The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

HNZ Reports FY3Q12 Results

[HNZ is up about 4% today on very strong FY3Q12 sales in emerging markets, which were +40% YoY including acquisitions and +20% YoY excluding acquisitions. No matter how you squeeze it (heheh), HNZ is surely one of the premiere plays on The Global Demographic Tailwind.

With only one quarter to go in the fiscal year ending 4/30/12, HNZ narrowed the non-GAAP EPS guidance for the FY to $3.27-3.29 from the old range of $3.24-3.32.

CC slides are at
http://www.heinz.com/data/pdf/Heinz_Q3-FY12_FINAL_PDF.pdf , the GAAP-non-GAAP reconciliation is at http://www.heinz.com/data/pdf/NonGAAP-AnalystPresentation-Q312.xls , and financial summary tables are at http://www.heinz.com/data/pdf/ExternalStatPages-Q312.xls .]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Heinz-Reports-Third-Quarter-bw-1873858483.html?x=0

›Heinz Reports Third-Quarter EPS of $0.95 before Special Items ($0.88 reported) and 7.2% Sales Growth Fueled by Emerging Markets and Global Ketchup

Fiscal 2012 Third-Quarter Results

• Emerging Markets delivered 19.8% organic sales growth (volume plus price) (39.7% reported) and accounted for more than 20% of total Company sales.

• Global Ketchup delivered 8.8% organic sales growth (8.6% reported).

• Top 15 brands delivered organic sales growth of 5.9% (10.6% reported) led by the Heinz®, Master® and ABC® brands.

• 27th consecutive quarter of organic sales growth, up 4.6% (7.2% reported).

• EPS grew 13.1% excluding special items to $0.95 (4.8% reported to $0.88).

• Net income grew 12.3% excluding special items (4.0% reported), driven by higher operating income excluding special items and a lower tax rate.

Fiscal 2012 Full-Year Outlook

• Heinz narrowed its Fiscal 2012 full-year EPS outlook to the middle of its original range at $3.32 to $3.34 on a reported basis, excluding charges for productivity initiatives. Included in this range is an expected benefit from foreign exchange of approximately $0.05.

17-Feb-2012 8:00am ET

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ) today reported third-quarter sales growth of 7.2%, led by dynamic growth in Emerging Markets and higher Global Ketchup sales. Earnings per share increased to $0.95 before special items ($0.88 after special charges for productivity initiatives). EPS grew 4.8% on a reported basis and 13.1% excluding special items.

Heinz Chairman, President and CEO William R. Johnson said: “Heinz delivered sales growth of more than 7% and higher EPS in the third quarter while continuing to invest in marketing, new capabilities and productivity initiatives that will make the Company even more competitive in a rapidly changing world. Our strong performance was fueled by our accelerating growth in Emerging Markets and our strength in Ketchup and Sauces, as well as solid growth in our Top 15 brands. Heinz delivered our 27th consecutive quarter of organic sales growth with each of our operating segments contributing.”

Sales in the fiscal quarter ended January 25, 2012 grew 7.2% to $2.92 billion.

Emerging Markets were the biggest growth driver in the quarter as they delivered organic sales growth of 19.8% (39.7% reported) and generated more than 20% of the Company’s total sales in the quarter. The organic growth was fueled by strong performances in the Heinz® and Master® brands in China, the Heinz® brand in Russia and Latin America, Complan® nutritional beverages in India and ABC® sauces and drinks in Indonesia. Heinz’s acquisition of Quero® brand tomato-based sauces, ketchup and vegetables in Brazil drove an additional 3.6% increase in total Company sales in the third quarter.

Global Ketchup sales grew 8.8% organically (8.6% reported) driven by growth in Latin America and in U.S. Foodservice, which was aided by the continued successful expansion of Heinz® Dip & Squeeze® Ketchup, an innovative dual-function product that delivers more ketchup than traditional packets. Heinz delivered record market shares across Continental Europe, Mexico and Canada.

The Company’s Top 15 brands delivered organic sales growth of 5.9%, (10.6% reported) fueled by growth in the Heinz®, Master® and ABC® brands. Marketing increased 10% year-to-date as Heinz focuses on driving innovation and growth in its core brands.

Overall, the Company's global portfolio delivered organic sales growth of 4.6%, reflecting a 4.2% increase in net pricing and 0.4% growth in volume. Acquisitions, net of divestitures, increased reported sales by 2.9%. Unfavorable foreign exchange translation rates decreased sales by 0.4%.

Excluding charges for productivity initiatives, gross profit grew 3.4% to $1.06 billion, largely due to higher pricing, productivity improvements and the acquisition of Quero®, partially offset by higher commodity costs. Gross profit margin, excluding special items, decreased 140 basis points to 36.4% as higher commodity costs and an unfavorable sales mix more than offset higher pricing and productivity improvements. Including special items, gross profit grew 1.2% to $1.04 billion and gross profit margin decreased 210 basis points to 35.7%.

Excluding charges for productivity initiatives, SG&A increased 2.9% to $607 million and decreased as a percentage of sales to 20.8% from 21.7%. The dollar increase reflected the Quero® acquisition, higher marketing spending and incremental investments in Project Keystone, the Company’s ongoing initiative to harmonize processes and systems on a global scale. The decline of SG&A as a percentage of sales reflected aggressive cost management in Developed Markets. Including special items, SG&A rose 4.8% to $618 million and decreased as a percentage of sales to 21.2% from 21.7%.

Excluding charges for productivity initiatives, operating income grew 4.1% to $456 million. Including special items, operating income decreased 3.6% to $422 million.

Excluding charges for productivity initiatives, the effective tax rate for the third quarter was 20.0% (18.8% reported) versus 26.1% a year ago. Heinz expects the full-year tax rate excluding special items to be in the mid-to-low 20s.

Excluding charges for productivity initiatives, net income grew 12.3% to $307 million from $274 million a year ago. Including special items, reported net income grew 4.0% to $285 million.

Heinz reported operating free cash flow of $247 million in the quarter.

Productivity Investments

Heinz, as announced previously, is incurring special charges in Fiscal 2012 for initiatives to improve global productivity and manufacturing efficiency. In the third quarter, Heinz recorded pre-tax charges of $34 million or $0.07 per share related to these initiatives. Cash costs for these initiatives were $34 million in the quarter. The Company believes it is on track with these projects in terms of timing, cost and benefits.

For the full year, the projected cost impact of these projects is approximately $215 million of operating income, $0.50 of EPS and $150 million of cash flow. Under these initiatives, Heinz plans to exit up to eight factories. Certain projects included in the plan are subject to consultation and any necessary agreements being reached with appropriate employee representative bodies, trade unions and works councils as required by law.

“Heinz has been focused this year on reducing fixed costs by increasing manufacturing efficiency, reducing overcapacity and streamlining our operations. Through Project Keystone and the creation of our first centralized European supply chain hub, we are establishing the foundation for long-term productivity across the supply chain while also enabling better leverage of our global scale,” Mr. Johnson said.

Fiscal 2012 Outlook

Heinz is narrowing its full-year EPS outlook to a range of $3.32 to $3.34 on a reported basis, excluding the charges for productivity initiatives. Included in this range is an expected benefit from foreign exchange of approximately $0.05.

Heinz continues to expect constant currency growth within its original range of 7 to 8% on sales and 6 to 8% on EPS for Fiscal Year 2012, excluding special items but including the incremental spending on Project Keystone.

Heinz still expects strong operating free cash flow of approximately $1.15 billion for Fiscal 2012 excluding special items and around $1 billion on a reported basis.

OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

North American Consumer Products

Sales of the North American Consumer Products segment decreased 1.1% to $830 million on a reported basis. Organic sales increased 1.3%. Net pricing increased 3.3%. New products and improvements in frozen snacks and Heinz® gravy added volume, however, volume declined 2.0% as Heinz took pricing on Ore-Ida® frozen potatoes, Classico® pasta sauces and Heinz® Ketchup. Sales were also unfavorably impacted by 2.1% from the Company's decision to divest the Boston Market® license. Operating income decreased 3.5% to $227 million, reflecting lower sales and higher commodity costs despite a reduction in general and administrative expenses.

In response to the consumer’s focus on value in the difficult U.S. economic environment, Heinz is developing a range of new products with accessible price points for a variety of channels, including retail, dollar and drug stores. The Company is currently launching the first round of these new products including:

• A new 10-ounce size of Heinz® Ketchup in innovative stand-up pouch packaging with a spout at a suggested retail price of $0.99.

• Smaller versions of its classic Heinz® Yellow Mustard, Heinz® Worcestershire sauce and Heinz® 57 sauce, each priced around $1.

• Heinz® Home Style Beans in four varieties.

• A new one-pound version of Ore-Ida® French fries at a suggested price of $1.99.


Europe

Sales of the Europe segment increased 2.7% to $855 million on a reported basis. Organic sales increased 4.4%. Net pricing increased 3.4%. Volume increased 1.0%, reflecting the strong performance of ketchup across Europe, soup in the U.K., and canned vegetables and Heinz® branded sauces in Russia, partially offset by declines in Italian infant nutrition. Unfavorable foreign exchange translation rates decreased sales by 1.6%. Operating income decreased 1.1% to $162 million, reflecting higher commodity costs and higher general and administrative expenses due to investments in Emerging Markets and Project Keystone.

Asia/Pacific

Sales of the Asia/Pacific segment grew 8.2% to $632 million on a reported basis. Organic sales increased 6.6%. Constant currency sales in Emerging Markets increased by 17.9%, while Developed Markets constant currency sales were flat. Pricing increased 4.1% and volume increased 2.5%. Significant volume growth occurred in China, particularly in Master® and other foodservice sauces, and infant feeding products, as well as ABC® sauces and drinks in Indonesia, and Ore-Ida frozen potatoes and Heinz sauces in Japan. Volume declined in Australia. Favorable foreign exchange translation rates increased sales by 1.6%. Operating income increased by 25.0% to $54 million, primarily due to growth in our Emerging Markets businesses. Australia, while down, has improved sequentially this year.

U.S. Foodservice

Sales of the U.S. Foodservice segment increased 1.7% to $360 million on a reported basis. Organic sales increased 1.7%. Net pricing increased sales 3.3%. Branded Ketchup volume increased, aided by Heinz® Dip & Squeeze®, while overall volume decreased by 1.5%, reflecting ongoing weakness in restaurant foot traffic at our key customers, as well as promotional timing and lower sales of non-branded products. Operating income was up slightly at $48 million, as higher commodity costs were offset by lower general and administrative expenses.

Rest of World

Sales for the Rest of World segment more than doubled (112.4%) to $242 million on a reported basis. Organic sales increased 30.2%. The Quero® acquisition in Brazil, which was completed at the end of Fiscal 2011, increased sales 86.6%. Higher pricing across the region increased sales by 20.1%, primarily due to price increases in Latin America taken to offset inflation. Volume increased 10.1%, driven by increases in Heinz® Ketchup and sauces in Latin America and numerous products in the Middle East. Foreign exchange translation rates decreased sales 4.4%. Operating income increased 129.5% to $18 million, resulting from higher pricing and the Quero® acquisition.

Year-To-Date

For the nine months ended January 25, 2012, sales increased 10.0% to $8.60 billion. Excluding charges for productivity initiatives, net income attributable to H.J. Heinz Company was $825 million compared to $766 million in the prior year, an increase of 7.7%. This increase was largely due to higher sales and a lower effective tax rate partially offset by a lower gross margin and investments in marketing, Emerging Markets capabilities and Project Keystone. Reported net income attributable to the H.J. Heinz Company was $748 million, a decrease of 2.3%.

Excluding charges for productivity initiatives, diluted earnings per share grew 7.2% to $2.54 from $2.37 in the prior year. EPS movements were favorably impacted by $0.08 from currency translation and translation hedges. Including special items, reported diluted earnings per share declined 2.5% to $2.31.

On a constant currency basis, sales rose 7.1%. Constant currency EPS increased 3.8%, excluding special items.

MEETING WITH SECURITIES ANALYSTS – INTERNET BROADCASTS

Heinz will host an investor and analyst call today at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). The call will be Webcast live on www.heinz.com and will be archived for playback. Participants (institutional investors and analysts) can call 1-866-318-8618 in the U.S. and Canada and 1-617-399-5137 internationally. A listen-only broadcast for media is available on 866-953-6857 in the U.S. and Canada and 1-617-399-3481 for international attendees. Corresponding slides will be available for this call on www.heinz.com.‹