General Mills Reports Fiscal 2023 First-Quarter Results and Raises Full-Year Outlook

Rhea-AI Summary

General Mills (GIS) reported a 4% increase in net sales to $4.7 billion for the first quarter ended August 28, 2022. Organic net sales rose 10%, driven by positive price realization despite a voluntary recall affecting Häagen-Dazs products. Operating profit surged 29% to $1.1 billion, while diluted EPS climbed 32% to $1.35. The company is raising its fiscal 2023 outlook, projecting organic net sales growth of 6-7% and adjusted diluted EPS growth of 2-5%. However, inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions remain concerns.

Positive

• Net sales increased 4% to $4.7 billion.
• Organic net sales rose 10%.
• Operating profit up 29% to $1.1 billion.
• Diluted EPS increased 32% to $1.35.
• Raised full-year fiscal 2023 outlook for net sales and EPS growth.

Negative

• Gross margin decreased by 450 basis points to 30.7% of net sales.
• Voluntary recall on Häagen-Dazs impacted organic sales.
• Operating profit margin reduced by higher input costs.

• Net sales increased 4 percent to $4.7 billion; organic net sales¹ were up 10 percent
• Operating profit increased 29 percent to $1.1 billion; adjusted operating profit was up 8 percent in constant currency
• Diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.35 increased 32 percent from the prior year; adjusted diluted EPS of $1.11 was up 13 percent in constant currency
• Company raises full-year fiscal 2023 outlook

¹ Please see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements below for reconciliation of this and other non-GAAP measures used in this release.

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- General Mills (NYSE: GIS) today reported results for the first quarter ended August 28, 2022.

“We continue to deliver strong performance in a highly volatile operating environment,” said General Mills Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Harmening. “Given the strength of our first-quarter results and confidence in our ability to adapt to continued volatility ahead, we are increasing our full-year outlook for net sales, operating profit, and EPS growth.”

General Mills is executing its Accelerate strategy to drive sustainable, profitable growth and top-tier shareholder returns over the long term. The strategy focuses on four pillars to create competitive advantages and win: boldly building brands, relentlessly innovating, unleashing scale, and standing for good. The company is prioritizing its core markets, global platforms, and local gem brands that have the best prospects for profitable growth and is committed to reshaping its portfolio with strategic acquisitions and divestitures to further enhance its growth profile.

First Quarter Results Summary

• Net sales increased 4 percent to $4.7 billion, including a 5-point headwind from net divestiture and acquisition activity and 1 point of unfavorable foreign currency exchange. Organic net sales increased 10 percent, driven by positive organic net price realization and mix, partially offset by lower organic pound volume, including the impact of a voluntary recall on certain international Häagen-Dazs ice cream products.
• Gross margin was down 450 basis points to 30.7 percent of net sales, driven by higher input costs, unfavorable mark-to-market effects, and the impact of market index pricing on bakery flour, partially offset by favorable net price realization and mix. Adjusted gross margin was up 20 basis points to 34.9 percent of net sales, driven by favorable net price realization and mix and Holistic Margin Management (HMM) cost savings, partially offset by input cost inflation, the impact of market index pricing on bakery flour, and supply chain deleverage.
• Operating profit of $1.1 billion was up 29 percent, primarily driven by net gains on divestitures, partially offset by lower gross profit dollars and unfavorable net corporate investment activity. Operating profit margin of 23.0 percent was up 440 basis points. Constant-currency adjusted operating profit increased 8 percent, driven by higher adjusted gross profit dollars, partially offset by higher adjusted selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses. Adjusted operating profit margin increased 70 basis points to 18.7 percent.
• Net earnings attributable to General Mills increased 31 percent to $820 million and diluted EPS was up 32 percent to $1.35, primarily reflecting higher operating profit. Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.11 increased 13 percent in constant currency, primarily driven by higher adjusted operating profit.

Notes on Comparability

Financial results in the quarter reflected the acquisition of Tyson Foods’ pet treat business in the first quarter of fiscal 2022; the divestiture of the European yogurt business in the third quarter of fiscal 2022; the divestiture of certain international dough businesses in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2022; the acquisition of the TNT Crust foodservice business in the first quarter of fiscal 2023; and the divestiture of the Helper main meals and Suddenly Salad side dishes business in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

First-quarter results in fiscal 2023 also included the impact of a voluntary recall on certain international Häagen-Dazs ice cream products, which was a headwind to net sales and operating profit results in the International segment. Unallocated corporate items in the first quarter included an additional $22 million of charges related to product disposals associated with the ice cream recall that were excluded from adjusted operating profit results. Impacts of the recall are expected to be completed by the second quarter of fiscal 2023.

Operating Segment Results

Note: Tables may not foot due to rounding.

Components of Fiscal 2023 Reported Net Sales Growth
First Quarter	Volume	Price/Mix	Foreign Exchange	Reported Net Sales
North America Retail	(6) pts	16 pts	--	10%
Pet	(1) pt	20 pts	--	19%
North America Foodservice	(1) pt	22 pts	--	21%
International	(39) pts	14 pts	(5) pts	(30)%
Total	(12) pts	17 pts	(1) pt	4%

Components of Fiscal 2023 Organic Net Sales Growth
First Quarter	Organic Volume	Organic Price/Mix	Organic Net Sales	Foreign Exchange	Acquisitions & Divestitures	Reported Net Sales
North America Retail	(5) pts	17 pts	12%	--	(1) pt	10%
Pet	(3) pts	17 pts	14%	--	5 pts	19%
North America Foodservice	(3) pts	21 pts	18%	--	3 pts	21%
International	(7) pts	5 pts	(2)%	(5) pts	(23) pts	(30)%
Total	(5) pts	15 pts	10%	(1) pt	(5) pts	4%

Fiscal 2023 Segment Operating Profit Growth
First Quarter	% Change as Reported	% Change in Constant Currency
North America Retail	20%	20%
Pet	7%	7%
North America Foodservice	(25)%	(25)%
International	(43)%	(34)%
Total	10%	11%

North America Retail Segment

First-quarter net sales for General Mills’ North America Retail segment increased 10 percent to $3.0 billion, driven by favorable net price realization and mix, partially offset by lower pound volume and a 1-point headwind from the Helper and Suddenly Salad divestiture. Organic net sales increased 12 percent. Net sales increased 14 percent in U.S. Snacks, 10 percent in U.S. Meals & Baking Solutions, 9 percent in U.S. Morning Foods, and 4 percent in Canada. Segment operating profit of $778 million was up 20 percent as reported and in constant currency, primarily driven by favorable net price realization and mix and HMM cost savings, partially offset by input cost inflation, lower volume, and supply chain deleverage.

Pet Segment

First-quarter net sales for the Pet segment increased 19 percent to $580 million, primarily driven by favorable net price realization and mix. Net sales results included a 5-point benefit from the pet treats acquisition. Organic net sales were up 14 percent. Segment operating profit increased 7 percent to $123 million, primarily driven by favorable net price realization and mix and HMM cost savings, partially offset by input cost inflation and higher SG&A expenses.

North America Foodservice Segment

First-quarter net sales for the North America Foodservice segment increased 21 percent to $496 million, primarily driven by favorable net price realization and mix, including a 17-point benefit from market index pricing on bakery flour. Net sales results also included a 3-point benefit from the TNT Crust acquisition. Organic net sales were up 18 percent. Segment operating profit was down 25 percent to $54 million, driven by higher input costs and higher SG&A expenses, partially offset by favorable net price realization and mix.

International Segment

First-quarter net sales for the International segment were down 30 percent to $652 million, driven by lower pound volume, including the impact of yogurt and dough divestitures and the ice cream recall, and a 5-point headwind from foreign currency exchange, partially offset by favorable net price realization and mix. Organic net sales were down 2 percent, driven by lower organic pound volume, including the impact of the ice cream recall, partially offset by positive organic net price realization and mix. Segment operating profit of $35 million was down 43 percent as reported and down 34 percent in constant currency, driven by lower volume, including the impacts of the yogurt and dough divestitures and the ice cream recall, and higher input costs, partially offset by favorable net price realization and mix and lower SG&A expenses.

Joint Venture Summary

First-quarter net sales for Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) increased 3 percent in constant currency, driven by favorable net price realization and mix, partially offset by lower volume. Constant-currency net sales for Häagen-Dazs Japan (HDJ) were down 8 percent, driven by lower volume. Combined after-tax earnings from joint ventures totaled $20 million compared to $29 million a year ago, primarily driven by higher input costs, partially offset by favorable net price realization and mix at CPW.

Other Income Statement Items

Unallocated corporate items totaled $333 million net expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, compared to $56 million net expense a year ago. Excluding mark-to-market valuation effects and other items affecting comparability, unallocated corporate items totaled $107 million net expense this year compared to $77 million net expense last year, primarily driven by certain one-time favorable items a year ago.

The company recorded a net $431 million gain on divestitures in the first quarter (please see Note 3 below for more information on this item). Restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs totaled $2 million of expense compared to a $4 million net recovery a year ago (please see Note 4 below for more information on these charges). Benefit plan non-service income totaled $22 million in the first quarter compared to $30 million a year ago, primarily driven by an increase in interest cost, partially offset by lower amortization of losses.

Net interest expense totaled $88 million in the first quarter compared to $96 million a year ago, primarily driven by lower average long-term debt balances. The effective tax rate in the quarter was 21.2 percent compared to 21.7 percent last year (please see Note 7 below for more information on our effective tax rate). The adjusted effective tax rate was 19.7 percent compared to 21.7 percent a year ago.

Net earnings attributable to redeemable and non-controlling interests totaled $3 million in the quarter compared to $11 million a year ago, primarily driven by the sale of the company’s interests in Yoplait SAS, Yoplait Marques SNC, and Liberté Marques Sàrl in fiscal 2022.

Cash Flow Generation and Cash Returns

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $389 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to $370 million in the prior year, primarily driven by higher net earnings, a favorable change in current assets and liabilities, and a favorable change in other operating items, partially offset by a net gain on divestitures. Capital investments totaled $91 million compared to $104 million a year ago. Dividends paid increased 4 percent to $325 million. General Mills repurchased approximately 6.9 million shares of common stock in the first quarter for a total of $501 million compared to $150 million in share repurchases a year ago. Average diluted shares outstanding in the quarter decreased 1 percent to 606 million.

Fiscal 2023 Outlook

General Mills continues to expect the largest factors impacting its performance in fiscal 2023 will be the economic health of consumers, the inflationary cost environment, and the frequency and severity of disruptions in the supply chain. The company expects volume elasticities will increase over the remaining quarters of fiscal 2023 but remain below historical levels. Relative to its initial full-year expectations, the company now expects lower volume elasticities and better volume performance, increased input cost inflation to 14 to 15 percent of total cost of goods sold, and increased investment in brand building and other growth-driving activities. Other key fiscal 2023 assumptions, including HMM cost savings of 3 to 4 percent of cost of goods sold, low-double-digit positive price/mix, and an expectation for moderately lower supply chain disruptions, remain unchanged.

The company’s updated full-year fiscal 2023 financial targets are summarized below:

• Organic net sales are now expected to increase 6 to 7 percent, compared to the previous expectation of 4 to 5 percent growth.
• Constant-currency adjusted operating profit is now expected to range between flat and up 3 percent in constant currency, including a 3-point net headwind from divestitures and acquisitions and an estimated 1-point headwind from the ice cream recall. Adjusted operating profit was previously expected to range between down 2 percent and up 1 percent in constant currency, including the 3-point net headwind from divestitures and acquisitions.
• Constant-currency adjusted diluted EPS is now expected to increase 2 to 5 percent in constant currency, including a 3-point net headwind from divestitures and acquisitions and an estimated 1-point headwind from the ice cream recall. Adjusted diluted EPS was previously expected to range between flat and up 3 percent in constant currency, including the 3-point net headwind from divestitures and acquisitions.
• Free cash flow conversion is still expected to be at least 90 percent of adjusted after-tax earnings.
• The net impact of divestitures, acquisitions, and foreign currency exchange is now expected to reduce full-year reported net sales growth by approximately 4 percent, and foreign currency exchange is still expected to reduce adjusted operating profit and adjusted diluted EPS growth by approximately 1 percent.

General Mills will issue pre-recorded management remarks today, September 21, 2022, at approximately 6:30 a.m. Central time (7:30 a.m. Eastern time) and will hold a live, webcasted question and answer session beginning at 8:00 a.m. Central time (9:00 a.m. Eastern time). The pre-recorded remarks and the webcast will be made available at www.generalmills.com/investors.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on our current expectations and assumptions. These forward-looking statements, including the statements under the caption “Fiscal 2023 Outlook,” and statements made by Mr. Harmening, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In particular, our predictions about future net sales and earnings could be affected by a variety of factors, including: the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on our business, suppliers, consumers, customers, and employees; disruptions or inefficiencies in the supply chain, including any impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; competitive dynamics in the consumer foods industry and the markets for our products, including new product introductions, advertising activities, pricing actions, and promotional activities of our competitors; economic conditions, including changes in inflation rates, interest rates, tax rates, or the availability of capital; product development and innovation; consumer acceptance of new products and product improvements; consumer reaction to pricing actions and changes in promotion levels; acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or assets; changes in capital structure; changes in the legal and regulatory environment, including tax legislation, labeling and advertising regulations, and litigation; impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets, or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets; changes in accounting standards and the impact of critical accounting estimates; product quality and safety issues, including recalls and product liability; changes in consumer demand for our products; effectiveness of advertising, marketing, and promotional programs; changes in consumer behavior, trends, and preferences, including weight loss trends; consumer perception of health-related issues, including obesity; consolidation in the retail environment; changes in purchasing and inventory levels of significant customers; fluctuations in the cost and availability of supply chain resources, including raw materials, packaging, energy, and transportation; effectiveness of restructuring and cost saving initiatives; volatility in the market value of derivatives used to manage price risk for certain commodities; benefit plan expenses due to changes in plan asset values and discount rates used to determine plan liabilities; failure or breach of our information technology systems; foreign economic conditions, including currency rate fluctuations; and political unrest in foreign markets and economic uncertainty due to terrorism or war. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any future events or circumstances.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Supplementary Information
GENERAL MILLS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited) (In Millions, Except per Share Data)
	Quarter Ended
	Aug. 28,				Aug. 29,
	2022				2021				% Change
Net sales	$	4,717.6			$	4,539.9			4	%
Cost of sales		3,269.9				2,942.5			11	%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		791.4				757.4			4	%
Divestitures gain, net		(430.9	)			-			NM
Restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs (recoveries)		1.6				(4.3	)		NM
Operating profit		1,085.6				844.3			29	%
Benefit plan non-service income		(21.7	)			(29.6	)		(27	)%
Interest, net		87.7				95.9			(9	)%
Earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures		1,019.6				778.0			31	%
Income taxes		216.1				168.9			28	%
After-tax earnings from joint ventures		19.8				29.1			(32	)%
Net earnings, including earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrolling interests		823.3				638.2			29	%
Net earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrolling interests		3.3				11.2			(71	)%
Net earnings attributable to General Mills	$	820.0			$	627.0			31	%
Earnings per share – basic	$	1.37			$	1.03			33	%
Earnings per share – diluted	$	1.35			$	1.02			32	%
	Quarter Ended
	Aug. 28,				Aug. 29,				Basis Pt
Comparisons as a % of net sales:	2022				2021				Change
Gross margin		30.7	%			35.2	%		(450	)
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		16.8	%			16.7	%		10
Operating profit		23.0	%			18.6	%		440
Net earnings attributable to General Mills		17.4	%			13.8	%		360
	Quarter Ended
Comparisons as a % of net sales excluding	Aug. 28,				Aug. 29,				Basis Pt
certain items affecting comparability (a):	2022				2021				Change
Adjusted gross margin		34.9	%			34.7	%		20
Adjusted operating profit		18.7	%			18.0	%		70
Adjusted net earnings attributable to General Mills		14.2	%			13.4	%		80
(a) See Note 8 for a reconciliation of these measures not defined by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Operating Segment Results and Supplementary Information
GENERAL MILLS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited) (In Millions)
	Quarter Ended
	Aug. 28, 2022				Aug. 29, 2021				% Change
Net sales:
North America Retail	$	2,988.8			$	2,710.6			10	%
International		652.5				930.6			(30	)%
Pet		579.9				488.0			19	%
North America Foodservice		496.4				410.7			21	%
Total	$	4,717.6			$	4,539.9			4	%
Operating profit:
North America Retail	$	777.8			$	648.6			20	%
International		34.8				60.6			(43	)%
Pet		123.1				115.2			7	%
North America Foodservice		53.6				71.8			(25	)%
Total segment operating profit	$	989.3			$	896.2			10	%
Unallocated corporate items		333.0				56.2			NM
Divestitures gain, net		(430.9	)			-			NM
Restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs (recoveries)		1.6				(4.3	)		NM
Operating profit	$	1,085.6			$	844.3			29	%
	Quarter Ended
	Aug. 28, 2022				Aug. 29, 2021				Basis Pt Change
Segment operating profit as a % of net sales:
North America Retail		26.0	%			23.9	%		210
International		5.3	%			6.5	%		(120	)
Pet		21.2	%			23.6	%		(240	)
North America Foodservice		10.8	%			17.5	%		(670	)
Total segment operating profit		21.0	%			19.7	%		130
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
GENERAL MILLS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(In Millions, Except Par Value)
	Aug. 28, 2022				Aug. 29, 2021				May 29, 2022
	(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	594.4			$	710.6			$	569.4
Receivables		1,730.4				1,691.7				1,692.1
Inventories		2,089.9				1,935.2				1,867.3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		719.3				734.3				802.1
Assets held for sale		-				1,248.4				158.9
Total current assets		5,134.0				6,320.2				5,089.8
Land, buildings, and equipment		3,358.6				3,343.2				3,393.8
Goodwill		14,454.6				14,549.9				14,378.5
Other intangible assets		6,979.4				6,831.0				6,999.9
Other assets		1,180.6				1,287.9				1,228.1
Total assets	$	31,107.2			$	32,332.2			$	31,090.1
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	3,786.3				3,288.0				3,982.3
Current portion of long-term debt		2,095.4				1,590.5				1,674.2
Notes payable		991.9				1,035.5				811.4
Other current liabilities		1,721.9				1,673.9				1,552.0
Liabilities held for sale		-				547.5				-
Total current liabilities		8,595.5				8,135.4				8,019.9
Long-term debt		8,474.6				10,326.9				9,134.8
Deferred income taxes		2,262.4				2,076.0				2,218.3
Other liabilities		949.1				1,224.1				929.1
Total liabilities		20,281.6				21,762.4				20,302.1
Redeemable interest		-				584.0				-
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, 754.6 shares issued, $0.10 par value		75.5				75.5				75.5
Additional paid-in capital		1,146.1				1,345.0				1,182.9
Retained earnings		19,027.6				17,384.5				18,532.6
Common stock in treasury, at cost, shares of 160.3, 148.3, and 155.7		(7,676.0	)			(6,715.0	)			(7,278.1	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,998.4	)			(2,397.7	)			(1,970.5	)
Total stockholders' equity		10,574.8				9,692.3				10,542.4
Noncontrolling interests		250.8				293.5				245.6
Total equity		10,825.6				9,985.8				10,788.0
Total liabilities and equity	$	31,107.2			$	32,332.2			$	31,090.1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
GENERAL MILLS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited) (In Millions)
	Quarter Ended
	Aug. 28, 2022				Aug. 29, 2021
Cash Flows - Operating Activities
Net earnings, including earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrolling interests	$	823.3			$	638.2
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		134.3				145.8
After-tax earnings from joint ventures		(19.8	)			(29.1	)
Distributions of earnings from joint ventures		15.5				22.6
Stock-based compensation		33.5				26.8
Deferred income taxes		9.2				19.6
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan contributions		(5.3	)			(5.4	)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan costs		(6.7	)			(7.2	)
Divestitures gain, net		(430.9	)			-
Restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs		(15.7	)			(19.5	)
Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions and divestitures		(209.7	)			(389.5	)
Other, net		61.1				(32.5	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		388.8				369.8
Cash Flows - Investing Activities
Purchases of land, buildings, and equipment		(90.9	)			(104.0	)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired		(252.1	)			(1,198.6	)
Proceeds from divestitures, net of cash divested		610.7				-
Investments in affiliates, net		-				5.7
Proceeds from disposal of land, buildings, and equipment		-				0.3
Other, net		(1.9	)			(1.3	)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		265.8				(1,297.9	)
Cash Flows - Financing Activities
Change in notes payable		188.0				698.7
Issuance of long-term debt		-				582.2
Payment of long-term debt		-				(612.1	)
Proceeds from common stock issued on exercised options		65.5				7.9
Purchases of common stock for treasury		(500.8	)			(150.1	)
Dividends paid		(325.0	)			(312.3	)
Distributions to noncontrolling and redeemable interest holders		(1.9	)			(1.1	)
Other, net		(34.9	)			(18.2	)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities		(609.1	)			195.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(20.5	)			(18.1	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		25.0				(751.2	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year		569.4				1,505.2
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$	594.4			$	754.0
Cash Flow from changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Receivables	$	(91.1	)		$	(145.3	)
Inventories		(243.3	)			(116.1	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		79.5				39.0
Accounts payable		(130.4	)			(214.9	)
Other current liabilities		175.6				47.8
Changes in current assets and liabilities	$	(209.7	)		$	(389.5	)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

GENERAL MILLS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1)		The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of General Mills, Inc. (we, us, our, General Mills, or the Company) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for annual and interim financial information. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature.
(2)		In the third quarter of fiscal 2022, we completed a new organization structure to streamline our global operations. This global reorganization required us to reevaluate our operating segments. Under our new organization structure, our chief operating decision maker assesses performance and makes decisions about resources to be allocated to our operating segments as follows: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice. We have restated our net sales by segment and segment operating profit amounts to reflect our new operating segments. These segment changes had no effect on previously reported consolidated net sales, operating profit, net earnings attributable to General Mills, or earnings per share.
(3)		During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we acquired TNT Crust, a manufacturer of high-quality frozen pizza crusts for regional and national pizza chains, foodservice distributors, and retail outlets, for a purchase price of $253 million. We financed the transaction with U.S. commercial paper. We consolidated the TNT Crust business into our Consolidated Balance Sheets and recorded goodwill of $154 million. The goodwill is included in the North America Foodservice segment and is not deductible for tax purposes. The pro forma effects of this acquisition were not material. The consolidated results of the TNT Crust business are reported in our North America Foodservice segment on a one-month lag.
		During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we completed the asset sale of our Helper main meals and Suddenly Salad side dishes business to Eagle Family Foods Group for $607 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of $442 million.
		During the first quarter of fiscal 2022, we acquired Tyson Foods’ pet treats business for $1.2 billion in cash. We financed the transaction with a combination of cash on hand and short-term debt. We consolidated Tyson Foods’ pet treats business into our Consolidated Balance Sheets and recorded goodwill of $762 million, indefinite-lived intangible assets for the Nudges, Top Chews, and True Chews brands totaling $330 million in aggregate, and a finite-lived customer relationship asset of $40 million. The goodwill is included in the Pet segment and is deductible for tax purposes. The pro forma effects of this acquisition were not material.
(4)		During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we did not undertake any new restructuring actions. We recorded $2 million of restructuring charges in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 and a $4 million net recovery of restructuring charges in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 for previously announced restructuring actions. We expect these actions to be completed by the end of fiscal 2024.
(5)		Unallocated corporate expense totaled $333 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to $56 million in the same period in fiscal 2022. In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we recorded a $175 million net increase in expense related to the mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions and grain inventories compared to a $24 million net decrease in expense in the same period last year. We recorded $26 million of net losses related to valuation adjustments and the loss on sale of certain corporate investments in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, compared to $1 million of net losses related to valuation adjustments in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we recorded a $22 million charge related to a voluntary recall on certain international Häagen-Dazs ice cream products. In addition, we recorded $2 million of integration costs primarily related to our acquisition of TNT Crust in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to $12 million of integration costs related to our acquisition of Tyson Foods’ pet treats business in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Also, in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, we recorded a $21 million recovery related to a Brazil indirect tax item, a $13 million insurance recovery and $11 million of transaction costs related to the sale of our interests in Yoplait SAS, Yoplait Marques SNC, and Liberté Marques Sàrl.
(6)		Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) were calculated as follows:

			Quarter Ended
		In Millions, Except per Share Data	Aug. 28, 2022				Aug. 29, 2021
		Net earnings attributable to General Mills	$	820.0			$	627.0
		Average number of common shares - basic EPS		600.2				610.4
		Incremental share effect from: (a)
		Stock options		3.3				2.1
		Restricted stock units and performance share units		2.5				2.3
		Average number of common shares - diluted EPS		606.0				614.8
		Earnings per share – basic	$	1.37			$	1.03
		Earnings per share – diluted	$	1.35			$	1.02
		(a) Incremental shares from stock options, restricted stock units, and performance share units are computed by the treasury stock method.

(7)		The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was 21.2 percent compared to 21.7 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The 0.5 percentage point decrease was primarily due to certain nonrecurring discrete tax benefits, partially offset by certain unfavorable tax components related to divestitures in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Our effective tax rate excluding certain items affecting comparability was 19.7 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, compared to 21.7 percent in the same period last year (see Note 8 below for a description of our use of measures not defined by GAAP). The 2.0 percentage point decrease was primarily due to certain nonrecurring discrete tax benefits in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.
(8)		We have included measures in this release that are not defined by GAAP. We believe that these measures provide useful information to investors, and include these measures in other communications to investors. For each of these non-GAAP financial measures, we are providing below a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP measure and the most directly comparable GAAP measure, an explanation of why we believe the non-GAAP measure provides useful information to investors and any additional material purposes for which our management or Board of Directors uses the non-GAAP measure. These non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, the comparable GAAP measure.
		We provide organic net sales growth rates for our consolidated net sales and segment net sales. This measure is used in reporting to our Board of Directors and executive management and as a component of the Board of Directors’ measurement of our performance for incentive compensation purposes. We believe that organic net sales growth rates provide useful information to investors because they provide transparency to underlying performance in our net sales by excluding the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, acquisitions, divestitures, and a 53rd fiscal week, when applicable, have on year-to-year comparability. A reconciliation of these measures to reported net sales growth rates, the relevant GAAP measures, are included in our Operating Segment Results above.
		Certain measures in this release are presented excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange (constant-currency). To present this information, current period results for entities reporting in currencies other than United States dollars are translated into United States dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, rather than the actual average exchange rates in effect during the current fiscal year. Therefore, the foreign currency impact is equal to current year results in local currencies multiplied by the change in the average foreign currency exchange rate between the current fiscal period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. We believe that these constant-currency measures provide useful information to investors because they provide transparency to underlying performance by excluding the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have on period-to-period comparability given volatility in foreign currency exchange markets.
		Our fiscal 2023 outlook for organic net sales growth, adjusted operating profit growth, adjusted diluted EPS growth, and free cash flow conversion are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude, or have otherwise been adjusted for, items impacting comparability, including the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, acquisitions, divestitures, and a 53rd week, when applicable. We are not able to reconcile these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure without unreasonable efforts because we are unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty the actual impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates or the timing of acquisitions and divestitures throughout fiscal 2023. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on our fiscal 2023 GAAP financial results.
		For fiscal 2023, we currently expect: foreign currency exchange rates (based on a blend of forward and forecasted rates and hedge positions) and completed acquisitions and divestitures to reduce net sales growth by approximately 4 percent; foreign currency exchange rates to reduce adjusted operating profit and adjusted diluted EPS growth by approximately 1 percent; and restructuring charges and project-related costs, transaction and acquisition integration costs related to actions previously announced, and product disposal charges related to the ice cream recall to total approximately $45 million to $50 million.

Significant Items Impacting Comparability

Several measures below are presented on an adjusted basis. The adjustments are either items resulting from infrequently occurring events or items that, in management’s judgement, significantly affect the year-to-year assessment of operating results.

The following are descriptions of significant items impacting comparability of our results.

Divestitures gain, net
Net divestitures gain primarily related to the sale of our Helper main meals and Suddenly Salad side dishes business in fiscal 2023. Please see Note 3.

Transaction costs
Transaction costs primarily related to the sale of our Helper main meals and Suddenly Salad side dishes business in fiscal 2023. Transaction costs related to the sale of our interests in Yoplait SAS, Yoplait Marques SNC, and Liberté Marques Sàrl in fiscal 2022. Please see Note 3.

Non-income tax recovery
Recovery related to a Brazil indirect tax item recorded in fiscal 2022.

Acquisition integration costs
Integration costs primarily resulting from the acquisition of TNT Crust in fiscal 2023. Integration costs resulting from the acquisition of Tyson Foods’ pet treats business in fiscal 2022. Please see Note 3.

Investment activity, net
Valuation adjustments and the loss on sale of certain corporate investments in fiscal 2023. Valuation adjustments of certain corporate investments in fiscal 2022. Please see Note 5.

Mark-to-market effects
Net mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions recognized in unallocated corporate items. Please see Note 5.

Restructuring charges (recoveries)
Restructuring charges for previously announced restructuring actions recorded in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. Please see Note 4.

Product recall
Voluntary recall costs recorded in fiscal 2023 related to certain international Häagen-Dazs ice cream products. Please see Note 5.

CPW restructuring charges
CPW restructuring charges related to previously announced restructuring actions.

Adjusted Operating Profit Growth on a Constant-currency Basis

This measure is used in reporting to our Board of Directors and executive management and as a component of the measurement of our performance for incentive compensation purposes. We believe that this measure provides useful information to investors because it is the operating profit measure we use to evaluate operating profit performance on a comparable year-to-year basis. The measure is evaluated on a constant-currency basis by excluding the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have on year-to-year comparability given the volatility in foreign currency exchange rates.

Our adjusted operating profit growth on a constant-currency basis is calculated as follows:

	Quarter Ended
	Aug. 28, 2022			Aug. 29, 2021			Change
Operating profit as reported	$	1,085.6		$	844.3		29	%
Divestitures gain, net		(430.9	)		-
Mark-to-market effects		174.7			(24.1	)
Investment activity, net		26.3			0.7
Product recall		21.5			-
Restructuring charges (recoveries)		2.3			(4.1	)
Acquisition integration costs		1.5			12.4
Transaction costs		0.2			10.6
Non-income tax recovery		-			(20.6	)
Adjusted operating profit	$	881.2		$	819.2		8	%
Foreign currency exchange impact							Flat
Adjusted operating profit growth, on a constant-currency basis							8	%
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
For more information on the reconciling items, please refer to the Significant Items Impacting Comparability section above.

Adjusted Diluted EPS and Related Constant-currency Growth Rates

This measure is used in reporting to our Board of Directors and executive management. We believe that this measure provides useful information to investors because it is the profitability measure we use to evaluate earnings performance on a comparable year-to-year basis.

The reconciliation of our GAAP measure, diluted EPS, to adjusted diluted EPS and the related constant-currency growth rates follows:

	Quarter Ended
Per Share Data	Aug. 28, 2022			Aug. 29, 2021			Change
Diluted earnings per share, as reported	$	1.35		$	1.02		32	%
Divestitures gain, net		(0.54	)		-
Mark-to-market effects		0.22			(0.03	)
Investment activity, net		0.04			-
Product recall		0.03			-
Restructuring charges (recoveries)		-			(0.01	)
Acquisition integration costs		-			0.02
Transaction costs		-			0.01
Non-income tax recovery		-			(0.02	)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	1.11		$	0.99		12	%
Foreign currency exchange impact							(1	) pt
Adjusted diluted earnings per share growth, on a constant-currency basis							13	%
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
For more information on the reconciling items, please refer to the Significant Items Impacting Comparability section above.

See our reconciliation below of the effective income tax rate as reported to the adjusted effective income tax rate for the tax impact of each item affecting comparability.

Adjusted Earnings Comparisons as a Percent of Net Sales

We believe that these measures provide useful information to investors because they are important for assessing our adjusted earnings comparisons as a percent of net sales on a comparable year-to-year basis.

Our adjusted earnings comparisons as a percent of net sales are calculated as follows:

	Quarter Ended
In Millions	Aug. 28, 2022							Aug. 29, 2021
Comparisons as a % of Net Sales	Value				Percent of Net Sales			Value				Percent of Net Sales
Gross margin as reported (a)	$	1,447.7			30.7	%		$	1,597.4			35.2	%
Mark-to-market effects		174.7			3.7	%			(24.1	)		(0.5	)%
Product recall		21.1			0.4	%			-			-	%
Restructuring charges		0.7			-	%			0.2			-	%
Transaction costs		-			-	%			0.7			-	%
Acquisition integration costs		-			-	%			0.1			-	%
Adjusted gross margin	$	1,644.1			34.9	%		$	1,574.3			34.7	%
Operating profit as reported	$	1,085.6			23.0	%		$	844.3			18.6	%
Divestitures gain, net		(430.9	)		(9.1	)%			-			-	%
Mark-to-market effects		174.7			3.7	%			(24.1	)		(0.5	)%
Investment activity, net		26.3			0.6	%			0.7			-	%
Product recall		21.5			0.5	%			-			-	%
Restructuring charges (recoveries)		2.3			-	%			(4.1	)		(0.1	)%
Acquisition integration costs		1.5			-	%			12.4			0.3	%
Transaction costs		0.2			-	%			10.6			0.2	%
Non-income tax recovery		-			-	%			(20.6	)		(0.5	)%
Adjusted operating profit	$	881.2			18.7	%		$	819.2			18.0	%
Net earnings attributable to General Mills as reported	$	820.0			17.4	%		$	627.0			13.8	%
Divestitures gain, net, net of tax (b)		(329.0	)		(7.0	)%			-			-	%
Mark-to-market effects, net of tax (b)		134.5			2.9	%			(18.6	)		(0.4	)%
Investment activity, net, net of tax (b)		25.8			0.5	%			0.5			-	%
Product recall, net of tax (b)		16.5			0.3	%			-			-	%
Restructuring charges (recoveries), net of tax (b)		1.7			-	%			(3.2	)		(0.1	)%
Acquisition integration costs, net of tax (b)		1.2			-	%			9.6			0.2	%
Transaction costs, net of tax (b)		0.2			-	%			5.6			0.1	%
CPW restructuring charges		0.1			-	%			-			-	%
Non-income tax recovery, net of tax (b)		-			-	%			(13.6	)		(0.3	)%
Adjusted net earnings attributable to General Mills	$	671.1			14.2	%		$	607.4			13.4	%
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
For more information on the reconciling items, please refer to the Significant Items Impacting Comparability section above.
(a) Net sales less cost of sales.
(b) See reconciliation of adjusted effective income tax rate below for tax impact of each adjustment.

Constant-currency Segment Operating Profit Growth Rates

We believe that this measure provides useful information to investors because it provides transparency to underlying performance of our segments by excluding the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have on year-to-year comparability given volatility in foreign currency exchange markets.

Our segments’ operating profit growth rates on a constant-currency basis are calculated as follows:

		Quarter Ended Aug. 28, 2022
		Percentage Change in Operating Profit as Reported		Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange		Percentage Change in Operating Profit on Constant-Currency Basis
North America Retail		20	%	Flat		20	%
International		(43	)%	(9	) pts	(34	)%
Pet		7	%	Flat		7	%
North America Foodservice		(25	)%	Flat		(25	)%
Total segment operating profit		10	%	(1	) pt	11	%
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.

Adjusted Effective Income Tax Rate

We believe this measure provides useful information to investors because it presents the adjusted effective income tax rate on a comparable year-to-year basis.

Adjusted effective income tax rates are calculated as follows:

	Quarter Ended
	Aug. 28, 2022							Aug. 29, 2021
In Millions (Except Per Share Data)	Pretax Earnings (a)			Income Taxes				Pretax Earnings (a)			Income Taxes
As reported	$	1,019.6		$	216.1			$	778.0		$	168.9
Divestitures gain, net		(430.9	)		(101.9	)			-			-
Mark-to-market effects		174.7			40.2				(24.1	)		(5.5	)
Investment activity, net		26.3			0.5				0.7			0.2
Product recall		21.5			4.9				-			-
Restructuring charges (recoveries)		2.3			0.6				(4.1	)		(0.9	)
Acquisition integration costs		1.5			0.3				12.4			2.8
Transaction costs		0.2			-				10.6			4.6
Non-income tax recovery		-			-				(20.6	)		(7.0	)
As adjusted	$	815.2		$	160.8			$	752.8		$	163.0
Effective tax rate:
As reported					21.2	%						21.7	%
As adjusted					19.7	%						21.7	%
Sum of adjustment to income taxes				$	(55.3	)					$	(5.9	)
Average number of common shares - diluted EPS					606.0							614.8
Impact of income tax adjustments on adjusted diluted EPS				$	0.09						$	0.01
Note: Table may not foot due to rounding.
For more information on the reconciling items, please refer to the Significant Items Impacting Comparability section above.
(a) Earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings from joint ventures.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220920006052/en/

(Investors) Jeff Siemon: +1-763-764-2301

(Media) Kelsey Roemhildt: +1-763-764-6364

Source: General Mills

FAQ

What were General Mills’ net sales for Q1 2022?

General Mills reported net sales of $4.7 billion for the first quarter ended August 28, 2022.

How much did General Mills increase its EPS in Q1 2022?

General Mills reported a 32% increase in diluted EPS to $1.35 for the first quarter.

What is General Mills’ fiscal 2023 outlook?

General Mills expects organic net sales to grow by 6-7% and adjusted EPS to increase by 2-5% for fiscal 2023.

What factors are affecting General Mills’ performance in fiscal 2023?

The economic health of consumers, inflationary costs, and supply chain disruptions are key factors impacting performance.

What was the impact of the Häagen-Dazs recall on General Mills?

The voluntary recall of certain Häagen-Dazs products negatively impacted organic sales and operating profit.