Companies and Brands

Lower General Mills Profits Bring Cost Cuts

General Mills
General Mills Inc.
General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) reported first-quarter fiscal 2015 results before markets opened Wednesday. The food processing and packaged foods maker reported quarterly adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.61 on revenues of $4.27 billion. In the same period a year ago, General Mills reported EPS of $0.70 on revenue of $4.37 billion. First-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.69 and $4.38 billion in revenue.

At the end of last quarter the company said it would undertake new cost-reduction projects that it expects to generate supply chain cost savings of more than $400 billion in the 2015 fiscal year. In Wednesday’s report, General Mills said that a review of its North American manufacturing and distribution network has identified streamlining and potential capacity reductions that are expected to generate $100 million in cost savings by 2017. The company said, “Actions associated with this project are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2015.” Plant shutdowns and worker firings are the most likely actions, although the company gave no specific information.

General Mills reiterated its full-year targets of top-line growth and segment operating profit in the mid-single digit range. Adjusted EPS is expected to grow at high single-digit rates in constant currency. Currency translation effects are expected to cost the company $0.02 in full-year earnings per share.

The company’s CEO said:

Our results were driven by sales and profit declines in the U.S., where industry trends were weak in the quarter. In addition, higher merchandising expense for our U.S. Retail businesses in this period depressed reported net sales and gross margin.

Shares were down about 3.3% in premarket trading Wednesday morning, at $51.45 in a 52-week range of $46.70 to $55.64. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $53.40 before the results were announced.

ALSO READ: Companies That Control the World’s Food

Take Charge of Your Retirement: Find the Right Financial Advisor For You in Minutes (Sponsor)

Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding professional guidance—and we’ve made it easier than ever for you to connect with the right financial advisor for your unique needs.

Here’s how it works: 

1️ Answer a Few Simple Questions

Tell us a bit about your goals and preferences—it only takes a few minutes!

2️ Get Your Top Advisor Matches

This tool matches you with qualified advisors who specialize in helping people like you achieve financial success.

3️ Choose Your Best Fit

Review their profiles, schedule an introductory meeting, and select the advisor who feels right for you.

Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Click here to get started today!

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.

AI Portfolio

Discover Our Top AI Stocks

Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.

You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.