Diamond Foods Swings to a Profit in 2Q as U.S. Sales Offset Declines in the U.K.

By Maria Armental 

Diamond Foods Inc. swung to a profit in the second quarter on improved sales in the U.S. that offset lower sales in the U.K. and the impact of a stronger dollar.

The company raised by five cents the low end of its projection for the year that ends in July, saying it now expects a profit of 95 cents to $1.10 a share, in line with the consensus of $1.03 a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

The San Francisco company--which sells potato chips, popcorn and nut snacks under such brands as Pop Secret and Kettle U.S.--was founded in 1912 and went public in 2005.

Last month, it bought a majority stake in Netherlands-based Yellow Chips, which makes vegetable and organic potato chips.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which operates Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores, remains its largest customer, with more than 10% of sales, according to Diamond Foods regulatory filings.

For the three-month period ended Jan. 31, Diamond Foods reported a profit of $11.2 million, or 35 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $15.1 million, or 68 cents a share. Excluding legal expenses and other items, Diamond Foods' profit was 35 cents a share, versus 12 cents a share a year earlier.

Sales rose 4% to $229.7 million.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had projected a profit of 25 cents a share on sales of $236.5 million.

Gross margin improved to 26.6% from $25.4% for the year-earlier period.

Snacks sales, which includes the Kettle and Pop Secret brands, rose 3% to $120.4 million.

Nuts segment sales, including the Diamond of California and Emerald brands, rose 5% to $109 million.

Shares rose nearly 2% to $28 in recent after-hours trading.

Through Thursday's close, the company's stock had fallen nearly 10% over the past 12 months.

Write to Maria Armental at [e-mail]

Access Investor Kit for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Visit http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US9311421039

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires