Skip to Content

Release Details

Pilgrim's Pride Reports Financial Results for Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010

Pilgrim's Pride Reports Financial Results for Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010

GREELEY, Colo., July 30, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NYSE: PPC) today reported net earnings of $32.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, on net sales of $1.7 billion for the second quarter ended June 27, 2010. These results include nonrecurring administrative restructuring charges of $16.9 million pre-tax, or $10.5 million after tax, or $0.05 per diluted share, related to the writedown of net book value of two office buildings. For the comparable quarter a year ago, the company reported net earnings of $53.2 million, or $0.72 per share, on total sales of nearly $1.8 billion. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes restructuring and reorganization charges, was $127.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $166.0 million for the same period a year ago.

"Our results for the second quarter reflect significant improvement from the first quarter, a sign that the operational and structural changes we have made over the past 18 months are beginning to pay off," said Don Jackson, Pilgrim's Pride president and chief executive. "We are making progress in a number of areas, including new business, cost control and operating efficiencies. We continue to make gains in live operations and plant costs."

The company said the administrative restructuring charges include $14.8 million in non-cash impairment costs related to writing down the net book value of its former corporate headquarters building in east Texas and a satellite corporate office building in Atlanta. Those offices were recently closed as part of the relocation of the corporate headquarters to Greeley, CO.

"Cost improvement in the short-term, and product mix and price in the long-term, continue to be our largest opportunities for creating value. We are succeeding in bringing in new, higher-margin business in both retail and foodservice in the third quarter. Overall we are seeing good demand from customers and we intend to grow our share and volume in every channel. Sales and volume in the second quarter increased across our retail and foodservice segments when compared to the first quarter. In terms of supply and demand, we are in balance with our boneless skinless breast meat, with all of that product being absorbed by our core retail and foodservice businesses," he explained.

Jackson said he is cautiously optimistic about industry fundamentals heading into the second half of the year, as overall production is estimated to rise 2.7 percent in 2010. "That is still well below the pre-cutback levels of 2008 and supplies at this point remain fairly tight. Based on the current supply across all three meat proteins, I believe the industry will remain relatively strong. In general, our customers appear to be optimistic, and I believe we will see more price support for chicken as supplies remain below pre-cutback levels."

"Looking ahead, we are focused on upgrading the value of our product mix, operating our plants more efficiently, and taking full advantage of our stronger financial and competitive position in the marketplace," Mr. Jackson said.

For the first two quarters of fiscal 2010, the company reported a net loss of $12.6 million, or $0.06 per share, on sales of $3.4 billion. These results include nonrecurring administrative restructuring charges and reorganization expenses of $71.2 million pre-tax, or $44.3 million after tax, or $0.21 per diluted share. For the same period a year ago, Pilgrim's Pride reported a net loss of $5.5 million, or $0.07 per share, on sales of $3.5 billion. Adjusted EBITDA for the first six months of fiscal 2010 was $187.1 million, compared to $246.7 million for the same period a year ago.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss the company's quarterly results will be held today at 9 a.m. Mountain (11 a.m. Eastern). To listen live via telephone, call toll-free 800-894-5910, passcode 5630149. International callers should dial 785-424-1052, passcode 5630149. The presentation will be broadcast live over the Internet at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=70373. (Please copy and paste the link into the browser.)

Additionally, the company has posted a slide presentation on its website at http://www.pilgrimspride.com, which may be viewed by listeners in connection with today's conference call. The webcast will be available for replay within approximately two hours of the conclusion of the call. A toll-free telephone replay will be available today beginning at approximately noon Mountain time by calling 888-203-1112, passcode 5630149. International callers may dial 719-457-0820, passcode 5630149 The replay will be available for 30 days.

About Pilgrim's Pride

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation employs approximately 41,000 people and operates chicken processing plants and prepared-foods facilities in 12 states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. The Company's primary distribution is through retailers and foodservice distributors. For more information, please visit http://www.pilgrimspride.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that state the intentions, plans, hopes, beliefs, anticipations, expectations or predictions of the future of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation and its management are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements include: matters affecting the poultry industry generally; the ability to execute the company's business plan to achieve desired cost savings and profitability; the ability of the company to achieve the anticipated synergistic gains from the sale of 64% of its common stock to JBS USA Holdings, Inc; the ability of the company to re-open its idled facilities in the manner and on the time schedule planned due to, among other things, the company's dependence on commodity prices and economic conditions; future pricing for feed ingredients and the company's products; additional outbreaks of avian influenza or other diseases, either in Pilgrim's Pride's flocks or elsewhere, affecting its ability to conduct its operations and/or demand for its poultry products; contamination of Pilgrim's Pride's products, which has previously and can in the future lead to product liability claims and product recalls; exposure to risks related to product liability, product recalls, property damage and injuries to persons, for which insurance coverage is expensive, limited and potentially inadequate; management of cash resources, particularly in light of Pilgrim's Pride's substantial leverage; restrictions imposed by, and as a result of, Pilgrim's Pride's substantial leverage; changes in laws or regulations affecting Pilgrim's Pride's operations or the application thereof; new immigration legislation or increased enforcement efforts in connection with existing immigration legislation that cause the costs of doing business to increase, cause Pilgrim's Pride to change the way in which it does business, or otherwise disrupt its operations; competitive factors and pricing pressures or the loss of one or more of Pilgrim's Pride's largest customers; currency exchange rate fluctuations, trade barriers, exchange controls, expropriation and other risks associated with foreign operations; disruptions in international markets and distribution channel, including exports into Russia, the anti-dumping proceeding in Ukraine and the anti-dumping and countervailing duty proceeding in China; and the impact of uncertainties of litigation as well as other risks described under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pilgrim's Pride Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Media & Investor
     Contact:            Gary Rhodes
                          Vice President, Corporate Communications and
                          Investor Relations
                         (903) 434-1495


                           PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)

                                         Three Months Ended
                                         ------------------
                                       June 27,        June 27,
                                            2010            2009
                                            ----            ----
                                      (In thousands, except per share data)

    Net sales                         $1,707,568      $1,776,813
    Costs and expenses:
      Cost of sales                    1,575,077       1,611,337
                                       ---------       ---------

    Gross profit                         132,491         165,476
      Selling, general and
       administrative expense             63,718          56,880
      Administrative restructuring
       charges, net                       16,882               -
                                          ------             ---

         Total costs and expenses      1,655,677       1,668,217
                                       ---------       ---------

    Operating income                      51,891         108,596

    Other expenses (income):
      Interest expense                    26,115          38,843
      Interest income                       (627)           (488)
      Miscellaneous, net                  (4,504)           (312)
                                          ------            ----

         Total other expenses             20,984          38,043
                                          ------          ------

    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations before
     reorganization                       30,907          70,553
         items and income taxes
    Reorganization items, net             (2,178)         16,779
                                          ------          ------

    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations before income taxes       33,085          53,774
    Income tax expense (benefit)          (1,503)            555
                                          ------             ---

    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations                           34,588          53,219
    Income from discontinued
     business, net of tax                      -               -
                                             ---             ---

    Net income (loss)                     34,588          53,219
    Less:  Net income (loss)
     attributable to noncontrolling
     interest                              1,670             (20)
                                           -----             ---

    Net income (loss) attributable
     to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation      $32,918         $53,239
                                         =======         =======

    Net loss per common share-basic
     and diluted:
      Income (loss) from continuing
       operations attributable to          $0.15           $0.72
         Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
          common stockholders
      Income from discontinued
       business attributable to                -               -
         Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
          common stockholders                ---             ---

      Net income (loss) attributable
       to                                  $0.15           $0.72
         Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
          common stockholders              =====           =====

    Weighted average shares
     outstanding - basic and diluted     214,282          74,056

                                          Six Months Ended
                                          ----------------
                                       June 27,        June 27,
                                            2010            2009
                                            ----            ----
                                      (In thousands, except per share data)

    Net sales                         $3,350,486      $3,474,915
    Costs and expenses:
      Cost of sales                    3,165,976       3,230,696
                                       ---------       ---------

    Gross profit                         184,510         244,219
      Selling, general and
       administrative expense            112,319         115,778
      Administrative restructuring
       charges, net                       52,701            (435)
                                          ------            ----

         Total costs and expenses      3,330,996       3,346,039
                                       ---------       ---------

    Operating income                      19,490         128,876

    Other expenses (income):
      Interest expense                    54,535          85,287
      Interest income                     (1,174)         (3,312)
      Miscellaneous, net                  (6,829)         (2,940)
                                          ------          ------

         Total other expenses             46,532          79,035
                                          ------          ------

    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations before
     reorganization                      (27,042)         49,841
         items and income taxes
    Reorganization items, net             18,541          52,134
                                          ------          ------

    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations before income taxes      (45,583)         (2,293)
    Income tax expense (benefit)         (34,807)          2,902
                                         -------           -----

    Income (loss) from continuing
     operations                          (10,776)         (5,195)
    Income from discontinued
     business, net of tax                      -              25
                                             ---             ---

    Net income (loss)                    (10,776)         (5,170)
    Less:  Net income (loss)
     attributable to noncontrolling
     interest                              1,853             356
                                           -----             ---

    Net income (loss) attributable
     to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation     $(12,629)        $(5,526)
                                        ========         =======

    Net loss per common share-basic
     and diluted:
      Income (loss) from continuing
       operations attributable to         $(0.06)         $(0.07)
         Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
          common stockholders
      Income from discontinued
       business attributable to                -               -
         Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
          common stockholders                ---             ---

      Net income (loss) attributable
       to                                 $(0.06)         $(0.07)
         Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
          common stockholders             ======          ======

    Weighted average shares
     outstanding - basic and diluted     214,282          74,056


                     PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Unaudited)


                                                                 September
                                                June 27,             26,

                                                      2010             2009
                                                      ----             ----
                                                      (In thousands)
    Assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                      $36,483         $220,029
    Investment in available-for-sale
     securities                                      9,741            5,302
    Trade accounts and other
     receivables, less allowance for
     doubtful accounts                             330,103          316,953
    Inventories                                    782,476          763,869
    Income taxes receivable                         54,144           15,028
    Prepaid expenses and other current
     assets                                         55,530           44,540
    Assets held for sale                            27,179              473
                                                    ------              ---

        Total current assets                     1,295,656        1,366,194

    Investment in available-for-sale
     securities                                     56,394           57,314
    Deferred tax assets                             11,665           16,732
    Other long-lived assets                        117,938           63,609
    Identified intangible assets, net               51,792           57,179
    Property, plant and equipment, net           1,393,795        1,499,476
                                                 ---------        ---------

                                                $2,927,240       $3,060,504
                                                ==========       ==========

    Liabilities and stockholders'
     equity:
    Accounts payable                              $263,541         $182,173
    Accrued expenses                               287,770          309,259
    Pre-petition obligations                         3,663                -
    Income taxes payable                             8,490                -
    Current deferred tax liabilities                15,277           16,732
    Current maturities of long-term
     debt                                           62,853                -
                                                    ------              ---

        Total current liabilities                  641,594          508,164

    Long-term debt, less current
     maturities                                  1,167,930           41,062
    Deferred tax liabilities                        42,384           22,213
    Other long-term liabilities                     90,175           98,783
                                                    ------           ------

        Total liabilities not subject to
         compromise                              1,942,083          670,222

    Liabilities subject to compromise                    -        2,233,161

    Common stock                                     2,143              771
    Additional paid-in capital                   1,447,211          646,793
    Accumulated deficit                           (448,421)        (469,407)
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     loss                                          (23,883)         (27,237)
                                                   -------          -------

        Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
         stockholders' equity                      977,050          150,920

    Noncontrolling interest                          8,107            6,201
                                                     -----            -----

    Total stockholders' equity                     985,157          157,121
                                                   -------          -------

                                                $2,927,240       $3,060,504
                                                ==========       ==========



PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION

Selected Financial Information

(Unaudited)

Note: "EBITDA" is defined as the sum of income (loss) from continuing operations plus interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as the sum of EBITDA plus restructuring charges and reorganization items. EBITDA is presented because it is used by us and we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties, in addition to and not in lieu of results prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the US ("GAAP"), to compare the performance of companies. We believe investors would be interested in our Adjusted EBITDA because this is how our management analyzes EBITDA from continuing operations. The Company also believes that Adjusted EBITDA, in combination with the Company's financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP, provides investors with additional perspective regarding the impact of certain significant items on EBITDA and facilitates a more direct comparison of its performance with its competitors. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of financial performance under GAAP. They should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity or an alternative to net income as indicators of our operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.

                                                 Three Months
                                                    Ended
                                                    ------------
                                              June           June
                                               27,            27,
                                                2010           2009
                                                ----           ----
                                            (In thousands, except per share
                                                    data)

    Net income (loss) attributable to
     Pilgrim's Pride Corporation             $32,918        $53,239

    Add:
      Income tax expense (benefit)            (1,503)           555
      Interest expense, net                   25,488         38,355
      Depreciation and amortization           59,705         57,162
    Minus:
      Amortization of capitalized loan
       costs                                   3,761          1,764
                                               -----          -----

    EBITDA                                   112,847        147,547

    Add:
      Restructuring charges, net              16,882              -
      Pre-petition reorganization items,
       net                                         -          1,631
      Post-petition reorganization items,
       net                                    (2,178)        16,779
                                              ------         ------

    Adjusted EBITDA                         $127,551       $165,957
                                            ========       ========

                                              Six Months Ended
                                              ----------------
                                              June           June
                                               27,            27,
                                                2010           2009
                                                ----           ----
                                            (In thousands, except per share
                                                data)

    Net income (loss) attributable to
     Pilgrim's Pride Corporation            $(12,629)       $(5,526)

    Add:
      Income tax expense (benefit)           (34,807)         2,902
      Interest expense, net                   53,361         81,975
      Depreciation and amortization          117,473        117,674
    Minus:
      Amortization of capitalized loan
       costs                                   7,541          3,540
                                               -----          -----

    EBITDA                                   115,857        193,485

    Add:
      Restructuring charges, net              52,701           (435)
      Pre-petition reorganization items,
       net                                         -          1,527
      Post-petition reorganization items,
       net                                    18,541         52,134
                                              ------         ------

    Adjusted EBITDA                         $187,099       $246,711
                                            ========       ========

SOURCE Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

Media Contact

Cameron Bruett
Communications
Phone: +1 970.506.7801 | Email: cameron.bruett@jbssa.com