.2 5%
Away From Home 572.7 564.8 1%
Sub-total 6,724.5 6,500.0 3%
Other 4.1 27.7
Intersegment (64.2) (62.0)
Total sales $6,664.4 $6,465.7 3%

Percent
Change
Excluding
Special
Earnings Charges (1)
Contributions:
Soup and Sauces $1,051.5 $1,080.7 -3% -3%
Biscuits and Confectionery 205.9 212.9 -3% 4%
Away From Home 58.4 52.7 11% 11%
Sub-total 1,315.8 1,346.3 -2% -1%
Other 0.9 0.7
Total operating earnings 1,316.7 1,347.0 -2% -1%
Unallocated corporate expenses (122.8) (81.9)

Earnings before interest and taxes 1,193.9 1,265.1 -6% -4%
Interest, net (206.5) (188.2)
Taxes on earnings (338.1) (363.0)
Net earnings $ 649.3 $ 713.9 -9% -8%

Net earnings per share – assuming
dilution $ 1.55 $ 1.65 -6% -4%

Shipping and handling costs of $207 and $199 for fiscal 2001 and 2000,
respectively, have been reclassified from Net sales to Cost of products
sold to comply with a new accounting pronouncement.

Fiscal 2001 contributions to earnings for the Biscuits and
Confectionery segment include the effect of costs of $15 associated with
the Australian manufacturing reconfiguration plan. The after-tax effect
on net earnings was $11, or $.03 per share (basic and diluted).

(1) Percent change is calculated excluding the effects of the fiscal
2001 Australian manufacturing reconfiguration plan costs.

CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(millions)

July July
29, 2001 30, 2000

Current assets $1,221 $1,168

Plant assets, net 1,637 1,644

Intangible assets, net 2,451 1,767

Other assets 618 617

Total assets $5,927 $5,196

Current liabilities $3,120 $3,032

Long-term debt 2,243 1,218

Nonpension postretirement benefits 336 364

Other liabilities 475 445

Shareowners’ equity (247) 137

Total liabilities and shareowners’ equity $5,927 $5,196

Total debt $4,049 $3,091

Net debt $4,025 $3,064