EX-99.1 2 a2q15earn12-31x14.htm EX-99.1 2Q15Earn12-31-14

 
 
 
 
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
 
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
 
SYMBOL: LANC
January 29, 2015
 
 
 
TRADED: Nasdaq

LANCASTER COLONY REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS
COLUMBUS, Ohio, January 29 - Lancaster Colony Corporation (Nasdaq: LANC) today reported results for the company’s second fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014. All prior-period financial results of the Glassware and Candles segment have been reclassified as discontinued operations due to the sale of effectively all the net operating assets of that segment on January 30, 2014. Highlights for the quarter:
Net sales reached a second quarter record of $303.4 million, up 3.8% from the prior-year level of $292.3 million. Higher foodservice volume drove the growth in net sales, with sales to national chain restaurants a strong point. Retail net sales improved modestly with New York BRAND® frozen garlic bread, Olive Garden® retail dressings, and Marzetti® refrigerated dressings noted contributors. Retail sales growth was limited by increased promotional spending on certain product offerings.
Operating income declined 10.6% to $50.2 million as the benefit of the higher sales volumes were more than offset by a less favorable sales mix, elevated freight expense, increased marketing and promotional costs in support of our retail brands and recent product introductions, and higher production costs attributed to continued capacity constraints in our dressing operations.
Income from continuing operations was $33.0 million compared with $37.1 million last year. Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $1.20 versus $1.36 a year ago.
Second quarter net income also totaled $33.0 million or $1.20 per diluted share as there was no impact from discontinued operations. Prior-year net income was $39.2 million or $1.44 per share, including a contribution of $2.1 million or $.08 per share from discontinued operations.
The regular quarterly cash dividend was increased to $.46 per share. The company’s balance sheet remained debt free on December 31, 2014 with $256.1 million in cash and equivalents.
For the six months ended December 31, 2014, net sales were $563.4 million compared to $540.4 million for the first half last year. Income from continuing operations totaled $55.7 million or $2.04 per share. Net income was also $55.7 million or $2.04 per share with no impact from discontinued operations in the current year. Prior-year income from continuing operations was $61.2 million or $2.24 per share and net income was $64.0 million or $2.34 per diluted share. The income from discontinued operations for the six months ended December 31, 2013 totaled $2.8 million or $.10 per diluted share.
    
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PAGE 2 / LANCASTER COLONY REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS

Chairman and CEO John B. Gerlach, Jr. commented, “While we were pleased with the record sales for the quarter, our operating results were hampered by continued incremental costs attributed to capacity constraints in dressing manufacturing and a less favorable sales mix. Looking forward to the second half of our fiscal year, we will begin to capture the cost benefits from the recently completed dressing capacity expansion project. Commodity costs, net of deflationary pricing in foodservice, are expected to be near neutral over the balance of fiscal 2015. This year’s earlier Easter holiday will also shift some sales into our fiscal third quarter.”
Conference Call on the Web
The company’s second quarter conference call is scheduled for this morning, January 29, at 10:00 a.m. ET. You may access the call through a live webcast by using the link provided on the company’s Internet home page at www.lancastercolony.com. Replays of the webcast will be made available on the company website.
About the Company
Lancaster Colony Corporation is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice markets.
Forward-Looking Statements
We desire to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). This news release contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the PSLRA and other applicable securities laws. Such statements can be identified by the use of the forward-looking words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “hope” or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations; contain projections regarding future developments, operations or financial conditions; or state other forward-looking information. Such statements are based upon assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments; and other factors we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements involve various important risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include:

the potential for loss of larger programs or key customer relationships;
the effect of consolidation of customers within key market channels;
the success and cost of new product development efforts;
the lack of market acceptance of new products;
price and product competition;
the reaction of customers or consumers to the effect of price increases we may implement;
the possible occurrence of product recalls or other defective or mislabeled product costs;
changes in demand for our products, which may result from loss of brand reputation or customer goodwill;
fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials and packaging;
capacity constraints that may affect our ability to meet demand or may increase our costs;
dependence on contract manufacturers;
maintenance of competitive position with respect to other manufacturers;
adverse changes in freight, energy or other costs of producing, distributing or transporting our products;
        



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PAGE 3 / LANCASTER COLONY REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS
stability of labor relations;
dependence on key personnel;
changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments;
the outcome of any litigation or arbitration; and
risks related to other factors described under “Risk Factors” in other reports and statements filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (available at www.sec.gov).    
    
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance on statements that are based on current expectations.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Douglas A. Fell, Vice President, Treasurer and CFO, or
 
Dale N. Ganobsik, Director of Investor Relations
 
Lancaster Colony Corporation
 
Phone: 614/224‑7141
 
Email: ir@lancastercolony.com
























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PAGE 4 / LANCASTER COLONY REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (b)
(In thousands except per-share amounts)

 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
303,411

 
$
292,281

 
$
563,398

 
$
540,418

Cost of sales
224,758

 
210,658

 
427,321

 
401,624

Gross margin
78,653

 
81,623

 
136,077

 
138,794

Selling, general & administrative expenses
28,437

 
25,438

 
51,257

 
46,178

Operating income
50,216

 
56,185

 
84,820

 
92,616

Interest income and other – net
(47
)
 
(86
)
 
(39
)
 
(124
)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
50,169

 
56,099

 
84,781

 
92,492

Taxes based on income
17,215

 
18,966

 
29,066

 
31,307

Income from continuing operations
32,954

 
37,133

 
55,715

 
61,185

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
2,101

 

 
2,850

Net income
$
32,954

 
$
39,234

 
$
55,715

 
$
64,035

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common share:(a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations - basic
$
1.21

 
$
1.36

 
$
2.04

 
$
2.24

Continuing operations - diluted
$
1.20

 
$
1.36

 
$
2.04

 
$
2.24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations - basic and diluted
$

 
$
0.08

 
$

 
$
0.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income - basic
$
1.21

 
$
1.44

 
$
2.04

 
$
2.35

Net income - diluted
$
1.20

 
$
1.44

 
$
2.04

 
$
2.34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends per common share
$
0.46

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.90

 
$
0.84

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
27,294

 
27,244

 
27,290

 
27,256

Diluted
27,323

 
27,299

 
27,319

 
27,306

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(a)Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period.
(b)All glassware and candles operations have been reflected as discontinued in the prior-year periods.

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PAGE 5 / LANCASTER COLONY REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND EARNINGS

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited) (b)
(In thousands)

 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Six Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET SALES - Specialty Foods
$
303,411

 
$
292,281

 
$
563,398

 
$
540,418

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Specialty Foods
$
53,240

 
$
59,413

 
$
90,739

 
$
98,956

   Corporate expenses
(3,024
)
 
(3,228
)
 
(5,919
)
 
(6,340
)
         Total Operating Income
$
50,216

 
$
56,185

 
$
84,820

 
$
92,616


LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (b)
(In thousands)

 
December 31, 
 2014
 
June 30, 
 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
   Cash and equivalents
$
256,148

 
$
211,539

   Receivables – net of allowance for doubtful accounts
58,910

 
57,808

   Total inventories
68,881

 
74,516

   Deferred income taxes and other current assets
16,837

 
23,428

      Total current assets
400,776

 
367,291

Net property, plant and equipment
171,096

 
168,674

Other assets
102,605

 
102,665

         Total assets
$
674,477

 
$
638,630


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
   Accounts payable
$
41,487

 
$
37,907

   Accrued liabilities
31,036

 
31,165

      Total current liabilities
72,523

 
69,072

Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred income taxes
40,687

 
40,961

Shareholders’ equity
561,267

 
528,597

         Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
674,477

 
$
638,630

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