B. Craig Owens
Analyst · Barclays
Thanks, Denise. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for being with us today. I'm going to begin by discussing our fourth quarter results and segment highlights, and I'll follow that with a review of our full year results and wrap up with a look at fiscal 2014 sales and earnings guidance. As Jennifer mentioned, my discussion will exclude the impact of all restructuring programs and acquisition transaction costs for the current and prior year, as well as the impairment charges and tax adjustment related to our European business. In August, the company announced the potential sale of its European simple meals business. This business was previously included in our International Simple Meals and Beverages segment, which is now reported as a discontinued operation. We will begin the review of the fourth quarter and fiscal year results with a look at the combined continued and discontinued operations and then focus on the results of the continuing operations. So in the fourth quarter, combined continuing and discontinued operations net sales increased by 13% to $1.8 billion, reflecting the Bolthouse Farms and Plum acquisitions, which contributed 11 and 1 point of growth, respectively. Adjusted EBIT increased 4% to $217 million and adjusted earnings per share were $0.45, a 10% increase from the fourth quarter of 2012, benefiting from EBIT growth and a favorable tax rate. Moving now to our fourth quarter results from continuing operations. We reported net sales of $1.7 billion, a 13% increase, reflecting the impact of Bolthouse Farms and Plum, which added 13 points together. Excluding the acquisitions and currency, organic net sales increased by 1%, with gains in Global Baking and Snacking and U.S. Simple Meals, partly offset by declines in International Simple Meals and Beverages and U.S. Beverages. Adjusted EBIT was comparable to a year ago at $208 million. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, EBIT declined by 7%, due to higher incentive compensation expenses. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.43, an 8% increase from the fourth quarter of 2012, benefiting from a lower tax rate. As you can see on Slide 32, after the contribution from Bolthouse and Plum, the 1% growth in organic sales reflected 1 point of volume mix growth and 1 point of pricing, offset by 1 point of promotional spending. Currency had a negative 1 point impact, due to the Australian dollar weakening against the U.S. dollar. The favorable volume mix reflects gains in our 2 largest segments: U.S. Simple Meals and Global Baking and Snacking. The pricing gains were primarily due to our list price increases on Arnott's biscuits and U.S. condensed soup, as well as increases in Pepperidge Farm. These increases were partially offset by pricing declines in Mexico based on our new distribution business model. The promotional spending variance is primarily due to the higher rates of spending in U.S. Simple Meals and Global Baking and Snacking. Our adjusted gross margin percentage declined by 230 basis points to 36.7%. The decline is primarily attributable to the impact of the acquisition of Bolthouse Farms, which operates at a lower gross margin structure. Excluding the acquisition, the impact of cost inflation was mostly offset by productivity improvement. The inflation rate in cost of goods sold was approximately 3% in the quarter. Marketing and selling expenses were comparable to a year ago at $191 million. Lower advertising and consumer promotion expenses were offset by the impact of the addition of Bolthouse. Advertising and consumer promotion expense declined by 14%, including decreases in U.S. Soup and U.S. Beverages. Administrative expense increased $32 million to $195 million, primarily due to higher incentive compensation costs compared to below target levels in the year-ago quarter and to the addition of Bolthouse Farms. Net interest expense increased by $5 million to $30 million. The increase was due to the higher level of debt incurred to fund the Bolthouse acquisition, which was added at lower average interest rates than the total debt portfolio. The adjusted tax rate decreased by 590 basis points in the quarter to 24.7%. The decline in the tax rate was primarily due to lower state taxes and an increase in the U.S. manufacturing deduction. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations increased 5% to $136 million, benefiting from this lower tax rate. Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations increased to $0.43 for the quarter. Percent change on the chart was impacted by rounding. Fourth quarter segment sales results and the corresponding organic growth rates are shown on Slide 35. Our Global Baking and Snacking segment achieved strong organic sales gains, up 5%, driven by growth in Pepperidge Farm in Indonesia, partly offset by declines in Arnott's Australia. The strong sales gains in Pepperidge Farm reflected growth across fresh bakery, crackers and cookies. In the bakery business, we continue to benefit from the market absence of Hostess, with double-digit volume gains across sandwich, bread and rolls. The snacks business had another strong quarter, including solid growth in Goldfish snack crackers and a strong sales performance in cookies. Sales at Arnott's decreased primarily due to sales declines in Australia across sweet cookie and chocolate varieties, partly offset by strong growth in Indonesia. Our U.S. Simple Meals segment delivered $493 million in sales, including a $14 million contribution from the acquisition of Plum Organics. U.S. Simple Meals achieved strong organic sales growth of 4%. Within the segment, U.S. Soup sales rose by 4%, driven by gains in ready-to-serve soup and broth. And U.S. Sauce sales increased 4% also compared to the prior year, driven by gains in Prego pasta sauce, including new items in white sauces and red distinctive sauces. Sales also benefited from Campbell's Skillet Sauce, which was introduced in the first quarter. Sales in the Bolthouse Farms and North America Foodservice segment were $300 million, with Bolthouse contributing $185 million. Organic sales excluding the acquisition declined 5% compared with a year ago. This sales decline in North America Foodservice reflects the loss of a major restaurant customer and continued higher levels of promotional spending in our core Foodservice business. Organic sales for the International Simple Meals and Beverage segment decreased by 5% compared to the prior year. Sales declines in Latin America and the Asia Pacific region were partly offset by higher sales in Canada. The Latin America decline is part of the new distribution -- is due to the new distribution arrangement in Mexico, as we phase in ahead of the full change to the business model there. In Asia Pacific, sales declines in Australia were partially offset by gains in Malaysia. U.S. Beverage sales decreased 4% in the quarter, primarily due to a decline in V8 vegetable juice. Sales of V8 V-Fusion and V8 Splash also declined in the quarter. Operating earnings for U.S. Simple Meals increased by 6% to $110 million this quarter. The increase reflected strong earnings gains in U.S. Soup, partly offset by a decline in U.S. Sauce. Within the segment, the growth in operating earnings was primarily driven by productivity improvements and high volume -- at higher volumes, sorry, partly offset by increased promotional spending and higher administrative expenses. Earnings in Global Baking and Snacking increased 1% to $84 million. Strong earnings gains in Pepperidge Farm were partially offset by a decline in Arnott's and the unfavorable impact of currency. For the segment, higher sales were mostly offset by a lower gross margin percentage and increased administrative costs. Operating earnings within Bolthouse and Foodservice increased by $15 million, including a $17 million contribution from Bolthouse Farms and a decrease in earnings from North America Foodservice. Bolthouse delivered results consistent with our acquisition plan. Operating earnings for U.S. Beverages decreased by 20%, primarily due to cost inflation and sales declines, partly offset by productivity improvements. Within International Simple Meals and Beverages, earnings decreased by 22% to $14 million. The decrease was primarily due to lower earnings in the Asia Pacific region and Mexico. On Slide 38, you can see that U.S. Soup sales for the quarter rose 4%, driven by strong gains in ready-to-serve soup and broth. Sales of condensed soup were comparable with a strong prior year quarter, which had experienced 14% growth. For the current quarter, increases in cooking varieties were offset by decreases in eating varieties. Ready-to-serve soup rose 9%, primarily driven by volume gains in 100% Natural as we increased promotional activity in conjunction with the transition to Campbell's Homestyle Soups. Sales also benefited from the first year sales of Campbell's Go Soups. Broth sales increased by 13%, primarily driven by double-digit gains in aseptic broth. Campbell's measured consumer takeaway in wet soup for the quarter was up 3%, ahead of category growth. For the fiscal year, U.S. Soup sales increased 5%, with gains across all 3 categories. Condensed sales increased 2% for the year; ready-to-serve sales rose by 9%, driven by volume gains in Chunky canned soup, which benefited from new varieties, increased promotional activity and the return to NFL advertising. Broth increased 4% for the year. U.S. Soup consumer takeaway for the fiscal year rose about 4%. On the next slide, we take a look at our market share and U.S. wet soup category performance in the past 52 weeks. The category as a whole rose by 3.5%. Our sales in measured channels rose 3.7%, with gains driven by ready-to-serve soup, condensed soup and broth. Campbell had a 59% market share, an increase of 10 basis points, a better performance than prior year. All other branded players collectively had a share of 28%, with private label having a share of 13%. These figures were sourced from SymphonyIRI multi-outlet reports and were based on dollar sales. On the next slide, you see the fiscal year -- the fiscal year results for continuing and discontinuing operations combined. Net sales increased 11% to $8.6 billion, reflecting our acquisitions of Bolthouse Farms and Plum. Adjusted EBIT increased 6% to $1.3 billion. Fiscal year adjusted earnings per share were $2.64, an 8% increase versus the prior year. The increase reflected EBIT growth, the benefit of lower tax rate and fewer shares outstanding, partially offset by higher interest expense. For the fiscal year, in continuing operations, we reported net sales of $8.1 billion, a 12% increase from the prior year, primarily driven by the acquisition of Bolthouse and Plum. Organic net sales increased by 2%. The organic sales gain was primarily driven by growth in U.S. Simple Meals and Global Baking and Snacking, partly offset by declines in North America Foodservice and U.S. Beverages. Adjusted EBIT increased 6% to $1.2 billion, primarily due to the acquisition of Bolthouse, which contributed $63 million of EBIT this year. Excluding the acquisition, EBIT was comparable to prior year, reflecting sales growth and lower marketing expense, offset by higher administrative expenses, higher selling expenses, a lower gross margin percentage and higher research and development expense. Fiscal year adjusted earnings per share were $2.48, a 7% increase versus the prior year. The increase reflected EBIT growth, the benefit of a lower tax rate and fewer shares outstanding, partially offset by higher interest expense. For the fiscal year, our reported net sales for continuing operations increased by 12% with acquisitions, primarily Bolthouse contributing 11 points of growth. Organic sales excluding acquisitions increased 2%, reflecting 1 point of volume mix growth and 2 points of pricing, partially offset by the negative impacts of increased promotional spending of 1 point. You'll note that the detail does not add to the total due to rounding. On a segment basis, organic sales growth in Global Baking and Snacking and U.S. Simple Meals was partially offset by declines in North America Foodservice and U.S. Beverage. Our adjusted gross margin percentage declined 190 basis points to 37.3%. The decline was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Bolthouse Farms. Excluding that, the impact of cost inflation and increased promotional spending were mostly offset by productivity improvements and the benefit of higher selling price. The inflation rate in cost of goods sold was approximately 3%, as expected. Marketing and selling expense increased by $6 million to $947 million. The increase was driven by the addition of Bolthouse expenses and higher selling expense, mostly offset by lower marketing spend, principally reductions in advertising and consumer promotion expenses. A&C expense for fiscal 2013 declined 12% to $419 million compared with the prior year. Administrative expense increased $97 million to $677 million, primarily due to acquisitions and higher incentive compensation costs. Net interest expense increased by $19 million for the year due to the higher level of debt to fund the Bolthouse acquisition. The adjusted tax rate declined by 130 basis points to 29.8%, primarily due to lower state taxes, including the favorable resolution of certain matters and an increase in U.S. manufacturing -- in the U.S. manufacturing deduction. Adjusted net earnings from the continuing operations increased 6% to $786 million, driven by EBIT growth and a favorable tax rate, partly offset by higher interest expense. Adjusted EPS were $2.48, a 7% increase versus the prior year. EPS benefited from 2 million fewer shares outstanding. Fiscal year segment sales results and the corresponding organic growth rates are shown on Slide 45. Sales of U.S. Simple Meals increased by 4%, with gains in both U.S. Soup and U.S. Sauce. As mentioned earlier, U.S. Soup sales rose 5%, driven by gains in ready-to-serve, condensed and broth. U.S. Sauce sales grew by 3%, primarily driven by growth in Prego pasta sauce and Pace Mexican sauces and the launch of Campbell's Skillet Sauce, partially offset by lower sales in other Simple Meal products. Global Baking and Snacking sales increased by 4%, fueled by gains in Pepperidge Farm and Arnott's. Pepperidge Farm sales increased on the strength of solid growth in fresh bakery and Goldfish snack crackers and sales gains in cookies. Sales at Arnott's increased primarily due to gains in Indonesia. Sales for the Bolthouse and Foodservice segment were $1.3 billion, with Bolthouse contributing $756 million. Organic sales excluding the acquisition declined 8% compared with a year ago. The sales decline in Foodservice was primarily due to the loss of the major restaurant customer and higher levels of promotional spending. International Simple Meals and Beverage sales were comparable to the prior year, as gains in China, Canada and Latin America were offset by sales declines in export and Asia Pacific. Sales of U.S. Beverages decreased 4%, with sales declines in V8 vegetable juice and V8 V-Fusion, which were partially offset by sales growth in V8 Splash. Fiscal year operating earnings for U.S. Simple Meals increased by 11% to $731 million. The increase reflected strong earnings gains in U.S. Soup, partly offset by a decline in U.S. Sauce, which included investments in new products. Within the segment, the increase was primarily driven by a higher selling price and productivity savings, partly offset by cost inflation. Earnings of Global Baking and Snacking increased $1 million to $316 million, reflecting growth in Pepperidge Farm, mostly offset by lower earnings at Arnott's. Operating earnings for U.S. Beverages decreased by 10% versus prior year, primarily driven by lower sales and lower gross margin percentage, partially offset by reduced advertising expense. Operating earnings within the Bolthouse and Foodservice segment increased 36% or $31 million. The increase included $63 million from the addition of Bolthouse Farms and a decrease in earnings for North America Foodservice, driven by lower volumes and an increased promotional spend. Within International Simple Meals and Beverages, earnings increased 2% compared to the prior year. The rise in operating earnings is primarily due to China, reflecting lower marketing expense, partially offset by lower gross margin percentage. Cash flow from operations was $1 billion for the fiscal year compared to $1.1 billion in the prior year. The decline was primarily due to increased working capital requirements, partially offset by higher cash earnings. Capital expenditures of $336 million rose from $323 million a year ago. As we previously announced, we suspended the strategic share repurchase program at the end of fiscal 2012 in order to reduce the debt incurred to finance the Bolthouse acquisition. However, we continue to repurchase sufficient shares to offset dilution from equity compensation programs. Net debt rose to $4.1 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion, primarily due to the acquisitions. For the fiscal year, the company paid dividends of $367 million. Turning to Slide 48. In fiscal 2014, we expect continuing operations to grow sales by 5% to 6%, adjusted EBIT by 5% to 7% and adjusted EPS by 3% to 5% or $2.55 to $2.60 from a base of $2.48. Fiscal 2014 comprises 53 weeks, 1 additional week compared to 2013, the benefit of which is expected to be largely offset by the anticipated impact of currency translation. We expect acquisitions to contribute approximately $300 million to sales growth, 1 percentage point of EBIT growth and $0.02 of EPS. In connection with the accounting for the new business model in Mexico, we expect a decrease in both sales and cost of sales of approximately $40 million in the international segment, with no impact on EBIT. Thus, our organic sales growth expectation is 2% to 3%, with an additional 3 points of sales growth expected to come from acquisitions, net of the impact in Mexico. We continue to expect inflation in cost of products sold at 2% to 3% and productivity gains of approximately 3%. Net interest expense is expected to be comparable with the prior year. EPS growth reflects the impact of a significant increase in the tax rate, which is estimated to return to a more typical range of 31% to 32% in fiscal 2014. This guidance range assumes no share repurchase under our strategic share repurchase program in fiscal 2014. We anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $350 million. As we look ahead, we expect the current retailer inventory levels and holiday timing may constrain sales growth in the first quarter. In addition, our significant new product launches and an associated increase in marketing spending are projected to put pressure on the first quarter's profit growth. With that, I'll turn it back to Jennifer.