CAG ConAgra Brands Inc

CHICAGO, July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) reported results for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal year 2024, which ended on May 26, 2024. All comparisons are against the prior-year fiscal period, unless otherwise noted.

Highlights

• Fourth quarter:
  • Reported net sales decreased 2.3% and organic net sales decreased 2.4%
  • Reported operating margin was (19.1)%; adjusted operating margin was 14.8%
  • Reported diluted loss per share for the fourth quarter was $1.18, primarily as a result of certain non-cash goodwill and brand impairment charges, and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.61
• Full year fiscal 2024:
  • Reported net sales decreased 1.8%; organic net sales decreased 2.1%
  • Reported operating margin decreased 168 basis points to 7.1%; adjusted operating margin increased 34 basis points to 16.0%
  • Reported diluted EPS for fiscal 2024 decreased 49.3% to $0.72, and adjusted EPS decreased 3.6% to $2.67
• The Company is providing fiscal 2025 guidance to reflect:
  • Organic net sales of (1.5)% to flat compared to fiscal 2024
  • Adjusted operating margin between 15.6% and 15.8%
  • Adjusted EPS between $2.60 and $2.65
  • Free cash flow conversion of approximately 90%
• The Board of Directors has authorized the continuation of the Company's annualized dividend rate of $1.40 per share.

CEO Perspective
Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer of Conagra Brands, commented, "Our investments in our brands continued to yield results, and again drove volume improvement in our Domestic Retail business. Progress was most notable in our key Frozen and Snacks domains, where we also saw market share gains. Additionally, our supply chain productivity initiatives enabled us to expand adjusted gross margins, and we continued to strengthen the balance sheet and reduce our net leverage ratio. Looking ahead, we expect a gradual waning of the challenging industry trends seen throughout fiscal year 2024, as consumers adapt and establish new reference prices. We will continue to invest wisely to support our brands and facilitate that process."

Total Company Fourth Quarter Results
In the quarter, reported net sales decreased 2.3% to $2.9 billion reflecting:

• a 0.1% increase from the impact of foreign exchange; and
• a 2.4% decrease in organic net sales.

The 2.4% decrease was driven by a 0.6% negative impact from price/mix, largely driven by the company's strategic investments in the quarter, and a 1.8% decrease in volume, primarily due to continued lower consumption trends.

Gross profit was $805 million in the quarter and adjusted gross profit was $803 million, which was flat to prior year, driven by higher productivity and the negative impacts of lower organic net sales, cost of goods sold inflation and unfavorable operating leverage. Gross margin increased 135 basis points to 27.7% in the quarter, and adjusted gross margin increased 62 basis points to 27.6%.

Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A), which includes advertising and promotional expense (A&P), increased 87.4% to $1.4 billion in the quarter, primarily due to $957 million of goodwill and brand impairment charges and a 5.6% increase in A&P. Adjusted SG&A, which excludes A&P, was flat to the prior year at $300 million.

Net interest expense was $105 million in the quarter. Compared to the prior-year period, net interest expense decreased 3.1% or $3 million due to a reduction in total debt.

The average diluted share count in the quarter was 480 million shares.

In the quarter, net loss attributable to Conagra Brands was $567 million, or $1.18 per diluted share. Adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands was $294 million, or $0.61 per diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA, which includes equity method investment earnings and pension and postretirement non-service income, was $577 million in the quarter.

Total Company Fiscal 2024 Results
For the full fiscal year, net sales decreased 1.8% to $12.1 billion reflecting:

• a 0.3% increase from the impact of foreign exchange; and
• a 2.1% decrease in organic net sales.

For the full fiscal year, gross profit increased 2.1% to $3.3 billion and adjusted gross profit increased 0.3% to $3.3 billion as higher productivity more than offset the negative impacts of cost of goods sold inflation, lower organic net sales, and unfavorable operating leverage. Gross margin increased 107 basis points to 27.7% and adjusted gross margin increased 58 basis points to 27.7%.

For the full fiscal year, EPS decreased 49.3% to $0.72 and adjusted EPS decreased 3.6% to $2.67.

Grocery & Snacks Segment Fourth Quarter Results
Reported and organic net sales for the Grocery & Snacks segment decreased 2.1% to $1.2 billion in the quarter driven by a price/mix increase of 1.5%, offset by a volume decrease of 3.6%. Price/mix was driven by favorability in inflation-driven pricing and the volume decrease was driven by the elasticity impact from the inflation-driven pricing actions and continued lower consumption trends. In the quarter, the company gained unit share in snacking categories including microwave popcorn and seeds, and some staples categories including chili and cooking sprays.

Operating profit for the segment increased 12.6% to $175 million in the quarter and adjusted operating profit increased 8.9% to $255 million as higher productivity and lower SG&A more than offset the negative impacts of lower organic net sales, cost of goods sold inflation, and increased A&P. In addition, the Company received a $7 million net benefit related to insurance proceeds for prior year lost sales from its canned meat recall.

Refrigerated & Frozen Segment Fourth Quarter Results
Reported and organic net sales for the Refrigerated & Frozen segment decreased 3.8% to $1.2 billion in the quarter driven by a price/mix decrease of 4.7%, partially offset by a volume increase of 0.9%. Both price/mix and volume were driven by the impacts of our brand-building investments. In the quarter, the company gained unit share in categories such as frozen single serve meals, frozen sides, and frozen vegetables.

Operating loss for the segment was $713 million in the quarter as a result of the goodwill and brand impairment charges outlined above. Adjusted operating profit decreased 13.1% to $190 million as higher productivity was more than offset by the negative impacts of lower organic net sales, cost of goods sold inflation, and increased SG&A.

International Segment Fourth Quarter Results
Net sales for the International segment increased 6.4% to $267 million in the quarter reflecting:

• a 2.1% increase from the favorable impact of foreign exchange; and
• a 4.3% increase in organic net sales.

On an organic net sales basis, price/mix increased 0.2% and volume increased 4.1% primarily driven by a strong performance in the company's Mexico and global exports businesses.

Operating profit for the segment increased 26.7% to $26 million in the quarter and adjusted operating profit decreased 15.6% to $29 million as the benefits from higher organic net sales and productivity were more than offset by the negative impacts of cost of goods sold inflation, increased SG&A, and isolated issues in our Canadian manufacturing facilities.

Foodservice Segment Fourth Quarter Results
Reported and organic net sales for the Foodservice segment decreased 3.9% to $291 million in the quarter driven by a price/mix increase of 6.4% and volume decrease of 10.3% due to the ongoing impact of previously disclosed lost business and ongoing softness in restaurant traffic. 

Operating profit for the segment increased 25.9% to $40 million and adjusted operating profit increased 39.9% to $40 million in the quarter as the benefits of higher productivity and lower SG&A more than offset the negative impacts of lower organic net sales, cost of goods sold inflation, and unfavorable operating leverage.

Other Fourth Quarter Items
Corporate expenses decreased 22.6% to $84 million in the quarter and adjusted corporate expense increased 2.4% to $84 million in the quarter driven by higher incentive compensation compared to the prior year quarter.

Pension and post-retirement non-service income was $12 million in the quarter compared to $6 million of income in the prior-year period. The Company expenses actuarial gains and losses if they exceed a 10% threshold annually at the pension remeasurement date. This practice resulted in an $11 million non-cash year-end pension benefit in the current year, driven by a slight improvement in actuarial assumptions used to remeasure the pension obligations and an increase in asset values for certain plan assets. Adjusted pension and post-retirement non-service income decreased approximately $5 million to $1 million in the quarter.

In the quarter, equity method investment earnings decreased 26.1% to $47 million as results from the company's joint venture, Ardent Mills, reflected slightly lower volume trends in the milling industry.

In the quarter, the effective tax rate was 5.8% compared to (102.0)% in the prior-year period due primarily to a valuation allowance adjustment in the prior year period. The adjusted effective tax rate was 21.1% compared to 24.3% in the prior-year period.

In the quarter, the company paid a dividend of $0.35 per share.

Cash Flow and Debt Update
For the full fiscal year, the company generated $2.0 billion in net cash flows from operating activities compared to $995 million in the prior year period, driven primarily by a reduction in inventory balances. Capital expenditures were $388 million compared to $362 million in the prior year period. Additionally, our free cash flow improved by $994 million to $1.6 billion, a 157% increase over prior year. Dividends paid increased 5.7% to $659 million.

The company ended the year with net debt of $8.4 billion, representing an 8.5% reduction in net debt versus the prior year, resulting in a 3.37x net leverage ratio at fiscal year-end.

Dividend Update
Subsequent to quarter-end, the Company's Board of Directors approved the continuation of the Company's annualized dividend rate of $1.40 per share. The Company's quarterly dividend payment of $0.35 per share of Conagra common stock will be paid on August 29, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 1, 2024.

Outlook
The company is providing the following guidance for fiscal 2025:

• Organic net sales of (1.5)% to flat compared to fiscal 2024
• Adjusted operating margin between 15.6% and 15.8%
• Adjusted EPS between $2.60 and $2.65
• Free cash flow conversion of ~90%
• Net Leverage Ratio of approximately 3.2x
• Capital expenditures of approximately $500M
• Interest expense of approximately $415M
• Adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 23.5%
• Contribution from the company's joint venture, Ardent Mills, is expected to be approximately $150M
• Pension income of approximately $12M

The company also expects cost of goods sold inflation to continue into fiscal 2025. Guidance anticipates net inflation (input cost inflation including the impacts of hedging and other sourcing benefits) to be roughly 3%.

The inability to predict the amount and timing of the impacts of foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, and other items impacting comparability makes a detailed reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures impracticable. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of these items, which could be material to future results. Please see the end of this release for more information.

Items Affecting Comparability of EPS
The following are included in the $1.18 diluted loss per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 (EPS amounts are rounded and after tax). Please see the reconciliation schedules at the end of this release for additional details.

• Approximately $0.06 per diluted share of net expense related to restructuring plans
• Approximately $1.77 per diluted share of net expense related to goodwill and brand impairment charges
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net benefit related to corporate hedging derivative gains
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net benefit related to fire related insurance recoveries
• Approximately $0.02 per diluted share of net benefit related to our annual pension remeasurement adjustment

The following are included in the $0.08 EPS for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 (EPS amounts are rounded and after tax). Please see the reconciliation schedules at the end of this release for additional details.

• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense related to restructuring plans
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense related to acquisitions and divestitures
• Approximately $0.02 per diluted share of net expense related to corporate hedging derivative losses
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense related to a third-party vendor cybersecurity incident
• Approximately $0.55 per diluted share of net expense related to brand impairment charges
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense related to legal matters
• Approximately $0.06 per diluted share of net benefit related to valuation allowance adjustments
• Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net benefit related to rounding

Please note that certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

Discussion of Results and Outlook
Conagra Brands will issue pre-recorded remarks prior to hosting a live Q&A conference call and webcast at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time today to discuss the company's results and outlook. The live audio webcast Q&A conference call, pre-recorded remarks, transcript of the pre-recorded remarks, and presentation slides will be available on www.conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations. The Q&A conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 for participants in the U.S. and 1-412-902-6506 for all other participants and using passcode 1766197. Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the call start time. A replay of the Q&A conference call will be available on www.conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations until July 11, 2025.

About Conagra Brands
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), is one of North America's leading branded food companies. We combine a 100-year history of making quality food with agility and a relentless focus on collaboration and innovation. The company's portfolio is continuously evolving to satisfy consumers' ever-changing food preferences. Conagra's brands include Birds Eye®, Duncan Hines®, Healthy Choice®, Marie Callender's®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Angie's® BOOMCHICKAPOP®, and many more. As a corporate citizen, we aim to do what's right for our business, our employees, our communities and the world. Headquartered in Chicago, Conagra Brands generated fiscal 2024 net sales of more than $12 billion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com. 

Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Readers of this document should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Many factors could affect our actual financial results and cause them to vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in this document. These risks, uncertainties, and factors include, among other things: risks associated with general economic and industry conditions, including inflation, reduced consumer confidence and spending, recessions, increased energy costs, supply chain challenges, labor shortages, and geopolitical conflicts; risks related to our ability to deleverage on currently anticipated timelines, and to continue to access capital on acceptable terms or at all; risks related to the Company's competitive environment, cost structure, and related market conditions; risks related to our ability to execute operating and value creation plans and achieve returns on our investments and targeted operating efficiencies from cost-saving initiatives, and to benefit from trade optimization programs; risks related to the availability and prices of commodities and other supply chain resources, including raw materials, packaging, energy, and transportation, weather conditions, health pandemics or outbreaks of disease, actual or threatened hostilities or war, or other geopolitical uncertainty; risks related to our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences and the success of our innovation and marketing investments; risks associated with actions by our customers, including changes in distribution and purchasing terms; risks related to the effectiveness of our hedging activities and ability to respond to volatility in commodities; disruptions or inefficiencies in our supply chain and/or operations; risks related to the ultimate impact of, including reputational harm caused by, any product recalls and product liability or labeling litigation, including litigation related to lead-based paint and pigment and cooking spray; risks related to the seasonality of our business; risks associated with our co-manufacturing arrangements and other third-party service provider dependencies; risks associated with actions of governments and regulatory bodies that affect our businesses, including the ultimate impact of new or revised regulations or interpretations including to address climate change or implement changes to taxes and tariffs; risks related to the Company's ability to execute on its strategies or achieve expectations related to environmental, social, and governance matters, including as a result of evolving legal, regulatory, and other standards, processes, and assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs, the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon pricing or carbon taxes; risks related to a material failure in or breach of our or our vendors' information technology systems and other cybersecurity incidents; risks related to our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and develop qualified personnel; risk of increased pension, labor or people-related expenses; risks and uncertainties associated with intangible assets, including any future goodwill or intangible assets impairment charges; risk relating to our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; risks relating to acquisition, divestiture, joint venture or investment activities; the amount and timing of future dividends, which remain subject to Board approval and depend on market and other conditions; the amount and timing of future stock repurchases; and other risks described in our reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this document, which speak only as of the date of this document. We undertake no responsibility to update these statements, except as required by law.

Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This document includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS, organic net sales, adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating profit, adjusted SG&A, adjusted corporate expenses, adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating margin, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands, free cash flow, net debt, net leverage ratio, and adjusted EBITDA. Management considers GAAP financial measures as well as such non-GAAP financial information in its evaluation of the company's financial statements and believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to assess the company's operating performance and financial position. These measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, the company's diluted earnings per share, operating performance and financial measures as calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Organic net sales excludes, from reported net sales, the impacts of foreign exchange, divested businesses and acquisitions, as well as the impact of any 53^rd week. All references to changes in volume and price/mix throughout this release are on an organic net sales basis.

References to adjusted items throughout this release refer to measures computed in accordance with GAAP less the impact of items impacting comparability. Items impacting comparability are income or expenses (and related tax impacts) that management believes have had, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the earnings of the applicable business segment or on the total corporation for the period in which the item is recognized, and are not indicative of the company's core operating results. These items thus affect the comparability of underlying results from period to period.

References to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) refer to net income attributable to Conagra Brands before the impacts of discontinued operations, income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation, and amortization. References to adjusted EBITDA refer to EBITDA before the impacts of items impacting comparability.

Hedge gains and losses are generally aggregated, and net amounts are reclassified from unallocated corporate expense to the operating segments when the underlying commodity or foreign currency being hedged is expensed in segment cost of goods sold. The net change in the derivative gains (losses) included in unallocated corporate expense during the period is reflected as a comparability item, Corporate hedging derivate gains (losses).

Note on Forward-Looking Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Our fiscal 2025 guidance includes certain non-GAAP financial measures (organic net sales growth, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EPS, net leverage ratio, and adjusted effective tax rate) that are presented on a forward-looking basis. Historically, the company has calculated these non-GAAP financial measures excluding the impact of certain items such as, but not limited to, foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring expenses, the extinguishment of debt, hedging gains and losses, impairment charges, legacy legal contingencies, and unusual tax items. Reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are not provided because the company is unable to provide such reconciliations without unreasonable effort, due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the timing and financial impact of such items. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.