Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended April 26, 2009

 

or

 

o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                to               

 

Commission File Number: 1-2402

 

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

41-0319970

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

1 Hormel Place

 

 

Austin, Minnesota

 

55912-3680

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(507) 437-5611

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES o NO o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x

Accelerated filer o

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding at May 31, 2009

Common Stock

 

$.0586 par value       134,259,729

Common Stock Non-Voting

 

$.01 par value                           -0-

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION – April 26, 2009 and October 26, 2008

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS – Three and Six Months Ended April 26, 2009 and April 27, 2008

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – Six Months Ended April 26, 2009 and April 27, 2008

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Consolidated Results

Segment Results

Related Party Transactions

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

SIGNATURES

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 

April 26,

 

October 26,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

312,331

 

$

154,778

 

Accounts receivable

 

344,925

 

411,010

 

Inventories

 

748,178

 

784,542

 

Deferred income taxes

 

47,565

 

45,948

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

33,297

 

41,900

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

1,486,296

 

1,438,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

89,789

 

89,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOODWILL

 

619,705

 

619,325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INTANGIBLES

 

146,047

 

151,219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PENSION ASSETS

 

81,785

 

91,773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES

 

80,590

 

93,617

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

165,577

 

155,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

52,945

 

52,940

 

Buildings

 

672,588

 

662,519

 

Equipment

 

1,311,505

 

1,275,175

 

Construction in progress

 

68,691

 

78,083

 

 

 

2,105,729

 

2,068,717

 

Less allowance for depreciation

 

(1,141,750

)

(1,091,060

)

 

 

963,979

 

977,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

3,633,768

 

$

3,616,471

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 

April 26,

 

October 26,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

276,744

 

$

378,520

 

Notes payable/Short-term debt

 

100,000

 

100,000

 

Accrued expenses

 

94,339

 

72,192

 

Accrued workers compensation

 

29,568

 

26,825

 

Accrued marketing expenses

 

71,307

 

60,223

 

Employee compensation

 

84,092

 

106,225

 

Taxes, other than federal income taxes

 

9,477

 

6,979

 

Dividends payable

 

25,579

 

24,946

 

Federal income taxes

 

4,554

 

5,323

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

695,660

 

781,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT—less current maturities

 

350,000

 

350,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

395,204

 

386,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

87,388

 

91,076

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $.01 a share—authorized 80,000,000 shares; issued—none

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, non-voting, par value $.01 a share—authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued—none

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $.0586 a share—authorized 400,000,000 shares;
issued 134,281,577 shares April 26, 2009
issued 134,520,581 shares October 26, 2008

 

7,869

 

7,883

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,856

 

0

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(112,931

)

(113,184

)

Retained earnings

 

2,206,722

 

2,112,873

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

 

2,105,516

 

2,007,572

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

 

$

3,633,768

 

$

3,616,471

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008*

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

1,595,043

 

$

1,594,084

 

$

3,284,129

 

$

3,215,249

 

Cost of products sold

 

1,333,005

 

1,330,132

 

2,749,776

 

2,658,606

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

262,038

 

263,952

 

534,353

 

556,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

139,846

 

140,220

 

282,371

 

284,311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

770

 

821

 

674

 

3,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

122,962

 

124,553

 

252,656

 

275,522

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and investment income (loss)

 

8,584

 

3,253

 

10,975

 

(1,685

)

Interest expense

 

(6,918

)

(6,429

)

(14,373

)

(13,149

)

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

124,628

 

121,377

 

249,258

 

260,688

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

44,243

 

43,816

 

87,490

 

94,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

 

$

80,385

 

$

77,561

 

$

161,768

 

$

165,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.57

 

$

1.20

 

$

1.22

 

DILUTED

 

$

0.59

 

$

0.56

 

$

1.20

 

$

1.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC

 

134,272

 

135,652

 

134,325

 

135,679

 

DILUTED

 

135,373

 

137,620

 

135,268

 

137,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE:

 

$

0.190

 

$

0.185

 

$

0.380

 

$

0.370

 

 


* Includes retrospective reclassification of shipping and handling expenses to cost of products sold from selling, general and administrative (See Note A).

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands of Dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26, 2009

 

April 27, 2008

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

161,768

 

$

165,742

 

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

57,322

 

57,823

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

5,172

 

6,148

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

 

(2,183

)

(4,587

)

Provision for deferred income taxes

 

(4,417

)

(8,492

)

Loss on property/equipment sales and plant facilities

 

160

 

1,377

 

Gain on dissolution of joint venture

 

(3,634

)

0

 

Non-cash investment activities

 

(5,034

)

4,600

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in accounts receivable

 

74,934

 

15,057

 

Decrease (Increase) in inventories, prepaid expenses, and other current assets

 

60,753

 

(85,392

)

Decrease (Increase) in pension assets

 

3,028

 

(398

)

Decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and pension and post-retirement benefits

 

(95,733

)

(32,346

)

Other

 

6,816

 

243

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

258,952

 

119,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of available-for-sale securities

 

6,270

 

146,308

 

Purchase of available-for-sale securities

 

(2,371

)

(155,207

)

Acquisitions of businesses/intangibles

 

(580

)

(3,920

)

Purchases of property/equipment

 

(45,821

)

(67,941

)

Proceeds from sales of property/equipment

 

2,017

 

1,604

 

(Increase) Decrease in investments, equity in affiliates, and other assets

 

(1,581

)

7,700

 

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(42,066

)

(71,456

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from short-term debt

 

0

 

25,000

 

Principal payments on short-term debt

 

0

 

(70,000

)

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

0

 

(54

)

Dividends paid on common stock

 

(50,376

)

(45,469

)

Share repurchase

 

(10,375

)

(21,927

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

1,459

 

10,739

 

Other

 

(41

)

10,799

 

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

(59,333

)

(90,912

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

157,553

 

(42,593

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

154,778

 

149,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF QUARTER

 

$

312,331

 

$

107,156

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE A                                                  GENERAL

 

Basis of Presentation
 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Hormel Foods Corporation (the Company) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  The balance sheet at October 26, 2008, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 26, 2008.

 

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation.  The reclassifications had no impact on net earnings as previously reported.

 

Change in Accounting Principle
 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company changed its method of accounting for shipping and handling expenses and reclassified them from selling, general and administrative to cost of products sold.  This presentation is preferable because the inclusion of shipping and handling expenses in cost of products sold better reflects the cost of producing and distributing the Company’s products.  It also enhances the comparability of the financial statements with our industry peers.  As required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the change has been reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations through retrospective application of the change in accounting principle.  The change resulted in a decrease in selling, general and administrative (and a corresponding increase in cost of products sold) for fiscal years 2008, 2007, and 2006 of $459,818, $411,726, and $409,487, respectively.  For the second quarter and six months ended April 27, 2008, the reclassification totaled $112,687 and $222,015, respectively.  The change did not impact net earnings or net earnings per share as previously reported.

 

Investments

 

The Company maintains a rabbi trust to fund certain supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans, which is included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  The securities held by the trust are classified as trading securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and therefore, unrealized gains and losses associated with these investments are included in the Company’s earnings.  Gains related to securities still held by the trust were $4,144 and $5,848 for the quarter and six months ended April 26, 2009, respectively, compared to gains of $2,209 and losses of $3,809 for the quarter and six months ended April 27, 2008.

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 

Non-cash investment activities presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows generally consist of unrealized gains or losses on the Company’s rabbi trust investments, amortization of affordable housing investments, and amortization of bond financing costs.  The noted investments are included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  Changes in the value of these investments are included in the Company’s net earnings and are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as either interest and investment income or interest expense, as appropriate.

 

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Guarantees
 

The Company enters into various agreements guaranteeing specified obligations of affiliated parties.  The Company’s guarantees either terminate in one year or remain in place until such time as the Company revokes the agreement.  The Company currently provides a revocable standby letter of credit for obligations of an affiliated party that may arise under worker compensation claims.  This guarantee provided by the Company amounted to $2,390 as of April 26, 2009, and is not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

The Company has also guaranteed a $9,000 loan of an independent farm operator.  The loan arose to provide financing to develop a hog growing operation on a tract of land in Arizona, and the term of the loan runs through November 2023.  Approximately $2,900 of the loan proceeds have been spent to date, with the remaining $6,100 being held in an escrow account.  The Company is obligated to make payments if the farm operator fails to do so, and the Company has made immaterial payments in fiscal 2008 and 2009.  As there is no current intention to spend additional funds on this project, the Company estimates its maximum liability remaining under this guarantee to be approximately $2,500 plus interest.  The portion of the potential obligation currently held in escrow does not represent a risk to the Company and is therefore not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 161).  The pronouncement amends and expands the disclosure requirements previously required by SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  This statement requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements.  SFAS 161 was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008.  The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 161 in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, and the required disclosures are provided in Note H — Derivatives and Hedging.  Adoption did not impact consolidated net earnings, cash flows, or financial position.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141(R)).  The pronouncement establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and determines what information to disclose to enable the users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.  SFAS 141(R) is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  Generally, the effect of SFAS 141(R) will depend on future acquisitions.  However, the accounting for any tax uncertainties will be subject to the provisions of SFAS 141(R).  The Company will adopt SFAS 141(R) at the beginning of fiscal 2010, and is currently assessing the impact of adopting this accounting standard.

 

In December 2007, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS 160).  The pronouncement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.  It also amends certain of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51’s consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of SFAS 141(R).  SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company will adopt SFAS 160 at the beginning of fiscal 2010, and is currently assessing the impact of adopting this accounting standard.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS 159).  The pronouncement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, which provides the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently, without having to apply complex hedge

 

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accounting provisions.  SFAS 159 was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and therefore, the Company adopted SFAS 159 at the beginning of fiscal 2009.  The adoption of SFAS 159 did not impact consolidated net earnings, cash flows, or financial position, as the Company did not elect the fair value option.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157).  The pronouncement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, and does not require any new fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  However, in February 2008, the FASB also issued FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2 (FSP 157-2), which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 by one year for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value that are recognized or disclosed on a nonrecurring basis (e.g. goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment testing or nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value during a business combination).  Therefore, the Company adopted SFAS 157 at the beginning of fiscal 2009 for its financial assets and liabilities.  Adoption did not impact net earnings, cash flows, or financial position, but resulted in additional disclosures. (See further discussion in Note I — Fair Value Measurements.)  Subject to the deferral allowed by FSP 157-2, the Company will apply the provisions of SFAS 157 to its nonfinancial assets and liabilities in fiscal 2010, and is currently assessing the impact of this adoption.

 

In September 2006, the FASB also issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).”  The pronouncement requires the funded status of a plan, measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligations, be recognized on a plan sponsor’s statement of financial position.  It also requires gains or losses that arise during the plan year to be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income to the extent they are not recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year.  These provisions were effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006, and therefore the Company adopted the required provisions of this statement for the fiscal 2007 year end.  For fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008, the pronouncement further requires plan sponsors to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the plan sponsor’s fiscal year end statement of financial position.  The Company adopted these measurement date provisions at the beginning of fiscal 2009, and elected to use the 15 month alternative measurement approach as an August 1 measurement date had previously been used.  The Company recognized an $11,793 decrease in retained earnings, an $8,416 increase in pension and post-retirement benefits, a $1,459 decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a $1,006 decrease in pension assets, and a $912 increase in deferred tax liabilities, upon adoption.

 

NOTE B                                                  ACQUISITIONS

 

On June 13, 2008, the Company purchased Boca Grande Foods, Inc. (Boca Grande) for a purchase price of $23,361 cash, including related costs.  Boca Grande manufactures, sells, and distributes liquid portion products, and operates a facility in Duluth, Georgia.  This acquisition provides additional capacity, production capabilities, and customers for liquid portion products for Diamond Crystal Brands within the Specialty Foods segment.

 

Operating results for Boca Grande are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition.  Pro forma results are not presented, as the acquisition is not material to the consolidated Company.

 

NOTE C                                                  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has stock incentive plans for employees and non-employee directors, including stock options and nonvested shares.  The Company’s policy is to grant options with the exercise price equal to the market price of the common stock on the date of grant.  Ordinary options vest over periods ranging from six months to four years and expire ten years after the grant date.  The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense ratably over the shorter of the requisite service period or vesting period.  The fair value of stock-based compensation granted to retirement-eligible individuals is expensed at the time of grant.

 

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A reconciliation of the number of options outstanding and exercisable (in thousands) as of April 26, 2009, and changes during the six months then ended, is as follows:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

Outstanding at October 26, 2008

 

10,735

 

$

31.04

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,312

 

26.80

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(124

)

16.74

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeitures

 

(50

)

37.41

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at April 26, 2009

 

11,873

 

$

30.69

 

6.1 years

 

$

33,008

 

Exercisable at April 26, 2009

 

7,405

 

$

28.25

 

4.8 years

 

$

27,984

 

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted, and the total intrinsic value of options exercised during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

Weighted-average grant date fair value

 

$

6.76

 

$

9.67

 

$

5.86

 

$

10.38

 

Intrinsic value of exercised options

 

$

258

 

$

10,911

 

$

1,558

 

$

24,606

 

 

The fair value of each ordinary option award is calculated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model utilizing the following weighted-average assumptions.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

Risk-Free Interest Rate

 

3.4

%

3.7

%

3.2

%

4.0

%

Dividend Yield

 

2.5

%

1.9

%

2.5

%

1.8

%

Stock Price Volatility

 

22.0

%

21.0

%

22.0

%

21.0

%

Expected Option Life

 

8 years

 

8 years

 

8 years

 

8 years

 

 

As part of the annual valuation process, the Company reassesses the appropriateness of the inputs used in the valuation models.  The Company establishes the risk-free interest rate using stripped U.S. Treasury yields as of the grant date where the remaining term is approximately the expected life of the option.  The dividend yield is set based on the Company’s targeted dividend yield.  The expected volatility assumption is set based primarily on historical volatility.  As a reasonableness test, implied volatility from exchange traded options is also examined to validate the volatility range obtained from the historical analysis.  The expected life assumption is set based on an analysis of past exercise behavior by option holders.  In performing the valuations for ordinary option grants, the Company has not stratified option holders as exercise behavior has historically been consistent across all employee groups.

 

The Company’s nonvested shares vest after five years or upon retirement.  A reconciliation of the nonvested shares (in thousands) as of April 26, 2009, and changes during the six months then ended, is as follows:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value

 

Nonvested at October 26, 2008

 

77

 

$

35.72

 

Granted

 

28

 

30.39

 

Vested

 

(8

)

26.97

 

Nonvested at April 26, 2009

 

97

 

$

34.90

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of nonvested shares granted, the total fair value of nonvested shares granted, and the fair value of shares that have vested during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

Weighted-average grant date fair value

 

$

30.39

 

$

38.97

 

$

30.39

 

$

38.97

 

Fair value of nonvested shares granted

 

$

836

 

$

974

 

$

836

 

$

974

 

Fair value of shares vested

 

$

202

 

$

43

 

$

204

 

$

43

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense, along with the related income tax benefit, for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal years 2009 and 2008 are presented in the table below.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized

 

$

3,366

 

$

3,233

 

$

7,416

 

$

9,578

 

Income tax benefit recognized

 

(1,294

)

(1,235

)

(2,852

)

(3,658

)

After-tax stock-based compensation expense

 

$

2,072

 

$

1,998

 

$

4,564

 

$

5,920

 

 

At April 26, 2009, there was $18,011 of total unrecognized compensation expense from stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans.  This compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years.  During the quarter and six months ended April 26, 2009, cash received from stock option exercises was $342 and $1,459, compared to $1,989 and $10,739 for the quarter and six months ended April 27, 2008.  The total tax benefit to be realized for tax deductions from these option exercises for the quarter and six months ended April 26, 2009, was $99 and $599, respectively, compared to $4,167 and $9,397 in the comparable periods in fiscal 2008.  The amounts reported for tax deductions for option exercises in the quarter and six months ended April 26, 2009 include $90 and $590, respectively, of excess tax benefits compared to $4,134 and $9,103, respectively, of excess tax benefits in the comparable periods last year, which are included in “Other” under financing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (with an offsetting amount in other operating activities).

 

Shares issued for option exercises and nonvested shares may be either authorized but unissued shares, or shares of treasury stock acquired in the open market or otherwise.

 

NOTE D                                                  GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three and six month periods ended April 26, 2009, are presented in the tables below.  Additions and adjustments during fiscal 2009 primarily relate to the Boca Grande acquisition.

 

 

 

Grocery
Products

 

Refrigerated
Foods

 

JOTS

 

Specialty
Foods

 

All Other

 

Total

 

Balance as of January 25, 2009

 

$

123,316

 

$

85,539

 

$

203,214

 

$

206,658

 

$

674

 

$

619,401

 

Goodwill acquired

 

 

 

 

36

 

 

36

 

Purchase adjustments

 

 

 

 

268

 

 

268

 

Balance as of April 26, 2009

 

$

123,316

 

$

85,539

 

$

203,214

 

$

206,962

 

$

674

 

$

619,705

 

 

11



Table of Contents

 

 

 

Grocery
Products

 

Refrigerated
Foods

 

JOTS

 

Specialty
Foods

 

All Other

 

Total

 

Balance as of October 26, 2008

 

$

123,316

 

$

85,537

 

$

203,214

 

$

206,584

 

$

674

 

$

619,325

 

Goodwill acquired

 

 

2

 

 

55

 

 

57

 

Purchase adjustments

 

 

 

 

323

 

 

323

 

Balance as of April 26, 2009

 

$

123,316

 

$

85,539

 

$

203,214

 

$

206,962

 

$

674

 

$

619,705

 

 

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for definite-lived intangible assets are presented below.

 

 

 

April 26, 2009

 

October 26, 2008

 

 

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Proprietary software & technology

 

$

23,800

 

$

(10,024

)

$

24,200

 

$

(8,986

)

Customer lists/relationships

 

19,678

 

(6,665

)

21,078

 

(6,936

)

Formulas & recipes

 

17,104

 

(8,854

)

20,604

 

(11,405

)

Non-compete covenants

 

7,020

 

(4,438

)

20,120

 

(16,734

)

Distribution network

 

4,120

 

(2,333

)

4,120

 

(2,127

)

Other intangibles

 

7,230

 

(2,985

)

8,630

 

(3,829

)

Total

 

$

78,952

 

$

(35,299

)

$

98,752

 

$

(50,017

)

 

Amortization expense was $2,587 and $5,172 for the three and six months ended April 26, 2009, respectively, compared to $2,900 and $6,148 for the three and six months ended April 27, 2008.

 

Estimated annual amortization expense for the five fiscal years after October 26, 2008, is as follows:

 

2009

 

$

10,299

 

2010

 

9,199

 

2011

 

7,681

 

2012

 

7,124

 

2013

 

6,071

 

 

The carrying amounts for indefinite-lived intangible assets are presented in the table below.

 

 

 

April 26, 2009

 

October 26, 2008

 

Brands/tradenames/trademarks

 

$

94,410

 

$

94,500

 

Other intangibles

 

7,984

 

7,984

 

Total

 

$

102,394

 

$

102,484

 

 

NOTE E                                                    EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA

 

The following table sets forth the denominator for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

 

134,272

 

135,652

 

134,325

 

135,679

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilutive potential common shares

 

1,101

 

1,968

 

943

 

1,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

 

135,373

 

137,620

 

135,268

 

137,643

 

 

12



Table of Contents

 

NOTE F                                                    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Components of comprehensive income, net of taxes, are:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

80,385

 

$

77,561

 

$

161,768

 

$

165,742

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred (loss) gain on hedging

 

(14,999

)

11,855

 

(10,405

)

33,720

 

Reclassification adjustment into net earnings

 

14,467

 

(5,290

)

14,973

 

(5,066

)

Foreign currency translation

 

(1,054

)

271

 

(3,288

)

5,052

 

Pension and post-retirement benefits

 

1,446

 

2,145

 

(2,486

)

4,288

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(140

)

8,981

 

(1,206

)

37,994

 

Total comprehensive income

 

$

80,245

 

$

86,542

 

$

160,562

 

$

203,736

 

 

NOTE G                                                  INVENTORIES

 

Principal components of inventories are:

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

October 26,
2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished products

 

$

406,009

 

$

431,095

 

Raw materials and work-in-process

 

206,599

 

215,353

 

Materials and supplies

 

135,570

 

138,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

748,178

 

$

784,542

 

 

NOTE H                                                  DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

 

The Company uses hedging programs to manage price risk associated with commodity purchases.  These programs utilize futures contracts and swaps to manage the Company’s exposure to price fluctuations in the commodities markets.  The Company has determined its hedge programs to be highly effective in offsetting the changes in fair value or cash flows generated by the items hedged.

 

Cash Flow Hedges:  The Company utilizes corn and soybean meal futures to offset the price fluctuation in the Company’s future direct grain purchases, and has entered into various swaps to hedge the purchases of grain and natural gas at certain plant locations.  The financial instruments are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges, and the Company measures the effectiveness of the hedges on a regular basis.  Effective gains or losses related to these cash flow hedges are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings, through cost of products sold, in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings.  Any gains or losses related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the current period cost of products sold.  The Company typically does not hedge its grain exposure beyond 24 months and its natural gas exposure beyond 36 months.  As of April 26, 2009, the Company had the following outstanding commodity futures contracts and swaps that were entered into to hedge forecasted purchases:

 

Commodity

 

Volume

 

Corn

 

26.7 million bushels

 

Soybean Meal

 

223,200 bushels

 

Natural Gas

 

5.9 million MMBTU’s

 

 

13



Table of Contents

 

As of April 26, 2009, the Company has included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, hedging losses of $58,538 (before tax) relating to its positions.  The Company expects to recognize the majority of these losses over the next 12 months.

 

Fair Value Hedges:  The Company utilizes futures to minimize the price risk assumed when forward priced contracts are offered to the Company’s commodity suppliers.  The intent of the program is to make the forward priced commodities cost nearly the same as cash market purchases at the date of delivery.  The futures contracts are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges, and the Company measures the effectiveness of the hedges on a regular basis.  Changes in the fair value of the futures contracts, along with the gain or loss on the hedged purchase commitment, are marked-to-market through earnings and are recorded on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as a current asset and liability, respectively.  Effective gains or losses related to these fair value hedges are recognized through cost of products sold in the period or periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings.  Any gains or losses related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in the current period cost of products sold.  As of April 26, 2009, the Company had the following outstanding commodity futures contracts designated as fair value hedges:

 

Commodity

 

Volume

 

Corn

 

12.2 million bushels

 

Soybean Meal

 

8,900 bushels

 

Lean Hogs

 

225,600 cwt

 

 

Other Derivatives:  During fiscal 2009, the Company has held certain futures contract positions as part of a merchandising program.  The Company has not applied hedge accounting to these positions.  As of April 26, 2009, the Company had the following outstanding commodity futures contracts related to this program:

 

Commodity

 

Volume

 

Pork Bellies

 

48,800 cwt

 

Lean Hogs

 

24,000 cwt

 

 

Fair Values:  The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments as of April 26, 2009, were as follows:

 

 

 

April 26, 2009

 

 

 

Location on Consolidated
Statement of Financial Position

 

Fair
Value
(1)

 

Asset Derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Designated as Hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

$

9,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(1,096

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Asset Derivatives

 

 

 

$

8,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liability Derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Designated as Hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

Accounts payable

 

$

25,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

$

25,096

 

 


(1)  Amounts represent the gross fair value of derivative assets and liabilities. In accordance with FASB Staff Position FIN No. 39-1, the Company nets its derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral, when a master netting arrangement exists between the Company and the counterparty to the derivative contract. See Note I - Fair Value Measurements for a discussion of the net amounts as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

Derivative Gains and Losses:  Gains or losses (before tax) related to the Company’s derivative instruments for the quarter ended April 26, 2009, were as follows:

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss (AOCL)
(Effective Portion)
(1)

 

Location of
Gains/(Losses) on
Consolidated Statement
of Operations

 

Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCL into Earnings
(Effective Portion)
(1)

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Earnings
(Ineffective
Portion)
(2)

 

Commodity contracts

 

$

(24,570

)

Cost of products sold

 

$

(23,475

)

$

626

(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Hedges:

 

 

 

Location of
Gains/(Losses) on
Consolidated Statement
of Operations

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Earnings
(Effective Portion)

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Earnings
(Ineffective
Portion)
(2)

 

Commodity contracts

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

 

$

17,847

(3)

$

(1,470

)(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Not
Designated as Hedges:

 

 

 

Location of
Gains/(Losses) on
Consolidated Statement
of Operations

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Earnings

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

 

$

120

 

 

 

 

 


(1)

Amounts represent gains or losses in AOCL before tax. See Note F — Comprehensive Income for the after tax impact of these gains or losses on net earnings.

(2)

There were no gains or losses excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness during the quarter.

(3)

Gains on commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges were offset by a corresponding loss on the underlying hedged purchase commitment.

(4)

There were no gains or losses resulting from the discontinuance of cash flow hedges during the quarter.

(5)

There were no gains or losses recognized as a result of a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifying as a fair value hedge during the quarter.

 

NOTE I                                                       FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Effective at the beginning of fiscal 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157) for its financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated financial statements.  Per discussion in Note A, the FASB allowed deferral of the effective date of SFAS 157 for one year for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value that are recognized or disclosed on a nonrecurring basis.  SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price).  SFAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires assets and liabilities measured at fair value to be categorized into one of three levels based on the inputs used in the valuation.  Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement.  The three levels are defined as follows:

 

Level 1:   Observable inputs based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2:   Observable inputs, other than those included in Level 1, based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in inactive markets.

 

Level 3:   Unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about what inputs a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 26, 2009, and their level within the fair value hierarchy, are presented in the table below.

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at April 26, 2009

 

 

 

Fair Value at
April 26, 2009

 

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Assets at Fair Value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents (1)

 

$

229,061

 

$

229,061

 

$

 

$

 

Trading securities (2)

 

94,379

 

94,379

 

 

 

Commodity derivatives (3)

 

7,490

 

7,490

 

 

 

Total Assets at Fair Value

 

$

330,930

 

$

330,930

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities at Fair Value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivatives (3)

 

$

25,096

 

$

 

$

25,096

 

$

 

Deferred compensation (2)

 

34,746

 

8,684

 

26,062

 

 

Total Liabilities at Fair Value

 

$

59,842

 

$

8,684

 

$

51,158

 

$

 

 


The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities above:

(1)                                 The Company’s cash equivalents consist of money market funds rated AAA.  As these investments have a maturity date of three months or less, the carrying value approximates fair value.

(2)                                 The Company holds trading securities as part of a rabbi trust to fund certain supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans.  The rabbi trust is included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and is valued based on the underlying fair value of each fund held by the trust.  The funds held are all managed by a third party, and include fixed income funds, equity securities, money market accounts, or other portfolios for which there is an active quoted market.  Therefore, these securities are classified as Level 1.  The related deferred compensation liabilities are included in other long term liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and are valued based on the underlying investment selections held in each participant’s account.  Investment options generally mirror those funds held by the rabbi trust, for which there is an active quoted market.  Therefore, these investment balances are classified as Level 1.  The Company also offers a fixed rate investment option to participants.  The rate earned on these investments is adjusted annually based on a specified percentage of the United States Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) Applicable Federal Rates in effect, and therefore, these balances are classified as Level 2.

(3)                                 The Company’s commodity derivatives represent futures contracts and swaps used in its hedging programs to offset price fluctuations associated with purchases of corn, soybean meal, and natural gas, and to minimize the price risk assumed when forward priced contracts are offered to the Company’s commodity suppliers.  The Company’s futures contracts for corn and soybean meal are traded on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), while futures contracts for lean hogs and bellies are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  These are active markets with quoted prices available, and therefore, the futures contracts are classified as Level 1.  The Company’s corn and soybean meal swaps settle based on quoted prices from the CBOT, while natural gas swaps are settled based on quoted prices from the New York Mercantile Exchange.  As the swaps settle based on quoted market prices, but are not held directly with the exchange, the swaps are classified as Level 2.  All derivatives are reviewed for potential credit risk and risk of nonperformance.  In accordance with FASB Staff Position FIN No. 39-1, the Company nets its derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral, when a master netting arrangement exists between the Company and the counterparty to the derivative contract.  The net balance for each arrangement is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets or accounts payable, as appropriate, in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.  As of April 26, 2009, the Company had recognized the right to reclaim cash collateral of $41,090 from, and the obligation to return cash collateral of $42,390 to, various counterparties.

 

16



 Table of Contents

 

NOTE J                 PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

Net periodic benefit cost for pension and other post-retirement benefit plans consists of the following:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26, 2009

 

April 27, 2008

 

April 26, 2009

 

April 27, 2008

 

Service cost

 

$

4,530

 

$

5,032

 

$

9,033

 

$

10,015

 

Interest cost

 

11,799

 

11,074

 

23,617

 

22,331

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(13,074

)

(14,203

)

(26,148

)

(28,350

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(151

)

(38

)

(297

)

(76

)

Recognized actuarial loss

 

1,343

 

1,317

 

2,674

 

2,633

 

Settlement charge

 

 

 

4,219

 

 

Net periodic cost

 

$

4,447

 

$

3,182

 

$

13,098

 

$

6,553

 

 

 

 

Post-retirement Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26, 2009

 

April 27, 2008

 

April 26, 2009

 

April 27, 2008

 

Service cost

 

$

552

 

$

682

 

$

1,104

 

$

1,364

 

Interest cost

 

5,583

 

5,649

 

11,166

 

11,299

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

1,377

 

1,454

 

2,753

 

2,908

 

Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

 

(210

)

736

 

(420

)

1,472

 

Net periodic cost

 

$

7,302

 

$

8,521

 

$

14,603

 

$

17,043

 

 

A $4,219 charge was recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 for partial settlements on non-qualified pension plans resulting from executive retirements. The Company anticipates making a contribution between $15,000 and $20,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to fund its pension plans at required levels, and is currently evaluating an additional discretionary contribution.

 

NOTE K                 INCOME TAXES

 

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48) at the beginning of fiscal 2008, on October 29, 2007.  The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, at April 26, 2009, recorded in other long-term liabilities was $38,862, of which $25,297 would impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.  The Company includes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense, with $415 and $1,000 included in expense in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2009, respectively.  The amount of accrued interest and penalties at April 26, 2009, associated with unrecognized tax benefits was $9,869.

 

The Company is regularly audited by federal and state taxing authorities.  During fiscal year 2007, the I.R.S. concluded its examination of the Company’s consolidated federal income tax returns for the fiscal years through 2005.  The Company is currently under examination by the I.R.S. for the fiscal years 2006 and 2007.  The Company is in various stages of audit by several state taxing authorities on a variety of fiscal years, as far back as 1996.  While it is reasonably possible that one or more of these audits may be completed within the next 12 months and that the related unrecognized tax benefits may change, based on the status of the examinations it is not possible to reasonably estimate the effect of any amount of such change to previously recorded uncertain tax positions.

 

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NOTE L                 SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company develops, processes, and distributes a wide array of food products in a variety of markets.  Under the criteria set forth by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” the Company reports its results in the following five segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Specialty Foods, and All Other.

 

The Grocery Products segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of shelf-stable food products sold predominantly in the retail market.

 

The Refrigerated Foods segment includes the Hormel Refrigerated, Farmer John, Burke Corporation, and Dan’s Prize operating segments.  This segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of branded and unbranded pork and beef products for retail, foodservice, and fresh product customers.  Results for the Hormel Refrigerated operating segment include the Precept Foods business, which offers a variety of case-ready beef and pork products to retail customers.  Precept Foods, LLC, is a 51 percent owned joint venture between Hormel Foods Corporation and Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cargill, Incorporated.

 

The Jennie-O Turkey Store segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of branded and unbranded turkey products for retail, foodservice, and fresh product customers.

 

The Specialty Foods segment includes the Diamond Crystal Brands, Century Foods International, and Hormel Specialty Products operating segments.  This segment consists of the packaging and sale of various sugar and sugar substitute products, salt and pepper products, liquid portion products, dessert mixes, ready-to-drink products, gelatin products, and private label canned meats to retail and foodservice customers.  This segment also includes the processing, marketing, and sale of nutritional food products and supplements to hospitals, nursing homes, and other marketers of nutritional products.

 

The All Other segment includes the Hormel Foods International operating segment, which manufactures, markets, and sells Company products internationally.  This segment also includes various miscellaneous corporate sales.

 

Intersegment sales are recorded at prices that approximate cost and are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Equity in earnings of affiliates is included in segment profit; however, the Company does not allocate investment income, interest expense, and interest income to its segments when measuring performance.  The Company also retains various other income and unallocated expenses at corporate.  These items are included below as net interest and investment income and general corporate expense when reconciling to earnings before income taxes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Sales and operating profits for each of the Company’s business segments and reconciliation to earnings before income taxes are set forth below.  The Company is an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations, and sharing of assets.  Therefore, the Company does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating profit and other financial information shown below.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

Sales to Unaffiliated Customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grocery Products

 

$

241,684

 

$

233,464

 

$

483,627

 

$

460,879

 

Refrigerated Foods

 

834,062

 

831,821

 

1,731,486

 

1,689,281

 

Jennie-O Turkey Store

 

289,745

 

291,889

 

594,784

 

583,338

 

Specialty Foods

 

173,586

 

182,534

 

352,476

 

371,321

 

All Other

 

55,966

 

54,376

 

121,756

 

110,430

 

Total

 

$

1,595,043

 

$

1,594,084

 

$

3,284,129

 

$

3,215,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intersegment Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grocery Products

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

Refrigerated Foods

 

1,745

 

1,114

 

3,915

 

1,979

 

Jennie-O Turkey Store

 

27,450

 

24,177

 

48,969

 

45,988

 

Specialty Foods

 

25

 

23

 

103

 

118

 

All Other

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Total

 

$

29,220

 

$

25,314

 

$

52,987

 

$

48,085

 

Intersegment elimination

 

(29,220

)

(25,314

)

(52,987

)

(48,085

)

Total

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grocery Products

 

$

241,684

 

$

233,464

 

$

483,627

 

$

460,879

 

Refrigerated Foods

 

835,807

 

832,935

 

1,735,401

 

1,691,260

 

Jennie-O Turkey Store

 

317,195

 

316,066

 

643,753

 

629,326

 

Specialty Foods

 

173,611

 

182,557

 

352,579

 

371,439

 

All Other

 

55,966

 

54,376

 

121,756

 

110,430

 

Intersegment elimination

 

(29,220

)

(25,314

)

(52,987

)

(48,085

)

Total

 

$

1,595,043

 

$

1,594,084

 

$

3,284,129

 

$

3,215,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Operating Profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grocery Products

 

$

43,677

 

$

41,611

 

$

83,312

 

$

77,980

 

Refrigerated Foods

 

51,695

 

55,625

 

97,440

 

118,431

 

Jennie-O Turkey Store

 

16,678

 

11,708

 

45,927

 

46,512

 

Specialty Foods

 

15,432

 

15,513

 

30,749

 

33,806

 

All Other

 

5,027

 

5,843

 

13,272

 

14,868

 

Total segment operating profit

 

$

132,509

 

$

130,300

 

$

270,700

 

$

291,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest and investment income

 

1,666

 

(3,176

)

(3,398

)

(14,834

)

General corporate expense

 

(9,547

)

(5,747

)

(18,044

)

(16,075

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

124,628

 

$

121,377

 

$

249,258

 

$

260,688

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2.           Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

There have been no material changes in the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies, as disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 26, 2008.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 

Overview

 

The Company is a processor of branded and unbranded food products for retail, foodservice, and fresh product customers.  It operates in five segments as described in Note L in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.

 

The Company earned $0.59 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 5.4 percent compared to $0.56 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.  Significant factors impacting the quarter were:

 

·                  Refrigerated Foods profits decreased due to pork operating losses generated by a continued unfavorable spread between hog costs and primal values.

·                  Grocery Products showed increased profit results, driven by continued strength in sales of core product lines.

·                  Jennie-O Turkey Store reported a significant increase in profits, driven primarily by lower feed costs during the quarter due to a planned reduction in turkey production and a decreased cost per ton.

·                  The Company recognized a $3,634 pre-tax gain on the dissolution of its Carapelli USA, LLC joint venture.

 

Consolidated Results

 

Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 3.6 percent to $80,385 compared to $77,561 in the same quarter of 2008.  Diluted earnings per share for the quarter increased 5.4 percent to $0.59 from $0.56 last year.  Net earnings for the first six months of 2009 decreased 2.4 percent to $161,768 from $165,742 in 2008.  Diluted earnings per share for the same period were even with the prior year at $1.20.

 

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 remained comparable to the prior year at $1,595,043 versus $1,594,084 in 2008.  Tonnage decreased 2.3 percent to 1,122 million lbs. for the second quarter compared to 1,148 million lbs. in the same quarter of last year.  Net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2009 increased 2.1 percent to $3,284,129 from $3,215,249 in the first six months of fiscal 2008.  Tonnage for the six months decreased 1.7 percent to 2,290 million lbs. compared to 2,330 million lbs. in 2008.  Tonnage declines primarily reflect planned reductions in production for the Company’s turkey and pork operations in response to market conditions, and continued weakness in foodservice sales due to the economic downturn.  Net sales results remained comparable to the prior year as strong demand for the Company’s retail products and the impact of fiscal 2008 pricing initiatives partially offset the impact of the tonnage declines.

 

Gross profit for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2009 was $262,038 and $534,353, respectively, compared to $263,952 and $556,643 for the same periods last year.  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the second quarter and six months decreased to 16.4 and 16.3 percent in 2009, from 16.6 and 17.3 percent for the comparable quarter and six months of fiscal 2008.  An unfavorable spread between hog costs and primal values has existed throughout much of the first half of fiscal 2009, and has resulted in significant margin losses for pork operations within Refrigerated Foods.  This relationship will continue to impact margins entering the third quarter.  The pork operating losses were partially offset by gains in the Company’s value-added businesses due to the lower input costs and strong sales growth.  Margin improvement was also noted at Jennie-O Turkey Store

 

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Table of Contents

 

during the second quarter driven by lower feed costs compared to the prior year, due to a planned reduction in turkey production and a decreased cost per ton, but margins for the six months still remain below fiscal 2008 levels due to weak commodity meat markets.  Lower freight expense across most segments of the Company also provided a benefit for both the second quarter and six months.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2009 were $139,846 and $282,371, respectively, compared to $140,220 and $284,311 last year.  As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter were even with the prior year at 8.8 percent.  For the first six months, these expenses declined to 8.6 percent from 8.8 percent in fiscal 2008.  During fiscal 2009, lower expenses were incurred related to compensation, travel, and professional services.  These items offset increased medical expenses and higher pension expenses related to executive retirements.  A decrease in the Company’s advertising expenses compared to the prior year also contributed to the reduced expense.  The Company expects overall selling, general and administrative expenses to be approximately 9.0 percent of net sales for the remainder of fiscal 2009.

 

Equity in earnings of affiliates was $770 and $674 for the second quarter and first six months, respectively, compared to $821 and $3,190 last year.  Decreases for both the second quarter and six months were driven by lower results from the Company’s 40 percent owned Philippine joint venture, Purefoods-Hormel Company, and the Company’s 49 percent owned joint venture, San Miguel Purefoods (Vietnam) Co. Ltd.  These declines were partially offset by improved performance from the Company’s 50 percent owned joint venture, Herdez Corporation.  Minority interests in the Company’s consolidated investments are also reflected in these figures, and remained comparable to the prior year.

 

The effective tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2009 was 35.5 and 35.1 percent, respectively, compared to 36.1 and 36.4 percent for the comparable quarter and six months of fiscal 2008.  The lower rate for both the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2009 reflects more positive returns on the Company’s rabbi trust in the current year, which are not taxable.  The lower rate for the six months is also due to an increase in interest reserves as a result of the adoption of FIN 48 and net unfavorable discrete items in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.  The Company expects a full-year effective tax rate of approximately 36.0 percent for fiscal 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Segment Results

 

Net sales and operating profits for each of the Company’s segments are set forth below.  The Company is an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations, and sharing of assets.  Therefore, the Company does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating profit and other financial information shown below.  Additional segment financial information can be found in Note L of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

%
Change

 

April 26,
2009

 

April 27,
2008

 

%
Change

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grocery Products

 

$

241,684

 

$

233,464

 

3.5

 

$

483,627

 

$

460,879

 

4.9

 

Refrigerated Foods

 

834,062

 

831,821

 

0.3

 

1,731,486

 

1,689,281

 

2.5

 

Jennie-O Turkey Store

 

289,745

 

291,889

 

(0.7

)

594,784

 

583,338

 

2.0

 

Specialty Foods

 

173,586

 

182,534

 

(4.9

)

352,476

 

371,321

 

(5.1

)

All Other

 

55,966

 

54,376

 

2.9

 

121,756

 

110,430

 

10.3

 

Total

 

$

1,595,043

 

$

1,594,084

 

0.1

 

$

3,284,129

 

$

3,215,249

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment Operating Profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grocery Products

 

$

43,677

 

$

41,611

 

5.0

 

$

83,312

 

$

77,980

 

6.8

 

Refrigerated Foods

 

51,695

 

55,625

 

(7.1

)

97,440

 

118,431

 

(17.7

)

Jennie-O Turkey Store

 

16,678

 

11,708

 

42.4

 

45,927

 

46,512

 

(1.3

)

Specialty Foods

 

15,432

 

15,513

 

(0.5

)

30,749

 

33,806

 

(9.0

)

All Other

 

5,027

 

5,843

 

(14.0

)

13,272

 

14,868

 

(10.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment operating profit

 

$

132,509

 

$

130,300

 

1.7

 

$

270,700

 

$

291,597

 

(7.2

)

Net interest and investment income

 

1,666

 

(3,176

)

152.5

 

(3,398

)

(14,834

)

77.1

 

General corporate expense

 

(9,547

)

(5,747

)

(66.1

)

(18,044

)

(16,075

)

(12.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

124,628

 

$

121,377

 

2.7

 

$

249,258

 

$

260,688

 

(4.4

)

 

Grocery Products

 

The Grocery Products segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of shelf-stable food products sold predominantly in the retail market.

 

Grocery Products net sales increased 3.5 percent for the second quarter and 4.9 percent for the first six months compared to the same fiscal 2008 periods.  Tonnage increased 1.8 percent for the second quarter and 2.0 percent for the first six months compared to the prior year.  Double-digit increases in sales of the SPAM family of products, Dinty Moore stew, and Hormel chili drove the top-line results for the quarter and six months.  These product lines continue to offer a good value proposition to consumers.  Gains were also noted on the Company’s portfolio of Mexican products, and sales of Hormel Compleats microwave meals showed improvement compared to recent quarters due to successful promotional programs.

 

Segment profit for Grocery Products increased 5.0 percent for the second quarter and 6.8 percent for the six months compared to the fiscal 2008.  The volume gains noted above contributed to the increase, as well as the impact of pricing advances taken in fiscal 2008.  This segment also benefited from reduced freight and warehousing expenses during the second quarter.  Grocery Products has been challenged with increased input costs and competitive pressures in the first half of fiscal 2009 that are expected to continue into the second half of the year. The Company will continue to focus on supporting its core product lines in this segment with promotional programs, which should help to maintain market share and margin levels throughout the remainder of fiscal 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Construction of the new production facility in Dubuque, Iowa continues, which will provide additional capacity for canned and microwave tray items beginning in fiscal 2010.

 

Refrigerated Foods

 

The Refrigerated Foods segment includes the Hormel Refrigerated, Farmer John, Burke Corporation (Burke), and Dan’s Prize operating segments.  This segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of branded and unbranded pork and beef products for retail, foodservice, and fresh product customers.  Results for the Hormel Refrigerated operating segment include the Precept Foods business, which offers a variety of case-ready beef and pork products to retail customers.  Precept Foods, LLC, is a 51 percent owned joint venture between Hormel Foods Corporation and Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cargill, Incorporated.

 

Net sales by the Refrigerated Foods segment increased 0.3 percent for the second quarter and 2.5 percent for the first six months of fiscal 2009, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2008.  Tonnage decreased 2.4 percent and 2.0 percent for the second quarter and first six months, respectively, compared to last year.  Retail sales were strong for the quarter, but this growth was offset in part by softer foodservice sales due to recent economic conditions.

 

Segment profit for Refrigerated Foods decreased 7.1 and 17.7 percent for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2009, respectively, compared to the prior year.  The Company processed 2,348,000 hogs during the second quarter, which decreased slightly from the prior year.  An unfavorable spread between the Company’s hog costs and cut-out values for much of the first half of the year resulted in sizable pork operating losses and significantly reduced margins for this segment overall.  While the Company’s value-added businesses did benefit from the lower input costs and reduced freight and warehousing expenses during the quarter, these gains were unable to fully offset the losses incurred in operations.

 

Strong demand for the Company’s value-added products continued throughout the second quarter.  The Meat Products business unit reported excellent results, with double-digit sales growth achieved for Hormel pepperoni, Hormel Natural Choice lunchmeats, Hormel party trays, and DiLusso Deli Company products.  Improved results were also noted for Hormel refrigerated entrees, Lloyd’s barbecue tub meats, and Hormel flavored marinated pork loins, which had a slower start to fiscal 2009.  In contrast, the Foodservice business unit continued to experience sales and tonnage declines, as the trends toward at-home dining and reduced travel have persisted.

 

Farmer John continued to struggle with the same cut-out issues noted above.  Although some benefit was realized due to lower feed costs during the quarter, it was unable to offset the negative impact of lower markets at the Company’s live hog production facilities.  These facilities generated a loss for both the second quarter and first six months of 2009.  Overall, this business remains focused on growing its value-added products and reducing costs where possible.

 

This segment continues to face challenges entering the second half of the year.  Historically, a seasonal increase in hog markets would be expected entering the third quarter as the hog supply is reduced.  However, the sustained unfavorable cut-out margins have created unusual volatility and will continue to impact results for Refrigerated Foods as the year progresses.  Additionally, weakness in the foodservice industry is expected to continue.  The Company will continue to focus on the growth of our branded product portfolio and on improving the matching of our pricing with input costs to mitigate the impact of these issues.

 

Jennie-O Turkey Store

 

The Jennie-O Turkey Store (JOTS) segment consists primarily of the processing, marketing, and sale of branded and unbranded turkey products for retail, foodservice, and fresh product customers.

 

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Table of Contents

 

JOTS net sales decreased 0.7 percent for the second quarter and increased 2.0 percent for the first six months versus the comparable periods of fiscal 2008.  Tonnage decreased 3.6 percent for the second quarter and 1.6 percent for the first six months, compared to fiscal 2008 results.  The declines are primarily due to a planned volume reduction, with harvest levels declining by double-digits for the quarter.  However, a significant reduction in inventory levels allowed overall sales to remain comparable to the prior year.  Value-added net sales were also up 2.4 percent for the second quarter, resulting from pricing initiatives and improvements in customer and product mix.

 

Segment profit for JOTS increased 42.4 percent for the second quarter but decreased 1.3 percent for the first six months of fiscal 2009 compared to the prior year.  Lower feed expense, due to a planned reduction in turkey production and a decreased cost per ton compared to the prior year, was a key driver of the improved profitability for the quarter.  Lower commodity pricing has continued to challenge earnings at JOTS throughout the first half of fiscal 2009, particularly for breast meat and whole birds, and has offset a portion of the reduced feed costs.

 

As noted, JOTS was successful in growing its value-added businesses during the quarter.  The Jennie-O Turkey Store retail tray pack line experienced notable gains compared to the prior year.  Jennie-O Turkey Store Grand Champion deli turkey and Jennie-O Turkey Store ground turkey and sauce in the foodservice unit also showed marked improvement from fiscal 2008 results.

 

JOTS continues to focus on balancing inventories with value-added production requirements.  The industry remains in an oversupply situation for breast meat, which will continue to deflate commodity prices entering the third quarter.  The planned reductions in harvest levels and tightening of inventories have allowed the Company to avoid generating significant surplus breast meat and have reduced the exposure to the low commodity markets.  Although feed costs were favorable during the first half of fiscal 2009, any increase in prices could negatively impact margins for JOTS as the year progresses.

 

Specialty Foods

 

The Specialty Foods segment includes the Diamond Crystal Brands (DCB), Century Foods International (CFI), and Hormel Specialty Products (HSP) operating segments.  This segment consists of the packaging and sale of various sugar and sugar substitute products, salt and pepper products, liquid portion products, dessert mixes, ready-to-drink products, gelatin products, and private label canned meats to retail and foodservice customers.  This segment also includes the processing, marketing, and sale of nutritional food products and supplements to hospitals, nursing homes, and other marketers of nutritional products.

 

Specialty Foods had a difficult first half in fiscal 2009, as net sales decreased 4.9 percent for the second quarter and 5.1 percent for the first six months, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2008.  Tonnage decreased 6.7 percent for the quarter and 7.3 percent for the first six months, compared to the prior year.  The Boca Grande acquisition contributed an incremental $5,523 of net sales and 6.3 million lbs. of tonnage to the second quarter results for this segment, and $10,565 of net sales and 11.8 million lbs. of tonnage to the six month results.  Specialty Foods segment profit decreased 0.5 percent in the second quarter and 9.0 percent for the first six months, compared to 2008 results.

 

Declines in both net sales and profits were driven by reduced sales of nutritional powders and ready-to-drink products at CFI, resulting from the loss of certain business due to competitive issues and a general slowdown with existing key customers.  These declines were partially offset by improved results in the other two operating segments within Specialty Foods.  Increased sales of sugar substitute and liquid portion products resulted in profit growth for DCB.  Sales of private label luncheon meat and hash also remained strong at HSP during the quarter, and improvements were noted for contract packaging sales of microwave products.  Reduced distribution expenses compared to fiscal 2008 also provided some incremental benefit across the segment.

 

Looking forward, this segment will continue to face challenges related to competitive pressures and overall weak demand for certain key product lines.  Sales of private label canned products are expected to remain strong, but the Company is working to sustain contract packaging volumes and replace lost business to improve results for Specialty Foods entering the second half of the year.

 

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Table of Contents

 

All Other

 

The All Other segment includes the Hormel Foods International (HFI) operating segment, which manufactures, markets, and sells Company products internationally.  This segment also includes various miscellaneous corporate sales.

 

All Other net sales increased 2.9 percent for the quarter and 10.3 percent for the first six months, as HFI export sales of fresh pork and the SPAM family of products strengthened compared to the comparable fiscal 2008 periods.  Segment profit decreased 14.0 and 10.7 percent for the quarter and first six months of fiscal 2009, respectively, compared to prior year results.  Lower raw material costs provided some benefit for the quarter, but were offset by the negative currency impact generated by the continued strength of the dollar versus currencies in key international markets.  Although the local currencies have shown some strength recently, they will continue to be a concern throughout the third quarter.  Decreased profit results for the Company’s international joint ventures also contributed to the segment profit decline for both the quarter and six months.

 

Unallocated Income and Expenses
 

The Company does not allocate investment income, interest expense, and interest income to its segments when measuring performance.  The Company also retains various other income and unallocated expenses at corporate.  These items are included in the segment table for the purpose of reconciling segment results to earnings before income taxes.

 

Net interest and investment income for the second quarter represented net income of $1,666 and a net expense of $(3,398) for the first six months of fiscal 2009, compared to a net expense of $3,176 and $14,834 for the comparable quarter and six months of fiscal 2008.  The decreased expense was primarily driven by improved investment returns on the Company’s rabbi trust for supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans, which increased $1,935 and $9,657 for the second quarter and first six months, respectively, compared to fiscal 2008.  Fiscal 2009 results also include a $3,634 pretax gain recognized in the second quarter on the dissolution of the Company’s Carapelli USA, LLC joint venture.  Interest expense of $6,918 and $14,373 for the second quarter and first six months of 2009, respectively, exceeded prior year levels due to higher outstanding borrowings on the Company’s short-term line of credit.  The Company anticipates that interest expense will approximate $29,000 for fiscal 2009.

 

General corporate expense for the second quarter and first six months was $9,547 and $18,044, respectively, compared to $5,747 and $16,075 for the comparable periods of fiscal 2008.  Increased expense for the second quarter resulted from higher medical expenses compared to the prior year.  For the first six months, pension related expenses also increased, but were partially offset by lower depreciation and compensation related expenses in fiscal 2009.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

There has been no material change in the information regarding Related Party Transactions that was disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 26, 2008.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash and cash equivalents were $312,331 at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to $107,156 at the end of the comparable fiscal 2008 period.

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $258,952 in the first six months of fiscal 2009 compared to $119,775 in the same period of fiscal 2008.  Lower earnings were offset by favorable changes in working capital, as significant decreases in inventory and accounts receivable balances during fiscal 2009 have more than offset decreases in accounts payable and accrued expense balances.

 

Cash used in investing activities decreased to $42,066 in the first six months of fiscal 2009 from $71,456 in the comparable period of fiscal 2008.  Lower fixed asset expenditures during fiscal 2009 were the primary driver of the decrease, declining to $45,821 for the first six months of fiscal 2009 from $67,941 in the comparable period of fiscal 2008.  The Company currently estimates its fiscal 2009 fixed asset expenditures to be approximately $100,000, primarily related to the new production facility in Dubuque, Iowa.  The Company’s investments in available-for-sale securities also resulted in a lower net cash outflow of approximately $12,800 for the first six months of fiscal 2009 compared to the prior year.

 

Cash used in financing activities was $59,333 in the first six months of fiscal 2009 compared to $90,912 in the same period of fiscal 2008.  The Company used $10,375 for common stock repurchases in first six months of fiscal 2009, compared to $21,927 in the same period of the prior year.  For additional information pertaining to the Company’s share repurchase plans or programs, see Part II, Item 2 “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.”  Decreased payments on short-term debt also increased cash flows by $45,000.  Decreased cash flows generated from the Company’s stock option plan offset approximately $17,800 of these increases during the first six months of fiscal 2009.

 

Cash dividends paid to the Company’s shareholders also continue to be a significant financing activity for the Company.  Dividends paid in the first six months of 2009 were $50,376 compared to $45,469 in the comparable period of fiscal 2008.  For fiscal 2009, the annual dividend rate has been increased to $0.76 per share, representing the 43rd consecutive annual dividend increase.  The Company has paid dividends for 323 consecutive quarters and expects to continue doing so.

 

The Company is required, by certain covenants in its debt agreements, to maintain specified levels of financial ratios and balance sheet position.  At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company was in compliance with all of these debt covenants.

 

Cash flow from operating activities provides the Company with its principal source of liquidity.  The Company does not anticipate a significant risk to cash flow from this source in the foreseeable future because the Company operates in a relatively stable industry and has strong products across many product lines.  However, due to the credit market conditions that began in the latter half of fiscal 2008, the Company has continued to manage its capital conservatively during fiscal 2009.  Capital projects that are not time critical are evaluated and may be delayed.  The Company will fund its pension plans at required levels for fiscal 2009, and is evaluating an additional discretionary contribution.  Repayment of the Company’s short-term line of credit balance and additional share repurchases remain as strategic options that will be considered as uses of free cash flows during the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
 

As discussed in Note K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 at the beginning of fiscal 2008.  The Company’s contractual obligations by year related to this pronouncement cannot be determined, as the ultimate amount or timing of settlement of its reserves for income taxes cannot be reasonably estimated.  The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, at April 26, 2009, was $38,862.

 

There have been no other material changes to the information regarding the Company’s future contractual financial obligations that was disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 26, 2008.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company currently provides a revocable standby letter of credit for $2,390 to guarantee obligations that may arise under workers compensation claims of an affiliated party.  This potential obligation is not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

The Company has also guaranteed a $9,000 loan of an independent farm operator, of which approximately $2,900 of the loan proceeds have been spent to date with the remaining $6,100 being held in an escrow account.  The Company is obligated to make payments if the farm operator fails to do so, and the Company has made immaterial payments in fiscal 2008 and 2009.  The portion of the potential obligation currently held in escrow does not represent a risk to the Company and is therefore not reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 

This report contains “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  The “forward-looking” information may include statements concerning the Company’s outlook for the future as well as other statements of beliefs, future plans, strategies, or anticipated events and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. The Company is filing this cautionary statement in connection with the Reform Act.  When used in the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders, in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), in the Company’s press releases and in oral statements made by the Company’s representatives, the words or phrases “should result,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “are expected to,” “targeted,” “will continue,” “will approximate,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act.  Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those anticipated or projected.

 

In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Reform Act, the Company is identifying risk factors that could affect financial performance and cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods.  The discussion of risk factors in Part II, Item 1A of this report on Form 10-Q contains certain cautionary statements regarding the Company’s business, which should be considered by investors and others.  Such risk factors should be considered in conjunction with any discussions of operations or results by the Company or its representatives, including any forward-looking discussion, as well as comments contained in press releases, presentations to securities analysts or investors, or other communications by the Company.

 

In making these statements, the Company is not undertaking, and specifically declines to undertake, any obligation to address or update each or any factor in future filings or communications regarding the Company’s business or results, and is not undertaking to address how any of these factors may have caused changes to discussions or information contained in previous filings or communications. Though the Company has attempted to list comprehensively these important cautionary risk factors, the Company wishes to caution investors and others that other factors may in the future prove to be important in affecting the Company’s business or results of operations.

 

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which represent current views as of the date made.  Forward-looking statements are inherently at risk to any changes in the national and worldwide economic environment, which could include, among other things, economic conditions, political developments, currency exchange rates, interest and inflation rates, accounting standards, taxes, and laws and regulations affecting the Company and its markets.

 

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

Hog Markets:  The Company’s earnings are affected by fluctuations in the live hog market.  To minimize the impact on earnings, and to ensure a steady supply of quality hogs, the Company has entered into contracts with producers for the purchase of hogs at formula-based prices over periods up to 15 years.  Purchased hogs under contract accounted for 93 percent and 92 percent of the total hogs purchased by the Company through the first six months of fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The majority of these contracts use market-based formulas based on hog futures, hog primal values, or industry reported hog markets.  Under normal, long-term market conditions, changes in the cash hog market are offset by proportional changes in primal values.  Therefore, a hypothetical 10 percent change in the cash hog market would have had an immaterial effect on the Company’s results of operations.

 

Certain procurement contracts allow for future hog deliveries (firm commitments) to be forward priced.  The Company generally hedges these firm commitments by using hog futures contracts.  These futures contracts are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges.  The change in the market value of such futures contracts is highly effective at offsetting changes in price movements of the hedged item, and the Company evaluates the effectiveness of the contracts on a regular basis.  Changes in the fair value of the futures contracts, along with the gain or loss on the firm commitment, are marked-to-market through earnings and are recorded on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as a current asset and liability, respectively.  The fair value of the Company’s open futures contracts as of April 26, 2009, was $3,467 compared to $15,828 as of October 26, 2008.

 

The Company measures its market risk exposure on its hog futures contracts using a sensitivity analysis, which considers a hypothetical 10 percent change in market prices.  A 10 percent increase in market prices would have negatively impacted the fair value of the Company’s April 26, 2009, open contracts by $5,963, which in turn would lower the Company’s future cost of purchased hogs by a similar amount.

 

Turkey and Hog Production Costs:  The Company raises or contracts for live turkeys and hogs to meet some of its raw material supply requirements.  Production costs in raising turkeys and hogs are subject primarily to fluctuations in feed prices, and to a lesser extent, fuel costs.  Under normal, long-term market conditions, changes in the cost to produce turkeys and hogs are offset by proportional changes in their respective markets.

 

To reduce the Company’s exposure to changes in grain prices, the Company utilizes a hedge program to offset the fluctuation in the Company’s future direct grain purchases.  This program utilizes corn and soybean meal futures and swaps, and these contracts are accounted for under cash flow hedge accounting.  The open contracts are reported at their fair value with an unrealized loss of $37,922, before tax, on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of April 26, 2009, compared to an unrealized loss of $63,250, before tax, as of October 26, 2008.

 

The Company measures its market risk exposure on its grain futures contracts and swaps using a sensitivity analysis, which considers a hypothetical 10 percent change in the market prices for grain.  A 10 percent decrease in the market price for grain would have negatively impacted the fair value of the Company’s April 26, 2009, open grain contracts by $5,447, which in turn would lower the Company’s future cost on purchased grain by a similar amount.

 

Natural Gas:  Production costs at the Company’s plants and feed mills are also subject to fluctuations in fuel costs.  To reduce the Company’s exposure to changes in natural gas prices, the Company utilizes a hedge program to offset the fluctuation in the Company’s future natural gas purchases.  This program utilizes natural gas swaps, and these contracts are accounted for under cash flow hedge accounting.  The open contracts are reported at their fair value with an unrealized loss of $17,831, before tax, on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of April 26, 2009, compared to an unrealized loss of $10,229, before tax, as of October 26, 2008.

 

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The Company measures its market risk exposure on its natural gas contracts using a sensitivity analysis, which considers a hypothetical 10 percent change in the market prices for natural gas.  A 10 percent decrease in the market price for natural gas would have negatively impacted the fair value of the Company’s April 26, 2009, open natural gas contracts by $2,847, which in turn would lower the Company’s future cost on natural gas purchases by a similar amount.

 

Long-Term Debt:  A principal market risk affecting the Company is the exposure to changes in interest rates on the Company’s fixed-rate, long-term debt.  Market risk for fixed-rate, long-term debt is estimated as the potential increase in fair value, resulting from a hypothetical 10 percent decrease in interest rates, and amounts to approximately $2,607.  The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was estimated using discounted future cash flows based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 

Investments:  The Company holds trading securities as part of a rabbi trust to fund certain supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans.  The Company is subject to market risk due to fluctuations in the value of these investments, as unrealized gains and losses associated with these securities are included in the Company’s net earnings on a mark-to-market basis.  As of April 26, 2009, the balance of these securities totaled $94,379.  As losses on these securities are not tax deductible, a 10 percent decline in the value of these assets would have a direct negative impact to the Company’s net earnings of approximately $9,438, while a 10 percent increase in value would have a positive impact of the same amount.

 

International:  While the Company does have international operations and operates in international markets, it considers its market risk in such activities to be immaterial.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 

(a)                Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report (the Evaluation Date), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)).  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information the Company is required to disclose in reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b)               Internal Controls.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
 

The Company is a party to various legal proceedings related to the on-going operation of its business.  The resolution of any currently known matters is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors
 

Deterioration of economic conditions could harm the Company’s business.

 

The Company’s business may be adversely affected by changes in national or global economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates, availability of capital markets, consumer spending rates, energy availability and costs (including fuel surcharges), and the effects of governmental initiatives to manage economic conditions.

 

The recent volatility in financial markets and the deterioration of national and global economic conditions could impact the Company’s operations as follows:

 

·                  The value of our investments in debt and equity securities may decline, including most significantly the Company’s trading securities held as part of a rabbi trust to fund supplemental executive retirement plans and deferred income plans, and the Company’s assets held in pension plans;

·                  The financial stability of our customers and suppliers may be compromised, which could result in additional bad debts for the Company or non-performance by suppliers; and

·                  It may become more costly or difficult to obtain financing to fund operations or investment opportunities, or to refinance the Company’s debt in the future.

 

The Company also utilizes hedging programs to reduce its exposure to various commodity market risks, which qualify for hedge accounting for financial reporting purposes.  Volatile fluctuations in market conditions could cause these instruments to become ineffective, which could require any gains or losses associated with these instruments to be reported in the Company’s earnings each period.  These instruments may also limit the Company’s ability to benefit from market gains if commodity prices become more favorable than those that have been secured under the Company’s hedging programs.

 

Additionally, if a high pathogenic disease outbreak developed in the United States, it may negatively impact the national economy, demand for Company products, and/or the Company’s workforce availability, and the Company’s financial results could suffer.  The Company has developed contingency plans to address infectious disease scenarios and the potential impact on its operations, and will continue to update these plans as necessary.  There can be no assurance given, however, that these plans will be effective in eliminating the negative effects of any such diseases on the Company’s operating results.  Specifically in regard to the recent outbreak of the H1N1 virus, both the disease itself as well as adverse publicity associated with the inaccurate naming of the disease as “swine flu” could impact future operating results.  Perceived risks of the virus may cause a reduced demand for pork or create additional import bans restricting distribution of the Company’s products internationally.

 

Fluctuations in commodity prices of pork, poultry, and feed ingredients could harm the Company’s earnings.

 

The Company’s results of operations and financial condition are largely dependent upon the cost and supply of pork, poultry, and feed grains as well as the selling prices for many of our products, which are determined by constantly changing market forces of supply and demand.

 

The live hog industry has evolved to very large, vertically integrated, year-round confinement operations operating under long-term supply agreements.  This has resulted in fewer hogs being available on the cash spot market.  The decrease in the supply of live hogs on the cash spot market could diminish the utilization of harvest facilities and increase the cost of the raw materials they produce.  Consequently, the Company uses long-term

 

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supply contracts to ensure a stable supply of raw materials while minimizing extreme fluctuations in costs over the long-term.  This may result, in the short-term, in costs for live hogs that are higher than the cash spot market depending on the relationship of the cash spot market to contract prices.  Market-based pricing on certain product lines, and lead time required to implement pricing adjustments, may prevent these cost increases from being recovered, and these higher costs could adversely affect our short-term financial results.

 

Jennie-O Turkey Store raises turkeys and also contracts with turkey growers to meet its raw material requirements for whole birds and processed turkey products.  Additionally, the Company owns various hog raising facilities that supplement its supply of raw materials.  Results in these operations are affected by the cost and supply of feed grains, which fluctuate due to climate conditions, production forecasts, and supply and demand conditions at local, regional, national, and worldwide levels.  The Company attempts to manage some of its short-term exposure to fluctuations in feed prices by using futures contracts and pursuing pricing advances.  However, these strategies may not be adequate to overcome sustained increases in market prices due to alternate uses for feed grains or other systemic changes in the industry.

 

Outbreaks of disease among livestock and poultry flocks could harm the Company’s revenues and operating margins.

 

The Company is subject to risks associated with the outbreak of disease in pork and beef livestock, and poultry flocks, including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), pneumo-virus, Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2), Porcine Reproduction & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), and Avian Influenza.  The outbreak of disease could adversely affect the Company’s supply of raw materials, increase the cost of production, and reduce operating margins.  Additionally, the outbreak of disease may hinder the Company’s ability to market and sell products both domestically and internationally.  The Company has developed business continuity plans for various disease scenarios and will continue to update these plans as necessary.  There can be no assurance given, however, that these plans will be effective in eliminating the negative effects of any such diseases on the Company’s operating results.

 

Market demand for the Company’s products may fluctuate due to competition from other producers.

 

The Company faces competition from producers of alternative meats and protein sources, including beef, chicken, and fish.  The bases on which the Company competes include:

 

·                  price;

·                  product quality;

·                  brand identification;

·                  breadth of product line; and

·                  customer service.

 

Demand for the Company’s products is also affected by competitors’ promotional spending and the effectiveness of the Company’s advertising and marketing programs.  The Company may be unable to compete successfully on any or all of these bases in the future.

 

The Company’s operations are subject to the general risks of the food industry.

 

The food products manufacturing industry is subject to the risks posed by:

 

·                  food spoilage or food contamination;

·                  evolving consumer preferences and nutritional and health-related concerns;

·                  federal, state, and local food processing controls;

·                  consumer product liability claims;

·                  product tampering; and

·                  the possible unavailability and/or expense of liability insurance.

 

If one or more of these risks were to materialize, the Company’s revenues could decrease, costs of doing business could increase, and the Company’s operating results could be adversely affected.

 

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The Company’s operations are subject to the general risks associated with acquisitions.

 

The Company has made several acquisitions in recent years including, most recently, Burke and Boca Grande, and regularly reviews opportunities for strategic growth through acquisitions.  Potential risks associated with acquisitions include the inability to integrate new operations successfully, the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, the potential loss of key employees and customers of the acquired companies, the possible assumption of unknown liabilities, potential disputes with the sellers, and the inherent risks in entering markets or lines of business in which the Company has limited or no prior experience.  Any or all of these risks could impact the Company’s financial results and business reputation.  In addition, acquisitions outside the United States may present unique challenges and increase the Company’s exposure to the risks associated with foreign operations.

 

The Company’s operations are subject to the general risks of litigation.

 

The Company is involved on an ongoing basis in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Trends in litigation may include class actions involving competitors, consumers, shareholders, or injured persons, and claims relating to patent infringement, labor, employment, or environmental matters.  Litigation trends and the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and adverse litigation trends and outcomes could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

 

Government regulation, present and future, exposes the Company to potential sanctions and compliance costs that could adversely affect the Company’s business.

 

The Company’s operations are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, federal and state taxing authorities, and other state and local authorities that oversee workforce immigration laws, tax regulations, food safety standards, and the processing, packaging, storage, distribution, advertising, and labeling of the Company’s products.  The Company’s manufacturing facilities and products are subject to constant inspection by federal, state, and local authorities.  Claims or enforcement proceedings could be brought against the Company in the future.  Additionally, the Company is subject to new or modified laws, regulations, and accounting standards.  The Company’s failure or inability to comply with such requirements could subject the Company to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls, or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions.

 

The Company is subject to stringent environmental regulation and potentially subject to environmental litigation, proceedings, and investigations.

 

The Company’s past and present business operations and ownership and operation of real property are subject to stringent federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, and the handling and disposition of wastes (including solid and hazardous wastes) or otherwise relating to protection of the environment.  Compliance with these laws and regulations, and the ability to comply with any modifications to these laws and regulations, is material to the Company’s business.  New matters or sites may be identified in the future that will require additional investigation, assessment, or expenditures.  In addition, some of the Company’s facilities have been in operation for many years and, over time, the Company and other prior operators of these facilities may have generated and disposed of wastes that now may be considered hazardous.  Future discovery of contamination of property underlying or in the vicinity of the Company’s present or former properties or manufacturing facilities and/or waste disposal sites could require the Company to incur additional expenses.  The occurrence of any of these events, the implementation of new laws and regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws or regulations, could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

 

The Company’s foreign operations pose additional risks to the Company’s business.

 

The Company operates its business and markets its products internationally.  The Company’s foreign operations are subject to the risks described above, as well as risks related to fluctuations in currency values, foreign currency exchange controls, compliance with foreign laws, and other economic or political uncertainties.  International sales are subject to risks related to general economic conditions, imposition of tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other restrictions, enforcement of remedies in foreign jurisdictions and compliance with applicable foreign laws, and other economic and political uncertainties.  All of these risks could result in increased costs or

 

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decreased revenues, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

 

Deterioration of labor relations or increases in labor costs could harm the Company’s business.

 

The Company has approximately 18,900 employees, of which approximately 6,400 are represented by labor unions, principally the United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union.  A significant increase in labor costs or a deterioration of labor relations at any of the Company’s facilities that results in work slowdowns or stoppages could harm the Company’s financial results.  A union contract at the Company’s facility in Stockton, California will expire in August of fiscal 2009, covering approximately 100 employees.  Negotiations have not yet been initiated at this location.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009

 

Period

 

Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)

 

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(2)

 

Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs(2)

 

January 26, 2009 – March 1, 2009

 

90

 

30.57

 

0

 

1,895,379

 

March 2, 2009 – March 29, 2009

 

0

 

 

0

 

1,895,379

 

March 30, 2009 – April 26, 2009

 

56

 

32.48

 

0

 

1,895,379

 

Total

 

146

 

$

31.31

 

0

 

 

 

 


(1)Shares repurchased during the quarter represent purchases for the Company’s employee awards program.

 

(2)On October 2, 2002, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the Company to repurchase up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock with no expiration date.

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

The information contained in Part II, Item 4 of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 25, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

31.1                         Certification Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2                         Certification Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.1                         Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 
 
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: June 5, 2009

By

/s/ JODY H. FERAGEN

 

 

JODY H. FERAGEN

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

Date: June 5, 2009

By

/s/ ROLAND G. GENTZLER

 

 

ROLAND G. GENTZLER

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

(Duly Authorized Officer)

 

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