ADVFN Logo ADVFN

We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.

Trending Now

Toplists

It looks like you aren't logged in.
Click the button below to log in and view your recent history.

Hot Features

Registration Strip Icon for charts Register for streaming realtime charts, analysis tools, and prices.

SRL Sara Lee Corp

13.82
0.00 (0.00%)
22 Jul 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Sara Lee Corp LSE:SRL London Ordinary Share COM STK US$1.33 1/3
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 13.82 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Sara Lee Reports Strong Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Operating Results

02/07/2010 6:57pm

UK Regulatory


 
TIDMSRL 
 
 
 
    -- Adjusted EPS¹ of $0.29, compared to $0.22 in year-ago period, 

driven by strong operating performance

 
    -- Tax charge for repatriation, as previously announced, and other 

significant items reduced earnings by $(0.79) per share, resulting in

a loss per diluted share as reported of $(0.49) for the third quarter

 
    -- Cash flow from operations of $807 million in the first nine months, 

compared to $303 million last year

 
    -- Company again raises guidance for fiscal 2010 adjusted EPS, now 

$1.06 to$1.10 per share

 

Sara Lee Corp. (NYSE: SLE) today reported a strong increase in operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2010, driven by higher operating segment income in four of its five ongoing business segments. In particular, the North American Retail and International Beverage segments reported impressive operating results. The discontinued International Household and Body Care businesses also performed very well in the quarter. On a reported basis, the double-digit operating income growth for both continuing and discontinued operations was more than offset by the impact of significant items, most notably a tax charge for repatriation to support share repurchases, resulting in a net loss for the third quarter. On an adjusted basis, however, diluted earnings per share were up significantly in the third quarter. Net sales were unchanged versus the year-ago period and cash from operations continued to show strong year-over-year improvement.

 

"Our strong third quarter operating results, highlighted by the performance of our North American Retail and International Beverage businesses, reflect the foundation we've built over the past five years and the real momentum we've developed," said Sara Lee Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Brenda C. Barnes. "By improving our sales mix, increasing market share, launching and supporting successful new products worldwide and driving efficiencies through our Project Accelerate initiative, we have the ability to raise our guidance for the third consecutive quarter."

 

"To further build on the success in our core businesses, we plan to make a significant investment in marketing behind key new product launches in the fourth quarter. As we look to the future, we remain well-positioned for success and expect adjusted operating income from continuing operations to increase in fiscal 2011. I've never been more confident in our ability to deliver sustained, high-quality growth and increased shareholder value," Barnes concluded.

 

Financial Review

 

Net Sales and Unit Volumes

 

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 were $2.6 billion, unchanged versus the year-ago period as favorable foreign currency exchange rates and positive sales mix were offset by lower unit volumes, decreased prices and the impact of divestitures. The company's adjusted net sales decreased 2.5%. Total Sara Lee unit volumes decreased 4.5% in the third quarter; however, excluding the impact of the planned exits from commodity and kosher meats in the North American Retail segment, total unit volumes were down 1.2%. The North American Retail business saw strong unit volume performance in its core retail business in the quarter with volumes up 8.6%, primarily driven by strong performance for the Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm brands.

 

¹ The term "adjusted EPS" and other "adjusted" financial measures are explained and reconciled to each item's most comparable U.S. generally accepted accounting principles measure at the end of this release.

 

Operating Income

 

Sara Lee reported third quarter operating income of $228 million, up 10.5% compared to $207 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted operating income was $257 million in the third quarter, up $32 million or 14.1%. The improvement in adjusted operating income included a $62 million increase in total adjusted operating segment income for the combined continuing business segments, partially offset by $26 million of unfavorable mark-to-market variances on commodity derivatives and an increase in other general corporate expenses, excluding significant items, of $4 million.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

Net sales for the International Household and Body Care businesses, which are being reported as discontinued operations, were $525 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010, compared to $454 million in the prior-year period, a 15.6% increase. The sales growth was primarily driven by strength in the insecticides, shoe care and body care core categories, as well as favorable foreign currency exchange rates. Adjusted net sales rose 5.3%.

 

Operating segment income in the third quarter was $79 million, an increase of $20 million or 33.0% compared to the year-ago period. The increase was driven by higher net sales, positive manufacturing results and favorable foreign currency exchange rates, which were partially offset by higher media advertising and promotion (MAP) spending and other selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs. Adjusted operating segment income was up 20.6% in the third quarter.

 

Operating income was $74 million in the third quarter, up $19 million or 33.5%, helped by a $13 million benefit due to the cessation of depreciation and amortization in compliance with U.S. GAAP rules. Discontinued operations reported a net loss of $367 million in the period, due to $442 million in income tax expense. The increase in tax expense was related to the deemed repatriation of overseas earnings, primarily attributable to the cash and book value of the International Household and Body Care businesses.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

During the third quarter, reported diluted EPS were impacted by a number of significant items, which reduced earnings by $547 million, or $0.79 per share. Included in these significant items, and as indicated in Sara Lee's announcements of February 16 and March 2, 2010, was a charge of $518 million, or $0.75 per share, for taxes on the deemed repatriation of overseas earnings, primarily attributable to the cash and book value of the International Household and Body Care businesses. As a result, diluted EPS as reported were a loss of $(0.49) per diluted share in the third quarter compared to income of $0.24 per share in the year-ago period.

 

Adjusted EPS were $0.29 in the third quarter, compared to $0.22 per share in the year-ago period, demonstrating ongoing strong underlying business performance for continuing and discontinued operations. Reported and adjusted EPS can be summarized as follows:

 
                                                      Third Quarter 
                                                      2010       2009 
Diluted EPS as reported                               $ (0.49 )  $ 0.24 
Less: 
Total significant items                                 (0.79 )    - 
Contingent sale proceeds                                0.01       0.02 
Adjusted EPS*                                         $ 0.29     $ 0.22 
Of which: 
Adjusted EPS from continuing operations               $ 0.22     $ 0.17 
Adjusted EPS from discontinued operations             $ 0.08     $ 0.05 
* Amounts are rounded and may not add to the total. 
 
 

For more detail on the impact of significant items and contingent sale proceeds on diluted EPS, seethe "Impact of Significant Items on Diluted Earnings per Share" table in this release.

 

Cash from Operations

 

Net cash from operating activities was $335 million in the third quarter, compared to $89 million in the comparable period last year. The increase was primarily driven by higher operating income, better working capital management and lower cash contributions to pension plans versus the prior year.

 

Financial Highlights

 
 
    -- Project Accelerate is a company-wide cost saving and productivity 

initiative focused on outsourcing actions, supply chain efficiencies,

SKU rationalization and organizational simplification. The company

revisited its initial expectations for Project Accelerate costs and

benefits in the fiscal 2009 - 2012 timeframe and excluded projects in

discontinued operations. Focusing on Project Accelerate initiatives in

continuing operations only, the company still expects annualized

project benefits of $350 - $400 million by the end of fiscal 2012, and

cumulative costs of $300+ million in that timeframe. In fiscal 2010,

the project is expected to generate between $120 million and $140

million of incremental benefits, of which $89 million has already been

realized in the first nine months of the year. In fiscal 2009, the

benefits in continuing operations were $49 million.

 
    -- MAP spending increased 16.9% in the third quarter, primarily driven by 

an increase in spending at the North American Retail segment behind

category-leading brands such as Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm,

as well as in the North American Fresh Bakery segment in support of

new product launches for the Sara Lee and EarthGrains

brands.

 
    -- Net interest expense was $30 million in the third quarter, compared to 

$35 million in last year's period, due to lower interest rates and

less average debt outstanding.

 
    -- General corporate expense rose $51 million, from $14 million to $65 

million, as a result of a $26 million unfavorable mark-to-market

impact from commodity derivatives and a number of one-time items.

These one-time items included a $15 million charge related to a tax

indemnification, higher year-over-year charges related to the

successful Project Accelerate and the year-over-year negative impact

of non-recurring prior-year gains.

 
    -- The effective tax rate for continuing operations in the third quarter 

was 87.1%, compared to 22.5% in the year-ago period, an increase

primarily driven by the impact of significant items in the quarter.

Excluding significant items, the effective tax rate would have been

29.9%. For further detail on the tax rate, see the "Tax Rate

Reconciliation" table in this release.

 
 
    -- On February 16, 2010, Sara Lee announced a revised capital plan that 

focuses on share repurchase, dividend pay-out and the funded status of

the company's pension plans, while maintaining a solid investment

grade credit profile. The company plans to buy back $2.5 to $3 billion

of shares over a three-year period, with approximately $1.0 to $1.3

billion of the shares anticipated to be repurchased in calendar year

2010. Sara Lee expects to maintain and gradually increase its current

$0.44 per share annual dividend and also anticipates making an

additional $200 million cash contribution to its pension plans. The

company continues to evaluate the best opportunities for value

creation and investment of cash, including potential acquisitions or

other investments in the company's growth.

 
    -- On March 2, 2010, the company announced that, as part of its share 

repurchase plan, it had executed an accelerated share repurchase

program under which it repurchased $500 million, or approximately 36

million shares, of common stock. At the end of the third quarter, $2.5

billion remained authorized for share repurchase by the board of

directors, in addition to the 13.5 million share authorization

remaining under the prior program.

 

Nine-Month Results

 

Continuing Operations

 

For the first nine months of fiscal 2010, Sara Lee reported net sales of $8.0 billion, down 2.4% over the comparable period last year, while adjusted net sales decreased 2.8%. Operating income was $835 million in the first nine months, compared to $496 million in the year-ago period - an increase of 68.5%, while adjusted operating income increased 50.2%.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

Net sales were $1.6 billion, up 7.9% in the first nine months, while adjusted net sales rose 3.9%. Operating segment income was $211 million in the first nine months, versus $164 million last year - an increase of 28.9%, while adjusted operating segment income rose 33.2%.

 

EPS and Cash from Operations

 

Diluted EPS, as reported, were $0.46 in the first nine months of fiscal 2010, compared to $0.54 in the comparable period last year. Adjusted EPS for the comparable nine month periods were $0.89 versus $0.56 (for further detail, see the "Reconciliation of Diluted EPS as reported to Adjusted EPS" table in this release). Net cash from operating activities was $807 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010, compared to $303 million in the comparable period last year - the $504 million increase was primarily driven by higher operating income, better working capital management and lower cash contributions to pension plans versus the prior year.

 

Business Performance Review

 

North American Retail

 

The North American Retail segment delivered another strong quarter, building on the past two years of improvements. Very strong operating segment income growth was accompanied by higher net sales, increased MAP spending and market share gains in almost every category, demonstrating the health of the business. The segment continues to focus on its three key brands - Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean and Ball Park - with new product introductions and effective marketing campaigns. In the fourth quarter, commodity headwinds and significant MAP investment in the base business behind consumer and shopper marketing campaigns, as well as trade spending to support seasonal promotions and distribution for new products, are expected to result in lower operating segment income. The reinvestment will help set the stage for another year of growth in fiscal 2011, in spite of tough year-over-year comparisons in the first half and likely rising commodity costs.

 

Operating segment income was $101 million in the third quarter, compared to $64 million in the year-ago period, an increase of 60.0%. Adjusted operating segment income rose 47.9%. The increase in operating segment income was primarily driven by the strong performance of the segment's core retail business, favorable supply chain performance, Project Accelerate savings and lower input costs, which were partially offset by higher brand support spending, primarily behind the Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm brands.

 

Unit volumes declined 4.0% in the third quarter due to significantly lower volumes for commodity meats, which the company is exiting, and the impact of the exit of the kosher meats business. Excluding these planned exits, unit volumes for the core retail business were up 8.6% in the third quarter, driven by an increase in the retail distribution of the segment's best performing products, coupled with strong volume growth for Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches and sausage and Hillshire Farm lunchmeats, smoked sausage and cocktail sausage. Net sales of $672 million were up 4.1% in the quarter on a reported and adjusted basis, driven by a unit volume increase in the core branded business and favorable sales mix into higher-margin products, which were partially offset by the impact of trade spending and the earlier mentioned exits. The retail segment increased market share in ten of the twelve categories in which it competes, while maintaining its premium pricing positioning. For instance, the Jimmy Dean brand increased its share of the frozen protein breakfast category by 3.5 points to 54.5% according to Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) share data, FDMx + Walmart, 12 weeks ending March 7, 2010. The Ball Park brand increased its leading share in hot dogs by 1.2 points to 21.5%, per the same IRI market share data. New product launches in the quarter included Hillshire Farm Ultra Thin Lower Sodium and Variety Pack lunchmeats and new varieties of Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches.

 

North American Fresh Bakery

 

Similar to the first half of fiscal 2010, the North American Fresh Bakery segment increased operating segment income and operating margin in the third quarter in a very competitive marketplace. While total unit volumes declined, branded volume rose as a result of pricing recalibration and the launch of new products, such as Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Plus bread made with Omega-3/DHA and EarthGrains 100% whole grain bread made with Eco-Grain. Preparing for the very important buns and rolls season, the segment continued to introduce new products, such as Sara Lee Soft & Smooth mini buns, Sara Lee Delightful hot dog buns and Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious ciabatta rolls, and will carefully manage its pricing.

 

Operating segment income was $6 million in the third quarter, compared to $2 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted operating segment income was $5 million, compared to $3 million in the prior-year quarter, resulting from lower commodity costs and a decrease in operating costs driven by Project Accelerate initiatives and other continuous improvement savings, partially offset by lower prices and higher MAP spending.

 

Net sales decreased 5.5% to $501 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010, primarily due to lower unit volumes and lower prices, which was partially offset by favorable sales mix into branded business. Unit volumes decreased 2.5%, as higher unit volumes for branded breads could not fully offset volume weakness in private label bakery products as a result of intense price competition in the category.

 

North American Foodservice

 

At the beginning of the year, Sara Lee anticipated lower operating segment income for North American Foodservice in fiscal 2010. Helped by favorable commodities, sales mix improvements, new business with key customers and Project Accelerate savings, operating segment income is now anticipated to be up for the full year, even though the foodservice category is still very challenging.

 

The segment reported operating segment income of $26 million in the third quarter, compared to $25 million in the year-ago period. During the quarter, the segment booked $8 million in charges for exit activities and asset and business dispositions, which was partially offset by a $6 million pension curtailment gain. Adjusted operating segment income rose 16.2% to $28 million in the third quarter. The increase was primarily driven by improved sales mix, lower commodity costs, lower SG&A expense and savings from Project Accelerate and continuous improvement initiatives.

 

As communicated in the second quarter earnings release, earlier this fiscal year the segment lost a large bakery contract, which contributed 15% of the segment's volume and 4% of its net sales, but had virtually no profit. The loss started to impact foodservice unit volumes in the third quarter and will continue to do so in the next three quarters. However, the discontinuation of this business will be accretive to the segment's operating margin. In the third quarter, the segment lost a liquid coffee concentrate account that generated little volume, but meaningful profit. This will impact the segment's year-over-year comparisons starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

 

Net sales decreased 12.4% to $427 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010, primarily due to the divestiture of the direct store delivery (DSD) foodservice coffee business in February 2009, as well as lower unit volumes and lower pricing, which were partially offset by favorable sales mix. Adjusted net sales, which exclude the impact of the dispositions, decreased 6.3%. The loss of the high-volume, low-margin bakery contract mentioned above, the planned exit of low-margin meats business and demand weakness in other parts of the business, resulted in 13.7% lower unit volumes in the third quarter.

 

International Beverage

 

The International Beverage segment continues to invest in new markets and product innovation, without losing focus on its bottom-line. Operating segment income increased significantly in the third quarter, resulting in historically high operating margins for the segment. Unit volumes decreased marginally in the period, primarily due to softness in some European retail markets, which the business plans to address through trade and MAP spending initiatives in the fourth quarter and beyond. The International Beverage segment is expected to deliver a very strong fiscal 2010 and behind a significant increase in marketing investment is confident that business momentum will continue in fiscal 2011.

 

Reported operating segment income was $173 million, up 31.8% from $131 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The increase was primarily driven by continuous improvement and Project Accelerate savings, lower green coffee prices and favorable foreign currency exchange rates. Adjusted operating segment income rose 19.7%. Both reported and adjusted operating segment income also benefited from a $9 million favorable foreign exchange variance in the quarter, largely from mark-to-market currency impacts related to the purchase of raw materials.

 

Net sales increased 7.8% to $799 million in the third quarter, driven by favorable foreign currency exchange rates. Adjusted net sales were down 3.3%. Unit volumes decreased 1.9% in the quarter, as continued volume strength in Brazil, instant coffee and foodservice coffee concentrates, was more than offset by lower volumes in retail coffee in Europe due to slight market contraction in some key markets, as well as competition from private label coffee.

 

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the International Beverage segment launched an exciting addition to its successful single-serve coffee portfolio in France: L'OR Espresso, an espresso capsule that is compatible with coffee appliances from Nespresso® - which is a registered trademark of Sociéte des Produits Nestlé S.A., a company not associated with Sara Lee. L'OR Espresso capsules come in four varieties that differ in intensity, smoothness and roundness. All varieties are made with 100% Arabica coffee and are fully UTZ-certified, guaranteeing that the coffee was grown and harvested in a socially and environmentally sustainable way.

 

International Bakery

 

The International Bakery segment continues to face macro-economic and competitive headwinds in its core Spanish market and has implemented numerous actions to deliver bottom-line improvement moving forward. While unit volumes are still under pressure from private label competition in Spain, the business model has been significantly improved over the past few years through cost reductions, restructuring and right-sizing of the manufacturing footprint. During the fiscal year, Sara Lee sold several bakeries to a third-party manufacturer, which helped improve the segment's plant utilization rates and reduce its cost per unit. These actions have helped mitigate the impact of lower unit volumes on profitability. Going forward, the segment has a much improved foundation in its Spanish business to grow upon, while it also expects to benefit from strong performance of its European refrigerated dough and Australian frozen bakery businesses.

 

The segment reported an operating segment loss of $1 million in the third quarter compared to income of $11 million in the year-ago period, a decrease primarily resulting from charges for exit activities, asset and business dispositions associated with the sale of two bakeries in Spain. Adjusted operating segment income was $9 million, compared to $13 million in the prior-year quarter, largely due to reduced prices and slightly lower unit volumes, partially offset by lower commodity costs and Project Accelerate and continuous improvement savings.

 

Net sales increased 4.0% to $186 million in the third quarter, driven by favorable foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by lower prices, unfavorable sales mix and a slight decline in unit volumes. Adjusted net sales decreased 5.0%. Strong volumes in the European refrigerated dough business, driven by growth in France, Italy and Scandinavia, could not fully offset volume weakness in Spain, resulting in 0.9% lower unit volumes for the segment. The Spanish fresh bakery business has planned various new product launches for the next few months to help improve its top-line trends.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

In spite of weak conditions in many European markets and an ongoing process to divest the business, the discontinued International Household and Body Care operations continued to deliver strong operating results for the third consecutive quarter, while also increasing marketing investment. Growth came from successful new products, strategic pricing actions and continuous improvement savings. Sara Lee continues to work toward the divestiture of the entire business segment, and will continue to focus on delivering strong results and investing in the business appropriately.

 

Operating segment income was $79 million in the third quarter, up $20 million versus the year-ago period, or 33.0%, primarily driven by higher sales, continuous improvement savings and favorable foreign currency exchange rates, which were partially offset by higher MAP spending and other SG&A costs. Adjusted operating segment income was up 20.6%. Net sales increased 15.6% in the third quarter to $525 million, driven by strong performance in insecticides, shoe care and body care, as well as favorable foreign currency exchange rates. Adjusted net sales were up 5.3%. Performance for insecticides was particularly strong due to category and market share growth in India, while shoe care improved behind strong performance in the United States and in the European specialty retail channel. Market shares have increased meaningfully in body care behind new product launches such as Sanex NaturProtect deodorants and Sanex Zero% shower gels, and in air care driven by the roll-out of Ambi Pur National Geographic air fresheners.

 

Guidance

 

Sara Lee currently expects full-year fiscal 2010 total diluted EPS to be in the range of $0.60 to $0.64 per share, which includes $0.19 per share of contingent sale proceeds received in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 from the sale of its tobacco business in fiscal 1999, $(0.61) per share in significant items, net, realized in the first nine months of fiscal 2010, as well as $(0.04) per share in remaining tax charges that will be reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 related to the deemed repatriation of overseas earnings, primarily attributable to the cash and book value of the International Household and Body Care businesses.

 

Full-year 2010 adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.06 to $1.10 per share, compared to $0.82 in fiscal 2009. This represents an increase of $0.03 to $0.04 per share compared to the guidance provided by the company on March 2, 2010. The $0.03 to $0.04 per share increase is comprised of the expectation of $0.04 per share of improved operational performance, partially offset by $(0.01) per share due to a higher tax rate.

 

EPS guidance includes anticipated benefits from a 53rd week, but does not include any additional significant items that may occur in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, such as one-time expenses related to Project Accelerate, except for the $(0.04) per share in additional repatriation tax charges mentioned above. If any of the International Household and Body Care transactions close before the end of fiscal 2010, this may have an impact on the fiscal 2010 guidance.

 

Looking at the business segments, Sara Lee currently expects all five continuing business segments, as well as the discontinued International Household and Body Care operations, to show an increase in adjusted operating segment income in fiscal 2010.

 

Actual results may differ from this guidance due to future significant events that may occur, the nature, timing and financial impact of which are not yet known.

 
                           Fiscal 2010                  Fiscal 2009 
                           Guidance (1) 
Total diluted EPS          $0.60 - $0.64/per share      $0.52/per share 
Diluted EPS from           $0.85 - $0.87/per share      $0.31/per share 
continuing 
operations 
Diluted EPS from           $(0.25) - $(0.23)/per share  $0.21/per share 
discontinued 
operations 
Contingent sale proceeds   $0.19/per share              $0.21/per share 
Total significant          $(0.65)/per share            $(0.51)/per share 
items (2) 
Significant items          $(0.12)/per share            $(0.51)/per share 
related to 
continuing operations 
(3) 
Significant items          $(0.53)/per share            $(0.01)/per share 
related to 
discontinued operations 
(3) 
Adjusted EPS (2)(4)        $1.06 - $1.10/per share      $0.82/per share 
Adjusted EPS from          $0.78 - $0.80/per share      $0.61/per share 
continuing 
operations 
Adjusted EPS from          $0.28 - $0.30/per share      $0.22/per share 
discontinued 
operations 
Net sales                  $12.85 - $12.95 billion      $12.9 billion 
Net sales from             $10.75 - $10.80 billion      $10.9 billion 
continuing 
operations 
Net sales from             $2.1 - $2.15 billion         $2.0 billion 
discontinued 
operations 
Total operating income, 
including 
YTD significant 
items and contingent       $1,245 - $1,285 million      $713 million 
sale proceeds 
Operating income           $980 - $1,000 million        $478 million 
from continuing 
operations 
Operating income from      $265 - $285 million          $235 million 
discontinued 
operations 
Cash flow items 
(including 
discontinued operations) 
Cash flow from             $900 - $950 million          $900 million 
operations 
Capital expenditures       $400 - $425 million          $379 million 
Key assumptions 
Interest expense, net      $120 - $125 million          $125 million 
Dollar/euro exchange       $1.39                        $1.38 
rate 
 
 

(1) Fiscal 2010 has an extra, 53rd week.

 

(2) Amounts are rounded and may not add to the total.

 

(3) Includes $(0.02) per share of charges in the fourth quarter for both continuing and discontinued operations, related to the anticipated deemed repatriation of overseas earnings.

 

(4) "Adjusted EPS" and other "adjusted" financial measures are explained at the end of this release.

 

Form 10-Q and Webcast

 

Sara Lee Corporation filed a Form 10-Q for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 with the Securities and Exchange Commission this morning. The Form 10-Q can be accessed in the Investor Relations section (Financial/SEC Information page) on www.saralee.com. Sara Lee Corporation's review of its results for the third quarter will be broadcast live via the Internet today at 9:00 a.m. CDT. The live webcast can be accessed in the Investor Relations section on www.saralee.com and is anticipated to conclude by 10:00 a.m. CDT. For people who are unable to listen to the webcast live, a recording will be available on the website two hours following the completion of the webcast until Monday, November 8, 2010.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding Sara Lee's business prospects and future financial results, including statements contained under the heading "Guidance." In addition, from time to time, in oral statements and written reports, the corporation discusses its expectations regarding the corporation's future performance by making forward-looking statements preceded by terms such as "anticipates," "we are confident," "expects," "likely" or "believes." These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and management's views and assumptions regarding future events. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Consequently, the corporation wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause Sara Lee's actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are factors relating to:

 
 
    -- Sara Lee's share repurchase and other capital plans, such as (i) 

future opportunities that the Board may determine present greater

potential value to shareholders than the current capital plans and

targets, including without limitation potential acquisitions, joint

ventures or other corporate transactions, and investments in Sara

Lee's business; (ii) future operating or capital needs that require a

more significant outlay of cash than currently anticipated; or (iii)

future changes in facts or circumstances that may impact the

anticipated accounting treatment described in this press release or

other public disclosures;

 
    -- Sara Lee's relationship with its customers, such as (iv) a significant 

change in Sara Lee's business with any of its major customers, such as

Walmart, its largest customer, including changes in how such customers

manage their suppliers and the level of inventory these customers

maintain; and (v) credit and other business risks associated with

customers operating in a highly competitive retail environment;

 
    -- The consumer marketplace, such as (vi) significant competition, 

including advertising, promotional and price competition; (vii)

changes in consumer behavior due to economic conditions, such as a

shift in consumer demand toward private label; (viii) fluctuations in

the cost of raw materials, Sara Lee's ability to increase or maintain

product prices in response to fluctuations in cost and the impact on

Sara Lee's profitability; (ix) the impact of various food safety

issues and regulations on sales and profitability of Sara Lee

products; and (x) inherent risks in the marketplace associated with

new product introductions, including uncertainties about trade and

consumer acceptance;

 
    -- Sara Lee's international operations, such as (xi) impacts on reported 

earnings from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates,

particularly the European euro; (xii) Sara Lee's generation of a high

percentage of its revenues from businesses outside the United States

and costs to remit these foreign earnings into the United States to

fund Sara Lee's domestic operations, share repurchase plans and

corporate costs; (xiii) the impact on Sara Lee's business of its

receipt of binding offers to purchase a large portion of its H&BC

business, its intent to divest the remainder of that business and the

scope, timing and possibility of non-completion of such divestitures;

and (xiv) Sara Lee's ability to continue to source production and

conduct manufacturing and selling operations in various countries due

to changing business conditions, political environments, import quotas

and the financial condition of suppliers;

 
    -- Previous business decisions, such as (xv) Sara Lee's ability to 

generate margin improvement through cost reduction and efficiency

initiatives, including Project Accelerate and the outsourcing of

significant portions of our financial transaction processing, global

IT, and global indirect procurement activities; (xvi) Sara Lee's

ability to achieve planned cash flows from capital expenditures and

acquisitions and the impact of changing interest rates and the cost of

capital on the discounted value of those planned cash flows, which

could impact future impairment analyses; (xvii) credit ratings issued

by the three major credit rating agencies, the impact of Sara Lee's

capital plans and targets on such credit ratings and the impact these

ratings and changes in these ratings may have on Sara Lee's cost to

borrow funds, access to capital/debt markets, and ability to complete

the planned share repurchase; (xviii) Sara Lee's plan to refinance

significant outstanding indebtedness in the next two years and the

impact of potential changes in the credit environment; (xix) Sara

Lee's plan to repurchase a significant amount of its common stock and

the impact of such repurchases on its earnings, cash flow and credit

ratings; (xx) the settlement of a number of ongoing reviews of Sara

Lee's income tax filing positions in various jurisdictions and

inherent uncertainties related to the interpretation of tax

regulations in the jurisdictions in which Sara Lee transacts business;

and (xxi) changes in the expense for and contingent liabilities

relating to multi-employer pension plans in which Sara Lee

participates.

 

In addition, Sara Lee's results may also be affected by general factors, such as economic conditions, political developments, interest and inflation rates, accounting standards, taxes and laws and regulations in markets where the corporation competes. Sara Lee undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

About Sara Lee Corporation

 

Each and every day, Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) delights millions of consumers and customers around the world. The company has one of the world's best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and trusted food, beverage, household and body care brands, including Ambi Pur, Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi, Sanex, Sara Lee and Senseo. Collectively, these brands generate almost $13 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 180 countries. The Sara Lee community consists of 41,000 employees worldwide. Please visit www.saralee.com for the latest news and in-depth information about Sara Lee and its brands.

 
SARA 
LEE 
CORPORATION 
AND 
SUBSIDIARIES 
Consolidated 
Statements 
of Income 
For the Quarter 
and 
Nine Months 
ended 
March 27, 
2010 and 
March 28, 2009 
(Unaudited) 
                  Quarter ended               Nine Months ended 
                  March 27,     March 28,     March 27,    March 28, 
In millions,      2010          2009          2010         2009 
except 
per share data 
Continuing 
operations 
Net sales         $ 2,578       $ 2,575       $ 8,024      $ 8,225 
Cost of sales       1,563         1,643         4,935        5,347 
Selling,            762           714           2,317        2,384 
general 
and 
administrative 
expenses 
Net charges         25            11            53           41 
for exit 
activities, 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Impairment          --            --            17           107 
charges 
Contingent          --            --            (133  )      (150     ) 
sale 
proceeds 
Interest            37            45            110          131 
expense 
Interest            (7       )    (10      )    (19   )      (35      ) 
income 
                    2,380         2,403         7,280        7,825 
Income from         198           172           744          400 
continuing 
operations 
before income 
taxes 
Income tax          173           39            224          116 
expense 
Income from         25            133           520          284 
continuing 
operations 
Discontinued 
operations 
Net income          (367     )    32            (207  )      94 
(loss) 
from 
discontinued 
operations 
attributable 
to 
Sara  Lee, net 
of tax expense 
of $442, $24, 
$404 and $60 
Net income          5             3             12           10 
from 
noncontrolling 
interests, 
net of tax 
Gain on sale        6             --            6            -- 
of 
discontinued 
operations, 
net 
of tax expense 
of $2, 
nil, $2, 
and nil 
Net income          (331     )    168           331          388 
(loss) 
Less: Net           5             3             12           10 
income 
from 
noncontrolling 
interests 
Net income        $ (336     )  $ 165         $ 319        $ 378 
(loss) 
attributable 
to Sara Lee 
Income from 
continuing 
operations 
per share of 
common stock 
Basic             $ 0.04        $ 0.19        $ 0.75       $ 0.40 
Diluted           $ 0.04        $ 0.19        $ 0.75       $ 0.40 
Net income 
(loss) 
attributable 
to Sara 
Lee per share 
of 
common stock 
Basic             $ (0.49    )  $ 0.24        $ 0.46       $ 0.54 
Diluted           $ (0.49    )  $ 0.24        $ 0.46       $ 0.54 
Average shares 
outstanding 
Basic               691           697           695          703 
Diluted             693           698           697          704 
Cash dividends    $ 0.11        $ 0.11        $ 0.22       $ 0.22 
declared per 
share of 
common 
stock 
 
 
SARA LEE CORPORATION AND  SUBSIDIARIES 
Condensed Consolidated Balance  Sheets 
at March 27, 2010 and June 27, 2009 
(Unaudited) 
                                                     March 27,   June 27, 
In millions                                          2010        2009 
Assets 
Cash and equivalents                                 $ 935       $ 951 
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances             1,251       1,272 
Inventories 
Finished goods                                         429         443 
Work in process                                        29          32 
Materials and supplies                                 337         291 
                                                       795         766 
Current deferred income taxes                          162         213 
Other current assets                                   339         250 
Assets held for sale                                   378         378 
Total current assets                                   3,860       3,830 
Property, net of accumulated depreciation              2,086       2,200 
of $2,865 and $2,776,  respectively 
Trademarks and other identifiable intangibles, net     535         585 
Goodwill                                               1,286       1,295 
Deferred income taxes                                  218         298 
Other noncurrent assets                                229         245 
Noncurrent assets held for sale                        930         964 
                                                     $ 9,144     $ 9,417 
Liabilities and Equity 
Notes payable                                        $ 36        $ 20 
Accounts payable                                       893         1,004 
Income taxes payable and current deferred taxes        11          22 
Other accrued liabilities                              1,336       1,467 
Current maturities of long-term debt                   16          46 
Liabilities held for sale                              304         287 
Total current liabilities                              2,596       2,846 
Long-term debt                                         2,718       2,738 
Pension obligation                                     529         595 
Deferred income taxes                                  572         106 
Other liabilities                                      926         1,061 
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale                   13          13 
Equity 
Sara Lee common stockholders' equity                   1,757       2,036 
Noncontrolling interest                                33          22 
Total Equity                                           1,790       2,058 
                                                     $ 9,144     $ 9,417 
 
 
SARA LEE CORPORATION AND  SUBSIDIARIES 
Consolidated Statements of Cash  Flows 
For the Nine Months ended March 
27,  2010 and March 28, 2009 
(Unaudited) 
                                         Nine Months ended 
In millions                              March 27, 2010    March 28, 2009 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES - 
Net income                               $ 331             $ 388 
Less: Cash received from                   (133 )            (150  ) 
contingent sale proceeds 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to 
net cash from operating  activities: 
Depreciation                               265               284 
Amortization                               80                86 
Impairment charges                         17                107 
Net (gain) loss on business                13                (2    ) 
dispositions 
Pension contributions, net of expense      (2   )            (179  ) 
Increase in deferred income taxes          518               -- 
for unremitted earnings 
Other                                      (64  )            7 
Changes in current assets                  (218 )            (238  ) 
and liabilities, 
net of businesses  acquired and sold 
Net cash from operating activities         807               303 
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES - 
Purchases of property and equipment        (215 )            (216  ) 
Purchases of software and                  (11  )            (20   ) 
other intangibles 
Acquisitions of businesses                 --                (10   ) 
and investments 
Dispositions of businesses                 6                 55 
and investments 
Cash received from contingent              133               150 
sale proceeds 
Cash received from (used in)               61                (140  ) 
derivative transactions 
Sales of assets                            13                8 
Net cash used in investment activities     (13  )            (173  ) 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES - 
Issuances of common stock                  2                 1 
Purchases of common stock                  (500 )            (103  ) 
Borrowings of other debt                   45                389 
Repayments of other debt                   (73  )            (340  ) 
Net change in financing with               (3   )            (250  ) 
less than 90-day maturities 
Payments of dividends                      (232 )            (226  ) 
Net cash used in financing activities      (761 )            (529  ) 
Effect of changes in foreign               (20  )            (220  ) 
exchange rates on cash 
Increase (decrease) in                     13                (619  ) 
cash and equivalents 
Add: Cash balances of discontinued         8                 2 
operations at beginning of year 
Less: Cash balances of discontinued        (37  )            (15   ) 
operations at end of period 
Cash and equivalents                       951               1,282 
at beginning of year 
Cash and equivalents at end of quarter   $ 935             $ 650 
COMPONENTS OF CHANGES IN CURRENT 
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - 
Trade accounts receivable                $ 14              $ 11 
Inventories                                (9   )            (71   ) 
Other current assets                       37                7 
Accounts payable                           (27  )            (204  ) 
Accrued liabilities                        (103 )            20 
Accrued taxes                              (130 )            (1    ) 
Changes in current assets                $ (218 )          $ (238  ) 
and liabilities, 
net of businesses  acquired and sold 
 
 
Sara Lee Corporation 
Operating Results by 
Business Segment* 
(in millions) 
                                                 Dollar    Percent                            Dollar    Percent 
                            Third Quarter        Change    Change    First Nine Months        Change    Change 
                            2010      2009                           2010       2009 
North American 
Retail 
Net sales                   $ 672     $ 646      $ 26      4.1   %   $ 2,076    $ 2,072       $ 4       0.2   % 
Adjusted net sales*         $ 672     $ 646      $ 26      4.1   %   $ 2,076    $ 2,072       $ 4       0.2   % 
Operating segment           $ 101     $ 64       $ 37      60.0  %   $ 303      $ 192         $ 111     58.4  % 
income 
Operating margin %            15.1 %    9.8 %              5.3   %     14.6  %    9.2   %               5.4   % 
Increase/(decrease) 
in operating 
segment income from: 
Exit activities,           $  -       $ -        $ -                 $ (3    )  $ 1           $ (4   ) 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Pension curtailment           7         -          7                   7          -             7 
gain 
Adjusted operating          $ 94      $ 64       $ 30      47.9  %   $ 299      $ 191         $ 108     56.7  % 
segment income* 
Adjusted operating            14.1 %    9.9 %              4.2   %     14.4  %    9.2   %               5.2   % 
margin %* 
North American 
Fresh Bakery 
Net sales                   $ 501     $ 530      $ (29 )   (5.5  )%  $ 1,541    $ 1,640       $ (99  )  (6.1  )% 
Adjusted net sales*         $ 501     $ 530      $ (29 )   (5.5  )%  $ 1,541    $ 1,640       $ (99  )  (6.1  )% 
Operating segment           $ 6       $ 2        $ 4       NM        $ 36       $ 3           $ 33      NM 
income 
Operating margin %            1.2  %    0.3 %              0.9   %     2.3   %    0.2   %               2.1   % 
Increase/(decrease) 
in operating 
segment income from: 
Exit activities,           $  -       $ -        $ -                 $ (1    )  $ -           $ (1   ) 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Transformation/Accelerate     (2   )    -          (2  )               (2    )    -             (2   ) 
charges 
Pension partial               -         (1  )      1                   (7    )    (31   )       24 
withdrawal 
liability charge 
Pension curtailment           3         -          3                   3          -             3 
gain 
Adjusted operating          $ 5       $ 3        $ 2       78.1  %   $ 43       $ 34          $ 9       25.9  % 
segment income* 
Adjusted operating            0.9  %    0.5 %              0.4   %     2.7   %    2.0   %               0.7   % 
margin %* 
North American 
Foodservice 
Net sales                   $ 427     $ 487      $ (60 )   (12.4 )%  $ 1,413    $ 1,638       $ (225 )  (13.7 )% 
Increase/(decrease) 
in net sales from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -       $ (2  )    $ 2                 $ -        $ (2    )     $ 2 
currency 
exchange rates 
Disposition                   -         33         (33 )               -          142           (142 ) 
Adjusted net sales*         $ 427     $ 456      $ (29 )   (6.3  )%  $ 1,413    $ 1,498       $ (85  )  (5.7  )% 
Operating segment           $ 26      $ 25       $ 1       3.0   %   $ 109      $ 2           $ 107     NM 
income 
Operating margin %            5.9  %    5.0 %              0.9   %     7.7   %    0.1   %               7.6   % 
Increase/(decrease) 
in operating 
segment income from: 
Exit activities,           $  (8   )  $ (2  )    $ (6  )             $ (10   )  $ 2           $ (12  ) 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Impairment charge             -         -          -                   (13   )    (107  )       94 
Pension curtailment           6         -          6                   6          -             6 
gain 
Disposition                   -         3          (3  )               -          11            (11  ) 
Adjusted operating          $ 28      $ 24       $ 4       16.2  %   $ 126      $ 96          $ 30      31.1  % 
segment income* 
Adjusted operating            6.5  %    5.2 %              1.3   %     8.9   %    6.4   %               2.5   % 
margin %* 
* Adjusted 
Net Sales, 
Adjusted 
Operating Segment 
Income and 
Adjusted Operating 
Margin 
% are non-GAAP 
measures. 
See "Explanation of 
Non-GAAP Financial 
Measures" for 
a detailed 
explanation 
of these and other 
non-GAAP measures 
used in this 
release. 
 
 
Sara Lee Corporation 
Operating Results by 
Business Segment* 
(in millions) 
                                                  Dollar    Percent                            Dollar    Percent 
                            Third Quarter         Change    Change    First Nine Months        Change    Change 
                            2010       2009                           2010       2009 
International 
Beverage 
Net sales                   $ 799      $ 741      $ 58      7.8   %   $ 2,417    $ 2,295       $ 122     5.3   % 
Increase/(decrease) 
in net sales from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -        $ (85  )   $ 85                $ -        $ (128  )     $ 128 
currency 
exchange rates 
Acquisition/disposition       -          -          -                   12         1             11 
Adjusted net sales*         $ 799      $ 826      $ (27 )   (3.3  )%  $ 2,405    $ 2,422       $ (17 )   (0.7  )% 
Operating segment           $ 173      $ 131      $ 42      31.8  %   $ 468      $ 381         $ 87      22.8  % 
income 
Operating margin %            21.7 %     17.7 %             4.0   %     19.4  %    16.6  %               2.8   % 
Increase/(decrease) 
in operating 
segment income from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -        $ (11  )   $ 11                $ -        $ (22   )     $ 22 
currency 
exchange rates 
Exit activities,              (4   )     (4   )     -                   (4    )    (6    )       2 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Transformation/Accelerate     -          (1   )     1                   -          (2    )       2 
charges 
Postretirement                -          -          -                   -          12            (12 ) 
curtailment 
gain 
Acquisition/disposition       -          -          -                   1          -             1 
Adjusted operating          $ 177      $ 147      $ 30      19.7  %   $ 471      $ 399         $ 72      17.8  % 
segment income* 
Adjusted operating            22.2 %     17.9 %             4.3   %     19.6  %    16.5  %               3.1   % 
margin %* 
International Bakery 
Net sales                   $ 186      $ 179      $ 7       4.0   %   $ 601      $ 607         $ (6  )   (0.9  )% 
Increase/(decrease) 
in net sales from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -        $ (16  )   $ 16                $ -        $ (32   )     $ 32 
currency 
exchange rates 
Adjusted net sales*         $ 186      $ 195      $ (9  )   (5.0  )%  $ 601      $ 639         $ (38 )   (6.0  )% 
Operating segment           $ (1   )   $ 11       $ (12 )   NM        $ 4        $ 7           $ (3  )   (40.4 )% 
income (loss) 
Operating margin %            (0.2 )%    6.2  %             (6.4  )%    0.7   %    1.1   %               (0.4  )% 
Increase/(decrease) 
in operating 
segment income from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -        $ (1   )   $ 1                 $ -        $ (1    )     $ 1 
currency 
exchange rates 
Exit activities,              (11  )     (1   )     (10 )               (26   )    (29   )       3 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Transformation/Accelerate     1          -          1                   -          (1    )       1 
charges 
Impairment charge             -          -          -                   (4    )    -             (4  ) 
Adjusted operating          $ 9        $ 13       $ (4  )   (23.5 )%  $ 34       $ 38          $ (4  )   (9.3  )% 
segment income* 
Adjusted operating            5.3  %     6.6  %             (1.3  )%    5.8   %    6.0   %               (0.2  )% 
margin %* 
* Adjusted 
Net Sales, 
Adjusted 
Operating Segment 
Income and 
Adjusted Operating 
Margin 
% are non-GAAP 
measures. 
See "Explanation of 
Non-GAAP Financial 
Measures" for 
a detailed 
explanation 
of these and other 
non-GAAP measures 
used in this 
release. 
 
 
Sara Lee Corporation 
Operating Results by 
Business Segment* 
(in millions) 
                                                   Dollar    Percent                            Dollar    Percent 
                            Third Quarter          Change    Change    First Nine Months        Change    Change 
                            2010       2009                            2010       2009 
Total Sara Lee 
Net sales - total           $ 2,585    $ 2,583     $ 2                 $ 8,048    $ 8,252       $ (204 ) 
operating 
segments 
Less: intersegment            (7    )    (8    )     1                   (24   )    (27   )       3 
sales 
Net sales                   $ 2,578    $ 2,575     $ 3       0.1  %    $ 8,024    $ 8,225       $ (201 )  (2.4 )% 
Increase/(decrease) 
in net sales from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -        $ (103  )   $ 103               $ -        $ (162  )     $ 162 
currency 
exchange rates 
Acquisitions/dispositions     -          33          (33 )               12         143           (131 ) 
Adjusted net sales*         $ 2,578    $ 2,645     $ (67 )   (2.5 )%   $ 8,012    $ 8,244       $ (232 )  (2.8 )% 
Total operating             $ 305      $ 233       $ 72      31.6 %    $ 920      $ 585         $ 335     57.5 % 
segment income 
Increase/(decrease) 
in 
operating segment 
income from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -        $ (12   )   $ 12                $ -        $ (23   )     $ 23 
currency 
exchange rates 
Exit activities,              (23   )    (7    )     (16 )               (44   )    (32   )       (12  ) 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Transformation/Accelerate     (1    )    (1    )     -                   (2    )    (3    )       1 
charges 
Pension partial               -          (1    )     1                   (7    )    (31   )       24 
withdrawal 
liability charge 
Impairment charges            -          -           -                   (17   )    (107  )       90 
Pension/postretirement        16         -           16                  16         12            4 
curtailment gain 
Acquisitions/Dispositions     -          3           (3  )               1          11            (10  ) 
Total adjusted              $ 313      $ 251       $ 62      24.9 %    $ 973      $ 758         $ 215     28.3 % 
operating 
segment income* 
Total operating             $ 305      $ 233       $ 72                $ 920      $ 585         $ 335 
segment income 
Amortization of               (12   )    (12   )     -                   (35   )    (35   )       - 
trademarks 
and 
other intangibles 
General corporate 
expenses: 
Other                         (58   )    (33   )     (25 )               (177  )    (165  )       (12  ) 
Mark-to-market                (7    )    19          (26 )               (6    )    (39   )       33 
derivative 
gains (losses) 
Contingent sales              -          -           -                   133        150           (17  ) 
proceeds 
Operating income            $ 228      $ 207       $ 21      10.5 %    $ 835      $ 496         $ 339     68.5 % 
Operating margin %            8.9   %    8.0   %             0.9  %      10.4  %    6.0   %               4.4  % 
Increase/(decrease) 
in operating 
income from: 
Contingent sale             $ -        $ -         $ -                 $ 133      $ 150         $ (17  ) 
proceeds 
Changes in foreign            -          (11   )     11                  -          (22   )       22 
currency 
exchange rates 
Exit activities,              (25   )    (11   )     (14 )               (53   )    (41   )       (12  ) 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Transformation/Accelerate     (13   )    (6    )     (7  )               (23   )    (11   )       (12  ) 
charges 
Pension partial               -          (1    )     1                   (7    )    (31   )       24 
withdrawal 
liability charge 
Impairment charges            -          -           -                   (17   )    (107  )       90 
Pension/postretirement        24         -           24                  24         12            12 
curtailment gain 
Mexican                       (15   )    -           (15 )               (15   )    -             (15  ) 
tax indemnification 
Balance sheet                 -          8           (8  )               -          8             (8   ) 
corrections 
Acquisition/disposition       -          3           (3  )               1          11            (10  ) 
Adjusted operating          $ 257      $ 225       $ 32      14.1 %    $ 792      $ 527         $ 265     50.2 % 
income* 
Adjusted operating            10.0  %    8.5   %             1.5  %      9.9   %    6.4   %               3.5  % 
margin %* 
* Adjusted 
Net Sales, 
Adjusted 
Operating Income 
and Adjusted 
Operating Margin 
% are 
non-GAAP measures. 
See "Explanation of 
Non-GAAP Financial 
Measures" for 
a detailed 
explanation 
of these and other 
non-GAAP measures 
used in this 
release. 
 
 
Sara Lee Corporation 
Operating Results 
For Discontinued 
Operations* 
(in millions) 
                                                  Dollar    Percent                            Dollar    Percent 
                            Third Quarter         Change    Change    First Nine Months        Change    Change 
                            2010      2009                            2010       2009 
International 
Household 
and 
Body Care Businesses 
Net sales                   $ 525     $ 454       $ 71      15.6 %    $ 1,611    $ 1,493       $ 118     7.9  % 
Increase/(decrease) 
in net sales from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -       $ (44  )    $ 44                $ -        $ (57   )     $ 57 
currency 
exchange rates 
Adjusted net sales*         $ 525     $ 498       $ 27      5.3  %    $ 1,611    $ 1,550       $ 61      3.9  % 
Operating segment           $ 79      $ 59        $ 20      33.0 %    $ 211      $ 164         $ 47      28.9 % 
income 
Operating margin %            14.9 %    13.0 %              1.9  %      13.1  %    11.0  %               2.1  % 
Increase/(decrease) 
in operating 
segment income from: 
Changes in foreign          $ -       $ (6   )    $ 6                 $ -        $ (9    )     $ 9 
currency 
exchange rates 
Exit activities,              -         (5   )      5                   -          (11   )       11 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Transformation/Accelerate     -         -           -                   -          (2    )       2 
charges 
Pension/postretirement        1         -           1                   (10   )    5             (15  ) 
curtailment 
gain (loss) 
Professional                  (7   )    -           (7   )              (22   )    (2    )       (20  ) 
fees/Other 
Adjusted operating          $ 85      $ 70        $ 15      20.6 %    $ 243      $ 183         $ 60      33.2 % 
segment income* 
Adjusted operating            16.0 %    14.0 %              2.0  %      15.1  %    11.8  %               3.3  % 
margin %* 
Operating segment           $ 79      $ 59        $ 20      33.0 %    $ 211      $ 164         $ 47      28.9 % 
income 
Amortization expense          -         (4   )      4                   (4    )    (13   )       9 
Noncontrolling                (5   )    (3   )      (2   )              (12   )    (10   )       (2   ) 
interest 
expense 
Foreign currency              -         3           (3   )              -          10            (10  ) 
transaction 
gains/other 
Operating income              74        55          19      33.5 %      195        151           44      28.0 % 
Changes in foreign            -         (6   )      6                   -          (9    )       9 
currency 
exchange rates 
Exit activities,              -         (5   )      5                   -          (11   )       11 
asset and 
business 
dispositions 
Transformation/Accelerate     -         -           -                   -          (2    )       2 
charges 
Pension/postretirement        1         -           1                   (10   )    5             (15  ) 
curtailment 
gain (loss) 
Professional                  (7   )    -           (7   )              (22   )    (2    )       (20  ) 
fees/Other 
Adjusted operating          $ 80      $ 66        $ 14      20.2 %    $ 227      $ 170         $ 57      32.6 % 
income* 
Operating income            $ 74      $ 55        $ 19                $ 195      $ 151         $ 44 
Interest income, net          1         1           -                   2          3             (1   ) 
Income before                 75        56          19                  197        154           43 
income taxes 
Income tax expense            442       24          418                 404        60            344 
Net income (loss)           $ (367 )  $ 32        $ (399 )  NM        $ (207  )  $ 94          $ (301 )  NM 
from 
discontinued 
operations 
* Adjusted 
Net Sales, 
Adjusted Operating 
Segment Income, 
Adjusted 
Operating 
Income and Adjusted 
Operating Margin 
% are non-GAAP 
measures. 
See "Explanation of 
Non-GAAP Financial 
Measures" for 
a detailed 
explanation 
of these and other 
non-GAAP measures 
used in this 
release. 
 
 
Net Sales Bridge 
For the Quarter and Nine Months  ended March 27, 2010 
The following table illustrates the components of the change in net  sales versus the prior year for each of the five reported 
business segments. 
Third Quarter ended March 27, 2010 
                                                                     Adjusted                                  Total 
                                         Unit         Price/         Net Sales*      Acq./       Foreign       Net Sales 
                                         Volume    +  Mix/Other   =  Change       +  Disp.    +  Exchange   =  Change 
North American Retail                    (4.0  )%     8.1  %         4.1   %         -           -             4.1   % 
Retail                                   7.6   %      (1.7 )%        5.9   %         -           -             5.9   % 
Commodity meats                          (53.4 )%     19.5 %         (33.9 )%        -           -             (33.9 )% 
North American Fresh Bakery              (2.5  )%     (3.0 )%        (5.5  )%        -           -             (5.5  )% 
North American Foodservice               (13.7 )%     7.4  %         (6.3  )%        (6.4 )%     0.3  %        (12.4 )% 
International Beverage                   (1.9  )%     (1.4 )%        (3.3  )%        -           11.1 %        7.8   % 
International Bakery                     (0.9  )%     (4.1 )%        (5.0  )%        -           9.0  %        4.0   % 
Total Continuing Business                (4.5  )%     2.0  %         (2.5  )%        (1.3 )%     3.9  %        0.1   % 
First Nine Months ended March 27, 2010 
                                                                     Adjusted                                  Total 
                                         Unit         Price/         Net Sales*      Acq./       Foreign       Net Sales 
                                         Volume    +  Mix/Other   =  Change       +  Disp.    +  Exchange   =  Change 
North American Retail                    (4.7  )%     4.9  %         0.2   %         -           -             0.2   % 
Retail                                   1.6   %      0.3  %         1.9   %         -           -             1.9   % 
Commodity meats                          (34.6 )%     1.0  %         (33.6 )%        -           -             (33.6 )% 
North American Fresh Bakery              (3.0  )%     (3.1 )%        (6.1  )%        -           -             (6.1  )% 
North American Foodservice               (7.1  )%     1.4  %         (5.7  )%        (8.2 )%     0.2  %        (13.7 )% 
International Beverage                   1.0   %      (1.7 )%        (0.7  )%        0.5  %      5.5  %        5.3   % 
International Bakery                     (2.4  )%     (3.6 )%        (6.0  )%        -           5.1  %        (0.9  )% 
Total Continuing Business                (3.1  )%     0.3  %         (2.8  )%        (1.5 )%     1.9  %        (2.4  )% 
*Adjusted Net Sales is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact  of foreign currency exchange rates and acquisitions/dispositions.  See "Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a detailed  explanation of this and other non-GAAP measures in this release. 
 
 
Impact of Significant Items on  Diluted Earnings per Share 
                                                                           Third Quarter                  First Nine Months 
                                                                           2010             2009          2010       2009 
As reported: 
Diluted EPS continuing operations                                          $ 0.04           $ 0.19        $ 0.75     $ 0.40 
Diluted EPS                                                                $ (0.49 )        $ 0.24        $ 0.46     $ 0.54 
Increase/(decrease) in EPS from: 
Exit activities, asset and business dispositions                           $ (0.02 )        $ (0.01  )    $ (0.05 )  $ (0.05 ) 
Transformation/Accelerate charges                                            (0.01 )          -             (0.02 )    (0.01 ) 
Pension partial withdrawal liability charge                                  -                -             (0.01 )    (0.03 ) 
Impairment charge                                                            -                -             (0.02 )    (0.15 ) 
Curtailment gain                                                             0.02             -             0.02       0.02 
Mexican tax indemnification                                                  (0.01 )          -             (0.01 )    - 
Balance sheet corrections                                                    -                0.01          -          0.01 
Significant items related to continuing operations before income  taxes*     (0.03 )          (0.01  )      (0.09 )    (0.22 ) 
Tax adjustments                                                              (0.16 )          0.01          (0.02 )    0.01 
Significant items related to continuing operations*                          (0.19 )          -             (0.10 )    (0.21 ) 
Significant items related to discontinued operations                         (0.60 )          -             (0.51 )    (0.01 ) 
Total significant items*                                                   $ (0.79 )        $ -           $ (0.61 )  $ (0.21 ) 
Reconciliation of Diluted EPS as  reported to Adjusted EPS: 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations as reported                         $ 0.04           $ 0.19        $ 0.75     $ 0.40 
Less: 
Significant items related to continuing operations                           (0.19 )          -             (0.10 )    (0.21 ) 
Contingent sale proceeds (2)                                                 0.01             0.02          0.18       0.19 
Adjusted EPS from Continuing Operations (1) *                              $ 0.22           $ 0.17        $ 0.67     $ 0.42 
Diluted EPS from discontinued operations as reported                       $ (0.52 )        $ 0.05        $ (0.29 )  $ 0.13 
Less: 
Significant items related to discontinued operations                         (0.60 )          -             (0.51 )    (0.01 ) 
Contingent sale proceeds (2)                                                 -                -             -          - 
Adjusted EPS from Discontinued Operations (1) *                            $ 0.08           $ 0.05        $ 0.22     $ 0.15 
Diluted EPS as reported                                                    $ (0.49 )        $ 0.24        $ 0.46     $ 0.54 
Less: 
Total significant items                                                      (0.79 )          -             (0.61 )    (0.21 ) 
Contingent sale proceeds (2)                                                 0.01             0.02          0.18       0.19 
Adjusted EPS (1) *                                                         $ 0.29           $ 0.22        $ 0.89     $ 0.56 
*Amounts are rounded and may not add to the total 
Tax Rate Reconciliation - Fiscal  2010 
(In millions, except tax rate)                                               Quarter ended March 27, 2010 
                                                                                              Tax 
                                                                             Income           (Expense)     Net        Effective 
                                                                             before Taxes     Benefit       Income     Tax Rate 
Reported Results from Continuing Operations                                  $ 198            $ (173 )      $ 25       87.1  % 
Less: Significant items                                                      (29   )          (105   )      (134  )    57.2  % 
Results, excluding significant items (1)                                     227              (68    )      159        29.9  % 
Less: contingent sale proceeds (2)                                           -                10            10         (4.4  )% 
Adjusted Results from Continuing Operations (1)                              $ 227            $ (78  )      $ 149      34.3  % 
                                                                             Nine Months ended March 27, 2010 
                                                                                              Tax 
                                                                             Income           (Expense)     Net        Effective 
                                                                             before Taxes     Benefit       Income     Tax Rate 
Reported Results from Continuing Operations                                  $ 744            $ (224 )      $ 520      30.1  % 
Less: Significant items                                                      (91   )          17            (74   )    1.2   % 
Results, excluding significant items (1)                                     835              (241   )      594        28.9  % 
Less: contingent sale proceeds (2)                                           133              (7     )      126        (4.5  )% 
Adjusted Results from Continuing Operations (1)                              $ 702            $ (234 )      $ 468      33.4  % 
(1) Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. The following pages  contain additional detail regarding these measures. 
(2) Contingent Sale Proceeds - The reported results include the  receipt of contingent sale proceeds and the related tax benefit.  Sara Lee received contingent sale proceeds in the first quarters  of fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008. While the contingent sales  proceeds are never taxed from the perspective of the corporation's  tax return, income tax expense calculated under U.S. GAAP requires  the tax benefit to accrete over the course of the year, with a  significant portion of the benefit recognized in the first  quarter. At the end of each quarter, the corporation determines  its annual effective tax rate based on an estimate of the tax that  will be provided for the full fiscal year stated as a percent of  estimated "ordinary" income. The term ordinary income refers to  ordinary income from continuing operations before income taxes. It  excludes significant unusual or infrequently occuring items, as  defined by the guidelines for the accounting for income taxes, but  includes the contingent sale proceeds. The non-taxable nature of  the contingent sale proceeds is reflected in the determination of  the annual effective tax rate, providing approximately 5  percentage points of tax benefit. 
The estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to the total  year-to-date "ordinary" income at the end of each quarter in order  to compute the year-to-date tax applicable to ordinary income. The  dollar amount of tax benefit related to contingent sale proceeds  in any one quarter is equal to approximately 5 percent of total  ordinary income, which is the impact on the effective annual tax  rate. Although the majority of the earnings impact of the  contingent sale proceeds is realized in the first quarter, the  full after tax earnings and related earnings per share impact is  not realized until the end of the year when the lower effective  tax rate is applied against full year ordinary income. The tax  expense of $7 million attributable to the contingent sale proceeds  for the nine month period ended March 27, 2010 represents an  estimate of the remaining tax benefit that will be recognized in  the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. The resulting impact on  diluted earnings per share is estimated to be $0.01 in the fourth  quarter of fiscal 2010. 
 
 

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Management measures and reports Sara Lee's financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In this release, Sara Lee highlights certain items that have significantly impacted the corporation's financial results and uses several non-GAAP financial measures to help investors understand the financial impact of these significant items.

 

"Significant items" are income or charges (and related tax impact) 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, are not indicative of the company's core operating results and affect the comparability of underlying results from period to period. Significant items may include, but are not limited to: charges for exit activities; transformation program and Project Accelerate costs; impairment charges; pension partial withdrawal liability charges; benefit plan curtailment gains (losses); tax charge on deemed repatriated earnings; tax costs and benefits resulting from the disposition of a business; impact of tax law changes; changes in tax valuation allowances and favorable or unfavorable resolution of open tax matters based on the finalization of tax authority examinations or the expiration of statutes of limitations. Management highlights significant items to provide greater transparency into the underlying sales or profit trends of Sara Lee or the applicable business segment or discontinued operations and to enable more meaningful comparability between financial results from period to period. Additionally, Sara Lee believes that investors desire to understand the impact of these factors to better project and assess the longer term trends and future financial performance of the corporation.

 

"Contingent sale proceeds" are contingent proceeds from the sale of the company's tobacco business in fiscal 1999. Under the sales agreement, Sara Lee received cash payments annually so long as tobacco continued to be a legal product in the specified countries. Our last cash payment was received on July 15, 2009. Contingent sale proceeds are not "significant items," but are identified separately because the income is not generated by the company's underlying business and has a finite term.

 

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures that exclude from a financial measure computed in accordance with GAAP the impact of the significant items, the receipt of contingent sale proceeds, the impact of acquisitions and dispositions and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of Sara Lee's business that, when viewed together with Sara Lee's financial results computed in accordance with GAAP, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting Sara Lee's historical financial performance and projected future operating results, greater transparency of underlying profit trends and greater comparability of results across periods. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

In addition, investors frequently have requested information from management regarding significant items and the impact of the contingent sale proceeds. Management believes, based on feedback it has received during earnings calls and discussions with investors, that these non-GAAP measures enhance investors' ability to assess Sara Lee's historical and project future financial performance. Management also uses certain of these non-GAAP financial measures, in conjunction with the GAAP financial measures, to understand, manage and evaluate our businesses, in planning for and forecasting financial results for future periods, and as one factor in determining achievement of incentive compensation. Many of the significant items will recur in future periods; however, the amount and frequency of each significant item varies from period to period.

 

Management also has received inquiries from investors seeking to better understand and project the corporation's tax rate, which can be complex given the multiple foreign jurisdictions in which Sara Lee operates and the numerous tax rules with which it must comply. The information contained in the table "Tax Rate Reconciliation - Fiscal 2010," which includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, is intended to help investors better understand Sara Lee's effective tax rate.

 

The following is an explanation of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release.

 

In the "Tax Rate Reconciliation - Fiscal 2010" table on page 18, the "Results, excluding significant items" equals each of "income before taxes," "tax (expense) benefit," "net income" and "effective tax rate," computed in accordance with GAAP less the impact of significant items recognized in the fiscal period presented. Each item in the "Adjusted Results" row of that table equals the indicated financial measure computed in accordance with GAAP less the impact of both significant items and contingent sale proceeds recognized in the fiscal period presented.

 

"Adjusted EPS" excludes from diluted EPS, as reported, for total Sara Lee, for continuing operations or for discontinued operations, as indicated, the per share impact of significant items and the per share impact of contingent sale proceeds recognized in the fiscal period presented. The line item title or the context of its use in this release and in other communications indicates whether "Adjusted EPS" refers to total Adjusted EPS for all of Sara Lee, Adjusted EPS from continuing operations or Adjusted EPS from discontinued operations.

 

"Adjusted net sales" for continuing operations or discontinued operations, as indicated in this release, excludes from applicable net sales the impact of businesses acquired or divested after the start of the fiscal period and presents fiscal 2009 results at fiscal 2010 currency exchange rates.

 

"Adjusted operating income" for continuing operations or discontinued operations, as indicated in this release, excludes from applicable operating income the impact of significant items, contingent sale proceeds, if any, and businesses acquired or divested after the start of the fiscal period and presents fiscal 2009 results at fiscal 2010 currency exchange rates.

 

"Adjusted operating margin" for continuing operations, a specified business segment or discontinued operations, as indicated in this release, is a non-GAAP financial measure that equals adjusted operating income for the applicable portion of the business divided by adjusted net sales of the corporation (in the case of computing adjusted operating margin for continuing operations) or adjusted operating segment income for a business segment or discontinued operations divided by adjusted net sales for that business segment or discontinued operation (in the case of computing adjusted operating margin for a specific business segment or discontinued operations).

 

"Adjusted operating segment income" for continuing operations, a specified business segment or discontinued operations, as indicated in the release, excludes from the operating segment income from continuing operations, of a specified business segment or from discontinued operations the impact of significant items recognized by that portion of the business during the fiscal period and businesses acquired or divested after the start of the fiscal period and presents fiscal 2009 results at fiscal 2010 currency exchange rates.

 
Sara Lee Corp. 
Media: Jon Harris, +1.630.598.8661 
Analysts: Aaron Hoffman, +1.630.598.8739 
 
 
 
 
 

1 Year Sara Lee Corp Chart

1 Year Sara Lee Corp Chart

1 Month Sara Lee Corp Chart

1 Month Sara Lee Corp Chart

Your Recent History

Delayed Upgrade Clock