EX-99.1 2 h59421exv99w1.htm PRESS RELEASE exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
(SYSCO LOGO)
 
         
SYSCO Corporation
1390 Enclave Parkway
Houston, Texas 77077-2099
(281) 584-1390
  NEWS RELEASE
         
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   FOR MORE INFORMATION
    CONTACT:   Neil A. Russell
        Assistant Vice President,
        Investor Relations
        (281) 584-1308
SYSCO REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER DILUTED EPS OF $0.55,

FISCAL YEAR 2008 DILUTED EPS OF $1.81
Fiscal Year diluted EPS increases 13.1 percent compared to the prior year
HOUSTON, August 11, 2008 — SYSCO Corporation (NYSE: SYY) today announced financial results for its 13-week fourth quarter and 52 weeks of fiscal 2008 ended June 28, 2008.
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2008 Highlights
§   Sales increased 5.4% to $9.7 billion from $9.2 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.
 
§   Operating income increased 9.7% to $559 million compared to $509 million in last year’s fourth quarter.
 
§   Diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 12.2% to $0.55 compared to $0.49 in last year’s fourth quarter.
Fiscal 2008 Highlights
§   Sales increased 7.1% to $37.5 billion from $35.0 billion in fiscal 2007.
 
§   Operating income increased 10.0% to $1.9 billion compared to $1.7 billion in the prior year.
 
§   Diluted EPS increased 13.1% to $1.81 compared to $1.60 in the prior year.
     “For the eighth time in the last ten years — and the eighth quarter in a row — we have generated double digit earnings per share growth. The accomplishment is particularly notable this year as we overcame significant obstacles, including market forces such as prolonged inflation and high fuel costs,” said Richard J. Schnieders, SYSCO’s chairman and chief executive officer. “I’m pleased with our operating results in fiscal 2008, and I am encouraged that we leveraged 7.1% sales growth into 13.1% growth in earnings per share while continuing to invest in our business. Key to this performance was solid execution of our business plan, especially in the area of cost containment.”
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2008 Summary
     Sales for the fourth quarter grew 5.4% over the same period last year. Food cost inflation, as estimated by the change in SYSCO’s cost of goods, was 6.2% for the quarter. Operating income for the fourth quarter grew 9.7% over the same period last year. As a percentage of sales, operating income increased 22 basis points. The company continued to manage high food cost inflation, as evidenced by gross profit dollars increasing 5.6% while operating expenses grew only 4.0% for the period. Diluted EPS increased 12.2% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 to $0.55.
     Operating income for the fourth quarter was unfavorably impacted by a net $16.4 million in additional expenses related to the combined impact of changes in the cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance (COLI), increased provisions related to multi-employer pension plans, company-sponsored pension expense and stock compensation expense, as detailed in table 1 below:

 


 

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(000’s)   Table 1
                    Operating Expense Impact
    4Q08     4Q07     Unfavorable (Favorable)
Cash surrender value of COLI
  $ (575 )   $ (8,971 )    $ 8,396  
Multi-employer pension plans
    12,900       0       12,900  
Company-sponsored pensions
    16,459       18,643       (2,184 )
Stock compensation expense
    19,496       22,235       (2,739 )
 
               
Net impact to operating expenses
  $ 48,280     $ 31,907      $ 16,373  
     “Our Broadline business managed margins and expenses particularly well to produce another strong quarter in a challenging environment,” said Ken Spitler, SYSCO’s president and chief operating officer. “This would not have been possible without the focus and commitment of our nearly 50,000 associates.”
Fiscal 2008 Summary
     Sales for fiscal 2008 grew 7.1% over the prior year. Food cost inflation, as estimated by the change in SYSCO’s cost of goods, was 6.0% in fiscal 2008. Operating income grew 10.0% over the prior year as a result of gross profit dollars increasing 6.5% and operating expenses growing 5.3%. As a percentage of sales, operating income increased 13 basis points for fiscal 2008. Diluted earnings per share increased 13.1% for fiscal 2008 to $1.81.
     Throughout fiscal 2008, SYSCO experienced increased demand for its industry leading business reviews and other customer support services. This appreciation for SYSCO’s customer-centered approach, coupled with stringent cost control measures, helped increase operating income to $1.9 billion in fiscal 2008.
     For fiscal 2008, operating income was unfavorably impacted by a net $24.2 million in additional expenses related to the combined impact of changes in the cash surrender value of COLI, increased provisions related to multi-employer pension plans, company-sponsored pension expense and stock compensation expense, as detailed in table 2 below:
                         
(000’s)   Table 2
                    Operating Expense Impact  
    FY2008     FY2007     Unfavorable (Favorable)
Cash surrender value of COLI
  $ 8,718     $ (23,922 )    $ 32,640  
Multi-employer pension plans
    22,310       4,700       17,610  
Company-sponsored pensions
    65,836       74,591       (8,755 )
Stock compensation expense
    80,650       97,985       (17,335 )
 
               
Net impact to operating expenses
  $ 177,514     $ 153,354      $ 24,160  
     Mr. Schnieders concluded, “Our focus remains on supporting our customers, especially during these difficult times. Our sales and marketing associates continue to find creative business solutions to the many challenges our customers are facing in today’s marketplace.”
Capital Spending
     Capital expenditures for fiscal 2008 totaled $516 million, below original estimates of $625 million to $650 million. The lower amount spent in fiscal 2008 was primarily due to delays on certain projects that will shift significant expenditures to fiscal 2009. As a result, the company projects that capital expenditures for fiscal 2009 will be in the range of approximately $675 million to $725 million.
     The primary areas for investments in fiscal 2008 included facility replacements and expansions, construction of fold-out operations and additions to SYSCO’s fleet. In addition, the new redistribution center in Alachua, Florida, SYSCO’s second RDC facility, opened on schedule in April and is currently shipping product to our five operating companies in Florida. In fiscal 2009 the company expects to complete construction of a fold-out facility located in East Texas.

 


 

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Conference Call & Webcast
     SYSCO’s fourth quarter 2008 earnings conference call will be held on Monday, August 11, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. A live webcast of the call, as well as a copy of this press release, will be available online at www.sysco.com in the Investor Relations section.
About SYSCO
     SYSCO is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 180 distribution facilities serving more than 400,000 customers. For the fiscal year 2008 that ended June 28, 2008, the company generated more than $37 billion in sales. For more information about SYSCO visit the company’s Internet home page at www.sysco.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
     Certain statements made herein are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include statements regarding the company’s ability to leverage in current and future periods, anticipated fuel expense, the impact of our customer focus on SYSCO’s business relationships and projections regarding capital expenditures. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on management’s current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially. Those risks and uncertainties that could impact these statements include risks that pertain to SYSCO’s business, including the risks relating to the foodservice distribution industry’s relatively low profit margins and sensitivity to general economic conditions, including the current economic environment and decreases in consumer spending; increased fuel costs; SYSCO’s leverage and debt risks; the successful completion of acquisitions and integration of acquired companies as well as the risk that acquisitions could negatively impact the Company’s stock price, operating results or debt ratio or significantly increase the Company’s liquidity requirements; the risk of interruption of supplies due to lack of long-term contracts, severe weather, work stoppages or otherwise; construction schedules; management’s allocation of capital and the timing of capital purchases such as fleet and equipment; competitive conditions; labor issues; and internal factors such as the ability to control expenses. Earnings are also impacted by option expensing, which is based on certain assumptions regarding the number and fair value of options granted, resulting tax benefits and shares outstanding. Capital expenditures may vary from those projected based on changes in business plans and other factors, including those described above. For a discussion of additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SYSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In Thousands Except for Share Data)
                 
    For the 13-Weeks Ended  
    June 28, 2008     June 30, 2007  
Sales
  $ 9,730,205     $ 9,228,294  
Cost of sales
    7,828,791       7,427,621  
 
           
Gross margins
    1,901,414       1,800,673  
Operating expenses
    1,342,754       1,291,190  
 
           
Operating income
    558,660       509,483  
Interest expense
    27,511       25,530  
Other income, net
    (4,270 )     (2,786 )
 
           
Earnings before income taxes
    535,419       486,739  
Income taxes (37.60% in ‘08; 37.67% in ’07)
    201,306       183,348  
 
           
Net earnings
  $ 334,113     $ 303,391  
 
           
 
               
Net earnings:
               
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.56     $ 0.49  
 
           
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.55     $ 0.49  
 
           
 
Average shares outstanding
    601,481,271       616,366,328  
 
           
 
Diluted average shares outstanding
    605,081,076       623,993,792  
 
           
 

 
COMPARATIVE SEGMENT SALES DATA (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
                 
    For the 13-Weeks Ended  
    June 28, 2008     June 30, 2007  
Sales:
               
Broadline
  $ 7,732,110     $ 7,289,746  
SYGMA
    1,203,187       1,140,249  
Other
    916,309       922,441  
Intersegment
    (121,401 )     (124,142 )
 
           
Total
  $ 9,730,205     $ 9,228,294  
 
           
 
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SYSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In Thousands Except for Share Data)
                 
    For the 52-Weeks Ended  
    June 28, 2008     June 30, 2007  
Sales
  $ 37,522,111     $ 35,042,075  
Cost of sales
    30,327,254       28,284,603  
 
           
Gross margins
    7,194,857       6,757,472  
Operating expenses
    5,314,908       5,048,990  
 
           
Operating income
    1,879,949       1,708,482  
Interest expense
    111,541       105,002  
Other income, net
    (22,930 )     (17,735 )
 
           
Earnings before income taxes
    1,791,338       1,621,215  
Income taxes (38.25% in ‘08 and ’07)
    685,187       620,139  
 
           
Net earnings
  $ 1,106,151     $ 1,001,076  
 
           
 
               
Net earnings:
               
Basic earnings per share
  $ 1.83     $ 1.62  
 
           
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.81     $ 1.60  
 
           
 
Average shares outstanding
    605,905,545       618,338,752  
 
           
 
Diluted average shares outstanding
    610,970,783       626,336,798  
 
           
 

 
COMPARATIVE SEGMENT SALES DATA (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
                 
    For the 52-Weeks Ended  
    June 28, 2008     June 30, 2007  
Sales:
               
Broadline
  $ 29,792,931     $ 27,560,375  
SYGMA
    4,574,880       4,380,955  
Other
    3,622,360       3,571,213  
Intersegment
    (468,060 )     (470,468 )
 
           
Total
  $ 37,522,111     $ 35,042,075  
 
           
 
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SYSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In Thousands)
                 
    June 28, 2008     June 30, 2007  
ASSETS
               
Current assets
               
Cash
  $ 551,552     $ 207,872  
Receivables
    2,723,189       2,610,885  
Inventories
    1,836,478       1,714,187  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    63,814       123,284  
Prepaid income taxes
          19,318  
 
           
Total current assets
    5,175,033       4,675,546  
 
               
Plant and equipment at cost, less depreciation
    2,889,790       2,721,233  
 
               
Other assets
               
Goodwill
    1,413,224       1,355,313  
Intangibles
    87,528       91,366  
Restricted cash
    92,587       101,929  
Prepaid pension cost
    215,159       352,390  
Other
    208,972       221,154  
 
           
Total other assets
    2,017,470       2,122,152  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 10,082,293     $ 9,518,931  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Notes payable
  $     $ 18,900  
Accounts payable
    2,048,759       1,981,190  
Accrued expenses
    917,892       922,582  
Accrued income taxes
    11,665        
Deferred taxes
    516,131       488,849  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    4,896       3,568  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    3,499,343       3,415,089  
 
               
Other liabilities
               
Long-term debt
    1,975,435       1,758,227  
Deferred taxes
    540,330       626,695  
Other long-term liabilities
    658,199       440,520  
 
           
Total other liabilities
    3,173,964       2,825,442  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
Shareholders’ equity
               
Preferred stock
           
Common stock
    765,175       765,175  
Paid-in capital
    712,208       637,154  
Retained earnings
    6,041,429       5,544,078  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (68,768 )     (4,061 )
Treasury stock
    (4,041,058 )     (3,663,946 )
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    3,408,986       3,278,400  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 10,082,293     $ 9,518,931  
 
           
 
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SYSCO CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In Thousands)
                 
    For the 52-Weeks Ended  
    June 28, 2008     June 30, 2007  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net earnings
  $ 1,106,151     $ 1,001,076  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Share-based compensation expense
    80,650       97,985  
Depreciation and amortization
    372,529       362,559  
Deferred tax provision
    643,480       545,971  
Provision for losses on receivables
    32,184       28,156  
Gain on sale of assets
    (2,747 )     (6,279 )
Additional investment in certain assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired:
               
(Increase) in receivables
    (128,017 )     (134,153 )
(Increase) in inventories
    (110,925 )     (95,932 )
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
    59,896       (62,773 )
Increase in accounts payable
    54,451       85,422  
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses
    (22,721 )     132,936  
(Decrease) in accrued income taxes
    (509,783 )     (491,993 )
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    11,926       (36,426 )
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities and prepaid pension cost, net
    13,459       (14,817 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
    (4,404 )     (8,810 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,596,129       1,402,922  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Additions to plant and equipment
    (515,963 )     (603,242 )
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment
    13,320       16,008  
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (55,259 )     (59,322 )
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
    2,342       (2,155 )
 
           
Net cash used for investing activities
    (555,560 )     (648,711 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Bank and commercial paper borrowings (repayments ), net
    (550,726 )     121,858  
Other debt borrowings
    757,972       5,290  
Other debt (repayments)
    (7,628 )     (109,656 )
Debt issuance costs
    (4,192 )     (7 )
Common stock reissued from treasury
    128,238       221,736  
Treasury stock purchases
    (529,179 )     (550,865 )
Dividends paid
    (497,467 )     (445,416 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
    4,404       8,810  
 
           
Net cash used for financing activities
    (698,578 )     (748,250 )
 
           
 
               
Effect of exchange rates on cash
    1,689       14  
 
           
 
               
Net increase in cash
    343,680       5,975  
Cash at beginning of period
    207,872       201,897  
 
           
Cash at end of period
  $ 551,552     $ 207,872  
 
           
 
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $ 98,330     $ 107,109  
Income taxes
    530,169       563,968  
 
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Comparative Supplemental Statistical Information Related to Sales (Unaudited)
Comparative SYSCO Brand Sales and Marketing Associate-Served Sales data are summarized below.
         
    For the 13-Weeks Ended
    June 28, 2008   June 30, 2007
SYSCO Brand Sales as a % of MA-Served Sales
  49.93%   50.63%
SYSCO Brand Sales as a % of Total
       
Broadline Sales
  41.87%   44.01%
MA-Served Sales as a % of Total
       
Broadline Sales
  49.35%   50.66%
 
         
    For the 52-Weeks Ended
    June 28, 2008   June 30, 2007
SYSCO Brand Sales as a % of MA-Served Sales
  50.73%   51.52%
SYSCO Brand Sales as a % of Total
       
Broadline Sales
  41.86%   43.41%
MA-Served Sales as a % of Total
       
Broadline Sales
  48.98%   49.76%
 
Note: Beginning with the earnings release for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, this information is now presented to include Canadian broadline sales statistics.
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