The J.M. Smucker Company today announced its financial results for the year ended April 30, 2000. Sales for the year were $632,486,000, up 5% over fiscal 1999 sales of $602,457,000 due to strength in its international, foodservice, and specialty areas. Earnings for the year were $35,983,000 or $1.26 per share, before nonrecurring charges. This compared to $37,763,000 or $1.30 per share last year. On a diluted basis, earnings per share before nonrecurring charges were $1.26 compared to $1.29 last year. The operating results for the year were consistent with preliminary expectations released last month.
The Company also announced that sales in the fourth quarter were $156,598,000, even with the same period last year. Earnings per share for the three-month period, before the impact of nonrecurring charges, were $.26 per share compared to $.34 last year on a diluted basis.
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The Company reported that sales increase in the foodservice channel came from volume growth of the portion control segment, addition of the Lea & Perrins products, and sales of the new Smucker’s Uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
In the consumer market, sales were softer than expected, up 1% over last year. Despite the modest increase, the Company’s share of the domestic fruit spreads market hit record levels, passing the 40% share level.
In the international area, the increase in sales came from a combination of growth in existing businesses and the addition of facilities in new geographical areas. The Company’s Canadian business contributed significantly to both sales and profits as sales increased approximately 10% over the prior year. Sales gains in Mexico, Australia, and in European exports were also reported. The Company’s recent addition of production facilities in Brazil and Scotland also contributed to the sales growth outside of the U.S.
Earnings were impacted by higher fruit costs throughout the year, along with higher selling and distribution costs, and investment spending in new products and businesses. Interest expense was also up as the Company took on $75 million of long-term debt to fund general corporate activities including stock repurchases, acquisitions, and the refinancing of existing debt.
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By GlobalDataDuring the year, the Company recorded nonrecurring charges of $14,492,000 or $.34 per share, resulting from a previously announced write down of certain assets. The charge in the fourth quarter was $9,687,000 or $.23 per share and resulted from the write-down of carrying value of certain intangible assets, primarily goodwill resulting from previous acquisitions.
In August, Smucker will ask its Class A and Class B common shareholders to approve a one-for-one exchange of all their shares for new common shares that are similar to today’s Class A voting common.
If the plan is approved by the shareholders, Smucker will couple the share consolidation with an offer to buy back up to $100 million of Class A and Class B shares at $18.50 per share, a premium to the market price of the two classes as of the close of trading on May 15, 2000.
The J.M. Smucker Company (www.smucker.com) was founded in 1897 when the Company’s namesake and founder sold his first product — apple butter — from the back of a horse drawn wagon. Today, over a century later, the Company is the market leader in fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, health and natural foods beverages, and natural peanut butter in North America. The Company has over 2,000 employees worldwide and distributes products in more than 60 countries.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including factors affecting fruit and other commodity prices, the Company’s operating performance, other factors affecting share prices, the number of shares repurchased in the buyback, and factors affecting capital markets generally. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission including forms 10-Q and 10-K.
The J.M. Smucker Company
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
Year Ended April 30,
2000 1999
(Dollars in thousands,
except per share data)
Net sales $632,486 $602,457
Cost of products sold 414,476 395,944
Gross Profit 218,010 206,513
Selling, distribution,
and administrative expenses 162,283 147,538
Nonrecurring charge 14,492 —
Operating Income 41,235 58,975
Interest income 2,706 1,948
Interest expense (3,111) (179)
Other income — net 701 887
Income Before Income Taxes 41,531 61,631
Income taxes 15,174 23,868
Net Income $26,357 $37,763
Net income per Common Share $.92 $1.30
Net income per Common Share —
Assuming Dilution $.92 $1.29
Dividends declared per share:
Class A $.61 $.57
Class B $.61 $.57
Weighted-Average Shares
Outstanding 28,670,770 29,057,593
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding —
Assuming Dilution 28,750,355 29,274,719
The J.M. Smucker Company
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
April 30,
2000 1999
(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $33,103 $8,683
Trade receivables 62,518 51,858
Inventories 121,515 114,200
Other current assets 11,996 11,401
Total Current Assets 229,132 186,142
Property, Plant & Equipment, Net 174,648 166,543
Other Noncurrent Assets 71,604 81,198
$475,384 433,883
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $32,520 $40,262
Notes payable — 8,966
Other current liabilities 35,669 38,403
Total Current Liabilities 68,189 87,631
Long Term Debt 75,000 —
Other Noncurrent Liabilities 18,722 21,923
Shareholders’ Equity, Net 313,473 324,329
$475,384 $433,883
The J.M. Smucker Company
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended April 30, 2000 and 1999.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net Income
per
Net Income Common
per Share-
Quarter Gross Net Common Assuming
Ended Net Sales Profit Income Share Dilution
2000 July 31 $161,495 $58,028 $11,037 $0.38 $0.38
October 31 163,965 54,873 9,389 0.33 0.32
January 31 150,428 54,491 4,963(1) 0.17(1) 0.17(1)
April 30 156,598 50,618 968(1) 0.03(1) 0.03(1)
1999 July 31 $150,500 $53,862 $10,416 $0.36 $0.36
October 31 154,894 51,690 9,063 0.31 0.31
January 31 140,772 49,055 8,245 0.28 0.28
April 30 156,291 51,906 10,039 0.35 0.34
Annual earnings per share may not equal the sum of the individual quarters due to differences in the average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods.
