Lamb Weston Reports Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results; Provides Fiscal Year 2022 Outlook

Rhea-AI Summary

Lamb Weston Holdings reported a strong fiscal Q4 2021, with net sales reaching $1,007.5 million, a 19% increase year-over-year. Income from operations surged 220% to $98.9 million, driven by a 13% volume increase. However, the full fiscal year showed a 3% decline in net sales to $3,670.9 million. Despite challenges from supply chain disruptions and inflation, the company anticipates a gradual recovery in demand and expects fiscal 2022 sales growth above its long-term target. Diluted EPS stood at $0.44 for Q4 and $2.16 for the full year.

Positive

• Net sales increased 19% year-over-year in Q4, reaching $1,007.5 million.
• Income from operations surged 220% to $98.9 million in Q4.
• Strong recovery in frozen potato demand with an expected return to pre-pandemic levels.
• Fiscal 2022 net sales growth anticipated to exceed long-term targets.

Negative

• Full fiscal year net sales declined 3% to $3,670.9 million.
• Significant inflation in production inputs and transportation expected in fiscal 2022.
• Continued pressure on net income and EBITDA anticipated in the first half of fiscal 2022.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) announced today its fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2021 results and provided its outlook for fiscal 2022.

“Fiscal 2021 was the most challenging operating environment in our company’s history, but we believe the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on our business is behind us,” said Tom Werner, President and CEO. “I’m proud of how the entire Lamb Weston team has been navigating through the pandemic by prioritizing the health and welfare of our employees, maintaining product safety, and servicing our customers. We’re encouraged by the pace of recovery in U.S. restaurant traffic, especially at full-service restaurants, and continue to expect that overall U.S. french fry demand will return to pre-pandemic levels around the end of calendar 2021. We also anticipate that demand in Europe and in our key export markets will steadily improve as vaccines become more widely available and vaccination rates increase in those markets.

“While french fry demand trends have become more predictable compared to a year ago, the lingering effects of the pandemic and the sharp recovery of the broader economy in the U.S. has disrupted supply chain operations across all industries, including ours. While we expect these disruptions to be transitory, we believe these challenges, along with notable input and transportation cost inflation and the impact of a tighter labor market, will continue to pressure our earnings in the near term. However, we expect these pressures will ease as we anticipate gradual improvements in our supply chain operations as global economic conditions continue to stabilize, and as we look to pass through rising costs.

“Having seen the resiliency of french fry demand during the pandemic, we remain confident in the long-term health and growth prospects for the global category, and are committed to supporting this growth and our customers by investing in new capacity. Along with driving margin improvement by improving product and customer mix, pricing to offset inflation, and executing on our lean manufacturing initiatives, we believe we’re well-positioned to drive sustainable, profitable growth and create value for our stakeholders over the long term.”

Summary of Fourth Quarter and FY 2021 Results
($ in millions, except per share)
					Year-Over-Year			YTD			Year-Over-Year
		Q4 2021			Growth Rates			FY 2021			Growth Rates
Net sales		$	1,007.5		19	%		$	3,670.9		(3	%)
Income from operations		$	98.9		220	%		$	474.8		(15	%)
Net income		$	65.5		NM			$	317.8		(13	%)
Diluted EPS		$	0.44		NM			$	2.16		(13	%)
Adjusted Diluted EPS(1)		$	0.44		NM			$	2.16		(14	%)
Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures(1)		$	166.3		112	%		$	748.4		(6	%)

Q4 2021 Commentary

Net sales increased $160.6 million to $1,007.5 million, up 19 percent versus the prior year quarter, with volume up 13 percent and price/mix up 6 percent. Net sales and volume increased 28 percent and 21 percent, respectively, excluding the benefit of the additional selling week in the prior year quarter. The increase in sales volume predominantly reflected the recovery in demand for frozen potato products outside the home as governments further eased COVID-19 pandemic-related social restrictions, including on restaurants and other foodservice operations. The increase in sales volume also reflected the comparison to reduced shipments in the prior year quarter when customers significantly destocked inventories as they adjusted to the abrupt change in the business environment. The increase in price/mix was driven primarily by favorable price and mix in each of the Company’s core business segments.

Income from operations increased $68.0 million to $98.9 million, up 220 percent versus the prior year quarter, reflecting higher sales and gross profit, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”). Gross profit increased $86.9 million, driven by higher sales and lower manufacturing and distribution costs on a per pound basis. The lower costs per pound largely reflected a reduction in incremental costs and inefficiencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the Company’s production, transportation, and warehousing operations as compared to the prior year, as well as supply chain productivity savings. The lower costs per pound were partially offset by input and transportation cost inflation. The increase in gross profit also included a $26.7 million increase in unrealized mark-to-market adjustments associated with commodity hedging contracts, which includes an $18.8 million gain in the current quarter, compared with a $7.9 million loss related to these items in the prior year quarter.

SG&A increased $18.9 million compared to the prior year quarter, largely due to higher incentive compensation accruals and investments to improve the Company’s manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial operations over the long term. In addition, advertising and promotional expense (“A&P”) increased $3.1 million, largely in support of the launch of new products in the Retail segment. The increase in SG&A was partially offset by cost management efforts.

Net income was $65.5 million, up $67.1 million versus the prior year quarter, and Diluted EPS was $0.44, up $0.45 versus the prior year quarter, driven by an increase in income from operations and equity method investment earnings.

Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures⁽¹⁾ increased $88.0 million to $166.3 million, up 112 percent versus the prior year quarter, driven by higher income from operations and equity method investment earnings.

The Company’s effective tax rate⁽²⁾ in the fourth quarter fiscal 2021 was 17.9 percent, versus a 63.6 percent benefit in the prior year period, and the difference is primarily due to lower earnings in the fourth quarter fiscal 2020. The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21 percent principally due to the impact of U.S. state taxes, foreign taxes, permanent differences, and discrete items.

Q4 2021 Segment Highlights

Global
Global Segment Summary
					Year-Over-Year
			Q4 2021		Growth Rates			Price/Mix			Volume
			(dollars in millions)
Net sales		$	509.6		19	%		3	%		16	%
Segment product contribution margin(3)		$	56.4		68	%

Net sales for the Global segment, which is generally comprised of the top 100 North American based quick service (“QSR”) and full-service restaurant chain customers as well as all of the Company’s international sales, increased $80.3 million to $509.6 million, up 19 percent versus the prior year quarter, with volume up 16 percent and price/mix up 3 percent. Net sales and volume increased 28 percent and 24 percent, respectively, excluding the benefit of the additional selling week in the prior year quarter. The recovery in demand, especially at QSRs and other large chain restaurant customers in the U.S., largely drove the increase in sales volume. Shipments to customers in the Company’s key international markets also improved in the aggregate, although varied by country. Overall sales volume growth also reflected a comparison to reduced shipments in the prior year quarter as customers destocked inventories. The increase in price/mix reflected both favorable price and mix.

Global segment product contribution margin increased $22.9 million to $56.4 million, up 68 percent versus the prior year quarter. Higher sales volume, favorable price/mix and lower manufacturing and distribution costs per pound drove the increase.

Foodservice
Foodservice Segment Summary
					Year-Over-Year
			Q4 2021		Growth Rates			Price/Mix			Volume
			(dollars in millions)
Net sales		$	320.0		82	%		18	%		64	%
Segment product contribution margin(3)		$	96.3		127	%

Net sales for the Foodservice segment, which services North American foodservice distributors and restaurant chains generally outside the top 100 North American based restaurant chain customers, increased $144.2 million to $320.0 million, up 82 percent versus the prior year period, with volume up 64 percent and price/mix up 18 percent. Net sales and volume increased 94 percent and 74 percent, respectively, excluding the benefit of the additional selling week in the prior year quarter. The recovery in demand at small and regional chain restaurants, as well as independently-owned restaurants, especially at full-service establishments, drove the increase in sales volume. Shipments to non-commercial customers, such as lodging and hospitality, healthcare, schools and universities, sports and entertainment, and workplace environments, also increased versus the prior year quarter, but remained well below pre-pandemic levels. Overall sales volume growth also reflected a comparison to reduced shipments in the prior year quarter as customers significantly destocked inventories. In the current quarter, shipment and order trends in each of the segment’s primary sales channels improved as the quarter progressed as governments eased social restrictions, and as consumers enjoyed the onset of warmer weather. The increase in price/mix largely reflected the benefit of favorable mix from higher sales of Lamb Weston branded and premium products, which had softened in the prior year quarter.

Foodservice segment product contribution margin increased $53.8 million to $96.3 million, up 127 percent compared to the prior year quarter. Higher sales volume, favorable price/mix and lower manufacturing and distribution costs per pound drove the increase.

Retail
Retail Segment Summary
					Year-Over-Year
			Q4 2021		Growth Rates			Price/Mix			Volume
			(dollars in millions)
Net sales		$	146.3		(28	%)		2	%		(30	%)
Segment product contribution margin(3)		$	21.2		(32	%)

Net sales for the Retail segment, which includes sales of branded and private label products to grocery, mass merchant and club customers in North America, declined $55.6 million to $146.3 million, down 28 percent versus the prior year period, with volume down 30 percent and price/mix up 2 percent. Net sales and volume declined 22 percent and 24 percent, respectively, excluding the benefit of the additional selling week in the prior year quarter. The sales volume decline reflects a comparison to the prior year quarter that included a surge in demand for in-home consumption of frozen potato products following government-imposed social restrictions, as well as lower shipments of private label products resulting from incremental losses of certain low-margin business. However, total shipments in the current quarter remained near pre-pandemic levels, driven by continued strong demand for the Company’s premium and mainstream branded offerings, partially offset by lower private label sales. The increase in price/mix was largely driven by favorable mix from higher sales of branded products.

Retail segment product contribution margin declined $10.2 million to $21.2 million, down 32 percent versus the prior year quarter. Lower sales volumes and a $3.1 million increase in A&P expenses to support new product launches, drove the decline, partially offset by favorable price/mix.

Equity Method Investment Earnings

Equity method investment earnings (loss) from unconsolidated joint ventures in Europe, the U.S., and South America were earnings of $9.6 million and a loss of $6.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. Equity method investment earnings (loss) included a $4.5 million unrealized gain related to mark-to-market adjustments associated with currency and commodity hedging contracts in the current quarter, compared to a $2.7 million unrealized gain related to these items in the prior year quarter. Excluding the mark-to-market adjustments, earnings from equity method investments increased $13.9 million compared to the prior year period. The earnings increase was driven by higher sales volume due to a recovery in demand, as well as higher incremental costs and inefficiencies related to the pandemic’s effect on operations, including the write-off of raw potato contracts, in the prior year.

Fiscal Year 2021 Commentary

Net sales declined $121.5 million to $3,670.9 million, down 3 percent versus fiscal 2020, with volume down 6 percent and price/mix up 3 percent. Net sales and volume declined 2 percent and 6 percent, respectively, excluding the benefit of the 53^rd week in the prior year. The decline in sales volume reflected soft demand for much of the first three fiscal quarters following government-imposed pandemic-related social restrictions, including on restaurants and other foodservice operations. As described above, sales volumes increased in the fiscal fourth quarter due to a recovery in demand, as well as a comparison to reduced shipments in the prior year quarter when customers were destocking inventories. The increase in price/mix was driven primarily by favorable pricing in the Company’s Foodservice segment and favorable mix in its Retail segment, while price/mix in the Global segment was flat.

Income from operations declined $82.1 million to $474.8 million, down 15 percent from the prior year, reflecting lower gross profit and higher SG&A. Gross profit declined $63.2 million, driven by lower sales and higher manufacturing and distribution costs on a per pound basis, which largely included: incremental costs and inefficiencies related to the pandemic’s effect on the Company’s production, transportation, and warehousing operations; and input and transportation cost inflation. The increase in costs was partially offset by supply chain productivity savings. In addition, gross profit included a $40.4 million change in unrealized mark-to-market adjustments and realized settlements associated with commodity hedging contracts, which reflects a $37.9 million gain in the current year, compared with a $2.5 million loss related to these items in the prior year.

SG&A increased $18.9 million compared to the prior year. The increase was largely driven by investments to improve the Company’s manufacturing, supply chain, commercial and information technology operations over the long term, which included approximately $9 million of non-recurring expenses (primarily consulting and employee training expenses) associated with implementing the first phase of a new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system compared to approximately $8 million in the prior year. Additionally, the increase in SG&A was due to higher compensation and benefits. The increase in SG&A was partially offset by a $5.2 million decline in A&P expense, as well as by cost management efforts.

Net income declined $48.1 million to $317.8 million, down 13 percent versus the prior year, due to a decline in income from operations and higher interest expense, partially offset by higher equity method investment earnings. The increase in interest expense reflected a higher level of average total debt resulting from the Company’s actions in late fiscal 2020 and early fiscal 2021 to enhance its liquidity position during the pandemic. In addition, fiscal 2020 results included a $2.6 million ($2.0 million after-tax) loss related to the withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan by the Company’s joint venture, Lamb-Weston/RDO Frozen (“Lamb Weston RDO”).

Diluted EPS declined $0.33 to $2.16, largely reflecting a decline in income from operations and higher interest expense, partially offset by higher equity method investment earnings.

Adjusted Diluted EPS⁽¹⁾, which excludes the $2.6 million loss ($2.0 million after-tax) related to the withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan by Lamb Weston RDO in the prior year, declined $0.34 to $2.16.

Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures⁽¹⁾ declined $51.4 million to $748.4 million, down 6 percent versus the prior year, driven by a decline in income from operations, partially offset by an increase in equity method investment earnings.

The Company’s effective tax rate⁽²⁾ was 22.2 percent for fiscal 2021, compared to 23.5 percent in fiscal 2020. The difference between the Company’s effective tax rates in fiscal 2021 and 2020 is primarily due to permanent differences and discrete items. The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21 percent principally due to the impact of U.S. state taxes, foreign taxes, permanent differences, and discrete items.

Fiscal Year 2021 Segment Highlights

Global
Global Segment Summary
					Year-Over-Year
			FY 2021		Growth Rates			Price/Mix			Volume
			(dollars in millions)
Net sales		$	1,911.5		(3	%)		0	%		(3	%)
Segment product contribution margin(3)		$	306.2		(18	%)

Net sales for the Global segment declined $62.1 million to $1,911.5 million, down 3 percent compared to the prior year, with volume down 3 percent and price/mix flat. Net sales and volume each declined 2 percent excluding the benefit of the 53^rd week in the prior year. Sales volumes in the first half of the year declined as compared to the prior year, but largely stabilized beginning in the fiscal third quarter behind strength in shipments to large QSR customers in the U.S. As described above, overall sales volumes for the segment increased in the fiscal fourth quarter due to a recovery in demand in the U.S. and in the Company’s key international markets, as well as a comparison to reduced shipments in the prior year quarter when customers were destocking inventories. Price/mix was flat as positive pricing actions were offset by unfavorable customer mix.

Global segment product contribution margin declined $68.3 million to $306.2 million, down 18 percent compared to the prior year. Higher manufacturing and distribution costs, as well as lower sales volumes, largely drove the decline.

Foodservice
Foodservice Segment Summary
					Year-Over-Year
			FY 2021		Growth Rates			Price/Mix			Volume
			(dollars in millions)
Net sales		$	1,017.3		(5	%)		7	%		(12	%)
Segment product contribution margin(3)		$	340.0		(4	%)

Net sales for the Foodservice segment declined $51.8 million to $1,017.3 million, down 5 percent compared to the prior year, with volume down 12 percent and price/mix up 7 percent. Net sales and volume declined 4 percent and 11 percent, respectively, excluding the benefit of the 53^rd week in the prior year. Sales volumes during the first three quarters of the year declined as compared to the prior year as demand at full-service restaurants and non-commercial customers were significantly affected by government-imposed social restrictions. As described above, overall sales volumes for the segment increased in the fiscal fourth quarter due to a recovery in most of the segment’s customer channels, as well as a comparison to significantly reduced shipments in the prior year quarter when customers were destocking inventories. The increase in price/mix primarily reflected the carryover benefit of pricing actions implemented during fiscal 2020, partially offset by unfavorable mix as sales of Lamb Weston branded and premium products softened during the height of the pandemic.

Foodservice segment product contribution margin declined $16.0 million to $340.0 million, down 4 percent compared to the prior year, as lower sales volumes and higher manufacturing and distribution costs more than offset the benefit of favorable price/mix.

Retail
Retail Segment Summary
					Year-Over-Year
			FY 2021		Growth Rates			Price/Mix			Volume
			(dollars in millions)
Net sales		$	603.4		1	%		5	%		(4	%)
Segment product contribution margin(3)		$	120.2		2	%

Net sales for the Retail segment increased $7.9 million to $603.4 million, up 1 percent versus the prior year, with price/mix up 5 percent and volume down 4 percent. Excluding the benefit of the 53^rd week in the prior year, net sales increased 4 percent and volume declined 2 percent. The increase in price/mix was largely driven by favorable mix from higher sales of premium and mainstream branded offerings. The decline in sales volumes reflected lower shipments of private label products resulting from incremental losses of certain low-margin business, partially offset by strong growth in branded products, which have historically comprised approximately 40 percent of the segment’s volume. In addition, as described above, the sales volume decline reflects a comparison to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 which included a surge in demand for in-home consumption of frozen potato products following government-imposed social restrictions.

Retail segment product contribution margin increased $2.6 million to $120.2 million, up 2 percent compared to fiscal 2020, as favorable product mix more than offset the impact of higher manufacturing and distribution costs, as well as lower sales volumes of private label products.

Equity Method Investment Earnings

Equity method investment earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures in Europe, the U.S., and South America were $51.8 million and $29.3 million for fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. Earnings in fiscal 2020 included a $2.6 million loss related to the withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan by Lamb Weston RDO. Equity method investment earnings also included an $11.3 million unrealized gain related to mark-to-market adjustments associated with currency and commodity hedging contracts in fiscal 2021 and a $6.3 million loss related to these items in fiscal 2020. In addition, in December 2020, Lamb-Weston/Meijer increased its ownership interest in its Russian joint venture from 35.5% to 74.9%, and now consolidates that joint venture in its results.

Excluding the Lamb Weston RDO pension-related comparability item and the mark-to-market adjustments, equity method investments earnings increased $2.3 million compared to the prior year period, largely driven by Lamb-Weston/Meijer’s increased ownership interest in its Russian joint venture and higher manufacturing costs per pound in the prior year, partially offset by lower frozen potato demand in Europe following government-imposed restrictions on restaurant and other foodservice operations.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Net cash from operating activities was $553.2 million, down $20.8 million versus the prior year, primarily due to lower earnings and partially offset by lower working capital needs. Capital expenditures, including information technology expenditures, were $161.3 million, down $47.1 million versus the prior year period.

In March 2021, the Company announced the planned construction of a greenfield processing facility in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, China with capacity to produce more than 250 million pounds of frozen french fries and other potato products per year. The new facility would add to the Company’s existing in-country production from its facility in Shangdu, Inner Mongolia, China. The new facility is expected to be completed in the first half of fiscal year 2024, and the cost of this investment is expected to be approximately $250 million.

In addition, in July 2021, the Company announced the expansion and modernization of its facility in American Falls, Idaho, including the construction of a new processing line with capacity to produce approximately 350 million pounds of frozen french fries and other potato products per year. The new facility is expected to be completed in the second half of fiscal year 2023, and the cost of this investment is expected to be approximately $415 million.

Capital Returned to Shareholders

In fiscal 2021, the Company returned a total of $161.0 million to shareholders, including $135.3 million in cash dividends and $25.7 million through share repurchases. The average price per share repurchased during fiscal 2021 was $78.19. The Company has approximately $170 million remaining under its existing $250 million share repurchase authorization.

Fiscal 2022 Outlook

The Company expects fiscal 2022 net sales growth will be above its long-term target of low-to-mid single digits. The Company anticipates net sales growth in the first half of fiscal year 2022 will be driven largely by higher volume, reflecting an ongoing recovery in frozen potato demand, as well as a comparison to relatively soft shipments in the prior year. The Company expects net sales growth in the second half of its fiscal year will reflect more of a balance of higher volume and improved price/mix as recent pricing actions are fully implemented in the market, and as sales volumes in higher-margin channels approach pre-pandemic levels.

The Company expects net income and Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures to be pressured during the first half of fiscal 2022. The Company expects volatility in the broader supply chain as the overall economy continues to recover from the pandemic’s impact, and anticipates significant inflation for key production inputs, packaging and transportation compared to fiscal 2021 levels. In addition, the Company expects continued investments in its manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial operations will increase operating expenses in the near term, but remains confident that these investments will improve its ability to support growth and margin improvement over the long term. While the ongoing impact of the pandemic is uncertain, the Company anticipates that earnings will gradually normalize in the second half of fiscal 2022 as manufacturing and distribution operations stabilize, and as price/mix improves.

The Company believes that its strong balance sheet and ability to generate cash has it well-positioned to expand production capacity to support long-term growth, including its recently announced investments in the U.S. and China, as well as to make strategic investments in its information technology platform, including the second phase of its ERP system. Through its joint venture in Europe, the Company also announced investments to expand capacity in Russia and the Netherlands.

In addition, for fiscal 2022, the Company expects:

• Interest expense, net, of approximately $115 million,
• Effective tax rate at the low end of its long-term range of 23 percent to 24 percent,
• Depreciation and amortization of approximately $190 million, and
• Cash used for capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, of $650 million to $700 million, depending on timing of projects, which include among other items: completion of the Company’s chopped and formed capacity expansion in American Falls, Idaho; initial construction of a new french fry processing line and plant modernization investments in American Falls, Idaho; and initial construction of a greenfield french fry processing facility in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, China.

End Notes

(1)		Adjusted Diluted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations at the end of this press release for more information.
(2)		The effective tax rate is calculated as the ratio of income tax expense to pre-tax income, inclusive of equity method investment earnings.
(3)		For more information about product contribution margin, please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the table titled “Segment Information” included in this press release.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Lamb Weston will host a conference call to review its fourth quarter fiscal 2021 results at 10:00 a.m. EDT today, July 27, 2021. Participants in the U.S. and Canada may access the conference call by dialing 800-430-8332 and participants outside the U.S. and Canada should dial +1-323-289-6581. The confirmation code is 6192753. The conference call also may be accessed live on the internet. Participants can register for the event at: https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1475861&tp_key=65826345b9.

A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available beginning on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 after 2:00 p.m. EDT at https://investors.lambweston.com/events-and-presentations.

About Lamb Weston

Lamb Weston, along with its joint venture partners, is a leading supplier of frozen potato, sweet potato, appetizer and vegetable products to restaurants and retailers around the world. For more than 70 years, Lamb Weston has led the industry in innovation, introducing inventive products that simplify back-of-house management for its customers and make things more delicious for their customers. From the fields where Lamb Weston potatoes are grown to proactive customer partnerships, Lamb Weston always strives for more and never settles. Because, when we look at a potato, we see possibilities. Learn more about us at lambweston.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “expect,” “improve,” “believe,” “will,” “continue,” “become,” “remain,” “support,” “anticipate,” “would,” “maintain,” “drive,” “create,” “invest,” “increase,” “expand,” “outlook,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s plans, execution, capital expenditures and investments, operational costs and business outlook and prospects, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s industry and the global economy. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Readers of this press release should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Many factors could affect the Company’s actual financial results and cause them to vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in this press release. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: impacts on the Company’s business due to health pandemics or other contagious outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, including impacts on demand for its products, increased costs, disruption of supply or other constraints in the availability of key commodities and other necessary services; the Company’s ability to successfully execute its long-term value creation strategies; the Company’s ability to execute on large capital projects, including construction of new production lines or facilities; the competitive environment and related conditions in the markets in which the Company and its joint ventures operate; political and economic conditions of the countries in which the Company and its joint ventures conduct business and other factors related to its international operations; disruption of the Company’s access to export mechanisms; risks associated with possible acquisitions, including the Company’s ability to complete acquisitions or integrate acquired businesses; its debt levels; the availability and prices of raw materials; changes in the Company’s relationships with its growers or significant customers; the success of the Company’s joint ventures; actions of governments and regulatory factors affecting the Company’s businesses or joint ventures; the ultimate outcome of litigation or any product recalls; levels of pension, labor and people-related expenses; the Company’s ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; and other risks described in the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this press release, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no responsibility for updating these statements, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial information included in this press release, the Company has presented product contribution margin on a consolidated basis, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures, Adjusted Diluted EPS, and adjusted income tax expense, equity method investment earnings and net income, each of which is considered a non-GAAP financial measure.

The non-GAAP financial measures provided should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") that are presented in this press release. The non-GAAP financial measures presented may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures the same way. These measures are not substitutes for their comparable GAAP financial measures, such as gross profit, net income, diluted earnings per share, or other measures prescribed by GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures.

Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to assist in comparing the Company's performance on a consistent basis for purposes of business decision making. Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with useful information because they (i) provide meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain items affecting comparability between periods, (ii) permit investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate historical performance, and (iii) otherwise provide supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating the Company's results. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those measures, provides investors with additional understanding of the factors and trends affecting the Company's business than could be obtained absent these disclosures.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(in millions, except per share amounts)
		Thirteen Weeks Ended			Fourteen Weeks Ended				Fifty-Two Weeks Ended			Fifty-Three Weeks Ended
		May 30,			May 31,				May 30,			May 31,
		2021			2020				2021			2020
Net sales		$	1,007.5		$	846.9			$	3,670.9		$	3,792.4
Cost of sales			809.5			735.8				2,838.9			2,897.2
Gross profit			198.0			111.1				832.0			895.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses			99.1			80.2				357.2			338.3
Income from operations			98.9			30.9				474.8			556.9
Interest expense, net			28.7			29.2				118.3			108.0
Income before income taxes and equity method earnings			70.2			1.7				356.5			448.9
Income tax expense (benefit)			14.3			(2.8	)			90.5			112.3
Equity method investment earnings (loss)			9.6			(6.1	)			51.8			29.3
Net income (loss)		$	65.5		$	(1.6	)		$	317.8		$	365.9
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic		$	0.45		$	(0.01	)		$	2.17		$	2.50
Diluted		$	0.44		$	(0.01	)		$	2.16		$	2.49
Dividends declared per common share		$	0.235		$	0.230			$	0.930		$	0.860
Computation of diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss)		$	65.5		$	(1.6	)		$	317.8		$	365.9
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			147.1			146.2				147.1			147.1
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.44		$	(0.01	)		$	2.16		$	2.49

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in millions, except share data)
		May 30,				May 31,
		2021				2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents (1)		$	783.5			$	1,364.0
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.9 and $1.3			366.9				342.1
Inventories			513.5				486.7
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			117.8				109.8
Total current assets			1,781.7				2,302.6
Property, plant and equipment, net			1,524.0				1,535.0
Operating lease assets			141.7				167.0
Equity method investments			310.2				250.2
Goodwill			334.5				303.8
Intangible assets, net			36.9				38.3
Other assets			80.4				65.4
Total assets		$	4,209.4			$	4,662.3
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings (1)		$	—			$	498.7
Current portion of long-term debt and financing obligations			32.0				48.8
Accounts payable			359.3				244.4
Accrued liabilities			226.9				233.0
Total current liabilities			618.2				1,024.9
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt and financing obligations, excluding current portion			2,705.4				2,992.6
Deferred income taxes			159.7				152.5
Other noncurrent liabilities			245.5				252.3
Total long-term liabilities			3,110.6				3,397.4
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock of $1.00 par value, 600,000,000 shares authorized; 147,640,632 and 146,993,751 shares issued			147.6				147.0
Additional distributed capital			(836.8	)			(862.9	)
Retained earnings			1,244.6				1,064.6
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			29.5				(40.5	)
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,448,768 and 954,858 common shares			(104.3	)			(68.2	)
Total stockholders' equity			480.6				240.0
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	4,209.4			$	4,662.3

____________________

(1)

During the fourteen weeks ended May 31, 2020, the Company borrowed $1,320.0 million, including $495.0 million under its revolving credit facility, to increase its cash position and preserve financial flexibility considering the uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in millions)
		Fifty-Two Weeks Ended				Fifty-Three Weeks Ended
		May 30,				May 31,
		2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income		$	317.8			$	365.9
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles and debt issuance costs			188.8				184.0
Stock-settled, stock-based compensation expense			20.6				22.8
Earnings of joint ventures in excess of distributions			(33.0	)			(0.4	)
Deferred income taxes			3.8				20.0
Other			10.7				15.6
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Receivables			(21.0	)			1.1
Inventories			(22.0	)			15.3
Income taxes payable/receivable, net			(3.3	)			2.7
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(4.9	)			(2.0	)
Accounts payable			104.7				(34.9	)
Accrued liabilities			(9.0	)			(16.1	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	553.2			$	574.0
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment			(147.2	)			(167.7	)
Additions to other long-term assets			(16.1	)			(40.7	)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired			—				(116.7	)
Investment in equity method joint venture			—				(22.6	)
Other			0.8				1.7
Net cash used for investing activities		$	(162.5	)		$	(346.0	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds (payments) of short-term borrowings, net			(498.8	)			490.5
Repayments of debt and financing obligations			(305.5	)			(336.3	)
Dividends paid			(135.3	)			(121.3	)
Repurchase of common stock and common stock withheld to cover taxes			(36.1	)			(28.9	)
Proceeds from issuance of debt			—				1,122.9
Other			1.7				(1.9	)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		$	(974.0	)		$	1,125.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			2.8				(1.2	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(580.5	)			1,351.8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period			1,364.0				12.2
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	783.5			$	1,364.0

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
Segment Information
(dollars in millions)
		Thirteen Weeks Ended			Fourteen Weeks Ended				Year-Over-
		May 30,			May 31,				Year Growth
		2021			2020				Rates			Price/Mix			Volume
Segment sales
Global		$	509.6		$	429.3			19	%		3	%		16	%
Foodservice			320.0			175.8			82	%		18	%		64	%
Retail			146.3			201.9			(28	%)		2	%		(30	%)
Other			31.6			39.9			(21	%)		5	%		(26	%)
		$	1,007.5		$	846.9			19	%		6	%		13	%
Segment product contribution margin (1)
Global		$	56.4		$	33.5			68	%
Foodservice			96.3			42.5			127	%
Retail			21.2			31.4			(32	%)
Other			15.4			(1.9	)		N/M
			189.3			105.5			79	%
Add: Advertising and promotion expenses			8.7			5.6			55	%
Gross profit		$	198.0		$	111.1			78	%

		Fifty-Two Weeks Ended			Fifty-Three Weeks Ended			Year-Over-
		May 30,			May 31,			Year Growth
		2021			2020			Rates			Price/Mix			Volume
Segment sales
Global		$	1,911.5		$	1,973.6		(3	%)		0	%		(3	%)
Foodservice			1,017.3			1,069.1		(5	%)		7	%		(12	%)
Retail			603.4			595.5		1	%		5	%		(4	%)
Other			138.7			154.2		(10	%)		4	%		(14	%)
		$	3,670.9		$	3,792.4		(3	%)		3	%		(6	%)
Segment product contribution margin (1)
Global		$	306.2		$	374.5		(18	%)
Foodservice			340.0			356.0		(4	%)
Retail			120.2			117.6		2	%
Other			47.8			24.1		98	%
			814.2			872.2		(7	%)
Add: Advertising and promotion expenses			17.8			23.0		(23	%)
Gross profit		$	832.0		$	895.2		(7	%)

____________________

(1)

Product contribution margin is one of the primary measures reported to the Company’s chief operating decision maker for purposes of allocating resources to the Company’s segments and assessing their performance. Product contribution margin represents net sales less cost of sales and advertising and promotion expenses. Product contribution margin includes advertising and promotion expenses because those expenses are directly associated with the performance of the Company’s segments. Product contribution margin, when presented on a consolidated basis, is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this press release for a description of non-GAAP financial measures and the table above for a reconciliation of product contribution margin on a consolidated basis to gross profit.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(dollars in millions, except share data)

There were no items impacting comparability during the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended May 30, 2021, or the fourteen weeks ended May 31, 2020. The item impacting comparability for the fifty-three weeks ended May 31, 2020, was as follows:

		Fifty-Three weeks Ended May 31, 2020
											Equity
		Income						Income			Method
		From			Interest			Tax			Investment						Diluted
		Operations			Expense			Expense (1)			Earnings			Net Income			EPS
As reported		$	556.9		$	108.0		$	112.3		$	29.3		$	365.9		$	2.49
Items impacting comparability:
Loss on withdrawal from multiemployer pension plan			—			—			0.6			2.6			2.0			0.01
Total items impacting comparability			—			—			0.6			2.6			2.0			0.01
Adjusted (2)		$	556.9		$	108.0		$	112.9		$	31.9		$	367.9		$	2.50

___________________

(1)		Income tax expense is calculated as the ratio of income tax expense to pre-tax income, inclusive of equity method investment earnings. Items impacting comparability are tax effected at the marginal rate based on the applicable tax jurisdiction.
(2)		Adjusted income tax expense, equity method investment earnings, net income, and diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Management excludes items impacting comparability between periods as it believes these items are not necessarily reflective of the ongoing operations of Lamb Weston. These non-GAAP financial measures provide a means to evaluate the performance of Lamb Weston on an ongoing basis using the same measures that are frequently used by the Company’s management and assist in providing a meaningful comparison between periods. See also “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this press release.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(dollars in millions)
To supplement the financial information included in this press release, the Company has presented Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The following table reconciles net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures.
		Thirteen Weeks Ended				Fourteen Weeks Ended				Fifty-Two Weeks Ended				Fifty-Three Weeks Ended
		May 30,				May 31,				May 30,				May 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Net income (loss)		$	65.5			$	(1.6	)		$	317.8			$	365.9
Equity method investment (earnings) loss			(9.6	)			6.1				(51.8	)			(29.3	)
Interest expense, net			28.7				29.2				118.3				108.0
Income tax expense (benefit)			14.3				(2.8	)			90.5				112.3
Income from operations			98.9				30.9				474.8				556.9
Depreciation and amortization			44.2				45.2				182.7				177.8
Adjusted EBITDA (1)			143.1				76.1				657.5				734.7
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (2)
Equity method investment earnings (loss)			9.6				(6.1	)			51.8				29.3
Interest expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and
amortization included in equity method investment earnings			13.6				8.3				39.1				33.2
Items impacting comparability
Loss on withdrawal from multiemployer pension plan			—				—				—				2.6
Add: Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated joint ventures			23.2				2.2				90.9				65.1
Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures (1)		$	166.3			$	78.3			$	748.4			$	799.8

___________________

(1)		Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA including unconsolidated joint ventures are non-GAAP financial measures. Lamb Weston presents these measures because the Company believes they provide a means to evaluate the performance of the Company on an ongoing basis using the same measure frequently used by the Company’s management and assist in providing a meaningful comparison between periods. Any analysis of non-GAAP financial measures should be done only in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be a substitute for GAAP financial measures and should not be used as such. See also “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this press release.
(2)		Lamb Weston holds equity interests in three potato processing joint ventures, including 50% of Lamb-Weston/Meijer, Lamb-Weston/RDO Frozen, and Lamb Weston Alimentos Modernos S.A., which it accounts for its ownership under the equity method of accounting. See Note 4, Investments in Joint Ventures, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in the Company’s fiscal 2021 Form 10-K, for more information.

 

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FAQ

What were Lamb Weston's fiscal Q4 2021 results for net sales and income?

Lamb Weston reported net sales of $1,007.5 million in Q4 2021, a 19% increase year-over-year, and income from operations of $98.9 million, up 220%.

What is Lamb Weston's outlook for fiscal year 2022?

Lamb Weston expects net sales growth for fiscal 2022 to exceed its long-term target, driven by a recovery in frozen potato demand.

How did Lamb Weston's full fiscal year 2021 compare to the previous year?

For the full fiscal year 2021, net sales declined 3% to $3,670.9 million, while net income decreased by 13% to $317.8 million.

What challenges does Lamb Weston face in the near term?

Lamb Weston anticipates significant inflation for key production inputs and transportation costs, along with ongoing supply chain disruptions.

What were the diluted EPS figures for Lamb Weston in Q4 and FY 2021?

The diluted EPS for Q4 2021 was $0.44, and for the full fiscal year 2021, it was $2.16.