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8-K - FORM 8_K - PILGRIMS PRIDE CORPform8_k.htm


PILGRIM'S PRIDE REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER OF FISCAL 2010

Sales Increase 13%, Net Income Rises 24% and Adjusted EBITDA Climbs 92% Compared to Year-Ago Period

GREELEY, CO, February 11, 2011 – Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (NYSE: PPC) today reported net earnings of $41.8 million, or $0.20 per share, on net sales of $1.8 billion for the fourth quarter ended December 26, 2010.  For the comparable quarter a year ago, the company reported net earnings of $33.6 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, on total sales of $1.6 billion.  Pilgrim’s currently has 214.3 million shares outstanding, compared to approximately 77.1 million diluted shares outstanding in the year-ago period.  Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes restructuring and reorganization charges, was $124.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, versus $64.9 million for the same period a year ago.

“We were pleased with the progress in our financial performance in the fourth quarter, particularly in light of the challenges posed by sharply higher grain prices,” said Bill Lovette, Pilgrim’s president and chief executive.  “Our continuing focus on operating efficiencies, cost control, and sales and product mix improvements helped generate positive results during a difficult time in the industry.”

Lovette said customer demand improved in the fourth quarter, with Pilgrim’s reporting higher volume in its retail and foodservice segments compared to a year ago.  Pilgrim’s reported double-digit volume increases in some areas of its foodservice business and the company has picked up additional retail business for 2011 from several of its largest customers.

Lovette said the company began deboning operations at its idled processing plant in Douglas, Ga., last November and re-started slaughter operations in mid-January.  The company expects the plant to reach full capacity later this year.  Pilgrim’s is committed to balancing production with customer needs and will target further expansion based on that demand.

“We are cautiously optimistic about the outlook for chicken this year,” Lovette said.  “While all of us are concerned about sharply higher grain prices and the uncertain economy, there are a number of positive signs as we enter 2011.  Based on the negotiations we have completed with most of our foodservice and retail customers, our pricing should be improved year over year.  In addition, given the projected reduction in beef supply this year and the higher prices that are expected for beef and pork in 2011, chicken should be attractively positioned with budget-conscious consumers.  We are seeing increased demand from foodservice accounts and exports should strengthen this year, particularly as we pursue new market opportunities through our partnership with JBS.”

For the full 2010 fiscal year, the company reported net income of $87.1 million, or $0.41 per share, on sales of $6.9 billion.  For the comparable 12-month period in the previous year, Pilgrim’s reported net income of $110.8 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, on sales of $6.8 billion.  The fiscal 2010 results include nonrecurring restructuring charges and reorganization expenses of $88.9 million pre-tax, or $55.3 million after tax, or $0.26 per share, compared to nonrecurring restructuring charges and reorganization expenses of $120.3 million pre-tax, or $74.9 million after tax, or $0.97 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2009.  Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2010 was $481.9 million, compared to $495.4 million for the comparable period in 2009.

Conference Call Information
A conference call to discuss the company's quarterly results will be held today at 9 a.m. Mountain (11 a.m. Eastern).  To listen live via telephone, call toll-free 888-378-4361, passcode 9439975.  International callers should dial 719-325-2223, passcode 9439975. The presentation will be broadcast live over the Internet at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=75862. (Please copy and paste the link into the browser.)

Additionally, the company has posted a slide presentation on its website at http://www.pilgrims.com, which may be viewed by listeners in connection with today’s conference call.  The webcast will be available for replay within approximately two hours of the conclusion of the call.  A toll-free telephone replay will be available today beginning at approximately noon Mountain time by calling 888-203-1112, passcode 9439975. International callers may dial 719-457-0820, passcode 9439975.  The replay will be available for 30 days.
 
 
 
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PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
News Release
February 11, 2011
Page 2
 
 
About Pilgrim’s Pride
Pilgrim's employs approximately 42,000 people and operates chicken processing plants and prepared-foods facilities in 12 states, Puerto Rico and Mexico.  The Company's primary distribution is through retailers and foodservice distributors.  For more information, please visit http://www.pilgrims.com.

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


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

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PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
News Release
February 11, 2011
Page 3
 
 PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 26, 2010
   
December 27, 2009
   
December 26, 2010
   
December 27, 2009
 
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
             
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
Net sales
  $ 1,811,294     $ 1,602,734     $ 6,881,629     $ 6,813,798  
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales
    1,690,311       1,531,104       6,416,318       6,322,736  
Operational restructuring charges, net
    1,793       2,877       4,318       15,341  
                                 
Gross profit (loss)
    119,190       68,753       460,993       475,721  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    52,129       62,523       209,544       224,358  
Administrative restructuring charges, net
    14,328       (1,359 )     66,022       (1,794 )
                                 
Total costs and expenses
    1,758,561       1,595,145       6,696,202       6,560,641  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    52,733       7,589       185,427       253,157  
                                 
Other expenses (income):
                               
Interest expense
    24,525       44,673       105,553       167,033  
Interest income
    (1,985 )     (480 )     (3,805 )     (4,335 )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
    11,726       -       11,726       -  
Miscellaneous, net
    (4,570 )     (884 )     (13,076 )     (3,086 )
                                 
Total other expenses
    29,696       43,309       100,398       159,612  
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
     reorganization items and income taxes
    23,037       (35,720 )     85,029       93,545  
Reorganization items, net
    -       32,726       18,541       106,751  
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income
     taxes
    23,037       (68,446 )     66,488       (13,206 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (19,544 )     (102,371 )     (23,838 )     (124,235 )
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    42,581       33,925       90,326       111,029  
Income (loss) from discontinued business, net of tax
    -       -       -       25  
                                 
Net income (income)
    42,581       33,925       90,326       111,054  
Less:  Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling
     interest
    737       312       3,185       243  
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride
     Corporation
  $ 41,844     $ 33,613     $ 87,141     $ 110,811  
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share—basic:
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable
    to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders
  $ 0.20     $ 0.45     $ 0.41     $ 1.49  
Income (loss) from discontinued business attributable to
     Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride
     Corporation common stockholders
  $ 0.20     $ 0.45     $ 0.41     $ 1.49  
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share—diluted:
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to
     Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders
  $ 0.20     $ 0.44     $ 0.41     $ 1.44  
Income (loss) from discontinued business attributable to
     Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride
     Corporation common stockholders
  $ 0.20     $ 0.44     $ 0.41     $ 1.44  
                                 
                                 


 
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PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
News Release
February 11, 2011
Page 4
 
 
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Continued)
 
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 26, 2010
   
December 27, 2009
   
December 26, 2010
   
December 27, 2009
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
    214,282       74,374       214,282       74,136  
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents
    -       2,767       -       2,752  
                                 
Diluted
    214,282       77,141       214,282       76,888  
                                 
Amounts attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
 common stockholders:
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax
  $ 41,844     $ 33,613     $ 87,141     $ 110,786  
Income (loss) from discontinued business, net of tax
    -       -       -       25  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 41,844     $ 33,613     $ 87,141     $ 110,811  
                                 
 
 



 
 
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PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
News Release
February 11, 2011
Page 5

PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 

   
December 26, 2010
   
December 27, 2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 106,077     $ 236,300  
Restricted cash
    60,953       -  
Investment in available-for-sale securities
    1,554       7,876  
Trade accounts and other receivables,
    less allowance for doubtful accounts
    321,765       311,501  
Inventories
    1,029,254       740,810  
Income taxes receivable
    58,465       175,475  
Current deferred income taxes
    3,476       -  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    81,250       36,775  
Assets held for sale
    47,671       473  
      -          
Total current assets
    1,710,465       1,509,210  
                 
Investment in available-for-sale securities
    11,595       58,104  
Deferred tax assets
    22,609       112,809  
Other long-lived assets
    67,143       -  
Identified intangible assets, net
    48,950       54,633  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    1,358,136       1,474,707  
                 
    $ 3,218,898     $ 3,209,463  
                 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 329,780     $ 196,674  
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC
    7,212       -  
Accrued expenses
    297,594       400,809  
Pre-petition obligations
    346       -  
Income taxes payable
    6,814       -  
Current deferred tax liabilities
    38,745       15,276  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    58,144       221,195  
                 
Total current liabilities
    738,635       833,954  
                 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    1,281,160       1,876,277  
Deferred tax liabilities
    3,476       69,595  
Other long-term liabilities
    117,031       92,963  
                 
Total liabilities not subject to compromise
    2,140,302       2,872,789  
                 
Liabilities subject to compromise
    -       138,208  
      -          
Common stock
    2,143       771  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,442,810       648,583  
Accumulated deficit
    (348,653 )     (435,792 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (23,637 )     (21,610 )
                 
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity
    1,072,663       191,952  
                 
Noncontrolling interest
    5,933       6,514  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    1,078,596       198,466  
                 
    $ 3,218,898     $ 3,209,463  
                 
 
 
 
 
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PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
News Release
February 11, 2011
Page 6

PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
Selected Financial Information
(Unaudited)

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

 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
December 26,
   
December 27,
   
December 26,
   
December 27,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
Net income from continuing operations
  $ 42,581     $ 33,925     $ 90,326     $ 111,029  
                                 
Add:
                               
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (19,544 )     (102,371 )     (23,838 )     (124,235 )
Interest expense, net
    22,540       44,193       101,748       162,698  
Depreciation and amortization
    55,648       56,705       231,045       232,552  
Minus:
                               
Amortization of capitalized loan costs
    3,531       1,437       14,797       6,680  
                                 
EBITDA
    97,694       31,015       384,484       375,364  
                                 
Add:
                               
Restructuring charges
    16,121       1,518       70,340       13,547  
Reorganization items, net
    -       32,726       18,541       106,751  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
    11,726       -       11,726       -  
Minus:
                               
   Net income (loss) attributable to
      noncontrolling interest
    737       312       3,185       243  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 124,804     $ 64,947     $ 481,906     $ 495,419  
                                 



 
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