For the quarter ended March 31, the company has earnings of $24,796,000, equal to 31 cents per share on the common stock, which compared with $9,539,000, or 12 cents per share, during the same quarter of the previous year. Sales for the quarter were $612,981,000, down narrowly from $616,925,000.
“We are pleased with our excellent start to the year,” said Bob Gamgort, CEO. “The significant growth in our earnings reflects the strength of our business model and provides us with the flexibility to invest in our business and respond, as needed, to potential heightened promotional activity.”
The company said EBIT for the Birds Eye Frozen segment increased 31 percent to $48.9 million, which compared with $37.2 million during the same quarter of the previous year. Sales for the segment were up 1 percent to $292.5 million, which compared with $290.5 million during the same quarter of the previous year.
The Duncan Hines Grocery segment had EBIT of $29.4 million, up 12 percent from $26.3 million during the same quarter of the previous year. Sales for the segment were up 2 percent to $227.2 million, which compared with $222 million during the same quarter of the previous year.
The company recently completed the initial public offering of its common stock and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The proceeds from the IPO were used to pay down debt, and the company has refinanced outstanding debt.
