CALM Cal Maine Foods Inc

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: CALM) today reported results for the third quarter and nine months ended February 25, 2012.

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 were $303.7 million compared with net sales of $274.7 million for the same quarter of fiscal 2011. The Company reported net income of $26.1 million, or $1.09 per basic share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared with net income of $33.6 million, or $1.41 per basic share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The results for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 include in other income a one-time cash distribution of approximately $4.8 million pre-tax ($3.2 million after tax) or $0.13 per basic share, received in exchange for the Company’s non-voting stock ownership in the Eggland’s Best, Inc. cooperative.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2012, net sales were $837.9 million compared with net sales of $699.6 million for the prior-year period. The Company reported net income of $52.5 million, or $2.20 per basic share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 compared with net income of $53.6 million, or $2.25 per basic share, for the prior-year period.

“We are pleased with Cal-Maine’s financial and operating performance for the third quarter of fiscal 2012,” said Dolph Baker, president and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. “Total sales for the quarter were up 10.6 percent compared with the same period a year ago, reflecting higher average selling prices and good retail demand for shell eggs. We benefited from record high market prices for shell eggs during the strong holiday selling season. However, prices adjusted down approximately 35 percent in the ten market days after their December peak level due to typically slower post-holiday demand trends and warmer weather across the country. Overall, average selling prices for shell eggs were up 3.3 percent over the third quarter of fiscal 2011, and specialty egg prices were up 9.0 percent compared with the same period last year.

“Our volumes also improved as dozen eggs produced by Cal-Maine Foods increased 3.0 percent and dozen eggs sold were up 6.5 percent. Sales of specialty eggs represented 23.8 percent of shell egg revenue for the third quarter and accounted for 16.8 percent of total dozen eggs sold. Specialty eggs, which include nutritionally enhanced, cage-free and organic eggs, have become an important focus of our growth strategy as we have been at the forefront of meeting the growing consumer demand for these products. Additionally, specialty eggs have higher and less cyclical retail selling prices.

“Our feed costs have continued to affect our production costs in fiscal 2012,” added Baker. “For the third quarter, feed costs were up 4.5 cents per dozen, or 11.1 percent, compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2011. We expect feed costs will remain very high and volatile throughout the summer of calendar 2012 due to tight supplies of corn and soybeans, our primary feed ingredients. However, all of Cal-Maine Foods’ operations have continued to run well and our management team is focused on managing the aspects of our business we can control and improving efficiencies where possible.

“We believe we are well positioned for another successful year for Cal-Maine Foods with a proven management team, efficient operations and a strong balance sheet to support our growth strategy,” Baker concluded.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2012, Cal-Maine will pay a cash dividend of approximately $0.364 per share to holders of its common and Class A common stock. The amount paid could vary slightly based on the amount of outstanding shares on the record date. The dividend is payable May 10, 2012, to shareholders of record on April 25, 2012.

Selected operating statistics for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2012 compared with the prior-year periods are shown below:

  13 Weeks Ended   39 Weeks Ended

February 25,

2012

 

February 26,

2011

February 25,

2012

 

February 26,

2011

Dozen Eggs Sold (000) 229,235 215,233 655,463 615,257 Dozen Eggs Produced (000) 166,109 161,295 491,785 476,388   % Specialty Sales (dozen) 16.8 % 17.5 % 16.3 % 16.0 %   Net Average Selling Price (dozen) $ 1.275 $ 1.234 $ 1.224 $ 1.090 Feed Cost (dozen) $ 0.449 $ 0.404 $ 0.466 $ 0.376   % Specialty Sales (dollars) 23.8 % 23.5 % 23.4 % 23.9 %    

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is primarily engaged in the production, grading, packing and sale of fresh shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic and nutritionally-enhanced eggs. The Company, which is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States and sells the majority of its shell eggs in approximately 29 states across the southwestern, southeastern, mid-western and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current intent, belief, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our company and our industry. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include, among others, (i) the risk factors set forth in the Company’s SEC filings (including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K), (ii) the risks and hazards inherent in the shell egg business (including disease, pests, weather conditions and potential for recall), (iii) changes in the market prices of shell eggs and feed costs, (iv) changes or obligations that could result from our future acquisition of new flocks or businesses, and (v) adverse results in pending litigation matters. SEC filings may be obtained from the SEC or the Company’s website, www.calmainefoods.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because, while we believe the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Further, the forward-looking statements included herein are only made as of the respective dates thereof, or if no date is stated, as of the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by law, we disclaim any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

         

CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

       

SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

13 Weeks Ended

39 Weeks Ended

February 25,

 

February 26,

February 25,

 

February 26,

2012

2011

2012

2011

Net sales $ 303,660 $ 274,674 $ 837,871 $ 699,600 Gross profit 65,149 65,580 160,427 143,531 Operating income 34,939 38,961 76,569 69,785 Other income 5,636 11,573 4,747 10,232 Income before income taxes 40,575 50,534 81,316 80,017   Net income $ 26,102 $ 33,619 $ 52,479 $ 53,568   Net income per common share: Basic $ 1.09 $ 1.41 $ 2.20 $ 2.25 Diluted $ 1.09 $ 1.40 $ 2.19 $ 2.24   Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 23,874 23,861 23,871 23,852 Diluted 23,949 23,943 23,948 23,941        

SUMMARY BALANCE SHEETS

    February 25,

2012

  May 28,

2011

ASSETS Cash and short-term investments $ 225,701 $ 176,429 Receivables 66,339 62,790 Inventories 118,925 110,021 Prepaid expenses and other current assets   6,094   5,801 Current assets 417,059 355,041   Property, plant and equipment (net) 222,176 224,887 Other noncurrent assets   56,162   60,915 Total assets $ 695,397 $ 640,843   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 98,516 $ 71,969 Current maturities of long-term debt 11,458 11,743 Deferred income taxes   24,093   23,770 Current liabilities 134,067 107,482   Long-term debt, less current maturities 67,488 76,418 Deferred income taxes and other liabilities 40,209 38,066 Stockholders' equity   453,633   418,877 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 695,397 $ 640,843